Self-supporting guardrail system

Abstract

Self-supporting guardrail system (1), comprising: - a plurality of height-adjustable pads, including main peripheral pads distributed in parallel main rows; - side members arranged on the main peripheral pads; - shoes fixed to the side members; - cross members (7) mounted on the side members; - guardrail uprights fixed to the shoes; - a plurality of decking elements (8; 9) comprising at least peripheral decking elements (8) arranged side by side on the cross members (7) to form a peripheral terrace deck (80). Abstract figure: Figure 6

Description

Title of the invention: Self-supporting guardrail system Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a self-supporting guardrail system.

[0002] It relates more particularly to a self-supporting guardrail system comprising decking elements (such as, for example, slabs or terrace boards) resting on pads, in order to form a terrace platform on a ground, and in particular on a ground of a raised structure, such as a terrace or a roof terrace. Prior art

[0003] In a known manner, a roof terrace comprises a layer of thermal insulation covered by a waterproofing layer, itself sometimes covered by gravel; and the roof terrace is generally bordered by a parapet which forms a small wall. When the roof terrace is fitted out for public access, it is made safe by installing a guardrail, and adapted to traffic by installing decking elements on pads. Indeed, the use of pads allows the decking elements to be arranged without harming the waterproofing layer. However, there remains a difficulty in installing the guardrail which must also not harm the waterproofing layer.

[0004] Document EP 2 314 792 proposes using a platform delimiting a space for receiving a ballast material, such as gravel, and on which guardrail uprights are fixed and slabs are laid, which must be coplanar with the surrounding slabs which themselves rest on pads.

[0005] A disadvantage of this platform is that it must be placed directly on the ground (or on the waterproofing layer), which requires the platform to be wedged in order to be level with the surrounding slabs which rest on the pads; which is often difficult and time-consuming to implement on construction sites. Summary of the invention

[0006] The invention aims to facilitate the installation of the guardrail in a layout with decking elements on pads.

[0007] Another aim of the invention is to provide effective support for the guardrail, solely by ballast, and without deterioration of the sealing layer.

[0008] To this end, the invention proposes a self-supporting guardrail system for a structure, such as for example a high structure such as a terrace or a roof terrace, this self-supporting guardrail system comprising: - a plurality of pads, which are adjustable in height, and which include at least main peripheral pads distributed over main rows each comprising several main peripheral pads which are aligned; - side members arranged on the main peripheral pads of the respective main rows; - crosspieces mounted on the side members; - shoes fixed on the side members; - guardrail uprights fixed to the shoes; - a plurality of decking elements comprising at least peripheral decking elements arranged side by side on the crosspieces to form a peripheral terrace platform.

[0009] Thus, the invention proposes to fix the shoes (and therefore the guardrail uprights) on the side members which rest on the main peripheral pads, and to ballast the whole thing by means of the peripheral decking elements which will be arranged on the cross members which rest on these side members. Thus the horizontality of the peripheral decking elements can be adjusted simply by adjusting the heights of the main peripheral pads. With the invention, the shoes are raised relative to the ground and only the pads (and in particular the main peripheral pads) are placed on the ground, so that the evacuation of rainwater is not disturbed.Furthermore, it should be noted that on the peripheral terrace platform, the peripheral decking elements are not supported directly by the main peripheral pads, but are supported by the crosspieces mounted on the side members which are in turn supported on the main peripheral pads.

[0010] Each stringer / shoe assembly thus forms a unit that is positioned according to the shape / arrangement of the peripheral terrace deck to be created on the structure that is secured by means of the self-supporting guardrail system, and each unit will be ballasted by means of the peripheral decking elements that rest on the crosspieces, themselves mounted on the stringers. The arrangements (length and orientation) and the number of crosspieces depend on the peripheral decking elements.

[0011] It is of course planned to then place safety elements on the uprights, such as for example walls and / or rails, so as to finalize the guardrail (also called safety barrier).

