Walkable protective covering and methods for manufacturing a walkable protective covering

Abstract

Walkable protective cover (10) with several, in particular articulated, supporting elements (12) connected to one another, which together form a walkable supporting structure (14) with a walking surface (24), wherein the tread surface (24) is at least partially coated with a friction-enhancing coating (28) which is applied by means of vulcanization.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a walkable protective cover. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a walkable protective cover.

[0002] Document DE 10 2014 112 106 A1 relates to a telescopic protective cover with protective slats which overlap in an overlapping area when viewed in a telescopic direction.

[0003] Document DE 10 2015 120 371 B3 discloses a safety mat for securing an electrically driven system.

[0004] Document DE 100 65 065 A1 discloses a link apron for covering movable machine tool parts with a plurality of articulated links.

[0005] The documents DE 10 06 696 A, JP 2012- 096 340 A and DE 20 2014 007 039 U1 disclose further prior art.

[0006] Walk-on protective covers are formed by several interconnected support elements and are used, for example, to cover sections of machinery. The protective cover forms a substantially horizontal, flat surface that is cantilevered above the section of the machine and supported laterally by a single edge. One requirement for such walk-on protective covers is that a full-grown male person can step onto the surface of the protective cover and walk around on it while being supported by the protective cover. The surface of the protective cover thus serves as a walking surface.

[0007] Especially if the tread surface is slightly sloping and / or there is a friction-reducing medium such as oil on the tread surface of the protective cover, there is a risk that a person will slip and injure themselves when stepping onto the tread surface.

[0008] To solve this problem, so-called anti-slip tape, similar to the adhesive coating on skateboards, was applied to the protective cover in the past. However, it has been found that this adhesive anti-slip tape detaches too easily from the supporting elements. In particular, when the anti-slip tape comes into contact with chemicals such as acids and bases, the adhesive bond between the supporting elements and the anti-slip tape can be damaged. In addition, the anti-slip tape can be damaged by mechanical stress. Solutions that are sprayed on like paint also only last for a short time and are therefore inadequate. Another known solution from the state of the art is to roughen the tread of the protective cover by milling grooves into the tread on some supporting elements.However, these grooves often fill with oil or dust, which can make the tread surface in the grooved area even more slippery than in the non-grooved area. It is also common practice to attach riveted or welded spikes or anti-slip hooks made of metal materials to the tread surface of walkable protective covers. This solution has the disadvantage that the attached structures are relatively high, increasing the risk of tripping. Furthermore, this solution creates problems when winding up the protective cover.

[0009] An object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the known walkable protective covers and thus to provide a walkable protective cover which reliably prevents persons from slipping on the tread surface over a long period of time and thus enables the protective cover to be walked on safely.

[0010] The object is achieved by a walkable protective cover having the features of claim 1 and in particular in that the tread surface, ie the surface of the protective cover, is at least partially coated with a friction-increasing coating which is applied by vulcanization.

[0011] Vulcanization creates a relatively thin coating that adheres well to the supporting elements, making it ideal as an anti-slip coating. Furthermore, the coating applied by vulcanization protects the underlying supporting elements from chemical and mechanical stress.

[0012] Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. In particular, the aspects described with respect to the device are also advantageous embodiments of the claimed method, and vice versa.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment, the coating has raised portions. The raised portions can be formed as dots on the tread surface. Alternatively, the raised portions can be formed as ribs on the tread surface, i.e., they can extend along the tread surface in a main direction of extension. Such raised portions are particularly easy to produce using vulcanization and can further improve the slip resistance of the tread surface.

[0014] In order to make the coating oil and / or acid resistant, the coating may comprise at least one of the following materials: acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, fluorocarbon rubber and ethylene propylene diene rubber.

[0015] To further alert users to the need for caution when walking on the protective cover, the coating can contain a dye, preferably in a high-visibility color. For example, shades of red or orange are suitable. To ensure the protective cover's tread surface is visible even in the dark, a fluorescent color could be used.

[0016] To ensure the supporting elements of the protective cover are as rigid as possible, the supporting elements can be designed as profiles, particularly as closed hollow profiles. To allow the individual profiles to pivot relative to each other, the profiles of the protective cover can have a C-shaped section and an opposing circular section. In this case, the circular sections can be inserted into the C-shaped sections of adjacent profiles, thereby forming a pivot joint with a defined pivot axis between two adjacent profiles.

[0017] To ensure that the protective cover can withstand dynamic loads without damage, it is advantageous if the protective cover is designed for at least a static load of 150 kg / 900 cm 2 is designed.

[0018] In principle, it is conceivable to coat the entire tread surface by vulcanization. However, it is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly to only partially coat the tread surface. According to a particularly cost-effective variant, the tread surface is formed by coated and uncoated support elements. Preferably, the coated support elements on the tread surface are completely coated with the friction-increasing coating. However, a lateral area of ​​the upper side of the coated support element can remain uncoated to ensure smooth sliding in a guide rail.

