Scaffold Clamp Barrier for Raised Floor Opening Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Raised flooring systems pose a safety hazard when flooring is removed for repairs, leading to potential falls and accidents, necessitating the use of safety barriers to prevent unauthorized access and protect against falls.
Innovation Solution
An improved safety barrier system using scaffold poles with clamps and rails, anchored to a floor grate, to create a visible and physical barrier around openings in raised flooring systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If raised flooring is removed for repairs, then accessibility to underlying services is improved, but safety hazards increase due to potential falls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by installing safety barriers around floor openings before repair work begins. The barrier system includes scaffold legs positioned around the opening perimeter, clamps attached to the legs, and rail segments connected between clamps to form a protective enclosure. This pre-established barrier prevents accidental falls while maintaining controlled access for repair personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety barrier system is segmented into modular components: individual scaffold legs, separate clamps for each leg, and rail segments that can be connected in various configurations. This segmentation allows the barrier to be customized to different opening sizes and shapes, and enables easy assembly and disassembly for repair access while maintaining continuous protection.
2Reliability
If safety barriers are installed around floor openings, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scaffold legs serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the barrier, act as anchoring points for clamps, and can be adjusted to different heights. The clamps universally attach to standard scaffold leg dimensions, and rail segments can be configured for various opening geometries. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized components, simplifying the overall system despite its safety-critical role.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier system is designed for self-assembly using standard scaffold equipment commonly available in construction and maintenance environments. The clamp mechanism automatically secures to the scaffold leg through a simple attachment process, and rail segments connect through straightforward joining. This self-service design reduces installation complexity and eliminates the need for specialized installation tools or procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an improved safety barrier and components thereof. One component is an improved clamp for supporting one or more rails for cordoning off a protected area. The clamp may include one or more of an upper portion, a lower portion, an upper and a lower attachment for assisting in at least partially attaching the clamp to a support, a first and a second support arm attached between the upper portion and the lower portion, and a first and a second cross bar attached to the first support arm to support a rail. The support may include a leg having a bore there-through and a rod at least partially located in said bore, wherein the rod includes an anchor having an orientation at a first end and an alignment indicator indicative of said orientation.