U.S. patent application number 13/993825 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-30 for system and components for safely enclosing handrails, stairways, walkways and platforms.
This patent application is currently assigned to PRO 3 PRODUCTS PTY LTD. The applicant listed for this patent is Andrew Paul Crothers, Simon Noack, Philip Ooyendyk. Invention is credited to Andrew Paul Crothers, Simon Noack, Philip Ooyendyk.
Application Number | 20140318891 13/993825 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44122755 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140318891 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Crothers; Andrew Paul ; et
al. |
October 30, 2014 |
SYSTEM AND COMPONENTS FOR SAFELY ENCLOSING HANDRAILS, STAIRWAYS,
WALKWAYS AND PLATFORMS
Abstract
Safety barriers such as guardrails, handrails, walkways, and
platforms are found in a large variety of industrial commercial,
residential and public sites typically consist of an open framework
of horizontal, vertical or inclined pipes. However in some cases
such open systems do not provide a sufficient barrier to prevent
dropped objects such as tools from escaping the confines of the
handrail system and creating a hazard. To address this deficiency a
system for enclosing a safety barrier has been developed which
includes a specially adapted bracket for attachment to posts such
as stanchions, hand rails or knee rails and a guard panel which is
attached to the bracket and is used to enclose the side walls of
the safety barrier to reduce the dropped object hazard. The bracket
has an open clipping configuration to allow it to clipped onto the
stanchions (or other supports) and left in place. There bracket can
then moved into a closed configuration and clamped in place, after
which a guard panel can be mounted onto the bracket. The bracket
has a number of safety advantages. Firstly as the bracket can be
clipped in place the installer can safely work from within the
confines of the walkway. Secondly once the bracket is clipped in
place, the installer is free to let go of the bracket and can pick
up other tools or perform other tasks, and is not required to
continue to hold the bracket until it is clamped in place (and risk
dropping either the bracket or tools). The system additionally
comprises step guards for enclosing the vertical gap (rise) between
steps, and floor brackets and flooring sheet for covering grid mesh
floors.
Inventors: |
Crothers; Andrew Paul;
(Beauty Point, AU) ; Noack; Simon; (Beauty Point,
AU) ; Ooyendyk; Philip; (Beauty Point, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Crothers; Andrew Paul
Noack; Simon
Ooyendyk; Philip |
Beauty Point
Beauty Point
Beauty Point |
|
AU
AU
AU |
|
|
Assignee: |
PRO 3 PRODUCTS PTY LTD
Beauty Point
AU
|
Family ID: |
44122755 |
Appl. No.: |
13/993825 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
December 15, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2011/001622 |
371 Date: |
August 27, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
182/113 ;
248/219.4; 52/745.09 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 11/1808 20130101;
E04G 21/3223 20130101; E04F 2011/0209 20130101; E04F 11/1855
20130101; E04H 17/16 20130101; E04F 11/1861 20130101; E04G 2005/148
20130101; E04F 2011/1821 20130101; F16L 3/127 20130101; E04G 5/14
20130101; E04F 2011/1831 20130101; E04G 21/3204 20130101; E04G
5/067 20130101; E04F 11/17 20130101; E04G 21/3219 20130101; E04H
17/24 20130101; E04F 11/112 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
182/113 ;
248/219.4; 52/745.09 |
International
Class: |
E04F 11/18 20060101
E04F011/18; E04H 17/24 20060101 E04H017/24; E04G 5/14 20060101
E04G005/14; E04H 17/16 20060101 E04H017/16; E04G 5/06 20060101
E04G005/06; E04G 21/32 20060101 E04G021/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 15, 2010 |
AU |
2010905499 |
Apr 29, 2011 |
AU |
2011100489 |
Claims
1. A guarding system for enclosing a substantially open sidewall of
a barrier system, the barrier system comprising a plurality of
support members each having a predefined profile, comprising: a
plurality of brackets for attachment to two or more of the
plurality of support members, each of the plurality of brackets
comprising: a post engaging portion wherein the post engaging
portion has an open configuration to allow the bracket to be
removably clipped onto and retained around the post whilst in the
open configuration, and a closed configuration to allow clamping of
the post engaging portion to the post; a clamping portion
comprising: a first clamping portion; and a second clamping portion
wherein in the closed configuration the second clamping portion is
brought towards the first clamping portion to clamp the bracket to
the post and are fastened in the closed configuration by a first
set of one or more fasteners passing through apertures in the first
and second clamping portions; and a mounting portion comprising a
mounting plate to allow mounting of the guard panel to the bracket
with a second set of one or more fasteners and a standoff arm for
spacing the mounting plate from the post, wherein the standoff arm
is orthogonal to the mounting plate; and a plurality of guard
panels for attachment to the plurality of brackets, to enclose at
least a portion of the vertical space of the open sidewall.
2. The guarding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the post
engaging portion is located between the mounting portion and the
clamping portion and comprises: a profile matching at least a
portion of the predefined profile of the post to allow clipping of
the bracket to the post when in the open configuration and the
first and second clamping portions extend from a first end and a
second end of the post engaging portion so that movement of the
first clamping portion towards the second clamping portion clamps
the bracket around the post to form the closed configuration.
3. The guarding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the post
engaging portion comprises: a clip portion having a profile
matching at least a portion of the predefined profile of the post
to allow clipping of the bracket to the post when in the open
configuration; and a moveable portion comprising a slot to allow
the moveable portion to be deformed to allow the bracket to be
reconfigured from the open configuration to the closed
configuration.
4. The guarding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket
is formed from a single sheet of material.
5. The guarding system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the material
is stainless steel.
6. The guarding system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the slot
extends over at a least 90.degree. arc of the post when in the
closed position.
7. The guarding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamping
portion is located between the mounting portion and the post
engaging portion and the clamping portions provides the standoff
arm.
8. The guarding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting
plate further comprises a plurality of apertures to allow a guard
panel to be mounted at a range of locations and inclinations with
respect to the plate.
9. The guarding system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the mounting
plate is provided with an aperture free portion in front of the
region the first set of one or more fasteners used to clamp the
bracket together will be located so that in use, the first set of
one or more fasteners do not interfere with the second set of one
or more fasteners used to mount the guard panel to the mounting
plate.
10. The guarding system as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a
plurality of washer plates for use in mounting panels to brackets,
each washer plate comprising a flat plate with two apertures spaced
apart by a first spacing distance, wherein the first spacing
distance matches the spacing between at least two apertures in the
plurality of apertures on the mounting plate of a bracket
11. The guarding system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the
plurality of apertures are arranged into two or more pairs of
apertures having the first spacing distance, and the two or more
pairs are arranged to allow mounting of guard panels in two or more
predefined orientations.
12. The guarding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the panel is
mounted to extend continuously up from the floor to a height below
the handrail sufficient to provide hand access to the handrail, so
as to substantially enclose side wall of the barrier.
13. The guarding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein lower edge
of the panels are flanged so that when mounted the flange portion
engages the top of the sidewall of the floor.
14. The guarding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein guard panels
are formed from a sheet comprising a plurality of apertures.
15. The guarding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein guard panels
are formed from a mesh sheet so that the additional wind load on
the structure is minimised.
16. (canceled)
17. (canceled)
18. (canceled)
19. The guarding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the open
barrier system further comprises a grid mesh floor comprising at
two support members having a predefined profile and pitch, a
plurality of floor sheets and a plurality of flooring brackets for
mounting a floor sheet to cover at least a section of the grid mesh
floor, each flooring bracket comprising: an upper surface
comprising: two flange portions for engaging the upper surface of
two adjacent support members in a grid mesh floor; and a mounting
portion to allow mounting of a sheet to the top surface of the
flooring bracket; two resilient arms for engaging adjacent support
members, each arm connected to the upper surface and spaced apart
by distance matching the gap between the interior side faces of the
adjacent support members and each arm having a lower projection for
resiliently engaging the lower surface of the respective support
member so that in use the flooring bracket is retained by engaging
the upper and lower surfaces of adjacent support members.
20. The guarding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the open
barrier system further comprises a grid mesh floor comprising at
two support members having a predefined profile and pitch, a
plurality of floor sheets and a plurality of flooring brackets for
mounting a floor sheet to cover at least a section of the grid mesh
floor, each flooring bracket comprising: an upper surface
comprising a mounting portion for mounting a floor sheet, and at
least one flange portion with a width less than the predefined
pitch spacing; a lower channel portion, comprising a bottom surface
and two opposite side walls, wherein the opposite sidewalls
comprise alternate cut away portions located at opposite ends of
the channel; and a fastener which passes though an aperture in the
upper surface and an aperture in the bottom surface of the lower
channel portion, and having a shaft portion joining the upper
surface, wherein in use, the flooring bracket is inserted between
adjacent load bars of the grid mesh floor such that the at least on
flange portion is located between adjacent load bars, and the side
walls of the lower channel portion are at a position above the
bottom edge of a load bar and the lower channel portions are a
position below the bottom edge of the load bar, and rotating the
fastener causes the channel portion to move upwards and engage with
the bottom edge of the load bars to lock the flooring bracket to
the grid mesh floor.
21. A method of installing a guarding system for enclosing a
substantially open sidewall of a barrier system comprising a
plurality of support members, the method comprising the steps of:
obtaining a plurality of brackets for attachment to two or more of
the plurality of support members each of the brackets comprising: a
post engaging portion wherein the post engaging portion has an open
configuration to allow the bracket to be removably clipped onto and
retained around the post whilst in the open configuration, and a
closed configuration to allow clamping of the post engaging portion
to the post; a clamping portion comprising: a first clamping
portion; and a second clamping portion wherein in the closed
configuration the second clamping portion is brought towards the
first clamping portion to clamp the bracket to the post and are
fastened in the closed configuration by a first set of one or more
fasteners passing through apertures in the first and second
clamping portions; and a mounting portion comprising a mounting
plate to allow mounting of the guard panel to the bracket with a
second set of one or more fasteners and a standoff arm for spacing
the mounting plate from the post, wherein the standoff arm is
orthogonal to the mounting plate; and obtaining at least one guard
panel for attachment to the plurality of brackets, to enclose at
least a portion of the vertical space of the substantially open
sidewall; clipping at least one of the plurality of brackets to
each of two or more of the plurality of support members; for each
of the at least one brackets clipped to each of the two or more of
the plurality of support members: moving one or more portions of
the respective bracket to change the configuration of the bracket
from the open configuration to the closed configuration; and
fastening the bracket in the closed configuration so as to clamp
the bracket to the respective support member; fastening one of the
at least one guard panel to at least one bracket clamped to one of
the two or more of the plurality of support members.
22. The method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising fastening
adjacent guard panels together.
23. A bracket for use in mounting a guard panel to a post having a
predefined profile in an open barrier system so as to reduce the
dropped object hazard, comprising: a post engaging portion wherein
the post engaging portion has an open configuration to allow the
bracket to be removably clipped onto and retained around the post
whilst in the open configuration, and a closed configuration to
allow clamping of the post engaging portion to the post; a clamping
portion comprising: a first clamping portion; and a second clamping
portion wherein in the closed configuration the second clamping
portion is brought towards the first clamping portion to clamp the
bracket to the post and are fastened in the closed configuration by
a first set of one or more fasteners passing through apertures in
the first and second clamping portions; and a mounting portion
comprising a mounting plate to allow mounting of the guard panel to
the bracket with a second set of one or more fasteners and a
standoff arm for spacing the mounting plate from the post, wherein
the standoff arm is orthogonal to the mounting plate.
