U.S. patent application number 15/669566 was filed with the patent office on 2017-12-14 for vertically raising safety rail.
The applicant listed for this patent is Control Dynamics, Inc.. Invention is credited to ERIC MORAN.
Application Number | 20170356202 15/669566 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53510585 |
Filed Date | 2017-12-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170356202 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MORAN; ERIC |
December 14, 2017 |
VERTICALLY RAISING SAFETY RAIL
Abstract
A vertical raising safety rail having a moveable top rail, a
base, a movable center rail assembly positioned above the base and
below the top rail, a drive shaft, and a motor that provides
rotational power to the drive shaft. The safety rail further
includes a pair of spaced apart lower linkage arm assemblies that
is operatively connected to the base and to the center rail
assembly and configured to raise or lower the center rail assembly
relative to the base when a rotational force is applied to the
drive shaft. The safety rail also includes a pair of spaced apart
upper linkage arm assemblies that is operably connected to the
center rail assembly and to the top rail. The upper linkage aim
assemblies are operably connected to corresponding lower linkage
assemblies and are configured to move the upper rail relative to
the center rail assembly. When the rotational force is reversed,
the safely rail collapses into a compact footprint.
Inventors: |
MORAN; ERIC; (Camano Island,
WA) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Control Dynamics, Inc. |
Everett |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53510585 |
Appl. No.: |
15/669566 |
Filed: |
August 4, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14689970 |
Apr 17, 2015 |
9745762 |
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15669566 |
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62085147 |
Nov 26, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04G 21/3266 20130101;
E04F 11/1865 20130101; E04G 5/142 20130101; E04F 2011/1876
20130101; E04G 21/3228 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04G 21/32 20060101
E04G021/32; E04F 11/18 20060101 E04F011/18; E04G 5/14 20060101
E04G005/14 |
Claims
1. A vertically raising safety rail comprising: a moveable top
rail; a base; a moveable center rail assembly positioned above the
base and below the top rail; a drive shaft; a motor that provides
rotational power to the drive shaft; a pair of spaced apart lower
linkage arm assemblies that is operably connected to the base and
to the center rail assembly; said pair of lower linkage arm
assemblies being movable relative to the base and the center rail
assembly when a rotational force is applied to the drive shaft and
configured to move the center rail assembly relative to the base;
and a pair of spaced apart rotating upper linkage assemblies that
is operably connected to the center rail assembly and the upper
rail; said pair of upper linkage assemblies operably movable to the
lower linkage assemblies to move the upper rail relative to the
center rail assembly.
2. The safety rail of claim 1 wherein each lower linkage arm
assembly is connected to its corresponding upper linkage assembly
at a midpoint mesh gear assembly.
3. The safety rail of claim 1 wherein the center rail assembly
includes a tubular center rail and is received into at least one
slidable guide tube.
4. The safety rail of claim 2 wherein the center rail assembly
includes a tubular center rail and received into at least one
slidable guide tube and to which the midpoint mesh gear assembly is
attached.
5. The safety rail of claim 1 wherein the drive shaft is operably
connected to the base.
6. The safety rail of claim 1 wherein the rotational force from the
drive shaft is transferred to linear motion to each lower linkable
arm assembly through a worm gear, a corresponding threaded shaft, a
drive shaft coupling, and a pillow support bracket.
7. The safety rail of claim 1 wherein the rotational force from the
drive shaft is transferred to linear motion to each lower linkage
arm assembly through an arm plate and fork bracket including a
slot, said fork bracket operably connected to a ball screw and
threaded nut assembly.
8. The safely rail of claim 1 wherein the rotational force from the
drive shaft is transferred to linear motion to each lower linkage
assembly through an arm plate, linkage arm, and a short drag
linkage arm operably connected to a ball screw and a threaded nut
assembly.
9. The safety rail of claim 1 wherein the rotational force form the
drive shaft is transferred to linear motion to each lower linkage
assembly through a short telescoping member attached to a fork
bracket to which a ball screw and threaded nut assembly is operably
connected.
