Safety device

Abstract

A safety device (1), particularly for operations for laying and maintenance of covering slabs (A, B) for roofs of buildings, the slabs (A, B) being configured to be arranged with respective edges on contiguous beams (C) that define the supporting structure of the building roof; the device (1) comprises: a frame (2) provided with a footing (3) having at least one accommodation surface (4, 5) for at least one slab (A, B) and an opening (6), contiguous with the at least one accommodation surface (4, 5), for the passage of the at least one slab (A, B) and for laying it on portions of the beams (C); at least one post (7) which protrudes downward and is configured for abutment against corresponding regions of contiguous beams (C), with consequent resting and support of the frame (2); an upper frame structure (8) provided with at least one element (9) configured for the coupling of a first end of at least one safety component (10) of type chosen from a rope, a strap, a cable, a chain and combinations thereof. The second end of such at least one component (10) can be stably anchored to a safety harness (11) worn by a respective operator (D).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a safety device for use in operations to lay and maintain roofs and structures for covering buildings and construction works in general.

[0002] During the construction of a building (or the erection of an edifice in general) an extremely delicate and hazardous stage is the laying of the structural elements that make up the roof.

[0003] Normally these elements are made with shape and dimensions that enable portions of them to be placed on structural parts (generally beams or pillars) of the building under construction.

[0004] In some cases, the laying of such elements is done manually by operators who handle the operations of moving these elements and placing them on respective supports.

[0005] Similarly, also in roof maintenance operations (for example to replace damaged elements or replace all the elements present with others which have better technical performance), the operators have to remove the elements present on the roof and replace them with new elements.

[0006] During all these operations, the designated operators are exposed to an extremely high risk of falling, in that the absence of the covering elements (because the roof is under construction or because the element, or elements, has / have been removed to replace it / them) makes any fall potentially fatal (because the operator is at a great height with respect to the ground).

[0007] The use is known of harnesses (worn by each operator) which are fixed by way of cables or straps (in general lifelines) to specific components which are rigidly coupled to the building (i.e. dedicated anchoring fixtures). These technical solutions prevent the operator from falling to the ground, but compromise his or her work because they constrain his or her movements and they can interfere with the activities of laying the new covering elements.

[0008] The principal aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned drawbacks, by proposing a safety device that prevents falls to the ground of operators who are performing activities of laying and / or maintenance of the roof of a building.

[0009] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to propose a safety device that does not in any way obstruct the activities of laying and / or maintenance of the roof of a building.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to propose a safety device that is simple to use.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to propose a safety device that is adapted substantially to any edifice and / or building structure.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to propose a safety device that is easily transported.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a safety device at low cost, which is easily and practically implemented, and is safe in use.

[0014] This aim and these and other objects that will become more apparent hereinafter are achieved by a safety device particularly for operations for laying and maintenance of covering slabs for roofs of buildings, slabs of the type configured to be arranged with respective edges on contiguous beams that define the supporting structure of the building roof, characterized in that it comprises a frame provided with: a footing having at least one accommodation surface for at least one slab and an opening, contiguous with said at least one accommodation surface, for the passage of said at least one slab and for laying it on portions of said beams; at least one post which protrudes downward and is configured for abutment against corresponding regions of contiguous beams, with consequent resting on, and support of said frame by, said beams through said at least one post; an upper frame structure provided with at least one element configured for the coupling of a first end of at least one safety component of type chosen from a rope, a strap, a cable, a chain and combinations thereof, said at least one component having its second end which can be stably anchored to a safety harness worn by a respective operator.

[0015] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the safety device, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic front elevation view of a possible embodiment of a safety device 1 according to the invention during its use; Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the device of Figure 1 during its use; Figure 3 is a schematic view from above of the device of Figure 1 during its use.

[0016] With particular reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a safety device according to the invention, particularly for operations for laying and maintenance of covering slabs A, B for roofs of buildings.

[0017] The slabs A, B of principal interest in the present description are of the type configured to be arranged with respective edges on contiguous beams C that define the supporting structure of the building roof on which the operations of laying and / or maintenance and / or replacement of specific parts are being performed.

[0018] The device 1 comprises a frame 2.

[0019] The frame 2 is in turn provided with a footing 3 having at least one accommodation surface 4, 5 for at least one slab A, B and an opening 6, contiguous with the at least one accommodation surface 4, 5, for the passage of at least one slab A, B and for laying it on portions of the beams C.

[0020] The frame 2 further comprises at least one post 7 which protrudes downward and is configured for abutment against corresponding regions of contiguous beams C: this particular shape structure ensures that the frame 2 rests on and is supported by the beams C through the at least one post 7.

[0021] The frame 2 lastly comprises an upper frame structure 8 provided with at least one element 9 configured for the coupling of a first end of at least one safety component 10 of type chosen from a rope, a strap, a cable, a chain and combinations thereof.

[0022] The component 10 could profitably be an adjustable positioning cord of the type defined by the EN 358 / 1999 standard, although the possibility is not ruled out of using other types of components 10 as a function of the specific applications and of the current regulations in the country where the device 1 is used.