24. The bracket as claimed in claim 23, wherein the post engaging
portion is located between the mounting portion and the clamping
portion and comprises: a profile matching at least a portion of the
predefined profile of the post to allow clipping of the bracket to
the post when in the open configuration and the first and second
clamping portions extend from a first end and a second end of the
post engaging portion so that movement of the first clamping
portion towards the second clamping portion clamps the bracket
around the post to form the closed configuration.
25. The bracket as claimed in claim 23, wherein the post engaging
portion comprises: a clip portion having a profile matching at
least a portion of the predefined profile of the post to allow
clipping of the bracket to the post when in the open configuration;
and a moveable portion comprising a slot to allow the moveable
portion to be deformed to allow the bracket to be reconfigured from
the open configuration to the closed configuration.
26. The bracket as claimed in claim 25 wherein the slot extends
over at a least 90.degree. arc section of the post when in the
closed position.
27. The bracket as claimed in claim 23, wherein the bracket is
formed from a single sheet of material.
28. The bracket as claimed in claim 27, wherein the material is
stainless steel.
29. The bracket as claimed in claim 23, wherein the clamping
portion is located between the mounting portion and the post
engaging portion and the clamping portions provides the standoff
arm.
30. The bracket as claimed in claim 23, wherein the mounting plate
further comprises a plurality of apertures to allow a guard panel
to be mounted at a range of locations and inclinations with respect
to the plate.
31. The bracket as claimed in claim 30, wherein the mounting plate
is provided with an aperture free portion in front of the region
the first set of one or more fasteners used to clamp the bracket
together will be located so that in use, the first set of one or
more fasteners do not interfere with the second set of one or more
fasteners used to mount the guard panel to the mounting plate.
32. (canceled)
33. (canceled)
34. (canceled)
35. (canceled)
36. (canceled)
37. (canceled)
38. (canceled)
39. A dropped object prevention system for a guardrail, the
guardrail comprising a plurality of support members each having a
predefined profile and a floor, comprising: a plurality of brackets
for attachment to two or more of the plurality of support members
and for mounting a guard panel, each bracket comprising a post
engaging portion to allow the bracket to be clipped onto and
retained about a support member from above the floor and within the
guardrail prior to clamping, and then subsequently clamped around
the support member, and a mounting portion comprising a mounting
plate to allow mounting of the guard panel to the bracket, and a
standoff arm for spacing the mounting plate from the post a
plurality of guard panels for attachment to the plurality of
brackets to enclose at least a portion of a vertical space of an
open sidewall of the guardrail, wherein each guard panel is mounted
to the mounting portion of at least one bracket, and in use is
mounted from above the floor and within the guard rail.
40. The dropped object prevention system as claimed in claim 39,
wherein each bracket has an open configuration to allow the bracket
to be clipped onto one of the plurality of support member, and the
post engaging portion spans at least a 180.degree. angle around the
post and has a radius matching the radius of the post, and the
bracket is manufactured from resilient material such that when
clipped onto the post the bracket does not plastically deform.
41. The dropped object prevention system as claimed in claim 39,
wherein each guard panel comprises a plurality of apertures.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] The present application claims priority from Australian
Provisional Patent Application No 2010905499 entitled "SYSTEM AND
COMPONENTS FOR SAFELY ENCLOSING HANDRAILS, STAIRWAYS, WALKWAYS AND
PLATFORMS" filed on 15 Dec. 2010, and Australian Innovation Patent
No 2011100489 entitled SYSTEM AND COMPONENTS FOR SAFELY ENCLOSING
HANDRAILS, STAIRWAYS, WALKWAYS AND PLATFORMS filed on 29 Apr. 2011,
the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to safety barriers. In a
particular form the present invention relates systems and
components for safely enclosing substantially open barriers such as
handrails, stairways walkways, and platforms.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Safety barriers such as guardrails, handrails, walkways, and
platforms are found in a large variety of industrial commercial,
residential and public sites. They are typically located at the
edge of walkways, stairs, or platforms where they are used to
prevent falls, limit access to potentially unsafe or dangerous
areas, and/or to provide support or protection in uneven or
potentially slippery ground.
[0004] In particular Australian Standard AS1657-1192 relates to the
design, construction, and installation of fixed platforms,
walkways, stairways, and ladders which are intended to provide
means of safe access to and safe working at places normally used by
operating, inspection, maintenance, and servicing personnel. This
standard defines guard railing as any structure to prevent persons
from falling off any platform, walkway or landing. Handrails
include rails to provide handhold on a platform, walkway, stairway,
or step ladder and may form part of a guard railing. A walkway is
passageway that is either level or sloping from the surrounding
floor or level. It may be a continuous structure or steps with
landings and covers inclinations in the range from 0.degree. to
26.5.degree.. A stairway is a sloping stepped structure having not
less than three rises and having a slope within the range of
26.5.degree. to 45 degrees inclusive. A platform is an area
provided for access or working, which is elevated above the
surrounding floor or level, and a landing is a level area used to
provide access to a stairway or ladder, or located at an
intermediate level in a system of stairways or ladders.
[0005] A common type of guardrail or handrail system often found in
public and industrial sites uses an open framework of horizontal,
vertical or inclined pipes or tubes (which in cross section may be
circular, square, rectangular, oval, etc) to support a handrail.
However in some cases such open systems do not provide a sufficient
barrier to prevent people, or carried objects such as tools or
products, from escaping the confines of the handrail system. This
can create hazards for both people on the walkways, who can slip
out of, or may be forced to lean out over the handrail or through
gaps into potentially unsafe areas to retrieve lost objects, as
well as to persons below them who may be hit by falling objects
potentially causing significant injury or even death depending upon
the object dropped and the height it is dropped from. Further, many
walkways, stairways and platforms in industrial or commercial sites
include floors constructed of open grid mesh or grating, which
provide little protection to persons or equipment below the floor
from material (solid or liquid) spilled or dropped whilst being
carried across the floor.
[0006] There is thus a need to provide systems and components to at
least partially enclose open barrier systems, or at least provide a
useful alternative.
SUMMARY
[0007] According to a first aspect, there is provided a guarding
system for enclosing a substantially open sidewall of a barrier
system, the barrier system comprising a plurality of support
members each having a predefined profile, comprising: [0008] a
plurality of brackets for attachment to two or more of the
plurality of support members, each of the plurality of brackets
comprising: [0009] a post engaging portion wherein the post
engaging portion has an open configuration to allow the bracket to
be removably clipped onto and retained around the post whilst in
the open configuration, and a closed configuration to allow
clamping of the post engaging portion to the post; [0010] a
clamping portion comprising: [0011] a first clamping portion; and
[0012] a second clamping portion wherein in the closed
configuration the second clamping portion is brought towards the
first clamping portion to clamp the bracket to the post and are
fastened in the closed configuration by a first set of one or more
fasteners passing through apertures in the first and second
clamping portions; and [0013] a mounting portion comprising a
mounting plate to allow mounting of the guard panel to the bracket
with a second set of one or more fasteners and a standoff arm for
spacing the mounting plate from the post, wherein the standoff arm
is orthogonal to the mounting plate; and [0014] a plurality of
guard panels for attachment to the plurality of brackets, to
enclose at least a portion of the vertical space of the open
sidewall.
[0015] In a further aspect the post engaging portion is located
between the mounting portion and the clamping portion and comprises
a profile matching at least a portion of the predefined profile of
the post to allow clipping of the bracket to the post when in the
open configuration and the first and second clamping portions
extend from a first end and a second end of the post engaging
portion so that movement of the first clamping portion towards the
second clamping portion clamps the bracket around the post to form
the closed configuration.
[0016] In a further aspect the post engaging portion comprises a
clip portion having a profile matching at least a portion of the
predefined profile of the post to allow clipping of the bracket to
the post when in the open configuration; and a moveable portion
comprising a slot to allow the moveable portion to be deformed to
allow the bracket to be reconfigured from the open configuration to
the closed configuration. In one aspect the slot extends over an
arc of 90.degree., and the moveable portion is hand deformable.
[0017] In a further aspect the mounting plate further comprises a
plurality of apertures to allow a guard panel to be mounted at a
range of locations and inclinations with respect to the plate.
[0018] In a further aspect the guard panels are mounted to extend
continuously up from the floor to a height below the handrail
sufficient to provide hand access to the handrail, so as to
substantially enclose side wall of the barrier. In a further aspect
the guard panels are formed from a sheet comprising a plurality of
apertures. This assists in reducing the additional wind load on the
structure.
[0019] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method of
installing a guarding system for enclosing a substantially open
sidewall of a barrier system comprising a plurality of support
members, the method comprising the steps of [0020] obtaining a
plurality of brackets according to the first aspect for attachment
to two or more of the plurality of support members; and [0021]
obtaining at least one guard panel for attachment to the plurality
of brackets, to enclose at least a portion of the vertical space of
the open sidewall; [0022] clipping at least one of the plurality of
brackets to each of two or more of the plurality of support
members; [0023] for each of the at least one brackets clipped to
each of two or more of the plurality of support members: [0024]
moving one or more portions of the respective bracket to change the
configuration of the bracket from the open configuration to the
closed configuration; and [0025] fastening the bracket in the
closed configuration so as to clamp the bracket to the respective
support member; [0026] fastening one of the at least one guard
panel to at least one bracket clamped to two or more of the
plurality of support members.
[0027] According to a third aspect, there is provided a bracket for
use in mounting a guard panel to a post having a predefined profile
in an open barrier system so as to reduce the dropped object
hazard, comprising: [0028] a post engaging portion wherein the post
engaging portion has an open configuration to allow the bracket to
be removably clipped onto and retained around the post whilst in
the open configuration, and a closed configuration to allow
clamping of the post engaging portion to the post; [0029] a
clamping portion comprising: [0030] a first clamping portion; and
[0031] a second clamping portion wherein in the closed
configuration the second clamping portion is brought towards the
first clamping portion to clamp the bracket to the post and are
fastened in the closed configuration by a first set of one or more
fasteners passing through apertures in the first and second
clamping portions; and [0032] a mounting portion comprising a
mounting plate to allow mounting of the guard panel to the bracket
with a second set of one or more fasteners and a standoff arm for
spacing the mounting plate from the post, wherein the standoff arm
is orthogonal to the mounting plate.
[0033] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a flooring
bracket for use in mounting a floor sheet to cover a grid mesh
floor comprising at two support members having a predefined profile
and pitch, comprising: [0034] an upper surface comprising: [0035]
two flange portions for engaging the upper surface of two adjacent
support members in a grid mesh floor; and [0036] a mounting portion
to allow mounting of a sheet to the top surface of the flooring
bracket; [0037] two resilient arms for engaging adjacent support
members, each arm connected to the upper surface and spaced apart
by distance matching the gap between the interior side faces of the
adjacent support members and each arm having a lower projection for
resiliently engaging the lower surface of the respective support
member so that in use the flooring bracket is retained by engaging
the upper and lower surfaces of adjacent support members.
[0038] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a flooring
bracket for use in mounting a floor sheet to cover a grid mesh
floor comprising at two support members having a predefined profile
and pitch spacing, comprising: [0039] an upper surface comprising a
mounting portion for mounting a floor sheet, and at least one
flange portion with a width less than the predefined pitch spacing;
[0040] a lower channel portion, comprising a bottom surface and two
opposite site walls, wherein the opposite sidewalls comprise
alternate cut away portions located at opposite ends of the
channel; and [0041] a fastener which passes though an aperture in
the upper surface and an aperture in the bottom surface of the
lower channel portion, and having a shaft portion joining the upper
surface, wherein in use, the flooring bracket is inserted between
adjacent load bars of the grid mesh floor such that the at least on
flange portion is located between adjacent load bars, and the side
walls of the lower channel portion are at a position above the
bottom edge of a load bar and the lower channel portions are a
position below the bottom edge of the load bar, and rotating the
fastener causes the channel portion to move upwards and engage with
the bottom edge of the load bars to lock the flooring bracket to
the grid mesh floor.
