IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to construction, particularly though not exclusively, to barriers for use during construction of buildings as well as to parts for such barriers.

Background to the Invention

It is known to construct buildings by first assembling a steel and concrete framework and then providing walls to the framework. Buildings constructed in this manner may be several stories high and it is necessary to provide barriers during their construction to protect workers. Such barriers are also important to reduce the risk of objects falling from construction sites onto persons or property below.

There are known a number of safety barriers for use during the construction of buildings. Suitable barriers are detailed in Applicant's earlier application WO2006/061592. However, there remains a desire for alternative safety barriers to give even greater improvements in safety and/or efficiency of construction.

Accordingly, the present invention aims to address at least one disadvantage associated with known barriers whether discussed herein or otherwise.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a barrier comprising: (i) mounting means for attachment to a building structure; (ii) one or more support arms engaged by the mounting means and moveable relative thereto; and (iii) barrier means supported by one or more support arms .

Suitably, the barrier comprises barrier means supported by one or more support arms at a position spaced from the mounting means.

Suitably, the barrier comprises walkway means for forming a temporary walkway. Suitably, the barrier means comprises said walkway means.

Suitably, the barrier comprises a plurality of support arms. One or more support arms, suitably all support arms may be arranged to be retractable. One or more support arms, suitably all support arms may be telescopic. Suitably, one or more support arms, suitably all support arms, are arranged to retract into and/or under the mounting means.

Suitably, the barrier comprises fixing means for fixing the position of a support arm relative to the mounting means. Suitably, the mounting means comprises fixing means for fixing the position of a support arm. Suitably, the fixing means comprises a clamping device. The barrier may comprise a plurality of clamping devices, and may comprise one for fixing the position of each support arm relative to the mounting means.

Suitably, the barrier comprises one or more support arms having a connector part for connecting to a barrier means.

The connector part may for example comprise a cup for receiving a support, suitably a standard. Suitably, the connector part is provided at an end of the support arm.

Suitably in the arms retracted position the connector part is located within and/or under the mounting means.

Suitably, in the extended position the connector part lies in a position removed from the mounting means.

Suitably, one or more support arms, suitably each arm, comprises a connector part. Suitably, one or more support arms, suitably each support arm, comprises a tube.

Suitably, the mounting means is arranged, in use, to form a permanent part of a building structure. The mounting means may be arranged to form part of a floor of a building structure.

The mounting means and support arm or arms may comprise a support assembly which may be arranged, in use, to form a permanent part of a building structure. The support assembly may be arranged to form part of a floor of a building structure. The support assembly may be arranged such that the support arm or arms can be retracted into and/or under the support means to allow the support assembly to be left as a permanent part of a building structure. An edge trim may be applied to the support means once the support arms are retracted so as to hide them.

Suitably, the mounting means is arranged to be connected, for example bolted or welded, to a beam of a building structure .

Suitably, the mounting means comprises a mounting member which suitably comprises a panel. The mounting means may comprise a panel which is arranged to from an edge of a building structure. The panel may thus comprise an edge panel. The mounting means may comprise a plurality of mounting members, for example a plurality of panels which can overlap one another.

Suitably, the mounting means comprises a panel which is arranged to form part of a slab edge of a building structure. The panel may be arranged to support concrete poured onto the panel to form a concrete slab.

Suitably, the mounting means comprises one or more receptacles for receiving one or more support arms. Suitably, the mounting means comprises a plurality of receptacles for receiving support arms.

Suitably, the or each receptacle comprises a channel formed on an underside of the mounting member or within the mounting member. Each receptacle may comprise an open channel formed on the underside of the mounting member.

Suitably, in use, one or more receptacles, suitably each receptacle, has an opening, suitably an open end, located at a slab edge. Suitably, in use, one or more receptacles, suitably each receptacle, has an opening, suitably an open end, aligned with a slab edge. The opening or openings may thus be provided at an edge of a

mounting means which edge is arranged to form an outer and/or perimeter edge of a building structure.

Suitably, in use, one or more receptacles, suitably each receptacle, extends substantially horizontally relative to the ground. Suitably, in use, the support arms extend substantially horizontally relative to the ground.

