Safety fence

Abstract

To provide a safety fence which can be folded into an elongated shape.SOLUTION: The first safety fence 1A includes a pair of vertical supports 2 and 3 extending in the vertical direction, a pair of mutually rotatable cross bars 4 and 5 disposed between the pair of vertical supports 2 and 3 so as to cross each other in an X shape, a fabric curtain 7 stretched between the pair of vertical supports 2 and 3, and a lock mechanism 15. The vertical supports 2, 3 are composed of an outer cylinder side 2a, a side 3a and an inner cylinder side 2b, a side 3b slidably fitted to each other so as to be expandable in the vertical direction, the upper ends of the outer cylinder side 2a, side 3a are connected to the upper parts of the cross bars 4, 5, and the lower ends of the inner cylinder side 2b, side 3b are connected to the lower parts of the cross bars 4, 5. By unlocking the lock mechanism 15 and bringing the pillars 2 and 3 close to each other so as to reduce the crossing angle of the crossbars 4 and 5, the folding state can be achieved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a safety fence that is installed to restrict unauthorized persons from entering a dangerous area during construction or inspection work on an elevator or escalator, for example. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, during elevator or escalator construction or inspection work, safety fences are required to prevent unauthorized access to dangerous areas by unauthorized personnel. As disclosed in Patent Document 1 and elsewhere, these safety fences generally consist of a rectangular frame made of light alloy pipes such as aluminum and a fabric screen stretched between, for example, a pair of vertical pipes on the left and right sides of the frame. The vertical pipes of one safety fence are connected to the vertical pipes of an adjacent safety fence via brackets, allowing multiple safety fences to be connected in sequence. For example, four connected safety fences can be arranged to form a roughly U-shape in plan view, surrounding a dangerous area such as an elevator entrance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-247161 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses that a series of connected safety fences can be folded so that they overlap each other to make them easier for workers to carry. However, each safety fence, i.e., each individual safety fence, remains the same size, and the external shape of the rectangular frame does not become smaller, so it remains large and difficult to handle when transporting it to and from the work site. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This invention is a safety fence that can stand on its own by connecting at least two of them, A pair of vertical supports extending in the vertical direction; a pair of cross bars arranged between the pair of vertical supports so as to intersect with each other in an X-shape, rotatably connected to each other at the center of the intersection, and both ends of which are rotatably connected to the upper and lower ends of the vertical supports, respectively; A cloth curtain stretched between the pair of vertical posts; Equipped with The vertical support is composed of an outer tube and an inner tube that are slidably fitted together so as to be expandable and contractible in the vertical direction, and the ends of the crossbar are connected to the ends of the outer tube and the inner tube, respectively; The crossbar is configured to be foldable in such a way that the crossing angle between the pair of crossbars is reduced.

[0006] The safety fence is deployed for use when a pair of vertical posts connected by an X-shaped crossbar are spread apart. The fabric screen is stretched taut between the vertical posts. In this deployed state, the vertical posts, consisting of an outer tube and an inner tube, are shortened in length.

[0007] By connecting two or more safety fences in this expanded state, the safety fence can be made to stand on its own, and can be used, for example, to surround the entrance to an elevator under construction.

[0008] After use, the safety fence in this unfolded state can be transformed into a folded state in which the cross angle of the X-shaped crossbars is reduced by moving the pair of vertical supports closer to each other. When moving from this unfolded state to the folded state, the vertical supports extend in length from the outer and inner tubes.

[0009] Therefore, it can be folded into an elongated shape as a whole.

[0010] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a locking mechanism is provided between the pair of cross bars, which extends in the shape of a single horizontal rod when the safety fence is in an unfolded state and maintains the distance between the pair of cross bars, This locking mechanism is composed of a pair of links whose base ends are rotatably connected to the pair of cross bars and whose tips are rotatably connected to each other, The lock is released by moving the central connecting part in a direction parallel to the vertical support.