[0042] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a step guard
for enclosing a vertical space of predefined dimensions between
consecutive grid mesh steps, comprising: [0043] a first set of
tongue and grooves along a first horizontal edge for engagement
with a first step; [0044] a second set of tongue and grooves along
the opposite horizontal edge for engagement with a second step
adjacent; and [0045] a riser plate joining the first and second set
of tongue and grooves, [0046] wherein the spacing of the tongues in
the first and second set are based on the spacing of crossbars in
the grid mesh steps, and the first set of tongue and grooves are
offset with respect to the second set of tongue to accommodate a
range of distances between the edge of a step and the first cross
bar in the step.
[0047] According to an seventh aspect, there is provided a step
guard for enclosing a vertical space of predefined dimensions
between an upper grid mesh step and lower grid mesh step,
comprising: [0048] a first set of tongue and grooves along a lower
horizontal edge for engagement with the lower step; [0049] a nosing
for engaging with the front and upper edge of the upper step; and
[0050] a riser plate joining the first set of tongue and grooves
and the nosing and which encloses the vertical gap between the
upper and lower step, [0051] wherein the spacing of the tongues is
based on the spacing of crossbars in the grid mesh steps.
[0052] According to an eighth aspect, there is provided a step
guard for enclosing a vertical space of predefined dimensions
between an upper grid mesh step and lower grid mesh step,
comprising: [0053] a riser plate which encloses the vertical gap
between the upper and lower step; and [0054] a stair plate, for at
least partially covering and reducing the size of the gaps between
grid mesh elements in either the upper or lower step and comprising
a stair tread for engaging with the front and upper edge of the
step.
[0055] According to an ninth aspect, there is provided a dropped
object prevention system for a guardrail, the guardrail comprising
a plurality of support members each having a predefined profile and
a floor, comprising: [0056] a plurality of brackets for attachment
to two or more of the plurality of support members and for mounting
a guard panel, each bracket comprising a post engaging portion to
allow the bracket to be clipped onto and retained about a support
member from above the floor and within the guardrail prior to
clamping, and then subsequently clamped around the support member,
and a mounting portion comprising a mounting plate to allow
mounting of the guard panel to the bracket, and a standoff arm for
spacing the mounting plate from the post [0057] a plurality of
guard panels for attachment to the plurality of brackets to enclose
at least a portion of a vertical space of an open sidewall of the
guardrail, wherein each guard panel is mounted to the mounting
portion of at least one bracket, and in use is mounted from above
the floor and within the guard rail.
[0058] The system of the first or ninth aspect may further comprise
the flooring bracket of the fifth or sixth aspect, and/or the step
guard of the sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0059] Illustrative embodiments will be discussed with reference to
the accompanying figures wherein:
[0060] FIGS. 1A to 1E illustrate various views of a walkway with a
guarding system according to an embodiment;
[0061] FIG. 2A is an isometric view of a bracket in an open
configuration for clipping onto a support post according to an
embodiment;
[0062] FIG. 2B is an isometric view of the bracket of FIG. 2A in a
closed configuration;
[0063] FIG. 2C is a top view of the bracket in FIG. 2A;
[0064] FIG. 2D is a top view of the bracket in FIG. 2B;
[0065] FIG. 2E is a flat pattern for constructing the bracket of
FIG. 2A;
[0066] FIG. 2F is an isometric view of another embodiment bracket
in an open configuration for clipping onto a support post;
[0067] FIG. 2G is top view of the bracket in FIG. 2F;
[0068] FIG. 2H is top view of the bracket in FIG. 2F in the closed
configuration;
[0069] FIG. 2I is a top view of a washer plate for use with the
brackets illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2H;
[0070] FIG. 2J is an isometric view of another embodiment of a
washer plate for use with the brackets illustrated in FIGS. 2A to
2H;
[0071] FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of a stairway which has been
enclosed using an inclined guard panel according to an
embodiment;
[0072] FIG. 3B is a close up view of the attachment of a bracket to
the inclined guard panel illustrated in FIG. 3A;
[0073] FIG. 3C is a close up view of the attachment of a bracket to
the inclined guard panel illustrated in FIG. 3A from the inside
illustrating the use of the washer plate shown in FIG. 2I;
[0074] FIG. 4A is an isometric view of the bracket of FIG. 2A
clipped around a post;
[0075] FIGS. 4B and 4C are isometric views of the bracket of FIG.
2A clamped to a post and with a guard panel mounted;
[0076] FIG. 4D is an isometric view a corner section of a platform
with mesh guard panels and corner joiners according to an
embodiment;
[0077] FIG. 4E is a close up view of FIG. 4D;
[0078] FIG. 5A to 5D illustrates another embodiment of a bracket
and a method of installing the bracket;
[0079] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a bracket;
[0080] FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a bracket;
[0081] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a bracket;
[0082] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate isometric, and side views of a
pair of adjacent grid mesh steps;
[0083] FIG. 9C illustrates a top view of one of the steps shown in
FIG. 9A;
[0084] FIG. 10 illustrates the arrangement and spacing of load and
cross bars in grid mesh floor;
[0085] FIG. 11A is an isometric view of an embodiment of a flooring
bracket for mounting a floor sheet to a grid mesh floor;
[0086] FIGS. 11B to 11D illustrate orthographic views of the
flooring bracket of FIG. 11A;
[0087] FIG. 12A is a side view of the flooring bracket of FIG. 11A
inserted into the grate of FIG. 10;
[0088] FIG. 12B is a top view of the flooring bracket of FIG. 11A
inserted into the grate of FIG. 10;
[0089] FIGS. 13A to 13F illustrate isometric views of the method of
installation of floor brackets and mounting of a sheet to a grid
mesh floor to cover the grid mesh floor according to an
embodiment;
[0090] FIGS. 14A and 14B are isometric view of another embodiment
of a flooring bracket for mounting a floor sheet to a grid mesh
floor;
[0091] FIGS. 14C to 14E are orthographic views of the upper surface
of the flooring bracket of FIGS. 14A and 14B;
[0092] FIGS. 14G to 14H are orthographic views of the lower channel
portion of the flooring bracket of FIGS. 14A and 14B;
[0093] FIGS. 15A to 15C illustrates isometric and side views of
installation and locking of the bracket of FIGS. 14A to 14H into a
grid mesh floor;
[0094] FIGS. 16A and 16B are an isometric view of a step guard, and
stairway with a fitted step guard according to an embodiment;
[0095] FIGS. 17A and 17B are an isometric view of another
embodiment of a step guard, and a stairway fitted with the step
guard;
[0096] FIGS. 18A and 18B are an isometric view of another
embodiment of a step guard, and stairway fitted with the step
guard;
[0097] FIG. 19A illustrates two wire mesh guard panels joined using
splice brackets according to an embodiment;
[0098] FIG. 19B illustrates wire mesh guard panels around a
stairway joined using splice brackets according to an
embodiment;
[0099] FIG. 19C illustrates an isometric view of a splice bracket
for joining two wide mesh guard panels illustrated in FIG. 19A
according to an embodiment;
[0100] FIG. 19D illustrates an isometric view of a splice bracket
for joining a wide mesh guard panels to a narrow mesh guard panel
illustrated in FIG. 19B according to an embodiment;
[0101] FIG. 19E illustrates an isometric view of a splice bracket
for joining two narrow mesh guard panels illustrated in FIG. 19B
according to an embodiment;
[0102] FIG. 19G illustrates an isometric view of a splice bracket
for joining a narrow mesh to an inclined mesh for a stairway
illustrated in FIG. 19B according to an embodiment;
[0103] FIGS. 20A to 20C illustrate isometric views of a rear
bracket, narrow bracket and wide bracket respectively for the
splice bracket shown in FIGS. 19A to 19F;
[0104] FIG. 20D illustrates an isometric view of a U shaped end
piece for the splice bracket shown in FIGS. 19B and 19F for an
inclined mesh guard panel;
[0105] FIG. 20E illustrates a side view of the splice bracket shown
in FIG. 19A to 19F; and
[0106] FIGS. 21A to 21D illustrates several isometric views of the
washer plate of FIG. 2J in use to fasten wire mesh guard
panels;
[0107] In the following description, like reference characters
designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0108] The system described herein includes three components used
to enclose various parts of open safety barrier systems such as
handrails, walkway, stairs, platforms, grid mesh flooring etc. Such
safety barriers are typically substantially open structures include
a coarse grid of support (or structural) members with a variety of
large and small gaps between the support members. All three
components described herein may be used together, or various
combinations of the three, or each components may be used
separately or independently of each other depending upon the
requirements of the site, and whether full or partial enclosure is
required. To assist in understanding the system, illustrative
embodiments of the system will be described in relation to
enclosing a walkway incorporating an open handrail. Such open
handrails comprise vertical supports, referred to as stanchions,
and horizontal middle and upper rails at approximately knee and
waist heights above a walkway (which may also include a kick
plate). The first component is a guard system comprising a bracket
and guard panel for enclosing the sides of open barrier systems
such as walkways, stairs, or the vertical space below a handrail.
The second component is a step guard which provides a stair tread
and back plate to fill in the vertical gap (rise) between two
stairs and the third component is a flooring system for covering a
grid mesh floor comprising a floor bracket which is inserted
between the gaps in a grid mesh floor and secured in place, and
which includes a mounting platform to allow sheeting to be laid
over the grid mesh floor. These components allow for safe and
efficient enclosing of handrails, stairways, walkways and elevated
platforms.
[0109] A walkway enclosed using the above described embodiment is
illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1E. FIG. 1A shows an isometric view 110
of an unenclosed walkway and FIG. 1B shows an isometric view 120 of
the walkway enclosed according to an embodiment of the system. FIG.
1C is an end view 130 of the enclosed walkway illustrating the
brackets, guard panels, floor brackets and sheeting. FIGS. 1D and
1E are interior and exterior side views 140, 150 of walkway
illustrating the attachment of guard panel to the support posts
(marked 1D and 1E on FIG. 1C). As shown in FIGS. 1C to 1E, an upper
and lower bracket is clamped to each post to secure a guard panel.
The guard panels 40 are mounted so that they rest on or near the
edge of the kick plate 72 and extend continuously upwards to just
below the handrail.
[0110] The guard panels 40 may be made of flat sheet without any
apertures, perforated sheet having a regular array of apertures (as
in FIGS. 1C and 1D), a mesh sheet (ie array of wires) formed from a
mesh, or sheet with periodic or irregular apertures. Preferably the
size of apertures (or gaps) in the panel are chosen so that they
are small enough to prevent, or at least to significantly reduce
the risk, of dropped objects falling through the apertures (or at
least dropped objects, and in particular tools, above a certain
size). Providing apertures or openings in the guard panel reduces
the weight and will also assist in minimising the additional wind
load on the structure or in reducing the additional wind load
compared to a flat sheet with no apertures. This facilitates use in
exposed or elevated locations without excessively loading the
existing structure. That is any additional load is within allowed
limits or design specifications for the structure so that
retrofitting the system does not compromise the structural
integrity of existing structures. Selection of the guard panels to
use at a particular location in can be based upon knowledge of the
expected winds at the location to ensure that fitting a panel will
not create an excessive wind load on the structure. For example
mesh arrangements, or sheets with a high proportion of apertures
will be preferred in locations such as northern Australia which are
subject to strong wind loads as a result of tropical storms and
cyclones so as to minimise the additional wind load. In one
embodiment adjacent guard panels have an overlapping portion 160
which extends over a distance of approximately 50 mm to allow the
two panels to be fastened together using a plurality of fasteners
162 such as self drilling or TEK screws, or nuts and bolts. In some
embodiments, the size of the apertures may be selected so that they
can act as pilot holes for fasteners. If the overlap occurs over a
post, a single set of fasteners may be used to both fasten
overlapping panels and to attach the panels to the mounting portion
of the upper and lower brackets. In other embodiments adjacent
sheets may be joined at the edge using a splice or joining plate
and appropriate fasteners, such as those illustrated in FIGS. 19A
to 19F.
