Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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ADJUSTABLE SAFETY BARRIER SYSTEM
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a safety barrier for open-air
floors of buildings
under construction, rooftops and openings from which an individual is at risk
of falling from
a height, such as windows and balconies. More specifically, the present
invention relates to a
safety barrier that can be pivotally adjusted between an open and closed
position.
BACKGROUND
In the construction of multiple-story buildings, both commercial and
residential, considerable
risk is present to craftsmen and others at the building site during various
stages of
construction. Specifically, there is considerable risk that workers may
accidentally fall from
an open-air floor and sustain a serious injury or even death. These concerns
are especially
high until exterior walls are installed around elevated floors and/or until a
permanent
bannister or safety barrier is installed on the outer perimeters of open-air
floors, balconies,
staircases and the like.
Understandably, there are important Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S)
requirements
that must be met at construction sites and the like, including the use of
safety protection at
locations where a risk is present that persons may fall. To satisfy such OH&S
requirements,
safety protection in the form of temporary safety barrier must exceed certain
minimum lateral
load requirements without experiencing permanent deformation or component
failure.
Numerous temporary safety rails have been designed to address these safety
concerns. Over
time, designs for safety rails have improved structurally.
Conventional safety barriers are typically modular systems that are adapted
for temporary
installation. Commonly, safety barriers are usually made up= of individual
sections, each
section including longitudinally extending spaced rails that are secured in
their relationship
by uprights (stanchions) positioned at intervals along each section. Safety
barrier systems can
also be adjustable in length to guard platform perimeters of various lengths
without the need
of having to carefully align adjacent guide rail sections or fixed sectional
components
together. Various fixed structures may also impact on the configuration of the
safety barrier
system, For roof applications, for example, one or more sides of the roof may
have a parapet
that also requires a safety rail.
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Whilst safety barrier systems are necessarily temporary and require assembly
and
disassembly, current designs are typically cumbersome, as they must be mounted
and
dismounted in situ; that is, after the open-air structure has been erected.
They also require a
coordinated effort from two or more individuals, which is not only labor-
intensive, but it also
poses safety concerns for those who are involved in the mounting, dismounting
and/or repair
of a safety rail system. For instance, mounting and dismounting a conventional
safety barrier
systems often requires a person on the outer perimeter of the open-air floor
to access the point -
at which the safety barrier is temporarily secured and another person on the
inner perimeter
of the open-air floor to assist in the mounting and/or dismounting procedure.
Permanent barrier systems have also been employed for commercial and domestic
use on the
outer perimeter of windows and other passageways, primarily for the purpose of
security; that
is, for preventing unauthorized access to a room or building. However, such
systems pose a
real danger in emergency situations. For example, where there is an
uncontrolled fire, the
only safe passage to and from the burning building may be via a window to
which a
permanent barrier has been fixed, such that the only way to access the burning
building
would be to forcibly remove the barrier, which often takes considerable time,
leaving those
trapped in the building in real danger.
In light of the aforementioned problems in the art, there is an urgent need
for a safety barrier
system that is relatively easy to mount and dismount and that would allow for
easy access =
beyond the safety barrier, particularly in time of need. The present invention
solves or partly
alleviates these problems in the art by providing a safety barrier system that
can be easily
adjusted between an open and closed position so as to provide access beyond
the safety
=
barrier when required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a safety barrier for
an open floor or
window, the safety barrier comprising: =
(i) a base-plate adapted to be fixed to a structure located peripheral and
adjacent to the open'
floor or window;
(ii) a guard;
(iii) a linkage pivotally mounted to the base-plate and guard about a pivot
axis, wherein the
guard is movable about the pivot axis relative to the base-plate between an
open position,
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allowing passage over the open floor or through the window, and a closed
position preventing
said passage; and
(iv) a locking means for securing the guard in the closed position.
In an embodiment, the guard comprises at least one stanchion.
In an embodiment, the guard comprises a stanchion having a first end pivotally
mounted to
the base-plate.