[0023] A second end of the component 10 can be stably anchored to a safety harness 11 worn by a respective operator D.

[0024] The harness 1 could positively be a body harness of the type defined by the EN 361 / 2003 standard with sternal anchoring, although the possibility is not ruled out of using other types of harness as a function of the specific applications and of the current regulations in the country where the device 1 is used.

[0025] With particular reference to an embodiment of undoubted practical and applicative interest, shown by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying figures, the accommodation surfaces 4, 5 are at least two in number: a first surface 4 is configured to accommodate at least one slab B removed from the roof being worked on (therefore the slab B is already used and needs to be replaced), and a second accommodation surface 5 is configured to accommodate at least one new slab B to be laid on the roof being worked on (in replacement of the slab A removed from that roof).

[0026] This particular embodiment is particularly adapted for the execution of maintenance operations that involve the replacement of slabs A (for example because they are broken, worn, or no longer fit for the service required of them owing to the aging of the material of which they are made, as a result of environmental and atmospheric effects). The device 1 according to this embodiment can positively be used also for a first laying of the slabs B on the beams C of a building under construction: in such case, both of the surfaces 4 and 5 could be used to accommodate new slabs B, so increasing the number of slabs B available to the operators D before they need to request a new supply (the new slabs will be laid on the surfaces 4, 5 for example using a crane or a mechanical arm).

[0027] The frame structure 8 comprises at least two perimetric columns 12, 13, 14, 15 which are configured to support, optionally with the interposition of further structural elements, at least one longitudinal member 16 which is coupled to the at least one element 9 which is configured to couple a first end of at least one safety component 10 of the type chosen from a rope, a strap, a cable, a chain and combinations thereof.

[0028] In more detail it should be noted that in the embodiment shown by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying figures, the columns 12, 13, 14, 15 are four in number, and are locked on the footing 3 substantially proximate to the vertices of the outline of the opening 6 present therein.

[0029] The upper heads of the columns 12, 13, 14, 15 are mutually interconnected by means of contiguous structural bands 17, 18, 19, 20 arranged according to a shape and dimensions that are close to those of the outline of the opening 6 in the footing 3.

[0030] The structural band 17 is between the heads of the columns 12 and 13 and connects them rigidly; the structural band 18 is between the heads of the columns 14 and 15 and connects them rigidly; the structural band 19 is between the heads of the columns 12 and 14 and connects them rigidly; the structural band 20 is between the heads of the columns 13 and 15 and connects them rigidly.

[0031] The longitudinal member 16 is integral, via respective end faces thereof, with a first pair of mutually opposite bands 17 and 18, and is parallel to and interposed between a second pair of bands 19 and 20, also mutually opposite (and substantially at right angles to the bands 17 and 18).

[0032] It should further be noted that the at least one element 9 (which is configured to couple a first end of at least one safety component 10 of type chosen from a rope, a strap, a cable, a chain and combinations thereof), comprises a fall-preventing anchoring unit of the type of a lifeline: the anchoring unit thus defined is coupled, in a lower region, to the longitudinal member 16.

[0033] The lifeline that the anchoring unit constitutes can be a temporary lifeline of the B / B type defined by the EN795 / 2012 standard: in particular, there can even be two separate lifelines present, according to the number of operators D that will need to operate on the device 1.

[0034] The first end of at least one safety component 10 (of type chosen from a rope, a strap, a cable, a chain) can advantageously comprise fixing means that can be coupled slideably to the anchoring unit.

[0035] In this manner, the operator D can move about freely in the direction of the of the longitudinal member 16 by virtue of the fact that the fixing means can slide along the anchoring unit while remaining positively coupled thereto (and thus keeping the operator D coupled to the fixing means in total safety).

[0036] It should further be noted that the frame structure 8 can advantageously comprise perimetric containment railings 21: by virtue of these railings 21 the operators D will not risk falling outside the device 1 while executing the operations of laying and / or removing and / or replacing the slab A, B.

[0037] The posts 7 which protrude downwardly from the frame 2 are in a plurality, and are distributed below the footing 3 to support the frame 2: the adoption of a plurality of posts enables a superior distribution of the weight of the device 1 on separate portions of the beams C, so favoring the stability of the device 1 proper during its use.

[0038] With particular reference to the embodiment shown by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying figures, each post 7 protruding downwardly from the footing 3 (which is configured to abut against corresponding areas of contiguous beams C) comprises at least one respective rolling body 22, pivoted freely at its end (for example wheels, rollers, pins, idle ball sliders and the like).

[0039] The rolling body 22 is configured to rest on a corresponding area of a respective beam C, so as to facilitate the movement of the device 1 along the contiguous beams C on which it rests.

[0040] It should be noted that the frame 2 of the device 1 can be conveniently made of a material selected from steel, metal alloys, composite material comprising carbon fiber, composite material comprising glass fiber, composite material comprising aramid fiber, wood and derivatives thereof, polymeric material, and combinations thereof.

[0041] The device 1 according to the invention fully guards against the possible fall of an operator D who wears the harness 11 and is connected by the component 10 to the element 9.

