GB2411685A

GB2411685A - An edge protection barrier

Info

Publication number: GB2411685A
Application number: GB0402601A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Harris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-02-06
Filing date: 2004-02-06
Publication date: 2005-09-07
Also published as: GB0402601D0

Abstract

An edge protection barrier, to prevent persons and materials falling from scaffolding systems, comprising a horizontal upper element 2 and a horizontal lower element 5 maintained in a spaced relationship by at least two vertical elements 4. This frame bounds an area of steel mesh 3. Vertical elements 4 provide rigidity to the upper section of the mesh. The upper and lower elements may be formed at an angle to the plane of the mesh. They may also be stiffened to increase the rigidity of the barrier. This may be achieved by attaching a further element 6, or by reworking the material to form a lip, a seam, a flute or a crease. The lower horizontal element may also serve as a toe board.

Description

2411 685 1.

Descrintion The invention relates to a temporary edge protection system that is wed to prevent personnel and materials falling from heights.

The invention is a temporary edge protection barrier that is used in conjunction with posts with locking devices and post fixings to provide security to personnel working at heights and to others working at lower levels.

The environment where temporary edge protection systems are used subjects the barrier to a number of corrosive agents that degrade the structural integrity of the known design of barrier thereby reducing its effectiveness as a safety device.

Furthermore the general arrangement of such barriers is such that inspection to determine the possibility of corrosion damage is extremely difficult.

The object of this invention is to provide a barrier that may be effectively corrosion resistant and of greater structural integrity a further advantage of this invention is that its general arrangement allows ease of inspection to all critical areas.

Accordingly the invention provides a temporary edge protection barrier comprising of horizontal upper and lower elements in spaced relationship by two or more vertical elements with the area bounded by the peripheral sections in-filled with a steel mesh all arranged in such a way that the barrier may easily be inspected.

The temporary edge protection barrier will be a fabricated structure manufactured from metal. It will include horizontal upper and lower elements that will be stiffened to increase the rigidity of the barrier by means of attaching a further element or alternatiwly changing the cross section of the upper and lower elements by means of reworking the material to form a lip, seam, flute or crease that will improve the structural properties of the section.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIGURE 1 shows a view of the barrier assembly FIGURE 2 shows the various cross sections of the upper element FIGURE 3 shows the various cross sections of the lower element.

As shown in Figure 1 the barrier comprises of an upper horizontal element 2 attached to the mesh 3 and to the vertical elements 4 in such a way that it provides rigidity to the upper edge of the mesh. The lower horizontal element 5 is also attached to the mesh 3 and to the vertical elements 4 in such a way it provides rigidity to the lower edge of the mesh. 2.

The upper horizontal element 2 is attached to the mesh 3 in such a way that it provides a support to the mesh panel 3 where it bears upon the locking mechanism on the post.

The lower horizontal element 5 is attached to the mesh panel 3 in such a way it provides a so-called toe board.

The vertical elements 4 are attached to the upper horizontal element 2, the mesh panel 3 and the lower horizontal element 5 that it provides lateral rigidity to the structure.

Their ends are so formed as to provide close contact to upper horizontal element 2 and to lower horizontal element 5 by bending them to form an angle in the range 5 to 85 degrees to a plane perpendicular to the plane of the mesh panel 3.

Figure 2.1 shows an upper horizontal element 2 formed at an incline in the range 5 to degrees to a plane perpendicular to the plane of the mesh panel 3 reinforced by the attachment of a longitudinal element 6 of any cross section (detailed as round in this drawing) in a spaced relationship to the upper edge of the mesh panel 3.

Figure 2.2 shows an upper horizontal element 2 formed at an incline in the range 5 to degrees to a plane perpendicular to the plane of the mesh panel 3 reinforced by forming the transverse cross section of upper horizontal element 2 to produce a longitudinal channel or channels in a spaced relationship to the upper edge of the mesh panel 3.

