Collapsible Safety Railing for Tanker Trailer Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing safety measures for accessing the top of tanker trailers are hazardous due to the rounded exterior edge, leading to balance issues and falls, especially when loading or unloading contents or inspecting valves, as there is no standard safety railing system in place to prevent falls.
Innovation Solution
A safety railing system with a collapsible design that includes a horizontal walkway, pivoting uprights, and a lever mechanism, allowing the railing to transition from a collapsed to an upright position, providing a secure handrail and supporting up to 600 pounds, while being lockable and compliant with OSHA standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a person walks on the top of the tanker trailer to reach the access valve, then access to the valve is achieved, but the person risks losing balance and falling due to the rounded exterior edge
Solution Approach 1:
A loading platform with stairs serves as an intermediary structure between the ground and the tanker trailer top. The platform provides a stable intermediate surface that allows workers to access the valve without directly walking on the hazardous rounded exterior edge of the tanker trailer.
Solution Approach 2:
The access system is segmented into distinct components: ground level, stairs, loading platform, and tanker trailer top. This segmentation creates separate functional zones where the hazardous transition area is replaced by a controlled intermediate platform with safety railings.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a loading platform with stairs is used to access the tanker trailer top, then safe access is provided, but the system becomes more complex and requires additional infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The loading platform is designed as a multi-functional structure that serves both as a safety railing system and as a loading/unloading platform. The safety railings are integrated into the platform structure, eliminating the need for separate safety equipment and reducing overall system complexity.
3Strength
If the tanker trailer has a rounded exterior edge for structural integrity, then the tank strength is maintained, but the edge becomes difficult to traverse and causes balance loss
Solution Approach 1:
The rounded exterior edge is maintained for the majority of the tank surface to preserve structural integrity, but a localized flat walkway surface is created at the top perimeter where workers need to walk. This localized modification provides walkability without compromising the overall structural strength of the rounded tank.
4Productivity
If access valves are located on the top of the cylindrical tank for efficient loading/unloading, then operational efficiency is improved, but the hazard of falling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The loading platform with safety railings serves as an intermediary safe workspace that positions workers at the optimal height for valve operation. This intermediary platform maintains the top-valve configuration for efficient loading/unloading while eliminating the fall hazard through integrated safety railings.
Data Source
AI summary
A safety railing system and a method provide a walkway on a tanker trailer so that a user may access the top of the tanker trailer. A ladder provides access to the walkway connected to a frame on the tanker trailer. A railing adjacent to the walkway provides a handrail for the user. A lever pivots relative to the frame to move the railing from a collapsed position to an upright position for use. The railing locks in the upright position for use and also locks in the collapsed position for stowage during transport of the tanker trailer.