CROSS REFERENCES TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention -
[0002] The field of this invention is for safety as a hazardous barrier protection as well
as a fall protection device.
2. Description of the Prior Art -
[0003] Prior art systems made the user secure the device with some type of securing method
like anchor bolts or welding pieces together. One similar piece of art to this invention
is that it is a cast base and uses rail sections. This system uses two receiver posts
in the base to support only two rail sections. In the posts are four cast holes spaced
90 degrees from one another. These holes are used to secure the rail sections to the
base with some type of securing pin.
[0004] Prior art has toe board receiver slots cast into the perimeter of the base itself
creating protrusions as compared to this invention's adapters. This protrusion could
extend up to six inches from the base surface. By utilizing the adapter method, you
remove the potential hazard of the protrusion from the base. One hazard is a potential
tip-over of a forklift driving over the protrusion. It will also protect human injury
by removing an accidental fall should someone trip over the protrusion. These protrusions
also become a nuisance when toe boards are not in use.
[0005] No known system allows the infinite positioning, the locking gates, and the removable
toe board adaptors where the present invention provides for all three qualities inclusive
or independent.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The general purpose of the present invention is intended to be used to cordon off
work areas and the like where human safety is an issue. When the cast iron base is
coupled to the rail and/or gate sections, it has enough weight, mass and strength
to withstand tipping, thus the system provides a safe means of protection should one
fall against it. It also meets and exceeds OSHA regulations for permanent safety railings.
When used on an elevated work surface, optional toe board adapters are added. These
adapters enable the system to be in accordance with OSHA regulations pertaining to
elevated work areas.
[0007] The base is the integral component of this invention and enables the system to be
as versatile as it is described herein. The base has four receiver posts so as to
accommodate as many as four rail sections, latching posts or gate posts, to be incorporated
at any one time. Thus, the system has the versatility to have up to four quadrants
of work areas to be defined by the base placement. The base also incorporates four
symmetrically positioned holes to enable a permanent mount to a surface, via some
form of anchor bolts, if desired.
[0008] Designed into each of the receiver posts are strategically positioned slots. These
slots will align with two vertically spaced holes in the vertical upright of the rail
section. This alignment will enable the rail sections to be secured to the base at
infinite positions along a 360° rotation with some type of locking pin.
[0009] The rail sections used in this invention come in varying lengths and are comprised
of iron tubing with a sufficient wall thickness to withstand the potential force that
could be exerted when a person falls against the rail section. It is understood that
aluminum or another appropriate material may be used in the rail section construction.
The rail sections include a rail-locking system that adds additional strength to the
entire system preventing tipping. The vertical uprights of each rail section have
doughnut-shaped metal pieces (securing rings) welded at equal heights from the bottom
of the upright. The securing rings have precise internal cutouts that enable each
rail section to be secured to each other with some type of securing method. A carabiner
or locking safety chain would be sufficient to additionally secure the rails together.
The internal cutouts enable the rail sections to be secured to one another at infinite
directions of any rail section that is incorporated in the base at any one time.
[0010] This invention incorporates a derivative of the rail section. It is a gate system
that is utilized to access a work area without having to remove locking pins and a
rail section to gain access. A coupler is designed to attach and lock a gate post
to the base receiver post. This feature is important so it can lock the angle of assembly
of the gate to the base. Without the coupler, the gate would move within the receiver
post slots and not align with the gate latch post after moving from its original installation
position.
[0011] When this invention is used on an elevated work surface, as defined by OSHA Regulations,
an attachment for required toe boards is available. Toe boards are intended to keep
objects from being kicked over the elevated work surface that may cause injury to
someone below. These toe board adapters slide onto the lower ends of the vertical
uprights of each rail section and then are lowered on the toe board. After positioning
onto the toe board, the adapters are secured to the rail section with a securing bolt
or knob of one's choice. The boards are then secured to the adapter by nails or by
a locking pin that is similar to or the same that secure the rail section to the base.