[0042] If the operator D should lose his or her balance, he or she will remain suspended and can be assisted by unfastening him or her from the lifeline of the element 9 and lowering him or her to the ground by the necessary height (for example, factoring a distance of 6 m between the working height and the ground).

[0043] Alternatively, it is also possible (using longer components 10) to operate at much greater heights from the ground, but without the possibility of lowering the fallen operator D to the ground.

[0044] Advantageously the present invention solves the above mentioned problems, by providing a safety device 1 that prevents falls to the ground of operators who are performing activities of laying and / or maintenance of the roof of a building.

[0045] The operators D, being above the area of the roof on which to place (or remove) a slab B (or A), will be particularly benefited in the execution of this operation in total safety. In the event of an accidental fall, because they are coupled to the element 9 which is integral with the longitudinal member 16, their free-fall will be very limited (of the order of a few tens of centimeters, for example 50-60 cm) as a function of the elastic deformations of the element 9 and of the component 10. Such a contained free fall will prevent any injury to the operator D.

[0046] Conveniently, the safety device 1 does not hinder in any way the activities of laying and / or maintenance of the roof of a building, as the component 10 is coupled slideably to the element 9.

[0047] Advantageously the safety device 1 is simple to use. In fact, once it is placed on the roof, using a crane or a mechanical arm, the operators D can handle it and move it along the tracks C on their own, while always remaining under conditions of total safety.

[0048] Profitably the safety device 1 is substantially adapted to any edifice and / or building structure.

[0049] Positively the safety device 1 is easily transported.

[0050] Positively the safety device 1 according to the invention is easily and practically implemented and is low cost: such characteristics make the device 1 according to the invention an innovation that is safe in use.

[0051] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0052] In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

[0053] In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0054] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102024000028392 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0055] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A safety device particularly for operations for laying and maintenance of covering slabs (A, B) for roofs of buildings, slabs (A, B) of the type configured to be arranged with respective edges on contiguous beams (C) that define the supporting structure of the building roof, characterized in that it comprises a frame (2) provided with: - a footing (3) having at least one accommodation surface (4, 5) for at least one slab (A, B) and an opening (6), contiguous with said at least one accommodation surface (4, 5), for the passage of said at least one slab (A, B) and for laying it on portions of said beams (C); - at least one post (7) which protrudes downward and is configured for abutment against corresponding regions of contiguous beams (C), with consequent resting on, and support of said frame (2) by, said beams (C) through said at least one post (7); - an upper frame structure (8) provided with at least one element (9) configured for the coupling of a first end of at least one safety component (10) of type chosen from a rope, a strap, a cable, a chain and combinations thereof, said at least one component (10) having its second end which can be stably anchored to a safety harness (11) worn by a respective operator (D).

2. The safety device according to claim 1, characterized in that said accommodation surfaces (4, 5) are at least two in number, a first surface (4) being configured to accommodate at least one slab (A) removed from the roof being worked on and a second accommodation surface (5) being configured to accommodate at least one new slab (B) to be laid on the roof being worked on.

3. The safety device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said frame structure (8) comprises at least two perimetric columns (12, 13, 14, 15) which are configured to support, optionally with the interposition of further structural elements, at least one longitudinal member (16) which is coupled to said at least one element (9) which is configured to couple a first end of at least one safety component of the type chosen from a rope, a strap, a cable, a chain and combinations thereof.

4. The safety device according to claim 3, characterized in that said columns (12, 13, 14, 15) are four in number, and are locked on said footing (3) substantially proximate to the vertices of the outline of said opening (6) present therein, the upper heads of said columns (12, 13, 14, 15) being mutually interconnected by means of contiguous structural bands (17, 18, 19, 20) arranged according to a shape and dimensions that substantially correspond to those of said outline of said opening (6) in said footing (3), said longitudinal member (16) being integral, via respective end faces thereof, with a first pair of mutually opposite bands (17, 18), and being parallel to and interposed between a second pair of mutually opposite bands (19, 20).

5. The safety device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one element (9), which is configured to couple a first end of at least one safety component of type chosen from a rope, a strap, a cable, a chain and combinations thereof, comprises a fall-preventing anchoring unit of the type of a lifeline, said unit being coupled, in a lower region, to said longitudinal member (16).

6. The safety device according to claim 5, characterized in that said first end of at least one safety component (10), of type chosen from a rope, a strap, a cable, a chain, comprises fixing means that can be coupled slideably to said anchoring unit.

7. The safety device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said frame structure (18) comprises perimetric containment railings (21).

8. The safety device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said posts (7) which protrude downward from said footing (3) are in a plurality, distributed below said footing (3) to support the frame (2).

9. The safety device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each said downwardly-protruding post (7), configured to abut against corresponding areas of contiguous beams (C), comprises at least one respective rolling body (22), pivoted freely at its end and configured to rest on a corresponding area of a respective beam (C), said rolling body (22) facilitating the movement of said device (1) along the contiguous beams (C) on which it rests.

10. The safety device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said frame (2) is made of a material selected from steel, metal alloys, composite material comprising carbon fiber, composite material comprising glass fiber, composite material comprising aramid fiber, wood and derivatives thereof, polymeric material, and combinations thereof.

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