WO2018178725A1

WO2018178725A1 - A work platform safety device and method

Info

Publication number: WO2018178725A1
Application number: PCT/GB2018/050891
Authority: WO
Inventors: Garry Blandford; Martin William Blandford
Original assignee: Blandford, Michael Brian
Priority date: 2017-03-30
Filing date: 2018-03-29
Publication date: 2018-10-04
Also published as: GB2560965A; GB201705120D0

Abstract

Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) are routinely used in construction and maintenance activities. In many operating environments, tools are required to be secured to the work platform by lanyards or similar devices. However, small items (such as nuts and bolts) are very difficult (if not impossible) to secure in such a manner. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a work platform safety device, comprising: a barrier (11) configured to couple to a work platform such that the barrier (11) projects from the work platform at least horizontally. In this way, items dropped over the side of the work platform may be caught by the barrier.

Description

A WORK PLATFORM SAFETY DEVICE AND METHOD

The present invention relates to a safety device and method for work platforms and in particular, but not exclusively, to mobile elevating work platforms.

Work platforms are routinely used in construction and maintenance activities. In particular, work platforms are often used in powered access solutions in the form of personal lifting devices. Such work platforms may comprise aerial work platforms (AWPs), elevating work platforms (EWPs) and, in particular, mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs). Such powered systems may include hydraulic, pneumatic and/or other motorised systems, such as electric motor systems. However, non-powered work platforms may also be considered.

Elevating work platforms, including mobile elevating platforms, may comprise scissor lifts in which the work platform may be moved substantially vertically by a scissor mechanism, articulated lifts in which sections of an articulated boom may pivot at joints therebetween allowing the work platform to be moved substantially horizontally and/or vertically, other forms of lift for example telescopic, rack and pinion or screw thread systems, and/or combinations thereof.

MEWPs in particular are often designed for single person operation; that is, movement of the work platform is controlled by a person located on the work platform. In such circumstances, safety considerations are paramount.

Work platforms are almost universally fitted with guard rails to prevent fall incidents, and to form a sanctuary region within which a user can be protected from crush incidents. In particular, work platforms are often automatically controlled by a feedback signal to prevent crush incidents (where contact with / proximity to an exterior structure is detected and movement of the work platform is arrested and/or reversed), and/or a feedback signal to automatically level the work platform (where an inclinometer and/or weight balance is utilised).

MEWPs are usually provided with a restraining point to which an operator may secure a harness and/or fall arrester. In many operating environments, tools are required to be secured to the work platform by lanyards or similar devices. However, small items (such as nuts and bolts) are very difficult (if not impossible) to secure in such a manner. Some work platforms incorporate a peripheral lip to prevent rolling/sliding of small items off the work platform. However, the size of such a lip is limited by considerations such as windage, where a larger lip will induce a greater resistance to wind, and may cause the work platform to become unstable in relatively light wind.

A solution to this problem has been identified in which a net is placed around a work platform's guard rail such that small items may be prevented from rolling/sliding off the work platform, but wind may be permitted to pass through the net.

Nevertheless, to perform many construction/maintenance tasks an operator is required to reach outside the sanctuary region formed by the guard rail, increasing the opportunity for the operator to drop tools and/or other items of hardware.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a work platform safety device, comprising: a barrier configured to couple to a work platform such that the barrier projects from the work platform at least horizontally.

The barrier may project in the sense that it extends away from the work platform. In this way, items dropped over the side of the work platform may be caught by the barrier. The barrier may project between 200mm and 800mm from the work platform, in particular between 250mm and 700mm from the work platform, more particularly between 300mm and 400mm from the work platform.

In the context of this invention, a work platform comprises a substantially horizontal surface that an operator may stand on, and may or may not include additional components such as a guard rail and/or controls for operating the work platform.

The barrier may be configured to couple to the work platform such that the barrier projects from the work platform vertically. In this way, items propelled horizontally from the work platform, for instance by kicking, may also be caught by the barrier. For instance, the barrier may project out in a horizontal and/or a vertical direction, for example such that the barrier may comprise a substantially L-shape corner; that is, the barrier may comprise a first part coupled to the work platform that projects horizontally/vertically, and a second part coupled to the first part that projects vertically/horizontally.

However, in preferred arrangements, the barrier may be configured to couple to the work platform such that the barrier projects from the work platform diagonally. In this way, items dropped onto the barrier will tend to roll back toward work platform for recovery by an operator.

The barrier may be configured to couple to the work platform such that the barrier projects from the work platform at an angle of between 20 and 70 degrees to horizontal, in particular between 30 and 60 degrees, more particularly between 40 and 50 degrees, for example approximately 30, 45 and/or 60 degrees.

The barrier may comprise a net. That is, the barrier may comprise s surface containing through-holes. In this way, the barrier may be configured to catch items of a predetermined minimum size that are accidentally dropped; however, the barrier may be configured to let smaller items pass through.

In this way, dirt and dust may be permitted to pass through, ensuring that the barrier is more easily cleaned. In addition, fluid may be permitted to pass through the barrier such that the work platform safety device may be used in inclement weather such as rain and/or wind. Further, the holes may provide some degree of transparency such that the operator's vision is not impaired, and the safety of the operator of the platform can be confirmed by third parties at ground level.

The barrier may comprise a plastics and/or polymer material, for example polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and/or polyester. In particular, the barrier may comprise a PVC-coated fibre, such as a polyester fibre, and or aramid fibre. The barrier may be moulded, printed, woven, knitted, crocheted and/or a tied. The barrier may be formed from a textile material.