Because these adapters are designed to rotate on the upright before being locked into
place, they can be positioned in any direction so that they follow the in-line path
of the rail section itself.
[0012] This invention comes with an optional number of horizontal cross members or vertical
uprights that can be welded to the rail sections. This feature enables this portable
system to be used in a variety of markets. One example of this feature is the agricultural
market. One could specify the requirements of spacing between the horizontal/vertical
spacing of the cross members so animals could not escape from a livestock pen created
using this invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Other objects of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages of the
present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood
by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with
the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout
the figures thereof and wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a safety rail system, the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a base;
FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of base;
FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of two rail sections connected together using rail lock
donuts and a securing chain;
FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of a gate section in conjunction with a latching post and
a gate post;
FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of a gate post and rail section serving as a gate where
locking coupler secures gate post to receiver post of a base;
FIG. 7 illustrates a cross sectional view of the locking coupler;
FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of a rail lock donut;
FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of a rail section supported by two bases incorporating a
toe board secured in place by toe board receivers;
FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of a toe board receiver;
FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of a toe board receiver;
FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of the safety rail system 10 configured for use in
a manufacturing facility;
FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of the safety rail system constructed around a construction
dig site; and,
FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a base and rail section depicting how each receiver
post has a 360° rotation capacity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a safety rail system 10, the present invention.
This illustration shows the safety rail system 10 assembled on a rooftop in a random
configuration. The safety rail system 10 is comprised of a plurality of rail sections
12a-12n, a plurality of bases 14a-14n, a plurality of rail lock donuts 16a-16n, a
plurality of securing chains 18a-18n, a plurality of toe boards 20a-20n used in conjunction
with a plurality of toe board receivers 22a-22n. Each component will be later described
in detail with reference to the following figures.
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a base 14a, and
FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of base 14a, where all numerals correspond to those elements
previously described. The bases 14a-14n weigh between 100-120 lbs. and are cast iron
or welded plate and tube to support rail sections 12a-12n without tipping. Each base
14a-14n is constructed in the same manner having identical parts including a planar
portion 42 with cutouts 40a-40d on four opposing sides creating built in handles for
transporting them. There is also a centrally located lifting bar 46 which allows the
user to hook the bases 14a-14n to a pulley or a dolly to more easily move the heavy
bases 14a-14n. There are provided holes 38a-38d which accommodate anchor bolts for
securing the bases 14a-14n to a work surface such as a concrete floor or roof top
if permanent or desired. The key feature of the bases 14a-14n are four post receivers
36a-36d which extend perpendicularly upward from planar portion 42. Rail sections
12a-12n are positioned in the post receivers 36a-36n allowing the rail sections 12a-12n
to be positioned in any position in a 360° range. These post receivers 36a-36d each
include a plurality of slots 44a-44n and the rail sections 12a-12n also incorporate
a plurality of corresponding holes 48a-48n, as shown in
FIG. 4, for receiving locking pins to hold the rail sections 12a-12n in place in the bases
14a-14n once the desired position is acquired. Once the rail sections 12a-12n are
secured to bases 14a-14n at each end, the slots will allow the rail sections 12a-12n
to pivot. Each base 14a-14n may accommodate a maximum of four rail sections 12a-12n
which can be locked in any position within its range of motion. It is understood that
the slots 44a-44n may be substituted with multiple holes at different heights, but
holes will not allow the infinite 360° range at which the rail sections 12a-12n may
be locked. The post receivers 36a-36d can also accommodate a latching post 28 and/or
a gate post 34 which will be described in
FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of two rail sections 12a-12n connected together using rail
lock donuts 16a-16n and a securing chain 18a, and
FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of a gate section 32a in conjunction with a latching post
28a and a gate post 34a, where all numerals correspond to those elements previously
described. A plurality of latching posts 28a-28n and a plurality of gate posts 34a-34n
may be used in any configuration. Illustrated in these figures are the holes 48a-48n
which were mentioned in the previous figures. The latching post 28 and the gate post
34 also incorporate holes 48a-48n identical to those in the rail sections 12a-12n
and serve the same purpose. Also illustrated are hinges 50a-50n which are secured
to the gate post 34 in at least two positions. The opposite ends of hinges 50a-50n
secure to the upright 26b of gate section 32a, creating a pivoting gate. The gate
section 32a also has a gate latch 52 secured on the upright 26a of rail section 12a
opposite hinges 50a-50n. The gate latch 52 provides a locking means for the gate section
32a. In the configuration illustrated in
FIG. 5, only the gate post 34a and the latching post 28a are secured to bases 14a-14n (not
illustrated) and gate section 32a is suspended between them, creating the operational
gate. Both the latching post 28a and the gate post 34a are locked in position using
a locking coupler 54 which will be described in
FIG. 6 and
FIG. 7. It is necessary to lock the gate post 34a in position using the locking coupler
54 to prevent pivoting, keeping hinges 50a-50n in position.
