Fall-through protection

Abstract

Fall-through protection, in particular for openings that are not considered fall-through resistant, such as roof or floor openings, comprising a plurality of flat elements (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) which are connected and fixed to one another in a grid-like pattern with rectangular openings (11) extending in the longitudinal and transverse directions, characterized in that an opening (22) is provided at at least one end of each of the flat elements (12, 14, 16, 18, 20), and that a rod (32, 34) is inserted through the openings (22) and fixed to secure adjacent flat elements (12, 14, 16, 18, 20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fall-through protection device, particularly for openings that are not considered fall-through-safe, such as roof or floor openings. To prevent accidents, fall-through protection devices are required, for example, for the opening itself or for bases in smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems (SHEVs). The state of the art includes grilles in various materials and shapes.

[0002] DE 10 2017 109 317 A1 discloses a fall-through protection device for a continuous skylight frame or a base frame, comprising a protective grille formed from longitudinal bars and transverse bars, the edge of which is secured to the frame of the continuous skylight. To secure the edge of the protective grille to the frame, retaining elements are provided on the frame in sections that can be connected to the edge of the protective grille. The protective grille consists of sections of a mat whose edge, in operative connection with the retaining elements on the frame, allows, on the one hand, deformation of the protective grille edge and, on the other hand, deformation of the retaining elements on the frame itself when a load is absorbed.

[0003] DE 10 2016 116 236 A1 discloses a fall-through protection device for skylights or strip lights, which is mounted below the glazing of the dome or strip light. This device comprises a plurality of grid-like, elongated safety elements, which are positively connected to the adjacent safety element along their longitudinal edges by means of longitudinal folds and are each attached at at least one of their ends to the associated edge of the skylight or strip light. Suspension strips are provided on the skylight or strip light, and the ends are configured as cooperating fastening tabs.

[0004] From DE 20 2010 000 501 U1 a fall-through protection device for a frame or a base of a light, smoke or heat extraction dome is known, the frame of which is fastened to the frame and / or the base, wherein for fixing the frame of the protective grille to the frame and / or to the base of the frame, holding elements are provided in sections which form supports on the frame frame or base frame.

[0005] The existing fall protection systems must be specifically adapted to a specific size. This entails considerable costs due to the manufacturing and, in particular, the storage of numerous different sizes.

[0006] From DE 201 17 790 U1 a fall-through protection device for a roof opening is known, which consists of a grid which is composed of grid bars or which consists of flat bars aligned parallel to one another or which consists of flat bars which can be detachably connected to a base frame, wherein the grid bars have constrictions at their ends and recesses for the grid bars corresponding to the area of ​​the grid bars to be inserted are provided in the base frame, wherein the grid bars are secured against being pulled out by twisting them around their longitudinal axis by means of an actuator by the projections.

[0007] From GB 2 306 187 A, a fall-through protection device for a roof opening is also known, which has a grid formed from a plurality of flat elements which can be plugged together in the longitudinal and transverse directions to form a grid-shaped grid with rectangular openings and can be fixed to one another.

[0008] This makes manufacturing easier. However, the flat elements must be fixed together in a suitable manner, which can be quite complex.

[0009] Against this background, the object of the invention is to create a fall protection device that can be adapted to different sizes as easily as possible and that can be manufactured as simply and cost-effectively as possible.

[0010] This object is achieved according to the invention in a fall-through protection device of the type mentioned above in that an opening is provided on at least one end of each of the flat elements, and that a rod is inserted through the openings and secured to secure adjacent flat elements. For securing purposes, end-mounted screw connections or securing elements, such as split pins, can be provided.

[0011] The object of the invention is thus completely solved.

[0012] According to the invention, this ensures particularly simple fixing of the flat elements.

[0013] The flat elements can be manufactured and stored in different lengths for different sizes and, if required, longitudinally running flat elements of a given size can be plugged together with transversely running flat elements of another given size and secured to one another.

[0014] It is also conceivable to store flat elements with slots of uniform length and to shorten them to the desired length if necessary.

[0015] This significantly simplifies the production and installation of fall protection systems of various sizes. Delivery times and storage costs are significantly reduced, as only flat elements need to be adjusted or kept in different lengths.

[0016] According to a further embodiment of the invention, slots extending from the top and / or bottom of the flat elements are provided.

[0017] The slots make it easy to fit intersecting flat elements together to form a grid.

[0018] In this case, preferably a slot extending from the top side of a flat element can be inserted into a slot extending from the bottom side of another flat element.

[0019] Each slot preferably extends at least half the height of a flat element. In this way, intersecting flat elements can interlock in such a way that the resulting grid-like lattice forms a flat surface.

[0020] Furthermore, flat elements running in a first direction can be provided with slots that extend alternately from the top side and the bottom side, and in a second direction running transversely thereto, flat elements can be provided with slots that extend only from the top side or only from the bottom side.

[0021] This makes assembly easier.

