Built-in safety latch mechanism for preventing sidewalk platform flipper doors from rising without installed guardrails

Abstract

In one example, a system is described. The system includes a guardrail having a post, and the post having a post claw. The system also includes a strike having a strike eye configured to couple to a roll-up door. The system also includes a safety latch mechanism configured to couple to a fixed structure and including a body, a socket configured to receive the post, and a door latch rotatably coupled to the body and biased in a latched position configured to engage the strike eye to retain the roll-up door in a lowered position. Based on the post being inserted into the socket of the safety latch mechanism, the post claw engages the door latch and rotates the door latch from the latched position to an unlocked position to allow the roll-up door to be raised from the lowered position to a raised position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods relating to adjustable pedestrian platforms and guardrails, and more specifically, to preventing adjustable pedestrian platform tilt gates from being raised without guardrails installed. Background Technology

[0002] During the manufacturing process at an aircraft production facility, aircraft move along the production line between different stages of assembly. This periodic (e.g., daily) movement is known as a "pulsating" production line.

[0003] At certain stages of assembly, personnel can access the elevated sections of the aircraft via a fixed deck platform located a few feet from each side of the aircraft fuselage. In this case, a movable deck platform (e.g., a flip-up door) can be attached to the fixed deck platform and operated to provide personnel with access to the remaining platform sections of the aircraft fuselage.

[0004] Before pulsating the production line, the movable deck platform can be manually rotated (e.g., raised or lowered from the fuselage) to provide sufficient clearance for the aircraft to move along the production line. To prevent falls from the fixed deck platform at this stage, removable guardrails can be manually installed near the end of the fixed deck platform.

[0005] Once the new aircraft is in its proper position along the production line, the guardrails can be manually removed, and the movable deck platform can be reinstalled or rotated to a horizontal position to close the gap between the fixed deck platform and the aircraft fuselage again, and to provide a standing passage for personnel close to the fuselage.

[0006] Existing designs for mobile deck platforms typically rely on manually installing guardrails or other forms of fall protection around the platform after it has been raised. However, with such designs, personnel often forget to install guardrails, potentially exposing them to the risk of falling. Therefore, a safer alternative design is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In one example, a system for preventing a tilt-and-turn door from rising without a guardrail is described. The system includes a guardrail comprising a post having a pawl. The system also includes a latch eye configured to engage with the tilt-and-turn door. The system further includes a safety latch mechanism configured to engage with a fixed structure. The safety latch mechanism includes a body, a socket configured to receive the post, and a latch rotatably coupled to the body and biased in a latched position configured to engage with the latch eye, thereby holding the tilt-and-turn door in a lowered position. Based on the post being inserted into the socket of the safety latch mechanism, the pawl engages with the latch and rotates the latch from the latched position to an unlocked position, thereby allowing the tilt-and-turn door to rise from the lowered position to the raised position.

[0008] In another example, a system is described for preventing a tilt-and-turn door from being raised without a guardrail. The system includes a guardrail comprising two posts, each post having its own claw. The system also includes two latches configured to engage with the tilt-and-turn door. The system further includes two safety latching mechanisms configured to engage with a fixed structure on opposite sides of the tilt-and-turn door. Each safety latching mechanism includes a body, a socket configured to receive a post, and a latch rotatably connected to the body and biased in a latched position configured to engage with a corresponding latch of the two latches, thereby holding the tilt-and-turn door in a lowered position. Based on the insertion of the corresponding post into the socket of the safety latching mechanism, the corresponding claw engages with the latch and rotates the latch from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby allowing the tilt-and-turn door to rise from the lowered position to the raised position.

[0009] In another example, a method is described. This method includes positioning each of two posts of a guardrail near a corresponding latch disposed in one of two safety latching mechanisms coupled to a fixed structure on opposite sides of a tilt-and-turn door. Each post has a corresponding pawl, and each safety latching mechanism includes: a corresponding body having the corresponding latch; a corresponding latch rotatably coupled to the body and biased in a latched position configured to engage a corresponding latch eye in one of two latch eyes coupled to the tilt-and-turn door, thereby holding the tilt-and-turn door in a lowered position; and a corresponding latch rotatably coupled to the body, biased in a locked position, and held in an unlocked position based on the tilt-and-turn door being in the lowered position and the corresponding latch eye engaging the latch. The method also includes inserting each of the two posts into the corresponding latch such that the corresponding pawl engages the corresponding latch and rotates the corresponding latch from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby allowing the tilt-and-turn door to rise from the lowered position to the raised position. The method also includes raising the flip door from a lowered position to a raised position, thereby disengaging the corresponding latch from the corresponding pin latch, and then rotating the corresponding pin latch from the unlatched position toward the corresponding pin to the locked position, thereby engaging the corresponding pin latch with the corresponding pin and holding the corresponding pin in the safety latch mechanism.

[0010] The features, functionalities, and advantages already discussed can be implemented independently in various examples, or combined in other examples. Refer to the following description and accompanying figures for further details on the examples. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Novel features considered characteristic of the illustrative example are set forth in the appended claims. However, the illustrative example, its preferred mode of use, further objectives, and description will be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of the illustrative example of this disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0012] Figure 1 A system according to an example implementation is described.

[0013] Figure 2 The following is a description of an example implementation. Figure 1 Safety latch mechanism.

[0014] Figure 3 The following is a description of an example implementation. Figure 1 Safety latch mechanism and Figure 1 Part of the guardrail.

[0015] Figure 4 A flip-up door according to an example implementation is depicted.

[0016] Figure 5 The invention relates to an example implementation. Figure 1 The system's operational scenarios.

[0017] Figure 6 The invention relates to an example implementation. Figure 1 The system's operational scenarios.

[0018] Figure 7 The invention relates to an example implementation. Figure 1 The system's operational scenarios.

[0019] Figure 8 The invention relates to an example implementation. Figure 1 The system's operational scenarios.

[0020] Figure 9 The invention relates to an example implementation. Figure 1 The system's operational scenarios.

[0021] Figure 10 The invention relates to an example implementation. Figure 1 The system's operational scenarios.

[0022] Figure 11 The invention relates to an example implementation. Figure 1 The system's operational scenarios.