[0012] Furthermore, within the scope of the invention, the decking elements may be slabs (for example concrete slabs) or terrace boards (for example wooden or composite material boards). Also, the length of the stringers will be adapted according to the surface weight (weight per m2) of the decking elements which will participate in the ballast.

[0013] It should be noted that the positions of the shoes define the outline of the guardrail (which also forms the outline of the peripheral terrace platform), and that therefore the positions and orientations of the stringers depend on this outline of the guardrail. On a straight section of the outline of the guardrail, the shoes are aligned in a given direction, and the stringers can advantageously be orthogonal to this direction. Furthermore, the spacing between two stringers is given by the spacing between two adjacent shoes (or two guardrail uprights).

[0014] Thus, considering a cross-section of the contour of the guardrail which is parallel to a transverse direction, it is advantageous for the main rows and therefore also the side members to be parallel to a longitudinal direction which is preferably orthogonal to this transverse direction. In this case, it should be noted that the shoes are fixed to the side members by being aligned parallel to this transverse direction which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. In other words, the shoes are arranged in a straight line.

[0015] Generally, the crosspieces can be orthogonal to the side members, parallel to the side members or inclined relative to the side members at a non-zero and non-right angle.

[0016] According to one characteristic, the side members each have an opposite outer end and an inner end, and the shoes are fixed to the outer ends of the side members.

[0017] The outer end therefore corresponds to the end on which the guardrail shoe and therefore the guardrail upright is fixed, it is therefore the end located on the edge of the peripheral terrace plate (for example the end closest to the void or the edge of the structure in height). The inner end corresponds to the end opposite the outer end and which is therefore located on the inside of the peripheral terrace plate.

[0018] According to one possibility, at least one covering strip is fixed on the external ends of the side members, and possibly also the space between the decking elements and the ground.

[0019] Such a cover strip ensures the aesthetic finish, by covering at least the external ends of the side members. Of course, such a cover strip is optional, depending on the configuration of the site or the building. For example, if the shoes are placed behind a parapet, the latter hides the external ends of the side members from the outside and thus such a strip is not useful.

[0020] According to another possibility, the at least one cover strip extends at least over the entire height of the main peripheral pads.

[0021] In a particular embodiment, the plurality of pads also comprises secondary peripheral pads which are distributed over secondary rows which extend between the main rows and which each comprise several peripheral pads secondary which are aligned, and at least part of the crosspieces are supported on the secondary peripheral pads of the secondary rows.

[0022] Thus, some of the crosspieces (or even all of the crosspieces) are supported both on the side members and on these secondary peripheral pads; it is also possible to have other crosspieces which rest solely on these secondary peripheral pads.

[0023] Such secondary rows are optional, but can be advantageous for stable support of the sleepers, and therefore of the peripheral decking elements. The secondary peripheral pads of the secondary rows are adjusted to a height greater than that of the main peripheral pads of the main rows, by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the stringers.

[0024] In a particular embodiment, the plurality of pads further includes interior pads disposed beyond the main peripheral pads and the stringers, and the plurality of decking members includes interior decking members disposed side-by-side on the interior pads to form an internal deck deck that extends the peripheral deck deck.

[0025] According to a first possibility, the interior decking elements are arranged directly on the interior pads.

[0026] This first possibility is rather conceivable with slabs, and thus the interior pads will be adjusted to a height greater than that of the main peripheral pads of the main rows, by a gap corresponding to the cumulative thicknesses of a stringer and a crosspiece. Indeed, in this first possibility, the interior decking elements rest directly on the interior pads, unlike the peripheral decking elements which rest on the crosspieces, these crosspieces resting on the stringers which are on the peripheral pads of the main rows.

[0027] According to a second possibility, the interior decking elements are arranged on interior crosspieces or interior stringers which rest on the interior pads.

