Post-mounted device designed to receive perimeter construction site protection grids

Abstract

A post-type device specifically adapted to receive perimeter site protection grids, characterized by: - ​​two cube-shaped fixings (a), vertically traversed by the post (b), according to a principle of vertical displacement of these two fixings along the longitudinal axis of the post, - each fixing receives, relative to the positioning of the post with respect to the periphery of the structure, a wedge (c) in the outer part of the post, and two hooks (d) in the inner part of the post for holding the grid, - the post receives a locking mechanism (e) at its top and bottom, so that the fixings cannot detach from the post, - similarly, the wedge has a protrusion (f) in its lower part that prevents it from coming out of the fixing, - such that the post, the two cube-shaped fixings, and their wedges form a monolithic assembly. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Post device for receiving perimeter protection grids on construction sites

[0001] The invention relates to a post device specifically adapted to receive perimeter protection grids for construction sites, which guarantees the safety of the solution regardless of the site situations encountered and the dimensions of the metal grids used.

[0002] State of knowledge: Specifically regarding peripheral protection devices for singers using metal grids, three technologies should be described: the grids themselves, post devices with fixed attachment and clamping systems, and finally height adjustment devices on the posts.

[0003] With regard to the grids, they exhibit infinite diversity: both in the dimensions of the wires that compose them, and in their shapes, as well as the size of the spaces between the wires (mesh); so much so that the implementation of a safety system on construction sites is often haphazard due to the multitude of situations encountered: types of grids, types of posts, various attachment and clamping systems, and connections to the structure; all of which are mixed together without the equipment having been studied in relation to each other. For example, some construction sites use this type of protection to ensure safety over a portion of the height of the level, while others cover the entire void along its full height.

[0004] With regard to pole attachment and clamping devices, several technologies are used, which however have in common that the systems cannot be positioned at will because they are fixed on the pole and therefore cannot move.

[0005] For example, and quite commonly, there are bollards with flat hooks attached to the post tube at several points. The operating principle is that the mesh panel is placed on the inside of the structure, and the top of the panel, having an external angle, wraps around the post on one mesh. This type of technology has two limitations: while it holds the mesh in position, it does not allow for any clamping of the mesh. Furthermore, depending on where the hook and the mesh meet, the attachment itself is more or less secure. In all cases, this type of device does not meet the regulatory requirements for the protection of persons in real-world situations, as the load-bearing capacity is uncertain depending on the circumstances.

[0006] Another widely used technology involves using wedges instead of hooks. As before, these wedges are fixed to the post and cannot move along its height. The principle of this technology is to block the lateral movement of the mesh by exploiting the elasticity of the mesh wires, which are thus constrained by the wedge. As with the previous technology, the drawback is that the position of the wedges cannot be adjusted. It can happen that the mesh is not held securely on one of the clamps, or that a gap is created between the mesh clamp and the ground. As before, the assumptions regarding protection are relative to the situations encountered, and it is never possible for the operator to ensure that the implementation of collective protection complies with applicable standards.

[0007] In order to reduce the risks described above, the company "Retotub"® has developed a technology consisting of hooks which, while they cannot move up or down the pole, can nevertheless rotate around it. The operating principle is governed by two techniques: - the wire mesh panel being always placed inside the post and the top of the latter having an outward angle, this surrounds the wire mesh on one mesh, - a hook placed at the bottom near the baseboard prevents the wire mesh from being raised.

[0008] While this technology represents a genuine improvement over other identified technologies, it is also subject to several limitations. The first drawback is that there is still no clamping mechanism, and the forces on the grid can detach it from the post. Another drawback is that the grid mesh size is defined to prevent it from slipping off the hook (using a grid with a mesh size that is not compatible with the hook renders the solution ineffective). Finally, strict adherence to the standard recommendations remains inconsistent depending on the specific circumstances.

[0009] So that none of the known technologies on posts with fixed anchoring systems can meet the required safety requirements.

[0010] Faced with this impasse, companies such as "Batiroc-Protect"® and "Tammet"® have developed collar systems that move along the post according to the principle that the collar conforms to the exact shape of the post, that hooks of various shapes attach to the fencing, and that a screw / nut system locks the collar onto the post at the desired location. While this technology addresses the limitations encountered with posts equipped with non-adjustable height-adjustable attachment and fixing systems, it presents another problem of obsolescence, similar to that encountered with screw / nut systems, due to masonry aggregates that dry on the threads, rendering tightening methods unnecessary.

[0011] In order to limit the risks, patents have been filed for inventions aimed at providing grids with grid solidification elements, by means of bars making connection between these and the posts. Patents WO2008122699 and FR 2991361 investigate such solutions, one using horizontal reinforcements, the other vertical ones. The drawback encountered is that these devices complicate the assembly and require additional resources (components, handling equipment, etc.).

