GB2419571A

GB2419571A - Fall prevention apparatus for unloading a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2419571A
Application number: GB0521208A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael John Ashton
Original assignee: Severfield Rowen PLC
Current assignee: Severfield Rowen PLC
Priority date: 2004-10-27
Filing date: 2005-10-19
Publication date: 2006-05-03
Also published as: GB0423822D0; GB0521208D0

Abstract

Safety apparatus include a support member 10 upon which a load, for example construction material such as steel beams 60, may be stacked, an upright 20 releasably engagable with the support and means to tether a user to the apparatus. The apparatus may comprise a safety member 40 extending between a pair of uprights to which a user may be tethered, the tether slidable along the safety member. The support may be supported by a platform 50, such as the bed of a flat-bed truck. The upright may be telescopic. The safety member 40 may be flexible, inelastic and tensioned in use. A flexible, elastic stabilising member 30 may extend between the upper part of the upright and an anchorage which may be formed on the platform. The upright may be raised using a crane. The tether may include a personal inertia reel.

Description

I

Title - Improvements relating to Safety Apparatus This invention relates to safety apparatus, and in particular to safety apparatus used to facilitate safe unloading of material on construction sites.

Construction materials, such as steel beams, are usually transported to a construction site on flat-bed trucks having a platform upon which the material is stacked. Once at the construction site, the material is raised from the platform, and transported as desired, using a crane. It is generally necessary for one or more workers to stand on the stack of material in order to couple the crane to the material before that material is raised by the crane.

Trucks typically transport stacks of material such as steel beams having a height of several metres. Hence, for a worker to safely assist with the unloading of steel beams, the worker requires some form of safety apparatus in order to prevent a fall from the stack and any injury that might result.

Conventionally, a worker assisting with the unloading of steel beams is attached to a Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) by a tether, and the MEWP is maintained in close proximity to and slightly above the worker. In this system, the worker will be caught and supported by the tether in the event of a fall. However, conventional systems such as this suffer from numerous disadvantages including the lack of manoeuvrability afforded to the worker by such apparatus, the awkwardness of positioning a MEWP in close proximity to the stack of beams whilst a beam is being raised from the stack by a crane, and the need to use a MEWP, which is an expensive piece of equipment, for such a task.

There has now been devised improved safety apparatus which overcomes or substantially mitigates the above-mentioned and/or other disadvantages

associated with the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided safety apparatus comprising a support upon which construction material is stackable, an upright releasably engageable with the support, and means for tethering a user to the safety apparatus such that the safety apparatus supports the user in the event of a fall.

The safety apparatus according to the invention is advantageous principally because a user can be tethered to the safety apparatus whilst working on the stack of construction material, thereby preventing the user from falling from the stack and suffering injury. Furthermore, the safety apparatus is of simple construction so that it is relatively straighiforward to assemble and inexpensive to manufacture.

By "safety apparatus" is meant apparatus for reducing the risk of injury to a user. The safety apparatus according to the invention is intended principally for a user working on a stack of construction material, for example a user assisting with the unloading of construction material.

The safety apparatus most preferably comprises a pair of uprights releasably engageable with the support, and a safety member extending between the uprights to which a user may be tethered such that the safety member supports the user in the event of a fall.

Where the construction material is in the form of beams, the support preferably comprises two or more support members that are bridged, in use, by construction material carried on the upper surface of the support members.

Such support members may be formed of any suitably strong material, but are preferably formed of steel.

Each support member is preferably elongate in form, and the support members are preferably orientated generally parallel to one another and generally Perpendicularly to the construction material stacked thereon. Preferably, the support members are supported by the upper surface of a platform, the platform preferably having a flat upper surface. Conveniently, the platform may form part of a vehicle, such as the loadcarrying bed of a truck, that is intended to carry a load. A lower surface of the support member is preferably supported by the platform, and an upper surface of the support member preferably supports the construction material, in use. Most preferably, the lower surface of the support member has a greater surface area than the upper surface of the support member.

