BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methods for securing a workspace. More specifically, embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methods for securing a workspace using an adjustable and modular apparatus. More specifically still, embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methods for securing a workspace using an adjustable and modular apparatus for use in high steel construction.
2. Background Art
Due to safety regulations in the construction industry, when performing high steel or concrete construction, safety systems are required to prevent workers from falling from the above ground workspace. Construction workspaces traditionally have a number of I-beams that run around the periphery of the workspace, as well as in a grid through the workspace. Because there may be large gaps between the I-beams prior to pouring concrete or laying flooring, workers must be secured to prevent the worker from falling through the gaps between the I-beams. Traditional safety systems consist of a number of vertical tubes welded at selected locations along the I-beams. Cables are run between the vertical tubs thereby forming a periphery around the workspace. D-rings can also be attached to the vertical tubs that workers may tie-off to while working on spaces that do not have completed flooring.
Because the vertical tubes are traditionally welded to the I-beams, the tubes are not generally reusable. Thus, when the vertical tubes are no longer needed, they have to be removed from the I-beams and are often disposed of.
Accordingly, there exists a need for safety systems for construction workspaces that are modular, adjustable, and reusable.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a safety apparatus comprising a housing having a plurality of housing position apertures; an extension member connected to the housing and configured to connect to an I-beam; and an adjustable tube disposed in the housing, the adjustable tube having a plurality of tube position apertures and at least one attachment point.
In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to method of securing a workspace, the method comprising disposing a safety system adjacent an I-beam, the safety system comprising a housing having a plurality of housing position apertures; an extension member connected to the housing and configured to connect to an I-beam; and an adjustable tube disposed in the housing, the adjustable tube having a plurality of tube position apertures and at least one attachment point; at least one attachment plate; and at least one U-bolt connected to the attachment plate, wherein the U-bolt is disposed around the extension member; fastening the attachment plate to the I-beam; and adjusting the adjustable tube to a selected position.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A is a side view of a safety system according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a safety system according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are side views of an adjustable tube according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a housing according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a spool according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5A is a side view of an attachment connection according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5B is a perspective view of an attachment connection according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a safety system according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 7 is a side view of a safety system according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of a safety system according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 8B is a bottom view of a safety system according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 8C is a perspective view of a safety system according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 9A is a side view of a workspace according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 9B is a side view of a workspace according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methods for securing a workspace. More specifically, embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methods for securing a workspace using an adjustable and modular apparatus. More specifically still, embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methods for securing a workspace using an adjustable and modular apparatus for use in high steel construction.
Referring initially to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a side view and a perspective view of a safety system 100, respectively, according to embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Safety system 100 includes a housing 105, an extension member 110, and an adjustable tube 115. Housing 105 is a tubular section formed from, for example, steel, and may be permanently connected to extension member 110. Extension member 110 may also be formed from steel. In certain embodiments, extension member 110 may be permanently connected to housing 105 through, for example, welding. In other embodiments, extension member 110 and housing 105 may be temporarily connected through the use of physical attachments such as, for example, rivets, screws, clamps, bolts, and the like. Housing 105 also includes an end piece 120 disposed on a distal end of the housing 105 and configured to prevent adjustable tube 115 from falling through housing 105 during assembly.
Housing 105 includes a plurality of housing position apertures 125 through which one or more mechanical attachments, such as bolts 130, may be inserted. In the illustrated embodiment, housing 105 includes four housing position apertures 125; however, in other embodiments other numbers of housing position apertures 125 such as less than four or more than four may be included. The number of housing position apertures 125 may vary based on the requirements of a specific construction project, such as required heights for cabling.
Adjustable tube 115 includes a plurality of tube position apertures 135. In this embodiment, adjustable tube 115 is illustrated having five tube position apertures 135; however, in other embodiments, adjustable tube 115 may be less than or greater than five tube position apertures 135. During use, adjustable tube 115 slides in and out of housing 105, and the apertures are aligned such the adjustable tube 115 may be locked in place within housing 105. Adjustable tube 115 is formed from steel and has a substantially square cross-sectional geometry. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional geometry of adjustable tube 115 may vary. For example, adjustable tube 115 may have geometries including square with rounded corners, rectangular, square, or any other cross-sectional geometry that allows adjustable tube 115 to be disposed in housing 105. As such, those or ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the cross-sectional geometry of housing 105 is designed to correspond to the cross-sectional geometry of adjustable tube 115.
Adjustable tube 115 also includes one or more attachment points 140, such as D-rings, to which workers may tie-off to when working at a construction workspace. The attachments points 140 may be formed from various materials, such as steel, other metal alloys, iron, plastics, composites, etc. The number of attachment points 140 may vary based on the requirements of the construction workspace; however, in certain embodiments as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, safety system 100 may have three attachment points 140. More or less than three attachment points 140 may be used if desired or required by jurisdictional regulations.
