Peripheral protection device for building floor slabs

Abstract

The invention relates to a peripheral protection device for building floor slabs comprising two supporting structures (1) provided with respective legs (2) and respective L-shaped uprights (3) mechanically linked to the respective upper ends of the legs (2), and at least one net (4) that can be secured to the uprights (3) and is longer than the distance between the uprights (3), where the uprights (3) are mechanically connected to each leg (2) by means of articulated joints (51) configured to articulate the respective legs (2) and the respective uprights (3) in respective parallel planes, and comprising at least two removable braces (61, 62) configured to secure the uprights (3) in relation to the legs (2) in their position of use.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Perimeter protection device for building floors.

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a perimeter protection device intended to prevent accidental falls of workers during the construction of building floors.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] During the construction phase of a building structure, the perimeter of a floor slab is completely unprotected, so that until the perimeter enclosure is completed by means of the corresponding walls, there is a significant risk of accident that must be eliminated.

[0007] For this purpose, guardrails are used as perimeter containment barriers, consisting of a plurality of posts that are conveniently fixed to the floor slabs at their free edges. These guardrails support nets or rails that form handrails, which constitute the actual means of restraint against potential falls.

[0008] For example, documents ES1048984U, ES0209447U, and ES1045354U disclose perimeter protection systems with studs or posts that are secured to the edge of the slab by means of a jack or screw. Also as an example, documents ES2150365U, ES1045369U, ES1052218U, ES1026849U, ES1058019U, and ES1049980U disclose perimeter protection systems with studs embedded in the concrete of the slab using access cartridges or bushings.

[0009] However, it is important to point out the risks that current perimeter protection systems pose to workers. On the one hand, these systems must be assembled from the floor they are intended to protect, with the risk of falls before the protection system is installed. On the other hand, the weight and rigidity of the system's components mean that the accidental fall of one of these components to the street poses a risk to workers or passersby.

[0010] Therefore, there is still a need for a solution that allows the installation of perimeter protection for a floor slab without having to climb onto it, that is, from the floor below, so that there are no unprotected moments or loose elements that could fall. Furthermore, it is desirable that the solution allow the installation of perimeter protection on floor slabs whose perimeter extends beyond the perimeter of the floor below, such as in commercial buildings.

[0011] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention relates to a perimeter protection device intended to prevent accidental falls of workers during the construction of building floors.

[0013] The perimeter protection device comprises:

[0014] - two supporting structures provided with respective legs, with fixing means configured to fix them to the ground (such as a concrete slab or floor), and two L-shaped uprights, whose lower ends are mechanically linked to the respective upper ends of the legs, and

[0015] - at least one net that can be fixed to the uprights and adapted to their L-shape, the length of the net being greater than the distance between the uprights.

[0016] Unlike perimeter protection devices known in the prior art, the present device is characterized in that the uprights are mechanically linked to their respective legs by means of articulated joints configured to articulate the respective legs and uprights in parallel planes, and in that it comprises at least two removable braces configured to fix the uprights to the legs in their operating position. Thanks to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to protect the perimeter of any slab that protrudes beyond the vertical perimeter of the ground, even if there is an obstacle at that height, as will be discussed later.

[0017] In one possible embodiment, the leg fixing means comprise at least one plate provided with holes configured to receive screws for fixing to the ground.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the legs comprise:

[0019] - two bar-shaped bases,

[0020] - Two masts whose lower ends are joined to one end of each base by means of a respective articulated joint configured to articulate the masts and bases in a respective parallel plane. Preferably, these masts are telescopic and allow the height of the uprights to be adjusted relative to the ground, which is necessary in very high ceilings to allow the net to be installed from the ground.

[0021] Optionally, this perimeter protection device includes height adjustment mechanisms configured to adjust the height of the uprights relative to the ground by a few centimeters, regardless of whether the masts are telescopic or not. This allows for the installation of multiple perimeter protection devices in series, eliminating gaps between them through which workers could fall.