[0022] No welds are required at the intersection points to secure the flat elements together. Screw connections, rivets, or clamps can be used to secure the flat elements together.

[0023] Preferably, openings are provided on both ends of the flat elements to accommodate a rod.

[0024] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the rods are designed as threaded rods which are provided with threaded sections throughout or at the ends onto which nuts can be screwed.

[0025] This makes it particularly easy to attach the flat elements to one another.

[0026] The flat elements can be made of aluminum, steel, iron, another metal or plastic.

[0027] The flat elements are particularly preferably made of aluminum sheet or aluminum profile, which ensures simple and very cost-effective production and good corrosion protection.

[0028] It is understood that the features of the invention mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0029] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment. It shows: Fig. 1: a perspective view of a fall-through protection device according to the invention; and Fig. 2: an enlarged section of the Fig. 1 marked area with three flat elements in an enlarged exploded view in a position for plugging together.

[0030] In Fig. 1, a fall-through protection device according to the invention is shown in perspective and is designated overall by the number 10. The fall-through protection device 10 consists of a plurality of flat elements 12, 14, which are connected by means of mutually facing slots 24, 26 (cf. Fig. 2) are assembled to form a grid-like structure. This creates square openings 11 between the flat elements 12, 14.

[0031] In order to ensure easy assembly of the fall protection grid 10 from flat elements 12, 14 according to Fig. 1, the individual flat elements 16, 18, 20, as shown in Fig. 2, slots 24 are provided at the respective grid spacings, which start from the underside and extend at least over half, as well as slots 26 starting from the top, which also extend at least over half the height of the flat elements 16, 18, 20 and 12, 14 respectively.

[0032] Thus, the flat element 18 can be plugged together with the flat element 20, as indicated by the arrow 30 in Fig. 2. Furthermore, the flat element 16 can be plugged together with the flat element 18, as indicated by the arrow 28.

[0033] In order to fix the flat elements 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 to one another, openings 22 are provided on both ends of the flat elements (cf. Fig. 2).

[0034] Thus, a threaded rod 32 can be inserted through each of the openings 22 provided at the end of the grid-shaped grid and secured at the end by means of a screw connection 36. For this purpose, threaded rods of appropriate length are preferably used. These are provided with threaded sections at the ends and can be screwed onto the nuts. Alternatively, rods can be used that are provided with securing elements at their ends, for example in the form of split pins that are inserted through corresponding openings.

[0035] The pluggable design of the fall protection system 10 results in considerable cost savings in production and assembly and, in particular, shorter delivery times due to storage.

[0036] To provide various sizes of fall protection, only flat elements 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 of appropriate lengths and the corresponding threaded rods 34 and nuts need to be kept ready or adapted. Thus, flat elements 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 of a uniform length can be kept ready, shortened to the desired length, and only then, if necessary, provided with openings at the ends.

[0037] It goes without saying that the fall-through protection 10 complies with the relevant standards, such as the GS-Bau guideline 18:02 / 2015, and EN 1873 or EN 14963.

Claims

[1] Fall-through protection, in particular for openings which are not considered to be fall-through-proof, such as roof or floor openings, comprising a plurality of flat elements (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) which are fitted together and fixed to one another in the longitudinal and transverse directions to form a grid-like grid with rectangular openings (11), characterized by that an opening (22) is provided on at least one end of each of the flat elements (12, 14, 16, 18, 20), and that a rod (32, 34) is inserted through the openings (22) and fixed in place to secure adjacent flat elements (12, 14, 16, 18, 20). [2] Fall-through protection according to claim 1, characterized by that slots extending from the top and / or bottom are provided on the flat elements (12, 14, 16, 18, 20). [3] Fall-through protection according to claim 2, characterized byin that a slot (26) of a flat element (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) extending from the top side can be inserted into a slot (24) extending from the bottom side of another flat element (12, 14, 16, 18, 20). [4] Fall protection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that flat elements (18) extending in a first direction are provided with slots (26) which extend alternately from the top side and the bottom side, and in a second direction extending transversely thereto flat elements (16, 20) are provided with slots (24) which extend only from the top side or only from the bottom side. [5] Fall protection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the flat elements (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) can be fixed to one another by screw connections, rivets or clamping elements. [6] Fall protection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the rod (32, 34) can be secured at the end by means of screw connections or other fastening elements (36). [7] Fall protection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that openings (22) for receiving a rod (32, 34) are provided on the flat elements (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) at both ends. [8] Fall protection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the rods (32, 34) are designed as threaded rods which are provided with threaded sections throughout or at the ends onto which nuts can be screwed. [9] Fall-through protection according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the rods (32, 34) can be secured at the ends with securing elements, such as split pins. [10] Fall protection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the flat elements (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) are made of aluminum, steel, iron, another metal or plastic. [11] Fall-through protection according to claim 10, characterized by that the flat elements (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) consist of aluminum sheet or aluminum profile.

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