Fall protection device with an unembedded fastening base for mounting building systems

Abstract

The present invention discloses a fall protection device for mounting building systems that can be used on monolithic formwork for cast-in-place concrete walls and slabs. The device comprises two main bodies: an upper body consisting of a vertical post with a ribbed profile, containing at least one closed structure, and a ribbed horizontal profile located at the upper end of said post, which ends in an anchor plate; and a lower body having an upper cavity that houses the upper body and comprising a cross-shaped base that is not embedded in the first floor (paving). The structural design of the fall protection device of the invention allows building systems with cast concrete slabs and walls to operate efficiently, ensuring safety of the operation to reach the height required for the building system in a single operation.

Description

[0001] FALL PROTECTION DEVICE WITH NON-EMBEDDED FIXING BASE FOR ASSEMBLING CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS

[0002] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to individual protection devices or systems for the execution of construction works in which there is a risk of falling from a height.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The state of the art offers various systems, devices, and methods for personal protection for workers on high-rise construction sites. In this type of construction, it is necessary to provide solutions to prevent accidental falls from these heights.

[0006] In this context, individual protection tools that complement collective protection systems in this type of high-rise buildings include fall arrest devices and apparatus.

[0007] Within the state of the art of this type of personal protection devices and systems, various precedents are observed that provide an anchor point for the execution of operations involving the placement of elements related to the assembly of formwork in which there is a risk of falling from a height. Therefore, several fall arrest solutions have been developed to protect operators in their workplace.

[0008] Many of these solutions incorporate retractable body restraint devices to prevent accidental falls of workers (retractable body restraints) during construction activities on high-rise buildings, such as building facades, scaffolding, roofing, and, in general, construction work at specific points where the anchor point is far from the user. These devices include personal protective equipment such as safety harnesses that, in conjunction with ropes, securing cables, and restraint mechanisms, allow the user to operate safely.

[0009] However, many of these fall-resistance devices have disadvantages related to efficiency during building construction.

[0010] In the patent literature, one sees, for example, document US2010126801 (A1 ), which discloses a fall arrest apparatus for building construction comprising a base; a support column comprising one or more interconnected uprights, the support column having a proximal end mounted to the base; a boom mast having a proximal end rotatably coupled to a distal end of the support column; a boom operable to support a load, the boom having a proximal end coupled to the boom mast such that a distal end of the boom extends away from the boom mast; and a boom support assembly coupled to the boom and the boom mast such that at least a portion of the load is supported by the boom support assembly when the load is applied to the boom.

[0011] Patent ES2274699A1 discloses a safety system (1) for work on surfaces in construction works, comprising a sheath (2), capable of being firmly fixed to the structure (3) under construction, which receives inside a lower end (6) of a mast (4), with the possibility of pivoting on its vertical axis, whose other end (5) is provided with means for holding an operator (7) provided with a harness by means of a retractable device, a rope (8) or similar. The system comprises at least one auxiliary safety element (10), one of whose ends (12, 1 12) is adapted to be coupled to the upper portion (9, 99) of the vertical extension of said mast with the possibility of free rotation with respect to it, another end (14) of said auxiliary safety element being intended for holding another operator (77) also by means of a corresponding retractable device, rope (88) or similar.

[0012] Application US2001032435A1 discloses a portable fall arrest system that includes uprights that are preferably secured to respective anchors embedded within a reinforced concrete beam. The anchors can alternatively be used to support other types of personal safety devices. The anchor of the preferred embodiment is described as a flared helical loop insert having a threaded neck. The loop is disposed within the concrete beam and the neck extends to the exterior surface of the concrete beam. The neck is sized and configured to receive and retain a threaded shaft associated with a safety device. The anchor provides a convenient and reliable anchor point in a concrete beam without piercing the beam and / or potentially weakening its structural integrity.

[0013] Patent US20210262246 discloses a fall protection device for a user performing work on horizontal surfaces at construction sites, which can adopt two extreme positions: an operational protection position and a non-operational storage position. The device comprises: a mast that can be removably coupled at its lower end to a fixed element of the construction and can pivot on its own vertical axis; an arm provided at a first end with an articulated connection to the end of the upper part of the mast, its second end being free and the arm being configured to receive, in an area of ​​the second end, the coupling of means for securing and tying the user; a brace with a first end articulately connected to the arm and with a second end intended to be fixed, in the operational position, at a point on the upper part of the mast below the end of the upper part where the mast is articulated to the arm.The joint of the first end of the brace with the arm is a sliding joint along the arm.