Figure 2.3 shows an upper horizontal element 2 formed at an incline in the range 5 to degrees to a plane perpendicular to the plane of the mesh panel 3 reinforced by forming the upper horizontal element 2 to form a closed longitudinal seam in a spaced relationship to the upper edge of the mesh panel 3. This seam will have the effect of doubling the material thickness on the outer edge of the upper horizontal element 2.

Figure 2.4 shows an upper horizontal element 2 formed at an incline in the range 5 to degrees to a plane perpendicular to the plane of the mesh panel 3 reinforced by forming the transverse cross section of upper horizontal element 2 to form a so-called lip in a spaced relationship to the upper edge of the mesh panel 3.

Figure 3. I shows a lower horizontal element 5 formed at an incline in the range 5 to degrees to a plane perpendicular to the plane of the mesh panel 3 reinforced by the attachment of a longitudinal element 6 of any cross section (detailed as round in this drawing) in a spaced relationship to the lower edge of the mesh panel 3.

Figure 3.2 shows a lower horizontal element 5 formed at an incline in the range 5 to degrees to a plane perpendicular to the plane of the mesh panel 3 reinforced by forming the transverse cross section of lower horizontal element 5 to produce a longitudinal channel or channels in a spaced relationship to the lower edge of the mesh panel 3.

Figure 3.3 shows a lower horizontal element 5 formed at an incline in the range 5 to degrees to a plane perpendicular to the plane of the mesh panel 3 reinforced by forming the lower horizontal element 5 to form a closed longitudinal seam in a spaced relationship to the lower edge of the mesh panel 3. This seam will have the effect of doubling the material thickness on the outer edge of the lower horizontal element 5.

Figure 3.4 shows a lower horizontal element 5 formed at an incline in the range 5 to degrees to a plane perpendicular to the plane of the mesh panel 3 reinforced by forming the transverse cross section of lower horizontal element 5 to form a so-called lip in a spaced relationship to the lower edge of the mesh panel 3. 4.

Claims

Claims 1. A temporary edge protection barrier comprising of horizontal

upper and lower elements in spaced relationship by two or more vertical elements with the area bounded by the peripheral elements in-filled with a steel mesh all arranged in such a way that the barrier may be easily inspected.
2. A temporary edge protection barrier as claimed in Claim 1 where the horizontal upper and lower elements are formed at an angle in the range 5 to 85 degrees to plane perpendicular to the plane of the mesh.
3. A temporary edge protection barrier as claimed in Claim 1 where the horizontal upper and lower elements are reinforced by attaching another element which may be of any cross section attached along the length of the horizontal upper and lower elements.
4. A temporary edge protection barrier as claimed in Claim 1 where the reinforcing element attached to the horizontal upper and lower is attached in a spaced relationship to the plane ofthe mesh.
5. A temporary edge protection barrier as claimed in claim 1 where the horizontal upper and lower elements are reinforced by forming the transverse cross section of the upper and lower elements to produce a longitudinal channel or channels in a spaced relationship to the relevant upper and lower edge of the mesh panel.
6. A temporary edge protection barrier as claimed in claim 1 where the horizontal upper and lower sections are reinforced by changing the transverse cross section of the upper and lower sections by creasing or bending to increase the thickness of the cross section along its length.

7. A temporary edge protection barrier as claimed in claim 1 where the horizontal upper and lower sections are reinforced by forming the transverse cross section of the upper and lower sections to produce a so called lip in a spaced relationship to the relevant upper or lower edge of the mesh panel.
7. A temporary edge protection barrier as claimed in Claim 1 where the horizontal upper section is attached the mesh to provide rigidity to the upper edge of the mesh in addition to providing support to the mesh barrier where it engages with the locking device on the post.
8. A temporary edge protection barrier as claimed in Claim 1 where the horizontal lower section is attached to the mesh to provide rigidity to the lower edge of the mesh in addition to forming a so called toe board. 5.
9. A temporary edge protection barrier as claimed in Claim 1 where the vertical sections are bent at the ends at an angle 5 to 85 degrees to a plane perpendicular to the plane of the mesh.

I 0. A temporary edge protection barrier as claimed in Claim 1 where the vertical sections are attached to the horizontal upper and lower sections and the mesh in such a way to provide lateral rigidity.