[0023] Figure 12 The invention relates to an example implementation. Figure 1 The system's operational scenarios.

[0024] Figure 13 The invention relates to an example implementation. Figure 1 The system's operational scenarios.

[0025] Figure 14A flowchart of an example method according to an example implementation is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The disclosed examples will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate some, but not all, of the disclosed examples. In fact, several different examples may be described, and should not be construed as limiting to the examples set forth herein. Rather, the description of these examples makes this disclosure thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0027] As used herein, the terms “substantially,” “about,” “probably,” and “approximately” mean that the feature, parameter, or value does not need to be precisely achieved, but rather that deviations or variations (including, for example, tolerances, measurement errors, measurement accuracy limitations, and other factors known to those skilled in the art) may occur in a quantity that does not preclude the effect that the feature is intended to provide.

[0028] Unless otherwise specified, the elements depicted in the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0029] In this example, the document describes a safety latching mechanism for preventing a movable deck platform (e.g., a tilt-and-turn door) from being raised without a railing (or railings) installed. To facilitate this, a latch eye is coupled to the tilt-and-turn door, and the safety latching mechanism includes a body, a socket for receiving railing posts, and a latch rotatably coupled to the body and biased (e.g., spring-biased) in a latched position configured to engage with the latch eye, thereby holding the tilt-and-turn door in a lowered position. When a railing post is inserted into the socket, the post's pawl engages with the latch and rotates the latch to an unlocked position, thereby disengaging the latch from the latch eye and allowing the tilt-and-turn door to be raised. In this example, the safety latching mechanism may be mounted inwardly to a fixed structure (e.g., coupled to the interior of the fixed structure to which the tilt-and-turn door is coupled, such that the safety latching mechanism occupies a portion of the space beneath the fixed structure).

[0030] The safety latch mechanism may also include a pin bolt biased in the locked position. In such an arrangement, the latch eye is configured to engage the pin bolt and hold it in the unlocked position based on the tilting door being in the lowered position. Therefore, when the pin is inserted into the latch of the safety latch mechanism and the tilting door is raised to the raised position, the latch eye disengages from the pin bolt, causing the pin bolt to rotate from the unlocked position toward the pin to the locked position, whereby the pin bolt engages with the pin and holds the pin in the safety latch mechanism.

[0031] With the above arrangement, the flip-up gate cannot be raised before the protective railing is installed, thus improving safety.

[0032] These and other improvements will be described in more detail below. The embodiments described below are for illustrative purposes. Other improvements may also be provided for the embodiments described below and other embodiments.

[0033] Now refer to the attached diagram, Figure 1 The illustration depicts a system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. Various components of the system 100 may be formed from one or more materials, such as aluminum, steel, plastic, and / or another material. Furthermore, it should be understood that these components may additionally or alternatively be formed from machined parts.

[0034] System 100 includes a guardrail 102, which includes a post 104 having a post claw 106. In some embodiments, the guardrail 102 may also include Figure 1 Other components not explicitly shown include at least one guide rail (e.g., a top guide rail and a bottom guide rail, or a top guide rail and one or more guide rails extending perpendicular to the top guide rail) and at least one additional post. In this case, post 104 and at least one additional post can be connected to the top guide rail and the bottom guide rail.

[0035] System 100 also includes a latch 107 configured to be attached to a tilting door 118. The latch 107 may be attached to the tilting door 118 by means of one or more fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.), welding or other means.

[0036] System 100 also includes a safety latch mechanism 108 configured to be coupled to a fixed structure 110. For example, the safety latch mechanism 108 may be coupled to the fixed structure 110 by means of one or more fasteners. The fixed structure 110 may be a deck structure having one or more deck platforms on which personnel can walk and stand.

[0037] The safety latching mechanism 108 includes a body 112, a socket 114 disposed in the body 112 and configured to receive a post 104, and a latch 116. The latch 116 is rotatably coupled to the body 112 and biased in a latched position configured to engage with a latch eye 107, thereby holding the flip door 118 in a lowered position.

[0038] As described herein, elements that are “rotatably connected” to each other can be connected by means of pins, swivel bearings, or at least one swivel bushing and release bolts. Other types of flexible and / or adjustable couplings are contemplated to connect related elements in a rotatable / pivotable manner. For example, it should be understood that other types of rotatable couplings are contemplated herein. Without limitation, the elements of system 100 can be rotatably interconnected by means of straight or hinged shafts, U-shaped clamping pins, sliding bearings (e.g., sleeve bearings / bushings), ball bearings, or roller bearings.

[0039] The flip door 118 can be rotatably connected to the fixed structure 110, allowing the flip door 118 to rotate between a lowered position and a raised position. To unlock the latch 116 and thus allow the flip door 118 to rise from the lowered position to the raised position, a guardrail 102 is inserted into a safety latch mechanism 108. Specifically, based on the insertion of a post 104 into the socket 114 of the safety latch mechanism 108, a pawl 106 engages with the latch 116 and rotates the latch 116 from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby allowing the flip door 118 to rise from the lowered position to the raised position.

[0040] In some embodiments, the safety latch mechanism 108 further includes a pin latch 120 rotatably coupled to the body 112 and biased in a locked position. In this case, the latch eye 107 is configured to engage the pin latch 120 based on the flip-top door 118 being in a lowered position and to hold the pin latch 120 in an unlocked position.

[0041] The bolt 120 can also help facilitate engagement between the guardrail 102 and the safety latch mechanism 108. Specifically, based on the insertion of the bolt 104 into the socket 114 of the safety latch mechanism 108 and the raising of the flip-top door 118 to the raised position, the latch eye 107 is configured to disengage from the bolt 120, thereby rotating the bolt 120 from the unlocked position toward the bolt 104 to the locked position, whereby the bolt 120 engages with the bolt 104 and holds the bolt 104 within the safety latch mechanism 108. For example, the top portion of the bolt 120 can rest on the top of the pawl 106 during forward rotation, thereby preventing the pawl 106 from moving upward and thus preventing the bolt 104 from moving out of the socket 114.

