Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a modular assembly for storing health and safety equipment.

Background to the Invention

It is a legal requirement to provide health and safety equipment on construction sites, in factories and in warehouses so that in the vent of a fire or injury appropriate action can be taken until the emergency services arrive. On construction sites it is known to provide stations made of timber for storing the health and safety equipment. However, a problem with these known timber framed stations is that they are heavy and cumbersome which makes them difficult to move from one location to another, and if carried onsite, there is an increased risk that somebody carrying the station will become injured. Since such stations are made of timber they are not robust and are easily broken meaning that such stations are regularly not fit for purpose and require repair. This in turn results in an inefficiency because workmen must devote time to repairing the station instead of carrying out their normal duties. A further disadvantage is that once constructed, it is often necessary to paint the timber frame otherwise the station will quickly become weathered, unstable and unsafe to use. This too results in an inefficiency because time must be spent painting the frame instead of workmen carrying out heir normal work. Due to the bespoke nature of timber framed stations it is also difficult and time consuming for such stations to be adapted, e.g. to increase or reduce their capacity for storage.

In light of the above it is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a station for storing health and safety equipment that is quick and easy to assemble.

It is a further object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a station for storing health and safety equipment, the storage capacity of which can be easily and quickly adapted as appropriate.

It is also an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a station for storing health and safety equipment that is robust and which has good resistance to environmental weathering.

It is also an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a station for storing health and safety equipment that can be easily carried and/or transported.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a modular assembly for storing health and safety equipment, the modular assembly comprising a first modular unit and a second modular unit, wherein the second modular unit comprises an attachment portion to which the health and safety equipment may be attached and the second modular unit is removably attachable to the first modular unit.

The present invention therefore provides a means for storing multiple items of health and safety equipment in a single location. The present invention also provides a one stop solution to dealing with onsite incidents and accidents. Furthermore, because the assembly is modular, the storage capacity of the assembly can be varied and configured to address the health and safety requirements for a given location. Moreover, since the second modular unit is debatable from the first modular unit, the modular assembly can also be transported and stored easily and quickly when not in use. Advantageously, the components of the modular assembly have a substantially flat profile which enables them to be flat packed for storage and transport if required. Moreover, in the event a component of the first modular unit or the second modular unit becomes damaged, the damaged component can easily and quickly be replaced.

Safety equipment in accordance with the present invention includes but is not limited to fire extinguishers, a fire plan showing routes to assembly areas and a fire alarm for site-wide evacuation. The station may additionally comprise multiple items of first aid equipment which indulges but is not limited to a first aid kit, a defibrillator, an eye wash station, signage offering first aid advice and a first aid alarm which alerts first aiders that an accident has occurred and that a person requiring treatment is at the modular assembly.

The first and second modular units may be formed from plastics. Preferably, the first and second modular units are formed from a rigid plastics material such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) or a combination of HDPE and low density polyethylene (LDPE). The inventors found that plastics such as HDPE are very robust and that they can withstand a variety of weather conditions without degrading over extended periods of time. Moreover, the use of lightweight plastics such a HDPE and LDPE instead of timber or metal has the benefit that the modular assembly can be easily manoeuvred, and if necessary carried onsite. Moreover, since the first and second modular units are made from plastics it is not necessary to provide them with corrosion protective coatings such as paint in order to increase the longevity of the modular assembly. The use of HDPE and LDPE has the further benefit that they are recyclable which minimises their impact on the environment. Additionally, plastics such as HDPE and LDPE are available in a variety of vibrant colours which enables the modular assembly to be easily identified in the event of an accident or an incident.

The second modular unit may comprise one or more vertical support members adapted to engage with the first modular unit. Preferably, the second modular unit may comprise two vertical support members located at or towards either side of the attachment portion. The attachment portion can be easily fixed to the one or more vertical support members using suitable fastening means such as a bolted connection. Bolted connections used in accordance with present invention may be made from any suitable metal or metal alloy, most preferably steel.

Elongate side panels may be provided either side of the attachment portion. Each elongate side panel is preferably connected to its respective vertical support member, and in use, the elongate side panels shield the health and safety equipment and a user thereof from wind and rain. The elongate side panels may be tapered, i.e. the width of the elongate panel may diminish as the elongate panel extends downwardly towards a lower region of the second modular unit.

