U.S. patent application number 11/394575 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-25 for safety barrier stanchion.
Invention is credited to Brian Quinn, James E. Wright.
Application Number | 20070246299 11/394575 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38618430 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070246299 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wright; James E. ; et
al. |
October 25, 2007 |
Safety barrier stanchion
Abstract
A stanchion used as part of a regulatory safety barrier around
the ledge of an elevated construction slab comprises a square
tubular enclosure having an open lower end and a closed upper end.
A foot extends orthogonally near the lower end, and rests against
the upper surface of the ledge. A clamping member telescopically
engaged into the lower end of the enclosure has an arm also
extending from its lower extremity and is positioned against the
lower surface of the ledge. The arm is urged toward the foot in a
ledge-clamping action by the turning of a threaded stem running
inside the telescopically engaged enclosure and clamping member.
The threaded stem has a lower end captured by a nut welded inside
the clamping member. The upper end of the stem protrudes through a
hole in the closed end of the enclosure and is fitted with a
wing-nut and a hex-nut so that the stem can be turned either by
hand or by means of a wrench.
Inventors: |
Wright; James E.; (Potrero,
CA) ; Quinn; Brian; (San Diego, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHARMASSON, BUCHACA & LEACH, LLP
1545 HOTEL CIRCLE SOUTH, SUITE 150
SAN DIEGO
CA
92108-3426
US
|
Family ID: |
38618430 |
Appl. No.: |
11/394575 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
182/113 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04G 21/3242 20130101;
E04G 21/3223 20130101; E04G 5/14 20130101; E04G 21/3233
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
182/113 |
International
Class: |
E04G 3/32 20060101
E04G003/32 |
Claims
1. A safety barrier stanchion securable to a floor slab ledge,
which comprises: a tubular enclosure having a closed first end and
an opposite open second end; a foot member projecting orthogonally
from a side of said enclosure proximal said second end; at least
one bracket projecting orthogonally from said side in the same
angular direction as said foot member; a tubular clamping member
having a first extremity telescopically engaged into said second
end; an arm projecting orthogonally proximal a second end of said
clamping member; said clamping member having a threaded inner
section; a threaded stem having a first end section engaged into
said threaded inner section and an opposite end section protruding
through an aperture in said closed end; a handle capping said
protruding section; and said handle being secured to said
protruding section by a removable diametrical pin; whereby turning
of said handle causes said clamping member to telescopically
translate within said enclosure.
2. The stanchion of claim 1, wherein said foot member has at least
one hole axially parallel to said tubular enclosure.
3. The stanchion of claim 2, wherein said bracket is U-shaped and
has a median portion and the two leg portions secured to said
enclosure side.
4. The stanchion of claim 3, wherein said bracket has a hole in
said median section.
5. The stanchion of claim 1, wherein said handle includes a
hexagonal part axially aligned with said threaded stem and suitable
for engagement by a standard size wrench.
6. The stanchion of claim 1, wherein said threaded inner section
comprises a nut fixedly secured within said clamping member.
7. The stanchion of claim 6 which further comprises a first ring
barrier coaxially and fixedly mounted on said threaded stem inside
said enclosure proximal said closed end.
8. The stanchion of claim 7 which further comprises a second ring
barrier coaxially and fixedly mounted on said threaded stem first
end section beyond said clamping member threaded section.
9. The stanchion of claim 4 which further comprises three of said
brackets, a first of said brackets located proximal to said foot
member, a second bracket located in a median section of said
enclosure, and a third of said brackets located proximal said
closed end.
10. The stanchion of claim 3, wherein one of the leg portions of
said first bracket is welded to said arm.
11. A safety barrier mounted on the ledge of an elevated concrete
slab which comprises: a plurality of the stanchion of claim 9
secured to said ledge at spaced apart intervals; each of said
stanchions clamping said ledge between said arm and the foot of
said clamping member; a first elongated member engaged into the
first bracket of at least two of said stanchions; an elongated
member engaged into the second bracket of at least two of said
stanchions; a third elongated member engaged into a third bracket
of at least two of said stanchions; and a pin driven through the
hole in the foot member of each of said stanchion and into said
slab.
12. The barrier of claim 11, wherein said elongated members
comprise at least one construction stud.
13. The barrier of claim 11, wherein said elongated members
comprise at least one cable.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to hand rails, barriers and fences
and more particularly to regulatory safety barriers which must be
temporarily installed during construction of an edifice around the
ledge of scaffolding or an elevated floor slab.
