PRIORITY DOCUMENTS

[0001] The present application claims priority from:

Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2020904397 titled “A PERIMETER SAFETY SCREEN ASSEMBLY” and filed on 27 November 2020;

Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2020904683 titled “A PERIMETER SAFETY SCREEN ASSEMBLY” and filed on 16 December 2020; and

Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2021900960 titled “A PERIMETER SAFETY SCREEN ASSEMBLY” and filed on 31 March 2021 ; the content of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0002] The following publications are referred to in the present application and their contents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety:

International Patent Application No. PCT/AU2003/001112 titled “A LIFTING OR TRANSPORTING MEANS USING A RECIPROCATING JACK” in the name of Formula One Self Driving Screens Pty Ltd.

International Patent Application No. PCT/AU2017/000117 titled “A PERIMETER SAFETY SCREEN ASSEMBLY” in the name of Form 700 Pty Ltd.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a perimeter safety screen assembly for a building.

BACKGROUND

[0004] Perimeter safety screens are generally employed to provide a screen or barrier at an edge of floors of a building which are under construction.

[0005] Desirably, a safety screen extends above the uppermost completed floor to protect workers preparing formwork for a new, higher floor of the building, and extends down to lower floors awaiting final fixing of exterior facade such as windows or external walls. A key limitation to screen size however is the fact that these are typically delivered by a semi-trailer and then craned into position. This imposes limitations on the physical size of screens and/or screen sub-assemblies.

[0006] One such solution may be found in PCT/AU2017/000117, which is incorporated herein by way of reference at least, which provides a perimeter safety screen assembly comprising an upper screen assembly attached with respect to the building, and a hanging screen assembly appending from the upper screen assembly, and extending below the upper screen assembly. The hanging screen hangs below the upper screen assembly and comprises one or more platforms or walkways that extend toward the building to substantially bridge the gap between the building and the screen, providing protection while workers complete the facade (among other things) of the building on lower floor levels. As the upper screen assembly is raised, the hanging screen hanging therefrom will be raised with it.

[0007] In some buildings workers may also be required to install external features that project from the exterior facade of the building (such as projecting sun shades, awnings or hanging gardens fitted to the installed external facade). The installation of such features is not possible while the hanging screen is in place as said features get in the way of the platforms as the perimeter safety screen assembly is raised. In such instances, installation of external features would need to be installed by workers by some other means (such as a craned man-box, BMU platform or abseiling) after the hanging screen has been removed or raised sufficiently above the installation area.

[0008] It is against this background that the present disclosure has been developed.

SUMMARY

[0009] According to a first aspect, there is provided a perimeter safety screen assembly for a building, the perimeter safety screen assembly comprising an upper screen assembly, and a hanging screen assembly appending from the upper screen assembly, and extending below the upper screen assembly, the hanging screen assembly comprising a frame and a screen, and a hinged platform, the hinged platform comprising a folding section adapted to move between a closed position in which it is extended with respect to a remainder of the hanging screen assembly and an open position in which it is retracted with respect to a remainder of the hanging screen assembly, and wherein the folding section is raised and lowered between its open and closed positions by a lifting mechanism.

[0010] In one form, when in the closed position the folding section is substantially horizontal.

[0011] In one form, when in the open position the folding section is substantially vertical. [0012] In one form, the folding section is raised and lowered between its open and closed positions respectively by the lifting mechanism.

[0013] In one form, in an alternative, the folding section is slid between its open and closed positions respectively by the lifting mechanism.

[0014] In one form, the upper screen assembly comprises the lifting mechanism.

[0015] In one form, where the upper screen assembly comprises the lifting mechanism, the lifting mechanism is releasably connected with respect to the folding section of the hinged platform.

[0016] In one form, the hanging screen assembly comprises the lifting mechanism.

[0017] In one form, the lifting mechanism comprises a hoist and a cable.

[0018] In one form, the cable is releasably connected with respect to the folding section of the hinged platform.

[0019] In one form, the hoist is an electric hoist.

[0020] In one form, the hoist comprises a winch.

[0021] In one form, the lifting mechanism comprises an electric hoist mounted with respect to the upper screen assembly.

[0022] In one form, the hanging screen assembly further comprises at least one cable deviator, routing the cable between the hoist and the folding section along the frame.