[0011] In other words, the pair of links that make up the locking mechanism act as a kind of toggle mechanism, pushing the X-shaped combined crossbars apart as they approach a straight line. When the safety fence reaches a predetermined deployed state, the pair of links become a single rod-like shape, supporting the tension of the fabric screen and maintaining the deployed state of the safety fence. Then, by pulling the central connecting part upward, for example, the lock is released and the fence can be folded into its folded state.

[0012] In addition, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper and lower ends of the crossbar extend upward and downward from the connection point with the vertical support along the extension line of the vertical support, and the ends of the crossbar protruding upward and downward from the vertical support are connected to the ends of the crossbar of an adjacent second safety fence via connecting brackets, thereby connecting to an adjacent second safety fence. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to this invention, each safety fence can be transported and stored in a collapsed state in which the left and right vertical posts are close to each other, making it easy to handle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing two safety fences of an embodiment connected together. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the safety fence of FIG. 1 from the opposite side. [Figure 3]Showing two safety fences arranged at a 90° angle, (a) perspective view from the outside, (b) perspective view from the inside, and (c) plan view from above. [Figure 4] Showing two safety fences arranged at an angle of 120°, (a) perspective view from the outside, (b) perspective view from the inside, and (c) plan view from above. [Figure 5] An explanatory diagram of the process when folding two safety fences while they are still connected. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the safety fence of the embodiment in the deployed state. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the safety fence of the embodiment in a folded state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. Figures 1 and 2 show two safety fences that are an embodiment of the present invention connected together. More specifically, a first safety fence 1A equipped with a locking mechanism (described below) is combined with a second safety fence 1B that does not have a locking mechanism. Because both have the same basic configuration, the following will mainly describe the first safety fence 1A, and only the differences between the two will be described for the second safety fence 1B.

[0016] First, the first safety fence 1A will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 is a front view showing the first safety fence 1A from the inside, which is the side facing the worker when used on site. The first safety fence 1A includes a pair of vertical posts 2, 3 extending in the vertical direction, a pair of crossbars 4, 5 arranged between the pair of vertical posts 2, 3 so as to intersect with each other in an X-shape and rotatably connected to each other via a pin 6 at the center of the intersection, and a cloth screen 7 stretched between the pair of vertical posts 2, 3.

[0017] The crossbars 4, 5 are made of aluminum alloy pipes with a circular cross section, and the central portions where they intersect are flattened to form a flat cross-sectional shape. The crossbars 4, 5 and the vertical supports 2, 3 are connected to each other so that they can rotate relative to each other by fixing tabs 8 made of hard synthetic resin to the ends of the crossbars 4, 5 and providing similar tabs 9 at the upper and lower ends of the vertical supports 2, 3. These plate-shaped tabs 8, 9 are connected to each other via pins 10.

[0018] The upper and lower ends of the crossbars 4, 5 extend further upward and downward than the tabs 8, forming upper extensions 4a, 5a and lower extensions 4b, 5b that extend along the extension lines of the vertical struts 2, 3. In other words, the upper extensions 4a, 5a and the lower extensions 4b, 5b are bent at an appropriate angle relative to the X-shaped main portions of the crossbars 4, 5 so that they are aligned along vertical lines when in use as shown in Figure 6.

[0019] The lower ends of the downward extensions 4b and 5b become the ground contact parts when in use and are equipped with ferrules 11 made of hard synthetic resin. They also have weight attachment parts 12, which are cylindrical protrusions for attaching weights (not shown) when in use. The pair of left and right weight attachment parts 12 are arranged facing inward. Caps 13 made of synthetic resin are attached to the tips of the upward extensions 4a and 5a.