[0022] In a possible implementation, each leg comprises a support provided with said articulated joint to articulate the masts with respect to the bases and said means of height adjustment of the uprights.

[0023] Optionally, each support and its respective base can form a single unit or be two separate units that can be joined together. For example, the support may include a foot with holes configured to receive screws for fixing it to the floor, while the leg bases may include a plate with holes configured to align with the holes in the support foot and receive the same screws for fixing it to the floor.

[0024] As a means of articulating a joint and adjusting the height, the supports and / or masts of a possible embodiment may comprise at least two sets of through holes distributed in height and configured to receive a corresponding pin.

[0025] Preferably, the support comprises a stop configured to limit the rotation of the respective mast and retain it in its operating position.

[0026] Optionally, the present perimeter protection device comprises at least one crossbar and each mast comprises fastening means configured to fasten the crossbar and mechanically link both legs together, as a stiffening or bracing element, which can be placed horizontally or in an orthogonal direction, as a diagonalization.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one network comprises:

[0028] - a vertical portion whose upper end is provided with an upper crossbar that supports the net, the upper crossbar being fixable to the upper end of the uprights, and - a horizontal portion provided with an inner crossbar fixed to the end of the net adjacent to the legs.

[0029] Ideally, the inner crossbar is connected to at least one rope configured to pull the horizontal portion of the net towards the legs when the rope is pulled downwards. This allows the horizontal portion of the net to be positioned as taut as possible even if there are vertical obstacles between the uprights, such as columns.

[0030] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1.- It is a top perspective of a first example embodiment of the perimeter protection device of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2.- It is a side view of a supporting structure of the perimeter protection device of figure 1 in its folded condition.

[0033] Figure 3.- It is a detailed view of the lower part of the deployed supporting structure, which includes a second strut fixed articulated at its end.

[0034] Figure 4.- This is a detailed view of the base of the deployed supporting structure.

[0035] Figure 5.- This is a detailed view of the lower part of the deployed supporting structure, with the net mounted on top of the upright and the braces in place.

[0036] Figure 6.- It is a side view of two perimeter protection devices alternating in height and placed in their condition of use, where their position with respect to a wall at the end of the floor and the slab of the upper floor can be seen.

[0037] Figure 7.- It is a plan view of vapors perimeter protection devices alternating in height, placed in a corner.

[0038] Figure 8.- It is a bottom perspective from the corner where the perimeter protection devices of figure 7 are located.

[0039] Figure 9.- This is a side view of steps (a) to (c) of the assembly of a perimeter protection device. Figure 10.- This is a side view of steps (d) and (e) of the assembly of a perimeter protection device.

[0040] Figure 11 is a top perspective of a second example embodiment of the perimeter protection device of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 12.- It is a side view of two example positions of a telescopic mast for the perimeter protection device.

[0042] DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED REALIZATIONS

[0043] Figures 1 to 12 show examples of the implementation of the perimeter protection device for building slabs of the present invention.

[0044] As can be seen in Figure 1, a first embodiment of the perimeter protection device comprises two supporting structures (1), each provided with respective legs (2), placed parallel to each other in their condition of use, each leg (2) being defined by a base (21) and a mast (22) joined together by a respective articulated joint (52), so that the masts (22) can be folded with respect to the bases (21), as shown in Figure 2.

[0045] Each supporting structure (1) also comprises respective L-shaped uprights (3), the lower ends of which are linked to respective upper ends of the masts (22) by means of respective articulated joints (51), such that the uprights

[0046] (3) They can be folded with respect to the masts, as also shown in Figure 2.

[0047] This embodiment of the perimeter protection device also comprises a net (4) defined by a vertical portion (41) and a horizontal portion (42). The vertical portion (41) is provided with an upper crossbar (410) to which the upper end of the net is attached.