[0014] US6695095 discloses a fall protection restraint apparatus adapted to be secured to a building during construction comprising: a) a base resting on a ground surface of a building during construction; b) a plurality of posts with a first post connected to the base and subsequent posts nested together sequentially as required by the height of the building thereby forming a structurally sound column, each post having a distal socket at one end, said distal socket on the uppermost post being defined as a T-shaped end cap having a plurality of lanyard hooks; c) a plurality of support cables connected between the posts and a building under construction to horizontally support the column forming a braced matrix;(d) at least one retractable lifeline attached to the column, thus allowing the rope to expand and retract freely until a sudden jerk prevents and secures the movement of the rope and; (e) at least one fall arrest harness connected to the lanyard so as to provide safety to the construction worker wearing the harness; in the event of a fall, the lanyard limits and maintains the minimum distance between the worker and the column, thus preventing a fall to the surface below.

[0015] According to the cited state of the art, there is no comprehensive fall-resistance safety device that allows for easy installation work to gain the necessary height for concrete wall and cast slab construction systems in a single event and, at the same time, allows for the assembly of collective safety systems, structural steel, electrical, and hydraulic systems, guaranteeing the safety of the operation.

[0016] The fall arrest device disclosed in this description was developed as a temporary anchoring solution for civil construction, with the aim of minimizing risks in the assembly of collective protection systems.

[0017] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present invention provides a fall protection device for the assembly of construction systems, which can be applied to monolithic formwork for concrete walls and slabs. In particular, the present invention relates to a fall protection device for the assembly of construction systems for cast-in-situ concrete walls and slabs, which comprises: an upper body composed of a vertical post with a grooved profile, which contains at least one closed structure, and a horizontal grooved profile located at the upper end of said vertical post, which ends in an anchor plate; and, a lower body comprising two vertical posts with grooved profiles, in whose upper cavity the upper body is housed, further comprising at least one plate that is in contact with the lower end of the upper body, and a base in the geometric shape of a crosshead at the lower end of said lower body.

[0019] The fall arrest device of the invention is used in the assembly of collective safety systems, and its structural design allows for the efficient operation of construction systems consisting of cast slabs and concrete walls, including the safe operation of structural steel, electrical, and hydraulic components.

[0020] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0021] To complement the description and in order to help better understand the technical characteristics of the invention, a set of figures defined as follows are attached to this specification as an integral part thereof:

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a front isometric view with the main components of the fall protection device for the assembly of concrete wall and cast slab construction systems, upper body (1) and lower body (2).

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the components of the upper body (1) of the fall protection device for the assembly of concrete wall and cast slab construction systems.

[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the components of the lower body (2) of the fall protection device for the assembly of concrete wall and cast slab construction systems.

[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of a mounting modality of the fall protection device for the assembly of concrete wall and cast slab construction systems in formwork (15), showing the detail of a coupling of the formwork (15).

[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of the base or lower body (2). FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric view of a mounting modality of the fall protection device for the assembly of concrete wall and cast slab construction systems, with the detail of the fastening that is left attached to the Formwork before the concrete is placed (pre-cast). In turn, it shows the detail of the internal and external coupling of the formwork (15).

[0027] FIG. 7 illustrates the detail of the separation and fastening elements (7) between the upper floor slabs.

[0028] FIG. 8 illustrates an isometric view of a pre-cast slab formwork embodiment, indicating the removal mechanism of the upper assembly (1) of the device.

[0029] FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric view of one embodiment of the horizontal displacement mechanism of the lower body (2) towards the cast slab, from positioning in receiving holes.

[0030] FIG. 10 illustrates an isometric view of one embodiment of the matching mechanism between the crosshead (2.4) of the lower body (2) and the receiving holes arranged in the upper floor slab.

[0031] FIG. 1 1 illustrates an isometric view of a coupling modality with threaded rods between the crosspiece (2.4) of the lower body (2) and the slab (upper floor), positioning the lower body (2).

[0032] FIG. 12 illustrates an isometric view of a lock nut adjustment modality of the upper body (1) on the slab (upper floor).

[0033] FIG. 13 illustrates an isometric view of the detail of a lock nut adjustment modality of the lower body (2) on the slab (upper floor).

[0034] FIG. 14 illustrates an isometric sectional view of the detail of a positioning modality of the lower body (2) after casting in the slab (upper floors) using rods and nuts (3).

[0035] FIG. 15 illustrates an isometric view of a coupling modality of the upper body collinear to the lower body (2) attached to the upper floor slab. FIG. 16 illustrates an isometric view of a mounting modality of the fall protection device for the assembly of concrete wall and cast-in-place slab construction systems.

