GB2377914A

GB2377914A - Support means for a safety apparatus for delivery vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2377914A
Application number: GB0118293A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Carden
Original assignee: Shire Precast Erection Ltd
Current assignee: Shire Precast Erection Ltd
Priority date: 2001-07-27
Filing date: 2001-07-27
Publication date: 2003-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 2021-07-27
Also published as: GB2377914B; GB0118293D0

Abstract

A support means 10 for a safety apparatus for a platform 31, the support comprising a platform engagement part 11 comprising an edge part 12 operable to engage an edge of a platform and an upper part 13 disposed generally perpendicular to the edge part 12 and operable to engage a top surface of the platform. The support means 10 is further provided with a first attachment means 15 and a second attachment means 16 comprising tensioning devises. A pair of support engagement means 24 and 25 are attached to edge part 12. The support means 10 has a catching element in the form of a net 36 supported between posts 34. The safety apparatus is for use when loading delivery vehicle platforms so that if loading personnel were to fall from the platform their fall would be stopped by the netting.

Description

Title: Support Means for a Safety Apparatus Description of Invention This invention relates to a support means for a safety apparatus for a platform, and to a safety apparatus for a platform, particularly but not exclusively for vehicle load platforms.

It is a requirement for a person working at height, particularly but not exclusively on construction work for example, to be provided with a suitable safety apparatus able to arrest a fall. Conventionally, such systems comprise nets supported just below the working height, or life line systems. However, when loading or unloading a vehicle using a crane or other lifting means, it is sometimes unavoidable that a person must climb upon a load platform of the vehicle and even the load itself to guide the crane and/or to attach the load to a crane hook. This is potentially dangerous in that the person may be working at a height sufficient to cause injury in the event of a fall.

It is known to provide a life line system in which a wire is run at a level above the load platform to which a lifeline and safety harness are clipped. However, when loading or unloading a load from the load platform using a crane, such a system cannot be used due to the risk of the crane interfering with the wire. It is also known to provide a dedicated loading bay, where a vehicle is reversed into a defined area such that the load platform is surrounded by nets. Such a system is unsatisfactory in that the vehicle must be unloaded at a particular point which may be located at a distance from the required position of the load, and hence require the load to be moved with attendant risks.

An aim of the present invention is to overcome or reduce one or more of the above problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, we provide a support means for a safety apparatus for a platform, the support means comprising a platform engagement part, support engagement means, and attachment means.

The load platform engagement means may comprise an edge part operable to engage an edge of the platform and an upper part operable to engage a top surface of the platform.

The support engagement means may be attached to the edge part.

A web may extend between the edge part and the support engagement means.

The support means may be provided with a safety apparatus connection part.

The support engagement means may comprise a socket adapted to receive a post.

The support means may comprise two of said support engagement means.

The support engagement means may be inclined relative to the edge part in a direction outwardly of the edge part.

The attachment means may comprise a flexible elongate element and a tensioning device.

The elongate flexible element may comprise a webbing strap and the tensioning device may comprise a ratchet.

The tensioning device may be attached to the support means and the elongate flexible element may be attached to the tensioning means, and a free end of the elongate flexible element may be provided with a connection part.

The connection part may be adapted to engage a part of the platform.

In addition or alternatively, the connection part may be adapted to engage a further support means.

The support means may be provided with a first attachment means adapted to engage a further support means and a second attachment means adapted to engage a part of the platform.

The support means may be provided with a connection part operable to engage said connection means.

According to a second aspect of the invention, we provide a safety apparatus comprising a support means according to the first aspect of the invention and a sheet-like catching part.

The safety apparatus may comprise a post received in the support engagement means and operable to support the sheet-like catching part.

A tension element may be disposed at a lower part of the catching element adjacent to the edge part and the tension element may be received in the connection part.

The safety apparatus may comprise a plurality of support means.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein; Figure 1 is a perspective view of a support means embodying the present invention, Figure 2a is a plan view of a vehicle provided with a safety apparatus embodying the present invention, Figure 2b is a side view of the vehicle of Figure 2a, Figure 3 is a partial end view of the vehicle of Figure 2a, Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Figure 2a, Figure 5 is an alternative embodiment of the view of Figure 4, Figure 6a is a plan view of a vehicle provided with a further safety apparatus embodying the present invention, and Figure 6b is a side view of the vehicle of Figure 6a.

Referring now to the Figures, a support means embodying the first aspect of the present invention is shown generally at 10 of Figure 1.

The support means 10 comprises a platform engagement part 11 comprising an edge part 12 operable to engage an edge of a platform and an upper part 13 disposed generally perpendicular to the edge part 12 and operable to engage a top surface of a platform. The edge parts 12 and top part 13 may be formed integrally. In the present example, the edge part 12 comprises a flat plate which is generally trapezoidal in shape having a pair of inclined side edges 12a, 12b. The upper part 13 comprises a first generally rectangular part 13a attached to the edge part 12, and a trapezoidal part 13b provided with a receiving part 14, in the present example comprising a generally oval slot provided in the trapezoidal part 13b. The upper part 13 is provided with a downwardly depending abutment part 13c to engage the upper surface of the platform such that the rectangular part 13a and trapezoidal part 13b are spaced from the platform.

