An edge protection rail support, an edge protection system comprising at least one edge protection rail support and a method of mounting the edge protection system

Abstract

An edge protection rail support (5) comprises an elongate base portion (7), a post element (6) and a hinge arrangement (8) The post element (6) is foldable between a folded storage position and a raised position. The rail support (5) further comprises a strut (14) arranged to extend between the base portion (7) and the post element (6). An edge protection system comprises at least one edge protection rail support (5) and a railing (22), connectable to the post element (6). A method of mounting the edge protection system comprises the steps of arranging mounting brackets (4), mounting the edge protection rail support (5) thereon, and mounting the railing (22) on the edge protection rail support (5). The edge protection rail support (5) is first placed in a folded condition on the brackets (4), fixed thereto, unfolded, such that the post element (6) is raised, and the strut (14) is finally brought to a position where it extends diagonally between the post element (6) and the base portion (7).

Description

[0001] An edge protection rail support, an edge protection system comprising at least one edge protection rail support and a method of mounting the edge protection system

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an edge protection rail support comprising an elongate base portion with at least two attachment zones, a post element, and a hinge arrangement connecting the post element with the base portion, such that the post element is foldable between a folded storage position along the base portion, and a raised position.

[0004] The invention further relates to an edge protection system comprising at least one edge protection rail support.

[0005] The invention also relates to a method of mounting the edge protection system, comprising the steps of arranging mounting brackets on a roof, mounting the edge protection rail support on the brackets, and mounting the railing on the edge protection rail support.

[0006] Background

[0007] There are at present a number of edge protections and guardrails for roofs and the like disclosed in the prior art. Some are permanently installed, in particular on roofs with a permanent access thereto, such as a door or an access hatch. Local safety regulations may determine to what extent permanent edge protections are needed.

[0008] Other edge protections may be temporarily installed, e. g. during work on the roof or on installations thereon, such as solar cell panels, which have been increasingly popular in the last decade.

[0009] Temporary guardrails may be secured to the roof by clamping on the edge of the roof or by providing a ground support, such as a scaffolding, to which the guardrail may be anchored. Clamping on the edge poses certain demands on the dimensions and stability of the edge of the roof, and may not be suitable in all cases. The use of a ground support may present other challenges, such as the height of the building. Also, the space and / or the condition of the ground surrounding the building may not allow the erection of scaffolding.

[0010] If a permanent edge protection is not desired or needed, there is also the option of installing a foldable edge protection on top of the roof. Such an edge protection has the advantage of relying only on the upper side of the roof, not on the edge portion, nor on the surrounding of the building. A disadvantage is that a foldable edge protection may be quite space-consuming in its down-folded position, and the space taken up on the surface of the roof may not be useful for other equipment, such as solar cell panels, etc.

[0011] Also, any edge protection may need a large amount of components, even when it is not in use, which may make it costly in relation to the actual time of use.

[0012] Summary

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to solve, or at least mitigate, parts or all of the above-mentioned problems. To this end, there is provided a rail support which further comprises a strut arranged to extend between the base portion and the post element and hinged to at least one of the base portion and the post element.

[0014] Hereby the edge protection rail support may be stored in a storage position on the roof during the time periods when there is no need for an edge protection. Preferably the rail support is partially or fully nested in its storage position, to be as compact as possible. Also, the rail support comprises few parts, i. e. the base portion, the post element, and the strut, which are interconnected. Hereby the rail support is easy to transfer into a raised position of use.

[0015] In one embodiment the hinged strut is releasably lockable in at least one of the storage position and the raised position of use by a blocking element.

[0016] Hereby the edge protection device may remain in its intended position, either the storage position or the raised position of use. This may be particularly desirable when the upright portion is in its raised position and is fulfilling its function as an edge protection near an edge of a roof or similar. Also, the blocking element may be useful for securely keeping the edge protection device in its storage position, hereby minimizing the risk of unintended raising of the device and of unwanted rattling noise caused by wind. The blocking element is in some embodiments a slideable pin, although in some embodiments it may be a screw or a bolt. In some embodiments the blocking element may be biased, e. g. by a spring element, in a direction towards a locking position.

