SUPPORT APPARATUS FOR BARRIER MEANS AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF
Support apparatus is provided for barrier means. The support apparatus includes support means for supporting one or more barrier means therewith in use. Movement means are provided for allowing movement of the support apparatus relative to a surface in use. Stop means are provided for stopping or preventing movement of the movement means in use.
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This application claims priority to United Kingdom Application No. GB1310741.2 filed Jun. 17, 2013, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to support apparatus for barrier means and to a method of use thereof.
Although the following description refers almost exclusively to support apparatus for barrier means for use as part of a fall prevention system, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the support apparatus of the present invention could be used to support any item or items for any suitable purpose.
Conventionally during the construction of steel frame buildings, corrugated decking is placed between I-beams, rolled steel joists (RSJs) or any structural steel section of the building frame, and concrete is poured onto the decking to form one or more floor surfaces within the building frame. Typically, the construction workers who perform the task of fitting the corrugated decking work adjacent one or more exposed edges of the building frame. This is a particular problem if the building frame includes a number of storeys or floors because any fall from the building frame is likely to cause injury to the construction worker and could be fatal. Although construction workers working against exposed edges tend to be connected to the building frame by safety ropes to prevent the workers from falling off the building frame, the risk of injury if they did fall is still present. In addition, in order to improve the safety of the construction workers, it is common to use a net and scaffolding system adjacent the exposed edge to catch any construction worker who may fall from the exposed edge. However, the provision of a net and scaffolding system is expensive and is time consuming and cumbersome to move as the building work progresses.
It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide support apparatus for barrier means that overcomes the abovementioned problems.
It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using support apparatus for barrier means that overcomes the abovementioned problems.
It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide a fall prevention system.
It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using a fall prevention system.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided support apparatus for barrier means, said support apparatus including support means for supporting one or more barrier means therewith in use, movement means for allowing movement of the support apparatus relative to a surface in use and stop means for stopping or preventing movement of the movement means or support apparatus in use.
Thus, the present invention provides movable support apparatus for barrier means or a barrier mechanism that allows the support apparatus to be moved relative to a surface when needed but prevents movement of the support apparatus when in a required position.
This apparatus is particularly advantageous for use in the construction industry to support one or more safety barriers. The apparatus can be used adjacent an exposed edge of a building frame to prevent construction workers from falling from the building frame during construction work. The support apparatus can be easily moved by a construction worker as the building structure progresses.
In one embodiment a barrier means support apparatus is provided.
Preferably the support apparatus includes a body portion and the support means or support member is/are provided on or associated with the body portion.
In one embodiment the body portion includes at least two spaced apart members or plate-like members.
Preferably the support means are provided between said at least two spaced apart members or plate-like members.
Preferably one or more bridging members are provided between said at least two spaced apart members or plate-like members to provide the members with strength and rigidity and/or to prevent the stop means from travelling or moving too far in a particular direction (i.e. the bridging member acts to limit movement of the stop means).
Preferably the at least two spaced apart members or plate-like members are arranged substantially parallel to each other.
In one embodiment the body portion includes a pair of inner members or plate-like members and a pair of outer members or plate-like members.
Preferably the distance between the pair of inner members or plate-like members and/or the pair of outer members or plate-like members can be adjusted using adjustment means or an adjustment mechanism. This allows the support apparatus to be used on different sized items, such as different sized construction beams and/or the like.
Preferably the adjustment means includes one or more slidable, rotatable or pivotable members, movement of which at allows adjustment of the distance between the inner and outer members or plate-like members.
In one embodiment barrier means or a barrier member is/are integral with the support means. In an alternative embodiment barrier means or a barrier member is/are attachable to or detachably attachable to the support means.
Attachment means or an attachment mechanism can be provided on or associated with the support means and/or barrier means to allow attachment of the barrier means to the support means in use.
The attachment means or mechanism can include any or any combination of one or more pins, inter-engaging members, nuts and bolts, screws, clips, welding, adhesive, chains and/or the like.
The barrier means or barrier member can include one or more frame members, meshing, netting, fencing and/or the like. The barrier means is/are typically in such a form so as to prevent a person falling through the barrier means if they were to accidentally fall on to it in use.
In one embodiment the support means includes at least one sleeve member, channel member, aperture, recess and/or the like into which at least part of a barrier means is located in use.
Preferably an end of the barrier means or member is locatable in an opening defined in the support means, sleeve member, channel member, aperture or recess.
Preferably the movement means or mechanism includes any or any combination of one or more rollers, wheels, drums, ball members, ball bearings and/or the like which allows movement of the support apparatus along or relative to a surface in use.
