Handrails and workbenches for internal combustion engines

Abstract

The structure of the carabiner on the safety harness, and consequently the handrail that helps prevent workers from falling, will be simplified. [Solution] The handrail 10 comprises a pair of vertically extending outer vertical members 11, 12, an upper horizontal member 13 that connects the upper ends of the pair of outer vertical members 11, 12 and extends horizontally, an additional rail 14 that extends horizontally adjacent to the upper horizontal member 13, and a pair of connecting parts 15, 16 that connect the upper ends of the pair of outer vertical members 11, 12 to the ends of the additional rail 14, respectively. The upper horizontal member 13, the additional rail 14, and the pair of connecting parts 15, 16 define a long opening 20 in the direction of extension of the upper horizontal member 13 and the additional rail 14. The distance Δ20 between the upper horizontal member 13 and the additional rail 14 is a predetermined ratio to the length L11 of the outer vertical members 11, 12.

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present invention relates to a handrail and a workbench for an internal combustion engine. [[Background Art]]

[0002] Among internal combustion engines, there are large-sized ones that have a height of several meters, for example, such as in-house power generation engines installed in factories. For large internal combustion engines, a workbench with a scaffold is fixedly attached in advance for the convenience of inspection work at high places. To ensure the safety of inspection work, workers are required to fasten a safety belt around their waists. A closed-loop hook (carabiner) is provided at the end of the safety belt, and the carabiner is locked to a handrail attached to the scaffold.

[0003] Workers at construction sites also wear safety belts during work and lock the carabiners to handrails. Patent Document 1 discloses a handrail for a temporary scaffold installed at a construction site. This handrail includes a pair of vertical members, a horizontal member connecting the upper ends of the vertical members, a lower rail connecting the lower ends of the vertical members, and a middle rail extending horizontally between the horizontal member and the lower rail. A protruding portion is further provided on the handrail. The protruding portion protrudes upward from the upper end of the vertical member relative to the horizontal member, or protrudes outward from both ends of the horizontal member relative to the vertical member. The protruding portion is expected to engage with the carabiner and restrict the movement of the carabiner when a worker falls from the scaffold. The action of the protruding portion prevents the carabiner and thus the worker from falling. [[Prior Art Documents]] [[Patent Documents]]

[0004] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-148131 [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0005] Carabiners come in a variety of opening sizes. Therefore, depending on the opening size, there is a risk that the carabiner may slip over a protruding part. Furthermore, the presence of mechanisms to prevent the carabiner from falling complicates the structure of the handrail.

[0006] The present invention aims to simplify the structure of a handrail that helps prevent the carabiner of a safety harness and, consequently, the worker from falling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides a handrail comprising a pair of vertically extending outer vertical members, an upper horizontal member connecting the upper ends of the pair of outer vertical members and extending horizontally, an additional crossbar extending horizontally adjacent to the upper horizontal member, and a pair of connecting parts connecting both ends of the upper horizontal member to both ends of the additional crossbar, wherein the upper horizontal member, the additional crossbar, and the pair of connecting parts define a long opening in the direction of extension of the upper horizontal member and the additional crossbar, and the distance between the upper horizontal member and the additional crossbar is a predetermined ratio to the length of the outer vertical members.

[0008] Here, the directions such as "vertical" and "horizontal" may be slightly inclined. With the above configuration, an opening is formed between the upper horizontal member and the additional rail, to which a hook (carabiner) can be attached. The opening is long in the direction in which the upper horizontal member extends. Therefore, the range of motion of the worker is widened along the direction in which the upper horizontal member extends, improving work efficiency. Because the distance between the upper horizontal member and the additional rail, that is, the length of the pair of connecting parts, is relatively small, even if a worker were to fall, the carabiner would immediately catch on the member defining the opening. This helps to prevent the carabiner and, consequently, the worker from falling. This effect is achieved by adding the additional rail and the pair of connecting parts. Therefore, the structure of the handrail can be kept simple.

[0009] The aforementioned percentage may be between 1.5% and 10%.

[0010] The additional support beam may be positioned lower and close to the upper horizontal member. The additional support beam may be positioned close to the upper horizontal member in a direction perpendicular to both the extending direction of the upper horizontal member and the extending direction of the outer vertical member. The pair of connecting parts may extend from both ends of the upper horizontal member at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the extending direction of the outer vertical member, and the inclination angle may be in the range of -15 degrees to 15 degrees.