[0017] In further embodiments the post element comprises an attachment device for a railing.

[0018] Hereby a complete edge protection may be attained. Railings are fixed by the attachment devices and may block the passage to the edge between two adjacent edge protection devices. The attachment devices as such may be devices known in the art, e. g. couplers, clamps, clips, hooks, clasps, etc. The attachment devices are themselves movable to a couple of other positions on the post element.

[0019] In other embodiments the base portion comprises a profile with a U-shaped cross section, taken across the longitudinal direction of the profile.

[0020] Yet another use of the attachment devices is to attach a vertical railing which has the function of an extension of the post element. Attachment devices may be fixed on the vertical railing for transversal railings at selectable heights. Hereby the vertical railing may even be used for supporting transversal railings at a distal side of a roof ridge.

[0021] Hereby other parts of the rail support may be nestable in the base portion, and thereby the rail support, as a whole, may be compact in its storage position. Also, the profiling of the base portion may make it rigid, in particular relative to the amount of material therein. The profiling may hence result in a strong construction, as a whole, and the cost of manufacture of the edge protection rail support may be kept low.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the attachment zones in the base portion comprises a plurality of fastening through holes in at least one of the end regions of the base portion.

[0023] Hereby the edge protection device may be mounted to a variety of anchoring points on the roof, e. g. different mounting brackets with a selected number of fastening elements, such as screws, rivets etc., as desired or required by the calculated load on the edge protection device in a raised position of use. The number of fastening through holes may be a number between 2 and 30 in each zone. A large number of fastening holes, spread out over a zone in each end region, ensures that there will be adequate fastening through holes to be used, where at least some of the fastening holes on the rail support overlaps the fastening holes in the roof or fastening bracket arranged on the roof. This is regardless of the exact distance between anchoring points on the roof, e. g. fastening brackets etc., which usually are arranged in dependence of the dimension of the tiles on the roof. This effect may be further enhanced by the provision of elongate fastening through holes.

[0024] In a still further embodiment, the post element comprises a mounting access aperture arranged to overlap the plurality of fastening through holes in the folded storage position.

[0025] Hereby the fastening through holes may be accessed while the edge protection device is arranged in its compact, folded storage position. This enables a safe work position for the installer, who only has to keep a compact, folded device in place during its fixation to fastening brackets on the roof, or directly to the roof.

[0026] In an even further embodiment, the post element comprises an access aperture at each end, arranged to overlap the plurality of fastening holes in the folded storage position of the rail support.

[0027] Hereby the fastening holes are accessible through the access aperture, such that the edge protection device does not have to be brought to its raised position of use before it has been fixed to the roof.

[0028] In other, further embodiments the base portion comprises a slit, which is open towards an edge of the base portion, such that the slit may receive a body of a fastener.

[0029] Hereby the edge protection device may be moved in the direction of the slit when a fastening element is screwed into the slit, provided that other fastening elements are not impeding this movement. The edge protection device may then be transferred from its storage position into its raised position of use.

[0030] The slit is in some embodiments straight and extending in a longitudinal direction of the base portion, such that the edge protection device may be movable in its longitudinal direction if there are no fastening elements fixed through the fastening holes outside of the slit.

[0031] In some embodiments, the slit may be curved. In these cases, the edge protection device may be pivoted around a pivot point arranged at a distance from the slit corresponding to the radius of curvature of the slit. A fastening element may be arranged in the pivot point. The edge protection device may then be transferred from its storage position into its raised position of use.

[0032] An advantage of being able to shift or swing the edge protection device from one location to another while it is in its storage position is that it may be placed at least partly under other equipment, such as a solar cell panel, when not in use. When it has been transferred to its location of use, it may be fixed with additional fasteners, and the post element may be raised to its raised position of use.