Each support member preferably includes means for releasably engaging an upright. In a preferred embodiment, each end of each support member includes means for releasably engaging an upright. The means for releasably engaging an upright preferably comprises a tubular member adapted to receive part of an upright. Most preferably, the tubular member includes means for fastening the received part of the upright within the tubular member.

In preferred embodiments, each support member comprises a tubular member, which is most preferably of box-section, that extends along the length of support member. In this case, each support member preferably further comprises a base plate, the base plate supported by the upper surface of the platform and the tubular member being fixed to the upper surface of the base plate. The base plate is preferably of greater width than the tubular member, and the support member preferably includes reinforcements for the side walls of the tubular member. Preferably, at least one end of the tubular member, and most preferably both ends of the tubular member, are adapted to receive part of an upright and include means for fastening the received part of the upright within the tubular member. In addition, each support member may also include means for coupling suitable lifting apparatus, such as a crane, to the support member so as to enable the support member to be raised and positioned as desired using the crane. Such means preferably comprises two or more apertures.

The means for releasably fastening part of an upright within the tubular member, and hence fastening the support member and upright together, may comprise any suitable fasteners. For example, the tubular member and the part of the upright received by the tubular member may include openings that are brought into registration on full engagement, the openings being adapted to receive securing pins that fasten the upright and support member together.

Each upright is preferably tubular in form, and may be formed in any suitably strong material, such as steel. Preferably, each upright includes an attachment arm that extends from a lower end of the upright and is adapted to releasably engage the support. In presently preferred embodiments, the attachment arm extends generally perpendicularly from the lower end of the upright.

Where the support comprises two or more support members, each having a tubular member, the attachment arm is preferably adapted to be received within the tubular member, most preferably with a relatively close fit. In this case, the attachment arm preferably includes means for releasably fastening the attachment arm within the tubular member, and hence fastening the support member and upright together. For example, the tubular member and the attachment arm may include openings that are brought into registration on full engagement, the openings being adapted to receive a securing pin that fastens the upright and support member together. In presently preferred embodiments, the attachment arm is provided with a sleeve that is adapted to be received within the tubular member, most preferably with a relatively close fit. The sleeve is preferably formed of a low-friction plastics material, such as nylon.

Each upright is preferably extendible in length, and fixable in a retracted configuration and one or more extended configurations. In this case, each upright is preferably telescopic in form. Each upright may be fixable in its retracted and extended configurations using securing pins which pass through openings in the telescopic components of the upright that are in registration in those configurations, so as to fix the telescopic components relative to one another. Most preferably, the height of each upright, and hence also the safety member, may be reduced as the construction material is off-loaded from the support.

Each upright preferably includes means for attaching the safety member to an upper part of the upright.

The safety member may have any suitable form provided that it has sufficient strength to support a user. However, for ease of storage and assembly, the safety member is preferably flexible in form, and will therefore typically have the form of a rope, cable, or strap. Where the safety member is flexible in form, the safety member is preferably tensioned in use, and the safety member is preferably inelastic. The safety member is preferably attached to each upright by means of a suitable connector. Each connector is preferably adapted to enable the safety member to be tensioned between the two uprights, most preferably by a user exerting a force on an end portion of the safety member, and the connector gripping the safety member when this force is released so as to maintain the tension in the safety member. In this case, at least one end portion of the safety member preferably extends downwardly from the corresponding connector to within reach of a person on the ground In addition, a plurality of stabilising members are preferably provided, and each upright preferably includes means for attaching a stabilising member to an upper part of the upright. The stabilising member preferably extends between the upright and an anchorage formed on a platform that supports the support members. Most preferably, each stabilising member lies in the same plane as the two uprights and the anchorages are situated outwardly of the two uprights. Each stabilising member preferably includes means for shortening the effective length of stabilising member between the upright and the anchorage. Each stabilising member is preferably flexible and inelastic in form, and may have the general form of a strap, for example.