[0048] (4) and which is detachably fixed to the upper end of the uprights (3). The horizontal portion (42) is provided with an inner crossbar (420) to which the end of the net (4) closest to the legs (2) is attached, and an intermediate crossbar (430) to hold the net (4) against the vertex of the uprights (3), so that the net (4) has the same L-shape as the uprights (3) of this embodiment. The uprights also include hooks (31) to which the net is attached. As can be seen, the length of the net (4) and of the crossbars (410, 420, 430) is greater than the distance between the uprights (3). For its part, the inner crossbar (420) is linked to a rope (43) configured to move the inner crossbar (420) towards the legs (2) when the rope is pulled down, as can be seen in figures 3 and 5.

[0049] This embodiment of the perimeter protection device also comprises four braces (61, 62), the first two of which (61) are hinged to the legs (2) and the uprights (3). In this particular embodiment, to position and secure the uprights (3) in their operating position, the first two braces (61) are attached to cylindrical projections (610) located on one side of the bases (21) and to the respective vertices of the uprights (3). The second two braces (62) are hinged to the base (21) and to each mast (22), specifically to each free end of the base (21) and to each upper end of the mast (22), thus bracing the masts (22).

[0050] In this first embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, the perimeter protection device comprises a crossbar (10), and each mast comprises fastening means (11) that secure the crossbar (10), such that both legs (2) are mechanically linked to each other, acting as a stiffening or bracing element. As shown in a second embodiment of the perimeter protection device in Figure 11, the supporting structures (T) may comprise fastening means (11) suitable for securing the crossbar (10') also in an orthogonal direction, by way of diagonalization.

[0051] As can be seen in figures 2 to 4, each leg (2) of the first embodiment of the perimeter protection device comprises a support (23) provided with a foot (24) with holes configured to receive screws for fixing it to the ground, while the respective base

[0052] (21) is provided with two plates (7, 8) also provided with holes (71, 81), one of the plates (8) having the holes (81) arranged to coincide with the holes in the foot (24) of the support (23), so that the same screws can be used for fixing it to the ground. In turn, the support (23) comprises a stop (27) configured to limit the rotation of the respective mast.

[0053] (22) and retain it in its position of use.

[0054] This support (23) also comprises the articulating joint (52) for articulating the masts (22) with respect to the bases (21), as well as height adjustment means (9) that allow the uprights (3) to be positioned at different heights. In this particular embodiment, the articulating joint (52) and the height adjustment means (9) consist of a pin (26) configured to be inserted through through holes located at the lower end of the masts (22) and two sets of through holes (25) distributed vertically in the support, as can be seen in Figure 4.

[0055] Thanks to the height adjustment means (9), it is possible to interpose several perimeter protection devices arranged in series, as shown in Figures 6 to 8, so that there are no gaps between them through which workers could fall. Specifically, Figure 6 shows a side section of two perimeter protection devices interposed at different heights, where it can be seen that the configuration of the present invention allows for the protection of the perimeter of any floor slab (F) that must protrude beyond a wall (M) or any other obstacle at ground level (S). Figure 7 shows several perimeter protection devices located in a corner, some shown from the front and others from the side. Figure 8 shows the same assembly from a lower perspective, where the overlap between the perimeter protection devices is visible.

[0056] Figures 9 and 10 illustrate some of the assembly steps for a perimeter protection device, starting from its folded position shown in Figure 2. The procedure begins by securing the bases (21) of each supporting structure (1) to the ground, parallel to each other. As shown in step (a), the procedure continues by raising the masts (22) and uprights (3) to the vertical position of the masts (22). Subsequently, the net (4) is placed on the uprights (3), as shown in step (b). If the masts (22) are extendable, as is the case in this embodiment, they are extended to the required height. They are then secured to the bases (21) by means of respective braces (62) that run from the free end of the bases (21) to the upper ends of the masts (22), as shown in step (c).Steps (d) and (e) depict the steps of pushing the uprights (3) by their vertices into their working position and securing them to the bases (22) using respective braces (61). Finally, the crossbar (10) is placed in the fastening means (11) of the masts (22) to mechanically link both legs (2) together, acting as bracing. It can be positioned horizontally, as in Figure 1, or orthogonally, as in Figure 11.