[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of a gate post 34a and gate section 32a where locking coupler
54 secures gate post 34a to receiver post 36a of base 14a, and
FIG. 7 illustrates a cross sectional view of locking coupler 54, where all numerals correspond
to those elements previously described. Illustrated in particular is the configuration
of the safety rail system 10 components when a gate is needed and the locking coupler
54 is used. Also illustrated are a set of holes 56a and 56b which lock the gate post
34a to the locking coupler 54 and a hole 58 which allows the locking coupler 54 to
be secured to receiver post 36a of base 14a by a securing knob, bolt or other suitable
device.
[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of a rail lock donut 16a, where all numerals correspond to
those elements previously described. Illustrated in particular is a hole 60 where
the rail lock donut 16a is secured to upright portion 26b of rail section 12a and
slots 62a-62b which accommodate securing chains 18a-18n, as illustrated in
FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of a rail section 12a supported by two bases 14a-14n incorporating
a toe board 20a secured in place by toe board receivers 22a-22n, where all numerals
correspond to those elements previously described. With further reference to
FIG. 10 and
FIG. 11, the use of the toe board will now be described in detail.
[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of a toe board receiver 22a, and
FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of a toe board receiver 22a, where all numerals correspond
to those elements previously described. Each toe board receiver 22a-22n includes a
sleeve 64 which is slid upwardly over and about the bottom of upright portion 26a
of rail section 12a prior to securing rail section 12a to base 14a. Each sleeve 64
has a nut 74 welded to the outside over a hole, not illustrated, in the sleeve 64,
where an L-bolt 76 or the like is screwed through the sleeve 64 and frictionally engages
upright portion 26a. The sleeve 64 may also be bolted or welded, if necessary or so
desired. There is a board receiver bracket 66 connected at an angle to the sleeve
64 by shaft 68. The board receiver bracket 66 is straddled over toe board 20a and
appropriately secured through holes 70a and 70b by a bolt, securing pin or other appropriate
means. Each rail section 12a-12n should include two toe board receivers 22a-22n and
one toe board 20 as illustrated to prevent materials from being kicked off an elevated
work area using the safety rail system 10.
[0021] FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of the safety rail system 10 configured for use in
a manufacturing facility, where all numerals correspond to those elements previously
described. It defines the use for the four receiver posts 36a-36d that are incorporated
into the bases 14a-14n. Unlimited work areas can be defined with this set up or one
similar to it. Also illustrated is how the gates 32a-32n are used in conjunction with
the rail sections 12a-12n. These gate sections 32a-32n allow access to the work areas
by workers or a forklift for example. When the gate sections 32a-32n are not in use,
they are closed. When closed, these gate sections 32a-32n create a safe barrier just
as the solid rail sections 12a-12n would. This illustration shows work areas configured
in squares, but it is understood that the safety rail system 10 can be configured
in any shape needed.