[0033] In some particular embodiments, the slit is accessible through an access aperture.

[0034] Hereby a fastening element may be fixed in the slit, as well as in the other fastening through holes, as needed.

[0035] In some embodiments the post element comprises a profile with a U-shaped cross-section. Hereby the post element, like the base portion, may be as compact as possible, as well as nestable with the other parts of the rail support, i. e. the base portion and the strut. Also, the profiling of the post element may result in a strong construction, and the cost of manufacture may be kept low. There may be recesses in the shanks of the post element, as well as of the base portion, for positioning of an end of the strut. Hereby an alignment of the end of the strut in the locking position is more easily attained, and insertion of a blocking element is facilitated. Further, in a construction including a post element with a U-shaped cross section, access apertures may be particularly easy to obtain, since the profile is open, and the access opening needs to be formed in only a single sheet of material.

[0036] In some embodiments the strut comprises a profile with a U-shaped crosssection.

[0037] Hereby the strut, like the upright portion, and the base portion, may be as non- bulky as possible. Like described above, the profiling of the result portion may result in a strong construction, and the cost of manufacture may be kept low.

[0038] Finally, in some embodiments the free end of the strut is slideable in a guide.

[0039] Hereby the direction of the free end towards a locking position, wherein a blocking element may be inserted through the strut and either of the base portion and the post element. The locking position is in some embodiments arranged adjacent to the guide.

[0040] According to a second aspect, parts, or all, of the above-mentioned problems are solved, or at least mitigated, by an edge protection system comprising a railing, connectable to the post element.

[0041] Hereby standard tubes, rods or bars of any suitable material may be used to form the edge protection. The material is metal in most embodiments but may alternatively be e.g. wood or a plastic material. The dimensions of the railing may be determined by the requirements for strength.

[0042] In some embodiments the system further comprises two mounting brackets for each edge protection rail support included in the system.

[0043] Hereby the edge protection device may be securely fastened before it is used in its raised position.

[0044] In further embodiments the mounting brackets comprise fastening holes corresponding to fastening holes of the edge protection rail support. Hereby the mounting of the edge protection device may be particularly convenient, and penetration of any sealing layers in the roof construction may be avoided.

[0045] In still further embodiments, each mounting bracket is designed to be installed on a roof batten.

[0046] Hereby any sealing layers of the roof construction may be kept intact. The mounting brackets may be of any type known in the art, preferably of a type which is hook-shaped to receive the batten, and which has a further recess, to receive a lower edge of a roof tile.

[0047] In a third aspect of the disclosure, the method comprises the steps that the edge protection rail support is mounted by first placing it in a folded condition on the brackets, the edge protection rail support is thereafter fixed to the brackets, the edge protection rail support is then unfolded, such that the post element is raised, and the strut is finally brought to a support position extending diagonally between the post element and the base portion.

[0048] Hereby a convenient, quick and safe working method is attained. The installer may work close to the level of the roof, i. e. not having to stand up until the edge protection is about to be in its raised position of use. Hereby accidents may be avoided. In some advantageous embodiments, the strut unfolds while the post element is raised, and be easily brought to its locking position. Further, the railing may be mounted on the post elements either before or after the post element is raised to its upright position.

[0049] In some embodiments the fixing of the edge protection rail support to the mounting brackets is performed through the access openings in the post element.

[0050] Hereby the fixing of the edge protection device to the brackets may be performed while the edge protection device is in its compact storage position.

[0051] In some further embodiments, the hinged strut is blocked in a raised position after the post element has been raised.

[0052] Hereby the final, raised position of the post element is fixed.

[0053] In further embodiments the edge protection rail support is mounted on the mounting brackets in a storage position, comprising attaching a fastening device in the slit.

