Claims
- 1. A debris barrier system for high rise construction projects adapted for installation in connection with a safety cable suspended at a generally uniform height above a floor slab along at least a portion of the perimeter vicinity thereof comprising:
- a flexible netting having a first border portion and a second transversely spaced border edge separated by a distance greater than said height;
- clip means for connecting said netting to said cable at longitudinally spaced locations along said netting to suspend said netting so as to form a flexible vertical panel and a flap horizontally positionable on said floor slab;
- a flexible anchoring strip spaced from said first border portion a distance approximately equal to the cable height and extending longitudinally along said netting; and
- fastener means for fastening said netting to said floor slab at longitudinally spaced positions along said flexible anchoring strip.
- 2. A debris barrier comprising:
- an elongated sheet of flexible netting having a first border portion and a second transversely spaced border edge;
- said first border portion being formed of a flexible reinforced material which is capable of supporting said netting upon suspension thereof; and
- an anchoring strip comprising a flexible tear-resistant material generally uniformly transversely spaced from said first border portion.
- 3. The debris barrier of claim 2 wherein the transverse spacing between said first border portion and said anchoring strip is approximately five feet.
- 4. The debris barrier of claim 2 wherein the netting comprises a woven mesh of strands comprised of vinyl and polyester material.
- 5. The debris barrier of claim 4 wherein the woven mesh is approximately 1/8 inch and the strands are approximately 0.028 mil diameter.
- 6. The debris barrier of claim 2 further comprising a multiplicity of clips connectable at said first border portion for suspending said netting from a cable.
- 7. The debris barrier system of claim 1 wherein said clip means comprises a multiplicity of clips, each said clip having a continuous spaced dual, substantially U-shaped catch and being insertable through said netting and removably mountable to said cable.
- 8. The debris barrier system of claim 1 wherein said first border portion has a reinforcement cord extending therealong and said clips extend through said netting so as to receive portions of the cord.
- 9. The debris barrier system of claim 1 wherein the fastener means comprises fasteners and fastener plates engaging against said anchoring strip, said fasteners being driven through said fastener plates to anchor said debris barrier to said floor slab.
- 10. A method for installing a debris barrier on a high rise construction project wherein a safety cable is suspended a generally uniform height above a floor comprising:
- (a) providing an elongated flexible netting having a first border portion, a traverse width greater than said height; and an anchoring strip which is transversely spaced from said first border portion a distance approximately equal to said cable height;
- (b) connecting longitudinally spaced portions of said first border portion to said cable so as to vertically suspend portions of said netting;
- (c) positioning said anchoring strip on said floor; and
- (d) fastening said netting to said floor at longitudinally spaced locations along said anchoring strip.
- 11. The method of claim 10 wherein step (d) further comprises driving fasteners through said anchoring strip into said floor.
- 12. The method of claim 10 wherein step (d) further comprises positioning plates along said anchoring strip and driving fasteners through said plates and anchoring strip into said floor.
- 13. The method of claim 10 wherein step (b) further comprises inserting clips through openings of said netting and suspending said clips from said safety cable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 174,006 filed on Mar. 28, 1988 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,562.
This invention relates generally to vertical debris barriers which are employed during the construction of high rise office buildings or the like. More particularly, the present invention relates generally to debris barriers which are installed to prevent debris and other objects from falling off the floor slab of a structure under construction.
Various federal, state and local laws and regulations, including those of the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, require that safety barriers be employed during the construction of high rise office buildings and like structures. The principal purpose of such safety barriers is to prevent workers from accidentally falling off the edge of the floor slab. The safety barrier may also function to prevent debris, tools, materials and other objects from accidentally falling off a floor slab during construction. The pertinent safety standards commonly require that during construction, a rope, cable or hand rail be suspended above the height of the floor slab so as to extend vertically at the perimeter of the slab. Typically, the cable is suspended approximately 42 inches above each floor slab. A second cable is also typically suspended midway between the floor slab and the 42 inch cable. A rigid toe board of 5 inch or greater width is also typically rigidly secured along the floor slab at or near the perimeter to prevent debris, tools, materials and other objects from being accidentally kicked or dislodged off the floor slab.
There are a number of additional prior devices and safety barrier systems which generally relate to the field of the invention. E. Whitney U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,244,670, Preston, 4,012,197 and Verdu 4,119,176 disclose devices and/or systems Which generally relate to the subject matter of the invention.
Briefly stated, the invention in a preferred form is a debris barrier which comprises an elongated sheet of flexible mesh netting. A top border portion of the netting forms means for securing a cord. The cord generally extends longitudinally along the netting to provide a flexible reinforced border portion. A flexible anchoring strip of heavy duty material is secured to the netting intermediate the top and opposing second borders and is generally uniformly transversely spaced from the top border. In one embodiment, the netting forms a longitudinally extending mesh channel which is defined by connected folded flat portions of the mesh netting. A flexible anchoring strip of heavy duty material has a uniform width which ranges from 11/2 to 21/2 inches. The anchoring strip is fastened to the mesh netting and extends longitudinally to form a base for securing the netting to the floor. In one embodiment, the transverse spacing between the top border and the anchoring strip is approximately 5 feet, and the transverse spacing between the strip and the second border portion is approximately 8 inches or greater. The mesh netting preferably comprises a 1/8 inch woven mesh of flexible foam vinyl and polyester.
The debris barrier is especially adapted to function as a vertical debris barrier system for high rise construction projects wherein a safety cable is suspended at a substantially uniform height above a floor slab along at least a portion of the perimeter or vicinity thereof. The mesh netting has a transverse dimension which is greater than the height of the cable from the floor. The netting is suspended from the cable by means of clips which connect at longitudinally spaced locations. The netting is dimensioned so that one portion of the netting extends generally vertically and a second portion is positionable on the floor slab in surface-to-surface relationship so as to form a generally perpendicular flap. A longitudinally extending anchoring strip of flexible material is fastened to the netting and positioned generally at the intersection of the netting and the flap portion. Roof-type fasteners are employed to secure the anchoring strip and netting to the floor at longitudinally spaced locations along the strip.
A method in accordance with the present invention for installing a debris barrier on a high rise construction structure comprises connecting spaced border portions of a netting to a safety cable at longitudinally spaced positions therealong so as to vertically suspend a portion of the netting. Portions of the netting are positioned on the floor slab to form a longitudinally extending flap which extends generally perpendicular to the suspended netting. The netting is fastened to the floor slab by means of roof fasteners at longitudinally spaced locations at or near the intersection of the flap and vertically suspended netting portion.
An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved debris barrier and a method for installing a debris barrier system for high rise construction projects and the like.
Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved debris barrier which is cost-effective and may be installed on a high rise construction project in an efficient and safe manner.
Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved debris barrier which provides a high degree of safety.
A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved debris barrier which satisfies governmental regulations for safety toe boards.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the drawings and the specification.
US Referenced Citations (10)
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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174006 |
Mar 1988 |
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Patent Grant
4875549