The safety apparatus may also include means for coupling suitable lifting apparatus, such as a crane, to each upright so as to enable the upright to be raised and positioned as desired using the crane. Preferably, such means takes the form of a flexible and inelastic member that is attachable at one end to the crane, and at the other end to the upright. Most preferably, said coupling means is able to be used as a stabilising member once the upright has been engaged with the support member.

The means for attaching the safety member and/or the stabilising member to each upright, and/or the means for coupling the upright to a crane, preferably take the form of one or more apertures formed at the top of the upright. Most preferably, the upright includes an attachment member at its upper end with a plurality, and most preferably three, apertures formed therein. The attachment member is preferably elongate in form, and is preferably orientated generally Perpendicularly to the remainder of the upright. In presently preferred embodiments, the attachment member has an aperture formed at each end, one for attachment of the safety member and one for attachment of the stabilising member and/or coupling member, and a generally central aperture suitable for attachment to further components, if required, such as a fall arrest device, eg a personal inertia reel.

The safety member preferably supports a user in the event of a fall by means of a tether. The tether preferably includes means for releasably attaching one end of the tether to the safety member and the other end of the tether to the user. The tether is preferably slidable along the safety member between the two uprights, and hence the means for releasably attaching one end of the tether to the safety member preferably has the form of a ring, such as a karabiner or the like.

The tether may have any suitable form provided that it has sufficient strength to support a user. For maximum manoeuvrability, the tether is preferably flexible in form, and hence may have the general form of a rope, cable, strap, etc. The tether is preferably inelastic in form. However, the tether preferably includes means for adjusting its effective length between the user and the safety member. The tether is preferably secured to the user using a body harness or the like. In presently preferred embodiments, the tether includes a personal inertia reel. The personal inertia reel preferably enables the tether to extend during normal use, but prevents extension in the event that the user falls and hence the personal inertia reel experiences an acceleration above a predetermined value.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of using safety apparatus as hereinbefore described, which method comprises the steps of: (a) stacking construction material on the support; (b) transporting the support and the construction material to a construction site; (c) assembling the safety apparatus; and (b) tethering a user to the safety apparatus such that the safety apparatus will support the user in the event of a fall.

The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front view of safety apparatus according to the invention, fitted to a platform loaded with steel beams; Figure 2 is a side view of a support and an upright that both form part of the safety apparatus; Figure 3 is an exploded side view of the support and the upright; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the support and the upright; Figure 5 is a plan view of the support; and Figure 6 is a close-up view of the upper end of the upright.

The safety apparatus according to the invention comprises two support members 10, two uprights 20, two stabilising straps 30, and a safety line 40.

Figure 1 shows the safety apparatus supported by a platform 50 and in turn supporting a stack of steel I-section beams 60.

The platform 50 shown in Figure 1 is the load-carrying bed of a flat-bed truck (the remaining parts of which are not shown in Figure 1). The platform 50 is adapted to carry a load, and has a generally flat and rectangular upper surface. The support members 10 extend transversely across the upper surface of the platform 50. In use, construction material, such as the steel I- section beams 60 of Figure 1, are placed upon and supported by the support members 10. Depending upon the particular construction material being supported, the apparatus may include more than two support members 10 so as to provide adequate support for the construction material.

The lower end of each upright 20 is engaged with a support member 10. One of the support members 10 of Figure 1 and its associated upright 20 are shown more clearly in Figures 2, 3 and 4. The support member 10 comprises a rectangular base plate 12 and a tubular member of box-section that is welded to, and extends along the longitudinal axis of, the upper surface of the base plate 12. The base plate 12 forms a rectangular flange on each side of the tubular member. A series of triangular reinforcements are welded to each flange and the corresponding side of the tubular member, as shown most clearly in Figure 4, 50 as to provide support for the side walls of the tubular member.

A lifting point 14 is formed at each end of the upper surface of each support member 10. Each lifting point 14 comprises an upwardly extending flange including a generally central aperture. Between the two lifting points 14, a strip of rubber 16 overlies the upper surface of the tubular member. The remainder of each support member 10 is formed from galvanised steel.