The stop means or stop mechanism can be an integral part of the movement means, can be provided on or associated with the movement means or can be completely separate to and independent of the movement means.
Preferably the stop means is movable between an actuated position, wherein it substantially stops or prevents movement of the movement means or support apparatus, to a non-actuated position, wherein it allows movement of the movement means or support apparatus.
The stop means can be any item or mechanism that prevents movement of the movement means or support apparatus when actuated.
The stop means can include any or any combination of one or more teeth, braking members, locking members, cam members, cam wheels and/or the like.
In one embodiment the stop means is in the form of or includes a cam member and preferably in the form of a cam wheel. Movement of the cam member or rotation of the cam wheel moves the same between a non-actuated position and an actuated position.
Preferably rotation of the cam wheel in a first direction allows relatively free movement of the cam wheel and thus allows movement of the movement means and support apparatus.
Preferably rotation of the cam wheel in a second direction, which is preferably substantially opposite to the first direction, moves the cam wheel into a position whereby further movement of the cam wheel, and thus the movement means and support apparatus, is substantially prevented.
Preferably when an off-centred part and/or weighted part of the cam wheel engages a floor surface in use, this forms the actuated position of the cam wheel or stop means, wherein further rotation of the cam wheel or stop means (and preferably further rotation in the second direction or direction of the cam wheel or stop means) is substantially prevented.
Preferably the cam wheel or cam member is arranged such that movement of the support apparatus in the first direction, in a rearwardly direction or in a direction away from the cam wheel or cam member allows relatively free movement of the cam wheel or cam member. Movement of the support apparatus in the second direction, in a forwardly direction or in a direction towards the cam wheel or cam member actuates the cam wheel or cam member and prevents or stops further movement of the movement means or support apparatus.
In one embodiment, the stop means are arranged such that movement of the stop means between a non-actuated position to an actuated position can take place as a result of a user at least partially lifting, tilting, pivoting and/or jerking the support apparatus in use, in addition to or as an alternative to a moving the support apparatus in a first and/or second direction.
Further preferably movement of the stop means between a non-actuated position to an actuated position, is as a result of a user at least partially lifting, tilting, pivoting and/or jerking the support apparatus in a direction towards the stop means, cam member or cam wheel in use.
Preferably the stop means, cam member or cam wheel is provided at or adjacent a front of the support apparatus.
Preferably the stop means, cam member or cam wheel is provided on or is associated with the body portion of the apparatus.
Preferably the stop means, cam member or cam wheel is provided on, is associated with or provided between the inner plate members of the body portion.
Preferably movement means are provided at or adjacent a rear of the support apparatus. These movement means preferably allow movement of the support apparatus across a surface in use.
Preferably movement means are provided on or are associated with the body portion of the apparatus.
Further preferably movement means are provided on, are associated with or provided between the inner members or plate-like members of the body portion. For example, in one embodiment, a roller member is rotatably mounted between the inner members or plate members of the body portion.
In one embodiment first and at least second movement means are provided on or associated with the support apparatus and/or body portion.
Preferably the first and at least second movement means are arranged a spaced distance apart in a substantially vertical or upright direction. Thus, in one example, first movement means are provided at or adjacent an upper portion of the support apparatus or body portion and at least second movement means are provided at or adjacent a lower portion of the support apparatus or body portion.
The provision of first and at least second movement means in a vertically spaced apart orientation allows the first and at least second movement means to contact different parts or sides of a floor or beam surface in use. For example, if the surface on which the support apparatus is to be used is an I-beam, the first movement means can be moved along an upper surface of the I-beam and the at least second movement means can be moved along a lower surface of the I-beam, such as a lower surface of a flange of the I-beam.
Preferably adjustment means or an adjustment mechanism are provided on or associated with the first and/or at least second movement means to allow the spacing between the first and/or at least second movement means to be adjusted in use. This allows the support apparatus to be used on different sized beams, floor surfaces and/or the like.
In one embodiment the adjustment means allows the first and at least second movement means to be rotatably, slidably or pivotably moved relative to each other.
Locking means can be provided to lock the adjustment means in use to maintain the position of the first and/or at least second movement means in a required position.
In one embodiment the adjustment means includes a threaded screw or nut and bolt mechanism with which the first and/or at least second movement means are associated with or rotatably mounted thereon.
Preferably the at least second movement means are provided on or are associated with the outer members or plate-like members of the body portion.