[0019] To ensure that the sole of a person walking on the protective covering always maintains contact with a coated area of ​​the tread, the coated areas of the tread should be no more than 25 cm apart, and in particular no more than 20 cm apart. In other words, uncoated areas of the tread should be no wider than 25 cm, and in particular no wider than 20 cm.

[0020] Preferably, the support elements are made of a metallic material. For example, the support elements can be made of stainless steel or an aluminum alloy. Alternatively, the support elements can be made of a plastic or a fiber composite material.

[0021] The protective cover can be designed to selectively open or close an opening. For this purpose, the protective cover can comprise lateral guide rails in which the protective cover can be moved between an open position and a closed position. The protective cover can further comprise a roller onto which the protective cover can be rolled up in the open position. For this purpose, the protective cover should be designed to be rollable, i.e. to comprise support elements that are articulated, in particular pivotable, to one another. So that the protective cover can be moved automatically from its closed position to its open position and back again, the protective cover preferably has a drive. The drive can, for example, drive the roller to wind up or unwind the protective cover.

[0022] The previously described walkable protective cover is particularly suitable for use as a pit cover. However, other applications requiring a walkable protective cover are also conceivable. Such protective covers are particularly suitable for use in special-purpose machinery.

[0023] The invention also relates to a method for producing a walkable protective cover comprising: - Inserting a support element into a tool cavity; - Applying a primer to a part of the supporting element to be coated; - Closing the tool; - Vulcanizing a friction-increasing coating onto the supporting element; - Removing the support element from the tool; - Connecting the support element to other support elements to obtain a protective cover.

[0024] During the vulcanization of the friction-enhancing coating, the mold is closed. Additionally, the base material for the coating is heated and subjected to pressure, causing the material to vulcanize.

[0025] Preferably, the surface portion of the support element to be coated is roughened to improve adhesion of the coating. It is advisable to roughen the surface portion of the support element to be coated before the support element is inserted into the tool.

[0026] To increase the slip resistance of the protective cover, raised areas can be formed during the vulcanization of the friction-enhancing coating. The raised areas can be created by molding recesses in the tool that represent negatives of the raised areas.

[0027] To allow the protective cover to be rolled up, the supporting elements can be connected to each other in an articulated or pivoting manner.

[0028] The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a walkable protective cover according to the invention; Fig. 2 another perspective view of the protective cover of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a detailed view of a tread of the protective cover of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 another perspective view of the protective cover of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 a perspective detailed view of the supporting elements forming the tread; Fig. 6 a front view of the protective cover of Fig. 1; Fig. 7 a plan view of the protective cover of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 a rear view of the protective cover of Fig. 1; Fig. 9 a side view of the supporting elements of Fig. 5; Fig. 10 is a flow chart of a manufacturing method according to the invention for the protective cover of Fig. 1.

[0029] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows a walkable protective cover 10 comprising a plurality of support elements 12. The support elements 12 are connected to one another and together form a support structure 14. The support structure 14 spans a pit 16 by extending from one edge 18 of a pit opening 20 to an opposite edge 22 of the pit opening 20. The upper side of the support structure 14 forms a horizontal tread 24. The support structure 14 is designed to be rigid so that a person 26 can stand and walk on the tread 24 without damaging the support structure 14.

[0030] As particularly in the Fig. 3 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 5, coated support elements 12a are provided at regular intervals. These support elements 12a are rubberized, i.e., a friction-increasing coating 28 made of plastic is vulcanized onto the support elements 12a. Elevations 29 in the form of knobs are formed on the upper side of the friction-increasing coating 28. The friction-increasing coating 28, applied by vulcanization, enables the person 26 to walk along the tread 24 of the walkable protective cover 10 without slipping. In order for the friction-increasing coating 28 to be oil- and acid-resistant, it is advantageous if it consists predominantly of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, fluorocarbon rubber, and / or ethylene propylene diene rubber. In addition, additives such as color pigments can be added to give the friction-increasing coating a desired color.

[0031] As also in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, not all supporting elements 12 are coated. In other words, in addition to the coated supporting elements 12a, uncoated supporting elements 12b are also part of the supporting structure. As shown, for example, in Fig. 5, in the present case the support elements 12 are designed as profiles. The profiles 12 extend from one edge 18 to the other edge 22. In order to be light yet rigid, the profiles 12 are designed as closed hollow profiles. So that the entire support structure 14 can be rolled up and stored in an open position in a housing 31 (see Fig. 4), the individual profiles 12 are pivotally connected to each other. As shown particularly in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, each of the profiles 12, except possibly for end profiles, has a C-shaped section 30 that surrounds a circular section 32 of an adjacent profile 12 and, together with the circular section 32, forms a pivot joint 34. A distance A between two adjacent pivot joints is preferably in the range between 10 and 40 mm, so that the support structure 14 can be easily wound up. A distance A between 20 and 30 mm is preferred.