[0111] An embodiment of a suitable bracket 1 for safely mounting
guard panels 40 to posts such as stanchion 50, handrails 60 and
knee rails 61 which form a safety barrier is illustrated in FIGS.
2A to 2E. The bracket 1 broadly includes a post engaging portion
10, a clamping portion 20 and a mounting portion 30. The post
engaging portion has two configurations. The open or clipping
configuration allows the bracket to be conveniently clipped onto
the post where it will be retained (and grip the post) so that the
installer can release the bracket and attend to other tasks without
the bracket falling off the post and representing a hazard to
person or equipment below, and a closed or clamping configuration
in which the post engaging portion is clamped so that the bracket
is tightly fixed or held in place around the post so that it can be
used to support or mount a guard panel. Additionally the bracket
allows the installer to safely work within the confines of the
walkway without having to extend body parts or tools beyond the
support post. That is the installer can work from above the floor
and within the handrails so the bracket does not become a potential
dropped object. The clamping portion may include a first clamping
portion and a second clamping portion, wherein the first and second
clamping portions are arranged so that when the bracket is in the
closed configuration the second clamping portion is brought into
proximity with the first clamping portion to allow the bracket to
be clamped to the post using fasteners or other means. The mounting
portion allows mounting of the guard panel to the bracket. This may
be provided in the form of a mounting plate to which a guard panel
may be mounted, or an aperture or flange may be provided which is
received by a mounting portion on a guard panel.
[0112] In order for the bracket to clip on (or self-clamp) onto the
bracket in the open configuration, the bracket must not deform
plastically when applied to post. That is in order to maintain
clamping force after placement, it must only be flexed over within
its elastic zone and the angle of wrap around the post should
exceed 180.degree. to ensure it will stay in the initial position
is fitted. The characteristics of elasticity and springiness, and
the angle of wrap largely determine the capability of the bracket
to clip on. Thus varying materials, or thicknesses of materials or
cross sectional profiles can be chosen provided these
characteristics are retained. The cross sectional profile can be
varied to have stiff and flexible zones, provided they are still
working via elastic deformation and springiness (ie they spring
back) and the contact (or contacts) span greater than
180.degree..
[0113] FIGS. 2 and 5 to 8 illustrate various views of embodiments
of brackets for use in mounting a guard panel to post. FIG. 2A
illustrates an isometric view 201 of a bracket 1 in an open
configuration for clipping the bracket onto such a post, and FIG.
2B illustrates an isometric view 202 of the bracket in a closed or
clamping configuration. FIGS. 2C and 2D show respective top views
203, 204 and FIG. 2E illustrates a flat pattern 205 of the bracket
indicating required folds, and cut outs and finishing for
manufacturing the bracket from a flat strip. As would be understood
by the person skilled in the art the dimensions and materials used
may be varied according to the requirements of the specific
application. The strip could be 316 stainless steel 1.2 mm thick.
However the bracket could be constructed of any suitable material
such as other steels of the same or different thicknesses, or other
aluminium, alloys, plastics (eg PVC, PVCU, uPVC, TPU, and other
polymers), etc. The materials may be coated, painted or contain
additives to provide desired properties such as resistance to
corrosion, chemicals, UV etc. Selection of other materials should
be based on ensuring suitable properties such as strength and
resiliency to allow the bracket to be removably clipped onto posts
and to support guard panels, as well as properties such as
corrosion resistance and/or UV resistance etc which make them
suitable for use in industrial or outdoor environments. Another
embodiment of this bracket is shown in FIGS. 2F, 2G and 2H. FIGS.
2I and 2J illustrate a washer plate that may optionally be used
with the bracket.
[0114] Whilst in FIG. 1 the bracket shown in FIGS. 2A to 2E is
attached to a vertical cylindrical post used to support a handrail
(a stanchion). In one embodiment the post is constructed from 250
grade steel having an outer diameter of 48.3 mm or similar.
However, it is to be understood that the bracket could be adapted
to be fitted to any of the members forming the structure of the
safety barrier including posts, pipes, tubing, handrails, knee
rails, foot rails etc, having a range of cross sectional profiles
and which may be vertical, horizontal, inclined, curved, etc,
herein referred to as support members. Further the system provides
flexibility in the location at which the bracket is fitted allowing
it to be fitted at a range of heights and positions depending upon
the requirements of the specific installation. Further multiple
brackets may be fitted to different parts of a support structure to
increase the strength as required (for example to meet wind load
requirements).
[0115] The bracket 1 broadly includes a post engaging portion 10, a
clamping portion 20 and a mounting portion 30. The bracket shown in
FIG. 2A is shown in the open configuration which allows the bracket
to be conveniently clipped onto a post where it will be retained.
The closed or clamping configuration of the bracket is illustrated
in FIG. 2B. In this embodiment the post engaging portion includes a
clip portion 12, and a movable portion 14 and the post engaging
portion is constructed to have sufficient elasticity to allow the
bracket to be removably clipped around the post. That is it does
not plastically deform when clipped or snapped onto the post,
allowing it to grip onto the post and allowing re-use. The clip
portion is manufactured to have a profile matching at least a
portion of profile of the post so that it will engage and grip (ie
frictionally engage) the post whilst in the open configuration. For
example if the post is cylindrical (eg 24.15 mm radius or 48.3 mm
diameter), the clip portion may have a constant radius
substantially equal to the radius of the post (eg 24.15 mm). As
illustrated in FIG. 4, in this embodiment the clip portion spans an
angle of 239.9.degree. (90.degree..+-.149.9.degree.). The angle of
wrap (or wrap angle) will however depend upon the post the bracket
is to be clipped onto need only be sufficient to allow the bracket
to clip on and grip the post so that it will be retained around the
post. Suitable wrap angles are in excess of 180.degree. and more
preferably in the range of 210.degree. to 300.degree., and even
more preferably in the range of 220.degree. to 260.degree.. The
post engaging portion also includes a movable portion to provide an
open configuration to allow the bracket to be clipped onto and
retained around the post and a closed configuration to allow
clamping of the bracket or post engaging portion to the post. In
this embodiment the movable portion is a straight section having an
extended slot which spans the length of the section and weakens the
section to allow it to be deformed by hand from the straight open
configuration shown in FIG. 2A to the closed configuration shown in
FIG. 2B. In this embodiment the width of the slot is approximately
30% of the width of the bracket. However other variations may be
used such as from 70% to 100% of the length and 10% to 60% of the
width. In the closed configuration the moveable portion extends
over an angle of 120.1.degree. and matches the profile of the
portion of the post contacted or engaged by the moveable
portion.
[0116] In one embodiment the slot extends over an arc of at least
90.degree. to provide a sufficiently large opening so that the post
engaging portion of the bracket is not required to significantly
bend to receive the post to which the bracket is being clipped
(that is to ensure the bracket does not deform when being applied).
The length of the slot may be selected based on the strength of the
material used to form the bracket. Further in the case that the
post varies from the nominal dimensions, the slot enables hand
tightening of the bracket to allow the bracket to clip onto and
grip the post in the desired position, prior to clamping. In
another embodiment the bracket could be formed of two or more
members and a hinge provided between the clip portion and the
moveable portion. In this embodiment the moveable portion could be
shaped to match the profile of the portion of the post will be
contacted or engaged when in the close configuration so that no
deformation of the shape of the movable portion is required.
Various additional stiffening elements may be added to the post
engaging portion increase the strength as required to ensure the
bracket can support the panel when subjected to wind, impact or
other loads.
[0117] As shown in FIG. 2C, when in the open configuration the
bracket has an opening formed between the start of the clip portion
(where it meets the clamping portion) and the moveable portion, and
has a width less than the outer diameter of the pole the bracket is
to be attached too to provide a snap fit. For example with a 48.3
mm diameter post the width may be 38 mm, and for a 33.7 mm diameter
post the width may be 28 mm. Preferably the width is in the range
of 60% to 90% of the diameter, and even more preferably the width
is in the range 75% to 85%. In this embodiment the bracket is
constructed of 1.2 mm thick 316 Stainless Steel which has
sufficient elasticity to allow the bracket to be removably clipped
around the post, and will exhibit sufficient gripping force to
retain the bracket when in the open configuration. That is as the
bracket is placed around the post the moveable portion is pushed
outwards away from the start of the clip portion, until the
moveable portion and/or the post engaging portion can resiliently
spring (or snap) back to encompass and retain the bracket around
the post. This allows an installer to clip the bracket onto the
post and then release the bracket without fear of it falling off.
This also frees up the installer to perform other tasks, such as
obtain a tool to fasten the bracket in place or to select another
bracket to clip onto the same or another post. This is illustrated
in FIG. 4A which is an isometric view 401 of the bracket of FIG. 2F
clipped around a post. It will further be appreciated that the
moveable portion and the clamping portion act as guides (or guide
rails) to facilitate clipping of the bracket around the post.
[0118] The clamping portion 22 includes a first clamping portion 22
connected to one end of the clip portion 22 of the post engaging
portion 20 and a second clamping portion 20 connected to one end of
the movable portion 24 of the post engaging portion 20. The second
clamping portion is arranged so that when the movable portion is in
the closed configuration, the second clamping portion is brought
towards or in close proximity with the first clamping portion (for
example a 1-2 mm gap). This then allows the post engaging portion
and thus the bracket to be clamped to the post and so provide a
structurally rigid connection both before and after panel
installation. A range of fasteners may be used. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B the first and second clamping
portion each include matching apertures 23 25. A bolt may then be
placed through both apertures, and fastened in place using a nut.
In another embodiment the apertures could be threaded and a screw
fastener used to bring the portions together. Alternatively no
apertures could be provided and the two clamping sections could
screwed together using self drilling or TEK screws, be externally
clamped, or even welded together if the bracket was installed at a
site where such hot work would not give rise to safety concerns. In
the embodiments provided in FIGS. 2F to 2H, two apertures 23a, 23b,
25a, 25b are provided in each of the first clamping portion 22 and
the second clamping portion 24. These are provided at opposite ends
(ie near the post engaging portion end and the mounting portion
end).
[0119] A mounting portion 30 is attached to the clamping portion 20
to allow mounting of the guard panel to the bracket at a panel
offset distance 26 from the centre of the post or a stand off
distance 27 from the surface of the post. In this embodiment the
mounting portion includes a flat plate which is attached to the
other end of the first clamping portion. Typically the guard panel
is orientated in a plane parallel to a plane tangential to the
cross section of the post, with the clamping portion acting as a
standoff arm to space the post away from the guard panel. That is
the radially directed standoff arm is orthogonal (90.degree.) to
the mounting plate which is parallel to the guard panel. As shown
in FIG. 1, the posts are often connected to the outer sides of the
walkway (and kick plate). Thus by providing a standoff gap the
guard panel can be mounted against the edge of the walkway, or from
within the walkway so that the outwardly extending flanged portion
engages the top of the floor or kickplate to prevent a gap between
the edge of the panel and the walkway. In other embodiments
inclined arrangements are possible provided the panel will still be
mounted in a plane parallel to a tangential plane. Further, as
illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the ends of the mounting portion 30
and clamping portion 20 may include stiffening flanges. In the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 2F to 2H, the mounting plate is formed
from two overlapping plate sections 35 36 which are formed at the
ends of the two clamping portions 22 24 to provide additional
strength.