Preferably a second movement means is provided on or associated with each outer member or plate-like member. For example, the second movement means can be provided substantially opposite to each other.
Preferably at least part of the body portion, the inner members or plate-like members and/or the outer members or plate-like members are arranged for location adjacent to, in abutting relationship with or in engagement with one or more surfaces of the floor or item on which the support apparatus is to be used in use. For example, if the support apparatus is to be used on an I-beam, the outer plate members can typically abut against or are located adjacent the end surfaces of one or more flanges of the I-beam in use.
Preferably the inner and/or outer members or plate-like members or portions are provided on at least two opposite sides of the body portion. Preferably the inner and/or outer members or plate-like members or side portions are provided a spaced distance apart.
Preferably adjustment means are provided to allow the distance between the at least two opposite side portions or members to be adjusted in use. This allows the support apparatus to be used on different sized beams, any other structural steel section, floor surfaces and/or the like.
In one embodiment guard or cover means are provided on or associated with at least part of the support apparatus, the movement means, the stop means, body portion and/or the like. This prevents accidental movement or damage to one or more parts of the support apparatus, the movement means, the stop means, the body portion and/or the like when the guard or cover means is/are in a guarding or covering position.
The guard or cover means are preferably movably mounted to a part of the support apparatus, the movement means, body portion and/or the stop means to allow movement between a guarded or covered position, wherein access to at least part of the support apparatus, the movement means, the body portion and/or the stop means is substantially prevented, and a non-guarded or uncovered position, wherein access to at least part of the support apparatus, the movement means and/or the stop means is allowed.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using support apparatus, said support apparatus including support means for supporting one or more barrier means therewith in use, and wherein said method includes moving the support apparatus relative to a surface in use using movement means to a desired position, and wherein stop means are provided on or associated with the apparatus for stopping or preventing movement of the movement means or support apparatus when said stop means are actuated.
In one embodiment the barrier means include one or more frame members that are telescopic in form or are arranged so as to be extendable or retractable in length. Preferably the telescopic frame members are substantially freely extendable or retractable in length, thereby allowing the length of the same to be freely altered simply by moving a support apparatus associated with the barrier means and/or a part of the barrier means in use.
In one embodiment two or more frame members forming the barrier means are hingedly or pivotably movable relative to each other, thereby allowing the angle between the frame members to be adjusted in use and/or the position of the frame members relative to each other to be adjusted in use.
In one embodiment two or more support apparatus are provided and are arranged a spaced distance apart and barrier means are arranged so as to extend between two or more of said spaced apart support apparatus.
Preferably the barrier means are arranged so as to provide a substantially U-shaped frame between the two spaced apart support apparatus. The U-shaped frame typically protrudes rearwardly of the support apparatus, such that the base or rear of the U-shaped frame is arranged closest to a worker in use or furthest from the support apparatus.
Preferably the one or more surfaces or items on which the support apparatus is used is an I-beam, H-beam, W-beam, RSJ, flanged beam, universal beam, steel beam, double T beam, any structural steel section of a building frame and/or the like.
Preferably first movement means allows movement of the support apparatus along a top surface of the beam and the second movement means allows movement of the support apparatus along an underside or lower surface of the beam or a flange of the beam.
Preferably the stop means are associated with or actuated against a top surface of the beam on which the apparatus is to be used in use. However, the stop means could be associated with or actuated against a lower surface of the beam on which the apparatus is to be used in use.
Preferably the support apparatus is for use on a steel or metal frame building, a construction frame or partial construction frame, such as for example a frame for use in making a mezzanine floor.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a fall prevention system, said system including support apparatus and barrier means, said support apparatus including support means for supporting one or more of said barrier means therewith in use, movement means for allowing movement of at least the support apparatus relative to a surface in use and stop means for stopping or preventing movement of the movement means or support apparatus in use.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a fall prevention system.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:
Referring to the figures, there is illustrated support apparatus 2 forming part of a fall prevention system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The support apparatus 2 includes a body portion 4 comprising two substantially parallel inner plate members 6, 8 located a spaced distance apart. A bridging member 10 is provided between the inner plate members 6, 8 to provide the body portion with strength and rigidity. In addition, bridging member 10 acts to prevent cam wheel 46 from rotating past a position where it functions as a stop means, as will be described in more detail below. Support means in the form of a hollow sleeve member 12 is also located between and joined to inner plate members 6, 8 of body portion 4.
Hollow sleeve member 12 is substantially elongate in form and has an opening 14 defined between a top edge 16 for the location of barrier means therein in use. Hollow sleeve member 12 protrudes upwardly from a top surface of body portion 4.