[0054] Hereby the edge protection device may later be moved to a final location, before the post element is raised into its final, raised position of use. It is noted that embodiments of the invention may be embodied by all possible combinations of features recited in the claims. Further, it will be appreciated that the various embodiments described for the device are all combinable with the method as defined in accordance with the third aspect of the present invention, and vice versa.

[0055] Brief description of the drawings

[0056] The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and nonlimiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein:

[0057] Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view in perspective of a roof, whereon brackets included in the disclosed system are mounted;

[0058] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a disclosed edge protection rail support, mounted on the brackets of fig. 1 ;

[0059] Fig. 3 is a detail view in perspective of the edge protection rail support according to Fig. 2;

[0060] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the edge protection rail support in a raised position;

[0061] Fig. 5 is a detail view in perspective of a part of the edge protection rail support according to Fig. 4; and

[0062] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the edge protection rail support with mounted rails.

[0063] All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the embodiments, wherein other parts may be omitted.

[0064] Detailed description of the exemplary embodiments

[0065] Fig. 1 illustrates a roof 1 of a house 2, at a time when an edge protection rail support according to the present disclosure is about to be mounted thereon. The roof 1 is covered with tiles 3, which may be manufactured from brick, concrete, metal, etc. In the figure, a pair of mounting brackets 4 have been arranged on the roof 1. The disclosed brackets 4 are of a type which is particularly well suited for use on a tile covered roof 1 , where the mounting brackets 4 may be easily arranged. Hereby one or two tiles 2 are temporarily displaced, and the mounting brackets 4 are arranged on the battens supporting the tiles 3. If needed, and depending on the construction of the roof 1 , the mounting brackets 4 may be additionally secured to the roof battens or possibly to the underlying roof structure. However, the disclosed edge protection rail support may be mounted on other roof types as well, albeit with the use of different brackets. The roof 1 and its underlaying structures may have the same protection against wind, snow, rain, etc., as with a fully intact roof where no edge protection is installed. There is no need for additional temporary weather proofing, as the tiles are quickly returned to their original positions after the mounting brackets 4 have been installed.

[0066] The disclosed mounting brackets 4 are of a type that may be used for several purposes, in particular for the mounting of solar cell panels. The disclosed mounting brackets 4 have a flat top surface with a plurality of fastening holes therein. The top surface is preferably arranged to extend at some distance from the underlying tile 3, such that there may be a free space for the body of fastening elements extending through the fastening holes. The plurality of fastening holes may allow the fastening of different objects on the bracket 4, since many different distances between holes are accommodated.

[0067] In Fig. 1 the mounting brackets 4 are arranged some distance apart, aligned on an approximately horizontal line, at the same row of tiles, i. e. preferably attached to one single batten. The distance between the mounting brackets 4 corresponds approximately to the length of the edge protection rail support that will be described below.

[0068] In Fig. 2 the edge protection rail support 5 has been placed on the two brackets 4, shown in Fig. 1 . The edge protection rail support 5 is at this time in its compact storage position, i. e. the parts comprised therein are hinged to one another, and folded to form a compact package. In the disclosed embodiment, the parts comprised in the edge protection rail support 5 are formed from elongate metal pieces with a generally U-shaped cross section.

[0069] A post element 6 is placed uppermost in the compact storage position of the edge protection rail support 5. It is hinged to a base portion 7 at one end, such that it may be pivoted to a raised position. The end with the hinge 8 is preferably placed nearest the edge of the roof 1 , such that the edge protection may be arranged close to the edge of the roof 1 .

[0070] The post element 6 is provided with a mounting access aperture 9a at each end. Through the access apertures 9a may be seen attachment zones 10, which are arranged at the outer ends of the base portion 7 and comprise a plurality of fastening through holes 11 . The attachment zones 10 are placed overlapping the mounting brackets 4, and fastening elements, such as screws, rivets, etc. may be inserted into the through holes 11 via the access apertures 9a and fasten the base portion 7 to the mounting brackets 4. As can be seen in the close-up view of Fig. 3, the through holes 11 may be oval, in order to provide an overlapping of a sufficient number of through holes 11 with holes in the mounting bracket 4. This is an advantage, since the distance between the mounting brackets 4 may depend on the design and dimension of the roof tiles 3, since their shape directs the exact positioning of the mounting brackets 4.