[0120] In the embodiment show in FIGS. 2A to 2E the mounting
portion includes a plate which includes a plurality of apertures
32a to 32i which act as pilot holes for the fasteners. A similar
arrangement is illustrated in FIGS. 2F to 2H. These apertures are
arranged to allow the guard panel to be mounted to perforated plate
in a range of locations and inclinations. An aperture free section
34 is also provided in front of the region the clamping fastener(s)
will be located so that the fastener(s) used to clamp the bracket
together (the first set of fasteners), and the fastener(s) used to
mount the panel to the bracket (the second set of fasteners) do not
interfere with each other. This clearance is further illustrated in
FIG. 4B which is an isometric view 402 of the bracket of FIG. 2F
clamped to a post and with a guard panel mounted. In this figure
the TEK screws are clear of each other. FIG. 4C is the reverse view
403.
[0121] Providing a plurality of apertures provides flexibility in
mounting the panel to the bracket. For example if the apertures in
the panel are large diameter, then the plurality of apertures in
the mounting portion increase the likelihood that at least one of
the apertures in the mounting plate will be aligned over an
aperture free section of the perforated guard panel. Alternatively
the apertures in the guard panel may be selected to be a size to
act as pilot holes for the screw fasteners to be used, and thus
providing a plurality of apertures in the mounting plate increase
the likelihood that at least one aperture in the guard panel will
align with one of the apertures in the mounting portion of the
bracket. Providing a plurality of apertures in the mounting plate
also allows the guard panel to be mounted to level ground (platform
or walkway), inclined ground, or to stairs. This is further
illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C. FIG. 3A illustrates a side view
300 of a stairway which has been enclosed using an inclined
perforated guard panel 40. FIG. 3B shows a close up view 301 of the
attachment of a bracket to the inclined guard panel illustrated in
FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B shows the close up view from within the
walkway. The apertures 32d and 32h are located over flat sections
between apertures 42 in the inclined guard panel, and fasteners 84,
85 such as a self drilling TEK screw have been inserted to fasten
the bracket and guard panel together.
[0122] To assist in fastening the panel to a bracket, or to fasten
adjacent panels together, a washer plate (or button) as shown in
FIG. 2I may optionally used on the inner side of the panel between
the fastener and the panel to assist with fastening of a panel to a
bracket using two fasteners. In this embodiment the a washer plate
80 comprises two spaced apertures 81, 82 with spacing distance 83
each for receiving a fastener such as a TEK screw. The spacing of
the apertures in the washer plate 83 could be set to a predefined
spacing distance to match the spacing between at least two
apertures in the plurality of apertures on the mounting plate of a
bracket. FIG. 3C illustrates the use of a washer plate 80 for
fastening an inclined guard panel to a bracket. Further the
arrangement or the distribution of apertures in the mounting plate
may be arranged into two or more pairs which are arranged to allow
mounting of guard panels in two or more predefined orientations
such as horizontal and a standard inclination used for stairways.
For example the apertures 32d to 32i may be used for a horizontal
panel, and apertures 32e to 32i used for a standard stairway (and
the distance 32d to 32i equal to the distance 32e to 32i which is
equal to the spacing distance 83 of apertures in the washer plate)
This enables the installer to quickly determine the correct
location for the first and second fastener depending upon the
orientation. Another embodiment of a washer plate 90 is shown in
FIG. 2J which is designed for use with wire mesh panels. This
washer plate has two rectangular apertures 91 and 92 which allow a
range of fastener spacings from a minimum spacing 93 to a maximum
spacing 94 to provide flexibility. The washer plate further
comprises flat rectangular section 95 (containing the apertures 91
and 92), and two flanged edges 96 97, in this case along the long
edge of the rectangular section 95.
[0123] In one embodiment the bracket shown in FIGS. 2A to 2E is for
use with a 48.3 mm diameter post and has a width of 32 mm, a
clipping portion of length 101.5 mm, a moveable portion of length
50.25 mm (so the post engaging portion has a radius matching the
diameter) with a slot 49 mm long by 10 mm wide, a 16 mm wide
clamping portion, a 32 mm wide mounting portion, and is
manufactured from 1.2 mm thick 316 Stainless Steel. In another
embodiment the bracket shown in FIGS. 2F to 2H is for use with a
48.3 mm diameter post and has a width of 42 mm, a clipping portion
of length 101.5 mm, a moveable portion of length 50.25 mm (so the
post engaging portion has a radius matching the diameter) with a
slot is 49 mm long by 16 mm wide, a 35 mm wide clamping portion, a
24 mm wide mounting portion and is manufactured from 1.2 mm thick
316 Stainless Steel. In another embodiment the bracket shown in
FIGS. 2F to 2H is for use with a 33.7 mm diameter post and has a
width of 42 mm, a clipping portion of length 70.3 mm, a moveable
portion of length 45.5 mm (so the post engaging portion has a
radius matching the diameter) with a slot is 45.5 mm long by 20 mm
wide, a 43 mm wide clamping portion, a 22 mm wide mounting portion
and is manufactured from 1.2 mm thick 316 Stainless Steel.
[0124] It is to be understood that the above described bracket
represent embodiments of the system and may be varied and still
provide the same functionality of a clipable bracket for
retrofitting of guard panels to open barrier systems. FIGS. 5 to 8
illustrate various alternative embodiments of the bracket. FIG. 5
illustrates another embodiment of a bracket and a method of
installing the bracket 500. The bracket includes a post engaging
portion 10, a clamping portion 20 and a mounting portion 30 for
mounting a guard panel 40 and is formed of a suitably resilient
material such as plastic or steel. The bracket comprises two half
sections 512 and 514 are joined along a section 16 leading to the
mounting portion.
[0125] This join could be formed through welding during
construction of the bracket, or performed in the field using
appropriate fasteners such as self drilling TEK screws or a nut and
bolt arrangement. Each of the half sections has a profile which at
least partially matches a post 50 (eg stanchion) to which the
bracket is to be clipped around. The two ends 522 and 524 of the
half sections are flanged outward to leave an opening for receiving
the post.
[0126] The installation method includes a first step 502 of
clipping a bracket onto a post 50 by pushing the opening of the
bracket towards the post. At step 504 the outward flanges are
(resiliently) pushed outward by engagement with the post, and once
the flanges have passed the halfway point (ie diameter) the
elasticity or resiliency of the bracket will force the flange
sections towards each other and thus act to clip the bracket around
the post into a clipping configuration. As described above, slots
could be provided in the flange sections and/or the post engaging
portions to weaken a section of the bracket to facilitate clipping
of the bracket over or around the post. A clamping step 506 is
performed in which the two flange portions (acting as first and
second clamping portions) are moved, deformed or otherwise brought
together and then fastened into a clamping configuration through
the use of fastener such as a nut 528 and bolt 526. The clamping
portions need not meet, or engage with each other provided the
fastener acts to clamp the bracket around the post (eg the fastener
may span the gap and act to pull the two clamping portions towards
each other). The use of slots in the flanged sections facilitates
the movement of the sections into the clamped configuration.
Finally in a panel mounting step 508 a guard panel 40 is mounted
onto the mounting portion 30 of the bracket in the clamped
configuration. This may involve resting the flanged portion at the
bottom of the guard panel on or overlapping the edge of the kick
plate to ensure there is no gap formed between the guard panel and
the kickplate. Then the guard panel is fastened to the brackets
using fasteners such as one or more TEK screws, optionally using a
washer plate.
[0127] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of bracket 600, shown
in the open configuration 602 and the closed configuration 604. In
this embodiment the bracket is formed from a single piece of
suitably elastic resilient material such as plastic or steel. In
the open configuration 602, the overall shape of the post engaging
portion matches the profile or shape of the post 50 to which the
bracket is to be clipped. The two ends of the bracket (the clamping
portions) are outwardly flanged to provide an opening in the
bracket to receive the post. These also act as guide rails to
facilitate clipping the bracket to the post. The bracket is clipped
in place by pushing the bracket around the post, so that the post
temporarily deflects the two flange sections (and adjacent sections
of the post engaging portions) outwards. Once the bracket is pushed
over the halfway point the resiliency (springiness) of the material
will pull the bracket around the post (ie snap back to the open
configuration) and engage (ie grip) the post to clip the bracket in
place. Additionally in this embodiment an (optional) compressive
liner 660 is placed between the post and the bracket and lines at
least a substantial portion of the inside surface of the post
engaging portion (eg the clip portion of FIG. 2A). This liner is
made of a suitable compressive material such as of rubber to allow
for expansion and contraction of the post and/or bracket, or
differences between the relative expansion/contraction rates if not
formed of the same material, or to account for any irregularities
(eg bumps, projections, etc) in the profile of the post and/or
bracket. The liner reduces the inner diameter of the bracket to a
diameter less than the (expected) diameter of the post. Thus when
clipped on the liner will compress to the actual diameter and thus
grip onto the post (and will be further compressed once clamping is
performed).
[0128] In this embodiment matching apertures are provided in the
outwardly flanged clamping portions so that the clamping portions
also act as a mounting portion. The guard panel 640 includes an
orthogonal mounting projection 644 including one or more apertures.
Clamping and mounting of the panel is performed as a single
operation. The mounting projection of the panel is placed between
the two outwardly flanged portions, which are then moved towards
each other so that they are either side of the mounting projection.
The apertures in the clamping portions and the mounting portion are
aligned and a bolt 626 is passed through the apertures and then
fastened in place using a nut 628. In an alternative embodiment
apertures need not be provided and a self drilling TEK screw could
be used as a fastener. In another alternative embodiment a T shaped
mount is used comprising a mounting plate (2342) and an orthogonal
mounting projection (2344) which is placed between clamping arms
2326, 2328, which are then clamped to secure the mount. A panel 40
is then mounted onto the mounting plate 2342.
[0129] FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a bracket 700,
shown in the open configuration 702 and the closed configuration
704. This bracket is another variant of the bracket shown in FIG.
6. In this case the bracket is formed, or manufactured with a right
angled mounting portion 730 which is located at an angle with
respect to the clamping portions, such as of 90.degree., when in
the clamped configuration. This configuration allows the installer
to perform the clamping operation to one side of the post and then
the panel mounting operation in front of the post. This allows
easier installation as compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7
which may require the fastening to be performed behind the post.
This embodiment also illustrates another embodiment in which the
post engaging portion further comprises a compressive liner 760.
The compressive liner includes a plurality of projections or feet
762 which engage with the post, and can thus compensate for
variations in expansion or irregularities in the shape of the
post.