[0020] A locking mechanism 15 is provided between the pair of crossbars 4, 5 to secure the pair of crossbars 4, 5, which are rotatably connected to each other. The locking mechanism 15 is located above the pin 6 and is composed of a pair of links 15c, each of which has a base end rotatably connected to each of the crossbars 4, 5 via a pin 15a and a tip end rotatably connected to each other via a pin 15b, forming a sort of toggle mechanism. The central pin 15b is provided with a synthetic resin knob 15d for finger operation. When the first safety fence 1A is deployed as shown in FIG. 6, the locking mechanism 15 extends like a single horizontal rod to maintain the spacing between the crossbars 4, 5. The length of the fabric screen 7 (the dimension in the left-right direction in FIG. 6) is set so that an appropriate tension is applied to the fabric screen 7. When the pair of links 15c are linear and locked, the upper edge of the knob 15d interferes with the link 15c, preventing the knob 15d from being pushed further downward.

[0021] As will be described later, the locking mechanism 15 is unlocked by pulling up the knob portion 15d in a direction parallel to the vertical supports 2 and 3, that is, upward.

[0022] Additionally, the base of a strap 17 of a predetermined length is fixed to the center where the pair of crossbars 4, 5 intersect, i.e., to pin 6. Strap 17 is a flexible band made of cloth, flexible synthetic resin, or the like, and is equipped with a hook 18 at its tip. As will be described later, this strap 17 is used to limit the angle between itself and the second safety fence 1B.

[0023] The fabric curtain 7 is made of a woven fabric or the like having sufficient strength, and is colored, for example, yellow to make it conspicuous. Although not shown, it is printed with a symbol resembling a no-entry road sign or appropriate text indicating that construction is underway. The left and right ends of the fabric curtain 7 are folded over and sewn together to form a continuous, elongated cylindrical bag. The vertical supports 2 and 3 are inserted into these bag-like portions. In Figures 6 and 7, the fabric curtain 7 is shown with imaginary lines to show the vertical supports 2 and 3 covered by the fabric curtain 7.

[0024] 7, the vertical supports 2, 3 are composed of outer cylinders 2a, 3a and inner cylinders 2b, 3b that are slidably fitted together so as to be extendable in the vertical direction. The outer cylinders 2a, 3a and inner cylinders 2b, 3b are both made of aluminum alloy pipes with circular cross sections, with the upper ends of the outer cylinders 2a, 3a connected to the tops of the cross bars 4, 5 and the lower ends of the inner cylinders 2b, 3b connected to the bottoms of the cross bars 4, 5. In one embodiment, the flat tabs 9 are formed by crushing the ends of the circular cross section pipes.

[0025] The outer tubes 2a, 3a have a length corresponding to the vertical width of the fabric screen 7, and the fabric screen 7 is wrapped around the outer periphery of the outer tubes 2a, 3a. The fabric screen 7 is not in direct contact with the inner tubes 2b, 3b. The lengths of the inner tubes 2b, 3b are set so as to satisfy the overall length required for the vertical supports 2, 3 when the X-shaped crossbars 4, 5 are folded as shown in Figure 7, and in the unfolded state as shown in Figure 6, the entire inner tubes 2b, 3b (except for the tabs 9 at the lower ends) are housed within the outer tubes 2a, 3a.

[0026] Figure 7 shows the first safety fence 1A configured as described above in a folded state. As can be easily understood from Figures 6 and 7, the first safety fence 1A can be folded as shown in Figure 7 by unlocking the locking mechanism 15 and moving the left and right vertical posts 2, 3 closer together so that the crossing angle of the crossbars 4, 5 decreases. In this folded state, the fabric screen 7 is in a slack state, and the entire first safety fence 1A is folded into a slender shape. At this time, the vertical posts 2, 3 allow for dimensional changes in the vertical direction due to the inner tubes 2b, 3b protruding from the outer tubes 2a, 3a and the crossing angle of the crossbars 4, 5 decreasing.

[0027] Therefore, the first safety fence 1A can be carried in and out of the work site and stored in a folded state, making it easy to handle.