[0028] The invention also relates to a method of installing a self-supporting guardrail system according to the invention, on a structure, said installation method comprising the following steps: - laying the plurality of pads on a floor of the structure, comprising placing at least the main rows each comprising several main peripheral pads which are aligned; - fixing the shoes on the side members; - installation of the side members on the main peripheral pads of the respective main rows; - installation of crosspieces on the side members; - laying the peripheral decking elements side by side on the crosspieces to form a peripheral terrace platform; - fixing the guardrail uprights to the shoes.

[0029] Then, the method can comprise a step of fixing the safety elements (such as walls and / or rails) on the guardrail uprights to form a guardrail.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the structure is a high structure, such as for example a roof terrace or a terrace. Brief description of the drawings

[0031] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description below, of several non-limiting examples of implementation, made with reference to the appended figures in which:

[0032] [Fig. 1] is a partial schematic view of a first step for the installation of a self-supporting guardrail system according to the invention;

[0033] [Fig.2] is a schematic view of a second step for installing the self-supporting guardrail system;

[0034] [Fig.3] is a schematic view of a third step for installing the self-supporting guardrail system;

[0035] [Fig.4] is a schematic view of a fourth step for installing the self-supporting guardrail system;

[0036] [Fig.5] is a schematic view of a fifth step for installing the self-supporting guardrail system;

[0037] [Fig.6] is a schematic view of a sixth step for installing the self-supporting guardrail system;

[0038] [Fig.7] is a schematic view of the self-supporting guardrail system at the end of installation;

[0039] [Fig.8] is a schematic view of another self-supporting guardrail system;

[0040] [Fig.9] is a schematic view of a self-supporting guardrail system equivalent to that of [Fig.7], where the decking elements are slabs;

[0041] [Fig. 10] is a schematic view of another self-supporting guardrail system, where the decking elements are this time terrace boards;

[0042] [Fig. 11] is a schematic top view of a self-supporting guardrail system, the decking elements of which occupy the entire surface of the ground of the structure;

[0043] [Fig. 12] is a schematic top view of a self-supporting guardrail system, the decking elements of which occupy only a part of the ground surface of the structure;

[0044] [Fig. 13] is a schematic perspective view of a self-supporting guardrail system with slabs and along a non-rectilinear border, and a schematic top view but without the slabs to visualize the arrangements of the side members and cross members;

[0045] [Fig. 14] is a schematic perspective view of a guardrail system self-supporting with slabs and along another non-straight edge, and a schematic top view but without the slabs to visualize the arrangements of the stringers and crosspieces;

[0046] [Fig. 15] is a schematic perspective view of a guardrail system self-supporting with blades and along a non-straight edge, and a schematic top view but without the blades to visualize the arrangements of the side members and cross members.

[0047] [Detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention]

[0048] Referring to Figures 1 to 7, a method of installing a guardrail system self-supporting guardrail system 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, comprises several steps described below; such a self-supporting guardrail system 1 being illustrated in its final version in [Fig.7], the latter being placed on a horizontal ground 10 of a structure 11 at height, such as for example a roof terrace or a terrace. In the example of Figures 1 to 7, the self-supporting guardrail system 1 is intended to form a straight (or rectilinear) section of a contour of a guardrail 4.

[0049] In a first step illustrated in [Fig. 1], main peripheral pads 2, which are adjustable in height, are placed on the ground 10 and are distributed over several main rows 20 parallel to each other and each comprising several main peripheral pads 2 which are aligned parallel to a longitudinal direction X. In the example illustrated, each main row 20 contains four main peripheral pads 2, but this number can vary, in particular depending on the length available on the ground 10. The main peripheral pads 2 can be adjusted in height independently of each other, in order to all be at the same level, depending on the flatness and defects of the ground 10.

[0050] It should be noted that the main rows 20 start along an edge 12 of the structure 11 in height, which is for example in the form of an acroterion in the illustrated example; although such an acroterion is not obligatory for the installation of such a self-supporting guardrail system 1. This edge 12 extends along a transverse direction Y, which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X. As described later with reference to [Fig. 12], it is conceivable that these main rows 20 start at a distance from the edge 12 of the structure 12, so as to be offset on the inside of the structure 11 relative to this edge 12.