[0130] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a bracket 800 in
the open configuration 802 and the closed configuration 804. In
this embodiment the post engaging portion is provided in two parts
812, 814 joined by a hinge 813. The two post engaging portions have
a shape or profile designed to match the shape of the post 50 to
which the brackets is clipped around. The first post engaging
portion 812 spans at least 180.degree. so that it may be clipped
onto the post. The second post engaging portion is then moved
towards the first post engaging portion to place the bracket in the
clamping configuration. In this embodiment the clamping portion
includes a first clamping portion 822 joined to the first post
engaging portion 812, and a second clamping portion 824 joined to
the second post engaging portion 814. The mounting portion 830 is
located at the end of the second clamping portion 824 (which acts
as a stand off arm) and is orientated at 90.degree. (ie
orthogonal). In this embodiment the first clamping portion 822
includes an aperture 826 and the second post engaging portion 844
includes a projection 828 which is designed to pass through the
aperture 826 when the second post engaging portion is moved into
the clamping position. To clamp the bracket in place, an aperture
is provided in the projection 828 through which a pin 829 is passed
to retain the bracket in the clamping position.
[0131] The above examples illustrate various alternative
embodiments of the bracket. These may be constructed from flat
strips of suitable materials such as 1.2 mm thick 316 Stainless
Steel. The bracket is designed to clip and grip onto posts of
nominal (or standard) diameters. However due to manufacturing
variations the inner diameter or profile of the bracket, may not
always match the diameter or profile of the post. If the inner
diameter of the bracket is too large compared to the diameter of
the post then their may be insufficient frictional contact to
ensure the bracket remains in place after it is placed around the
pole (ie it may slip down). In this case the installer may simply
have to squeeze the bracket once fitted (ie adjust the open
configuration) to ensure that the bracket clips onto and is
retained around the post. This facilitates clamping the bracket as
the installer does not need to hold the bracket at the desired
height, and can instead concentrate on installing the fastener to
clamp the bracket, reducing the risk of dropping the fastener or
tools when clamping the bracket. In a further embodiment, the
bracket is designed to have an initial snap on configuration with a
diameter larger than the nominal diameter, but with a portion that
spans at least 180.degree. and in which the opening is less than
the nominal diameter so that the bracket will enclose the pipe, but
not necessarily grip the pipe. This will allow the bracket to be
snapped on to the post but also prevent the bracket from falling
off the support. The bracket can then be adjusted such as by hand
deformation to reduce the radius from the initial configuration to
the open clipping configuration so that it will then grip the pipe
in the desired position. The bracket can then be clamped onto the
post. In this case installation would comprise snapping on the
bracket, deforming the bracket to the open configuration to grip
the post in the desired position, and then clamping the bracket in
place.
[0132] To ensure there are no gaps between the walkway/kickboard
and panel, and to facilitate stacking of panels and overlapping of
panels, the upper and lower edges of the guard panels may be bent
to an angle under 90.degree. to form upper flange section 42 and
lower flange section 44. As shown in FIG. 1C, the panel may be
mounted so that the bent portions of the panel points towards the
posts. The panel may be mounted so that the side wall of a handrail
or walkway is substantially enclosed, such that the side wall
extends continuously from the floor plate to a point just below the
handrail sufficient to provide clearance to provide hand access to
the handrail. This is further illustrated in FIG. 1C, in which the
lower flange portion 42 rests upon the top edge of a kick plate 72
which extends towards the floor 70. Further these flanges also act
to stiffen the panels.
[0133] In another embodiment the sheet may be a flat sheet with
holes or apertures limited to a specific region of the sheet. For
example if the brackets and guard sheets are to be used on a level
walkway and it is desired to mount the guard sheet at a specific
height, the brackets could all be mounted at the specific height on
the poles, and holes could be provided in a strip on the sheet only
at the appropriate height to ensure the guard panel is to be
mounted at the desired height. In another alternative embodiment
the guard panel could be provided as a flat sheet with no holes,
and holes drilled as required. Alternatively the mounting portion
need not include apertures and these could be drilled as required
or self drilling TEK screws used to fasten the guard panel to the
mount.
[0134] Preferably the size of apertures (or gaps) in the panel are
chosen so that they are small enough to prevent, or at least to
significantly reduce the risk, of dropped objects falling through
the apertures (or at least dropped objects, and in particular
tools, above a certain size). Suitable perforated sheets for use as
guard panels may be source from the Locker group which manufacture
sheets with a range of apertures sizes (1.6 mm to 9.5 mm), patterns
(circles, squares, diamonds, clubs, etc), % open area (23 to 62%),
and materials (steel alloys, Aluminium, etc). For example stock
sheet R07962 comes in a standard size of 2440.times.140 mm with
holes of diameter 7.94 mm, a pitch (hole spacing) of 9.55 mm and an
open area 62%. Alternatively P081116 from the Graham group may be
used. Mesh sheets formed from a regular array of rods, wires or
pipes characterised in having very high open area percentages but
small gap sizes (eg sides with lengths from 5 mm up to around 200
mm or areas up to 40000 mm.sup.2) can be used for sites subject to
high wind loads (eg cyclonic). For example the mesh shown in FIGS.
19A and 19B is formed from wires with apertures of dimensions 25
mm.times.50 mm or 25 mmx 25 mm. Sheets manufactured from
lightweight materials such as fine meshes, plastics, including UV
stabilised and corrosion resistant plastics (eg PVC, PVCU, uPVC,
TPU, and other polymers), wood, or other materials could also be
used. These should have sufficient strength to resist impacts due
to a dropped or kicked object. As shown in FIGS. 1D and 1E,
adjacent guard panels may be overlapped by a short distance, such
as 50 mm, and can be fastened using self drilling or TEK screws.
Other fastening arrangements could be used, including means that
take advantage of any overlapping holes between the panels.
Alternatively adjacent panels can be joined at the edge using a
splice or joining plate and appropriate fasteners, such as those
illustrated in FIGS. 19A to 19F and 20A to 20D.
[0135] A method for installing a guarding system to a handrail will
now be outlined with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Firstly a
plurality of brackets are obtained and at least one bracket in the
open configuration 200 is clipped onto and retained around two or
more support posts 50 and or handrails 60. Then, for each bracket
clipped to a support post, moving one or more portions of the
respective bracket to change the configuration of the bracket from
the open configuration to the closed configuration, and then
fastening the bracket in the closed configuration so as to clamp
the bracket to the respective support member. This may be performed
using a nut and bolt fastening arrangement or self drilling TEK
screw. Once at least one bracket has been clamped to two support
members, a guard panel may be fastened to the brackets. Adjacent
guard panels can then be fastened together. FIG. 1C shows a side
view illustrating a guard panel 40 attached to a bracket via
mounting plate. In this embodiment the guard panel is mounted so
that the lower flange 42 and upper flange 44 are directed towards
the support post 50.
[0136] When installing the guarding system, the installer can add
as many or as few brackets as required based upon the length of the
section to be enclosed, weight of materials and strength of the
brackets. In one embodiment the adjacent guard panels are each
joined to each other, effectively forming a continuous panel. In
this case a single bracket may only be required every third
stanchion (post) to support the panels. For lighter panels this
could be extended, and for heavier panels a bracket could be
clipped and clamped to each post. Also the installer can choose the
height at which to place the bracket. These could be alternated
between high and low positions, or two (or more) brackets could be
fitted to each post at high and low positions. Additionally rather
than use a single panel which extends from the floor to the
handrail, multiple independent panel strips could be mounted so as
to partially enclose the handrail.
[0137] FIG. 1 shows a handrail in which a horizontal support pole
is located at approximately mid height. In this case panel strips
could be mounted in the gaps above and below this support pole.
Additionally corner joiners may also be provided to allow plates
meeting at a corner of a platform to be joined. FIG. 4D is an
isometric view 403 of a corner section of a platform with mesh
guard panels 41 and corner joiners 410, and FIG. 4E shows a close
up view 402 of a corner joiner 410. The corners are joined using a
right angled bracket 412 which is located behind the mesh panels
and extends along the vertical edge (it need not extend the full
height). clamping brackets 1220 are placed on the left and right
mesh panels so they each enclose one of the wires forming the left
and right mesh panels, and are then fastened (or clamped) in place
using fasteners 414 and 415.
[0138] Walkways, stairways, and platforms in many sites use grid
mesh flooring. Grid mesh is characterised by closely spaced
parallel load bars and more sparsely spaced intersecting cross
bars. Typically the gaps between adjacent load bars and cross bars
can be quite large allowing tools, equipment and other material
(solid or liquids) to fall between the gaps. Additionally grid mesh
stairs often have large vertical gaps between adjacent or
successive stairs (or a stair and platform). Such gaps can thus be
a hazard for persons or equipment below.
[0139] FIGS. 9a to 9c illustrate two successive grid mesh steps in
side view 900 and isometric view 950, and a top view of a single
stair 940. The first or lower stair 910 includes an stair tread or
nosing 912 which if the rounded or angled edge of the tread
projecting over the riser and which is fastened onto the edge of
the stair using vertical fasteners. The second or upper stair 930
similarly includes a nosing 932. The two steps are separated by a
rise 920 which is the vertical height from the top of one tread to
the top of the next. An overhang 94 is provided between the front
edge of the upper stair and the rear edge of the lower stair
(typically about 15 mm). Each stair is comprised of a grid mesh
comprising load bars 914 running parallel with the front edge of
the step, and transverse cross bars 916 running front to back. The
load bars are typically closely spaced, such as with a 30 mm
separation (pitch) and the cross bars are more widely spaced,
typically with about a 100 mm separation (pitch). The offset 918
between the edge of the stair and the first cross bar may be fixed
distance, or may vary from step to step, or from stairway to
stairway, or from site to site.
[0140] FIG. 10 shows a top view 1000 of an embodiment of a grid
mesh floor used in walkways and platforms. The grid mesh is a steel
grating which includes load bars 1010 and cross bars 1020. A close
up view 1030 further illustrates the spacing arrangement in more
detail. A first load bar 1012 has a spacing 1016 of 30 mm from
second load bar 1014, and both load bars run between a first
crossbar 104 and a second crossbar 1024 which have a spacing 1026
of 100 mm. Side view 1040 illustrates the two load bars 1012 and
1014. Each load bar has a depth 1042 of 32 mm between upper surface
1044 and lower surface 1046. Each load bar has a width of 5 mm
wide, thus defining an internal spacing 1018 between outer edges of
the load bars of 25 mm based on a pitch of 30 mm. It is to be
understood that such measurements are indicative only, and that
other embodiments may use other dimensions.
[0141] As discussed in some environments it may be desirable to
enclose or reduce the gaps in grid mesh flooring and/or the
vertical rise between successive steps in stairways to provide full
protection against a dropped (or kicked) object falling from the
walkway, stairs or platform. Referring now to FIGS. 11A to 11D
there are shown various views of a first flooring bracket for use
in mounting a sheet above a grid mesh floor or grating according to
embodiments of the system. FIGS. 14A to 14HD illustrate an
alternative embodiment of a flooring bracket. In both embodiments
the flooring bracket is inserted into gaps in the grid mesh
flooring, and is secured in place. Flooring may then be laid by
attaching the flooring to mounting platforms on the upper surface
of the inserted and secured floor brackets. FIGS. 16 to 18
illustrate various guard panels that may be used to cover the
vertical (riser) gap between the stairs, and both the vertical gap
and top surface of a stair according to embodiments of the system.
These components of the system prevent or limit tools and materials
from falling through gaps in such floors or stairs, and can safely
be fitted whilst on the floor or stairway.
[0142] FIG. 11A shows an isometric view 1101 of a flooring bracket
1100 for use in mounting a floor sheet to cover a grid mesh floor.
FIGS. 11B to 11D show orthographic projections of the flooring
bracket including top view 1102, side view 1103 and end view 1104.
