Patent Application
20070102241
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus used for maintaining a safe work environment, more particularly, to an apparatus that comprises a net system that maintains a safe work area for construction crews, members of the public, and property that are near a building undergoing construction or renovations. Specifically, the present invention utilizes a safety net system that is coupled to a building or structure and includes a cantilever arm that rotates between an open and closed position for maintenance on the net, protection of the net system in inclement weather, and added protection of the crew members, members of the public, and property.
A crew maintaining, renovating, or constructing a high-rise building or structure must deal with many hazards in the work environment. Members of the crew on the ground and in the air must be constantly aware of their surroundings to prevent injuries from falls or falling objects. Additionally, the public on the premises of a construction project must be aware of potentially hazardous situations, such as dropped objects falling from above that could cause bodily injury or property damage.
One way to ensure protection of the crew, public, and property is to install a safety net system that surrounds the perimeter of a building or structure near the area where objects may fall. However, it may be difficult to install a safety net system around a building while still allowing clearance between the net system and the building so that work can be done on the building exterior. Because a safety net system may hinder work on the outside of the building, the crew may not install a safety net system causing the potential for serious injury or damage to result.
The present invention provides crew members with a way to install a safety net system that provides clearance between the building and the net system. The present invention is a perimeter net system that includes at least one mounting apparatus, at least one cantilever arm, and a net. A net is coupled to an end of the cantilever arms such that the net adjusts as the cantilever arms rotate, and they form a barrier around the structure. The opposite ends of the cantilever arms are rotatably coupled to the mounting apparatuses that are coupled to a structure.
Currently, there are devices that use nets attached to buildings or structures to protect people working on maintenance or construction crews, the members of the public, and property on the ground that could be damaged by falling objects. However, each of these devices suffers from several disadvantages. First, the devices do not provide enough clearance between the net and the exterior of the building to allow crews to work. Second, the devices do not rotate allowing the net to be repaired or protected from inclement weather conditions such as wind. Finally, the devices are difficult to install. The devices contain many parts and require a difficult multi-step process including using a staging around the building or structure.
Presently, there is no net system that encompasses a building and provides adequate clearance between the net and exterior of the building while still providing an easy way to repair and protect the net. For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a device that would allow construction crews to easily install and repair a net system that encompasses a building while still allowing the crew to work on the exterior of the building.
The present invention is directed to a device that satisfies the needs of providing a net system that encompasses the exterior of a building, providing a net system that allows sufficient clearance between the net and the exterior of the building to which it is attached, providing a net system that allows for ventilation, providing a net system that is rotatable so that installation can be done without staging, providing a net system that can be protected from inclement weather conditions such as high winds, providing a net system that extends past the reach of workers to prevent vandalism, and providing a net system that prevents objects from being thrown or blown off of buildings or structures.
A net system having features of the present invention comprises at least one mounting apparatus, at least one cantilever arm, and a net. The cantilever arms include a first end and a second end, where the first ends of the cantilever arms are coupled to the mounting apparatuses such that the cantilever arms rotate. Moreover, the mounting apparatuses are coupled to a structure. The second ends of the cantilever arms are coupled to a net that adjusts between and open position and a closed position as the cantilever arm rotates and forms a barrier around the structure.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a net system that encompasses the exterior of a building.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a net system that provides sufficient clearance between the net and the exterior of the building.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a net system that allows for ventilation.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a net system that rotates so that installation of the net system can be done without staging.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a net system that can be protected from inclement weather conditions and high winds.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a net system that extends past the reach of workers on the building to prevent vandalism.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a net system that prevents objects from being thrown or blown off of structures.
The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to it structure and its operation together with the additional object and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art or arts. If any other meaning is intended, the specification will specifically state that a special meaning is being applied to a word or phrase. Likewise, the use of the words “function” or “means” in the Description of Preferred Embodiments is not intended to indicate a desire to invoke the special provision of 35 U.S.C.§112, paragraph 6 to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C.§112, paragraph 6 are sought to be invoked to define the invention(s), the claims will specifically state the phrases “means for” or “step for” and a function, without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material, or act in support of the function.
Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C.§112, paragraph 6 are invoked to define the inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function, along with any and all known or later developed equivalent structures, materials, or acts for performing the claimed function.
A side view of a net system 100 is shown in
Cantilever arms 300 and mounting apparatuses 200 are positioned around the building or structure in an arrangement where the cantilever aims 300 support a net system 100 around the exterior of a building or structure. The net system 100 comprises multiple large nets 400 that are coupled to the second ends 310 of the cantilever arms 300 with fasteners 350. Further, the large nets 400 are connected to each other with fasteners such as hooks, loops, wire, or rope and form a continuous protective barrier around the building or structure. While the net system 100 can encompass the entire building or structure, it is also possible to place the net system 100 around a smaller area if desired.
The first ends 320 of the cantilever arms 300 are attached to the mounting apparatus 200 with pivot pins 330 and rotate around the axis of the pivot pin 330 between an open and closed position. This configuration allows the net 400 to be deployed at various angles. When in the closed position, the net 400 is against the structure 500. When in the open position, the net 400 is deployed at some angle between the closed position and 90°. The mounting apparatuses 200 attach the cantilever arms 300 and the net 400 to the structure 500 ultimately providing protection to the crew, members of the public, and property below the structure 500 from falling objects. Additionally, the adjustability of the net 400 ensures that the net 400 is easily repaired and protected from inclement weather conditions and high winds.
In
The parapet clamp mount 240 in
As shown in
The preferred embodiment of the invention is described above, in the Drawings, and Description of Preferred Embodiments. While these descriptions directly describe the above embodiments, it is understood that those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/or variations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Any such modifications or variations that fall within the purview of this description are intended to be included therein as well. Unless specifically noted, it is the intention of the inventor that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meanings to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art(s). The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment and best mode of the invention known to the applicant at the time of filing the application has been presented and is intended for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in the light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