[0051] In a second step illustrated in [Fig.2], side members 3 are arranged on the main peripheral pads 2 of the respective main rows 20. These side members 3 thus extend parallel to the longitudinal direction X and can be formed from profiles, for example made of aluminum. These side members 3 all have the same length, but they can have different lengths depending on the configuration of the ground 10 and the structure 11.

[0052] Adjusting the heights of the main peripheral studs 2 ensures that the side members 3 are horizontal.

[0053] It should be noted that the side members 3 each have an opposite external end 31 and an internal end 32, where the external end 31 corresponds to the end closest to the edge 12 of the structure 11. Thus, the internal end 32 corresponds to the end located on the inside of the structure 11.

[0054] Furthermore, shoes 40 (which are guardrail shoes) are fixed to the side members 3, and more specifically to the respective external ends 31 of the side members 3. These shoes 40 are for example fixed by screwing or bolting to the side members 3. These shoes 40 are thus arranged along the edge 12 of the structure 11 and are therefore aligned parallel to the transverse direction Y. In this way, these shoes 40 are raised relative to the ground 10. As described later with reference to [Fig. 12], it is conceivable that these shoes 40 are not arranged along the edge 12, but are offset to the interior of the structure 11 relative to this edge 12.

[0055] In a third step illustrated in [Fig.3], guardrail uprights 41 are fixed to the shoes 40; such guardrail uprights 41 extending vertically once fixed to the shoes 4.

[0056] Furthermore, safety elements 42, 43 are fixed to the guardrail uprights 41 to form a guardrail 4. In the example illustrated, the safety elements comprise a wall 42, as well as rails 43 including a top rail forming a handrail and a bottom rail. The guardrail 4 is thus formed of the shoes 40, the guardrail uprights 41 and the safety elements 42, 43.

[0057] It should be noted that this third step may be the last step, which would then come after the three steps described below.

[0058] In a fourth step illustrated in [Fig.4], other pads 5, 6, which are adjustable in height, are placed on the ground 10, namely: - secondary peripheral pads 5 which are distributed over secondary rows 50 which extend between the main rows 20 and not beyond these main rows 20, and which each comprise several secondary peripheral pads 5 which are aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction X; and - internal pads 6 which are arranged beyond the main peripheral pads 2 and the side members 3.

[0059] In other words, the main peripheral pads 2 and the secondary peripheral pads 5 extend over a peripheral strip 13 of given length (which corresponds substantially to the length of the side members 3) from the edge 12 of the work 11, while the interior pads 6 extend over an interior strip 14 which extends (or is adjacent to) the peripheral strip 13.

[0060] The side members 3 therefore do not rest on the secondary peripheral pads 5, and not on the internal pads 6 either.

[0061] In the example illustrated, the secondary peripheral pads 5 and the internal pads 6 are similar, in other words of the same model; this model may be the same or different from that of the main peripheral pad 2.

[0062] In a fifth step illustrated in [Fig.5], crosspieces 7 are arranged on and between the side members 3, and these crosspieces 7 extend parallel to the transverse direction Y which is, as a reminder, orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X.

[0063] These crosspieces 7 also rest on the secondary peripheral pads 5 arranged between the side members 3. Thus, the secondary peripheral pads 5 are adjusted to a height greater than that of the main peripheral pads 2, to compensate for the height (or thickness) of the side members 3.

[0064] In the illustrated example, other crosspieces, called internal crosspieces 70, are also provided, but these internal crosspieces 70 are arranged on and between the internal pads 6, and these internal crosspieces 70 also extend parallel to the transverse direction Y.

[0065] Crosspieces 71 may also be fixed between the inner crosspieces 70 and / or between inner crosspieces 70 and crosspieces 7.

[0066] Corner supports 72 may be placed (or fixed) on the cross members 7 and on the inner cross members 70, to serve as support for four corners of four decking elements 8, 9, as described below.