FIG. 12A shows a side view 1210 of the bracket in use (ie inserted
into the floor) with a floor panel 1220 fastened using fasteners
1232. FIG. 12B is a top view 1220 of a floor panel which is mounted
using 4 (hidden) flooring brackets In this embodiment the flooring
bracket is constructed from 316 stainless steel 1.2 mm thick
although other materials (eg other metal alloys or plastics) and
thicknesses may be used depending upon the operational requirements
(eg required strength, corrosion resistance, etc). The flooring
bracket (or clip) includes an upper surface 1110 which includes two
flange portions 1112, 1114 which are for engaging the upper surface
of two adjacent load bars (support members). These may be resilient
to take up variations in the height of the cross bars. The upper
surface also has a mounting portion 1116 to receive a fastener to
allow mounting of a sheet to the top surface of the flooring
bracket. Two resilient arms 114 1132 for engaging adjacent support
members extend down from the upper surface 1110. The two arms are
spaced apart 1140 by a distance approximately matching the gap 1018
between the interior side faces of the adjacent support members.
Each arm has a lower projection 1124 1134 for resiliently engaging
the lower surface 1046 of the respective support member so that in
use the flooring bracket is retained by engaging the upper 1044 and
lower 1046 surfaces of adjacent support members. The resiliency of
the arms allows the bracket to take up variation in distances
between load bars.
[0143] To provide resiliency, the mounting portion includes a first
aperture 1113 in the form of a slot, and a second aperture 1115 in
the form of a slot. As can be seen in FIG. 11B, these slots are
located in each flange portion and are located above the space
between adjacent support members. The length of the slot may be
varied to control the amount of flex or resiliency in the flange
portions 1112 1114. As shown in FIG. 12A, the apertures are angled
down so as to provide a take up space 1152 between the top of the
bracket and the flooring plate. The mounting portion 1116 in the
upper surface is a Vee shaped groove centred on the centreline of
the flooring bracket. This facilitates insertion of the bracket
into the space between load bars by acting as a hinge or pivot to
allow the arms to move towards each other as they are inserted,
before resiliently springing back when the lower projections extend
past the lower surface of the load bars. The groove also separates
and spaces apart the two flange portions 1112 1114, and also acts
as a stiffening rib.
[0144] The lower projection on each arm is an inclined plate
section which outwardly projects from the arm towards the lower
face of the respective support member. As can be seen in FIG. 12,
wherein the two lower projection of each arm subtend an angle of
30.degree.. That is they are inclined at an angle of 15.degree.
with respect to the arm. The outermost edge of the projections 1126
1136 is aligned with the outer edge of the respective flange
portion.
[0145] Side view 1210 of a flooring bracket inserted into grate is
shown in FIG. 12A. The inserted bracket 1100 is retained by
adjacent load bars 1012 1014. The spacing 1140 of arms 1114 and
1132 matches the internal spacing 1018 between inner edges of the
load bars, whilst the spacing 1142 of the ends of the projections
1126 1136, and flanges 1112, 1114 matches the pitch spacing 1016 of
the load bars. A flooring sheet 1220 is fastened to the mounting
portion using screw fastener 1232 through the V. A top view 1240
shows the sheet 1220 the top of fasteners 1232 which fasten the
sheet to the bracket.
[0146] The flooring bracket can thus be used as part of a guarding
system for mounting a floor sheet to cover a grid mesh floor. FIGS.
13A to 13F illustrate isometric views 1310, 1320, 1330, 1340, 1350
and 1360 of the installation of floor brackets and mounting of a
sheet to a grid mesh floor 1000 according to an embodiment. This
system can be installed by first obtaining a plurality of flooring
brackets and sheets. The sheets may be made of any suitable
material such as steel mesh, flat or patterned sheet, wood, plastic
etc. It may further include tread or an anti-slip pattern or
treatment on one side. A floor bracket 1100 is inserted into the
gap between two adjacent support members until the flooring bracket
is retained by the two adjacent support members as shown in views
1310 and 1320 of FIGS. 13A and 13B. The resiliency of the bracket
and the flange portions and lower projections allow the bracket to
be inserted, and to self-lock in place. Multiple flooring brackets
are inserted and a sheet 1220 is placed over the top of them as
illustrated in views 1330 and 1340 of FIGS. 13C and 13D. Then for
each of the flooring brackets inserted into the gap between two
adjacent support members a sheet is fastened to the top surface of
the inserted flooring bracket via the mounting portion. This may be
performed using various fasteners such as self drilling TEK screws
1232 as shown in views 1350 and 1360 of FIGS. 13E and 13F. Finally
adjacent sheets may be fastened together using fasteners such as
self drilling TEK screws.
[0147] Another embodiment of a flooring bracket 1400 is illustrated
in FIGS. 14A to 14D which comprises an upper portion 1410, a
fastener 1420 and a lower channel portion 1430. FIG. 14A is an
isometric view 1401 from above and FIG. 14B is an isometric view
1402 from below of a flooring bracket. FIGS. 14C to 14E illustrate
orthographic top 1403, side 1404, and end views 1405 of the upper
portion, and FIGS. 14F to 14H illustrate orthographic top 1406,
side 1407, and end views 1408 of the lower channel portion. The
upper portion 1410 includes an upper surface into which a fastener
may be fastened to secure a flooring sheet onto the upper surface.
The upper portion further includes two flange portions 1412, 1413
which project downwards into the gap between adjacent load bars
1012 1014. These lock against the load bars to prevent or limit
rotation of the inserted bracket. The width of the flange portions
can be selected based on a predefined minimum load bar spacing (eg
for a known mesh), or a range of brackets may be provided with
varying flange lengths to accommodate different or variations in
load bar spacing. The upper portion also has a recess 1414 with an
aperture 1415 to receive a bracket fastener 1420. The recess 1214
is to accommodate the head of the bracket fastener 1420 so that in
use the top surface of the fastener 1420 is below the mounting
surface 1410. The bracket fastener has a shaft 1422 and a threaded
lower end 1424 which is received by an aperture 1436 in the lower
channel portion 1430. The channel portion has a width less than the
spacing of the load bars 1018 and a length less than the cross bar
spacing, so that the lower channel portion may be inserted into the
rectangular gap formed by intersection of cross bars and load bars.
The opposite walls 1432, 1433 of the channel portion include
alternate cut away portions 1434, 1435. That is the cutaway
sections of opposite walls are located at opposite ends as shown in
FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14F.
[0148] The locking action of the flooring bracket is illustrated in
FIGS. 15A to 15F which also illustrates isometric (1501, 1503,
1505) and side (1502, 1504, 1506) views of installation of the
bracket. In FIGS. 15A and 15B, the bracket 1400 is inserted between
load bars 1012 1014, until the upper portion rests on the load bars
with the flanges 1412, 1413 located between the load bars, and with
the lower channel portion positioned so that the upper surface of
the walls 1432, 1433 are located above the lower surface of the
load bars, whilst the cutaway portions 1434, 1435 of the walls are
below the lower surface of the load bars. The initial distance of
the lower channel portion from the top plate can be determined
prior to installation of the bracket (eg by measuring the depth of
the load bars), and the brackets could be provided in a
preassembled form for standard floor mesh sizes. The shaft of the
fastener 1422 is rotated which forces rotation of the channel
portion, until the walls 1432 1433 rest against the load bars as
shown in FIGS. 15C and 15D. Further rotation of the shaft 1433
draws the lower channel portion upwards until cut away portions
engages with the lower surface of the load bars to lock the floor
bracket in place as shown in FIGS. 15E and 15F.
[0149] FIGS. 16A and 16B are an isometric view 1600 of a step guard
for enclosing the vertical rise between adjacent steps in a
stairway, and an isometric view 1650 of a stairway with a fitted
step guard. The riser plate comprises a central plate 1620 with a
first set of tongue and grooves 1610 along on the upper edge, and
tongue and grooves on the lower edge 1630. The central plate
section is angled with respect to the tongue and groove sections to
span the overhang 94. Typically the horizontal overhang distance
will be defined in a standard and the central plate will be angled
so that it spans a distance slightly in excess of this distance (ie
is over bent). For example the overhang may be 15 mm in which case
the riser plate will be angled to span as 16 or 17 mm. This ensures
that the plate will be sprung to positively engage against both the
upper and lower stair. The riser plate is fitted by first removing
the nosing (stair tread) 932 of the upper stair 930 and then
inserting the lower tongues of the riser plate into the gaps
between cross bars at the rear edge of the lower stair. The upper
tongue and grooves are then placed against the front edge of the
upper stair and the stair tread is refastened to the upper stair to
lock the riser plate in place. This is further illustrated in the
isometric view 1650 of stairs fitted with the riser plate in FIG.
16.
[0150] Additionally the tongues (or projections) in the upper first
set of tongue and grooves may be offset with respect to the tongues
in the lower second set of tongue and grooves in order to
accommodate a range of distances between the edge of a step and the
first cross bar in the step. This increases the usability of the
rise plate as the offset distance 918 to the first cross bar, and
then the subsequent cross bars, may not be located in a position to
allow all the lower tongues of the riser plate to be inserted into
gaps in the lower stair, ie one of the tongues may foul on a
crossbar and prevent insertion into the lower step. In such a case
the riser plate may be inverted, and as the tongues are offset
between the top and bottom, the offset may be sufficient to allow
the previously upper tongues to be inserted into the lower gap. In
this case the fouling tongue is thus replaced with a clearing
groove. As steps typically have standard widths, and cross bars in
grid mesh typically have standard offset distances (eg 100 mm),
then the required offset between the upper and lower tongues can be
predetermined during manufacture based on these known distances so
that the riser can be used on most stairs in either the standard or
inverted configuration.
[0151] A further advantage of this riser is that it reuses the
existing nosing on stairs, which thus saves overall cost (as new
treads are not required). The plate may be manufactured from 0.8 mm
steel plate sufficient to resist denting by steel cap boots or
dropped objects. Additionally apertures such as slots or vents may
be cut into the riser plate to reduce wind load on the structure.
Alternatively other materials such as flattened diamond mesh or
perforated steel may be used.
[0152] FIGS. 17A and 17B are an isometric view 1700 of another step
guard for enclosing the vertical rise between adjacent steps in a
stairway, and an isometric view 1750 of a stairway with a fitted
step guard. In this embodiment the upper edge includes a stair
tread, and the unit is not invertible. This step guard may thus be
used on new stairs or on existing stairs if the existing nosing is
removed. The lower edge still includes a set of tongue and grooves
1730, although fewer tongues (projections) are used in this
embodiment. The spacing is again based on the known or
predetermined spacing of crossbars. In the event that a tongue
fouls a cross bar, it can be bent backwards (away from the stair)
or cut off as required. The rise section 1720 is again inclined and
over bent to ensure it engages both stairs. The tread 1710 includes
an anti-slip surface, such as burst extruded holes or abrasive
coating. The tread or riser plate may be secured to the upper stair
using fasteners such as TEK screws into the stair or by using the
flooring bracket described above inserted into the gaps in the
front of the stair. The plate may be manufactured from 1.2 mm steel
plate to provide a strong edge on the stair tread. Additionally
apertures such as slots or vents may be cut into the riser plate to
reduce wind load on the structure. Alternatively other materials
such as flattened diamond mesh, perforated steel (or other metals
or metal alloys), wire mesh, plastics, etc may be used.