[0036] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] The present invention discloses a fall protection device for the assembly of construction systems consisting of cast walls and slabs, used for formwork and concrete pouring, which provides stability during assembly before and after pouring, without interfering with the assembly of the formwork.

[0038] The description of the embodiment of the present invention is not intended to limit its scope, but rather to serve as a particular example thereof. It is expected that one skilled in the art will understand that equivalent embodiments do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention in its broadest form.

[0039] The present invention reveals a fall protection device for the assembly of construction systems of concrete walls and slabs designed to withstand loads of 1200 kg, as required by the applicable technical regulations.

[0040] A fall protection device for the assembly of construction systems of cast concrete walls and slabs, is characterized in that it comprises: an upper body (1 ) that is composed of a vertical post with a striated profile (1.1 ), which contains at least one closed structure (1 .2), and a horizontal striated profile (1 .3) that is located at the upper end of said vertical post (1.1 ), which ends in an anchoring plate (1 .4); and, a lower body (2) comprising two vertical striated profiles (2.1 , 2.2), in whose upper cavity the upper body (1 ) is housed, at least one plate (2.3) that is in contact with the lower end of the upper body (1 ) and a base in the geometric shape of a cross (2.4) at the lower end of said lower body (2). The device (100) provides greater conditions of both safety for the operators and efficiency for the construction of the work by being a hermetic system.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, without limiting it, the crosspiece (2.4) has a wide contact area on the slab or first pavement that guarantees the stability of the device (100).

[0042] A preferred embodiment of the present invention, without limiting it, is characterized in that in the upper part of the vertical post with a grooved profile (1.1) of the upper body (1) there is an additional closed structure (1.5) to allow the use of heavy machinery for lifting.

[0043] The two-body configuration (1, 2) incorporated in the device (100) disclosed in this description allows for easier handling during assembly by dividing the weight of the entire structure in two, enabling manual movement without exceeding the maximum possible weights that an operator can carry (32 kg according to ACGIH - Association Advancing Occupational and Environmental Health).

[0044] In turn, the configuration of two main bodies allows the device (100) not to interfere with the construction production chain, facilitating assembly and disassembly, allowing, if necessary, the removal of the upper body (1) before pouring the concrete and its new placement after curing.

[0045] The crosshead configuration (2.4) guarantees lower stresses on the slab by effectively transferring loads, avoiding possible cracks or damage to the concrete structure.

[0046] A preferred embodiment of the present invention, without limiting it, is characterized in that the upper body (1) of the device also includes a striated diagonal profile (1.6), which transfers the load from the horizontal piece to the vertical one.

[0047] A preferred embodiment of the present invention, without limiting it, is characterized in that the lower body (2) is fixed to the upper floors of the building, resting on each previous slab and then passing through the future new slab. In the context of the present invention, upper floors correspond to at least the two floors that are at the highest height within a building.

[0048] A preferred embodiment of the present invention, without limiting it, is characterized in that the upper body (1) has a configuration of a vertical post (1.1) and a fluted horizontal profile (1.3) joined, preferably by means of welded joints.

[0049] The crosspiece (2.4) is designed to receive the necessary fasteners to fix the lower body (2) to the concrete. A preferred embodiment of the present invention, without limiting it, is characterized in that the crosspiece (2.4) of the lower body (2) is fixed to the concrete by means of bars and nuts.

[0050] A preferred embodiment of the present invention, without being limited by this, is characterized in that the lower area of ​​the lower body (2) in the form of a cross (2.4) is made up of a group of profiles configured in the form of a cross (2.41) with the extension and opening generated by channels (2.42) in which struts and anchors reside; where this set of pieces is attached to the vertical grooved profile (2.1) by means of a reinforcement ring (2.43), accompanied by reinforcement plates for effective load transfer (2.44).

[0051] A preferred embodiment of the present invention, without limiting it, is characterized in that the profiles configured in the form of a cross (2.41) and the channels (2.42) of the lower body (2) in the form of a cross (2.4) are positioned in perforations that have been arranged before pouring the concrete.

[0052] With reference to FIG. 2, the upper body (1 ) of the device of the invention is composed of a vertical post with a fluted profile (1.1 ), preferably made of aluminum, which contains closed structures (1.2) for handling, lifting and transport. In an even more preferred embodiment, said closed structures (1 .2) can have oval, circular, rectangular, square, and in general, polygonal shapes. Likewise, the additional closed structure (1.5) can have the same or different shapes than the closed structure (1.2), which is also selected from oval, circular, rectangular, square, and in general, polygonal shapes. With reference to FIG. 3, the lower body (2) of the device is composed of two fluted vertical posts (2.1 , 2.2) whose upper cavity serves to house the upper body (1 ) and at least one plate (2.3) that is in contact with the lower end of the upper body (1 ).