[0067] In a sixth step illustrated in [Fig.6], decking elements 8, 9 are placed on the crosspieces 7 and on the internal crosspieces 70, namely: - peripheral decking elements 8 which are arranged side by side on the crosspieces 7 to form a peripheral terrace plate 80 above the peripheral strip 13; and - interior decking elements 9 which are arranged side by side on the interior crosspieces 70 to form an internal terrace plate 90 which extends the peripheral terrace plate 80 and which is above the interior strip 14.

[0068] The peripheral decking elements 8 are contiguous or substantially contiguous (a gap being possible between the peripheral decking elements 8), the interior decking elements 9 are contiguous or substantially contiguous, and the last row of the peripheral decking elements 8 is contiguous or substantially contiguous with the first row of the interior decking elements 9. The peripheral decking elements 8 and the interior decking elements 9 are coplanar or substantially coplanar to together form a flat and horizontal terrace deck.

[0069] The peripheral decking elements 8 and the interior decking elements 9 may be identical, for aesthetic continuity.

[0070] The corner supports 72 make it possible to support (and center) the four respective corners of four decking elements 8, 9 adjoining by the corners.

[0071] The peripheral decking elements 8 make it possible to ballast the guardrail 4, by resting on the crosspieces 7, which themselves rest on the side members 3 on which the shoes 40 are fixed.

[0072] In the example of [Fig.8], the side members 3 have their internal ends 32 fixed to a wall 15 (for example by means of a bracket), and there are no internal studs 6 and no internal decking elements 9 either.

[0073] Furthermore, in this example of [Fig.8], the edge 12 of the structure 11 does not have a parapet, which makes the external ends 31 of the side members 3 visible, as well as the space between the ground 10 and the peripheral decking elements 8. In this case, it is therefore advantageous to fix at least one cover strip 35 on the external ends 31 of the side members 3, where the or each cover strip 35 extends from the ground 10 to the peripheral decking elements 8, therefore at least over the entire height of the main peripheral pads 2.

[0074] In the embodiments of Figures 1 to 9, the decking elements 8, 9 are slabs, and for example concrete slabs. These slabs have dimensions smaller than the spacing between two longitudinal members 3 measured along the transverse direction Y. On the other hand, the spacing between two crosspieces 7 is smaller than the dimensions of the slabs so that each slab rests on two adjacent crosspieces.

[0075] It is also conceivable to have decking elements in the form of deck boards, for example made of wood or composite material, which can for example be fixed, in particular by face, on the crosspieces 7. [Fig. 10] illustrates such a variant with peripheral decking elements 8 which are in the form of deck boards. These deck boards have lengths greater than the spacing between two side members 3 measured along the transverse direction Y. In this example of [Fig. 10], the crosspieces 7 are not orthogonal to the side members 3, but are parallel to the side members 3.

[0076] The self-supporting railing systems 1 of [Fig. 9] and [Fig. 10] both have the same railing 4. In the self-supporting railing system 1 of [Fig. 9], the peripheral decking elements 8 are slabs, while in the self-supporting railing system 1 of [Fig. 10], the peripheral decking elements 8 are deck boards which have a lower surface weight (weight per m2) than the slabs of [Fig. 9]. Also, since the same railing 4 is to be ballasted, it is necessary to have a larger surface area of deck boards for [Fig. 10], compared to the surface area of slabs for [Fig. 9]. Therefore, in the realization lisation of [Fig. 10], the length L3 of the side members 3 is greater than that of the realization of [Fig.9], in order to increase the surface area of the blades which participate in the ballast.

[0077] With reference to [Fig. 11] and 12, the decking elements 8 of the self-supporting guardrail system 1 (whether the peripheral decking elements 8 alone or the peripheral decking elements 8 with the interior decking elements 9, depending on the dimensions of the structure 11) may occupy all or part of the surface of the ground 10 of the structure 11.

[0078] In the example of [Fig. 11], the decking elements 8 (and possibly also 9) occupy the entire surface of the ground of the structure 11, and thus the guardrail 4 extends along the entire edge 12 of the structure 11.