BACKGROUND
[0002] When working on elevated scaffolds, platforms or floor
slabs, construction workers and tradesmen are exposed to the hazard
of falling off their work areas. The Occupational Safety &
Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor has issued
regulations requiring that any person working on such a structure
more than 3.1 meters (10 feet) above the lower level be protected
from falling to that lower level by a fall arrest or guard rail
system meeting certain prescribed specifications. The prior art
offers a variety of stanchions that can be clamped around the ledge
of a platform or floor slab. A number of such stanchions spaced
apart along a ledge can support joining studs or cables to form the
required safety barrier. The clamping of each stanchion is
accomplished by a vise-like structure that relies on the manual
strength of the installer manipulating a clamping handle. However,
temperature changes and other weather conditions can cause
variations in the size and dimensions of materials used in the
fabrication of the stanchions or the platform or slabs upon which
they are attached. Any resulting loosening of the clamping force
applied by the stanchion on the working surface can compromise the
safety of the barrier.
[0003] The instant invention results from an attempt to improve the
long term stability of safety barrier stanchions.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present invention provides a lightweight but sturdy
stanchion that can be used to form a safety barrier along the ledge
of an elevated platform, scaffold or floor slab by providing an
improved clamping action around a ledge backed by reinforcing spike
or nails. The stanchion comprises a square stock tubular enclosure
having at its lower end an arm that can be rested on the top
surface of the ledge and secured thereon by a spike driven through
a hole in the arm and into the ledge itself. A foot member is
telescopically engaged in the open lower end of the stanchion. The
clamping member has a foot that projects orthogonally under and
against the lower surface of the ledge. The clamping member is
urged upwardly by a threaded stem engaging a threaded section in
the upper region of the clamping member and having an upper section
protruding through the closed top section of the stanchion where it
engages a handle and hex-nut. Turning of the handle causes the
clamping member to translate telescopically up and down within the
stanchion. The hex-nut provides for tightly clamping of the device
by use of a standard wrench in addition to bare hand manipulation
of the handle. Loop brackets at spaced apart locations along the
stanchion allow for the passage therethrough of standard size
construction studs or cables in order to form a hand rail and a
knee high barrier. The lowest rung of studs is located closely to
the top surface of the platform or slab and acts as a convenient
stop for any object that might roll or be inadvertently pushed off
the ledge at the risk of injuring personnel working below.
[0005] In some embodiments there is provided a safety barrier
stanchion securable to a floor slab ledge, which comprises: a
tubular enclosure having a closed first end and an opposite open
second end; a foot member projecting orthogonally from a side of
said enclosure proximal said second end; at least one bracket
projecting orthogonally from said side in the same angular
direction as said foot member; a tubular clamping member having a
first extremity telescopically engaged into said second end; an arm
projecting orthogonally proximal a second end of said clamping
member; said clamping member having a threaded inner section; a
threaded stem having a first end section engaged into said threaded
inner section and an opposite end section protruding through an
aperture in said closed end; a handle capping said protruding
section; and said handle being secured to said protruding section
by a removable diametrical pin; whereby turning of said handle
causes said clamping member to telescopically translate within said
enclosure.
[0006] In some embodiments said foot member has at least one hole
axially parallel to said tubular enclosure.
[0007] In some embodiments said bracket is U-shaped and has a
median portion and the two leg portions secured to said enclosure
side.
[0008] In some embodiments said bracket has a hole in said median
section.
[0009] In some embodiments said handle includes a hexagonal part
axially aligned with said threaded stem and suitable for engagement
by a standard size wrench.
[0010] In some embodiments said threaded inner section comprises a
nut fixedly secured within said clamping member.
[0011] In some embodiments the stanchion further comprises a first
ring barrier coaxially and fixedly mounted on said threaded stem
inside said enclosure proximal said closed end.
[0012] In some embodiments the stanchion further comprises a second
ring barrier coaxially and fixedly mounted on said threaded stem
first end section beyond said clamping member threaded section.
[0013] In some embodiments the stanchion further comprises three of
said brackets, a first of said brackets located proximal to said
foot member, a second bracket located in a median section of said
enclosure, and a third of said brackets located proximal said
closed end.
[0014] In some embodiments one of the leg portion of said first
bracket is welded to said arm.
[0015] In some embodiments there is provided a safety barrier
mounted on the ledge of an elevated concrete slab which comprises:
a plurality of the stanchions secured to said ledge at spaced apart
intervals; each of said stanchions clamping said ledge between said
arm and the foot of said clamping member; a first elongated member
engaged into the first bracket of at least two of said stanchions;
an elongated member engaged into the second bracket of at least two
of said stanchions; a third elongated member engaged into a third
bracket of at least two of said stanchions; and a pin driven
through the hole in the foot member of each of said stanchion and
into said slab.
[0016] In some embodiments said elongated members comprise at least
one construction stud.