The support means 10 is further provided with a first attachment means 15 and a second attachment means 16. The first attachment means 15 comprises a tensioning device comprising a ratchet 17 which is connected by a pair of arms 17a, 17b to a pivotal connection 18. The first attachment means further comprises an elongate flexible element comprising a webbing strap 19 received on the ratchet 17. The webbing strap 19 is provided at its free end with a connection part 20, in the present example comprising a pair of downwardly directed hooks 20a, 20b.

The second attachment means 16 similarly comprises a tensioning device comprising a ratchet 21 connected by arms 2 la, 21b to the common pivotal connection 18 on the edge part 12. The attachment means 16 further comprises an elongate flexible element comprising a webbing strap 22 in like manner to the webbing strap 19, received in the ratchet 21. The webbing strap 22 is similarly provided at its free end with a connection part 23 comprising a pair of upwardly directed hooks 23a, 23b.

The support means 10 is further provided with a pair of support engagement means 24,25. In this example, the support engagement means 24, 25 comprise sockets of generally square cross-section disposed one at each side of the support means 10. The support engagement means 24,25 are attached to the edge part 12 in an inclined fashion such that they extend outwardly and away from one another and from the edge part 12 in an upward direction. The support engagement means 24,25 are connected to the edge part 12 by a respective web 26,27 which in the present example extends for the entire height of the edge part 12 and of the support engagement means 24,25. Each web 26,27 is provided with a safety apparatus connection part, in the present example comprising an aperture 26a, 27a of sufficient diameter to receive, for example, a wire rope.

Use of the support means 10 will now be illustrated with reference to Figures 2a, 2b, 3 and 4 wherein a vehicle generally illustrated at 30 comprises a platform comprising a load platform 31 and is provided with a safety apparatus 32 embodying the present invention. The safety apparatus comprises two opposed pairs of support means 10 located such that one support means 10 is disposed in the vicinity of each corner of the load platform 31. As best seen in Figures 4 and 5, each support means is disposed adjacent an edge 3 la of the load platform 31 such that the edge parts 12 abut the edge 3 la. The abutment part 13c of the top part 13 is disposed such that it abuts an upper surface 3 12 of the load platform 31. Disposed below the load platform 31 in conventional manner are a pair of elongate beams 33 generally I-shaped in cross section comprising chassis members in conventional manner.

To hold each support means 10 adjacent to the load platform 31, the second attachment means 16 of each support means 10 is attached to the respective beam 33 by engaging the connection part 23 with a lower flange 33a of the respective beam 33. Using the ratchet 21, each elongate flexible element 22 is tensioned to urge the edge part 12 into abutment with the edge 3 la of the

load platform 3 lob. To connect each opposed pair of support means 10, the first attachment means 15 of one of the support means 10 is used. The elongate flexible element 19 is passed over the top of the load platform 31 such that the connection means 20 of the first attachment means 15 of one support means 10 is engaged in the receiving means 14 of the other support means 10. Using the ratchet 17, the elongate flexible element 19 is again tensioned. Each support means 10 of the opposed pair is thus held firmly in engagement with the load platform 31.

Each support means 10 is then provided with a post 34 received in one of the support engagement means 24,25. As best seen in plan view in Figure 2a, the posts 34 are located in a selected support engagement means such that the posts 34 extend mutually outwardly from one another. At an upper part of each post 34 an upwardly directed hook 35 is provided. A catching element is then supported from the post 34 by engagement with the hooks 35, in the present example comprising a net 36, but it will be apparent that any other sheet-like catching part may be provided as appropriate. An upper strand 36a of the net is engaged with each hook 35 such that the net extends between the posts 34 and is of a desired tension. An elongate flexible element 37 is passed through a lower part of the net 36 and through the apertures 26a, 27a located in the webs 26,27 of the support means 20. The elongate flexible element 37, in the present example, a wire rope, is then tensioned to maintain the lower part of the net 36 adjacent the edge 3 la of the load platform 31. This prevent or minimises the formation of a gap between the net 36 and the load platform 31.

In an alternative as shown in Figure 5, the load platform 31 may be provided at its lower edge with inwardly directed hooks 38 in conventional manner which may be used to secure loads or flexible side panels to the load platform 31. The elongate flexible element 37, or indeed a lower strand or part of the net 36 may instead be engaged with the hooks 38 and gathered onto the hooks 38 to provide the desired tension.