10. The safely rail of claim 5 further comprising one or more rail
stops that are positioned along the center rail to form a barrier
along the center rail to the at least one slidable guide tube.
11. The safety rail of claim 1 wherein the motor may be from one of
the following: pneumatic, electrical, hydraulic, or magnetic.
12. The safety rail of claim 1 wherein the drive shaft comprises
two separate drive shaft members.
13. The safety rail of claim 1 further comprising one or more speed
reducers.
14. The safety rail of claim 1 that collapses into a compact
footprint when the rotational force is reversed.
15. A vertically raising safety rail comprising: a moveable top
rail; a base; a moveable center rail assembly positioned above the
base and below the top rail; a drive shaft; a motor that provides
rotational power to the drive shaft; a pair of spaced apart lower
linkage arm assemblies that is operably connected to the base and
to the center rail assembly; said pair of lower linkage arm
assemblies being movable relative to the base and center rail
assembly when a rotational force is applied to the drive shaft; a
pair of spaced apart rotating upper linkage assemblies that is
operably connected to the center rail assembly and the upper rail;
said pair of upper linkage assemblies operably movable to the lower
linkage assemblies; and means for transmitting a rotational force
to the pair of lower linkage arm assemblies.
16. The safety rail of claim 15 wherein each lower linkage arm
assembly is connected to its corresponding upper linkage assembly
at a midpoint mesh gear assembly.
17. The safety rail of claim 15 wherein the motor may be from one
of the following: pneumatic, electrical, hydraulic, or
magnetic.
18. A method of creating a vertically rising safety barrier, the
method comprising: providing a collapsible safety rail apparatus in
a collapsed position with the collapsible safety rail application
apparatus comprising a moveable top rail, a base, a moveable center
rail assembly positioned above the base and below the top rail, a
drive shaft, a motor that provides rotational power to the drive
shaft, a pair of spaced apart lower linkage arm assemblies that is
operably connected to the base and to the center rail assembly
wherein said pair of lower linkage arm assemblies being movable
relative to the base and center rail when a rotational force is
applied to the drive shaft, and a pair of spaced apart rotating
upper linkage assemblies that is operably connected to the center
rail assembly and the upper rail; said pair of upper linkage
assemblies operably movable to the lower linkage assemblies;
applying a rotational force to the drive shaft, which, in turn,
applies a force to raise the pair of lower linkage arm assemblies,
which raises the center rail assembly and the pair of upper linkage
arm assemblies, which, in turn, raises the top rail.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein each lower linkage arm assembly
is connected lo its corresponding upper linkage assembly at a
midpoint mesh gear assembly.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein the motor may be from one of the
following; pneumatic, electrical, hydraulic, or magnetic.
21. The safety rail of claim 1 wherein the rotational force from
the drive shaft is transferred to linear motion to each lower
linkage assembly through an arm plate and a double tapered bearing
assembly, linkage arm, and a short drug linkage arm operably
connected to a ball screw and a threaded nut assembly.
22. The safety rail of claim 3 further comprising one or more rail
springs positioned between the guide tube and the at least one rail
stop.
23. The safety rail of claim 1 further comprising a kick plate
operatively connected to the base.
24. The safety rail of claim 1 further comprising a raisable safety
curtain having an upper end and a bottom end where the upper end of
the safety curtain is operably interconnected to the top rail and
the bottom end of the curtain is interconnected to the base of the
safety rail.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present patent application claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/085,147, filed Nov. 26,
2014, and entitled "Vertically Raising Safety Rail."
