WO2013036984A1

WO2013036984A1 - A guard rail attachment

Info

Publication number: WO2013036984A1
Application number: PCT/AU2012/000709
Authority: WO
Inventors: Emilio Rosati
Original assignee: Form 700 Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-09-15
Filing date: 2012-06-20
Publication date: 2013-03-21
Also published as: AU2012308083B2; AU2012308083A1; NZ623821A

Abstract

A guard (1) for preventing falls from a framework for supporting formwork for forming an elevated concrete slab or the like, the guard comprising a body having bifurcated opposing ends (4) as a releasable means for securing the guard between spaced apart portions of the framework.

Description

A GUARD RAIL ATTACHMENT'

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a guard for preventing falls from supporting framework for elevated concrete formwork.

PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority from:

Australian Provisional Patent Application No 201 1903793, titled "A GUARD RAIL

ATTACHMENT", and filed on 15 September 201 1.

The entire content of this application is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In known building practice, a support framework is assembled on a ground or lower floor level to support formwork for forming the next level of the building above. This framework is strong enough to support an elevated concrete slab which is then poured on to the formwork to create the next floor above. Once this concrete is set, and becomes self-supporting, then the framework and formwork can be removed from beneath.

Pre and post pouring, workers are required to work with the formwork positioned atop of the framework, so there exists the possibility of falling from the framework, which in some cases will be at a considerable height.

It is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therewith that the present invention has been developed.

Certain objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a framework for supporting formwork for forming an elevated concrete slab or the like, the framework comprising a guard for preventing falls from the framework, the guard comprising a body having opposing ends, and means at or toward each end thereof for securing the guard between spaced apart portions of the framework.

In one form, the framework comprises a plurality of the guards.

In one form, the means for securing the or each guard to the framework are releasable, so that the or each guard can be separated from the framework.

In one form, the framework further comprises a platform for workers working with the formwork, and the or each guard is positioned to prevent the workers from falling from the platform. In one form, the framework further comprises means adapted to operative ly cooperate with the means of the or each guard to effect securement of the or each guard relative to the framework.

In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a hardware assembly for forming an elevated concrete slab or the like, the hardware assembly comprising formwork, a framework supporting the formwork, and a guard for preventing falls from. the framework, the guard comprising a body having opposing ends, and means at or toward each end for securing the guard between spaced apart portions of the framework.

In one form, the hardware assembly further comprises one or more horizontal structural elements, such as bearers and or joists, supported by the supporting frame and supporting the formwork.

In one form, the hardware assembly further comprises a plurality of the frameworks.

In one form, the hardware assembly further comprises a plurality of the guards.

In one form, the hardware assembly further comprises a platform for workers working with any one or more of the formwork and or horizontal structural elements, and the or each guard are positioned to prevent the workers from falling from the platform. In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a guard for preventing falls from a framework for supporting formwork for forming an elevated concrete slab or the like, the guard F comprising a body having opposing ends, and means at or toward each end for securing the guard between spaced apart portions of the framework.

In one form, the means for securing the guard to the framework is adapted to locate any one or more of on, over or around a portion of the framework.

In one form, the means for securing the guard to the framework comprises means for locking the guard relative to the framework. In one form, the means for securing the guard to the framework are releasable.

In one form, the means for securing the guard to the framework comprises a bifurcate end comprising a pair of prongs separated by a slot-like gap. In one form, the guard comprises adjustment means for adjusting a spacing between the ends thereof as required.

In one form, the adjustment means comprises means for setting the spacing once adjusted.

In one form, the body comprises a longitudinal axis, and the guard comprises rotational orientation adjustment means for permitting rotation of at least one end relative to the other about the longitudinal axis.

In one form, the rotational adjustment means comprises means for setting the relative orientation of the ends as required.

In one form, the body comprises a rail.

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. While the invention is described in connection with such embodiments, it should be understood that the . invention is not limited to any embodiment. On the contrary, the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents. For the purpose of example, numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. The present invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of this disclosure it will now be described with respect to one or more exemplary embodiments, which shall be described herein with the assistance of drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hardware assembly for forming an elevated concrete slab; and

Figures 2a through 2c are detail views of a guard from the hardware assembly of Figure 1.

In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to Figure 1, where there is illustrated a hardware assembly 100 for forming an elevated concrete slab, the Hardware assembly 100 comprising a framework 102 supporting horizontal structural elements, such as an array of timber bearers 104, which in turn support an array of timber joists (not illustrated) which will sit atop of and extend normal to the bearers 104. The timber joists support formwork (not illustrated) upon which the concrete is to be poured. This formwork may take the form of panels of the type sold under the proprietary name ⁴ AIRODECK', or sheets of material, such as aluminium or plywood for instance. The framework 102 is comprised of two or more ladder-like sub frames 10. Each sub frame 10 comprises a pair of uprights 12 which are bridged by at least pair of parallel and spaced apart cross- members bridging the uprights 12 at points towards their respective ends so that in use there is an upper cross-member 14 and a lower cross-member 16. Secondary cross-members 18 extend between the uprights 12 in the region between the parallel cross- members 14 and 16.

