Patent Application
20180127994
This application generally relates to safety and debris netting for working decks and more particularly to working deck netting system for retaining vertically disposed nets and liners to prevent the spread of debris during deck work.
The drawings appended hereto are mere schematics representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. Understanding that these drawing(s) depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not, therefore, to be considered to be limiting its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawing(s), in which:
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of this disclosure, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing(s), and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.
Reference throughout this specification to an “embodiment,” an “example” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or combinations thereof described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases an “embodiment,” an “example,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, to different embodiments, or to one or more of the figures. Additionally, reference to the wording “embodiment,” “example” or the like, for two or more features, elements, etc. does not mean that the features are necessarily related, dissimilar, the same, etc. Each statement of an embodiment, or example, is to be considered independent of any other statement of an embodiment despite any use of similar or identical language characterizing each embodiment. Therefore, where one embodiment is identified as “another embodiment,” the identified embodiment is independent of any other embodiments characterized by the language “another embodiment.” The features, functions, and the like described herein are considered to be able to be combined in whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or art may direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly.
As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “is,” “are,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional un-recited elements or method steps. “Comprising” is to be interpreted as including the more restrictive terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.”
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The pole 32 extends upward from the clamp base 31 and provides a plurality of points of attachment for the one or more nets 40. In some embodiments, attached to the pole 32 are one or more pulley systems such as inner pulley system 41 and outer pulley system 41′. Each pulley system 41 and 41′ comprises an upper pulley 411 and a lower pulley 412 vertically spaced apart along the length of said pole 32, with a cable 413 at least partially wrapped around and the upper and lower pulleys and thereby connecting the two pulleys. In some embodiments, the inner and outer pulley systems 41 and 41′ are spaced apart or offset from one another in order for the pole 32 to accommodate a plurality of nets 40. One or more nets 40 are provided, attached at a lateral edge 401 thereof to the cables 413 of the respective pulley systems 41 and 41′. Attachment may be accomplished by eyelets in the net or other fasteners such as clamps, clips, snaps, or the like. This allows the nets 40 to be translatable or height adjustable along the length of at least a portion of each pole 32 and further allows the nets 40 to be held taught. In some embodiments, two nets 40 are attached to a pole 32, with a first net attached to 40 attached to a first pulley system 41 and a second net 40′ attached to a second pulley system 41′.
In some embodiments, the bottom edge 402 of each net 40 should be secured at or adjacent to the deck 20 in order to avoid any gaps at the bottom thereof that could allow for the passage of debris. In some embodiments, wood planks or other weighted members are placed over and about the bottom edge 402 of each net 40 in order to removably retain the net 40. In some embodiments, eyelets, clamps, clasps or similar retaining and fasteners may be employed to attach at least a portion of the bottom edge 402 of each net 40 to the working deck 20.
The netting system 10 is configured to be modular to adapt to various sized and shape working decks and working areas. In some embodiments, a plurality of poles 32 are provided with at least one net 40 disposed between and retained by adjacent poles 32. For example, three poles 32 can be provided in a spaced apart relation, with two nets 40 provided, each net attached at their outer lateral edges 401 to the outer poles 32 and at the inner lateral edges 401 both to the central pole 32. The pulley systems can be selectively engaged as needed, for example in this configuration only one pulley system is provisioned on the outer poles 32 but both pulley systems 41 and 41′ are provisioned on the central pole 32, each pulley system 41 and 41′ assigned to retain a respective net 40. Additional poles 32 and nets 40 can be provided in sequential fashion as needed to cover a desired area.
It is appreciated and understood that the various system 10 components may comprise materials of varying material and cross-section. For example, wood, steel, aluminum, and combinations thereof may be employed for the poles 32 and attendant hardware. Cross-sections may vary as the poles 32 may be tubular, square, or L-shaped. The means and manner by which the poles 32 are secured to the working deck is not limiting although in some embodiments a clamp member 312 may be employed. Other hardware may be utilized to reinforce the attachment points on the slab such as bolts and other permanent or removable fasteners. The net 40 can vary in type, thickness and designed although it may desirable to employ a net 40 with a fine mesh backing or fine mesh array in order to retain and prevent the dispersion of debris, especially that occurring during stucco, tile, and concrete application. The means of attaching the nets 40 to the cables 413 of the pulley systems 41 and 41′ of the brackets can vary but may include hooks, clips, eyelets, and other like fasteners or securements.
By way of non-limiting example, it is helpful to describe certain relative dimensions of system components. In some embodiments, it is desirable for each of the poles 32 to extend upward to a maximum height of 12 feet in order to provide optimal coverage and retention of debris during material application to the working deck. The spacing of the poles 32 may also vary although in one embodiment it is desirable that the brackets are spaced apart no greater than 15 feet in order to accommodate nets 40 or reasonable size and workability.
The system 10 of the present invention is designed to be installed and secured to a working deck in order to provide a substantially vertical protective barrier or wall that can catch and retain construction debris. In some embodiments, the system 10 is located downwind of a weather-exposed working deck such that the nets 40 have the best opportunity to catch, retain, and prevent the spread of construction debris. The system 10 can adapted to be installed in a modular fashion in varying size, shape, dimensions and orientations as the angle between adjacent nets can be adjusted by adjusting the relative location of the poles 32. This allows the system 10 to confirm to the size, shape, dimensions, and other requirements of the working deck or space where debris containment is desired. The system 10 is also designed to be modular in order to permit its usage in a variety of applications and with various sized, shaped, and configured working decks and can even be configured to entirely encircle or encompass a working deck, or otherwise only partially so. The system 10 may can be employed in a variety of building applications including high rise construction, low rise construction, bridge construction, and the like.
While specific embodiments have been described in detail, those with ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosures. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting of the invention, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims, and any and all equivalents thereof.