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a vertically raising safety
rail having a base, a moveable center rail assembly, and a moveable
top rail with a pair of operably connected upper and lower linkage
arms assemblies configured to move the center rail assembly
relative to the base and the top rail relative to the center rail
assembly. A motor provides a rotational force to a drive shaft that
transmits a force to the lower linkage arm assemblies in order to
move the center rail assembly and, in turn, the top rail. The
invention is also capable of collapsing into a compact size.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Safety rails are known and required as an OSHA requirement
on industrial sites and a good safety tool. However, some
applications where lifts are required to get to the work space make
a traditional non moveable safety rail impractical or dangerous. A
moveable safely rail system that vertically raises and lowers,
depending on the application, is desirable and currently
unknown.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention is directed to a vertically raising
safely rail having a moveable top rail, a base, and a moveable
center rail assembly that is positioned above the base and below
the top rail. A pair of lower linkage arm assemblies is operably
connected to the base and the center rail assembly and configured
to move the center rail assembly relative to the base. A
corresponding pair of upper linkage arm assemblies is operably
connected to the center rail assembly and the top rail and
configured to move the top rail relative to the center rail
assembly. Each individual lower linkage arm assembly and
corresponding upper linkage arm assembly are operably connected.
The invention further includes a motorized drive shaft that
transmits a rotational force to the lower linkage arms assemblies
in order to move the lower linkage arm assemblies between the base
and center rail assembly, thereby raising or lowering the center
rail assembly. The upper linkage arm assemblies, being operably
connected to the lower linkage arm assemblies, also move the top
rail relative to the center rail. When the rotational force is
reversed, the safety rail collapses into a compact footprint.
[0005] These and other advantages are discussed and/or illustrated
in more detail in the DRAWINGS, the CLAIMS, and the DETAILED
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various
exemplary embodiments.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a rear isometric view of a vertically raising
safety rail system of the present invention in the raised position;
the safety rail system illustrating a top rail; a center rail
assembly having a center rail, one or more optional slidable rail
guide tube that receives and supports the center rail, and one or
more optional rail stops; a base support; at least one drive shaft;
and a pair of upper and lower linkage arm assemblies;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the safety rail system of FIG.
1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a front view of the safety rail system of FIG.
1;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a top view of the safety rail system of FIG.
1;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the safety rail system of FIG.
1;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a left side view of the safety rail system of FIG.
3;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a right side view of the safety rail system of
FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 8 is an enlarged rear view of a first embodiment lower
linkage arm assembly in a raised position illustrating a worm gear
in mating connection with a threaded shaft to obviate the need for
a threaded nut and ball screw;
[0015] FIG. 9 is the same as FIG. 8 except illustrating the lower
linkage arm assembly in the fully collapsed position;
[0016] FIG. 10 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the worm
gear;
[0017] FIG. 11 is an enlarged rear view of a second embodiment
lower linkage arm assembly in a raided position with an arm plate
and fork bracket connected to a threaded nut/ball screw
assembly;
[0018] FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of a third embodiment
lower linkage arm assembly in a partially raised position
illustrated with a drag linkage arm attached to the threaded
nut/ball screw assembly;
[0019] FIG. 13 is an exploded rear perspective view of the safety
rail better illustrating the mesh gear assembly:
[0020] FIG. 14 is a side view of the exploded safety rail of FIG.
13;
[0021] FIG. 15 is a rear view of the safety rail in the fully
collapsed position;
[0022] FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view of the safety rail in a
slightly raised position;
[0023] FIG. 17 is a rear view of the safety rail in a partially
raised position;
[0024] FIG. 18 is a rear view of the safety rail in the fully
raised position;
[0025] FIG. 19 is rear view of a fourth embodiment lower linkage
arm assembly in a raised position with an arm plate and telescoping
member and solid fork bracket connected to the threaded nut/ball
screw assembly;
[0026] FIG. 20 is a rear isometric view like FIG. 1 except
illustrating optional springs between the optional slidable guide
rails and optional rail stops and illustrating a fifth embodiment
lower linkage arm assembly in raised position with rail bearing
assembly, linkage arm, and threaded nut/ball screw assembly;
[0027] FIG. 21 is a rear view of FIG. 20;
[0028] FIG. 22 is an enlarged rear view of the fifth embodiment
lower linkage arm assembly in the nearly collapsed position;
[0029] FIG. 23 is an enlarged rear view of the fifth embodiment
lower linkage arm assembly in the nearly fully raised position;
[0030] FIG. 24 is a front view of the safety rail of FIG. 20;
and
[0031] FIG. 25 is a is a side view illustrating an optional kick
plate operably connected to the base and an optional curtain that
is operably connected to a portion of the base and the top rail and
raises and lowers when the safety rail is raised or lowered.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, a collapsible safety rail 10 has a
moveable top rail 12, a moveable center rail 14, a base 16
supporting a drive shaft 18 positioned between two threaded shafts
20, a pair of spaced apart rotating upper linkage assemblies 22,
and a pair of spaced apart rotating lower linkage arm assemblies
24. Each upper linkage assembly 22 is operably connected to its
corresponding lower linkage arm assembly 24 at a midpoint and is
further connected to a slidable rail guide tube 28 that receives
the center rail 14.