As seen in Figures 6a and 6b, where a vehicle 30', 31'is provided with a relatively long load platform 31', a safety apparatus 32'comprising three or more opposed pairs of support means 10 may be provided to provide sufficient support for the net 36. As can be seen from Figures 6a and 6b an intermediate pair of support means 10 may be provided with a pair of posts 34.

Thus, in the present example, when a vehicle 30,30'arrives at a site for loading, a safety apparatus 32,32'is mounted on the vehicle 30,30'by simply providing a plurality of opposed pairs of support means 10 and attaching the support means 10 to the load platform by the second attachment means 16 and interconnecting opposed pairs of support means 10 by use of the first attachment means 15. Conventionally, a load will be supported on baulks or pallets and it will be possible to pass the webbing strap 19 across the top of the load platform 31, 31'underneath the load. Once the support means 10 are in place, a catching apparatus, for example a net 36, may be mounted on posts 34 received in the support means 10 and tensioned as described hereinbefore to provide a suitable safety apparatus. Should a person working on the load platform 31 or on a load supported thereon fall, they will be caught by the net 36. The net 36 is preferably tensioned sufficiently to arrest the weight of a falling person, but will not be of such a tension to bounce him back onto the platform 31. By attaching the net 36 at its lower edge adjacent to the platform 31, the possibility of the falling person falling through a gap between the net 36 and platform 31 is minimised. It is however advantageous that the lower edge of the net 36 be releasable such that assistance can be given to a person held in the net 36 if necessary.

The safety apparatus according to the present invention in thus particularly advantageous in that the area beneath the net 36 is not obstructed, and in that the safety apparatus, 32,33'may be quickly and easily assembled

and disassembled on a vehicle platform 31, 31'so the vehicle may be loaded or unloaded close to the side where the load is positioned.

In the present example, the support means 10 preferably comprises steel or aluminium although any other appropriate material may be used as desired.

The posts 34 are shown as generally square in cross-section received in a square socket provided by the support engagement means 26,27, but it will be apparent that the posts 34 and support engagement means 26,27 may be of any shape and engage in any appropriate fashion as desired.

Although in the present example the support means 10 is shown with a pair of support engagement means 26,27, it will be apparent that any number of support engagement means may be provided as desired. The receiving part 14 may advantageously serve as a hand hold to enable the support means 10 to be carried by a person.

The support means 10 may advantageously be provided in matched pairs, where one of the support means 10 omits the final attachment means 15.

Although the support means 10 and safety apparatus 32 described hereinbefore have been described with particular reference to a load platform 31, 31'of a vehicle 30,30'it will be apparent that such a support means and safety apparatus may be provided in any appropriate circumstances where such a safety apparatus may be desirable, for example on an unfenced floor of a construction project or any other platform of similar structure as desired.

In the present specification"comprises"means"includes or consists of and"comprising"means"including or consisting of.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any

combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A support means for a safety apparatus for a platform, the support comprising a platform engagement part, support engagement means, and attachment means.

2. A support means according to claim I wherein the platform engagement part comprises an edge part operable to engage an edge of the platform and an upper part operable to engage a top surface of the platform.

3. A support means according to claim 2 wherein the support engagement means is attached to the edge part.

4. A support means according to claim 3 wherein a web extends between the edge part and the support engagement means.

5. A support means according to claim 4 wherein the web is provided with a safety apparatus connection part.

6. A support means according to any one of claims 2 to 5 comprising two support engagement means.

7. A support means according to claim 6 wherein the support engagement ZD means are inclined relative to the edge part in a direction outwardly of the edge part and away from one another.

8. A support means according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the support engagement means comprises a socket adapted to receive a post.

9. A support means according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the attachment means comprises a flexible elongate element and a tensioning device.

10. A support means according to claim 8 wherein the elongate flexible element comprises a webbing strap and the tensioning device comprises a ratchet.

11. A support means according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the tensioning device is attached to the support means and the elongate flexible element is attached to the tensioning means, and a free end of the elongate flexible element is provided with a connection part.

12. A support means according to claim 11 wherein the connection part is adapted to engage a part of the platform.

13. A support means according to claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the connection part is adapted to engage a further support means.

14. A support means according to claim 13 wherein the support means is provided with a receiving part operable to engage said connection part.

15. A support means according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the support means is provided with a first attachment means adapted to engage a further support means and a second attachment means adapted to engage a part of the platform.

16. A support means substantially as described herein and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. A safety apparatus comprising a support means according to any one of the preceding claims and a catching part.

18. A safety apparatus according to claim 17 comprising a post received in the support engagement means and operable to support the catching part.

19. A safety apparatus according to claim 17 or claim 18 where dependent directly or indirectly on claim 5 wherein a tension element is disposed at a lower part of the catching part adjacent to the edge part and wherein, the tension element is received in the safety apparatus connection part.

20. A safety apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 19 comprising a plurality of support means.

21. A safety apparatus substantially as described herein and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein

and/or in the accompanying drawings. c