[0012] Finally, a height-adjustable hook device has been patented under number FR2012371, designed for positioning and securing grids on posts using a spring principle, characterized by: a monolithic C-shaped spring made of a flat metal plate folded into five sections, each fold being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the piece; three sections constituting the connection to the post, consisting of two plates positioned horizontally one above the other at their respective heights and a link between these two plates, this link having an angle of inclination with respect to the vertical, in order to receive a key whose purpose is to lock the spring onto the post outside the perimeter of the structure; and the last two sections, called hooks, being placed in line with the two plates on the opposite side of the link. The method of implementing this device is characterized in that: - the device is placed at several points on the post, the connection being placed outside the perimeter of the structure, while the wedge is already positioned in its place, - The grid is positioned inside the structure near the posts. - The monolithic, C-shaped spring is adjusted to catch a wire of the mesh, either by the upper hook or the lower hook. At this stage, the grid is held in the hooks, but not yet secured. - The device is fixed to the post by pushing on the wedge, which eliminates play and locks the device onto the post. - the act of placing at least two devices on the post: one at the top and the other at the bottom; by hooking the grid at the top onto the upper hook, and the grid at the bottom onto the lower hook; which makes it possible to secure the grid, preventing any possibility of it coming loose, - the device is unlocked by a contrary pushing action on the key.

[0013] The problem posed by this invention is related to the obsolescence of the monolithic C-shaped spring. Indeed, through repeated use, the principle of tension and release of the spring causes deformations of this part which generates risks to the safety of persons.

[0014] The present invention is intended to remedy this drawback.

[0015] Presentation of the invention: the invention relates to a post device specifically adapted to receive perimeter protection grids for construction sites, according to a principle of: - two cube-shaped fixings (a), vertically traversed by the post (b), according to a principle of vertical displacement of these two fixings along the longitudinality of the post, in order to adjust their position to hold the fencing, - each fixing receives, in relation to the positioning of the post vis-à-vis the periphery of the structure, in the outer part of the post a wedge (c), and in the inner part of the post a hook (d) intended to hold the wire mesh, - the post receives a locking mechanism (e) at its top and bottom, in such a way that the fixings cannot detach from the post. - the wedge has in its lower part an outgrowth (f) which prevents it from coming out of the fixing, since the wedge is also held by the post (b), - in such a way that the post, the two cube-shaped fixings and their wedges represent a monolithic assembly.

[0016] The keys (c) are positioned on the two fasteners (a) in such a way that their protrusions (f) are always placed at the bottom of said fasteners.

[0017] The passage of the fixings through the post is characterized in that each cube-shaped fixing receives a hole in the upper and lower plates (a', a") of the cube, these openings having the shape of the post and are positioned vertically relative to each other.

[0018] The upper fixing has its hook (d) placed at the top of the upper plate (a') on the periphery thereof and opposite the position of the key (c) on the fixing, while the lower fixing has its hook (d) placed at the bottom of the lower plate (a”) also opposite the position of the key on the fixing.

[0019] At the locations of the holes in the mounting plates, teeth (g) are positioned symmetrically on either side of the portion that receives the key (c) on the two upper (a') and lower (a”) plates of each fixing. These teeth provide additional security in the event of an impact on the grid or post, which could cause vertical displacement of the key (c); in this case, the fixing (a) is released from the post but does not move because the teeth (g) hold the fixing in its initial position.

[0020] The device operates on the same principle as patent FR2012371 in that: the fixings are positioned vertically according to the position of the grid, the hooks gripping the grid mesh, and once the wedge is lowered, the grid is secured. According to this principle, the grids are placed inside the perimeter of the structure, while the wedges are placed outside. 1. Fig. 1 gives a general overview of the post and the two fixings according to a monolithic principle of the whole. 2. Fig. 2 is a detailed view of the fixing; here it is the lower fixing (i) where the teeth (g) on ​​the upper plate (a') of the cube fixing can be seen; the grid clamping hook placed in the lower position can also be observed. 3. Fig. 3 represents a view of the mass fixing, still in the presence of the upper hook (c), with the key (c) and the teeth (g) on ​​the upper plate.

[0021] Glossary: a) two cube-shaped fixings a', a") with holes in the upper (a') and lower (a) plates b) post c) key d) wire mesh fixing hooks e) blockages on the post f) protrusion of each key g) teeth in the hole of the plates h) high fixing i) low fixing

Claims

Demands

1. A post device specifically adapted to receive perimeter site protection grids, characterized by: - ​​two cube-shaped fixings (a), through which the post (b) passes vertically, according to a principle of vertical displacement of these two fixings along the longitudinal axis of the post, in order to adjust their position to hold the grid, - each fixing receives, in relation to the positioning of the post vis-à-vis the periphery of the structure, in the outer part of the post a wedge (c), and in the inner part of the post a hook (d) intended to hold the grid, - the post receives at its top and bottom a locking mechanism (e), such that the fixings cannot detach from the post, - in the same way that the wedge has in its lower part a protrusion (f) which prevents it from coming out of the fixing, since the wedge is also held by the post (b), - such that the post,The two cube-shaped fixings and their wedges form a monolithic assembly.

2. Post device according to claim 1, characterized in that the wedges (c) are positioned on the two fixings (a) in such a way that their protrusions (f) are always placed at the bottom of said fixings.

3. Post device according to claim 1, characterized in that each cube-shaped fixing (a) receives a hole in the upper and lower plates (a', a") of the cube, these openings having the shape of the post and are positioned vertically relative to each other.

4. Post device according to claim 1, characterized in that at the location of the holes in the fixing plates, teeth (g) are placed symmetrically on either side of the part which receives the key (c), on the two upper (a') and lower (a”) plates of each fixing.

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