[0028] To change from the folded state shown in Fig. 7 to the unfolded state shown in Fig. 6, the pair of vertical struts 2, 3 are spread apart together with the crossbars 4, 5, and the knob 15d of the locking mechanism 15 is pressed down to lock them. As described above, the pair of links 15c function as a kind of toggle mechanism, balancing the force spreading them apart and the tension of the fabric curtain 7, thereby firmly maintaining the unfolded state shown in Fig. 6. When unfolding from the folded state to the unfolded state, the inner tubes 2b, 3b of the vertical struts 2, 3 move into the outer tubes 2a, 3a, thereby reducing their lengths.

[0029] 1 to 5 show a configuration in which the above-mentioned first safety fence 1A is connected to a second safety fence 1B. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the second safety fence 1B is basically configured in the same way as the first safety fence 1A, and includes a pair of vertical posts 2, 3 extending in the vertical direction, a pair of crossbars 4, 5 arranged between the pair of vertical posts 2, 3 so as to intersect with each other in an X-shape and rotatably connected to each other at the center of the intersection via a pin 6, and a cloth curtain 7 stretched between the pair of vertical posts 2, 3. As explained in Figs. 6 and 7, the vertical posts 2, 3 are composed of outer cylinders 2a, 3a and inner cylinders 2b, 3b slidably fitted together so as to be expandable and contractible in the vertical direction.

[0030] The first safety fence 1A and the second safety fence 1B are connected to each other by connecting the upper extensions 4a, 5a and the lower extensions 4b, 5b of the crossbars 4, 5 via a connecting bracket 21 made of synthetic resin. Specifically, the upper extension 5a of the crossbar 5 of the first safety fence 1A and the upper extension 4a of the crossbar 4 of the second safety fence 1B are positioned adjacent to each other and are connected by the connecting bracket 21. The connecting bracket 21 has a shape formed by integrally molding two cylindrical sections with C-shaped openings, and the elasticity of the synthetic resin material allows each C-shaped cylindrical section to be pressed into the upper extensions 5a, 4a. The connecting bracket 21 can swing relative to both of the two upper extensions 5a, 4a. Similarly, the lower extension 4b of the crossbar 4 of the first safety fence 1A and the lower extension 5b of the crossbar 5 of the second safety fence 1B are positioned adjacent to each other and are swingably connected by the connecting bracket 21.

[0031] Therefore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first safety fence 1A and the second safety fence 1B can be spread out at an appropriate angle and made to stand on their own. Furthermore, many more first safety fences 1A and second safety fences 1B can be connected together. Furthermore, by using, for example, two sets of connected first safety fences 1A and second safety fences 1B as shown in Figures 3 or 4, it is possible to surround three sides of an elevator entrance during work, for example.

[0032] Unlike the first safety fence 1A, the second safety fence 1B does not have a locking mechanism 15 or a strap 17. On the other hand, two positioning buttons 22, 23 are attached to the upper half of one of the crossbars 4, more specifically, to the upper half of the crossbar 4 on the side adjacent to the first safety fence 1A. When the hook 18 at the end of the strap 17 of the first safety fence 1A is hooked onto the crossbar 4, these positioning buttons 22, 23 interfere with the hook 18 which attempts to move in the longitudinal direction of the crossbar 4, and thereby determine the position of the hook 18 and therefore the direction of the strap 17.

[0033] Figure 3 shows the state in which the hook 18 is engaged just below the lower positioning button 22. At this time, the angle between the first safety fence 1A and the second safety fence 1B is restricted to approximately 90°. In other words, if an attempt is made to widen the angle between the first safety fence 1A and the second safety fence 1B, the hook 18 will interfere with the positioning button 22, and the position of the hook 18 will be restricted by the positioning button 22, so that the angle between the first safety fence 1A and the second safety fence 1B will be restricted to approximately 90°, as shown in Figures 3(b) and (c).

[0034] 4 shows a state in which the hook 18 is engaged just below the upper positioning button 23. At this time, the angle between the first safety fence 1A and the second safety fence 1B is restricted to approximately 120°.