[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, a first embodiment
lower linkage assembly includes a lower linkage arm 30 that is
connected to a worm gear 32. The worm gear travels along its
corresponding threaded shaft that is bordered by a drive shaft
coupling 36 and a pillow support bracket 38. Rotational force is
transferred to linear motion via the threaded shaft and the worm
gear attached to the lower linkage arm.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 11, a second embodiment lower linkage
assembly includes an arm plate 40 that is connected to a fork
bracket 44 that allows the shortened link arm to travel along the
length of a slot 46 within the fork bracket 44. The fork bracket is
connected to a ball screw and threaded nut assembly 48 that is
capable of travelling the length of the unbounded threaded shaft
20. Each ball screw and threaded nut assembly 48 can travel up to
16 inches along the threaded shaft 20 with a preferred travel span
of 12 inches. Here, rotational force is transferred to linear
motion via the threaded shaft to the ball screw/threaded nut
assembly to the fork bracket, arm plate and connected lower linkage
arm.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 12, a third embodiment lower linkage
assembly includes the arm plate 40 and linkage arm 30 as discussed
above, but also includes a short drag linkage arm 42 that is
connected to the ball screw/threaded nut assembly 48, also as
discussed above. Here, rotational force is transferred to linear
motion via the threaded shaft to the ball screw/threaded nut
assembly to the short drag linkage arm to the arm plate and
connected lower linkage arm.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 19, a fourth embodiment lower linkage
arm assembly includes an arm plate 40 connected to a linkage arm 30
as discussed above. But instead of a short drag linkage arm 42 or
slotted fork bracket 44 of FIGS. 12 and 11, respectively, the arm
plate is connected to a short telescoping member 66 attached to a
solid fork bracket 68 that is attached to the ball screw/threaded
nut assembly 48.
[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 20-24, a fifth embodiment lower
linkage arm assembly includes an arm plate 40 connected to a
linkage arm 30 as discussed above and also includes a short drag
linkage arm 42 that is attached the ball screw/threaded nut
assembly 48. Here, though, the rotation function is effectuated
though a double tapered bearing 41 that is integrated into lower
linkage arm assembly.
[0038] Referring again to FIGS. 1-7, as well as FIGS. 13, 14, 20,
21, and 24, each lower linkage arm 30 is attached to its
corresponding upper linkage assembly through a midpoint mesh gear
assembly 50, which includes two meshed gears: a lower mesh gear 52,
and an upper mesh gear 54, as well as a gear plate 55. As best
illustrated in FIG. 14, each set of two gears 52, 54 and
corresponding gear plate 55 is positioned about and connected to a
corresponding rail guide tube 28 in which the center rail 14 is
support and lifted when the linkages arms rotate.
[0039] Referring also to FIGS. 15-18, each upper linkage arm 22
includes an upper linkage arm 58 that is connected to upper mesh
gear 54 at a lower end of the upper linkage arm. An upper end of
the linkage arm 58 is connected to top rail 12. In use, the mesh
gear assembly 50 functions like an elbow respective to upper
linkage arm 58 and lower linkage arm 30 that allows the upper and
lower linkage arms to form an angle .alpha. that ranges from 0
degrees (fully collapsed position) to 150 degrees (fully raised
position) or any position therebetween. The mesh gear assembly
maintains chocking of the upper and lower linkage arms and the
level nature of the top and center rail.