Suitably, the barrier is such that the length of a support arm extending into a receptacle can be varied. This may allow the distance a barrier means is supported from a slab edge to be varied and may allow a support arm to be retracted into the mounting means. Support arms may thus be retracted into the mounting means following removal of the barrier means and may be stowed away in the mounting means on completion of a building structure.

Suitably, the mounting means comprises a corrugated panel.

The mounting means suitably comprises a decking panel. Receptacles may suitably be defined by recesses or channels formed on the under side of the corrugated panel.

Support arms may be received in a number of such receptacles .

Suitably, support arms are supported in receptacles on the underside of the decking. The receptacles suitably comprise support means such as runners for supporting the support arms . The support arms may for example be mounted to slide relative to the mounting means.

Recesses or channels formed on the upper side of the corrugated panel may suitably be arranged, in use, to receive concrete to form a concrete slab.

Suitably, the mounting means comprises a decking rest for supporting decking. Suitably, the decking rest comprises a lip provided on a mounting member. Suitably the mounting means comprises a mounting member having a decking rest provided on a side of the mounting member opposed to that which forms the edge of a building structure in use.

The barrier means may comprise one or more supports, suitably a plurality of supports, which may be mounted to the support arm or arms. Suitably the support or supports are arranged to extend substantially vertically. The or each support suitably comprises a standard. Suitably the barrier means comprises a support, suitably a standard, which is extendible.

The barrier means may comprise one or more of a panel, rail, kick flat or screen. Suitably, said panel, rail, kick flat or screen are mounted to a support and/or a support arm.

Suitably, the barrier means comprises a plurality of standards. Suitably, the barrier means comprises a plurality of rails. Suitably, the barrier means comprise a top rail, suitably, the barrier means comprises a mid rail. Suitably the barrier means comprises a kick flat. Suitably, said rails and kick flat are mounted to the standards .

Suitably the barrier means comprises a screen and/or panel. Suitably the barrier means comprises a substantially vertical screen and/or panel. Suitably, any

given length of the barrier means comprises two substantially vertical screens and/or panels. Suitably, said screens and/or panels are mounted to the standards.

The barrier means suitably comprises a screen and/or panel having a substantially horizontal part. The barrier means may comprise a substantially horizontal screen and/or panel. Suitably, said horizontal screen and/or panel or screen and/or panel part comprises a floor screen and/or panel. Said floor screen and/or panel may further comprises a substantially vertical screen and/or panel part which is suitably integral with a horizontal screen and/or panel part and may be joined thereto by a curved section. Suitably the screen and/or panel are mounted to the support arms and may be mounted to the standards.

Suitably the barrier comprises screens and/or panels formed from slatted sections. Suitably, the barrier comprises support tracks for guiding the slatted sections of a screen and/or panel. Suitably the configuration adopted by the slats, and thus the shape of the screen or panel, is defined by support tracks at each side of the screen or panel. Suitably, said support tracks are mounted to the standards. A panel or screen may thus be transformed from a vertical to a horizontal configuration by moving it along a track which curves between the vertical and horizontal.

The barrier may comprise a horizontal screen and/or panel supported on the support arms and which may lie just above the level of the support arms. The barrier may comprise a horizontal screen and/or panel positioned above the

support arms at a level corresponding to that of a concrete floor.

A screen and/or panel may suitably be located in two positions during construction so as to alter the level of a temporary walk way provided by the barrier to correspond to the floor level of the building when the building floor level changes. Suitably, a first position of the temporary walkway corresponds to the level of the steel decking before a concrete floor is poured and the second position of the temporary walkway corresponds to the level of the concrete floor once it is poured.

Suitably, the position of a kick flat, rail, screen and/or panel can be adjusted as appropriate to the stage of construction of a building structure. Suitably, the height of a screen and/or panel is adjustable relative to the remainder of the barrier.

The support arm may further comprise coupling means for fastening to the top of a support, suitably a standard, of a lower level barrier. The support arm may thus give further support to a barrier of a lower level.

Suitably, the mounting means comprises a metal mounting member, for example a steel mounting member. Suitably, the support arm or arms comprise metal, for example steel. Suitably, the barrier means comprises metal, for example steel components.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a barrier assembly comprising: (i) one or more mounting members;

(ii) one or more support arms; and

(iii) barrier means comprising one or more of: standards, rails, kick flats, screens and panels.