[0042] Furthermore, the bolt 120 can participate in disengaging the guardrail 102 from the safety latch mechanism 108. Specifically, as the tilt door 118 lowers from the raised position to the lowered position, the latch eye 107 is configured to engage with the bolt 120 (e.g., push the bolt 120), causing the bolt 120 to rotate from the locked position to the unlocked position and disengage from the bolt 104, thereby allowing the bolt 104 to be removed from the socket 114. Furthermore, as the bolt 104 is removed from the socket 114, the latch 116 rotates from the unlatched position to the latched position, thereby engaging with the latch eye 107 (e.g., hooking) and holding the tilt door 118 in the lowered position.

[0043] In some embodiments, the bolt 120 is rotatably coupled to the latch 116 such that the bolt 120 rotates relative to and independently of the latch 116. For example, both the bolt 120 and the latch 116 can be coupled to the body 112 of the safety latch mechanism 108 via an axle, such that both the bolt 120 and the latch 116 rotate independently about the axle.

[0044] In some embodiments, the body 112 of the safety latch mechanism 108 has a top 122, a first side 124, and a second side 126. In this case, a latch 116 may be rotatably coupled to at least one side of the body 112 (e.g., the first side 124) and may be biased in a latched position via at least one latch spring 128 (e.g., a pair of springs) coupled between the latch 116 and at least one side of the body 112, which in turn is coupled between the first side 124 and the latch 116. Furthermore, a pin latch 120 may be rotatably coupled to at least one side of the body 112 and may be biased in a locked position via at least one pin latch spring 130 (e.g., a pair of springs) coupled between the latch 120 and the top 122 of the body 112. In alternative embodiments, the latch 116 and / or the pin latch 120 may be biased by means of some other mechanism besides springs.

[0045] In some embodiments, the latch 116 includes a hook portion 132 and a lever portion 134. For example, the hook portion 132 may form one end of the latch 116, while the lever portion 134 may form the opposite end of the latch 116. In this case, with the latch 116 in the latched position, the hook portion 132 hooks onto the latch eye 107 and holds the tilt door 118 in the lowered position. Furthermore, with the pin 104 inserted into the socket 114 of the safety latch mechanism 108 and the tilt door 118 raised to the raised position, the pin pawl 106 pushes the lever portion 134 downward, causing the latch 116 to rotate, thereby disengaging the hook portion 132 from the latch eye 107 and allowing the tilt door 118 to rise from the lowered position to the raised position.

[0046] In some embodiments, system 100 further includes a second latch 136 configured to engage with a second tilting door 138 adjacent to tilting door 118. The second tilting door 138 may be constructed similarly to tilting door 118 and thus rotatably connected to fixed structure 110, allowing the second tilting door 138 to rotate between a lowered position and a raised position. In this case, based on the latch 116 being in the latched position, the latch 116 also engages (e.g., hooks) with the second latch 136, thereby holding the second tilting door 138 in the lowered position. To facilitate this, for example, the hook portion 132 of the latch 116 may include two hooks, one near a first side 124 of the body 112 and the other near a second side 126 of the body 112. Furthermore, based on the insertion of the post 104 into the socket 114 of the safety latch mechanism 108, the pawl 106 engages with the latch 116 and rotates the latch 116 from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby allowing the flip door 138 to rise from the lowered position to the raised position.

[0047] In some embodiments, as an alternative to engaging the safety latch mechanism 108 with latches on two separate tilting doors and holding the two separate tilting doors in the lowered position, the latch 116 of the safety latch mechanism 108 may be configured to engage with multiple latches on a single tilting door (e.g., tilting door 118). For example, a second latch 136 may be configured to be attached to tilting door 118.

[0048] In some embodiments, the fixing structure 110 has a travel surface 140 and a support frame 142. The support frame 142 has an inner surface 144 facing the space below the travel surface 140, and an outer surface 146 opposite to the inner surface 144 and away from the space below the travel surface 140. The support frame 142 also includes an opening 148 configured to receive a latch eye 107 when the flip-top door 118 is in a lowered position. In this case, a safety latch mechanism 108 is coupled to the inner surface 144 of the support frame 142. That is, the safety latch mechanism 108 faces inward and is disposed in the space below the travel surface 140. Furthermore, in this case, the system 100 may also include the flip-top door 118 and the fixing structure 110.

[0049] In some embodiments, the walking surface 140 includes a hole 150 substantially aligned with the socket 114 and configured to receive a post 104. Additionally, the guardrail 102 includes a second post ( Figure 1 In an embodiment (not shown), the walking surface 140 may have a pair of holes, including hole 150 and a second hole 152 substantially aligned with the socket of another safety latch mechanism (not shown) or the second socket (not shown) of safety latch mechanism 108, the second hole 152 being configured to receive the second post.

[0050] Figure 2 A safety latching mechanism 108 according to an exemplary embodiment of a system 100 is depicted. As shown, a socket 114 extends from a body 112 such that the socket 114 receives a post 104 (not shown) adjacent to the body 112. More specifically, the socket 114 consists of two members, each protruding from the body 112 and each including a circular or other shaped opening disposed therein and substantially aligned with the opening of the other. Each opening may be shaped according to a form chosen for the post 104 and the pawl 106, neither of which is in the form of a post 104 or a pawl 106. Figure 2 This is clearly shown in the document. Other numbers of components and other shapes are also possible.

[0051] As further shown, the latch 116 and the pin latch 120 are rotatably connected to each other by means of bolts 153, and are rotatably connected to the second side 126 of the body 112. Although in Figure 2Not explicitly shown, but the latch 116 and the pin latch 120 can be rotatably connected to each other and to the first side 124 of the body 112 by means of bolt 153 or a separate bolt. Bolt 153 defines an axis of rotation that is substantially perpendicular to the body 112.

[0052] As further shown, at least one latch spring 128 is coupled to a latch 116 on the second side 126 of the body 112, and at least one pin latch spring 130 is coupled to a pin latch 120 on the top 122 of the body 112. Although not shown in Figure 2 It is clearly shown that a second spring of at least one latch spring 128 can be coupled to the latch 116 on the first side 124 of the body 112. In addition, the pin latch 120 is shown in the locked position, although the latch eye 107 (not shown) holds the pin latch 120 in the unlocked position when the flip door 118 (not shown) is in the lowered position.