The barrier may have a weight of between 150 and 500 grams per meter squared, in particular between 170 and 400 grams per meter squared.

The barrier may comprise holes therein, which may form up to 90% of the area of the barrier, in particular up to 80%, more particularly up to 60%, for example up to 55%, 50% or 30%. Alternatively, the barrier may possess substantially no holes; for example, the barrier may comprise a membrane. The holes may have a maximum lateral width of 20mm, in particular 15mm, more particularly 12mm.

The barrier may be configured to couple to a work platform by means of nuts, bolts, welding, rivets, screws, hooks and/or any other form of fixing.

The barrier and/or device may comprise a support frame. The support frame may comprise metal, for instance metal tubing, in particular steel and/or aluminium tubing (e.g. extrusions). The tubing may have a circular, square, rectangular and/or any other cross section.

The barrier may be movable between an extended position, in which the barrier projects from the work platform at least horizontally, and a retracted position in which the barrier does not project substantially horizontally from the work platform. In this way, the barrier may be deployed when in use, but may be retracted for storage. In the retracted position, the barrier may still project form the work platform vertically. The device may comprise at least one stop for preventing movement of the barrier beyond the extended position.

The device may be configured to pivot the barrier between the extended and retracted positions. In this way, the barrier may be folded away for storage. In some arrangements the barrier may be articulated, for example having more than one pivotable joint.

The device may further comprise a securing mechanism that may be configured to hold the barrier in the extended and/or retracted position. In some arrangements, the securing mechanism may be configured to hold the barrier in an intermediate position between the extended and retracted positions. The securing mechanism may comprise strap(s), sprung peg(s), or any other form of securing mechanism.

The barrier may be configured to border only one side of the work platform. The barrier may be configured to border at least one side of the work platform. The barrier may be configured to border two sides of the work platform. The barrier may be configured to border three sides of the work platform. The barrier may be configured to border four sides of the work platform. The barrier may be configured to substantially surround the work platform.

The barrier may be configured to be extensible in a direction parallel to the work platform; that is, the barrier may be configured to be fitted to work platforms of different sizes.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of improving safety on a work platform, the method comprising: providing a work platform; providing the work platform safety device of any preceding claim; coupling the barrier of the work platform safety device to the work platform such that the barrier projects from the work platform at least horizontally.

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a safety device for use with a work platform.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the safety device of figure 1 in a compact configuration.

The present invention will be described with respect to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. Each drawing may not include all of the features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

It is to be noticed that the term “comprising”, used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression “a device comprising means A and B” should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “an aspect” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in an aspect” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or aspect, but may refer to different embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any embodiment or aspect of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments or aspects.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Moreover, the description of any individual drawing or aspect should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

In the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

The use of the term “at least one” may mean only one in certain circumstances.

The principles of the invention will now be described by a detailed description of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features of the invention. It is clear that other arrangements can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a safety device for use with a work platform. The safety device comprises a base frame 1 for coupling to a work platform. The base frame 1 is in the form of a hollow rectangular hoop formed of square cross-section tubing. The base frame 1 is configured to surround a periphery of the work platform (not shown). The base frame 1 may be connected to a work platform via hooks 3, and/or via any other suitable coupling.

Pivotally coupled to the base frame 1 are a left side frame 5, an end frame 7 and a right side frame 9, similarly structured to the base frame 1. Each of the left-side, end and right-

side frames

5,7,9 are configured to move between a retracted position, in which they each extend vertically from the base frame 1, and an extended position (shown) in which the respective frames each extend from the base frame at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the horizontal.

A barrier 11 in the form of a net extends around the base frame supported by the left-side, end and right-

side frames

5,7,9 such that items are not able to pass through the left-side, end and right-side frames, nor between the left-side and end frames, and right-side and end frames. The barrier 11 is arranged so as not to extend directly between the left-side and right-side frames to permit access and egress from the work platform by a user.

The left side frame 5 is composed of two

adjacent panels

5a,5b, each including a respective sheet of barrier material extending across. Similarly, the right side frame 9 is composed of a further two

adjacent panels

9a,9b, each including a respective sheet of barrier material extending across.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the safety device of figure 1 in a compact configuration in which the adjacent panels of both the left and right side frames 5,9 have been slid in front of one another such that the base frame 1 has a reduced length compared to that in figure 1. In this way, the device may be used with work platforms of varying lengths.

Claims

1. A work platform safety device, comprising:
a barrier configured to couple to a work platform such that the barrier projects from the work platform at least horizontally.

2. The work platform safety device of claim 1, wherein the barrier is configured to couple to the work platform such that the barrier projects from the work platform vertically.

3. The work platform safety device of claim 2, wherein the barrier is configured to couple to the work platform such that the barrier projects from the work platform diagonally.

4. The work platform safety device of claim 3, wherein the barrier is configured to couple to the work platform such that the barrier projects from the work platform at an angle of between 20 and 70 degrees to horizontal.

5. The work platform device of any preceding claim, wherein the barrier comprises a net.

6. The work platform safety device of any preceding claim, wherein the barrier is movable between an extended position, in which the barrier projects from the work platform at least horizontally, and a retracted position in which the barrier does not project substantially horizontally from the work platform.

7. The work platform safety device of claim 6, wherein the device is configured to pivot the barrier between the extended and retracted positions.

8. The work platform safety device of claim 6 or claim 7, further comprising a securing mechanism configured to hold the barrier in the extended and/or retracted position.

9. A method of improving safety on a work platform, the method comprising:
providing a work platform;
providing the work platform safety device of any preceding claim;
coupling the barrier of the work platform safety device to the work platform such that the barrier projects from the work platform at least horizontally.