[0035] 3 and 4, in one embodiment, the positioning buttons 22 and 23 are provided at positions corresponding to angles of 90° and 120°. By limiting the angle between the two safety fences 1A and 1B using the positioning buttons 22 and 23 and the strap 17 in this way, the installation work becomes easier and the fences can be installed in a stable state.

[0036] Figures 5(a), (b), and (c) show the operating procedure for folding the first safety fence 1A and the second safety fence 1B while they are connected. Figure 5(a) shows the use state in which the two safety fences 1A and 1B are spread out at a 90° angle, for example. From this state, by bending them around the connecting bracket 21, the two safety fences 1A and 1B can be stacked on top of each other as shown in Figure 5(b). In this state, the locking mechanism 15 of the first safety fence 1A is unlocked, and as described above, the left and right vertical supports 2 and 3 are moved closer together so that the crossing angle of the crossbars 4 and 5 decreases, and the two safety fences 1A and 1B can be folded together as shown in Figure 5(c). The folded state shown in Figure 5(c) can also be maintained by wrapping the strap 17 around the entire structure and hooking the hook 18 at the end of the strap 17 at an appropriate location.

[0037] This is therefore advantageous in terms of carrying in, carrying out and storing the two safety fences 1A and 1B.

[0038] To unfold the safety fences from the folded state shown in Figure (c), simply unfold the safety fences 1A and 1B in the reverse order as shown in Figure (b), and then set them up as shown in Figure (c). Here, if the locking mechanism 15 of the first safety fence 1A is locked, the vertical dimension of the second safety fence 1B, which is connected to the first safety fence 1A via the two upper and lower connecting brackets 21, is restricted, so there is no need for a locking mechanism 15 on the second safety fence 1B side. Since the second safety fence 1B does not have a locking mechanism 15, it becomes possible to fold and unfold the two safety fences 1A and 1B simultaneously.

[0039] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and various modifications are possible. For example, if a firm lock is not required, it is possible to connect multiple safety fences that do not have locking mechanisms 15. Also, it is possible to connect multiple first safety fences 1A that have locking mechanisms 15. Furthermore, the vertical supports 2, 3 may be configured to be longer in the vertical direction than the crossbars 4, 5, and the lower ends of the vertical supports 2, 3 may be placed on the floor. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1A…1st safety fence 1B…Second safety fence 2,3...Vertical support 2a,3a…outer cylinder 2b,3b…Inner cylinder 4,5...Crossbar 7…cloth curtain 15...locking mechanism 17...Strap 21...Connecting bracket 22, 23... Positioning buttons

Claims

1. A safety fence that can stand on its own by connecting at least two of them, A pair of vertical supports extending in the vertical direction; a pair of cross bars arranged between the pair of vertical supports so as to intersect with each other in an X-shape, rotatably connected to each other at the center of the intersection, and both ends of which are rotatably connected to the upper and lower ends of the vertical supports, respectively; A cloth curtain stretched between the pair of vertical posts; Equipped with The vertical support is composed of an outer tube and an inner tube that are slidably fitted together so as to be expandable and contractible in the vertical direction, and the ends of the crossbar are connected to the ends of the outer tube and the inner tube, respectively; The safety fence is foldable in such a way that the crossing angle of the pair of crossbars is reduced.

2. A locking mechanism is provided between the pair of cross bars, which extends in the shape of a single horizontal rod when the safety fence is in the deployed state, and maintains the distance between the pair of cross bars. This locking mechanism is composed of a pair of links whose base ends are rotatably connected to the pair of cross bars and whose tips are rotatably connected to each other, The lock is released by moving the central connecting part in a direction parallel to the vertical support. The safety fence according to claim 1.

3. The upper and lower ends of the crossbar extend vertically from the connection with the vertical support along the extension line of the vertical support, A safety fence as described in claim 1, which is connected to an adjacent second safety fence by connecting the ends of the crossbars protruding upward and downward from the vertical supports to the ends of the crossbars of an adjacent second safety fence via connecting brackets.

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