[0053] In the various examples shown herein, the latch 120 is illustrated as comprising a first latch arm 154 rotatably coupled to a first side 124 and a second latch arm 155 rotatably coupled to a second side 126. Furthermore, the first latch arm 154 and the second latch arm 155 are each attached to the top 122 of the body 112 by means of corresponding springs, and both are independently rotatable relative to the other. Moreover, with this arrangement, each of the two latch arms is configured to be held independently of each other in an unlocked position via a corresponding latch eye, and rotatable to a locked position via independent disengagement from the corresponding latch eye. For example, the first latch arm 154 is held by latch eye 107, while the second latch arm 155 is held by a second latch eye 136. Therefore, the latch 104 (not shown) may not be removable from the socket 114 until both adjacent flip doors are in the lowered position, thus placing both latch arms in the unlocked position.

[0054] Figure 3 The diagram depicts an operational scenario where the post 104 is inserted into the socket 114 of the safety latch mechanism 108. For illustrative purposes, a portion of the post 104 is shown—specifically, the bottom portion including the pawl 106. As shown, with the post 104 inserted, the pawl 106 pushes the lever portion 134 of the latch 116 downward, thereby rotating the hook portion 132 of the latch 116 upward. As further shown, the latch 120 is in a locked position above the pawl 106, thus holding the post 104 in the socket 114.

[0055] Figure 4A tilting door 118 is depicted, comprising an impact flange portion 156 and a travel portion 158. As shown, two latches 160 are connected to the tilting door 118. The two latches 160 include a latch 107 of system 100, which is connected to one of the two impact flanges constituting the impact flange portion 156, and another latch 162 (unlike the second latch 136, which is not located in…). Figure 4 As shown in the diagram, and will be connected to the second flip door 138. Specifically, two latches 160 are connected to the surfaces of the impact flange, such that when the flip door 118 is rotatably connected to the fixed structure 110 (…), Figure 4 When the door 118 is in the lowered position, it faces and is adjacent to (or in contact with) the outer surface 146 (not shown) of the support frame 142 (not shown). Furthermore, based on the fact that the flip door 118 is in the lowered position, the two latch holes 160 will protrude through corresponding openings (not shown) in the support frame 142.

[0056] Figure 5-13 Various operational scenarios involving system 100 are described, such as reference Figure 1 As shown and described. For clarity, in Figure 5-13 Only a subset of the entire structure of System 100 is specifically numbered.

[0057] Figure 5 An operational scenario depicting multiple tilting doors in a lowered position is shown. As illustrated, the multiple tilting doors include tilting door 118 and two other tilting doors adjacent to tilting door 118—namely, second tilting door 138 and third tilting door 164. Four holes are shown in the travel surface 140, including hole 150 and second hole 152. In the lowered position, the tilting doors extend substantially parallel to a reference plane parallel to the travel surface 140 of the fixed structure 110.

[0058] Although not explicitly shown, multiple safety latching mechanisms may be attached to the inner surface 144 of the support frame 142, each having a corresponding socket substantially aligned with each hole.

[0059] As further shown, each of the other two flip doors is constructed similarly to flip door 118, each having a corresponding impact flange portion and a corresponding travel portion. The impact flange portion of the third flip door 164, also referred to as impact flange portion 156, is shown being pressed against the outer surface 146 of the support frame 142.

[0060] Figure 6Another view depicts an operational scenario where the flip door 118 (not shown) is in the lowered position. As shown, latch eye 107 (attached to flip door 118) and second latch eye 136 (attached to second flip door 138 (not shown)) are both held by means of the hook portion 132 of latch 116, thus holding flip door 118 in the lowered position. As further shown, latch eye 107 protrudes through an opening 148 in support frame 142, and second latch eye 136 protrudes through another opening 166 in support frame 142. The two latch eyes thus push upward against the bottom portion of bolt 120 and hold bolt 120 in the unlocked position.

[0061] Figure 7 An operational scenario is depicted in which the first three doors, 118, 138, and 164, are in a lowered position and two posts 168 of the guardrail 102, including post 104, are inserted into corresponding slots of two safety latching mechanisms (not shown). As shown, the guardrail 102 also includes a foldable top rail 170 and two extension rails 172 perpendicular to the foldable top rail 170. Some embodiments of the guardrail 102 can be folded for storage purposes and can be unfolded before being inserted into the slots of the safety latching mechanisms. In alternative embodiments, the guardrail 102 may consist of only a single post constructed in the same or similar manner as the post 104 described above.

[0062] Figure 8 Another view depicting an operational scenario shows two posts 168 of guardrail 102 inserted into corresponding sockets of two safety latching mechanisms 174. In an example embodiment, another system 200 may include guardrail 102 with two posts 168, where posts 104 are representative, and may also include two safety latching mechanisms 174, where the safety latching mechanism 108 of system 100 is representative. Another system 200 may also include two latch eyes 160, including latch eye 107 and another latch eye 162. As shown, the two latch eyes 160 protrude through a pair of orifices 176, where orifice 148 is representative.

[0063] Both safety latching mechanisms 174 are shown with two corresponding latches in the unlocked position, although the corresponding bolts of these flip doors remain in the unlocked position (e.g., two latch eyes 160 rest against the two latches) because the flip doors 118, the second flip door 138, and the third flip door 164 are in the lowered position. Because each latch is in the unlocked position, the two latch eyes 160 can be easily moved out of the pair of openings 176 and the flip door 118 can be moved to the raised position.

[0064] Figure 9 Depicting Figure 8 A magnified view of the operation scenario.

[0065] Figure 10 The diagram depicts an operational scenario where the flip door 118 (not shown) has been raised to the raised position; however, as shown, the latches still protrude through their respective openings, and the second flip door 138 and the third flip door 164 are not in the raised position. With the flip door 118 in the raised position, the first latch arm 154 is in the locked position, and with the second flip door 138 in the lowered position, the second latch arm 155 is in the unlocked position. While in some cases the first latch arm 154 in the locked position can hold the post 104, the second latch arm 155 in the locked position can provide additional support to hold the post 104.