[0022] FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of the safety rail system 10 constructed around a
construction dig site 78, where all numerals correspond to those elements previously
described. This configuration allows the safety rail system 10 to follow the various
angles that are created by the edge of the dig site 78 and still be secured in position
by the locking pins at any of the angles shown, as well as an infinite number of angles
not shown.
[0023] FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a base 14a and rail section 12a depicting how each
receiver post 36a-36d has the capability to be secured by a securing pin to a rail
section 12a-12d in a 360° rotator when utilizing the slots 44a-44n in the receiver
posts 36a-36d. A plurality of holes at different horizontal planes may be substituted
for the plurality of slots 44a-44n, but the holes would limit the direction the rail
sections 12a-12n could be positioned and not allow the infinite positioning that slots
44a-44n provide.
MODE OF OPERATION
[0024] With reference to
FIGS. 1-14, the mode of operation is now described, where all numerals correspond to those elements
previously described. The portable safety rail system 10 is comprised of a number
of components. The rail sections 12a-12n come in varying lengths. Secured to the upright
portions 26a-26b of a rail section 12a is a rail-lock donut 16a-16n. These rail lock
donuts 16a-16n are secured at equal heights on all rail sections 12a-12n by welding
or other appropriate means. When the rail sections 12a-12n are secured in position
and the rail lock donuts 16a-16n are coupled with a securing chain 18a-18n, added
strength is given to the system should a rail section 12a-12n start to tip over. A
carabiner or other suitable device may be substituted for the securing chains 18a-18n.
The tipped over rail section 12a-12n would then try to drag the next attached rail
section 12a-12n with it and so on. The overall weight will prevent the safety rail
system from tipping over. The rail lock donut 16a-16n is designed so it too can accommodate
the infinite directions available to the rail sections 12a-12n as they are turned
in the receiver posts 36a-36d of bases 14a-14n.
[0025] The gate sections 32a-32n for the safety rail system 10 are unique in design. A gate
section 32a is comprised of four major components. The latching post 28 is where a
gate latch 52 will secure the gate section 32a so to not swing to and fro. The gate
section 32a connects via hinges 52a-52n to the gate post 34a. The gate sections 32a-32n
also have the capability to have infinite positions for placement and when the desired
direction is found, the locking coupler 54 can easily lock the gate sections 32a-32n
into position so it will not move. The locking coupler 54 is made of a lightweight
metal such as aluminum. It is machined half way through to be the outside diameter
of a rail section 12a-12n. The locking coupler 54 has holes 56a-56b for a securation
means such as a spring pin or bolt that can be installed on the rail section 12a-12n
so the rail section 12a-12n can not be removed. The lower interior of the locking
coupler 54 is machined tapered to fit the tapered receiver post 36a-36d, or if tubing
is used, it would not need to be tapered. It also has a hole 58 so a knob can be screwed
into the hole and against the receiver post so the rail section 12a-12n will not rotate
when mounted into position.
[0026] Although this invention was designed for manufacturing facilities, construction sites
and animal pens, it can be used on an elevated work surfaces and meets or exceeds
OSHA's regulations for fall protection on an elevated work surface. This invention
has optional toe board receivers 22a-22n which are slid over and about the bottoms
of each of the upright portions 26a-26b on rail sections 12a-12n. A toe board 20a-20n,
that meets OSHA'S standards, can be secured to the board receiver bracket 66 and secured
with a screw, bolt or locking pin. Once in place, the toe board receiver 22a-22n can
be secured to the rail section by tightening the L-Bolt 76 against the receiver posts
36a-36d of bases 14a-14n. This device was also designed to have infinite directional
movement before securation. No matter what position the base 14a-14n is when the rail
section 12a-12n is installed and secured, the toe board receivers 22a-22n will always
be able to follow the run of the rail sections 12a-12n.
[0027] The bases 14a-14n are of a cast iron design or welded design to meet the weight requirements.