The upright 20 comprises three telescopically co-operating members, each of box-section. The three upright members are slidable relative to one another between a first extended configuration, a second extended configuration, and a retracted configuration, and can be fixed in any of those configurations using securing pins 28. In particular, the cooperating members of each upright 20 have circular openings 24,25 (some of which are hidden in Figures 2 to 4) that are brought into registration in the retracted and extended configurations.

In the first extended configuration, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, an opening (hidden in Figures 2 to 4) at the lower end of the intermediate upright member is brought into registration with the opening 24 of the lower upright member, the opening designated 25 in the intermediate upright member is brought into registration with an opening (hidden in Figures 2 to 4) at the lower end of the upper upright member, and two securing pins 28 are engaged with the registered openings 24,25 to fasten the three co- operating members relative to one another.

In order to bring the upright 20 into the second extended configuration, the upper upright member is retracted relative to the first extended configuration until the openings designated 25 in the upper and intermediate upright members are brought into registration with one another, and the securing pin 28 is engaged with the registered openings 25. Finally, in order to bring the upright 20 into the retracted configuration, the three openings designated 24 of the upper, intermediate and lower upright members are brought into registration with one another, and a securing pin 28 is engaged with the registered openings 24 to fasten the three co-operating members relative to one another.

Each upright 20 is formed substantially from galvanised steel. The lower end of each upright 20 is formed with an attachment arm that extends Perpendicularly to the upright 20. The attachment arm is also of boxsection, and is provided with a sleeve 26 of a low-friction plastics material, such as nylon, that is adapted to be received with a relatively close fit within the open end of the support member 10. The leading edge of the sleeve 26 is chamfered to facilitate location of the sleeve 26 and the attachment arm within the open end of the support member 10.

The tubular member of the support member 10 has a pair of circular openings near each end that are in registration with each other such that a securing pin 24 can be passed through these openings, as well as through corresponding openings in the attachment arm of the upright 20, so that the upright 20 can be secured to either of the two ends of the support member 10.

The upper end of the upright 20 is shown more clearly in Figure 6. An attachment plate 22 extends upwardly from the upper end of the upright 20.

The attachment plate 22 is generally rectangular in shape but with rounded ends. Three circular apertures 23 are provided in the attachment plate 22, with a central aperture situated centrally relative to the upright and two terminal apertures situated at either end of the attachment plate 22.

Each stabilising strap 30 extends between an anchorage on the upper surface of the platform 50 and the outer terminal aperture of the attachment plate 22, with the anchorages being situated outwardly of the two uprights 20. Each stabilising strap 30 is provided with conventional means (not shown) by which the strap can be tensioned so as to provide adequate support for the uprights 20.

The safety line 40 carries two connectors, with each connector being attached to the inner terminal aperture of one of the uprights 20. A portion of the safety line 40 therefore extends between the two connectors, and hence between the uprights 20, and end portions of the safety line 40 hang down from the connectors. The connectors are formed so that exerting a downward force upon an end portion of the safety line 40 will tension the safely line 40 that extends between the connectors; the connectors grip the safety line 40 when this force is released so as to maintain the tension in the safety line 40. In this way, users can tension the safety line 40 from the ground.

In use, the support members 10 are positioned appropriately on the upper surface of the platform 50 before the platform 50 is loaded with the steel I-section beams 60. The construction material (steel beams 60) is then transported to a construction site. Once at the construction site, the remainder of the safety apparatus is fitted to the support members 10 in order to facilitate safe unloading of the construction material.

In order to assemble the safety apparatus, each upright 20 is firstly extended into the first extended configuration, and then fixed in this configuration using a pair of securing pins 28, as discussed in more detail above, whilst the upright is on the ground. The two connectors are engaged with the safety line 40, and one of those connectors and one end of a stabilising strap 30 are both attached to the attachment plate 22 of one of the uprights 20, as described above.

