Removable fall protection device for use with floor openings, serving as passageways and adaptable to different opening sizes.

Abstract

A universal telescopic hopper device characterized by two modules: a male (a) and a female (b), connected by one or more sliding joints (c) positioned longitudinally in the telescoping direction, and a fixing system (k) for the position of the two modules. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Removable fall protection device for openings in the ground, used as passageways and adaptable to different opening sizes

[0001] The invention relates to a removable fall protection device for openings made in the ground, serving as a passageway and adaptable to different dimensions of openings, characterized by a longitudinal adjustment device combined with a clamp and transverse modularity.

[0002] State of the art: Fall protection devices for persons in relation to openings made in the ground or on the slabs of structures under construction, identified in the public domain can be distinguished according to several technological families: - A first family relating to guardrails which protects the opening on its entire periphery, - A second family relating to hatches and floor openings (also called hoppers) for which several sub-families are to be considered: = Use of wooden plates = Use of sheet metal, = Use of grids.

[0003] Regarding guardrails around the perimeter of openings: these are reserved for the passage of people from level N to level N+1. The devices always incorporate guardrail technologies that are rigidly fixed to the opening, which then acts as a stairwell. These guardrails are combined either with a ladder, which may or may not be surrounded by a circular guardrail, or with a staircase with a handrail. Patent EP0402214A1, "Device for protecting access to a ladder from an upper floor," proposes such a principle. The drawback is that not all openings are access points and therefore not all have guardrails. Another drawback is that the guardrails obstruct movement on level N+1.

[0004] Relating to hatches and floor openings: - According to the principles mentioned, the principle of hoppers made of wooden panels is characterized by the fact that the wooden panels are simply placed over the opening. The drawback is that these panels are not sufficiently held horizontally and can be inadvertently moved, which is a source of danger for people moving on level N+1 who, through lack of vigilance or believing that protection is present, may fall through these hatches or openings. It is also a source of danger for people moving at level Nl because they can receive the plate or any other object through the opening. Trays can also be positioned at the locations of the openings. These have an additional disadvantage in that their thickness prevents movement if they are placed on the floor. Sheet metal hopper systems are also very common. This type of system has the advantage of providing better resistance to bending, thus allowing for circulation. Another advantage is that the weight of the sheet metal reduces the risk of the guard shifting over the opening. The disadvantage is that the risk of the sheet metal shifting cannot be completely eliminated, and the dangers associated with this risk are even greater than with the use of a wooden panel. The grid-like hopper principle is represented by patent WO2003106780, "Device for mounting obstruction devices on the edge of an opening," which has the advantage of stopping the movement of a solid object. The disadvantage of this device is that it allows objects smaller than the grid mesh to pass through. Another drawback is its limited mechanical resistance for horizontal applications, particularly when passing through with a loaded wheelbarrow. While a disadvantage of this patent is that it must be fixed within the thickness of the opening to avoid obstructing traffic at the N+l level, other similar devices incorporate a support that eliminates this constraint. Finally, this type of device has a fixed surface area, requiring a separate grid for each type of opening. Another hopper variant, as shown in patent EP1903164A1, is that the tray has a raised hatch that can be lifted as needed to allow passage of a person or objects, but this hatch itself becomes a hazard if it is not closed after use.

[0005] The above devices are commonly positioned to fill the gap on the upper level, according to the principle that they are flush with the protected level and do not constitute a step that could destabilize people moving around in these areas. To achieve this, the periphery of the hopper is fitted with pads or other systems that rest against the perimeter of the floor opening.

[0006] In the current state of knowledge, there is no hopper device adjustable in its length, so that the known devices have the disadvantage of having to have many dimensions to satisfy the filling of the openings made up, the latter being of very different and non-standardized sizes.

[0007] In conclusion, with regard to existing principles, known technologies are constrained in that either: - Not all openings are access points and do not have guardrails; - Guardrails are obstacles to traffic on level N+1; - The raised hatch itself becomes a risk if it is not closed; - The plates are not held sufficiently in the horizontal plane; - There is a thickness which prevents circulation in the case where they are placed on the ground. - There is a risk of the sheet metal shifting - The grids allow objects smaller than the grid mesh to pass through. - The mechanical resistance of the grids is limited for uses on the horizontal plane. - The device must be fixed within the thickness of the opening so as not to obstruct traffic at level N+L - Some devices have a fixed surface area. The present invention is intended to overcome the numerous drawbacks mentioned above.

[0008] Presentation of the invention: The invention relates to a telescopic universal hopper device consisting of two modules: a male (a) and another female (b), connected to each other by one or more sliding links (c) placed longitudinally in the direction of telescoping.

[0009] Each module receives longitudinal structural elements (d) which can also act as a sliding connection (c), these elements being placed symmetrically so as to be able to slide into each other and thus participate in the mechanical resistance of the whole, in that the overlap (e) made by the sliding connection between the two modules carries out a transverse force transfer perpendicular to the plane of the level of the slab of the structure under construction.

[0010] The transverse structural elements (f) of the two modules are intended to take up the shear forces resulting from the distributed or point load placed on the device; they are preferably placed at the outer ends (g) of the modules to ensure both the position of the device in the opening (h) without risk of lifting or displacement, and to avoid interfering with the telescoping stroke.

[0011] Other reinforcing elements (i) are arranged on either side of the structure, without hindering the telescoping action of the longitudinal structural elements. They also serve to maintain the geometry of the longitudinal structural elements, which are interlocked with one another, thus providing bracing. Among the reinforcing elements (i), the platforms (j) of the modules cover all or part of the surface of the device.