In an embodiment, the guard comprises a guard rail.
In an embodiment, the guard rail has a first end fixed to a first stanchion
and a second end
fixed to a second stanchion.
In an embodiment, the first and second stanchions are adjacent stanchions.
In an embodiment, the guard rail comprises (i) a first rail member fixed at
one end to a first
stanchion and (ii) a second rail member fixed at one end to a second
stanchion, wherein the
first rail member is connected at its opposite end to an opposite end of the
second rail
member and movable relative to the second rail member so as to allow the
length of the guard
rail to be adjusted between the first and second stanchions.
In an embodiment, the guard rail comprises (i) a first rail member fixed at
one end to a first
stanchion, (ii) a second rail member fixed at one end to a second stanchion,
wherein the first
rail member is connected at its opposite end to one end of an inner rail
member and the
second rail member is connected at its opposite end to the inner rail member,
wherein the first
and second rail members are movable relative to the inner rail member so as to
allow the
length of the guard rail to be adjusted between the first and second
stanchions.
In an embodiment, the safety guard comprises a locking means for locking the
first rail
member to the second rail member.
In an embodiment, the safety guard comprises a locking means for locking the
inner rail
member to the first and/or second rail members.
In an embodiment, the linkage comprises an elongated member extending through
an opening
in the base-plate and through an opening in the stanchion, wherein the
stanchion is movable
about the pivot axis defined by the elongated member. In an embodiment, the
elongated
member is a pin.
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In an embodiment, the guard is rotatable over about 180 degrees relative to
the linkage (or
base-plate).
In an embodiment, the locking means for securing the guard in the closed
position is mounted
to the base-plate. In another embodiment, the locking means for securing the
guard in the
closed position is mounted to the linkage.
In an embodiment, the guard comprises a kicker, the kicker comprising a first
end fixed to a
first stanchion and a second end fixed to a second stanchion.
In an embodiment, the guard comprises a plurality of kickers comprising:
(i) a first kicker comprising a fixed end and an open end, the fixed end
connected to a first
stanchion;
(ii) a second kicker comprising a fixed end and an: open end, the fixed end
connected to a
= second stanchion; and
=
(iii) a third kicker having a first end and a second end;
wherein the first end of the third kicker is releasably connected to the open
end of the first
kicker and the second end of the third kicker is releasably connected to the
open end of the
second kicker, wherein the third kicker is movable relative to the first and
second kickers so
as to allow the combined length of the kickers to be adjusted between the
first and second
stanchions.
=
In an embodiment, the base-plate comprises an attachment means for fixing the
base-plate to
the structure at a position that is peripheral and adjacent to the open floor
or window.
In an embodiment, the base-plate comprises an opening through which the
attachment means
can be accessed.
In an embodiment, where the safety guard i in the closed position, access to
the attachment
means is obstructed.
In an embodiment, the locking means comprises a elongated member, a first
opening through
the base-plate and a second opening through a stanchion pivotally mounted to
the base-plate,
wherein locking means maintains the stanchion in a locked position when the
elongated
member is passed through the first opening and the second opening. In an
embodiment, the
elongated member is a pin.
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=
In an embodiment, the base-plate comprises a flange extending upwardly from
said base-
plate, wherein said flange is adapted to receive the linkage and the locking
means.
In another aspect, there is provided a safety barrier for an open flooi or
window, the safety
barrier comprising:
(i) a base-plate adapted to be fixed to a structure located peripheral and
adjacent to the open
floor or window;
(ii) a guard connected to at least one stanchion;
(iii) a linkage pivotally mounted to the base-plate and stanchion about a
pivot axis, wherein
the guard is movable about the pivot axis relative to the base-plate between
an open position
allowing passage over the open floor or through the window and a closed
position preventing
said passage; and
(iv) a locking means for securing the guard in the close positions,
wherein the base-plate comprises a flange extending outwardly from said base-
plate,
wherein said stanchion is pivotally mounted to said flange,
wherein the flange comprises a first opening, the at least one stanchion
comprising a second
opening, wherein the first and second openings are aligned when the guard in
the closed
position allowing the locking means to be inserted through the aligned first
and second
opening to secure the guard in the closed position.