The barrier means may comprise one or more top rails and/or one or more mid rails and/or one or more kick flats and/or one or more vertical screens and/or one or more horizontal screens and/or plates.

Suitably, the barrier assembly comprises a support assembly which comprises said mounting members (i) and support arms (ii) .

Suitably, the barrier assembly comprises one or more support arms moveable relative to a mounting member.

Suitably, the barrier assembly comprises one or more support arms which are retractable into and/or under a mounting member.

The barrier assembly may be arranged to form a barrier according to the first aspect. The barrier assembly may comprise any feature as described in relation to the first aspect .

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a support assembly comprising: (i) one or more mounting members; and (ii) one or more support arms.

Suitably the mounting member comprises a panel which may be a corrugated panel.

Suitably, the support assembly comprises one or more support arms moveable relative to a mounting member.

Suitably, the support assembly comprises one or more support arms which are retractable into and/or under a mounting member.

Suitably, in use, one or more support arms is arranged to support a barrier means in a position spaced from a mounting member.

The support assembly may be arranged to be used with a barrier means to form a barrier according to the first aspect. The support assembly may comprise any feature as described in relation to the first and/or second aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a building structure comprising a support assembly according to the third aspect and/or a barrier assembly according to the second aspect and/or a barrier according to the first aspect.

The building structure may comprise a complete or part constructed building. The building structure may for example comprise a part constructed building which suitably comprises a steel framework and may or may not further comprise floors.

The building structure may comprise a completed building which may comprise a support assembly according to the third aspect.

The building structure may comprise a part constructed building which may comprise a barrier according to the first aspect.

The building structure may comprise any feature as described in relation to the first and/or second and/or third aspects.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of construction, the method comprising part constructing a building and installing a barrier according to the first aspect to the building structure .

Suitably, the method comprises connecting a mounting means, suitably a mounting member to a beam, suitably a steel beam.

Suitably, the method comprises connecting a mounting means to a beam prior to locating said beam into place in a building structure. The mounting means may be bolted and/or welded to a beam.

Suitably, the method comprises locating a mounting means onto a beam so as to locate an edge of the mounting means in line with the intended location of a slab edge.

The method may comprise connecting a mounting means to a beam with one or more support arms connected to the mounting means. Suitably, said support arm or arms are retracted into the mounting means when the mounting means is connected to the beam. Suitably, the support arm or arms remain mainly retracted when the beam is positioned

into place in a building structure and may subsequently be extended. Suitably fixing means, for example clamping devices are used to fix the positions of the support arms relative to the mounting means.

Suitably, a barrier means is connected to the support arm or arms when the said arm or arms are mainly but not fully retracted into the support means. Suitably, a barrier means is connected to the support arm or arms when a barrier connecting part of the said arm or arms lies adjacent the mounting means. The barrier mans may be connected to the support arm or arms prior to lifting the beam into position.

Once the beam is positioned into a building structure, suitably with the mounting means arranged to form part of an edge of the building structure, decking may be laid.

Once decking is laid and the perimeter is accessible the support arm or arms may be extended to the desired position. The barrier means may also be adjusted to the desired configuration.

With the support arm or arms extended a horizontal screen and/or panel or screen and/or panel part can be positioned to form a temporary walkway beyond the edge of the building structure. Suitably, said edge of the building structure is defined by the edge of the mounting means from which the support arm or arms extend.

Suitably, with the support means and decking in place a concrete slab can be poured. A horizontal screen and/or panel may then be positioned to form a temporary walkway

at the same level as the slab. This may be done by repositioning one of the screens and/or panels already in use .

The screens and/or panels may be removed at any time and the support arm or arms may be retracted to bring the barrier connectors of the support arms to the mounting means edge so as to provide a simple hand rail and kick flat edge protection system having a similar function to known systems.

When it is no longer necessary to protect an edge of a building structure the barrier means may be removed, suitably from the inside of the building structure. The support arm or arms may then be retracted into the mounting means to leave a clean finish and a trim may be applied to cover the openings in the mounting means.