[0040] Any rotational force in one direction (e.g., clockwise) may
be applied to the drive shaft, which will transfer torque to the
threaded shaft, and thereby to the threaded screw. In this manner,
the ball screw turns rotational motion to linear motion via the
threaded nut. The threaded screw will rotate the nut to move in a
linear direction. The nut moves the short linkage arm which rotates
(and raises) the lower linkage arm 30. This raising of the lower
linkage arm will also simultaneously turn lower mesh gear 52, which
is joined and attached to upper mesh gear 54. This will force angle
.alpha. between the linkage arms to increase. The movement of the
mesh gear assembly, which is connected to slidable rail guide tube
28, forces the rail guide lube to move inwardly along center rail
14. Rail stops 56 are positioned along center rail to stop the rail
guide tube from moving too far and causing rail instability. Upper
linkage arm 50 rotates upwardly as upper mesh gear 54 is turned,
which raises upper rail 12 as the outer end of the upper linkage
arm Is attached to upper rail 12 via pins or other fasteners.
[0041] As illustrated in FIGS. 20, 21, and 24 optional rail springs
51 may be positioned between the rail guide tube and the rail stop
to put tension on the rail guide tube and upper and lower linkage
arm assemblies to better hold a vertically upright position. The
rail springs keep the center rail aligned with the top rail to
prevent "walking" back and forth during motion.
[0042] A rotational force in the other direction (e.g., counter
clockwise) will rotate the threaded shaft and, therefore the ball
screw and threaded nut and all connected linkages, in the reverse
direction. The ball screw and threaded nut will move the worm gear
and move the short linkage arm 42, and rotate the lower linkage arm
30 so that the lower mesh gear moves in the reverse direction with
the upper mesh gear. This action decreases angle a so that the top
rail and center rail lower as much as desired. When the rotational
force stops, the safely rail maintains its position as of that
time. When the safety rail is fully collapsed, the center rail is
tucked under the top rail, such as illustrated in FIG. 16, for
storage purposes.
[0043] In one form of the invention, a motor 60 is added to drive
shaft 18. Drive shaft 18 may be in two pieces as illustrated in
FIGS. 1-7 with the motor being placed therebetween to rotate each
drive shaft. The motor may be pneumatic (e.g., an air motor),
electrical, hydraulic, or magnetic.
[0044] The invention is adaptable for explosion proof applications,
such as painting in a large manufacturing facility. Air motors,
(such as explosion proof C1D1 air motors) are particularly suited
for explosion proof applications, such as painting airplane parts.
An operator with a manual pneumatic valve delivers air pressure to
two inputs (orifices) on the air motor. Air pressure to the first
input raises the safety rail as described above. Air pressure to
the second input lowers the safety rail as described above. In such
an air motor application, a rotating air motor shaft transfers
rotational force to a drive belt through two cogged pulleys and a
cogged belt (not illustrated). Rotational force is transferred 10
the drive shaft (or drive shafts) via a second cogged pulley (also
not illustrated).
[0045] An optional speed reducer 62 may be added. A pair of reducer
couplers 64 may be positioned between the speed reducer 62 and the
two drive shafts (as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2).
[0046] Referring to FIG. 25 an optional kick plate 66 make be added
to the base. The kick plate will rotate or slide vertically during
employment. Further, an optional raisable safety curtain 68 may be
interconnected to base 16, such as through a box 70 attached to
base 16. The safety rail is curled up in the box and unrolls out
through a slot and is attached to the top rail. The safety curtain
raises when the safety rail is raised and curls back in its box
when the safety rail is collapsed and can be attached on either
side.
[0047] The safety rail system can be adapted for industrial use,
commercial use, and residential use (both indoors and outdoors).
Indoor residential applications can be made from lightweight
materials and made in a smaller configuration to function as a pet
or child gate.
* * * * *