[0011] One aspect of the present invention provides a work platform for an internal combustion engine, comprising at least one handrail, a scaffolding located above a floor surface on which an internal combustion engine is installed and provided along the side of the internal combustion engine, and a ladder extending downward from the scaffolding and supported by the floor surface, wherein the handrail is erected on the scaffolding. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, the structure of the carabiner on the safety harness and, consequently, the handrail that helps prevent workers from falling can be simplified. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] A schematic perspective view of an internal combustion engine to which a workbench equipped with a handrail according to the first embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] Front view of the handrail in Figure 1. [Figure 3] A perspective view of the handrail according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] A perspective view of the handrail according to the third embodiment. [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view of the handrail in Figure 4. [Figure 6] A cross-sectional view of a handrail according to a modified example of the third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and redundant detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0015] FIG. 1 schematically shows an internal combustion engine 50 to which a work bench 40 including a handrail 10 according to a first embodiment is applied. The internal combustion engine 50 may be a diesel engine, a gas engine, or a gas turbine engine. The internal combustion engine 50 is installed on a floor surface. The internal combustion engine 50 may be placed stationary in a factory and used as a power source for a generator. The internal combustion engine 50 may be mounted on a ship.

[0016] The internal combustion engine 50 is large-sized, and has an overall height of, for example, 2 m to 7 m. For convenience of inspection work at a high place, a work bench 40 is provided around the internal combustion engine 50. A scaffold 1 of the work bench 40 is plate-shaped and extends substantially horizontally at a position spaced upward from the floor surface. The scaffold 1 may be supported by the internal combustion engine 50 via a bracket 2 that connects a lower surface side of the scaffold 1 to a side surface of the internal combustion engine 50, as illustrated. The scaffold 1 may be supported on the floor surface via a plurality of legs (not shown).

[0017] By way of only a mere example, the scaffold 1 has a rectangular shape in plan view and is provided along the side surface of the internal combustion engine 50. The scaffold 1 has a pair of long side edges and a pair of short side edges, wherein the extending direction of the long side edges is the longitudinal direction of the scaffold 1, and the extending direction of the short side edges is the width direction of the scaffold 1. The pair of long side edges include one close to the side surface of the internal combustion engine 50 and one spaced apart from the side surface of the internal combustion engine 50 in the width direction. In the width direction, the side close to the internal combustion engine 50 is defined as an inner side, and the side far from the internal combustion engine 50 is defined as an outer side.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the work bench 40 further includes a ladder 3 and a pair of handrails 10. The ladder 3 is provided at a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the scaffold 1 and on the outer side in the width direction, extends downward while tilting outward from the scaffold 1, and is supported on the floor surface. The pair of handrails 10 are provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the scaffold 1 so as to sandwich the ladder 3 in the longitudinal direction. Each handrail 10 is fence-shaped and is provided upright from the outer long side edge of the scaffold 1. The handrail 10 may be supported on an upper surface of the scaffold 1 via a support member 5 extending obliquely. A gap between the pair of handrails 10 serves as an entrance / exit 4 for a worker 90 to get on and off the scaffold 1.

[0019] A worker 90 can climb onto the scaffold 1 from the floor via the ladder 3 and the access opening 4. Since a pair of handrails 10 is attached to the scaffold 1, the worker 90 can work safely on the scaffold 1. When the work is completed, the worker 90 can descend from the scaffold 1 to the floor via the access opening 4 and the ladder 3.

[0020] Referring to Fig. 2, in order to guarantee the safety of inspection work, the worker 90 is required to fasten a safety belt 91 around the waist during work on the scaffold 1. A carabiner 92 is attached to a tip end of the safety belt 91, and the carabiner 92 is detachably locked to the handrail 10.

[0021] The pair of handrails 10 have the same configuration as each other. As an example, the members constituting the handrail 10 are metal pipe materials. The handrail 10 is configured by joining a plurality of pipe materials using a joining means such as welding.

[0022] The handrail 10 includes a pair of vertically extending outer vertical members 11 and 12, an upper horizontal member 13 that connects upper end portions of the pair of outer vertical members 11 and 12 and extends horizontally, and an additional crosspiece 14 that extends horizontally adjacent to the upper horizontal member 13. The pair of outer vertical members 11, 12 and the upper horizontal member 13 have an inverted U shape in a front view. The additional crosspiece 14 extends parallel to the upper horizontal member 13.

[0023] In the present embodiment, the additional crosspiece 14 is located adjacently above the upper horizontal member 13. The term "adjacent" here means, for example, that the distance between the additional crosspiece 14 and the upper horizontal member 13 is shorter than the distance between the scaffold and the upper horizontal member 13. Both ends of the additional crosspiece 14 are respectively connected to both ends of the upper horizontal member 13 via a pair of connection portions 15 and 16. The pair of connection portions 15 and 16 are formed by extending the pair of outer vertical members 11 and 12 upward from the connection sites with the upper horizontal member 13.