Body portion 4 also comprises two substantially parallel outer plate members 18, 20 or I-beam flange guide plates. The outer plate members 18, 20 typically have a greater height or width compared to the inner plate members 6, 8 as will be described in more detail below. The outer plate members 18, 20 are joined to the inner plate members 6, 8 via elongate adjuster screws 22, 24. The outer plate members 18, 20 are substantially parallel to the inner plate members 6, 8 and are arranged a spaced distance therefrom.
First movement means in the form of a roller 26 is rotatably mounted on adjuster screw 24 located between inner plates 6, 8 and adjacent a rear end 28 of the support apparatus 2. The roller 26 typically engages with an upper surface of an I-beam in use for enabling movement of the apparatus along said upper surface.
Second movement means in the form of a pair of rollers or flange rollers 30, 32 are provided and are joined to outer plate members 18, 20 via flange guide pins 34. Rollers 30, 32 face inwardly of the apparatus towards each other. They are provided a spaced distance apart from roller 26 in a vertical direction below the same. Rollers 18, 20 typically engage with a lower surface of a flange of an I-beam in use for enabling movement of the apparatus along said lower surface.
The vertical spacing of the flange rollers 30, 32 with respect to upper roller 26 can be adjusted using flange roller adjustment screws 36. Rotation of the nut portion 38 of adjustment screws 36 allows the flange rollers 30, 32 to be moved along the length of the threaded screw portion 40 between raised and lowered positions in a substantially vertical direction. This allows the support apparatus 2 to be used with different sized beams, any structural steel section or floor surfaces in use (i.e. it allows the apparatus to be used on apparatus with beam flanges of different thicknesses).
The spacing between outer plate members 18, 20 can be adjusted using adjustment means including handle means 42 which allow rotation of adjuster screws 22, 24 relative to locking nuts 44. This adjustment mechanism also allows the support apparatus 2 to be used on different sized beams or floor surfaces in use (i.e. it allows the apparatus to be used on apparatus with beam flanges of different widths).
Upper roller 26 and lower flange rollers 30, 32 allow the support apparatus 2 to engage with and be moved relative to an I-beam in use in one example.
In accordance with the present invention, stop means are provided on the support apparatus 2 in the form of a cam wheel 46 provided adjacent front end 48 of the apparatus.
The off-centred weighted portion of the cam wheel is arranged such that movement or rotation of cam wheel 46 in a first clockwise direction, as shown by arrow 50 in
Movement or rotation of cam wheel 46 in a second an anti-clockwise direction, as shown by arrow 56 in
Thus, a user can move the support apparatus relative to a surface by moving the cam wheel in a clockwise direction. A user can prevent movement of the support apparatus, at least in a forwardly direction, by moving the cam wheel in an anti-clockwise direction.
In one embodiment, the support apparatus is used as part of a fall prevention system, as shown in
A construction worker 108 that is fitting a floor surface between adjacent I-beams 100 typically locates a corrugated metal sheet 110 between the adjacent I-beams and then moves forward on the metal sheet 110 to fit the next metal sheet. It can be seen from
The fall prevention system of the present invention provides a safety barrier 114 that prevents the worker 108 from getting too close to the exposed edge 112 whilst allowing the safety barrier to be moved relatively easily as the worker progresses with fitting the floor sheet or sheets.
In the illustrated embodiment, the safety barrier 114 includes an upright frame member 116, an end of which is located through opening 14 of sleeve member support 12. Two rearwardly protruding side frame members 118 are attached to each upright frame member 116 and are arranged a spaced distance apart along a substantially vertical axis. The rearwardly protruding side frame members 118 are typically substantially horizontally arranged. Two rear frame members 120 are provided between the two rearwardly protruding side frame members 118. The rear frame members 120 are also typically substantially horizontally arranged and are provided a spaced distance apart along a substantially vertical axis. Two rear upright frame members 121 are provided between the upper and lower rear frame members 120 and the upper and lower side frame members 118 to provide strength and rigidity to the safety barrier 114.
The worker 108 typically works adjacent the rear frame members 120 in use and is therefore a spaced distance apart from the exposed edge and the upright frame members 116.
The rear frame members 120 are preferably telescopic in form, as shown by arrows 122 in
In use, and with reference to
It will be appreciated that the frame members could include mesh or netting to prevent a worker from falling between the frame members if required.
Each or one or more frame members of the safety barrier can be pivotably or hingedly movable relative to each or one or more other frame members so as to allow movement of the frame members relative to each other during movement of the support apparatus and/or barrier means.