In an embodiment, the pivot axis is substantially parallel to the base of the
open floor or
window such that the guard is moveable about the pivot axis in a forward and
downward
direction between the closed and open positions.
In another aspect, there is provided a safety barrier for an open floor or
window, the safety
barrier comprising:
(i) a base-plate adapted to be fixed to a structure located peripheral and
adjacent to the open
floor or window;
(ii) a guard;
(iii) at least one stanchion comprising a fixed portion and a moveable
portion, wherein the
=
fixed portion is fixed the base-plate and moveable portion is fixed to the
guard;
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(iv) a linkage pivotally mounted to the at least one stanchion between the
fixed portion and
the moveable portion, wherein the moveable portion and the guard fixed thereto
is movable
about a pivot axis relative to the fixed portion between an open position,
allowing passage
over the open floor or through the window, and a closed position preventing
said passage;
and
(v) a locking means for securing the guard in the closed position.
In an embodiment, the safety barrier comprises a locking means for securing
the guard in the
open position.
In an embodiment, the safety guard is substantially as herein described and
with reference to
any one of Figures.
=
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF 'THE DRAWINGS
The nature of the operation of the present invention will now be more fully
described in the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken with the
accompanying
drawing figures, in which:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a safety barrier installed on a perimeter
wall in the open
(fold back) and closed (upright) positions. The safety barrier is fixed to the
balcony structure
via base-plates.
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of safety barrier installed on a concrete panel
typically seen
at a construction site, showing a universal locking hinge (base-plate, linkage
and locking
means), a sliding kicker, two stanchions and two guard (hand) rails.
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a base-plate comprising two outwardly
extending flanges,
each flange comprising three openings adapted to receive a locking means
(removable pins)
and a linkage (nut and bolt).
FIGURE 4 is a plan and elevation view of the base-plate comprising two
outwardly extending
flanges and attachment ports through which the base-plate is attached or fixed
to a structure
peripheral and adjacent to an open floor (e.g., balcony and the like) or a
window.
FIGURE 5 is a detail view of the base-plate to which a stanchion has been
pivotally mounted
via a nut and bolt through openings in the flange and the stanchion. As can be
seen, the
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stanchion pivotally mounted to the base-plate can be adjusted between an open
position
(dotted outline of stanchion) and a closed position (solid outline of
stanchion).
FIGURE 6 is a perspective, top and side view of the sliding kicker system.
FIGURE 7 is a sectional view of the safety barrier connected to a tilt-up
concrete panel
typically seen at construction sites and the placement of a new panel and the
clearance
between the stanchion and the panel.
FIGURE 8 is a sectional view of a residential apartment balcony mirror imaged
to give
heights of a chair, table and the safety barrier upright (i.e., in the closed
position) and in the
fold down (i.e., open) position.
FIGURE 9 is a perspective view looking into .an apartment with one having no
safety barrier
(left) and the other having the safety barrier in the closed (upright)
position (right), showing
that the safety barrier can also provide privacy.
FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a safety barrier comprising two adjacent
stanchions,
each pivotally mounted to a universal locking hinge, and two guard rails, each
guard rail
comprising two rail members. Also illustrated is an isometric view of the
universal locking
hinge (bottom right) showing placement of the stanchion between the flanges,
secured therein
by an elongated member (pin), allowing the stanchion to rotate about a pivot
axis defined by
the elongated member.
FIGURE 11 shows several perspectives of the safety barrier shown in Figure 10.
FIGURE 12A shows the perspective views of the safety barrier as shown in
Figure 11, further
=
comprising a kicker arrangement. FIGURE 12B shows the kicker arrangement in
isolation.