The second modular unit may comprise a cover. The cover is located in an upper region of the second modular unit and is preferably provided above the attachment portion. In one embodiment the cover extends between the elongate side panels to provide shelter to the user from above. Alternatively, the cover may be adapted to extend downwardly from a region above the attachment portion towards the first modular unit so as to form an enclosure for the health and safety equipment. This enables the health and safety equipment to be protected in adverse weather conditions.

The cover may be adapted to comprise locking means so that the cover can be secured to a portion of the first modular unit. This enables the health and safety equipment to be stored safely within the enclosure when nobody is on site.

The second modular unit may comprise a solar panel. Preferably the solar panel is provided on an outer surface of the cover and/or on at least one of the elongate side panels. The provision of a solar panel means that small electrical devices can be charged without the need for a mains power supply. The electricity generated from the one or more solar panels can also be used to power lighting means so that the modular assembly can be seen and/or a user can clearly identify the health and safety equipment in low light or dark conditions.

The attachment portion of the second modular unit may be perforated. This enables the health and safety equipment to be attached to the attachment portion using suitable connecters. The perforations may be of the same or of varying sizes. Since the attachment portion is perforated, wind can pass through the perforations which reduces the likelihood of the modular assembly being blown over when the modular assembly is being used outside. This in turn reduces the likelihood of the health and safety equipment becoming damaged.

The connectors preferably comprise a first hook capable of engaging with a perforation, a second hook capable of engaging with an item of health and safety equipment and a rod-like member that extends between the first hook and the second hook. The connectors are preferably made of a metal or a metal alloy such as steel.

The first modular unit may comprise a housing. The housing preferably comprises one or more openings adapted to receive an item of health and safety equipment. The size of the openings may be substantially the same or they may vary in size. It will also be appreciated that the shape of the openings can be the same or different. For instance, the housing may comprise circular, square or rectangular openings.

The first modular unit preferably comprises one or more slots adapted to receive the one or more vertical support members of the second modular unit. Once the vertical support members of the second modular unit have been provided within the slots, the first modular unit and the second modular unit may be fastened together using suitable fastening means. Preferably the fastening means comprise a bolted connection.

The first modular unit may be adapted to receive the forks of a forklift truck or a pallet truck. This may be achieved by providing the base of the first modular unit with a first set of parallel grooves which extend continuously from one end of the base to the other. Alternatively, the base may be provided with the first set of parallel grooves and a second set of parallel grooves which extend at an angle perpendicular to the first set of parallel grooves. This enables the modular assembly to be lifted from each of its sides using the forklift or pallet truck.

The modular assembly may comprise wheels rotatably attached to the first modular unit. In a preferred embodiment two wheels may be provided on opposing sides of the first modular unit, either at the front or at the rear of the first modular unit. Alternatively the wheels may be provided at both the front and rear of the first modular unit which further improves the manoeuvrability and handling of the modular assembly. The wheels can be attached directly to the first modular unit or they may be attached via a bracket.

Further preferred features are specified in the claims dependent on claim 1.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a modular assembly according to the present

invention comprising a single first modular unit.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a modular assembly according to the present

invention comprising two first modular units.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the second modular unit detached from the first modular units.

Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the modular assembly illustrated in

Figure 2 without safety equipment;

Figure 5 illustrates the modular assembly shown in Figure 5 in a partial state

of assembly and viewed from the rear;

Figure 6 is a schematic representation of the first modular unit in a partial state of assembly; Figure 7 is another schematic representation of the first modular unit in a partial state of assembly;

Figure 8 is another schematic representation of the first modular unit in a partial state of assembly;

Figure 9 is a schematic representation of the modular assembly illustrated in

Figure 2 in a partial state of assembly; and

Figure 10 is another schematic representation of the modular assembly illustrated in

Figure 2 in a partial state of assembly.