A crane is then coupled to the other end of the stabilising strap 30 to that attached to the attachment plate 22, and the crane used to raise the upright 20 into a vertical orientation and to position the attachment arm of the upright 20 near to one end of one of the support members 10. One or more users then guide the attachment arm and sleeve 26 of the upright 20 into the open end of that support member 10, and secure the support member 10 and upright 20 together using a securing pin 28. The stabilising strap 30 is then decoupled from the crane.

The remaining connector and one end of a second stabilising strap 30 are then both attached to the attachment plate 22 of a second upright 20, and the upright 20 is secured to the remaining support member 10, on the same side of the platform 50 as the first upright 20, using a similar method to that described above.

Once the two uprights 20 have been secured to the support members 10, the free ends of the stabilising straps 30 are attached to the anchorages of the platform 50. A user pulls on an end portion of the safety line 40 until the portion of safety line 40 that extends between the uprights 20 is tensioned.

The stabilising straps 30 are then tensioned between respective uprights 20 and anchorages.

A user wearing a body harness couples the body harness to the MEWP using a lanyard, and is lifted to the top of the stack of beams 60 by a MEWP. The user then attaches an inertia reel to the safety line 40, and the free end of the tether of the inertia reel to the body harness. Finally, the user detaches the lanyard from the MEWP, and exits the work platform of the MEWP to stand on the stack of beams 60. The MEWP may then be redeployed until it is next needed by the user.

Alternatively, however, a user may climb to the top of the stack of beams 60 using a foot ladder or the like. In this case, the safety line 40 is not tensioned initially so that the user is able to attach the inertia reel to the safety line 40, and the free end of the tether of the inertia reel to the body harness, whilst the user is at ground level. The safety line 40 is then gradually tensioned as the user climbs to the top of the stack of beams 60.

The inertia reel is attached to the safety line 40 using a karabiner or similar fastening so that the inertia reel can slide along the safety line 40 between the uprights 20. The user therefore has considerable freedom of movement, and can readily cooperate with a crane operator to facilitate unloading of the construction material (beams 60) from the platform. In particular, the user will generally fit chains or lifting brackets to a beam 60 that is to be unloaded, and then withdraw to a safe position before the beam 60 is raised by the crane using those chains or lifting brackets.

The height of the stack of beams 60 will reduce as the beams 60 are unloaded. When the tether of the inertia reel is at its maximum extension, the uprights 20 are reduced in height to the second extended configuration, as discussed above, so that the movement of the user is not restricted. The uprights 20 may then be reduced in height once more, to the retracted configuration, if necessary.

Since the support members 10 are not fixed to the platform 50, it is the weight of the stack of beams 60 that anchors the safety apparatus to the platform.

For this reason, a base layer of beams 60 is not unloaded until the user has dismounted, and the safety apparatus has been disassembled.

Hence, when only a base layer of beams 60 remains, the user may then release the tether from the safety line and dismount using a MEWP or foot ladder, if necessary. The stabilising straps 30 are then released from the anchorages on the platform 50, and the safety line 40 is relaxed. The uprights may be disengaged from the support members 10 with the assistance of the crane, and then retracted ready for storage. The retracted uprights 20, the stabilising straps 30, and the safety line 40, may then be stored appropriately until next required. The base layer of beams 60 and the support members 10 are then unloaded using the crane. Finally, the support members 10 are stored appropriately until next required.