[0053] The plate (2.3) and the profiles (2.1, 2.2) of the lower body (2) guarantee the stability of the device structure and direction in a vertical direction.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, without limiting the present invention, the lower body (2) of the fall arrest device, illustrated in FIG. 3, is composed of two vertical fluted posts (2.1, 2.2) in whose upper cavity the upper body (1) is housed and at least one plate (2.3) that is in contact with the lower end of the upper body (1). A cross-shaped base (2.4) is made up of a group of profiles configured in the shape of a cross (2.41) with the extension and opening generated by channels (2.42) where the struts and anchors that fix the device (100) in the fixed structure from the first floor (earth pavement) to the upper floors (standard pavements) reside. This set of parts is attached to the longer body (2.1) by means of a reinforcement ring (2.43), which, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, to have greater stability and firmness, is accompanied by friend foot plates (2.44).

[0055] Additionally, the present invention discloses a concrete wall and cast slab construction system that uses the anti-fall protection device (100), which comprises:

[0056] - a fall protection device for mounting concrete wall and cast slab (100);

[0057] - at least one means of fixing (3) the device (100) to a slab (12) of the construction;

[0058] - a harness or safety belt (4) for use by an operator, which is connected to a retractable device (5) by means of a carabiner (6), wherein said retractable device (5) is connected to the fall arrest device (100), in particular, to the anchoring plate (1 .4) of said device (100); and, at least one spacer (7), which fixes said device (100) to an upper floor of the construction. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, without limiting it in this way, said system additionally comprises a plurality of formworks (15) that enclose the wall and slabs (12).

[0059] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, without limiting it, said system comprises additional fixing means (13). In an even more preferred embodiment of the present invention, without limiting it, said fixing means (3, 13) are selected from bars and nuts, and struts.

[0060] The present invention includes a third object of the invention, which is the method for assembling and disassembling a fall protection device and its use for the assembly of construction systems of concrete walls and slabs, which is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: a) providing a fall protection device (100), according to the preferred embodiments mentioned previously and a fall protection system, according to the preferred embodiments mentioned previously; b) fixing the lower body (2) of the device (100) to the pavement by means of fixing means (3) in at least two of the four tracks of the profiles (2.41) against the faces of a formwork (15); c) Lifting and fitting the upper body (1) of the device (100) into the lower body (2) passing through the formwork (FIG. 6), preparing the pieces and safety for casting and then removing the upper body (1) of the device (100).d) release the fixing means (3) after casting, remove the formwork (15), both from walls and slabs, release the spacers (7) and, once the spacers (7) have been released, e) fix the lower body (2) to the next slab or upper floor by means of fastening mechanisms (13) in the holes previously arranged by the spacers (7) in the formwork (15);.

[0061] A preferred embodiment of said method is characterized in that an additional step is added which consists of bringing the lower body (2) of the device (100) from the lower level onto the upper level of the cast slab by positioning the crosshead (2.4) over receiving holes. An even more preferred embodiment of said method is characterized in that an additional step is added which consists of positioning anchor rods (13) that cross the spaces between the channels of the crosshead (2.4) of the lower body (2), where these rods are positioned between the slab (12) by means of the receiving holes, providing an adjustment between the slab (12) and the lower body (2); where the coupling from the bottom of the slab (12) is completed using clamping mechanisms (13).

[0062] A preferred embodiment of said method is characterized in that in step c) the use of the closed structure (1.5) is additionally considered.

[0063] A preferred form of the method for assembling and disassembling a fall protection device for the assembly of concrete wall and slab construction systems of the present invention is described below:

[0064] On the first floor (pavement), the lower body assembly (2) of the device (100) is positioned to receive the upper body assembly (1 ) of said device before starting the closing of the slab of a formwork (15). To do this, the lower body (2) receives the upper assembly (1 ) by means of the difference in diameters of the vertical posts (2.2) and (1 .1 ).

[0065] In the context of the present invention, a temporary structure or formwork (15) corresponds to a structure that acts as a mold for the concrete temporarily while it sets and acquires a safe resistance to guarantee its self-support.

[0066] The vertical post with a grooved profile (1 .1 ) of the upper body (1 ) of the fall arrest device (100) allows the upper body (1 ) to rotate 360° in the lower body (2), enabling the operator to move on the upper floors.

[0067] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the operator is attached to the upper body (1) of the fall arrest device (100) by means of a harness or safety belt (4) and a retractable device (5) secured to the anchor plate (1.4) by means of a carabiner (6).