[0057] Figure 12 shows two extension positions for the masts (22), which are telescopic in this example embodiment. This allows the present perimeter protection device to be used for floors of different heights, such as those of commercial floors, which are usually higher than the floors of the upper floors of the building.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Perimeter protection device for building floors comprising: two supporting structures (1) provided with respective legs (2), with fixing means configured to fix them to a floor, and respective L-shaped uprights (3), the lower ends of which are mechanically linked to respective upper ends of the legs (2), and at least one net (4) fixable to the uprights (3) and adaptable to their L-shape, the length of the net (4) being greater than the distance between the uprights (3), characterized in that the uprights (3) are mechanically linked to respective legs (2) by means of articulated joints (51) configured to articulate in respective parallel planes the respective legs (2) and the respective uprights (3), and in that it comprises at least two removable braces (61, 62) configured to fix the uprights (3) with respect to the legs (2) in their position of use.

2. Perimeter protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the leg fixing means (2) comprise at least one plate (7, 8) provided with holes (71, 81) configured to receive screws for fixing to the ground.

3. Perimeter protection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises height adjustment means (9) configured to regulate the height of the uprights (3) with respect to the ground.

4. Perimeter protection device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the legs (2) comprise: respective bases (21) in the form of bars, respective masts (22) whose lower ends are joined to one end of respective bases (21) by means of a respective articulated joint (52) configured to articulate the masts (22) and the bases (21) in a respective parallel plane.

5. Perimeter protection device according to claim 4, characterized in that each leg (2) comprises a support (23) provided with said articulated joint (52) to articulate the masts (22) with respect to the bases (21) and said height adjustment means (9) of the uprights (3).

6. Perimeter protection device according to claim 5, characterized in that each support (23) and its respective base (21) form a single body.

7. Perimeter protection device according to claim 5, characterized in that the support (23) comprises a foot (24) with holes configured to receive screws for fixing to the ground.

8. Perimeter protection device according to claim 7, characterized in that the bases (21) of the legs (2) comprise a respective plate (7, 8) with holes (71, 81) configured to coincide with the holes of the foot (24) of the support (23) and to receive the same screws for fixing to the ground.

9. Perimeter protection device according to any of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the supports (23) and / or the masts (22) comprise at least two sets of through holes (25) distributed in height and configured to receive a corresponding pin (26), as an articulated joint (52) and as height adjustment means (9).

10. Perimeter protection device according to any of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the support (23) comprises a stop (26) configured to limit the rotation of the respective mast (22) and retain it in its position of use.

11. Perimeter protection device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one crossbar (10, 10') and each mast comprises fastening means (11) configured to fasten the crossbar (10, 10') and mechanically link both legs (2) together.

12. Perimeter protection device according to claim 11, characterized in that the fastening means (11) are configured to fasten at least one crossbar (10') in an orthogonal direction.

13. Perimeter protection device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one net (4) comprises: a vertical portion (41) whose upper end is provided with an upper spar (410) that supports the net (4), the upper spar (410) being fixable to the upper end of the uprights (3), and a horizontal portion (42) provided with an inner spar (420) fixed to the end of the net (4) adjacent to the legs (2).

14. Perimeter protection device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner rail (420) is linked to at least one rope (43) configured to move the inner crossbar (420) towards the legs (2) when the rope is pulled down.

15. Perimeter protection device according to any of claims 4 to 14, characterized in that it comprises four braces (61, 62), of which the first two braces (62) are articulated to the base (21) and to each mast (22), and the second two braces (61) are articulated to each upright (3) and to a point of the respective bases (21) adjacent to the masts (22).

16. Perimeter protection device according to claim 15, characterized in that the first two braces (62) are articulated to each free end of the base (21) and to each upper end of the mast (22).

17. Perimeter protection device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the second braces (61) are articulated to each vertex of the uprights (3).

18. Perimeter protection device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the masts (22) are telescopic.

Images