FIGURE 13 shows a safety barrier adjustable in length between a substantially
minimum
width/length (A) and a substantially maximum width/length (B).
FIGURE 14 shows multiple safety barriers placed in a side-by-side arrangement
along the
perimeter of an open-floor of an erected structure.
FIGURE 15 shows a side view of a safety barrier in a closed (upright) position
(far left) and
in an open (lowered) position (centre). Also shown (far right) is a side view
of a universal
locking hinge and a portion of the stanchion shown here in a typical open
position (as per
centre figure).
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FIGURE 16 shows various perspectives of a universal locking hinge.
FIGURE 17 shows various perspectives of a universal locking hinge.
FIGURE 18 shows various perspectives of a locking means.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein
in susceptible to
variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to
be understood
= that the invention includes all such variations and modifications that
fall within the spirit and
scope. The invention also includes all of the features referred to or
indicated in this
specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of
any two or more
of said features.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The safety barrier of the present invention is relatively easy to install and,
as a result, would
typically save time, money and manpower in the construction industry. It is
also relatively
easy to disassemble for compact storage and transport. The ability to
conveniently adjust the
safety barrier of the present invention between an open and closed position
means that it
would be ideal for single and multi-story buildings as window barriers, as
they would provide
security whilst also allowing emergency personnel to adjust the safety barrier
to an open
position by removing (or temporarily removing) the locking means.
The safety barrier of the present invention also has important applications in
the construction
industry as protection for those working, for example, on open-floors or
rooftops. With
existing safety barriers, particularly those used in the building or
construction industry, on
concrete panels and the like, once erected (typically by two or more
operators), require that
the stanchions first be installed, followed by the hand-rails (guard rails).
This process is
cumbersome and labour intensive. The same dangers also exist during the
removal of
existing safety barriers.
By contrast, the safety barrier of the present invention may be installed
(fixed) to a structure
before the structure (e.g., a concrete wall) is erected. In an embodiment, the
safety barrier
would typically be installed in an open position, such that it does not
protrude substantially
from the edge of the structure (e.g., wall) defining the perimeter of an open
floor (as shown,
for example, in Figure 1). Once the structure has been erected, the safety
barrier can be
rotated about the pivot axis to its closed position, as herein described and
illustrated, for
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example, in Figure I. The adjustment may be performed by a single operator, in
contrast to
existing safety barriers that typically require two or more operators.
In an embodiment, the length of the safety barrier can be adjusted to
accommodate varying
length requirements. For example, the safety barrier may comprise guard rails
(e.g., hand
rails) that are capable of being adjusted to different lengths, thus allowing
the safety barrier to
be adjusted to accommodated varying length requirements (e.g., for differing
open-floor
perimeters or window sizes). In an embodiment, the guard rail comprises (i) a
first rail
member fixed at one end to a first stanchion and (ii) a second rail member
fixed at one end to
a second stanchion, wherein the first rail member is connected at its opposite
end to an
opposite end of the second rail member and movable relative to the second rail
member so as
to allow the length of the guard rail to be adjusted between the first and
second stanchions. In
an embodiment, the opposite end of the first rail member is connected in a
sliding
relationship to the opposite end of the first rail member (see, for example,
Figure 10).
In another embodiment, the guard rail comprises (i) a first rail member fixed
at one end to a
first stanchion, (ii) a second rail member fixed at one end to a second
stanchion, wherein the
first rail member is connected at its opposite end to one end of an inner rail
member and the
second rail member is connected at its opposite end to the inner rail member,
wherein the first
and second rail members are movable relative to the inner rail member so as to
allow the
length of the guard rail to be adjusted between the first and second
stanchions. In an
embodiment, the opposite end of the first rail member and the opposite end of
the second rail
members are each connected in a sliding relationship to the inner rail member.