[0071] Another advantage of the access apertures 9a is that the edge protection rail support 5 may be mounted in its compact storage position by an installer who may be in a kneeling position of the roof 1 . Hence the risk of them falling off the roof 1 before the edge protection is fully in place is minimized.

[0072] On the upper side of the post element 6, as seen in its compact storage position of Figs. 2 and 3, two attachment devices 12 are arranged. Their number and positions may be varied, as they utilize a couple of the positioning holes 13 for their respective attachment to the post element 6. The attachment devices 12 are often used for the attachment of railing extending along the edge of the roof at approximately the same angle as the surface of the roof. However, the attachment devices 12 may also be used to fix a vertical railing, provided that the attachment devices 12 are arranged to accommodate a railing in this direction. The vertical railing may allow transversal railings to be fixed thereto at selectable heights and angles, and transversal railings extending along the edge of a roof section on a distal side of a roof ridge may be provided.

[0073] In Fig. 4, the post element 6 is raised to its upright position. A strut 14 is coupled to the post element 6 via a hinge 15. When the post element 6 is raised, the free end 16 of the strut 14 is slidable along the side edges 17 of the base portion 7, possibly in guides, until it reaches a point of attachment 18, where it may be blocked by a locking element 19, such as a pin or a screw, etc. The strut 14 extends diagonally between the raised post element 6 and the base portion 7. By removing the locking element 19, the strut 14 may revert to a position extending along the base portion 7 and the post element 6, sandwiched between them in the compact storage position of the edge protection rail support 5. It may be noted that the arrangement of the hinge 15 and the arrangement of point of attachment 18 and the locking element 19 may be inverted in some embodiments.

[0074] Near the free end 16 of the strut 14, a mounting access aperture 9b is arranged, such that it may be arranged in register with the access aperture 9a of the post element 6 in the storage position thereof.

[0075] Also, a number of oval accommodation holes 20 are arranged in the base portion 7 and the strut 14, in positions that match the positions of the attachment devices 12 on the post element 6, such that any pins or bolts on the back of the attachment devices 12 may extend therethrough in the storage position of the edge protection rail support 5.

[0076] As may be best seen in Fig. 5, at least one of the attachment zones 10 comprises an elongate slit 21 . Even when a fastening device is mounted in such a slit 21 and extends into the holes of the mounting bracket 4, the edge protection rail support 5 may be slid in its longitudinal directions, on the condition that there are no fastening elements in the through holes 11 blocking the sliding movement. Provided that the slit 21 has an open end, the end of the base portion 7 may be loosened from the adjacent mounting bracket 4. This has the advantage that other equipment, such as a solar cell panel, etc. may be placed over the edge protection rail support 5, when it is in its storage position. At the times when an edge protection is needed, the edge protection rail support 5 may be slid forward from its partly covered position, so far that the post element 6 may be pivoted to its raised position. The edge protection rail support 5 may be slid back to a position wherein the base portion 7 may extend partly under the covering equipment. Before use, additional fastening elements may have to be fixed in the through holes 11 of the outer, accessible attachment zone 10 and the corresponding mounting bracket 4. When the edge protection is no longer needed, the procedure is reversed, such that the post element 6 may be folded to the storage position, and the edge protection rail support 5 may thereafter be slid into its partly covered location.

[0077] In order to provide a full edge protection, more than one edge protection rail support 5 may have to be arranged in aligned positions on the roof 1 . As seen in Fig. 6, railings 22 are arranged in the attachment devices 12 to form a fence-like edge protection. In some cases, provided that the space on the roof 1 is sufficient, the railings 22 may be permanently arranged on the post elements 6, which may be raised and lowered as needed. In many cases, the railings 22 are only attached to the post elements 6 temporarily, when work is to be performed on the roof 1 . Hereby an aesthetically pleasing appearance of the roof 1 may be accomplished, and the railings 22 may be put to use on other sites.

