Modular safety structure

Abstract

 A modular safety structure comprises a plurality of vertical (12) and horizontal (13) tubular elements and joining elements (15) suitable for connecting the tubular elements (12, 13) to form at least one main side extension (14A), in which at least the vertical tubular elements (12) belonging to the main side extension (14A) are provided with an outer sheath (17) extending substantially for the entire length of the tubular elements.

Description

[0001] The present invention refers to a modular safety structure.

[0002] In closed spaces both in the home and in organised structures, such as playschools or recreation centres, children are exposed to high injury risks. Indeed, banging the head for example against thermo-siphons, heat convectors or other dangerous objects, arranged at a child's height, represents one of the most dangerous and frequent accidents.

[0003] Both at home and in playschools it is also extremely difficult, if not impossible, to dedicate a limited play area totally without dangerous objects and other sources of risk to children.

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is that of realising a modular safety structure that can be made to measure to screen and protect dangerous objects.

[0005] Another purpose of the present invention is that of realising a modular safety structure to compose fences which limit play areas.

[0006] Another purpose of the present invention is that of realising a modular safety structure that is particularly simple and functional, with low bulk and contained costs.

[0007] These purposes according to the present invention are accomplished by realising a modular safety structure as outlined in claim 1.

[0008] Further characteristics of a modular safety structure are object of the dependent claims.

[0009] The characteristics and advantages of a modular safety structure according to the present invention shall become clearer from the following description, given as an example and not for limiting purposes, referring to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a modular safety structure;

figure 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a modular safety structure, applied to the wall;

figure 3 shows a detail of the outer sheath of the modular safety structure, object of the present invention.

[0010] With reference to the figures, a modular safety structure is shown, wholly indicated with 10 and comprising a plurality of vertical 12 and horizontal 13 tubular elements made from plastic material, for example non-toxic medical grade polyvinyl chloride (PVC), connected together, through joining elements 15 made from plastic material, to form at least one main side extension 14A.

[0011] The joining elements 15, which according to that which is shown in the figures are of the two-way, three-way or four-way type, are for example made from non-toxic polypropylene.

[0012] In figures 1 and 2 only joining elements 15 which realise a connection between tubular elements arranged at a right angle are shown as an example.

[0013] Joining elements, not shown, equipped with differently angled connection arms allow a safety structure with side extensions not perpendicular to each other to be realised.

[0014] Vertical tubular elements 12, for example placed at the ends of the side extensions 14, can, moreover, be joined at the bottom of support feet 16.

[0015] According to that which has been shown as an example in figure 1, the modular structure 10 can consist of three perpendicular side extensions 14, the main side extension 14a and two secondary side extensions 14B perpendicular to it.

[0016] The vertical tubular elements 12 belonging to the main side extension 14A are arranged at a distance X equal to no more than 12 cm, preferably equal to 10 cm, and are provided with an outer sheath 17, extending substantially for their entire length.

[0017] In a second embodiment of the modular safety structure 10, object of the present invention, shown in figure 2, the horizontal tubular elements 13 are also provided with an outer sheath 17, extending substantially for their entire length.

[0018] The outer sheath 17, realised in the form of a tubular piece 17' that can be recut to measure for the application onto tubular elements 12 or 13 of whatever length, is preferably made from closed-cell expanded material, for example closed-cell expanded polyethylene.

[0019] According to that which is shown in figure 3, the sheath 17 is coated with a film 18 of unscratchable material, for example with a coloured film of extruded polyethylene.

[0020] The modular safety structure 10 can be made to measure, in other words for example of different heights, as shown in figures 1 and 2.

[0021] Moreover, each side extension 14 can be made of a suitable length, independently from the length of the other side extensions 14.

[0022] Simplified configurations of a modular protective structure 10, object of the present invention, consist of a single side extension 14 or two side extensions 14, for example perpendicular to each other, at the free ends of which means 19 for the removable attachment to the wall of the structure 10 are foreseen.

[0023] The means 19 for the removable attachment to the wall, shown schematically in figure 2, can for example consist of a first portion to be fixed to the wall and a second portion that can be pressure coupled with the first portion, which define a circular seat, in which a vertical tubular element 12 can be inserted.

[0024] As an alternative to attachment to the wall, a modular safety structure 10, consisting of a plurality of side extensions forming a perimeter with complex geometry, can be used to define a play area of a size and shape that can easily be modified and adapted to the user's requirements.

[0025] The modular safety structure, object of the present invention, has the advantage of being equipped with an outer sheath which to a great extent protects the exposed parts of the structure.

[0026] Moreover, the structure is advantageously equipped with vertical tubular elements positioned at a maximum distance of 12 cm, or preferably of 10 cm. Indeed, only given sizes ensure that not even the head of a newborn baby can become inserted between the vertical tubular elements.

Claims

1. Modular safety structure characterised in that it comprises a plurality of vertical (12) and horizontal (13) tubular elements, joining elements (15) suitable for connecting said tubular elements (12, 13) to form at least one main side extension (14A), at least said vertical tubular elements (12) belonging to said main side extension (14A) being provided with an outer sheath (17) extending substantially for the entire length of said tubular elements.

2. Structure according to claim 1, characterised in that at least said vertical tubular elements (12) coated by said sheath (17) and belonging to said main side extension (14A) are arranged at a distance (X) equal to no more than 12 cm.

3. Structure according to claim 2, characterised in that said distance (X) is equal to or less than 10 cm.

4. Structure according to claim 1, characterised in that it consists of at least two side extensions (14).

5. Structure according to claim 1, characterised in that it consists of three side extensions (14), said main side extension (14A) and two secondary side extensions (14B) perpendicular to it, in which said vertical tubular elements (12) coated by said sheath (17) and belonging to said main side extension (14A) are arranged at a distance (X) equal to no more than 12 cm.

6. Structure according to claim 1, characterised in that it consists of a plurality of side extensions (14) forming a perimeter with complex geometry.

7. Structure according to claim 1, characterised in that vertical tubular elements (12) arranged at a free end of said at least one side extension (14) are provided with means (19) for the removable attachment to the wall of said structure (10).

8. Structure according to claim 1, characterised in that at least part of said vertical tubular elements (12) are joined at the bottom to support feet (16).

9. Structure according to claim 1, characterised in that at least part of said horizontal tubular elements (13) are provided with said outer sheath (17) extending substantially for the entire length of said tubular elements.

10. Structure according to claim 1, characterised in that said outer sheath (17) is made from closed-cell expanded material.

11. Structure according to claim 10, characterised in that said closed-cell expanded material is closed-cell expanded polyethylene.

12. Structure according to claim 10, characterised in that said outer sheath (17) is covered by a film (18) of unscratchable material.

13. Structure according to claim 12, characterised in that said unscratchable material is extruded polyethylene.

14. Structure according to claim 1, characterised in that said sheath is coloured.

15. Structure according to claim 1, characterised in that said tubular elements are made from non-toxic medical grade polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

16. Structure according to claim 1, characterised in that said joints are made from non-toxic polypropylene.

17. Outer sheath (17) for tubular elements (12, 13) of a modular safety structure (10) according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that it is made in the form of a tubular piece (17') that can be recut to measure for the application onto tubular elements (12, 13) of whatever length.

Drawing