The present invention relates to a modular assembly 1 in the form of a station for storing health and safety equipment 2. As shown in Figure 1 the modular assembly 1 comprises a first modular unit 3 and a second modular unit 4 arranged on and connected to the first modular unit 3. The first modular unit 3 provides stability to the modular assembly 1 while the second modular unit 4 provides shelter to the health and safety equipment 2 being stored thereon. In this embodiment the components of the first and second modular units 3, 4 are made from high density polyethylene (HDPE).

The first modular unit 3 comprises a housing 5. The housing 5 comprises a base 5a, a roof 5b, a front wall 5c, a rear wall (described in greater detail below with reference to Figures 4 to 9 below) and a pair of opposing side walls 5d. The roof 5b comprises openings 6 which are adapted to receive and partially house items of health and safety equipment, e.g. fire extinguishers. While the openings 6 in roof 5b are generally circular, it will be appreciated that the openings can be of any suitable shape or size. The first modular unit additionally comprises a pair of slots (described in greater detail below with reference to Figures 5 to 8) which extend downwardly from a ridge portion 5e into the housing 5. The components of the housing 5 are each adapted so that they can be easily slotted and bolted together.

The second modular unit 4 comprises two opposing vertical support members 7 having a square cross-section and an attachment portion 8 that is fixed to a front face of each vertical support member 7 using suitable fastening means such as a bolted connection. The attachment portion 8 is generally square or rectangular and is located towards an upper end of the vertical support members 7. The attachment portion 8 is in the form of a flat board having a plurality of perforations 9. Advantageously, each perforate is between 10mm and 20mm in diameter and in the illustrated embodiment is 15mm. The number of perforations per square meter is preferably between 600 and 850 and preferably between 650 an 750. In the illustrated embodiment the perforations are spaced at horizontal centres of 40mm and vertical centres of 34.64mm and at a pitch of 60 degrees. The second modular unit 4 additionally comprises elongate side panels 10. The elongate side panels 10 have a tapering cross-section with the bottom end of the elongate side panel exhibiting a reduced width relative to the top end of the elongate side panel 10. Each elongate side panel 10 is fixed to an outer side face of the vertical support members 7 using suitable fastening means such as a bolted connection. As best shown in Figure 3, the elongate side panels 10 are adapted to extend partially along the vertical support members 7. Figures 3 and 9 also show that a rear portion 10a of the bottom end of the elongate side panel 10 is substantially flat and that it is adapted to rest on and engage with the ridge 5e. Figure 3 additionally shows that a front portion 10b of the bottom end of the elongate side panel 10 is tapered and that it is adapted to follow the contour of the roof 5b of the first modular unit 3, that is the front portion 10b lies at an angle corresponding to the angle on which the roof 5b lies, the front portion 10b also being below the rear portion 10a so that the side panel 10 sits on both the roof 5b and the ridge portion 5e. Alternatively, the rear portion 10a may be substantially parallel with but spaced apart from the ridge portion 5e.

The second modular unit 4 also comprises a cover 11 disposed between each of the elongate side panels 10. The cover is connected to the side panels using suitable fastening means such as a bolted connection and as shown in Figure 3 the rear end of the cover 11 abuts the top face of the attachment portion 8 and of the vertical support members 7.

As exemplified in Figures 1 and 2 the components of the modular assembly 1 may be connected in different combinations in order to increase or reduce the storage capacity of the modular assembly 1. For instance, Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which the first modular unit 3 comprises a single housing 5 that is adapted to support and retain two fire extinguishers 2. In contrast, Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which the first modular unit 3 comprises first and second housings 5 that together are capable of supporting and retaining four fire extinguishers 2. Such an arrangement may be achieved simply by connecting the front wall 5c and rear wall of the second housing 5 to a side wall 5d of the first housing 5 such that the first and second housings 5 share the same side wall 5d. The roof 5b and ridge 5e of the second housing are similarly connected to and share the side wall 5d of the first housing. Alternatively, two or more housings 5 may have one or more of the front wall, the base, the ridge portion and the roof may be common to the two or more housings 5. The or each side wall 5d situated between the outermost side walls 5d having slots which allow the base 5a, front wall 5c and ridge portion 5e to pass therethrough.