The support apparatus can be provided any suitable distance apart on the building frame. In one example, the support apparatus are provided approximately 6-10 foot apart.
The components of the support apparatus and barrier means can be made from any or any combination of the same material or different material. For example, the support apparatus and/or barrier means can be made from metal, wood, rubber, plastic and/or the like.
Claims
1. Support apparatus for barrier means, said support apparatus including support means for supporting one or more barrier means therewith in use, movement means for allowing movement of the support apparatus relative to a surface in use and stop means for stopping or preventing movement of the movement means or support apparatus in use.
2. Support apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the support apparatus includes a body portion comprising at least two spaced apart members or plate like members and the support means is provided between said at least two spaced apart members or plate like members.
3. Support apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the body portion includes a pair of inner members or plate like members and a pair of outer members or plate like members.
4. Support apparatus according to claim 3 wherein an adjustment mechanism is provided to allow adjustment of the distance between the inner members or plate like members and the outer members or plate like members.
5. Support apparatus according to claim 1 wherein barrier means are integral with the support means, or are attachable or detachably attachable to the support means using attachment means.
6. Support apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the attachment means include any or any combination of one or more pins, inter-engaging members, nuts and bolts, screws, clips, welding, adhesive or chains.
7. Support apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the support means include at least one channel member, sleeve member, aperture and/or recess defining an opening, and an end of the barrier means is locatable in said opening in use.
8. Support apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the movement means includes any or any combination of one or more rollers, wheels, drums, ball members, or ball bearings.
9. Support apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the stop means is movable between an actuated position, wherein it stops or prevents movement of the movement means or support apparatus, to a non-actuated position, wherein it allows movement of the movement means or support apparatus.
10. Support apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the stop means includes any or any combination of one or more teeth, braking members, locking members, cam members or cam wheels.
11. Support apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the stop means is in the form of a cam wheel; rotation of the cam wheel in a first direction allows relatively free movement of the cam wheel and thus movement of the movement means and support apparatus; rotation of the cam wheel in a second direction moves the cam wheel into a position whereby further movement of the cam wheel, and thus movement of the movement means and support apparatus, is substantially prevented.
12. Support apparatus according to claim 11 wherein an off-centred part and/or weighted part of the cam wheel is/are arranged to engage a floor surface in use to form an actuated position of the cam wheel, such that further rotation of the cam wheel is substantially prevented.
13. Support apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the stop means or a cam wheel is provided at or adjacent a front of the apparatus, movement of the apparatus in a forwardly direction towards said stop means or cam wheel actuates the stop means or cam wheel to substantially prevent further forwardly movement of the same, movement of the apparatus in a rearwardly direction away from said stop means or cam wheel allows rearwardly movement of the apparatus.
14. Support apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the stop means are arranged such that movement of the stop means between the actuated position and the non-actuated position can be as a result of a user at least partially lifting, tilting, pivoting and/or jerking the support apparatus, either alone or in combination with movement of the support apparatus in a first and/or second direction.
15. Support apparatus according to claim 1 wherein first and at least second movement means are provided on or associated with the support apparatus, the first and at least second movement means arranged a spaced distance apart in a substantially vertical or upright axis.
16. Support apparatus according to claim 15 wherein adjustment means are provided to allow adjustment of the vertical spacing between the first and at least second movement means in use.
17. Support apparatus according to claim 1 wherein guard means are provided to at least partially cover the stop means, movement means and/or support means in use.
18. Support apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the barrier means include any or any combination of one or more frame members, meshing, netting, fencing, telescopic frame members, pivotably or hingedly mounted frame members or a substantially U-shaped frame.
19. A method of using support apparatus, said support apparatus including support means for supporting one or more barrier means therewith in use, and wherein said method includes moving the support apparatus to a desired position relative to a surface in use using movement means, and wherein stop means are provided on or associated with the apparatus for stopping or preventing movement of the movement means or support apparatus when said stop means are actuated.
20. A fall prevention system, said system including support apparatus and barrier means, said support apparatus including support means for supporting one or more of said barrier means therewith in use, movement means for allowing movement of at least the support apparatus relative to a surface in use and stop means for stopping or preventing movement of the movement means or support apparatus in use.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 27, 2013
Publication Date: Dec 18, 2014
Applicant: Rapid EPS Ltd. (Leeds)
Inventors: Peter Hewson (Leeds), David Brine (Leeds), John Paul Shepardson (Leeds)
Application Number: 13/928,556
International Classification: E04H 17/14 (20060101);