[0153] FIGS. 18A and 18B are an isometric view 1800 of a another
step guard for enclosing the vertical rise between adjacent steps
in a stairway and for covering the top surface of the step, and an
isometric view 1850 of a stairway with a fitted step guard. In this
embodiment the riser plate 1830 is inclined with a flat top edge
1840 for engaging the front face of the upper step. Additionally
apertures such as slots or vents may be cut into the riser plate to
reduce wind load on the structure. Alternatively other materials
such as flattened diamond mesh, perforated steel (or other metals
or metal alloys), wire meshes, plastics, etc may be used. The step
guard also includes a stair plate 1820, for at least partially
covering and reducing the size of the gaps between grid mesh
elements in the lower step, as shown in view 1850. The stair plate
may be manufactured from steel plate, with no apertures, perforated
steel plate, steel plate with burst extruded holes, or other metals
or plastics etc. To provide a strong burst extruded edge the plate
may be manufactured from 1.2 mm steel plate. The step guard also
includes a stair tread 1810 for engaging with the front and upper
edge of the lower step. The overhang of the stair tread 1810 will
be sufficient to sit over the top edge 1840 of the lower step
guard. A single set of horizontal fasteners may be used to fasten a
step guard to a step. Alternatively the flooring bracket described
above maybe inserted into the gaps in the front of the stair and
vertical fasteners such as TEK screws used to fasten the step guard
to the top of the stair. In another embodiment, the top edge 1840
could be omitted so that adjacent step guards approach each other
(eg leaving a small 5 mm gap) or meet, rather than overlapping.
[0154] In an alternative embodiment, the riser plate could be
attached to the bottom of the stair guard (ie front edge), and only
a small vertical section (equivalent to 1840) provide on the rear
edge of the stair plate (for overlapping with the bottom of the
riser plate of the next step guard. In this case a step guard such
as that illustrated in FIG. 17A to 18A would be required for the
final vertical gap between the last stair and a platform.
[0155] In regions subject to high wind loads, the guard panels may
be wire mesh arrangements such as those illustrated in FIGS. 19A to
19F. These may be joined together using splice brackets (or plates)
as shown in FIGS. 19A to 19F and 20A to 20D. FIG. 19A shows an
isometric view 1901, of two adjacent mesh panels 1910, 1911 which
are joined along edge 1912. In this embodiment the wires in the
mesh are spaced to form a 25 mm.times.50 mm aperture. The bracket
is illustrated in a close up isometric view 1903 in FIG. 19C, and a
side section view 2050 shown in FIG. 20E. The splice bracket 1913
is formed using a rear bracket 2010 having a plurality of apertures
2012 along the centre line as shown in FIG. 20A (eg 25.4
mm.times.100 mm) and a wide front plate 2030 with aperture 2032 as
shown in FIG. 20C (eg 25.4 mm.times.45 mm). The rear bracket spans
the adjacent panels and has flanged edged 2013 2014. The vertical
length of the rear bracket is greater than at least the horizontal
mesh spacing so that adjacent horizontal mesh wires are contained
within the flanged edges of the rear bracket as shown in FIG. 20E.
A first wide bracket 2030 is placed over one half of the bracket to
enclose the horizontal mesh wires of one of the mesh panels, and a
fastener 1915 is used to fasten the wide bracket 2030 to the rear
bracket 2010 as shown in FIG. 20E. The width of the wide bracket
(eg 45 mm) is less than the width or spacing of the vertical mesh
wires of the mesh panel (eg 50 mm). This procedure is then repeated
with a second wide bracket 2030 to fasten the rear bracket to the
adjacent panel, thereby joining (or fastening) the adjacent panels
together to form the splice bracket.
[0156] In the case that wire mesh is used, the washer plate of FIG.
2J may be used. FIGS. 21A to 21D to isometric views 2101, 2102,
2103, 2104 of the washer plate of FIG. 2J in a range of
orientations for fastening the guard panel to the bracket. FIG. 21A
illustrates a wire mesh with adjacent vertical wires 2121 and 2122,
and adjacent horizontal wires 2123 and 2124. A washer plate 2131 is
fastened to a bracket 2110 clamped to a knee rail 2111 (via TEK
screws 2133 and 2134) on an angle such that the flanges of the
washer plate are directed towards the wire mesh and enclose
vertical wire 2121. FIG. 21B illustrates the same wire mesh but
with the washer plate 2132 horizontal such that the flanges of the
washer plate are directed towards the wire mesh and enclose
horizontal wire 2124. FIG. 21C illustrates a wire mesh with
adjacent vertical wires 2125 and 2126, and adjacent horizontal
wires 2127 and 2128. A washer plate 2151 is fastened to a bracket
2140 clamped to a stanchion 2141 (via TEK screws 2153 and 2154) in
an inverted vertical orientation (ie with outwardly directed
flanges) so that horizontal wires 2127 and 2128 are clamped between
the washer plate and the mounting plate of the bracket. FIG. 21D
illustrates the same wire mesh but with the washer plate 2152
vertical such that the flanges of the washer plate are directed
towards the wire mesh and enclose vertical wire 2126.
[0157] Narrow meshes can also be provided for corners, or
specialised sections, such as near stairs as shown in FIGS. 19B,
19D to 19F (eg with apertures of 25 mm.times.25 mm). Adjacent mesh
panels can be joined using a combination of rear bracket 2010 (eg
25.4 mm.times.100 mm), narrow bracket 2020 (eg 25.4 mm.times.20 mm)
and wide brackets 2030 (eg 25.4 mm.times.45 mm). FIG. 19D
illustrates an isometric view 1904 of joining a wide mesh 1910 with
a narrow mesh 1920, and uses a single rear bracket 2010 to span
adjacent meshes, a single wide bracket 2030 for use with the wide
mesh, and two narrow brackets 2020 for use with narrow mesh. Each
of the narrow brackets 2030 has a width less than the width of the
vertical mesh wires of the narrow mesh panel. FIG. 19E illustrates
an isometric view 1905 of the joining of two narrow meshes, and
uses a single rear bracket to span adjacent meshes, and a set of
two narrow brackets for use with each narrow mesh (ie four in
total). FIGS. 19B and 19F illustrates isometric views 1902 1906 of
the joining of a horizontal narrow mesh panel 1920 to an inclined
mesh panel 1930. FIG. 20D illustrates a U shaped end piece 2040
with a channel 2042 which receives and encloses the edge of the
inclined panel 1930 (eg over a distance of about 50 mm so it
overlaps the rear bracket). A rear bracket is attached to a narrow
mesh panel using two narrow brackets 2020, and a fastener 1924 is
then fastened through the U shaped end piece such that the fastener
is contained with a grid of the inclined grid mesh, and then
fastened to the rear bracket 2020 (via one of the apertures
2014).
[0158] Variants of the above system are also possible. For example
a dropped object prevention system can be provided for a guardrail
comprising a plurality of support members each having a predefined
profile and a floor. A plurality of brackets can be attached to two
or more of the plurality of support members and can be used for
mounting a guard panel. Each bracket comprises a post engaging
portion to allow the bracket to be clipped onto and retained about
a support member from above the floor and within the guardrail
prior to clamping, and then subsequently clamped around the support
member. The bracket also comprises a mounting portion comprising a
mounting plate to allow mounting of the guard panel to the bracket,
and a standoff arm for spacing the mounting plate from the post.
The system also comprises a plurality of guard panels for
attachment to the plurality of brackets to enclose at least a
portion of a vertical space of an open sidewall of the guardrail.
Each guard panel is mounted to the mounting portion of at least one
bracket, and in use is mounted from above the floor and within the
guard rail. In one embodiment each bracket has an open
configuration to allow the bracket to be clipped onto one of the
plurality of support member, and the post engaging portion spans at
least a 180.degree. angle around the post and having a radius
matching the radius of the post, and the bracket is manufactured
from resilient material such that when clipped onto the post the
bracket does not plastically deform. Each guard panel can comprise
a plurality of apertures or a mesh to reduce the weight and wind
load of the system.
[0159] The system and components, and variants described herein,
can be retrofitted to open safety barrier systems, such as
handrails, guardrails, walkways, platforms, etc, or can be included
as part of the installation of such barrier systems. The modularity
of the components in the system also allows selective use of the
components, or the complete system only in those regions requiring
additional protection. For example the complete system may only be
required in locations which are elevated or which may become
slippery (whether due to environmental effects or spillage of
materials being carried). Alternatively just the guard panels could
just be fitted around elevated platforms where the greatest risk is
losing equipment or even persons through the gaps in the handrail.
Similarly for handrails or walkways which provide a safe passage
between equipment, the guard panels and/or flooring could only be
placed where it is important to prevent accidental contact by a
person and surrounding equipment (such as due to a person falling
through the gaps in the handrail) or even to stop material being
carried on the walkway from accidentally contaminating the
surrounding area. The system could also be provided as a kit or
kits (eg side panel kit, stairway kit, flooring kit, etc)
comprising one or more components described herein such as brackets
guard panels, fasteners, washer plates, joiners, floor brackets,
flooring, riser plates etc. Further the system and components do
not require the installer to place themselves or tools outside of
barrier and into potentially unsafe locations, allowing safe
installation from above the floor and within the guard rails. For
example, in the case of an elevated walkway the installer can
remain safely within the confines of the walkway at all times
whilst installing the system, and there is typically no need for
the installer to put an arm holding a tool outside the handrail or
under a stair or platform, or perform any work at height (eg from
external scaffolding or cranes). Further the use of a clipping
configuration on the brackets allows them to be placed on and
retained around support members. The spring action of bracket
securely clips the bracket to the pipe when in the open position.
Thus there is little or no risk of the bracket falling and the
installer is then free to safely pick up other components or tools
without losing or dropping the bracket. Further the standoff arm of
the bracket allows panel to be secured to the bracket from inside
of the handrail. This allows safe installation and ensures that
these components do not become dropped objects themselves.
Similarly the installation of the floor brackets and sheets can be
done from above (i.e. on the walkway) and again does not require
the installer to place themselves or tools outside of the confines
of the walkway. Thus the installer can safely and progressively
install the system.
[0160] Another advantage of the system is that it doesn't
compromise the structural integrity of an existing safety barrier
system. The use of brackets which clip onto the existing handrail
or walkway structure eliminates the need for drilling into or
welding to the handrail structure. The use of open mesh panels or
sheets with apertures adds minimal additional wind load. Another
advantage of the system is that it avoids the need to perform any
hot work (e.g. welding) when installing the system. In some
industrial sites (e.g. chemical sites and mines) hot work can be
potentially dangerous, or incur significant overhead such as
shutting down certain processes and obtaining hot work permits,
barricading off of areas and posting of sentries, and thus avoiding
any need to perform hot work simplifies the overall installation
process, and minimally impacts other activities occurring at the
site.
[0161] Further the system and components include a number of
features which can assist in speeding up the installation process.
The use of an extended slot in the bracket allows it deformed from
hand from the open to the closed position. Additionally the use of
a plurality of holes in the mounting bracket and in the guarding
panels means these can be installed in both flat and inclined
configurations providing greater flexibility in use.
[0162] In summary the system and components can be installed from
above the floor or stairway and within the hand rails, so there is
no need to work at height to install the system. Further the system
and components are by design unlikely to become dropped objects
themselves during installation. Further the system components do
not require any welding, and subsequent repainting of structures to
install. This allows installation with minimal disturbance to the
work site, as no hot work permits are required, nor is there is a
need for a sentry nor barricading off of lower levels. The various
combination of features described herein thus provides an efficient
and useful system and components for safely enclosing safety
barrier systems such as handrails, walkways, stairs, platforms, and
other open barriers used in a variety of locations.
[0163] 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 system is not restricted in its use to the particular
application described. Neither is the present system restricted in
its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements
and/or features described or depicted herein, including dimensions
and materials. It will be appreciated that the system is not
limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable
of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without
departing from the scope of as set forth and defined by the
following claims.
* * * * *