The base-plate may be fixed onto a structure using any suitable means known to
those skilled
in the art. For example, fixing bolts can be used or pre-positioned ferrells
within a concrete
structure, such as a wall. The base-plate may be pivotally connected to a
stanchion that has a
connection to the guard, which can then be placed in position at the time the
push-and-pulls
are placed. The safety barrier can placed on the panel in position and the
first fixing screw
can then be placed, at which point the guard can be pivotally adjusted and
locked, typically in
an open position, and the last fixing screw is then fixed. The structure is
then ready to be
erected, which is made easier because the safety barrier will not
substantially protrude over
the edge of the structure, which would otherwise make it difficult to erect or
manoeuvre the
strUcture into place.
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The safety barrier may also find use in raising the height of a balcony
perimeter, which will
make such open areas safer, particularly for children, by preventing falls.
Such a device may
also add privacy by screening the balcony from view.
Suitable locking means will be known to those skilled in the art. In an
embodiment, the
locking means is a universal locking hinge that allows the guard to be fixed
in a closed (e.g.
upright) position without interference from intruders or young children. The
safety barrier
can then be unlocked from its closed position and, for example, swung down
(e.g., approx.
180 degree) and fixed in an open (e.g., downward) position, where, for
example, there are no
young children or in case of a fire when access is needed.
Referring initially to Figure I, it shows a safety barrier (1) formed in
accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention, operating in an upward or closed position
(2) and in a
downward or open position (3). In this example, there are two base-plates (4),
each pivotally
connected to a stanchion (5). The stanchions are each connected to a guard
(6), which
provides protection from falls when the safety barrier is fixed or secured in
the closed
position. The base-plate (4) is shown fixed to a structure (7), such a
concrete wall.
Figure 2 shows a safety barrier in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention in
further detail. The safety barrier includes a base-plate (7) comprising a
universal locking
hinge (21) fixed to a concrete structure (22). A kicker (23) is shown, the
kicker comprising 3
separate units (kickers) (24, 25, 26). The outer kickers (24, 26) are fixed to
the stanchions (5).
The inner (centre) kicker (25) is releasably connected to each of the outer
kickers (24, 26) by
a sliding rail-type arrangement, whereby kicker (24) comprises tabs (not shown
in this
= perspective) that fit within a rail (27) of the outer kickers (24, 26).
The safety barrier
comprises two guard (hand) rails (28) that are adjustable in length and fixed
to each stanchion
(5). Because concrete panels come in different widths, the guard rails (28)
and the sliding
kicker (23) allow for expansion and retraction of the safety barrier, thus
allowing it to be
adjusted to a suitable length, as herein described.
Figures 3 and 4 show a base-plate (7) in an embodiment of the present
invention, adapted to
form a universal locking hinge arrangement having three openings (30, 31, 32)
positioned on
each side of the outwardly protruding portions (flanges or brackets) (33). The
centre opening
(31) is typically where the elongated member (e.g., a pin or nut and bolt
arrangement) would
be placed to hold stanchion (5) and allow for the pivotal rotation of the
stanchion(s) and
guard about the pivot axis, as herein described. The remaining two openings
(30, 32) are for
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locking the stanchion(s) in the open or closed position, whether by a pin or
other means
known to those skilled in the art. In the centre of the base-plate there is a
rectangular tube
(35) that has a small opening (36) on the bottom of the base-plate (37) and a
larger opening
on top (38), the small opening on the bottom for receiving a fixing screw (for
securing the
base-plate to a structure, such a concrete wall), while the larger opening
(38) allows for the
head of the fixing screw and the socket to fix it in and finish flush with the
top of the
rectangular tube which is covered by the stanchion when the safety barrier is
in the closed or
open position. The underside of the bracket has two substantially flat plates
(39) on each side
of the base-plate (7) to give strength and to assist with a more secure tit
where the surface to
which it will be attached is not flat.
Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the universal locking hinge arrangement
(21) and its
operation in a fixed (closed) position (40) and lowered to an open position
(41). Also
illustrated are the clearances of the stanchion (5) in that movement, as well
as the clearance
between the stanchion and the structure (e.g., concrete wall; 43). It also
illustrates how the
stanchion (5) covers the head of the fixing screw (44) and sits substantially
flush with the
rectangular tube (35) for support. The stanchion has two openings (45, 46)
that align with the
openings of the base-plate (30, 31) when the guard is in the closed position
or (31, 32) when
the guard is in the open position. One of said openings (46) is aligned with
the centre
opening (31) of the base-plate (7) and is fixed (e.g., with a pin or other
elongated member
that will define the pivot axis) to allow for the pivotal rotation of the
stanchion relative to the
base-plate about the pivot axis (7). The other opening (45) is aligned with an
opening (30
and/or 32) of the base-plate to allow for the locking mechanism to take effect
and secure the
guard in the open or closed position. In additional, the two supporting plates
(39) under the
base-plate (7) and the clearance of the wall adds further stability and
strength if the panels or
surface of the structure is not substantially flat.
Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the adjustable kickers (23) that are designed
to stop objects
that can accidently be displaced from an open floor or other opening at
heights from falling
and injuring persons underneath. A sliding kicker arrangement (23) is shown in
this instance,
which comprises 3 separate units (kickers) (24, 25, 26). The centre kicker
(25) is releasably
connected each of the other kickers (24, 26) by a sliding rail-type
arrangement, whereby
kicker (25) comprises a tab (29) that fit within a rail (27) of the remaining
kickers (24, 26).
The sliding kickers can be adjusted to accommodate different lengths of safety
rails/barriers).
In an embodiment, the centre kicker is not utilised and the outer kickers are
fixed at one end
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to the respective stanchions and are connected in a glidable fashion to each
other at their
opposite ends to allow for the combined length of the outer kickers to be
adjusted, depending
on the length of the guard and the distance between the two stanchions.
Figure 7 shows a sectional view of a first tilt-up panel (50), such as those
typically seen on a
building construction site, and the placement of a second tilt-up panel on top
of the first tilt-
up panel (51). It shows the relationship of the safety barrier (52) according
to an embodiment
of the present invention (in the closed position and fixed to the first panel
at the base-plate
(7)) and showing the clearance (53) from the second panel to be placed On top,
which, in turn,
has another safety barrier on it as well (not shown) during the time of
placement over the
existing (erected) panel (50). The second panel (51) is lowered over the
erected first panel
(50), as shown here between the spacing (58). For ease of use and to avoid the
safety barrier
being damaged, the safety guard fixed to the second tilt-up panel is in the
open position with
the guard preferably substantially flat against the panel. Once the second
panel is put in
place, the safety barrier on the first tilt-up panel can be adjusted (e.g.,
lowered) to an open
position while the safety barrier of the second panel is adjusted (e.g.,
raised) to a closed
position, providing security from falls .until a permanent barrier is erected
or a third panel is
erected above the second panel.
Figures 8 and 9 show how a safety barrier (59) according to an embodiment of
the present
invention may operate on existing openings, such a balconies (60), to extend
the height of
existing barriers (61) when locked (secured) in the closed position (62) from
an open position
(63). The safety barrier can be measured and fitted to suit different size
(e.g., width, length)
requirements, The guards can also be fabricated from different materials to
suit different
aesthetic and/or functional requirements.
Figure 10 shows a safety barrier according to an embodiment of the present
comprising two
adjacent stanchions (5) pivotally mounted to a universal locking hinge (21)
comprising base-
plate (4). In this embodiment, the guard rails (28) are fixed at one end to
the stanchions
through a bracket (66), the bracket comprising an opening (67) through which a
screw or
other suitable locking means can be used to fix the guard rail to the
stanchion. The guard
rails comprise a first rail member (281) and a second rail member (282), each
rail member
having a fixed end attached to a stanchion through a bracket (66) and an
opposite end
connected in a sliding arrangement to the opposite end of the other rail
member (64),
whereby the distance between the two adjacent stanchions can be easily
adjusted. Also
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illustrated in Figure 10 is an isometric view of the universal locking hinge
(21) showing
placement of the stanchion (5) between the flanges (33), secured therein by an
elongated
member (pin) (65) that has been passed through openings in the two flanges and
the
stanchion, thereby securing the stanchion to the universal locking hinge and
allowing the
stanchion to rotate about a pivot axis defined by the pin (65). The stanchion
is shown here in
an upright position typically seen when the barrier is in the closed position.