[0068] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, to secure the lower body or base assembly (2), props (3) are fixed to the pavement in at least two of the four tracks of the profiles (2.4) against the faces of the temporary structure or formwork (15) (Illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5). In an even more preferred embodiment, said props are metallic.

[0069] From the second floor (standard pavement) and before casting the slab with the collective protection system mounted, which is generally composed of posts (8), railings (9) and guardrails (10), the upper body (1) is removed from the anti-fall device (100) using the closed structures (1.2, 1.5) by raising the upper body (1) to be removed from the lower body (base) (2).

[0070] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, spacers (7) are arranged in the formwork (15) to fix the lower body (2) to the next upper slab or floor (illustrated in FIG. 6).

[0071] After casting, the metal props (3) are released; following this, the formwork (15) is removed, both from walls and slabs. Then, the spacers (7) are released (illustrated in FIG. 8).

[0072] Once the spacers (7) (FIG.9) are released, the upper body (1) is removed (FIG.8). Subsequently, the lower body (2) is brought from the lower level onto the level of the cast slab (FIG.9). The crosshead (2.4) is positioned over receiving holes (FIG.10); the rods (13) are positioned, which pass through the spaces between the channels of the crosshead of the lower body (2) (FIG.11). These rods are positioned between the slab (12) by means of the receiving holes, providing an adjustment between the slab (12) and the lower body (2). In some embodiments, a clamping mechanism (14) is used, preferably of the nut type, which is positioned on the upper face of the profile tracks (2.4) (FIG.14).

[0073] The coupling from the bottom of the slab (12) is completed using clamping mechanisms (14) (FIG.13), preferably of the nut type, which are adjusted to the rods (13) (FIG.14). Finally, the upper assembly (1) is positioned again (FIG.15).

[0074] By means of a non-embedded fixing mechanism (3) (FIG. 5) used on the first floor (pavement), the use of anchors is avoided, avoiding risks due to improper operation of the anchor due to the change in thickness of the foundations, typical of countries such as Brazil. The non-embedded fixing mechanisms (3) are of the strut, tensioner (listing) type, preferably located in a lateral configuration in the device (Illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5).

[0075] In the preferred embodiment, the components of the fall arrest device (100) of the invention are made of aluminum, allowing the manufacture of vertical fluted profiles to facilitate their handling on site.

[0076] The closed structures (1.2) and (1.5) of the upper body (1) are configured to allow crane operation.

[0077] Although the present invention has been described with the preferred embodiments shown, it is understood that modifications and variations which retain the spirit and scope of this invention are understood to be within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A fall protection device (100) for the assembly of construction systems for concrete walls and slabs, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: an upper body (1 ) that is composed of a vertical post with a striated profile (1.1 ), which contains at least one closed structure (1 .2), and a horizontal striated profile (1 .3) that is located at the upper end of said vertical post (1.1 ), which ends in an anchoring plate (1 .4); and a lower body (2) comprising two vertical posts with fluted profiles (2.1, 2.2), in whose upper cavity the upper body (1) is housed, at least one plate (2.3) that is in contact with the lower end of the upper body (1), and a base in the geometric shape of a cross (2.4) not embedded in the pavement, located at the lower end of said lower body (2), formed by a group of profiles configured in the shape of a cross (2.41) with the extension and opening generated by channels (2.42) in which some struts (3) reside.

2. The fall protection device (100) of claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that an additional closed structure (1.5) is located at the top of the vertical post with a grooved profile (1.1) of the upper body (1).

3. The anti-fall protection device (100) of claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the upper body (1) also includes a striated diagonal profile (1.6).

4. The fall protection device (100) of claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the upper body (1) has a configuration where the vertical post with a grooved profile (1.1) is attached to the horizontal grooved profile (1.3) by means of fastening mechanisms.

5. The fall protection device (100) of claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the lower area of the lower body (2) in the form of a cross (2.4) is attached to the vertical grooved profile (2.1) by means of a reinforcement ring (2.43), accompanied by friend foot plates (2.44).

6. The fall protection device (100) of claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the cross-shaped profiles (2.41) and the channels (2.42) of the lower body (2) in the form of a cross (2.4) are positioned in perforations that are arranged before the concrete is poured.

7. The fall protection device (100) of claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the lower body (2) is positioned to receive the upper body assembly (1 ), wherein the lower body (2) receives the upper body (1 ) by means of the difference in diameters of the vertical posts (2.2, 1.1 ).

8. The fall protection device (100) of claim 1, CHARACTERIZED because the vertical post with a grooved profile (1.1) of the upper body (1) is configured to rotate 360° on the lower body

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