[0012] The device receives a fixing system (k) for the position of the two modules that constitute it, to secure them in their position once the device is placed in the opening of the slab of the structure, so as to avoid any retraction of position and a fixing acting both in support and in clamping (the clamping causing an opposing force on either side of the masonry reservation constituting the opening), which prevents the plate from rising by friction on the thickness of the reservation made of the opening constituted.

[0013] The fastening systems can take several forms, while they can be placed in several locations on the device, for example: - Screws in the axis of module deployment, with locking systems in position (nuts, additional locknuts to the nut, nut locking pins) - Pins, lugs, racks placed on rails in a central position and / or on the periphery in the longitudinal direction, - Knee pads providing lateral support on the sides or between the modules...

[0014] The method of implementing the device consists of placing them next to each other until the hole in the slab of the structure under construction is filled.

[0015] As an accessory, and according to the principle of compensation of the part remaining to be filled once all the devices added together placed next to each other or nested in any direction (for example perpendicularly) to fill the void, the device can receive one or two additional plates (1) fixed to the female module (b) by pivot links.

[0016] In this case a first plate (F) is placed directly on the female module (b) and connected to the latter by pivot links (m) in lateral position of the device; so that when not unfolded the plate rests on the upper surface of the female module (b).

[0017] On this plate, another plate (1”) is positioned, also held by pivot joints (n) to the first plate (F), the position of the second pivot joints (n) being between the plates themselves and perpendicular to the first pivot joints (m); thus: - that in the folded position, the second plate (1”) is placed on the first plate (F), the latter being placed on the surface of the female module (b), - that in the unfolded position, the first plate (F) compensates for the remaining width gap within the limit of the length of the first female module (b) and the second plate (l”) is then deployed, filling the rest of the part to be protected;

[0018] These plates can be supported either by the surrounding structural elements or by devices placed on the opening.

[0019] The advantage of these additional plates is also that they can act as an access hatch, particularly when a gap is left between two devices placed in the opening, which must be filled by deploying the plates, while if it is necessary to access one level from another, the second plate can be lifted to do hatch office. The use of the module does not impose a particular direction, so depending on how it is placed, the position of the hatch is modified in its location. Brief description of the drawings

[0020] 1. : Overview of the device and its two modules without a platform 2. : Device with platforms covering all modules 3. : device with platforms partially covering the device 4. : device with additional platforms in the closed position on the female module 5. : Device with first additional platform in unfolded position 6. : Device with the two additional platforms in the unfolded position 7. : Placement of the devices next to each other as long as the hole in the The slab of the structure under construction is not filled. 8. : Placement of the devices next to each other as long as the hole of The slab of the structure under construction is not yet filled, with additional platforms being deployed between two modules. 9. : Placement of the devices next to each other as long as the hole the slab of the structure under construction is not filled, with additional platforms being deployed around the perimeter of the slab of the structure under construction 10. : Positioning of devices in different positions

[0021] Glossary: a) Male module b) Female module c) Sliding joint d) Longitudinal structural elements e) Overlapping modules f) Transverse structural elements g) Outer ends of the modules h) Opening i) Reinforcement elements j) Platforms k) Fastening system 1) Two additional plates (1) attached to the female module: 1' first plate, 1' ' second plate m) First pivot joints n) Second pivot joints

Claims

Demands

1. A telescopic universal hopper device characterized by two modules: a male (a) and a female (b), connected to each other by one or more sliding links (c) placed longitudinally in the direction of telescoping, and a fixing system (k) for the position of the two modules.

2. A telescopic universal hopper device according to claim 1 characterized in that each module receives longitudinal structural elements (d) which can also act as a sliding connection (c), these elements being placed symmetrically so as to be able to slide into each other and thus participate in the mechanical resistance of the assembly, in that the overlap (e) made by the sliding connection between the two modules carries out a transverse force transfer perpendicular to the plane of the level of the slab of the structure under construction.

3. A telescopic universal hopper device according to claim 1 characterized in that the modules receive transverse structural elements (f) which are intended to take up the shear forces resulting from the distributed or point load placed on the device; they are preferably placed at the outer ends (g) of the modules to both ensure the position of the device in the opening (h) without risk of lifting or displacement, and to avoid interfering with the telescoping stroke.

4. Universal telescopic hopper device according to claim 1 characterized in that the modules receive other reinforcement elements (i), arranged on either side of the structure, without hindering the telescoping action of the longitudinal structural elements.

5. Method of implementing the telescopic universal hopper device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it consists of placing them side by side as long as the hole in the slab of the structure under construction is not filled.

6. Telescopic universal hopper device according to claim 1 characterized in that the latter can receive one or two additional plates (1) fixed to the female module (b) by pivot links.

7. A telescopic universal hopper device according to any one of claims 1 and 6 characterized in that a first plate (F) is placed directly on the female module (b) and connected to the latter by pivot links (m) in the lateral position of the device; so that when not unfolded the plate rests on the upper surface of the female module (b).

8. A telescopic universal hopper device according to claims 6 and 7, characterized in that another plate (1”) is positioned on the first plate, also held to the first plate (1') by pivot joints (n), the position of the second pivot joints (n) being between the plates themselves and perpendicular to the first pivot joints (m); such that: - that in the folded position, the second plate (1”) is placed on the first plate (F), the latter being placed on the surface of the female module (b), - that in the unfolded position, the first plate (F) compensates for the remaining width gap within the limit of the length of the first female module (b) and the second plate (l”) is then deployed filling the rest of the part to be protected.

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