They have enough weight that when varying lengths of rail sections 12a-12n or gate
sections 32a-32n are secured to the receiver posts 36a-36d, the safety rail system
10 can withstand a minimum of 250 pounds of pressure from any angle. This feature
allows the system to be in compliance with OSHA's Fall Protection Regulations. The
bases 14a-14n each have four receiver posts 36a-36d which allow the bases 14a-14n
to accommodate as many rail sections 12a-12n thus, creating a maximum of four quadrants
emanating from each base 14a-14n. The receiver posts 36a-36d have strategically positioned
slots 44a-44n that enable the rail section 12a-12n to be positioned in infinite directions
while setting up another base 14a-14n at the end of the rail section 12a-12n. When
the rail section 12a-12n is placed into the desired position, bolts or locking pins
are installed through the slot 44a-44n, into the holes 48a-48n on the upright portions
26a-26b of rail sections 12a-12n. One type of locking pin is a clevis pin with a hole
at one end for a lynch pin with a ball detent. A double ring with a lanyard can connect
between a top of the clevis pin and the lynch pin for operator convenience. This secures
the rail sections 12a-12n in place.
[0028] Various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from
the apparent scope hereof.
IT IS CLAIMED:
SAFETY RAIL SYSTEM |
PARTS LIST |
10 |
safety rail system |
52 |
gate latch |
12a-n |
rail sections |
54 |
locking coupler |
14a-n |
bases |
56a-n |
holes |
16a-n |
rail lock donuts |
58 |
hole |
18a-n |
securing chains |
60 |
hole |
20a-n |
toe boards |
62a-b |
slots |
22a-n |
toe board receivers |
64 |
sleeve |
26a-b |
upright portions |
66 |
board receiver bracket |
28a-n |
latching posts |
68 |
shaft |
32a-n |
gate sections |
70a-b |
holes |
34a-n |
gate posts |
74 |
nut |
36a-d |
receiver posts |
76 |
L-bolt |
38a-d |
holes |
78 |
dig site |
40a-d |
cutouts |
|
|
42 |
planar portion |
|
|
44a-n |
slots |
|
|
46 |
lifting bar |
|
|
48a-n |
holes |
|
|
52a-n |
hinges |
|
|
1. A rail safety system including a base, the base comprising:
a. a plate;
b. at least one cutout;
c. at least one hole spaced from said cutout;
d. at least one lifting bar;
e. at least one receiver post for receiving a post with holes in a lower end; and,
f. a plurality of offset slots in said receiver post, whereby the slots receive a
pin pushed through the slot and into the hole of said post.
2. The system of claim 1, including a post in said receiver post and a rail lock means
on said post.
3. A rail safety system comprising:
a. a plate, at least one cutout, at least one hole spaced from said cutout, at least
one lifting bar, a plurality of receiver posts for receiving a post with holes in
a lower end, and a plurality of offset slots in said receiver post, whereby the slots
receive a pin pushed through the slot and into the hole of said post; and,
b. at least one gate means engaged into said two receiver posts of said two plates.
4. A rail safety system comprising:
a. a plate, at least one cutout, at least one hole spaced from said cutout, at least
one lifting bar, a plurality of receiver posts for receiving a post with holes in
a lower end, and a plurality of offset slots in said receiver post, whereby the slots
receive a pin pushed through the slot and into the hole of said post;
b. at least one gate means engaged into said two receiver posts of said two plates;
c. rail lock means on each end of said gate means; and,
d. at least one toe board means engaged between opposing ends of said gate means.
5. A rail safety system comprising:
a. a plate, at least one cutout, at least one hole spaced from said cutout, at least
one lifting bar, a plurality of receiver posts for receiving a post with holes in
a lower end, and a plurality of offset slots in said receiver post, whereby the slots
receive a pin pushed through the slot and into the hole of said post;
b. at least one gate means engaged into said two receiver posts of said two plates;
c. rail lock means on each end of said gate means; and,
d. at least one toe board means engaged between opposing ends of said gate means.