Figure 11 shows several perspectives of a safety barrier according to an
embodiment of the
present invention ¨ top view (69), side view (70), front view (72) and an
isometric view (73).
Also shown is a top view of the universal locking hinge (71). In this figure,
a nut and bolt
arrangement (65) is used to pivotally mount the stanchion (5) to the universal
locking hinge
and thereby defining the pivot axis (91) about which the safety barrier is
able to rotate. In
this instance, the stanchion is shown in a closed (upright) position, secured
in the closed
position by a spring pin (68) passing through the universal locking hinge and
stanchion.
Figure 12A shows the same perspective views of the safety barrier according to
an
embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 11. In this figure,
the safety barrier
further comprises a kicker arrangement, comprising by a first kicker (74) and
a second kicker
(75), each fixed at one of their respective ends to a stanchion (5). = The
opposite ends of the
first and second kickers are connected to each other in a sliding arrangement,
in which the
second kicker is recessed into or against the first kicker to allow the second
kicker to slide
along the first kicker. Figure 12B shows an isometric arrangement of the
kicker arrangement,
wherein the second kicker (75) is recessed into or against the first kicker
(74) in a sliding
arrangement.
Figure 13 illustrates how the safety barrier in an embodiment of the present
invention can be
adjusted in length, or distance between two adjacent stanchions to accommodate
varying
length requirements. In this example, the safety barrier is shown in a minimal
width/length
arrangement (A) and in a substantially maximum width/length arrangement (B).
As shown in Figure 14, multiple safety barriers according to the present
invention can be
placed in a side-by-side arrangement to provide a protective barrier along the
perimeter of an
open-floor of a structure (7). The number of safety barrier will depend on the
length of the
perimeter of the open floor that requires securing.
Figure 15 shows the safety barrier in an embodiment of the present invention
fixed to a
structure (7) in a closed (upright) position (76) and rotated about the pivot
axis (78) to an
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open (lowered) position (77). In this embodiment, the stanchion is also
secured in the open
(lowered) position with a fixing pin (68) passed through an opening in the
base-plate and
stanchion, to prevent the guard swaying as the structure is being erected.
Figure 16 shows various perspectives of the universal locking hinge according
to an
embodiment of the present invention ¨ a top view (79), a front view (80), a
side view (81)
and isometric views (82, 83). Also shown is the placement of the elongated
member (e.g.,
pin) (65) through a central opening in the flanges (33) protruding from the
base-plate (4).
The elongated member passing through the central opening in the flanges
defines the pivot
axis (91) about which the stanchions (and hence the safety barrier) will
rotate between the
open and closed positions.
Figure 17 shows the base-plate (4) and flange (33) arrangement of the
universal locking hinge
according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrated as a front
view (A) and as a
rear view (B). Shown are openings (84) through which the base-plate (4) can be
secured to
the structure (e.g., tilt-up panel).
Figure 18 shows an example of elongated members (pins) (85,86) that can be
used within the
universal locking hinge to secure the safety barrier of the present invention
in a closed or
open position, as herein described. In an embodiment illustrated in Figure 18,
the pin (85)
comprises a retension spring (87) and a clevis pin (88) that assist to secure
the pin to the
universal locking hinge as hereinbefore described. In this embodiment, the pin
also comprises
a handle (89) or chain (90) that can be used by an operator to forcibly remove
the pin from
the locking means thereby releasing the locking means and allowing the safety
barrier to be
=
adjusted between the open and closed positions.