The method may comprise any feature as described in relation to any preceding aspect.

Brief description of drawings

The present invention will now be illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :

Figure 1 is a plan view of a building structure comprising a barrier;

Figure 2 is a cross section of the building structure of Figure 1 along line 1-1;

Figure 3 is a cross section along line 2-2 of Figure 2 ;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a support assembly and beam;

Figure 5 is a cross section of a barrier assembly and beam;

Figure 6 is a cross section of a building structure and barrier;

Figure 7 is a cross section of a building structure and barrier in an alternative configuration;

Figure 8 is a cross section of a building structure and barrier assembly during disassembly; and

Figure 9 is a cross section of a support assembly left in a completed building structure.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

As illustrated by Figures 1, 2 and 3 a barrier 1 for protecting the edge 100 of a building structure 102 is formed from a plurality of barrier assemblies each having mounting means 3 which comprises a panel 5 as well as a support arm 7 and a barrier means 9.

The barrier means comprises a support comprising a standard 11 to which is attached a top rail 13, mid rail 15, kick flat 17, first screen 19, second screen 21 and third screen 23. Second screen 21 can also be repositioned as shown by 21a. In one embodiment

(illustrated in Figure 6) the standard 11 has an adjustable height.

The screens 19, 21, 23 each comprise slats supported at either end by support tracks (not shown) . This allows them to be arranged in either a horizontal or a vertical plane depending on the orientation of the part of the support tracks supporting them.

The support arm 7 comprises a tube 27 having a connector part 29 comprising a cup formed on a first end 31 thereof for receiving a standard 11. An opposed second end 33 of the arm 7 is located within the mounting means such that the mounting means 3 can hold the arm 7 in position with a barrier means 9 supported thereby.

The mounting means 3 comprises a panel 5 which is corrugated so as to form receptacles 35 on a lower side thereof and receptacles 37 on an upper side thereof. One of the receptacles 35 receives the support arm 7 and the support arm can be moved along the receptacle 35 between retracted and extended positions. The receptacles 35 have openings 39 at an edge 41 of the panel 5 which panel edge 5 is arranged to form part of a perimeter edge of a building structure 102. The receptacle 35 receiving the support arm 7 comprises runners 36 to support the support arm 7 such that it can move telescopically relative to the panel 5. Arm 7 is locked by means of a clamping device (not shown) located at the slab edge 41.

In an extended position of the support arm 7 (shown in Figure 2) the connector part 29 lies at a position spaced from the mounting means 3. The support arm 7 can be

partially retracted to position the connector part 29 adjacent the mounting means 3 or can be retracted fully to withdraw the connector part 29 inside the mounting means 3.

Together, the support arm 7 and mounting means 3 form a support assembly 8 which can be left in a building on completion of the building and removal of the barrier means .

The panel 5 also comprises a lip 6 which provides a decking rest on which decking can be supported.

The building structure 102 comprises beams 104 to which the panels 5 of the mounting means 3 are secured. In the illustrated embodiment they are secured by bolts 106. To strengthen the panels 5 at the bolt positions a plate 107 is used.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) they may be secured by welds. The building structure 102 also comprises decking 108 (laid in either perpendicular or parallel span) and a reinforced concrete floor formed by pouring concrete over the decking 108 and panels 5. The beams 104 are supported by columns 110. The panels 5 overlap one another and the decking 108 and infill/bridging sections 112 fill gaps between the panels 5 where they are fitted around the columns 112. A complete floor may thus be formed.

As illustrated in Figure 2, barriers are positioned on consecutive floors of a building structure and the top of the standards 11 and bottoms of the connector parts 29

comprise couplings 43, 45 to provide additional support to the barriers. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the coupling may be omitted.

The installation, use and removal of a barrier is illustrated by Figures 4 to 9. A support assembly 8 comprising a mounting means 3 which comprises a panel 5 is located over a beam 104. The panel 5 is located such that an edge 41 is positioned relative to the beam 104 so as to correspond to a desired position of a slab edge relative to the beam 104. The panel 5 is then secured to the beam by bolts and/or welds. During this stage the support arm 7 is retracted under the panel 5 and secured ready for lifting. A further mounting means panel (not shown) is overlapped with the first and secured to the beam and this process is repeated for the required number of mounting means panels, again with the support arms retracted under the panels.

