The present application relates generally to a barrier. More specifically, the present application relates to an edge protection barrier.
Barriers, such as steel mesh barriers, are often installed on or near an edge of a structure, such as a building, to prevent debris or an individual from falling from the edge of the structure. It is desirable for barriers to be as light as possible while achieving a minimum strength or stiffness. The inventors of the present disclosure have developed a barrier that is lighter than traditional barriers while achieving a desired minimum strength or stiffness.
The inventors have identified numerous deficiencies and problems with the existing technologies in this field. For example, existing technologies are either too heavy or do not achieve a desired minimum strength or stiffness. Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, many of these identified deficiencies and problems have been solved by developing solutions that are structured in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure, many examples of which are described in detail herein.
In general, embodiments of the present disclosure provided herein include apparatuses to provide for improved barriers.
In various aspects, a barrier that defines a horizontal direction H, a vertical direction V that is orthogonal to the horizontal direction H, and a transverse direction T that is orthogonal to the horizontal direction H and the vertical direction V is provided. The barrier can include a plurality of first wires that each have a vertical portion that extends in the vertical direction V and a transverse portion that extends within sixty degrees of the transverse direction T. The transverse portions of each of the plurality of first wires can collectively define a midline that extends in the horizontal direction H and can substantially bisect the transverse portions of each of the plurality of first wires. The midline can define a proximal portion for each of the transverse portions and a distal portion for each of the transverse portions. The barrier can include a plurality of second wires that each extend in the horizontal direction H. At least one of the plurality of second wires can be coupled to the proximal portions of each of the transverse portions of each of the plurality of first wires.
In various examples, at least another one of the plurality of second wires is coupled to the distal portions of each of the transverse portions of the plurality of first wires.
In various examples, each of the plurality of first wires have an end. The at least another one of the plurality of second wires can be coupled to the ends of the plurality of first wires.
In various examples, each of the plurality of first wires and each of the plurality of second wires comprise steel.
In various examples, the transverse portions of each of the plurality of first wires are first transverse portions. Each of the plurality of first wires can have a second transverse portion that extends in a direction opposite to the first transverse portion. The vertical portions of each of the plurality of first wires can be positioned between the first transverse portions and the second transverse portions.
In various examples, each of the plurality of first wires have a curved portion that connects the transverse portion to the vertical portion.
In various examples, at least one of the plurality of second wires is coupled to the vertical portions of the plurality of first wires at a location proximate to the transverse portions.
In various examples, a distance D1 is defined that extends in the transverse direction T from the vertical portions of the plurality of first wires to a position that corresponds to a center of the at least one of the plurality of second wires that is coupled to the proximal portions of each of the transverse portions of each of the plurality of first wires. The transverse portions of each of the plurality of first wires can have a length that defines a distance D3. A ratio D1:D3 between the distance D1 and the distance D3 can be less than 1:2.
In various examples, the ratio D1:D3 between the distance D1 and the distance D3 is less than 1:5.
In various examples, at least another one of the plurality of second wires is coupled to the distal portions of each of the transverse portions of the plurality of first wires. A distance D4 is defined that extends from the at least one of the plurality of second wires that is coupled to the proximal portions of each of the transverse portions of each of the plurality of first wires to the at least another one of the plurality of second wires that is coupled to the distal portions of each of the transverse portions of the plurality of first wires. A ratio D1:D4 between the distance D1 and the distance D4 can be at least 1:4.5 and up to 1:3.9.
In various examples, at least one of the plurality of second wires is coupled to the vertical portions of the plurality of first wires. A distance D2 can be defined that extends in the vertical direction V from a center of the at least one of the plurality of second wires that is coupled to the vertical portions of the plurality of first wires to a position that corresponds to a center of the at least one of the plurality of second wires that is coupled to the proximal portions of each of the transverse portions of each of the plurality of first wires. A ratio D1:D2 between the distance D1 and the distance D2 can be at least 1:0.5 and up to 1:0.11.
In various examples, at least another one of the plurality of second wires is coupled to the distal portions of each of the transverse portions of the plurality of first wires. A distance D4 can be defined that extends from the at least one of the plurality of second wires that is coupled to the proximal portions of each of the transverse portions of each of the plurality of first wires to the at least another one of the plurality of second wires that is coupled to the distal portions of each of the transverse portions of the plurality of first wires. A ratio D1:D4 between the distance D1 and the distance D4 can be at least 1:4.5 and up to 1:3.9.
In various examples, at least one of the plurality of second wires is coupled to the vertical portions of the plurality of first wires. A distance D2 can be defined that extends in the vertical direction V from a center of the at least one of the plurality of second wires that is coupled to the vertical portions of the plurality of first wires to a position that corresponds to a center of the at least one of the plurality of second wires that is coupled to the proximal portions of each of the transverse portions of each of the plurality of first wires. A ratio D1:D2 between the distance D1 and the distance D2 can be at least 1:0.5 and up to 1:0.11.
In various aspects, an edge protection barrier is configured to be coupled proximate to an edge of a building, the edge protection barrier defining a horizontal direction H, a vertical direction V that is orthogonal to the horizontal direction H, and a transverse direction T that is orthogonal to the horizontal direction H and the vertical direction V. The edge protection barrier can include a plurality of first wires that each have a vertical portion that extends in the vertical direction V and a transverse portion that extends within sixty degrees of the transverse direction T. The transverse portions of each of the plurality of first wires can collectively define a midline that extends in the horizontal direction H and substantially bisects the transverse portions of each of the plurality of first wires. The midline can define a proximal portion for each of the transverse portions and a distal portion for each of the transverse portions. The edge protection barrier can include a plurality of second wires that each extend in the horizontal direction H. At least one of the plurality of second wires can be coupled to the proximal portions of each of the transverse portions of each of the plurality of first wires.
In various examples, at least another one of the plurality of second wires is coupled to the distal portions of each of the transverse portions of the plurality of first wires.
In various examples, at least one of the plurality of second wires is coupled to the vertical portions of the plurality of first wires at a location proximate to the transverse portions.
In various examples, a distance D1 is defined that extends in the transverse direction T from the vertical portions of the plurality of first wires to a position that corresponds to a center of the at least one of the plurality of second wires that is coupled to the proximal portions of each of the transverse portions of each of the plurality of first wires. The transverse portions of each of the plurality of first wires can have a length that defines a distance D3. A ratio D1:D3 between the distance D1 and the distance D3 can be less than 1:2.
In various examples, the ratio D1:D3 between the distance D1 and the distance D3 is less than 1:5.
In various examples, at least another one of the plurality of second wires is coupled to the distal portions of each of the transverse portions of the plurality of first wires. A distance D4 can be defined that extends from the at least one of the plurality of second wires that is coupled to the proximal portions of each of the transverse portions of each of the plurality of first wires to the at least another one of the plurality of second wires that is coupled to the distal portions of each of the transverse portions of the plurality of first wires. A ratio D1:D4 between the distance D1 and the distance D4 can be at least 1:4.5 and up to 1:3.9.
In various examples, at least one of the plurality of second wires is coupled to the vertical portions of the plurality of first wires. A distance D2 can be defined that extends in the vertical direction V from a center of the at least one of the plurality of second wires that is coupled to the vertical portions of the plurality of first wires to a position that corresponds to a center of the at least one of the plurality of second wires that is coupled to the proximal portions of each of the transverse portions of each of the plurality of first wires. A ratio D1:D2 between the distance D1 and the distance D2 can be at least 1:0.5 and up to 1:0.11.
The above summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described embodiments are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the present disclosure in any way. It will be appreciated that the scope of the present disclosure encompasses many potential embodiments in addition to those here summarized, some of which will be further described below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.
Having thus described certain example embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms above, non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the subject disclosure are described with reference to the following figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. The components illustrated in the figures may or may not be present in certain embodiments described herein. Some embodiments may include fewer (or more) components than those shown in the figures.
One or more embodiments are now more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout and in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It is evident, however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. It should be understood that some, but not all embodiments are shown and described herein. Indeed, the embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and accordingly this disclosure should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements.