One or more spools 145 may be attached to adjustable tube 115. Spools may be disposed on adjustable tube 115 using, for example, physical attachments such as bolts, screws, rivets, and the like. In certain embodiments, spools 145 may be removable such that the spools are only used during certain phases of construction, such as when a periphery is formed around the workspace. For safety systems 100 installed on inner portions of the workspace, spools 145 may be removed, thereby decreasing the likelihood that a worker may accidentally contact the spools. Specific design considerations for spools 145, as well as the placement of spools 145 on adjustable tube 115 are discussed in detail below.
Disposed on top of extension member 110 are two Attachment plates 150, one on each side of I-beam 160, held in place by two U-bolts 155. As illustrated, the safety system 100 is attached to an I-beam 160 at a workspace by disposing the extension member 110 below the I-beam 160 and tightening Attachment plates 150 against the I-beam 160 using U-bolts 155. Specific design considerations of Attachment plates 150 are discussed in detail below.
Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, side views of an adjustable tube 215 according to embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. As illustrated, FIG. 2A shows a side view of adjustable tube 215 that illustrates the spacing of tube position apertures 235. In this embodiment, tube position apertures 235 are disposed every four inches, starting six inches from the distal end 265 of adjustable tube 215. Adjustable tube 215 has eight total tube position apertures 235; however, in other embodiments, adjustable tube 215 may have less or greater numbers of tube position apertures 235. Adjustable tube 215 also has two spool position apertures 270, as illustrated in FIG. 2B. Spool position apertures are disposed approximately forty-nine inches and approximately seventy inches from the distal end 265 of adjustable tube 215. While the spacing between spool position apertures 270 may vary based on jurisdictional requirements, typical requirements include cables run twenty-one inches apart. As such, the spacing provided in this embodiment meets the requirements of a typical jurisdiction.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a side view of a housing 305 according to embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In this embodiment, housing 305 includes a plurality of housing position apertures 325. Housing position apertures 325 may be disposed every two inches starting eleven and a half inches from the distal end 375 of housing 305. In this embodiment, housing 315 has a total of four housing position apertures 325; however, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments less or greater numbers of housing position apertures 325 may be disposed on housing 315. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that because the spacing between housing position apertures 325 and tube position apertures 235 (illustrated in FIG. 2A) are different, some apertures may not be used. Additionally, because the spacing between housing position apertures 325 is less than the spacing between tube position apertures of FIG. 2A various combinations of housing position apertures 325 and tube position apertures 235 (illustrated in FIG. 2A) may be used to adjust an adjustable tube to a specific height.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective view of a spool 445 according to embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In this embodiment, spool 445 includes a tubular cable holder 480 disposed between two end plates 485. A bolt 490 runs through end plates 485 and tubular cable holder 480 and may be secured to an adjustable tube using one or more various physical connections, such as in this embodiment, wing nuts 495. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various types of cable may be stored on tubular cable holder 480, such as metal or plastic cable, rope, and the like. Depending on the requirements of the workspace, the spool 445 may contain various lengths of cable; however, typical spools 445 may contain between thirty and two-hundred feet of cable. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the specific design of spool 445 may vary based on the requirements of a particular operation; however, generally, spool 445 should be able to hold cable for running between multiple safety systems.
Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, side and perspective views, respectively, of Attachment plates 550 according to embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Attachment plate 550 includes an I-beam contact portion 551 and an extension member portion 552. The transition 553 between the I-beam contact portion 551 and the extension member portion 552 may be set to a particular angle. In this embodiment, the included angle formed between I-beam contact portion 551 and extension member portion 552 is approximately 145°. In other embodiments, the included angle may range between about 135° and about 155°. Attachment plate 550 may be formed from various materials including metals, metal alloys, plastics, composites, and the like. As illustrated, Attachment plate 550 has two apertures 554 for insertion of a U-bolt therethrough. In other embodiments, other types of bolts that require more or less than two apertures may be used with Attachment plate 550.
Referring to FIG. 6, a perspective view of a Attachment plate 650 according to embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In this embodiment, Attachment plate 650 is illustrated attached to I-beam 660. During engagement of Attachment plate 650 to I-beam 660, a worker disposes extension member 610 under I-beam 660, and slides Attachment plate 650 over an edge of I-beam 660. In order to secure the safety system (not independently shown) to I-beam 660, the worker tightens nuts 661, thereby securing Attachment plate 650 to I-beam 660. After both nuts 661 are tightened, I-beam contact portion 651 contacts I-beam 660, while extension member portion 652 contacts extension member 610. Those of ordinary skill will appreciate that leveling washers 663 may be disposed between nuts 661 and Attachment plate 650, thereby providing a flush connection between Attachment plate 650 and I-beam 660.