[0032] In order for the support structure 14 to be wound up automatically, the housing 31 ( Fig. 4) a roller (not shown) is provided. The roller is driven by a drive motor 38 via a drive shaft 36 in opposite directions of rotation in order to wind or unwind the support structure 14. In an open position exposing the pit 16, the support structure 14 is wound onto the roller and stowed in the housing 31. In a state covering the pit 16, however, the support structure 14 is unrolled from the roller and extends between two guide rails 40, 42 ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). The two guide rails 40, 42 run along the edges 18, 22 of the pit opening 20. The guide rails 40, 42 preferably extend along horizontal straight lines and parallel to each other, so that the support structure 14 guided between the guide rails 40, 42 forms a substantially horizontal tread surface 24.

[0033] As particularly in Fig. 6, the walkable protective cover 10 can have a stair-like access in the form of several treads 24, 44 arranged at different heights. This makes it easier for people 26 to climb onto the highest tread 24. As also shown in Fig. 6, the walkable protective cover 10 can have a plurality of height-adjustable feet 46 in order to align the tread surface 24 and / or the tread surface 44 horizontally.

[0034] In Fig.10 shows a flow diagram of a method for producing the walkable protective cover 10 described above. In a first step 100, the surface section of a support element 12a to be coated is roughened to improve adhesion of the friction-increasing coating 28 that will be applied later. Subsequently, in a second step 200, the support element 12a is introduced into a mold cavity. This can be done either manually by a person or by a robot. Before or after the insertion of the support element 12a, in a third step 300, a primer, which is also frequently referred to as a flux, is applied to the support element 12a. It is important that the upper side of the support element 12a to be coated is completely wetted with the primer. Subsequently, in a fourth step 400, blanks made of natural rubber or synthetic rubber are placed on the areas to be coated, and the mold is then closed.In a fifth step 500, the blanks are vulcanized under high pressure and high temperature, so that a friction-increasing coating 28 firmly bonded to the support element 12a forms on the support element 12a. In this process, elevations 29 can be formed on the surface of the friction-increasing coating 28. Subsequently, in a sixth step 600, the coated support element 12a is removed from the tool, i.e., from the tool cavity. Subsequently, in a seventh step 700, the support element 12a is connected to another support element 12, preferably an uncoated support element 12b. The support elements 12a and 12b can be connected to one another such that the two support elements 12a and 12b are pivotally connected to one another. In this way, the support structure 14 formed from the support elements 12a and 12b can be rolled up. List of reference symbols 10 walkable protective covers 12 supporting element 14 Supporting structure 16 pit 18 rand 20 pit opening 22 edges 24 Tread 26 people 28 friction-increasing coating 29 surveys 30 C-shaped section 31 housings 32 circular section 34 Swivel joint 36 Drive shaft 38 drive motor 40 guide rail 42 guide rail 44 Tread 46 feet 100 first step 200 second step 300 third step 400 fourth step 500 fifth step 600 sixth step 700 seventh step A distance

Claims

[1] Walk-on protective cover (10) with a plurality of support elements (12), in particular articulated, connected to one another, which together form a walkable support structure (14) with a tread surface (24), wherein the tread surface (24) is at least partially coated with a friction-increasing coating (28) which is applied by vulcanization. [2] Walkable protective cover (10) according to claim 1, wherein the friction-increasing coating (28) has elevations (29), in particular in the form of knobs. [3] Walkable protective cover (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the friction-increasing coating (28) comprises at least one of the following materials: acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, fluorocarbon rubber and ethylene propylene diene rubber. [4] Walkable protective cover (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the friction-increasing coating (28) contains a dye, in particular a signal dye. [5] Walkable protective cover (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting elements (12) are designed as profiles, in particular as closed hollow profiles. [6] Walkable protective cover (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the protective cover (10) can withstand a load of at least 150 kg / 900 cm 2 withstands. [7] Walkable protective cover (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein several of the support elements (12a) are each coated with the friction-increasing coating (28) on an upper side forming the tread surface (24) and at least one uncoated support element (12b) is arranged between the coated support elements (12a). [8] Walkable protective cover (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting elements (12) are made of a metallic material, preferably of stainless steel or aluminum. [9] Use of a walkable protective cover (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims as a pit cover or machine tool protective cover. [10] Method for producing a walkable protective cover, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: Inserting (200) a support element (12) into a tool cavity; Applying (300) a primer to a part of the support element (12) to be coated; Placing (400) plastic blanks and closing the tool; Vulcanizing (500) a friction-increasing coating (28) onto the support element (12); Removing (600) the support element (12) from the tool; Connecting (700) the support element (12) to other support elements (12) to form a protective cover (10). [11] Method according to claim 10, wherein the surface portion of the support element (12) to be coated is roughened (100) in order to improve adhesion of the coating (28). [12] Method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein elevations (29) are formed during the vulcanization (500) of the friction-increasing coating (28). [13] Method according to at least one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the support elements (12) are connected to one another in an articulated manner.

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