[0024] The handrail 10 comprises a lattice section 17 provided in an area enclosed by a pair of outer vertical members 11, 12, an upper horizontal member 13, and the scaffolding 1. The lattice section 17 includes one or more inner vertical members 18 (two in the illustrated example) and one or more inner horizontal members 19 (one in the illustrated example). The inner vertical members 18 are positioned between the pair of outer vertical members 11, 12 and extend parallel to the outer vertical members 11, 12. The lower end of the inner vertical member 18 is supported or joined to the upper surface of the scaffolding 1, and the upper end of the inner vertical member 18 is joined to the upper horizontal member 13. The inner horizontal member 19 is positioned between the upper surface of the scaffolding 1 and the upper horizontal member 13 and extends parallel to the upper horizontal member 13 and the additional crossbar 14. Both ends of the inner horizontal member 19 are connected to the pair of outer vertical members 11, 12, respectively. The inner vertical members 18 and inner horizontal members 19 are assembled in a lattice or grid pattern and arranged within the above area. The lattice section 17 improves the structural strength of the handrail 10 and prevents workers 90 from falling.

[0025] The handrail 10 includes an opening 20 defined by an upper horizontal member 13, an additional rail 14, and a pair of connecting parts 15 and 16. The inner vertical member 18 terminates at the upper horizontal member 13 and does not enter the opening 20. Also, the length of the connecting parts 15 and 16 is shorter than the length of the upper horizontal member 13 and the additional rail 14 (the distance between the pair of outer vertical members 11 and 12). The opening 20 is elongated in the direction in which the upper horizontal member 13 and the additional rail 14 extend. The opening 20 is formed across the entire length of the handrail 10 in the lateral direction.

[0026] In this embodiment, the carabiner 92 is secured to the handrail 10 such that the additional strut 14 passes through the loop of the carabiner 92. In this case, the carabiner 92 can move from one end of the handrail 10 to the other, guided by the additional strut 14, without interfering with the grid section 17, as the worker moves on the scaffolding 1. This ensures a wide range of motion for the worker 90 wearing the safety harness 91 on the scaffolding 1, improving work efficiency.

[0027] The distance Δ20 between the upper horizontal member 13 and the additional rail 14 (i.e., the length of the pair of connecting parts 15, 16, or the height of the opening 20) is a predetermined ratio to the length L11 of the outer vertical members 11, 12. In this embodiment, the pair of connecting parts 15, 16 extend in the vertical direction, and the total height H10 of the handrail 10 corresponds to the sum of the length L10 of the outer vertical members 11, 12 and the distance Δ20. The total height H10 is set to approximately 1100 mm (roughly the part above the waist height of an adult male, the 50th percentile).

[0028] For example, the spacing Δ20 is less than 10% of the length L11 of the outer vertical members 11 and 12. In this way, the height of the opening 20 is limited, so even if a worker 90 were to fall from the scaffolding 1, the carabiner 92 would catch on the upper horizontal member 13 immediately after reaching the connecting parts 15 and 16 from the additional crossbar 14. The downward movement of the carabiner 92 is restricted, thereby preventing the worker 90 from falling.

[0029] On the other hand, the spacing Δ20 is 1.5% or more of the length L11 of the outer vertical member 11. By ensuring this spacing Δ20, it is possible to prevent the carabiner 92 from getting stuck inside the opening 20 and making it difficult for the worker 90 to move, thereby maintaining high work efficiency.

[0030] This effect is achieved by adding the additional rail 14 and the pair of connecting parts 15 and 16. Therefore, the structure of the handrail 10 and the work platform 40 equipped with it can be kept simple.

[0031] Although the first embodiment has been described so far, the above configuration is merely an example and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 3 shows a handrail 10 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the additional rail 14 may be close to the upper horizontal member 13 in a direction perpendicular to both the extending direction of the upper horizontal member 13 and the extending direction of the outer vertical members 11 and 12. That is, the additional rail 14 may be close to the upper horizontal member 13 in the width direction of the scaffolding 1. In the illustrated example, the additional rail 14 is positioned on the inside (closer to the internal combustion engine 50) in the width direction relative to the upper horizontal member 13, but it may be positioned on the opposite side. The pair of connecting parts 15 and 16 extend between the upper horizontal member 13 and the additional rail 14. More specifically, the pair of connecting parts 15 and 16 extend inward in the width direction from the upper ends of the pair of outer vertical members 11 and 12 and are connected to each end of the additional rail 14.