[0017] In some embodiments said elongated members comprise at least
one cable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stanchion according to the
invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the stanchion
clamping mechanism;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a safety barrier using a
plurality of stanchions; and
[0021] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional top view of the handle and
assisting lever.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] Referring now to the drawing, there is shown in FIG. 1 a
post or stanchion 1 adapted for use in the construction of a safety
barrier around the ledge of an elevated slab during the
construction of a building. The stanchion comprises a tubular
enclosure 2 made of square steel tubing having a closed upper end 3
and an open lower end 4. A clamping member 5 comprises a second
tubular enclosure 6 made from a section of square tube open at both
ends and having an outer side dimension slightly smaller than the
interior side dimension of the stanchion enclosure 2. The clamping
member has a foot member 7 projecting orthogonally proximal the
lower end 8 of the second enclosure 6. The clamping member
enclosure 6 is telescopically engaged into the open lower end of
the first enclosure 2.
[0023] An arm 9 also projects orthogonally from a side of the first
enclosure 2, proximal the open lower end 4 in the same direction as
the foot 7 of the clamping member. Three U-shaped brackets 10, 11,
12 also have side leg sections projecting orthogonally from the
same side of the first enclosure 2 as the arm 9. A first bracket 10
is located proximal to and in contact with the arm 9. The lower leg
portion 13 of that bracket is preferably welded to the top surface
of the arm 9. The attachment of the upper leg 14 to the first
enclosure 2 is reinforced by a triangular gusset 15. The second
bracket 11 is positioned in a median portion of the first enclosure
2. The third bracket 12 is positioned proximal the closed end of
the first enclosure. The arm 9 has at least one hole 16 axially
perpendicular to the first enclosure 2. Each bracket 10, 11, 12 has
at least one hole 17 drilled perpendicularly to the first enclosure
2 in the middle of the central section of the U-shaped bracket.
[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a threaded stem 18 is axially
engaged through the first and second enclosures 2, 6. The upper end
of the stem 19 protrudes through an aperture 20 in the closed end 3
of the first enclosure. That upper end is capped by a handle 21,
the handle comprises an upper section which consists of a hex-nut
24 axially aligned with the stem and shaped to be conveniently
engaged by a standard size wrench. A lower section of the handle
comprises of two wings 22, 23 shaped and dimensioned to be
conveniently manipulated. As more specifically shown in FIG. 4,
each wing is formed by a substantially L-shaped member 37
consisting of a radially projecting portion 38 and an axially
projecting portion 39 extending substantially orthogonally from the
radially distal end of the radially projecting portion. The axially
projecting portion 39 is shaped to have a pair radially inward
facing, substantially planar facets 40,41. Each facet is oriented
to be 120 degrees to each other and substantially parallel with
corresponding faces on the hex-nut 24. In this way, even if the
user does not have the correctly sized wrench, the user can actuate
the handle with power using a more readily available oblong tool 42
as an assisting lever such as a length of rebar.
[0025] The handle is attached to the upper part of the stem by a
removable pin 25 passing transversely through radial bores in the
hex-nut and diametrically through the stem. A ring barrier 26 is
coaxially and fixedly welded around the stem inside the first
enclosure 2 proximal the closed end 3.
[0026] The lower end of the stem 27 is captured by a threaded
section 28 of the upper end of the second enclosure 6. This
threaded section can conveniently be implemented by a nut secured
by welding to the inside of the second enclosure 6. A second ring
barrier 29 is optionally coaxially and fixedly secured beyond the
threaded section to the lower extremity of the stem preventing it
from being disengaged from the threaded section 28. Alternately, a
removable transversal pin 29A shown in phantom lines on the drawing
can allow complete disengagement of the threaded stem 18 from the
second enclosure.
[0027] It can be understood that by turning the handle 21, the foot
member 5 can be translated telescopically up or down in relation to
the first enclosure 2.
[0028] The stanchion 1 can be conveniently dismantled for repair or
maintenance by simply removing the transversal pin 26 in order to
free the handle, and if necessary pin 29A at the opposite end of
the threaded stem to disengage the stem from the clamping member
enclosure 6.
[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the stanchion 1 can be
conveniently clamped around the ledge 30 of an elevated floor slab
31 with the arm 4 resting against the top surface of the slab and
the foot 8 of the clamping member resting against the bottom
surface of the slab. The clamping action obtained by turning the
handle 21 can be improved by the use of a dywidag thread around the
stem 18 and strongly tightened by using a wrench on the hex-nut
section 24. The stability of the stanchion is enhanced by driving a
nail or spike 32 through the holes 16 of the arm and into the
slab.
[0030] The brackets 10, 11, 12 are shaped and dimensioned to
accommodate two standard size carpentry studs. Accordingly, a
safety barrier 33 can be constructed by installing a number of
stanchions 1 at spaced apart locations along the ledge 30, and
joining two adjacent stanchions by an elongated member, preferably
a stud 34 engaged into their lowest bracket 10. The stud can be
further secured by driving nails 35 through the holes 17 in the
brackets and into the body of the stud. Other elongated members,
either studs or cables 36 can be run through the median and upper
brackets 11, 12 in order to construct a barrier that can meet all
the government safety regulations.
[0031] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been
described, modifications can be made and other embodiments may be
devised without departing from the spirit of the invention and the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *