Fall prevention structure and fall prevention device

Abstract

To provide a fall prevention structure capable of reducing the risk of a person falling even when the size of an opening is increased.SOLUTION: A fall prevention structure (1) is a fall prevention structure for an opening (10) in a building, and includes a plurality of handrail bars (2) arranged at intervals from each other in the vertical direction, with both ends (2a) fixed to side members (92) located on both the left and right sides of the opening, and a connecting member (3) arranged above and away from a lower member (93) located below the opening, and connecting longitudinal central portions (2b) of each of the plurality of handrail bars.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fall prevention structure and a fall prevention device at an opening of a building.

Background Art

[0002] A handrail may be provided at an opening for a window of a building to prevent falls. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-194870 (Patent Document 1), one handrail is extended across both side portions (wooden frames) of a window. The handrail is attached by fixing both ends to brackets previously attached to a window frame or the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Recently, windows of various sizes have been in circulation. When a large window is installed on the second floor or higher of a building, a handrail is provided to prevent people from falling out of the opening. However, when the width of the window is large, the handrail becomes long, and simply fixing both ends of the handrail to the wall side (side member) may not withstand the human load, and the handrail may be damaged. Therefore, a technique that can reliably prevent falls from large openings, not limited to windows, has been demanded.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a fall prevention structure and a fall prevention device capable of reducing the risk of human falls even when the size of the opening is increased.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The fall prevention structure according to an aspect of the present invention is a fall prevention structure at an opening of a building, comprising a plurality of handrails having both ends fixed to side members located on both left and right sides of the opening and arranged at intervals in the height direction, and a connecting member arranged above and separated from a lower member located below the opening and connecting the central portions in the longitudinal direction of the plurality of handrails. Note that the "side member" and the "lower member" are not limited to members (partition members) separate from the structure of the building itself (including walls, floors, etc.), and may be the structure of the building itself.

[0007] Preferably, the connecting member is made of wood and is provided with a plurality of insertion holes corresponding to the number of handrails.

[0008] Preferably, the handrail has a circular cross-section, and at least one of the plurality of handrails is non-rotatably fixed to the connecting member.

[0009] Preferably, three or more handrails are provided. Although the number of handrails connected to one connecting member is assumed to be three or more and five or less, it may be two, or six or more.

[0010] The connecting member may be constituted by a plurality of vertically divided members that sandwich the plurality of handrails from the indoor side and the outdoor side.

[0011] The connecting member may be constituted by a plurality of horizontally divided members that sandwich the plurality of handrails in the vertical direction.

[0012] The fall prevention device according to an aspect of the present invention is a fall prevention device installed at an opening of a building, comprising a plurality of handrails having both ends fixed to side members located on both left and right sides of the opening in the installed state and arranged at intervals in the height direction, and a connecting member arranged above and separated from a lower member located below the opening in the installed state and connecting the central portions in the longitudinal direction of the plurality of handrails.

Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, even if the size of the opening is increased, the risk of a person falling can be reduced. Further, since the connecting member is independent of the lower member, the installation position of the entire handrail can be freely determined (within the range of the reference method) without considering the distance from the lower member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 12

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

[0016] In this embodiment, a "fall prevention structure" for preventing a person from falling from an opening provided in a wall of a building such as a house will be described.

[0017] (Regarding the outline) With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the outline of the fall prevention structure 1 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing the fall prevention structure 1, and shows a view seen from the indoor space S1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the fall prevention structure 1, and corresponds to a cross-section along line II-II in FIG. 1. The arrow A1 in FIG. 1 indicates the left-right direction (width direction) of the wall 9 and the opening 10. The arrow A2 in FIG. 2 indicates the depth direction of the wall 9 and the opening 10.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 10 is provided in the wall 9 of the building. In this embodiment, the wall 9 is an outer wall and partitions the indoor space S1 and the outdoor (outdoor) space S2. The opening 10 is an opening for a window 11 (shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 2). The shape of the opening 10 in a front view is a rectangular shape. The window 11 is typically a sliding window or the like that can be opened and closed.

[0019] The lower end height H1 of the opening 10 with reference to the floor surface F of the indoor space S1 is, for example, 500 to 1000 mm. The width of the opening 10 (hereinafter referred to as "opening width") W is relatively large, for example, 1600 to 3000 mm. Note that the opening width W may be less than 1600 mm. The upper end height of the opening 10 in this embodiment is located near the ceiling C of the indoor space S1.

[0020] In this embodiment, the opening 10 is surrounded by a pair of left and right side members 92, 92, a lower member 93, and an upper member 94. These members 92 to 94 are typically formed by plate-shaped partition members such as wooden boards, and constitute a window frame 91 as a whole. In the following description, the lower member 93 of the window frame 91 is referred to as a "shelf board 93". Note that at least one of these members 92 to 94 may be constituted by a part of the wall 9 (it does not have to be a member different from the wall 9).

[0021] As shown in Fig. 1, the fall prevention structure 1 includes a plurality of handrail bars 2 and a connecting member 3. Each handrail bar 2 is attached so as to cross the opening 10, and both ends of the handrail bar 2 are fixed to respective ones of a pair of side members 92. The connecting member 3 is a bracket that connects a plurality (all) of the handrail bars 2.

[0022] (Regarding the handrail bar) Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the handrail bar 2 will be described.

[0023] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the plurality of handrail bars 2 are horizontally arranged at intervals in the height direction. The installation interval P1 of the plurality of handrail bars 2 is set to be equal to or less than a specified dimension (generally 110 mm or less) through which an infant cannot slip through. The same applies to the interval P2 between the table board 93 and the lowermost handrail bar 2. The installation height H2 of the uppermost handrail bar 2 is set to be equal to or higher than a specified height (generally 800 mm or more for the second floor and 1100 mm or more for the third floor and above). Therefore, generally, the number of handrail bars 2 is determined according to the height level of the lower end height H1 of the opening 10 (the lower it is, the more the number).

[0024] In the present embodiment, it is desirable that three or more handrail bars 2 are provided (regardless of the height level of the lower end height H1). The plurality of handrail bars 2 at least include, in order from the top, a first handrail bar 21, a second handrail bar 22, and a third handrail bar 23. In the present embodiment, the third handrail bar 23 is located at the lowermost position (closest to the table board 93), and a total of three handrail bars 2 (21, 22, 23) are provided at equal intervals in the vertical direction in the opening 10. The first to third handrail bars 21 to 23 are arranged in alignment in the vertical direction. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the first to third handrail bars 21 to 23, they are simply referred to as the handrail bar 2.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 2, the shape of the handrail rod 2 is a common round shape and has a circular cross-section. Also, the material of the handrail rod 2 is typically wood. Such a handrail rod 2 is easy to manufacture and can be obtained at low cost. The diameter of the handrail rod 2 is, for example, about 30 to 50 mm.

[0026] Both end portions 2a in the longitudinal direction of the handrail rod 2 are each fixed to the side member 92 via, for example, an engagement member 4. An example of the configuration of the engagement member 4 is shown enlarged in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the portion IV circled in Fig. 1.

[0027] The engagement member 4 includes a receiving member 41 fixed to the side member 92 by screws 43 and an end cover member 42 attached to the receiving member 41. The receiving member 41 functions as a bracket and has a protrusion 412 at the lower end for placing the end portion 2a of the handrail rod 2. The end cover member 42 is a cylindrical member provided movably in the longitudinal direction on the end portion 2a of the handrail rod 2 and engages with the outer peripheral portion of the disk-shaped main body portion 411 of the receiving member 41. In the present embodiment, threads are cut on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 411 and the inner peripheral surface of the end cover member 42, and the two members are fixed (connected) by screwing the end cover member 42 onto the main body portion 411.

[0028] Before engaging (screwing) the end cover member 42 with the main body portion 411, it is desirable to fix the end portion 2a of the handrail rod 2 placed on the protrusion 412 to the protrusion 412 with screws or the like. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the end portion 2a of the handrail rod 2 from rotating (spinning) or falling off from the receiving member 41. Note that the method of fixing the end portion 2a of the handrail rod 2 to the side member 92 is not particularly limited.

[0029] (Regarding the connecting member) With reference to Figs. 1 to 3, the connecting member 3 will be described. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the connecting member 3.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the connecting member 3 in this embodiment is a plate-shaped member that is long in the vertical direction and is attached so as to be orthogonal to a plurality of handrail bars 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the connecting member 3 is provided with a plurality (three) of insertion holes 30 corresponding to the number (three) of handrail bars 2. The insertion hole 30 is a round hole that penetrates straight in the plate thickness direction. The diameter φ3 of the insertion hole 30 is substantially equal to the diameter φ2 (FIG. 4) of the handrail bar 2 (it is desirable that the difference between the two is 1 mm or less). The connecting member 3 integrally connects the three handrail bars 2 by passing the handrail bars 2 through each of the three insertion holes 30. When attaching the handrail bar 2 to the window frame 91, the connecting member 3 can be installed by inserting the handrail bar 2 into the insertion hole 30 of the connecting member 3 in advance.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the lateral width (depth dimension when viewed from the indoor space S1 side) L2 of the connecting member 3 is about 5 to 20 mm larger than the diameter φ2 of the handrail bar 2, for example, 35 to 70 mm. The thickness (lateral width dimension when viewed from the indoor space S1 side) L3 of the connecting member 3 is, for example, 20 to 50 mm. It is desirable that the thickness L3 is larger than the radius of the handrail bar 2 (「φ2」 / 2). The connecting member 3 has the same thickness (L3) from the upper end to the lower end.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the connecting member 3 is attached so as to connect the longitudinal center portions 2b of the plurality of handrail bars 2. The longitudinal center portion 2b refers to the portion excluding both longitudinal end portions 2a and is not limited to the exact center position. That is, the connecting member 3 may be provided at a position slightly displaced in the left-right direction (near the end portion 2a) from the longitudinal center position of the handrail bar 2. Also, in this case, a plurality of connecting members 3 may be provided at equal intervals from the longitudinal center position. In any case, it is desirable that the connecting member 3 is attached so that the distance from other fixed positions (positions of the engaging members 4) of the handrail bar 2 is 1000 mm or less.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connecting member 3 is disposed away from the table board 93 upward and is in contact only with the handrail 2. As an example, the vertical length L1 of the connecting member 3 shown in FIG. 3 is about 300 to 500 mm, for example.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, at least one of the first to third handrails 21 to 23 is fixed to the connecting member 3 by the fastening member 5. Thereby, the installation position of the connecting member 3 in the longitudinal direction of the handrail 2 is fixed. The fastening member 5 is typically realized by a nail member (including screws and bolts) and is driven from the outer surface of the connecting member 3 toward the center of the handrail 2.

[0035] Among the first to third handrails 21 to 23, it is desirable that the first handrail 21 and the third handrail 23 are fixed to the connecting member 3 by the fastening member 5. Thereby, rotation of the first handrail 21 and the third handrail 23 within the insertion hole 30 of the connecting member 3 can be prevented or suppressed. Note that all of the first to third handrails 21 to 23 may be fixed so as not to be rotatable with respect to the connecting member 3.

[0036] Here, FIGS. 11 and 12 show a comparative example of the connecting member 3. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing a fall prevention structure 100 including a connecting member 103 of a comparative example. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an installation state of the connecting member 103 of the comparative example and corresponds to a cross-section along line XII-XII in FIG. 11.

[0037] The fall prevention structure 100 includes, for example, a plurality (two) of handrails 2 and a column-type connecting member 103. The connecting member 103 has a base portion 103a fixed to the table board 93 by a nail member (including screws and bolts) 105 and a main body portion 103b extending upward from the base portion 103a. An insertion hole 1030 for inserting the handrail 2 is provided in the main body portion 103b.

[0038] The fall prevention structure 100 receives the human load applied to the upper handrail 2 from the indoor space S1 side (or from above) by the side member 92 to which the end 2a of the handrail 2 is fixed and the column-type connecting member 103. That is, it is a structure that compensates for the insufficient strength of the long handrail 2 by supporting the load on the central portion 2b in the longitudinal direction of the handrail 2 on the tray board 93. Note that the connecting member 103 is a metal member and can be formed by pouring a metal material into a mold.

[0039] In contrast, in the embodiment, although the connecting member 3 is arranged independently of the tray board 93, the first handrail 21 is connected to the second handrail 22 and the third handrail 23 via the connecting member 3. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, even when a human load is applied to the first handrail 21 from the indoor space S1 side, the load can be transmitted to the second handrail 22 and the third handrail 23 via the connecting member 3. In particular, since the first handrail 21 and the third handrail 23 are fixed to the connecting member 3 so as not to be rotatable, the load on the first handrail 21 can be appropriately received by the third handrail 23. In the present embodiment, when a human load is applied to the first handrail 21, by allowing the connecting member 3 to tilt slightly (as viewed in the axial direction of the handrail 2) as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 6, the human load can be appropriately dispersed, and breakage of the first handrail 21 can be suppressed or prevented.

[0040] As described above, since the fall prevention structure 1 in the present embodiment does not have a configuration in which the human load on the first handrail 21 is received by the tray board 93, according to the present embodiment, in the design stage, the entire installation position of the handrail 2 can be freely determined (within the range of the reference method) without considering the distance from the tray board 93.

[0041] In addition, since the connecting member 3 is made of wood and can be manufactured by cutting, it can flexibly respond to an increase or decrease in the number of handrails 2 or a change in the interval between the handrails 2, as compared with the metal connecting member 103. For example, even when the lower end height H1 of the opening 10 shown in FIG. 1 is lower than the lower end height H11 of the opening 10 in the comparative example shown in FIG. 11 and it becomes necessary to increase the number of handrails 2, since the connecting member 3 does not require a formwork, the workability can be improved. Also, an increase in the manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

[0042] In addition, since both the handrail 2 and the connecting member 3 are made of wood, the fall prevention structure 1 in the present embodiment is also suitable for the opening 10 located on the third floor or higher of the building from the viewpoint of the Fire Service Act. Also, the aesthetics of the entire fall prevention structure 1 can be improved.

[0043] (Another configuration example of the connecting member) In the present embodiment, an example in which the connecting member 3 is constituted by a single plate-like member has been shown, but it is not limited to such an example. FIGS. 7 and 8 show other configuration examples. In each figure, a cross-sectional view of the connecting member is shown in (A), and a front view of the connecting member (viewed from the indoor space S1 side) is shown in (B).

[0044] The connecting member 3A shown in FIGS. 7(A) and (B) is constituted by a plurality (for example, two) of vertically split members 61 and 62 that sandwich a plurality of handrails 2 from the indoor space S1 side and the outdoor space S2 side. Semi-circular recesses 610 and 620 for receiving the semi-circular portions of the handrails 2 are provided on the inner surfaces of the vertically split members 61 and 62, respectively, and the above-described insertion holes 30 are formed by the two recesses 610 and 620. It is desirable that the divided vertically split members 61 and 62 be integrated by a fastening material such as a screw or an adhesive. Also, it is desirable that each of the vertically split members 61 and 62 be fixed to at least one handrail 2 by a fastening material 5 shown in FIG. 2 or the like (not shown).

[0045] In this way, by dividing the connecting member 3A, it is possible to attach the connecting member 3A after the handrail 2 is constructed.