[0033] In this embodiment as well, the handrail 10 is provided with an opening 20 defined by an upper horizontal member 13, an additional rail 14, and a pair of connecting parts 15 and 16. The carabiner is attached to the U-shaped portion formed by the additional rail 14 and the pair of connecting parts 15 and 16.

[0034] In this embodiment, the same effects and advantages as in the first embodiment can be obtained. In this embodiment, since the pair of connecting parts 15 and 16 extend in the width direction (horizontally), it is easier to restrict the downward movement of the carabiner when the worker 90 falls. Therefore, safety is improved.

[0035] Figures 4 and 5 show a handrail 10 according to the third embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the handrail 10 further comprises an inwardly extending portion 21 that extends horizontally from one end of the upper horizontal member 13 (the end opposite to the entrance / exit 4) toward the side of the internal combustion engine 50, and an additional vertical member 22 that extends downward from the tip of the inwardly extending portion toward the scaffolding 1.

[0036] As shown in Figure 5, the pair of connecting parts 15 and 16 extend from both ends of the upper horizontal member 13 at a predetermined inclination angle θ with respect to the extending direction of the outer vertical members 11 and 12. The inclination angle θ is in the range of -15 degrees to 15 degrees. For convenience, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the inclination angle θ is considered positive when the extending direction of the connecting parts 15 and 16 is inclined away from the internal combustion engine 50 with respect to the extending direction of the outer vertical members 11 and 12. In this embodiment, the inclination angle θ is set within the range of 0 degrees to +15 degrees.

[0037] Furthermore, the additional connecting portion 23 extends from the tip of the inwardly extending portion 21 in the same manner as the pair of connecting portions 15 and 16. The additional crossbar 14 connects the tips of the pair of connecting portions 15 and 16 and extends from the tip of the connecting portion 15 to the tip of the additional connecting portion 23.

[0038] In this embodiment, the opening 20 is defined by the upper vertical member 13, the additional crossbar 14, the pair of connecting parts 15 and 16, the inwardly extending part 21, and the additional connecting part 23. This embodiment also provides the same effects as the above embodiment.

[0039] Figure 6 shows a modified example of the third embodiment. The extending direction of the pair of connecting parts 15 and 16 may be inclined to approach the internal combustion engine 50 with respect to the extending direction of the outer vertical members 11 and 12. In this case, the inclination angle θ is negative. The inclination angle θ can be set within the range of 0 degrees to -15 degrees. This modified example also provides the same effects as the third embodiment.

[0040] In each of the embodiments described above, a pair of handrails 10 were provided on the workbench 40, but the number of handrails 10 is not particularly limited and may be one or three or more. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1. Scaffolding 2 brackets 3 ladder 4 entrances / exits 5 Support material 10 Handrails 11,12 Outer longitudinal members 13 Upper cross member 14 Additional slats 15,16 Connection part 17 Lattice section 18 Inner longitudinal members 19 Interior cross member 20 openings 21 Inward extension 22 Additional vertical members 23 Additional connection section 40 workbenches 50 Internal Combustion Engines 90 workers 91 Safety harness 92 Carabiners L11 Length Δ20 interval θ Tilt angle

Claims

1. A pair of vertically extending outer members, The upper ends of the pair of outer vertical members are connected to an upper horizontal member that extends horizontally, An additional crossbar extending horizontally in close proximity to the aforementioned upper cross member, A pair of connecting parts that connect both ends of the upper cross member to both ends of the additional crossbar, Equipped with, The upper horizontal member, the additional crossbar, and the pair of connecting parts define an elongated opening in the direction of extension of the upper horizontal member and the additional crossbar. The distance between the upper horizontal member and the additional crossbar is a predetermined ratio to the length of the outer vertical member. handrail.

2. The aforementioned percentage is 1.5% or more and 10% or less. The handrail according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned additional crossbar is positioned above and close to the upper horizontal member. The handrail according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned additional support is positioned in a direction perpendicular to both the extending direction of the upper horizontal member and the extending direction of the outer vertical member, and is close to the upper horizontal member. The handrail according to claim 1.

5. The pair of connecting portions extend from both ends of the upper horizontal member at a predetermined angle of inclination with respect to the direction of extension of the outer vertical member, and the angle of inclination is within the range of -15 degrees to 15 degrees. The handrail according to claim 1.

6. A handrail as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, A platform located above the floor surface on which the internal combustion engine is installed, and provided along the side of the internal combustion engine, A ladder extending downward from the scaffolding and supported by the floor surface, Equipped with, The aforementioned handrail is erected on the aforementioned scaffolding. Workbench for internal combustion engines.

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