[0066] Figure 11 Depicting Figure 10 This is another view of the operation scene, but the flip door 118 is visible.

[0067] Figure 12 Depicting Figure 10 Another view of the operation scene, where each flip door is visible.

[0068] Figure 13 An operational scenario is described in which, instead of inserting guardrail 102 into two safety latching mechanisms 174 (not shown), a pair of guardrails 178 are inserted into the safety latching mechanisms. That is, Figure 13 A scenario is depicted where posts from two separate railings are used to raise a single flip door, rather than two posts from a single railing being used to raise a single flip door. As further shown, each flip door is in the raised position.

[0069] Figure 14 It shows that it can be used with Figure 1-13 The flowchart illustrates an example of a method 300 used in conjunction with system 100, other systems 200, and their components. Method 300 may include one or more operations, functions, or actions, as shown in one or more boxes in blocks 302-306.

[0070] At frame 302, method 300 includes positioning each of the two posts of the guardrail near a corresponding latch disposed in a corresponding one of two safety latching mechanisms coupled to a fixed structure on opposite sides of a tilt-and-turn door. Each post has a corresponding latch, and each safety latching mechanism includes: a corresponding body having the corresponding latch; a corresponding latch rotatably coupled to the body and biased in a latched position configured to engage a corresponding latch eye in one of two latch eyes coupled to the tilt-and-turn door, thereby holding the tilt-and-turn door in a lowered position; and a corresponding latch rotatably coupled to the body, biased in a locked position, and held in an unlocked position based on the tilt-and-turn door being in the lowered position and the corresponding latch eye engaging the latch.

[0071] At frame 304, method 300 includes inserting each of the two posts into a corresponding socket such that the corresponding pin engages with the corresponding latch and rotates the corresponding latch from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby allowing the flip door to rise from the lowered position to the raised position.

[0072] At frame 306, method 300 includes raising the flip door from a lowered position to an raised position, thereby disengaging the corresponding latch from the corresponding pin latch, and then rotating the corresponding pin latch from the unlocked position toward the corresponding pin to the locked position, thereby engaging the corresponding pin and holding the corresponding pin in the safety latch mechanism.

[0073] In the example, method 300 may further include lowering the flip door from an elevated position to a lowered position, thereby engaging the corresponding latch eye with the corresponding pin latch, causing the corresponding pin latch to rotate from a locked position to an unlocked position, and disengaging from the corresponding pin, thereby allowing the corresponding pin to be removed from the corresponding socket. Method 300 may further include removing each of the two corresponding pins from the corresponding socket, thereby rotating the corresponding latch to a latched position, thereby engaging the corresponding latch eye and holding the flip door in the lowered position.

[0074] The various examples of systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein include a wide range of components, features, and functions. It should be understood that the various examples of systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein may include any combination or sub-combination of any components, features, and functions of any other examples of systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein, and all such possibilities are within the scope of this disclosure.

[0075] Furthermore, this disclosure includes embodiments pursuant to the following provisions:

[0076] Clause 1. A system (100) for preventing a tilting gate (118) from rising without a guardrail (102) installed, the system (100) comprising:

[0077] The railing (102) includes posts (104) having post claws (106);

[0078] A latch (107) is configured to connect to a tilting door (118); and

[0079] A safety latch mechanism (108), configured to be coupled to a fixed structure (110), includes:

[0080] Main body (112),

[0081] The socket (114) is configured to receive the post (104), and

[0082] A latch (116), rotatably coupled to the body (112) and biased in a latched position, configured to engage with a latch eye (107), thereby holding the flip door (118) in the lowered position.

[0083] In this configuration, based on the insertion of the post (104) into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108), the pawl (106) engages with the latch (116) and rotates the latch (116) from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby allowing the flip door (118) to rise from the lowered position to the raised position.

[0084] Clause 2. The system (100) as described in Clause 1, wherein:

[0085] The safety latch mechanism (108) further includes a pin latch (120) rotatably coupled to the body (112) and biased in a locked position.

[0086] The latch (107) is configured to engage with the bolt (120) based on the flip door (118) being in the lowered position and to hold the bolt (120) in the unlocked position, and

[0087] As the post (104) is inserted into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108) and the flip door (118) is raised to the raised position, the latch eye (107) is configured to disengage from the post latch (120), thereby causing the post latch (120) to rotate from the unlocked position toward the post (104) to the locked position, so that the post latch (120) engages with the post (104) and holds the post (104) in the safety latch mechanism (108).

[0088] Clause 3. The system (100) according to Clause 2, wherein the bolt (120) is rotatably coupled to the latch (116) such that the bolt (120) rotates relative to and independently of the latch (116).

[0089] Clause 4. The system (100) as described in Clause 2, wherein:

[0090] As the flip door (118) lowers from the raised position to the lowered position, the latch (107) is configured to engage with the pin latch (120), causing the pin latch (120) to rotate from the locked position to the unlocked position and disengage from the pin (104), thereby allowing the pin (104) to be removed from the socket (114), and

[0091] As the post (104) is removed from the socket (114), the latch (116) rotates from the unlocked position to the latched position, thereby engaging with the latch eye (107) and holding the flip door (118) in the lowered position.

[0092] Clause 5. The system (100) as described in Clause 2, wherein:

[0093] The latch (116) includes a hook portion (132) and a bar portion (134).

[0094] The hook portion (132) hooks onto the latch eye (107) and holds the flip door (118) in the lowered position based on the latch (116) being in the latched position.

[0095] As the post (104) is inserted into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108) and the flip door (118) is raised to the raised position, the post (106) pushes the lever portion (134) downward, thereby rotating the latch (116), so that the hook portion (132) disengages from the latch eye (107) and allows the flip door (118) to rise from the lowered position to the raised position.

[0096] Clause 6. The system (100) according to Clause 2, wherein a socket (114) extends from the body (112) such that the socket (114) receives a post (104) adjacent to the body (112).

[0097] Clause 7. The system (100) as described in Clause 2, wherein:

[0098] The latch (116) is rotatably coupled to at least one side of the body (112) and biased via at least one latch spring (128) connected between the latch (116) and at least one side, and

[0099] The latch (120) is rotatably coupled to at least one side of the body (112) and biased via at least one latch spring (130) connected between the latch (120) and the top (122) of the body (112).