As used herein, the term “exemplary” means serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. In addition, while a particular feature may be disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes” and “including” and variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, these terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”
As used herein, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.
As used herein, the terms “coupled,” “fixed,” “attached to,” and the like refer to both direct coupling, fixing, or attaching, as well as indirect coupling, fixing, or attaching through one or more intermediate components or features, unless otherwise specified herein. As used herein, coupling can be accomplished through welding one component to another component.
As used herein, the term “positioned directly on” refers to a first component being positioned on a second component such that they make contact. Similarly, as used herein, the term “positioned directly between” refers to a first component being positioned between a second component and a third component such that the first component makes contact with both the second component and the third component. In contrast, a first component that is “positioned between” a second component and a third component may or may not have contact with the second component and the third component. Additionally, a first component that is “positioned between” a second component and a third component is positioned such that there may be other intervening components between the second component and the third component other than the first component.
Referring now to
The barrier 10 can be configured to be coupled at a location proximate to an edge of a structure, such as a building. The barrier 10 can be configured as an edge protection barrier 10 that may prevent an individual and/or debris from falling from the edge of the structure. Multiple barriers 10 can be coupled together to form an edge protection system.
Referring now to
Referring briefly to
Referring again to
The barrier 10 can include a plurality of second wires 200. Each of the plurality of second wires 200 can include a metal, such as aluminum or steel. Each of the plurality of second wires 200 can extend generally in the horizontal direction H along a full length of the plurality of second wires 200. In various examples, and as depicted in
Referring now to
Referring now to
The inventors have discovered that positioning the second wire 200b proximate to (e.g., within 18 mm of, such as within 16 mm of, such as within 14 mm of) the vertical portion 110 of the first wire 100 may increase an overall strength and/or stiffness of the barrier. As will be discussed in more detail, the increase to the overall strength and/or stiffness of the barrier 10 by incorporating the second wire 200b proximate to the vertical portion 110 of the first wire 100 allows the diameters of the first wires 100 to be reduced without decreasing an overall strength and/or stiffness of the barrier 10.
In various examples, and as depicted in
The lengths of the transverse portions 130 of each of the plurality of first wires 100 can define a distance D3 that extends in the transverse direction T. In various examples, and as depicted in
In various examples, and as depicted in
In various examples, and as depicted in
In various examples, and as depicted in
It should be understood that the specific dimensions provided in relation to
In various examples, a ratio D1:D3 can be defined that describes the positioning of one of the plurality of second wires 200b along the length of the transverse portion 130 of the plurality of first wires 100, which corresponds to distance D3. For example, and as depicted in
The inventors have also discovered that a D1:D3 ratio that is less than 1:5, such as less than 1:5.5, such as less than 1:6, such as less than 1:6.5, such as less than 1:7 optimizes the amount of weight that can be removed from the barrier 10 by increasing the reduction of the diameters of the plurality of first wires 100 while also maintaining or improving an overall strength and/or stiffness of the barrier 10. For example, a D1:D3 ratio that is less than 1:5 may increase the overall strength and/or stiffness of the barrier 10 more than a ratio that is greater than 1:5. As such, positioning the wire 200b such that a D1:D3 ratio that is less than 1:5 is defined may provide additional strength and/or stiffness to the barrier, which allows an increase to the diameter reduction of the first wires 100.
Other ratios, such as a ratio D1:D4 that is approximately 1:4.2, such as at least 1:4.5 and up to 1:3.9, and/or a D1:D2 ratio that is approximately 1:0.8, such as at least 1:0.5 and up to 1:0.11, may also optimize a weight reduction by allowing the diameters of the first wires 100 to be reduced while maintaining an overall strength and/or stiffness of the barrier 10 in conjunction with the incorporation of wire 200b and a D1:D3 ratio that is less than 1:5.
Referring now to
The above descriptions of various embodiments of the subject disclosure and corresponding figures and what is described in the Abstract, are described herein for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It is to be understood that one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that other embodiments having modifications, permutations, combinations, and additions can be implemented for performing the same, similar, alternative, or substitute functions of the disclosed subject matter, and are therefore considered within the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not be limited to any single embodiment described herein, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims below. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.