[0078] The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims.

[0079] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

Claims

Claims1 . An edge protection rail support (5) comprising an elongate base portion (7) with at least two attachment zones (10), a post element (6) and a hinge arrangement (8) connecting the post element (6) with the base portion (7), such that the post element (6) is foldable between a folded storage position along the base portion (7), and a raised position, wherein the rail support (5) further comprises a strut (14) arranged to extend between the base portion (7) and the post element (6) and hinged to at least one of the base portion (7) and the post element (6).

2. The edge protection rail support (5) according to claim 1 , wherein the hinged strut (14) is releasably lockable in at least one of the storage position and the raised position of use by a blocking element (19).

3. The edge protection rail support (5) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the post element (6) comprises an attachment device for a railing (22).

4. The edge protection rail support (5) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the base portion (7) comprises a profile with a U-shaped cross section, taken across the longitudinal direction of the profile.

5. The edge protection rail support (5) according to claim 4, wherein the attachment zones (10) in the base portion (7) comprises a plurality of fastening through holes (11 ) in at least one of the end regions of the base portion (7).

6. The edge protection rail support (5) according to claim 5, wherein the post element (6) comprises a mounting access aperture (9a) arranged to overlap the plurality of fastening through holes (11 ) in the folded storage position.

7. The edge protection rail support (5) according to claim 6, wherein the post element (6) comprises an access aperture (9a) at each end, arranged to overlap the plurality of fastening holes (11 ) in the folded storage position of the rail support (5).

8. The edge protection rail support (5) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the base portion (7) comprises a slit (21 ), which is open towards anedge of the base portion (7), such that the slit (21 ) may receive a body of a fastener.

9. The edge protection rail support (5) according to claim 8 as dependent on claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the slit (21 ) is accessible through an access aperture (9a, 9b).

10. The edge protection rail support (5) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the post element (6) comprises a profile with a U-shaped crosssection.11 .The edge protection rail support (5) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the strut (14) comprises a profile with a U-shaped cross-section.

12. The edge protection rail support according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the free end (16) of the strut (14) is slideable in a guide.

13. An edge protection system comprising the at least one edge protection rail support (5) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the system further comprises a railing (22), connectable to the post element (6).

14. The edge protection system according to claim 13, wherein the system further comprises two mounting brackets (4) for each edge protection rail support (5) included in the system.

15. The edge protection system according to claim 14, wherein the mounting brackets (4) comprise fastening holes corresponding to fastening holes (11 , 21 ) of the edge protection rail support (5).

16. The edge protection system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein each mounting bracket (4) is designed to be installed on a roof batten.

17. A method of mounting an edge protection system according to any of claims 13-16, comprising the steps:- arranging mounting brackets (4) on a roof (1 );- mounting the edge protection rail support (5) on the brackets (4);- mounting the railing (22) on the edge protection rail support (5); wherein- the edge protection rail support (5) is mounted by first placing it in a folded condition on the brackets (4);- the edge protection rail support (5) is thereafter fixed to the brackets (4);- the edge protection rail support (5) is then unfolded, such that the post element (6) is raised; and- the strut (14) is finally brought to a support position extending diagonally between the post element (6) and the base portion (7).

18. Method according to claim 17, wherein the fixing of the edge protection rail support (5) to the mounting brackets (4) is performed through the access apertures (9a) in the post element (6).

19. Method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the hinged strut (14) is blocked in a raised position after the post element (6) has been raised.

20. Method according to claim 18, wherein the edge protection rail support (5) is mounted on the mounting brackets (4) in a storage position, comprising attaching a fastening device in the slit (21 ).

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