[0100] Clause 8. The method (100) described in accordance with Clause 1 further includes:

[0101] The second latch (136) is configured to connect to the second flip door (138) adjacent to the flip door (118).

[0102] in:

[0103] With the latch (116) in the latched position, the latch (116) further engages with the second latch eye (136), thereby holding the second flip door (138) in the lowered position, and

[0104] Based on the insertion of the post (104) into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108), the pawl (106) engages with the latch (116) and rotates the latch (116) from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby allowing the second flip door (138) to rise from the lowered position to the raised position.

[0105] Clause 9. The method (100) described in accordance with Clause 1 further includes:

[0106] Flip-top door (118); and

[0107] Fixed structure (110),

[0108] in:

[0109] The fixed structure (110) includes a traveling surface (140) and a support frame (142), the support frame (142) having an inner surface (144) facing the space below the traveling surface (140), an outer surface (146) opposite to the space and opposite to the inner surface (144), and an opening (148) configured to receive a latch eye (107).

[0110] The safety latch mechanism (108) is coupled to the inner surface (144) of the support frame (142), and the travel surface (140) includes a hole (150) substantially aligned with the socket (114).

[0111] Clause 10. A system (200) for preventing a tilting gate (118) from rising without a guardrail (102) installed, the system (200) comprising:

[0112] The guardrail (102) includes two posts (168), each post (104) having a corresponding post claw (106);

[0113] Two latches (160) are configured to connect to a tilting door (118); and

[0114] Two safety latching mechanisms (174) are configured to be attached to a fixed structure (110) on opposite sides of the flip door (118), each safety latching mechanism (108) comprising:

[0115] Main body (112),

[0116] The socket (114) is configured to receive the post (104), and

[0117] A latch (116), rotatably connected to the body (112) and biased in a latched position, is configured to engage with a corresponding latch (107) of the two latch holes (160) and thereby hold the flip-top door (118) in the lowered position.

[0118] In this process, based on the insertion of the corresponding post (104) into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108), the corresponding pawl (106) engages with the latch (116) and rotates the latch (116) from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby allowing the flip door (118) to rise from the lowered position to the raised position.

[0119] Clause 11. The system (200) pursuant to Clause 10, wherein:

[0120] Each safety latch mechanism (108) further includes a pin latch (120) rotatably coupled to the body (112) and biased in a locked position.

[0121] Based on the fact that the flip door (118) is in the lowered position and the corresponding latch (107) engages the bolt (120), the bolt (120) is configured to remain in the unlocked position, and

[0122] Based on the insertion of the corresponding post (104) into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108) and the raising of the flip door (118) to the raised position, the corresponding latch eye (107) is configured to disengage from the post latch (120), thereby causing the post latch (120) to rotate from the unlocked position toward the corresponding post (104) to the locked position, so that the post latch (120) engages with the corresponding post (104) and holds the corresponding post (104) in the safety latch mechanism (108).

[0123] Clause 12. The system (200) according to Clause 11, wherein the bolt (120) is rotatably coupled to the latch (116) such that the bolt (120) rotates relative to and independently of the latch (116).

[0124] Clause 13. The system (200) pursuant to Clause 11, wherein:

[0125] As the flip door (118) lowers from the raised position to the lowered position, the corresponding latch (107) is configured to engage with the pin latch (120), causing the pin latch (120) to rotate from the locked position to the unlocked position and disengage from the corresponding pin (104), thereby allowing the corresponding pin (104) to be removed from the socket (114), and

[0126] Based on the removal of the corresponding post (104) from the socket (114), the latch (116) rotates from the unlatched position to the latched position, thereby engaging with the corresponding latch eye (107) and holding the flip door (118) in the lowered position.

[0127] Clause 14. The system (200) pursuant to Clause 11, wherein:

[0128] The latch (116) includes a hook portion (132) and a bar portion (134).

[0129] The hook portion (132) hooks onto the corresponding latch eye (107) and holds the flip door (118) in the lowered position based on the latch (116) being in the latched position.

[0130] Furthermore, based on the insertion of the corresponding post (104) into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108) and the raising of the flip door (118) to the raised position, the corresponding post (104) pushes the rod portion (134) downward, thereby causing the latch (116) to rotate, and the hook portion (132) disengages from the corresponding latch eye (107) and allows the flip door (118) to rise from the lowered position to the raised position.

[0131] Clause 15. The system (200) according to Clause 11, wherein a socket (114) extends from the body (112) such that the socket (114) receives a post (104) adjacent to the body (112).

[0132] Clause 16. The system (200) pursuant to Clause 11, wherein:

[0133] The latch (116) is rotatably coupled to at least one side of the body (112) and biased via at least one latch spring (128) connected between the latch (116) and at least one side, and

[0134] The latch (120) is rotatably coupled to at least one side of the body (112) and biased via at least one latch spring (130) connected between the latch (120) and the top (122) of the body (112).

[0135] Clause 17. The system (200) according to Clause 10, wherein the latch (116) of at least one of the two safety latching mechanisms (174) is further configured to engage with a second latch eye (136) of a second tilting door (138) adjacent to the tilting door (118), thereby holding the second tilting door (138) in the lowered position.

[0136] Clause 18. The method (200) described in accordance with Clause 10 further includes:

[0137] Flip-top door (118); and

[0138] Fixed structure (110),

[0139] in:

[0140] The fixed structure (110) includes a traveling surface (140) and a support frame (142), the support frame (142) having an inner surface (144) facing the space below the traveling surface (140) and an outer surface (146) opposite to the space and the inner surface (144), and a pair of orifices (176) configured to receive two latch holes (160).

[0141] The safety latch mechanism (108) is coupled to the inner surface (144) of the support frame (142), and the travel surface (140) includes a pair of holes (150, 152), each hole being substantially aligned with the socket (114) of the corresponding one of the two safety latch mechanisms (174).