[0079] In the example of [Fig. 12], the decking elements 8 (and possibly also 9) occupy only a part of the surface of the ground 10 of the structure 11, and thus the guardrail 4 is offset from the edge 12 of the structure 11.

[0080] The examples of Figures 13 to 15 illustrate self-supporting guardrail systems 1 intended to form complex sections of a contour of a guardrail 4. In other words, in these examples, the guardrail 4 has a non-linear contour, with an incoming angle and an outgoing angle, in particular to extend along the edge 12 of the structure 11 which is non-rectilinear.

[0081] In these examples, it is visible that, in order to follow the shape of the edge 12, the side members 3 are not all parallel to each other, and likewise the cross members 7 are not all parallel to each other. It is conceivable that side members 3 cross each other, in particular at the outgoing angle, and in this case they can be connected, for example by means of brackets.

[0082] The configurations are the same in the example of [Fig. 13] and in the example of [Fig. 15], except that the decking elements 8 are slabs in [Fig. 13] and are strips in [Fig. 15]. It is thus visible that, depending on whether the decking elements 8 are slabs or strips, the arrangements of the stringers 3 and the crosspieces 7 vary. It can be seen in the example of [Fig. 15] that some of the crosspieces 7 rest only on secondary peripheral pads 5.

Claims

Claims

1. Self-supporting guardrail system (1) for a structure (11), such as for example a raised structure such as a terrace or a roof terrace, said self-supporting guardrail system (1) comprising: - a plurality of pads (2; 5; 6), which are adjustable in height, and which comprises at least main peripheral pads (2) distributed over main rows (20) each comprising several main peripheral pads (2) which are aligned; - side members (3) arranged on the main peripheral pads (2) of the respective main rows (20); - cross members (7) mounted on the side members (3); - shoes (40) fixed on the side members (3); - guardrail uprights (41) fixed to the shoes (40); - a plurality of decking elements (8; 9) comprising at least peripheral decking elements (8) arranged side by side on the crosspieces (7) to form a peripheral terrace plate (80).

2. A self-supporting guardrail system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the side members (3) each have an opposite outer end (31) and inner end (32), and the shoes (40) are fixed to the outer ends (31) of the side members (3).

3. Self-supporting guardrail system according to claim 2, wherein at least one cover strip (35) is fixed on the outer ends (31) of the side members (3).

4. Self-supporting guardrail system (1) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one cover strip (35) extends at least over the entire height of the main peripheral studs (2).

5. Self-supporting guardrail system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of pads (2; 5; 6) also comprises secondary peripheral pads (5) which are distributed over secondary rows (50) which extend between the main rows (20) and which each comprise several secondary peripheral pads (5) which are aligned, and at least a portion of the crosspieces (7) bear on the secondary peripheral pads (5) of the secondary rows (50).

6. A self-supporting guardrail system (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of pads (2, 5, 6) further comprises inner pads (6) disposed beyond the outer pads. main peripherals (2) and side members (3), and the plurality of decking elements (8; 9) comprises inner decking elements (9) arranged side by side on the inner pads (6) to form an inner deck plate (90) which extends the peripheral deck plate (80).

7. Method of installing a self-supporting guardrail system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, on a structure (11), said installation method comprising the following steps: - laying the plurality of pads (2; 5; 6) on a floor (10) of the structure (11), comprising placing at least the main rows (20) each comprising several main peripheral pads (2) which are aligned; - fixing the shoes (40) on the side members (3); - installation of the side members (3) on the main peripheral pads (2) of the respective main rows (20); - installation of the crosspieces (7) on the side members (3); - laying the peripheral decking elements (8) side by side on the crosspieces (7) to form a peripheral terrace plate (80); - fixing the guardrail uprights (41) to the shoes (40).

8. Installation method according to claim 7, in which the structure (11) is a raised structure, such as for example a roof terrace or a terrace.

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