Claims

Claims 1. Safety apparatus comprising a support upon which construction

material is stackable, an upright releasably engageable with the support, and means for tethering a user to the safety apparatus such that the safety apparatus supports the user in the event of a fall.
2. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the safety apparatus comprises a pair of uprights releasably engageable with the support, and a safety member extending between the uprights to which a user may be tethered such that the safety member supports the user in the event of a fall.
3. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the support comprises two or more support members that are bridged, in use, by construction material carried on the upper surface of the support members.
4. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein each support member is elongate in form, and the support members are orientated generally parallel to one another and generally Perpendicularly to the construction material stacked thereon.
5. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein a lower surface of the support member is supported by a platform, and an upper surface of the support member supports the construction material, in use.
6. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the lower surface of the support member has a greater surface area than the upper surface of the support member.
7. Safety apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 6, wherein each support member includes means for releasably engaging an upright.
8. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the means for releasably engaging an upright comprises a tubular member adapted to receive part of an upright.
9. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein each upright includes an attachment arm that extends from a lower end of the upright and is adapted to releasably engage the support.
10. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the attachment arm is adapted to be received within the tubular member.
11. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the attachment arm is provided with a sleeve that is adapted to be received within the tubular member with a relatively close fit.
12. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the sleeve is formed of a low-friction plastics material.
13. Safety apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 12, wherein each upright is extendible in length, and fixable in a retracted configuration and one or more extended configurations.
14. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, wherein each upright is telescopic in form.
15. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 14, wherein each upright is fixable in its retracted and extended configurations using securing pins which pass through openings in the telescopic components of the upright that are in registration in those configurations, so as to fix the telescopic components relative to one another.
16. Safety apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 15, wherein the safety member is flexible in form.
17. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the safety member is tensioned, in use, and the safety member is inelastic.
18. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the safety member is attached to each upright by means of a connector, each connector being adapted to enable the safety member to be tensioned between the two uprights.
19. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 18, wherein each connector is adapted to enable the safety member to be tensioned between the two uprights by a user exerting a force on an end portion of the safety member, and the connector gripping the safety member when this force is released so as to maintain the tension in the safety member.
20. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 19, wherein at least one end portion of the safety member extends downwardly from the corresponding connector to within reach of a person on the ground
21. Safety apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 20, wherein a plurality of stabilising members are provided, and each upright includes means for attaching a stabilising member to an upper part of the upright.
22. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 21, wherein the stabilising member extends between the upright and an anchorage formed on a platform that supports the support members.
23. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 22, wherein each stabilising member includes means for shortening the effective length of the stabilising member between the upright and the anchorage.
24. Safety apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 21 to 23, wherein each stabilising member is flexible and inelastic in form.
25. Safety apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 24, wherein the safety apparatus includes means for coupling suitable lifting apparatus to each upright so as to enable the upright to be raised and positioned as desired using the crane.
26. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 25, wherein said coupling means takes the form of a flexible and inelastic member that is attachable at one end to the crane, and at the other end to the upright.
27. Safety apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 26, wherein the means for attaching the safety member and/or a stabilising member to each upright, and/or means for coupling the upright to a crane, take the form of one or more apertures formed at the top of the upright.
28. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 27, wherein each upright includes an attachment member at its upper end with a plurality apertures formed therein.
29. Safety apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 28, wherein the safety member supports a user in the event of a fall by means of a tether.
30. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 29, wherein the tether includes means for releasably attaching one end of the tether to the safety member and the other end of the tether to the user.
31. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 29 or Claim 30, wherein the tether is slidable along the safety member between the two uprights.
32. Safety apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 29 to 31, wherein the tether is flexible in form.
33. Safety apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 29 to 32, wherein the tether is secured to the user using a body harness or the like.
34. Safety apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 29 to 33, wherein the tether includes means for adjusting its effective length between the user and the safety member.
35. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 34, wherein the tether includes a personal inertia reel.
36. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 35, wherein the personal inertia reel enables the tether to extend during normal use, but prevents extension in the event that the user falls and hence the personal inertia reel experiences an acceleration above a pre-deterrnjned value.
37. A method of using safety apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, which method comprises the steps of: (a) stacking construction material on the support; (b) transporting the support and the construction material to a construction site; (c) assembling the safety apparatus; and (b) tethering a user to the safety apparatus such that the safety apparatus will support the user in the event of a fall.
38. Safety apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by Figures 1 to 6.