[0142] Clause 19. A method (300) comprising:

[0143] Each of the two posts (168) of the guardrail (102) is positioned (302) near a corresponding socket (114) provided in one of two safety latching mechanisms (174) connected to a fixing structure (110) on the opposite side of the flip-top door (118). Each post (104) has a corresponding claw (106), and each safety latching mechanism (108) includes: a corresponding body (112) with the corresponding socket (114), and a corresponding latch (116). The latch is rotatably connected to the body (112) and biased in a latched position, which is configured to engage with a corresponding latch (107) in one of the two latches (160) connected to the flip door (118) to hold the flip door (118) in a lowered position, and a corresponding pin latch (120) is rotatably connected to the body (112), biased in a locked position and held in an unlocked position based on the flip door (118) being in the lowered position and the corresponding latch (107) engaging with the pin latch (120);

[0144] Insert (304) each of the two posts (168) into the corresponding socket (114) such that the corresponding pin (106) engages with the corresponding latch (116) and rotates the corresponding latch (116) from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby allowing the flip door (118) to rise from the lowered position to the raised position; and

[0145] Raising the flip door (118) from the lowered position (306) to the raised position disengages the corresponding latch (107) from the corresponding pin latch (120), and the corresponding pin latch (120) rotates from the unlocked position toward the corresponding pin (104) to the locked position, thereby engaging the corresponding pin latch (120) with the corresponding pin (104) and holding the corresponding pin (104) in the safety latch mechanism (108).

[0146] Clause 20. The method (300) described in accordance with Clause 19 further includes:

[0147] Lowering the flip door (118) from the raised position to the lowered position engages the corresponding latch (107) with the corresponding bolt (120), causing the corresponding bolt (120) to rotate from the locked position to the unlocked position and disengage from the corresponding bolt (104), thereby allowing the corresponding bolt (104) to be removed from the corresponding socket (114); and

[0148] Remove each of the corresponding posts (104) of the two posts (168) from the corresponding socket (114), thereby rotating the corresponding latch (116) to the latched position, thereby engaging with the corresponding latch eye (107) and holding the flip door (118) in the lowered position.

[0149] Various advantageous arrangements have been described for purposes of illustration and description, and are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the examples disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, different advantageous examples may describe different advantages compared to other advantageous examples. One or more examples have been selected and described in order to best explain the principles and practical applications of the examples, and to enable others skilled in the art to understand the various examples of this disclosure, which have various modifications suitable for particular use.

Claims

1. A system (100) for preventing a tilting gate (118) from rising without a guardrail (102) installed, the system (100) comprising: The guardrail (102) includes posts (104) having post claws (106); A latch (107) is configured to connect to a tilting door (118). as well as A safety latch mechanism (108) configured to be coupled to a fixed structure (110), the safety latch mechanism (108) comprising: Main body (112), The socket (114) is configured to receive the post (104), and A latch (116), rotatably coupled to the body (112) and biased in a latched position, the latched position being configured to engage with the latch eye (107) and thereby hold the flip door (118) in a lowered position. Wherein, based on the insertion of the post (104) into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108), the pawl (106) engages with the latch (116) and rotates the latch (116) from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby allowing the flip door (118) to rise from the lowered position to the raised position.

2. The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The safety latch mechanism (108) further includes a pin latch (120) rotatably coupled to the body (112) and biased in a locked position. The latch (107) is configured to engage with the bolt (120) based on the tilting door (118) being in the lowered position and to hold the bolt (120) in the unlocked position. As the post (104) is inserted into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108) and the flip door (118) is raised to the raised position, the latch eye (107) is configured to disengage from the post latch (120), thereby causing the post latch (120) to rotate from the unlocked position toward the post (104) to the locked position, whereby the post latch (120) engages with the post (104) and retains the post (104) in the safety latch mechanism (108).

3. The system (100) according to claim 2, wherein, The bolt (120) is rotatably connected to the latch (116) such that the bolt (120) rotates relative to and independently of the latch (116).

4. The system (100) according to claim 2, wherein: As the flip door (118) lowers from the raised position to the lowered position, the latch (107) is configured to engage with the pin latch (120), causing the pin latch (120) to rotate from the locked position to the unlocked position and disengage from the pin (104), thereby allowing the pin (104) to be removed from the socket (114), and As the post (104) is removed from the socket (114), the latch (116) rotates from the unlocked position to the latched position, thereby engaging the latch eye (107) and holding the flip door (118) in the lowered position.

5. The system (100) according to claim 2, wherein: The latch (116) includes a hook portion (132) and a bar portion (134). The hook portion (132) hooks onto the latch eye (107) and holds the flip door (118) in the lowered position based on the latch (116) being in the latched position. As the column (104) is inserted into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108) and the flip door (118) is raised to the raised position, the pawl (106) pushes the rod portion (134) downward, thereby rotating the latch (116), so that the hook portion (132) disengages from the latch eye (107) and allows the flip door (118) to rise from the lowered position to the raised position.

6. The system (100) according to claim 2, wherein, The socket (114) extends from the body (112) such that the socket (114) receives the post (104) adjacent to the body (112).

7. The system (100) according to claim 2, wherein: The latch (116) is rotatably coupled to at least one side of the body (112) and biased via at least one latch spring (128) connected between the latch (116) and the at least one side, and The latch (120) is rotatably coupled to at least one side of the body (112) and biased via at least one latch spring (130) connected between the latch (120) and the top (122) of the body (112).

8. The system (100) according to claim 1, further comprising: The second latch (136) is configured to connect to the second flip door (138) adjacent to the flip door (118). in: With the latch (116) in the latched position, the latch (116) further engages with the second latch eye (136), thereby holding the second flip door (138) in the lowered position, and Based on the insertion of the post (104) into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108), the pawl (106) engages with the latch (116) and rotates the latch (116) from the latched position to the unlatched position, thereby allowing the second flip door (138) to rise from the lowered position to the raised position.

9. The system (100) according to claim 1, further comprising: The flip door (118). as well as Fixed structure (110). in: The fixing structure (110) includes a walking surface (140) and a support frame (142), the support frame (142) having an inner surface (144) facing the space below the walking surface (140), an outer surface (146) opposite to the space and the inner surface (144), and an opening (148) configured to receive the latch eye (107). The safety latch mechanism (108) is coupled to the inner surface (144) of the support frame (142), and The walking surface (140) includes a hole (150) substantially aligned with the socket (114).