Referring to FIG. 7, a side view of a Attachment plate 750 according to embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. As illustrated, Attachment plate 750 is shown engaging I-beam 760. In order to ensure a secure connection between Attachment plate 750 and I-beam 760, the contact angle a between I-beam 760 and Attachment plate 750 may be in a range between 0° and 10°. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that if the contact angle a is too large, the connection may not be secure, and the safety system (not independently shown) may fail under load.
Referring to FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C, cross-sectional, bottom, and perspective views, respectively, of a safety system 800 according to embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In this embodiment, safety system 800 is illustrated secured to an I-beam 860. During secure attachment, two Attachment plates 850 are engaged with I-beam 860 by tightening U-bolt 855 with nuts 861. Because the Attachment plates 850 are disposed around both sides of I-beam 860, safety system 800 resists movement when a load is applied thereto. Furthermore, even if safety system 800 was to inadvertently slide along I-beam 860, safety system 800 would not detach from I-beam 860. Because safety system 800 would not detach from I-beam 860, the safety system 800 would continue to secure a worker within the workplace.
During the securing of a workspace, the safety system may be used in various ways in order to secure the safety of workers within the work space. Initially, one or more safety systems may be disposed at a workspace, typically adjacent an I-beam or other construction structure. The safety system is then secured to the I-beam through the use of Attachment plates, and U-bolts, as discussed above. After the U-bolts are tightened and the Attachment plate is secure against the I-beam, the adjustable tube may be adjusted to a selected portion, or height. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the adjustable tube may be selected at other times, such as before the safety system is disposed at the workspace or anytime prior to fastening the safety system to an I-beam or other construction structure.
Referring to FIG. 9A, an embodiment of using the safety system 900 according to embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In this embodiment, the safety system 900 is used to secure a periphery of a workspace. In such an embodiment, at least two safety systems 900 are disposed at various positions around the periphery of a workspace. After securing safety systems 900 to I-beam 960, cable 966 is run between safety systems 900. In certain embodiments, cable 966 may be stored on spools 945 attached to safety system 900, as explained above. In alternative embodiments, known quantities of cable 966 may be hooked to certain attachment points (not illustrated) on adjustable tube (not labeled) of safety system 900. Depending on local regulations, the spools 945 carrying the cable 966 may be disposed at selected locations, or heights on safety system 900. For example, in certain embodiments, it may be necessary for a first cable 966 to be run between safety systems 900 at about twenty-one inches above I-beam 960, while a second cable 966 is run at about forty-two inches above I-beam 960. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the height of cables 966 may vary based on the requirements of the workspace and or the requirements of local regulations.
Referring to FIG. 9B, another method of using the safety system 900 according to embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In this embodiment, the safety system 900 is used to secure a worker to a construction structure, such as an I-beam 960. Such situations may occur prior to flooring being placed on I-beam 960, or when gaps in the flooring occur. In this embodiment, at least one safety system 900 (two safety systems 900 are illustrated) is disposed on a construction structure, such as an I-beam 960. The safety system 900 includes an attachment point 940 onto which a line 971 may be connected. The line 971 is further connected to a harness (not shown) worn by a worker that is working at the workspace. Because the worker is tied off and connected to safety system 900, should the worker slip off of I-beam 960, the worker will not fall from the workspace. Rather, the safety system 900 will hold the worker in place until the worker can return to the I-beam 960 or otherwise be assisted by rescue personnel. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that both a periphery using cables may be formed, as well we workers tied off to safety system 900 using line 971 attached to attachment point 940.
Advantageously, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide modular and adjustable safety systems for workers to use at high construction workspaces. Advantageously, workers may securing a periphery of a workspace by running multiple safety systems around the edges of a workspace, thereby preventing works from inadvertently slipping over the edge of a workspace, which may be hundreds of feet above the ground. Also advantageously, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide attachment points that workers may tie off to during construction, thereby preventing the workings from falling through gaps or holes in the floor. Such attachment point connections may be used, for example, prior to flooring being disposed on I-beams or other construction structure.
Also advantageously, because the safety systems of the present disclosure are adjustable, the safety systems may be used at various worksites in multiple jurisdictions, which may have different regulations for securing workspaces.
Of further advantage, embodiments of the present disclosure may prevent waste of metal, due to the reusability of the safety system. For example, because the safety system is secured with bolts, when the safety systems are no longer required, a worker may remove the safety system by unfastening bolts, thereby allowing the safety system to be reused.
Also advantageously, securing the safety systems to the workspace does not require complex tools, such as welding torches or power sources. Rather, the safety systems of the present disclosure may be attached and detached from the workspace with tools already present at the workspace, such as, for example, drills and wrenches.
While the present disclosure has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments may be devised which do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as described herein. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure should be limited only by the attached claims.
Patent Application
20130042570