[0046] The connecting member 3B shown in FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B) is composed of a plurality (for example, two) of horizontal splitting members 63 and 64 that sandwich a plurality of handrail bars 2 in the vertical direction. The upper horizontal splitting member 63 is provided with semi-circular concave portions 631 and 632 for receiving the semi-circular portions of the handrail bar 2 on its upper end surface and lower end surface, respectively. The lower horizontal splitting member 64 is provided with semi-circular concave portions 641 and 642 for receiving the semi-circular portions of the handrail bar 2 on its upper end surface and lower end surface, respectively. An insertion hole 30 for inserting the second handrail bar 22 is formed by the concave portion 632 on the lower end surface of the horizontal splitting member 63 and the concave portion 641 on the upper end surface of the horizontal splitting member 64. The upper semi-circular portion of the first handrail bar 21 and the lower semi-circular portion of the third handrail bar 23 are exposed without being covered by the connecting member 3B.

[0047] It is desirable that the split horizontal splitting members 63 and 64 be integrated by a fastening material such as a screw or an adhesive. Also, in this example, it is desirable that at least the upper end portion of the horizontal splitting member 63 be fixed to the first handrail bar 21 by a fastening material 5 or the like, and at least the lower end portion of the horizontal splitting member 64 be fixed to the third handrail bar 23 by a fastening material 5 or the like (not shown).

[0048] Also, in this embodiment, an example where the connecting member 3 is made of wood is shown, but it may be composed of a material other than wood as long as the strength can be ensured. For example, it may be made of metal like the connecting member 103 of the comparative example. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the metal connecting member 3C may be formed as one member, or as shown in FIG. 10, the metal connecting member 3D may be composed of a plurality (for example, two) of vertical splitting members 65 and 66. In FIGS. 9 and 10 as well, the cross-sectional view of the connecting member is shown in (A), and the front view of the connecting member (viewed from the indoor space S1 side) is shown in (B).

[0049] (Modification example) In this embodiment, an example where the opening 10 of the building is an opening for the window 11 has been described, but it is not limited to such an example. For example, it may be an opening facing the atrium space provided inside the building.

[0050] In addition, in this embodiment, an example where the handrail 2 is round has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to such an example, and for example, it may be square.

[0051] Note that the plurality of handrails 2 and the connecting members 3 (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) can be provided as a "fall prevention device" installed at the opening of a building.

[0052] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0053] 1 Fall prevention structure, 2, 21, 22, 23 Handrails, 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D Connecting members, 4 Engaging member, 5 Fastening material, 9 Wall, 10 Opening, 11 Window, 30 Insertion hole, 61, 62, 65, 66 Vertically split members, 63, 64 Horizontally split members, 91 Window frame, 92 Side member, 93 Lower member (serving board), S1 Indoor space, S2 Outdoor space.

Claims

1. A fall prevention structure at an opening of a building, A plurality of handrails having both ends fixed to side members located on both left and right sides of the opening and arranged at intervals in the height direction, and A connection member that is arranged above and separated from a lower member located below the opening and connects the central portions in the longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of handrails. The fall prevention structure includes the connection member.

2. The fall prevention structure according to claim 1, wherein the connection member is made of wood and is provided with a plurality of insertion holes corresponding to the number of the handrails.

3. The handrail has a circular cross-section, The fall prevention structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of handrails is fixedly and non-rotatably attached to the connection member.

4. The fall prevention structure according to claim 1, wherein three or more handrails are provided.

5. The fall prevention structure according to claim 1, wherein the connection member is composed of a plurality of longitudinally split members that sandwich the plurality of handrails from the indoor side and the outdoor side.

6. The fall prevention structure according to claim 1, wherein the connection member is composed of a plurality of horizontally split members that sandwich the plurality of handrails in the vertical direction.

7. A fall prevention device installed at an opening of a building, A plurality of handrails having both ends fixed to side members located on both left and right sides of the opening in the installed state and arranged at intervals in the height direction, and A connection member that is arranged above and separated from a lower member located below the opening in the installed state and connects the central portions in the longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of handrails. The fall prevention device includes the connection member.

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