10. A system (200) for preventing a tilting gate (118) from rising without a guardrail (102) installed, the system (200) comprising: The guardrail (102) includes two posts, each post (104) having a corresponding post claw (106). Two latches are configured to connect to a flip door (118). as well as Two safety latching mechanisms are configured to be coupled to a fixed structure (110) on opposite sides of the tilting door (118), each safety latching mechanism (108) comprising: Main body (112), The socket (114) is configured to receive the post (104), and A latch (116), rotatably coupled to the body (112) and biased in a latched position, the latched position being configured to engage with a corresponding latch eye (107) in one of the two latch eyes and thereby holding the flip door (118) in a lowered position. Wherein, based on the insertion of the corresponding post (104) into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108), the corresponding pawl (106) engages with the latch (116) and rotates the latch (116) from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby allowing the flip door (118) to rise from the lowered position to the raised position.

11. The system (200) according to claim 10, wherein: Each safety latch mechanism (108) further includes a pin latch (120) rotatably coupled to the body (112) and biased in a locked position. Based on the fact that the flip door (118) is in the lowered position and the corresponding latch (107) engages the bolt (120), the bolt (120) is configured to remain in the unlocked position, and Based on the insertion of the corresponding post (104) into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108) and the raising of the flip door (118) to the raised position, the corresponding latch eye (107) is configured to disengage from the bolt (120), thereby causing the bolt (120) to rotate from the unlocked position toward the corresponding post (104) to the locked position, whereby the bolt (120) engages with the corresponding post (104) and holds the corresponding post (104) in the safety latch mechanism (108).

12. The system (200) according to claim 11, wherein, The bolt (120) is rotatably connected to the latch (116) such that the bolt (120) rotates relative to and independently of the latch (116).

13. The system (200) according to claim 11, wherein: As the flip door (118) lowers from the raised position to the lowered position, the corresponding latch (107) is configured to engage with the pin latch (120), causing the pin latch (120) to rotate from the locked position to the unlocked position and disengage from the corresponding pin (104), thereby allowing the corresponding pin (104) to be removed from the socket (114), and As the corresponding post (104) is removed from the socket (114), the latch (116) rotates from the unlocked position to the latched position, thereby engaging the corresponding latch eye (107) and holding the flip door (118) in the lowered position.

14. The system (200) according to claim 11, wherein: The latch (116) includes a hook portion (132) and a bar portion (134). The hook portion (132) hooks onto the corresponding latch eye (107) and holds the flip door (118) in the lowered position based on the latch (116) being in the latched position. Furthermore, based on the insertion of the corresponding post (104) into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108) and the raising of the flip door (118) to the raised position, the corresponding post (104) pushes the rod portion (134) downward, thereby rotating the latch (116), so that the hook portion (132) disengages from the corresponding latch eye (107) and allows the flip door (118) to rise from the lowered position to the raised position.

15. The system (200) according to claim 11, wherein, The socket (114) extends from the body (112) such that the socket (114) receives the post (104) adjacent to the body (112).

16. The system (200) according to claim 11, wherein: The latch (116) is rotatably coupled to at least one side of the body (112) and biased via at least one latch spring (128) connected between the latch (116) and the at least one side, and The latch (120) is rotatably coupled to at least one side of the body (112) and biased via at least one latch spring (130) connected between the latch (120) and the top (122) of the body (112).

17. The system (200) according to claim 10, wherein, The latch (116) of at least one of the two safety latching mechanisms is further configured to engage with the second latch eye (136) of the second flip door (138) adjacent to the flip door (118), thereby holding the second flip door (138) in the lowered position.

18. The system (200) according to claim 10, further comprising: The flip door (118); and The fixed structure (110). in: The fixing structure (110) includes a traveling surface (140) and a support frame (142), the support frame (142) having an inner surface (144) facing the space below the traveling surface (140) and an outer surface (146) opposite to the inner surface (144) and facing away from the space, and a pair of orifices (176) configured to receive the two latches. The safety latch mechanism (108) is coupled to the inner surface (144) of the support frame (142), and The walking surface (140) includes a pair of holes (150, 152), each hole being substantially aligned with the socket of the corresponding one of the two safety latching mechanisms.

19. A method (300) comprising: Each of the two posts of the guardrail (102) is positioned (302) near a corresponding socket (114), the socket being disposed in one of two safety latching mechanisms connected to a fixed structure (110) on the opposite side of the flip-up door (118). Each post (104) has a corresponding pawl (106), and each safety latching mechanism (108) includes: a corresponding body (112) having the corresponding socket (114), and a corresponding latch (116) rotatably connected. The body (112) is biased into a latched position, the latched position being configured to engage with a corresponding latch (107) in one of two latches connected to the flip door (118), thereby holding the flip door (118) in a lowered position, and a corresponding bolt (120) rotatably connected to the body (112), biased into a locked position, and held in an unlocked position based on the flip door (118) being in the lowered position and the corresponding latch (107) engaging with the bolt (120); Insert (304) each of the two pillars into the corresponding socket (114) such that the corresponding pawl (106) engages with the corresponding latch (116) and rotates the corresponding latch (116) from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby allowing the flip door (118) to rise from the lowered position to the raised position; and Raising the flip door (118) from the lowered position (306) to the raised position disengages the corresponding latch (107) from the corresponding bolt (120), and the corresponding bolt (120) rotates from the unlocked position toward the corresponding bolt (104) to the locked position, whereby the corresponding bolt (120) engages with the corresponding bolt (104) and holds the corresponding bolt (104) in the safety latch mechanism (108).

20. The method (300) according to claim 19, further comprising: Lowering the flip door (118) from the raised position to the lowered position engages the corresponding latch (107) with the corresponding bolt (120), causing the corresponding bolt (120) to rotate from the locked position to the unlocked position and disengage from the corresponding bolt (104), thereby allowing the corresponding bolt (104) to be removed from the corresponding socket (114); and Remove each of the two posts (104) from the corresponding socket (114) to rotate the corresponding latch (116) to the latch position, thereby engaging the corresponding latch eye (107) and holding the flip door (118) in the lowered position.

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