As shown by Figure 5 barrier means 9 comprising standards 11, top and mid rails 13, 15, kick flats 17 and first, second and third screens 19, 21 and 23 are then connected to the support arms 7 (only one of each shown) . This is done while the support arms 7 are partially retracted so that the connector 29 lies adjacent panel 5 edge 41.

The beam 104 is then be lifted and mounted in position within a building structure. Whilst it is desirable to pre-fix the barrier, in an alternative embodiment (not shown) the beam 104 may be lifted with the support means 8 secured thereto but before the barrier means 9 is attached. The barrier means may then be attached once the beam is in place.

With the beam in position decking 108 is laid which makes the perimeter of the building accessible from within. The barrier means can then be positioned to suit. This may involve moving, for example raising one or more of the screens 19, 21, 23 and/or may involve moving the barrier means away from the edge 41 of panel 5. If it is desired to move the barrier means away from the panel 5 edge 41 this is done by extending the support arm 7 from the panel 5. Figure 6 illustrates the arrangement in which the support arm 7 is extended and the second and third screens 21, 23 are raised. The first screen 19 is positioned to be supported by the support arm 7 to form a temporary walkway 47 on the outside of the building structure.

With the barrier means positioned to protect workers but to leave the floor area accessible the concrete floor can then be poured onto the decking 108, panel 5 and bridging sections 112 to form a slab 114. In the illustrated embodiment the floor is poured with the barrier in the configuration of Figure 6 but alternative configurations may be used depending on the requirements of the construction site.

Once the floor is poured screen 21 may be re-positioned as indicated by 21a to create a walkway level with the floor.

When the temporary walkway is no longer required and screening not necessary the screens 19, 21, 23 can be removed and the support arm 7 partially retracted to bring the barrier means up to the slab 114 edge 116 as illustrated by Figure 7. This is done from the floor which the barrier serves by first removing the screens

(including those forming a walkway) and lowering the standards and then retracting the telescopic support arms to the slab edge. As the support arms are telescopic they can be retracted by hand.

When it is no longer necessary to protect the edge the rails 13, 15, kick flat 17 and standard 11 can be removed. This can be done from the inside of the floor plate as shown by Figure 8.

In alternative embodiments (not shown) if it is necessary to use the walkway to clad a building structure and then easier to remove the barrier means from the exterior of the structure this may be done instead and the step of Figure 7 might be omitted and that of Figure 8 varied.

Finally, the support arm 7 is retracted fully as shown by Figure 9 to leave a clean edge 116 to the slab 114. A trim (not shown) may then be applied to cover over the panel 5 openings 39 and hide the arm 7.

It will be appreciated that preferred embodiments of the present invention may provide a safety barrier which can be erected expediently and which is adaptable to suit various construction sites and construction stages. Preferred embodiments of the present invention may also provide for safe working by use of safety barriers.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention may allow flexible positioning of barrier components and may provide alternate positions of edge protection relative to a beam. Preferred embodiments of the present invention may also allow access to parts of a structure near a barrier while

the barrier remains installed and may allow the barrier to serve as a temporary walkway.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention may have any of the following advantages: they may provide full height solid edge protection to perimeter locations; they may be fully adjustable to suit different floor heights or perimeter column centres; they may not affect or alter the structural framing so edge beams may be of varying profile or section, edge beams may be composite or non-composite and steel decking may be arranged perpendicular or parallel to an edge beam; they may fix and adjust to varying slab edge cantilever dimensions; they may replace expensive secondary edge support framing; they may provide 360 degree access to structural columns for fixings, painting or fire protection; they may provide versatile access gaps for cladding fixing; they may provide a safe working environment for fixing of cladding brackets, concrete pours or additional edge trim; they may avoid the need for additional debris or fan netting; they may provide accessible walkways; they may retract to slab edge for cladding alignment; they may be adjustable to the slab edge location; they may allow all items of a barrier to be dismantled from inside a building at the floor level at which the barrier is located; and/or they may be easily demountable with no visible left overs.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s) . The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.