It will be appreciated that the structure of the second modular unit 4 can be adapted so as to suitably engage with the first modular unit. For instance, if the first modular unit 3 comprises a simple housing 5 then the second modular unit 4 will comprise an attachment portion 8 of pre-defined width that enables the vertical support members 7 to be aligned and inserted into the opposing slots and connected to the side walls 5d. On the other hand, if the first modular unit 3 comprises two or more housings 5, an attachment portion 8 having a greater width dimension can be selected so that the vertical support members 7 can be inserted into the slots located adjacent the outermost side walls 5d.

As explained above, the housing 5 comprises a plurality of openings 6 which are adapted to store health and safety equipment 2 such as fire extinguishers. By storing heavier items of health and safety equipment such as fire extinguishers in the housing 5, it has been found that the modular assembly is afforded improved stability. In order to store health and safety equipment 2 on the attachment portion 8 a connector having a hook at either end of a rod-like member can be used. The hooks face in opposite directions so that the connector has a generally S-shaped profile. One hook may be passed through a perforation 9 and hooked behind the attachment portion 8 while the free hook facing away from the attachment portion 8 is available and capable of engaging with an item of health and safety equipment 2. In this embodiment the connector is made of a metal or metal alloy such as steel, although other suitable materials, e.g. rigid plastics such as HDPE and LDPE could alternatively be used. Alternatively, and if the item of health and safety equipment 2 itself comprises a hook of appropriate size, the item of health and safety equipment 2 may be simply hung from the attachment portion 8 without the need of a connector.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the modular assembly 1 shown in Figure 2 without safety equipment mounted therein. A rear wall 5f referred to above comprises slots 5f ' which are aligned with slots 5g formed in the rear part of the side walls 5d. The lower edge of the rear wall 5f comprises protrusions 5f" (where the assembly comprises a single first modular unit as showing Figure 1, the rear wall 5f would include only one protrusion 5f") each of which engages with a corresponding slot 5a' in the base plate 5a.

The front wall 5c includes a recess 5c". The recess 5c", or where two modular units 3 are provided, the recesses 5c" may be used for lifting the modular assembly 1 with a fork lift truck, the fork or forks of the fork lift truck engaging with the recess(es) 5c.

Figures 6 to 8 illustrate the first modular unit 3 in various states of assembly. It can be seen from Figure 6 for instance that the side walls 5d each have a side plate 5d' attached to the inner surface of the side wall 5d by means of nut and bolt fasteners 5d". The base plate 5a and the front wall 5c both include rebates 5a', 5c' along their respective edges to receive the side plate 5d.

Figure 8 illustrates the inner surface of the side wall 5d. It can be seen that the inner surface of the side wall 5d is provided with a plurality of slots 5h, 5i. The position of the slots 5h, 5i in the side wall 5d, their shape and dimension is configured so that edges of the base plate 5a, the front wall 5c, the roof 5b and the ridge 5e sit in the slots 5h, 5i when the first modular unit 3 is assembled. The ridge plate 5e includes openings 5e' which align with similarly shaped openings 5j in the base plate 5a, and which are adapted to receive the vertical support members 7 as shown in Figure 9 for example.

Attachment of the cover 11 to the side panels 10 and the attachment portion 8 will now be described with reference to Figures 4, 5, 9 and 10. The inner face of each side panel 10 is provided with slots 10', 10". A cover support plate lib is attached to the inner face of the side panel 10 below and adjacent the slot 10, and behind and adjacent the slot 10". A cover front plate 11a extends between the side panels 10 and sits in the slots 10". The free ends of the cover 11 each sit in one of the slots 10' of the side panels 10 and on the cover front plate 11a. The under side of the cover 10 may be provided with a slot or a rebate in which the upper edge of the cover front plate 11a sits.

The attachment portion 8 has a protrusion 8' extending from its upper edge. This provides a support for the rear part of the cover 10, and the cover may be provided with a slot or rebate with which the protrusion 8' may engage, but also provides a path for the flow of air through the modular assembly. It will be noted that in the illustrated embodiments an opening between the lower edge of the attachment portion and the first modular unit is provided. This, together with the perforations in the attachment portion 8 and the space to each side of the protrusion 8' provides for the passage go air through the modular assembly. On a construction site it is of particular importance that the modular assembly will remain upright when subjected to the normal environmental conditions that might be expected.

The above embodiment embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.