Pallet Racking Fall Prevention Using Spring-Biased Pivoting Obstacle
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Workers often unintentionally fall from pallet racking shelves while inspecting or manipulating goods, as there is a lack of effective prevention methods to restrict access past the free edge of the shelves.
Innovation Solution
A fall prevention apparatus with an obstacle that pivots from a passage position to an obstruction position, using an inverted U-shaped spring to bias the restraints, which are mounted to the shelf and extend into the passage to block access once a pallet is past the free edge, preventing workers from stepping off the shelf.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If workers access pallets on high shelves for inspection or manipulation, then goods can be properly managed and inspected, but workers risk unintentionally falling from the shelf edge
Solution Approach 1:
The fall prevention apparatus employs a movable obstacle that dynamically changes position between a first position (blocking access) and a second position (allowing access). The obstacle is biased by a spring mechanism and can be actuated to move between these positions, enabling the system to adapt its state based on operational requirements while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is configured to automatically position the obstacle in the blocking position before workers attempt to access the shelf edge. The spring-biased mechanism ensures the obstacle is already in place to prevent falls, and the system is designed to be actuated in advance of potential hazardous actions
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an obstacle is placed to block worker access to the shelf edge, then fall prevention is achieved, but pallet loading and unloading operations are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The obstacle is designed to be movable between two distinct positions: a first position where it blocks worker access to prevent falls, and a second position where it allows pallets to be loaded and unloaded. The spring biasing mechanism enables the obstacle to be actuated between these positions, and the system can be controlled to transition to the allowing position during pallet operations and return to the blocking position when operations are complete
Solution Approach 2:
The fall prevention apparatus serves multiple functions: it acts as a safety barrier to prevent falls, yet simultaneously allows for legitimate operational access during pallet loading and unloading. The single device structure performs both the protective function and the operational permitting function through its movable design
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus effectively prevents workers from falling by ensuring the obstacle is always in a position to block access past the shelf edge, providing a safe working environment by automatically adjusting to allow pallet placement and then restricting access.
Implementation Method 1
the obstacle is biased by an inverted U-shaped spring including a bridge abutting with the obstacle and interconnecting first and second limbs terminating in coils in turn terminating in feet
Data Source
AI summary
A fall prevention apparatus includes an obstacle biased from a pass into position to an obstruction position. A pallet abuts with the obstacle in the obstruction position extending into a passage in a pallet racking system including a shelf having decking defining a free edge and moves the obstacle to the pass into position when the obstacle extends generally parallel to the passage. The pallet slides on the obstacle in the pass into position and past the obstacle and is supported on the decking. When the pallet is past the obstacle, the obstacle is biased from the pass into position back to the obstruction position to block access out of the passage. In the illustrated embodiment, the obstacle is pivotably mounted to the shelf about an axis parallel to the free edge and includes an abutment surface against which the pallet abuts and slides and an opposite limit plane for blocking access.