The linkage allowing the guard to be rotated about a pivot axis between the
open and closed
. positions may be located along the stanchion(s). Thus, in another aspect,
there is provided a
safety barrier for an open floor or window, the safety barrier comprising:
(i) a base-plate adapted to be fixed to a structure located peripheral and
adjacent to the open
floor or window;
(ii) a guard;
(iii) at least one stanchion comprising a fixed portion and a moveable
portion, wherein the
fixed portion is fixed the base-plate and moveable portion is fixed to the
guard;
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(iv) a linkage pivotally mounted to the at least one stanchion between the
fixed portion and
the moveable portion, wherein the moveable portion and the guard fixed thereto
is movable -
about a pivot axis relative to the fixed portion between an open position,
allowing passage
over the open floor or through the window, and a closed position preventing
said passage;
=
and
(v) a locking means for securing the guard in the closed position.
In an embodiment, the locking means for securing the guard in the closed
position comprises
a pin, a first opening through the fixed portion of the at least one stanchion
and a second
opening through the moveable portion of the at least one stanchion, wherein
locking means
maintains the fixed portion and the moveable portion in a locked position when
the pin is
passed through the first opening and the second opening.
The safety barrier of the present invention can be fabricated from any
suitable material that
will provide adequate protection against an accidental fall. Suitable material
would be known"
to persons skilled in the art. Examples include aluminium, timber, plastic,
steel and tempered
glass. The base-plate and locking means may be fabricated from mild steel and
stanchions,
hand rails and kickers may be fabricated from mild steel or stainless steel,
particularly where
the safety barrier is intended for use in apartment balconies or windows.
As will be appreciated from the description herein, the safety barrier of the
present invention
offers ease of installation for a variety of apartment buildings and hotels,
and for the safety of
tilt-up panel installation and ease of installation, saving time and money,
whilst complying to
the rules and regulations that govern the construction industry. Moreover, the
safety barrier of
the present invention can be more compact than other systems currently in use,
as all parts
may be stored together (i.e., rails, stanchions and kickers) and pre-assembled
by panel
designers. The other advantage is that most existing safety barriers come
apart separately and
are left lying around on decks, which can present tripping hazards, whereas
the safety barrier
of the present invention may be removed in one piece, avoiding the
aforementioned hazards.
A safety barrier of the present invention may be used for placement onto tilt-
up concrete
panels in the construction industry to protect the form workers and all
construction workers at
height from falls, and can also remain on the panels as they are lifted during
construction.
They can also remain in place on erected panels and have other panels placed
on top of one
another whilst the safety barrier on the already erected panel is still in
place (in an open
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position), thus avoiding repetitive installation and removal of safety
barriers, as is typically
required of existing systems.
The safety barrier of the present invention can be used in a variety of
positions - horizontal,
vertical, and upside down with the base-plate(s) on top of the opening. For
example, the
safety barrier may be installed above a balcony space by securing the base-
plate to the ceiling
or roof above the balcony.
The guard of the safety barrier according to the present invention can be
lifted and locked
into the upright (closed) position with a locking pin so that the locking pin
is difficult to
remove, but can be removed in emergency situations where access through an
opening is
required. The guard can be folded down to an open position so that it does not
take up space
and in case of a fire can easily be lowered for fire escape.
Throughout this specification, the word "comprise", or variations thereof such
as "comprises"
and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated
element, integer or
step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any
other. element,
integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information
derived from it), or
to any matter which ,is known, is not, and should not be taken as an
acknowledgment or
admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or
information derived from
it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of
endeavour to .
which this specification relates.
=
The application to which this specification relates claims priority from
Australian provisional
patent application no. 2011901317, the contents of which are herein
incorporated by
reference in their entirety.
It must be noted that, as used in the subject specification, the singular
forms "a", "an" and
"the" include plural aspects unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
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