A pair of these ladder-like sub frames 10 is joined by two pairs of crossed bracing struts 20 which extend between and connect to the uprights 12 of the sub frames 10 with fastening means. Timber beams (not illustrated) can be rested on and extended between the lower cross-members 16 of the two or more sub frames 10 so as to create a platform on which workers can stand while working with the formwork. A hazard associated with working on this platform involves tripping on and/or falling over one or both of the crossed bracing struts 20. This is especially easy to do at the point of intersection P of the crossed bracing struts, as this intersection point P is relatively low when compared with the standing height of an average person. To prevent such falls the guard 1 there is a guard 1 comprising a body in the form of a rail 2. In this embodiment this rail 2 comprises securement means 4 at or toward both ends thereof.

Referring now to Figures 2a through 2c, this securement means 4 takes the form of a pair of bifurcate ends 2a and 2b to the rail 2, each bifurcate end 2a and 2b comprising a pair of prongs 6 separated by a slot-like gap 8.

In one mode of use, one bifurcate end of the guard is located on the upper cross-member 14 of a first sub frame 10 (with one prong above and one prong below the upper cross-member 14), and the other bifurcate end 2b of the guard 2 is laterally swung into position and located on the upper cross-member 14 of a second sub frame 10 (again with one prong above and one prong below the upper cross- member 14). The guard 1 is then pushed out toward the uprights 12 on one side of the support frame 102 and prevents falls of the above described type.

Alternatively, one bifurcate end might be adapted to locate on an upright 12 of one sub frame 10 and the other bifurcate end on an upper cross-member 14 (ie. 90° to each other) of the other sub frame 10; in a further alternative, both bifurcate ends might be adapted to locate on uprights 12 of the two sub frames 10. In yet a further alternative, the guard might locate between the upper portions of the two crossed bracing struts 20. The length of the guard 1 could be adjustable, and the ends 2a and 2b rotatable so that the guard 1 may be employed in any one of these, positions.

The guard 1 might be brightly coloured and/or marked with high visibility markings so that a worker will notice if it is missing from a platform on which they are working.

Alternatively, the securement means may take the form of locating pins on the sub frames on which apertures in or through the guards may be disposed (or vice versa). Similarly, the body of the guard need not be limited to a rail. The body may further comprise a screen or panel which extends down (and/or upward) from the rail for instance.

Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations such as "comprising" and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an

acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention. Therefore, the invention should be understood to include all such modifications in its scope.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A framework for supporting formwork for forming an elevated concrete slab or the like, the framework comprising a guard for preventing falls from the framework, the guard comprising a body having opposing ends, and means at or toward each end thereof for securing the guard between spaced apart portions of the framework.

2. The framework of claim 1, wherein the framework comprises a plurality of the guards.

3. The framework as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for securing the or each guard to the framework are releasable, so that the or each guard can be separated from the framework.

4. The framework as in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a platform for workers working with the formwork, and the or each guard is positioned to prevent the workers from falling from the platform.

5. The framework as in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising means adapted to operatively cooperate with the means of the or each guard to effect securement of the or each guard relative to the framework.

6. A hardware assembly for forming an elevated concrete slab or the like, the hardware assembly comprising formwork, a framework supporting the formwork , and a guard for preventing falls from the framework, the guard comprising a body having opposing ends, and means at or toward each end for securing the guard between spaced apart portions of the framework.

7. The hardware assembly of claim 6, further comprising one or more horizontal structural elements, such as bearers and or joists, supported by the supporting frame and supporting the formwork.

8. The hardware assembly as in either of claims 6 or 7, further comprising a plurality of the frameworks.

9. The hardware assembly as in any one of claims 6 through 8, further comprising a plurality of the guards.

10. The hardware assembly of any one of claims 6 through 9, further comprising a platform for workers working with any one or more of the formwork and or horizontal structural elements, and the or each guard is positioned to prevent the workers from falling from the platform.

1 1. A guard for preventing falls from a framework for supporting formwork for forming an elevated concrete slab or the like, the guard comprising a body having opposing ends, and means at or toward each end for securing the guard between spaced apart portions of the framework.

12. The guard of claim 11 , wherein the means for securing the guard to the framework is adapted to locate any one or more of on, over or around a portion of the framework.

13. The guard as in either of claims 1 1 or 12, wherein the means for securing the guard to the framework comprises means for locking the guard relative to the framework.

14. The guard as in any one of claims 11 through 13, wherein the means for securing the guard to the framework are releasable.

15. The guard as in any one of claims 11 through 14, wherein the means for securing the guard to the framework comprises a bifurcate end comprising a pair of prongs separated by a slot-like gap.

16. The guard as in any one of claims 1 1 through 15, wherein the guard comprises adjustment means for adjusting a spacing between the ends thereof as required.

17. The guard of claim 16, wherein the adjustment means comprises means for setting the spacing once adjusted.

18. The guard as in any one of claims 1 1 through 17, wherein the body comprises a longitudinal axis, and the guard comprises rotational orientation adjustment means for permitting rotation of at least one end relative to the other about the longitudinal axis.

19. The guard as in claim 18, wherein the rotational adjustment means comprises means for setting the relative orientation of the ends as required.

20. The guard as in any one of claims 1 1 through 19, wherein the body comprises a rail.