[0023] In one form, the hanging screen assembly comprises a plurality of cable deviators spaced apart along the frame.

[0024] In one form, the or each cable deviators comprises, but need not be limited to pulleys, eyelets, hooks and the like, and may comprise a combination of these.

[0025] In one form, the lifting mechanism comprises a mechanical winch mounted to the hanging screen assembly.

[0026] In one form, the cable of the mechanical winch is permanently connected to the folding section. [0027] In one form, the hinged platform further comprises a fixed outer section depending from the frame, from which the folding section rotatably depends.

[0028] In one form, the folding section is supported in the closed position by a support tether extending between the frame and a position at or toward a distal end of the folding section.

[0029] In one form, the folding section is supported by a plurality of support tethers spaced apart along its length.

[0030] In one form, the or each support tether comprises a chain or cable.

[0031] In one form, the fixed outer platform is supported on a bracket which depends from the frame.

[0032] In one form, the folding section comprises a first distal end and a second proximal end, and the folding section is rotatably attached to the distal end of the bracket at a position intermediate its first and second ends.

[0033] In one form, when in the closed position, the folding section is rotated such that this is substantially horizontal and parallel with the fixed outer section, and the proximal end of the folding section bears against an underside of a horizontal arm of the bracket so as to support the folding section in this position.

[0034] In one form, the hinged platform further comprises at least one over-flap section rotatably depending from a distal end of the folding section and adapted to move between a closed position, where the over-flap section is folded down such that it rests on the upper surface of a completed floor, and an open position, where the over-flap section is folded up such that it lies flat against the folding section.

[0035] In one form, the over-flap sections comprise connecting elements that fill in the gap between adjacent over-flap sections.

[0036] In one form, the hinged platform comprises a means for locking the folding section in its open position, in order to prevent against an inadvertent release or failure of the hoist.

[0037] According to a further aspect, there is provided a hanging screen assembly configured to be appended from an upper screen assembly so as to extend below the upper screen assembly, the hanging screen assembly comprising a frame, a screen, a lifting mechanism, and a hinged platform, the hinged platform comprising a folding section adapted to move between a closed position in which it is extended with respect to a remainder of the hanging screen assembly and an open position in which it is retracted with respect to a remainder of the hanging screen assembly, and wherein the folding section is raised and lowered between its open and closed positions by the lifting mechanism.

[0038] In one form, the hanging screen assembly comprises a plurality of hinged platforms.

[0039] In one form, the plurality of hinged platforms are vertically spaced apart.

[0040] In one form, the plurality of hinged platforms are raised and lowered between their open and closed positions by the lifting mechanism.

[0041] For ease of description, perimeter safety screens embodying the present features are described below in their usual assembled position as shown in the accompanying drawings and terms such as front, rear, upper, lower, horizontal, longitudinal etc., may be used with reference to this usual position. However, the perimeter safety screens may be manufactured, transported, sold, or used in orientations other than that described and shown here.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0042] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0043] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a perimeter safety screen assembly according to a first embodiment;

[0044] Figure 2 is a detail schematic side view of a portion of the perimeter safety screen assembly of Figure 1 in a fully closed configuration;

[0045] Figure 3 is a detail schematic side view of a portion of the perimeter safety screen assembly of Figure 1 in a partially open configuration;

[0046] Figure 4 is a detail schematic side view of a portion of the perimeter safety screen assembly of Figure 1 in a fully open configuration;

[0047] Figure 5 is a plan view of the perimeter safety screen assembly of Figure 1;

[0048] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the hanging screen assembly in a fully closed configuration; [0049] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the hanging screen assembly in a fully closed configuration with an over-flap connecting element installed;

[0050] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the hanging screen assembly in a partially open configuration;

[0051] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the hanging screen assembly in a fully open configuration;

[0052] Figure 10 is a schematic side view of a portion of a perimeter safety screen assembly according to a second embodiment;

[0053] Figure 11 is a schematic side view of a portion of a perimeter safety screen assembly according to a third embodiment, in a closed configuration;

[0054] Figure 12 is a schematic side view of a portion of the perimeter safety screen assembly of Figure 11, in a partially open configuration; and

[0055] Figure 13 is a schematic side view of a portion of the perimeter safety screen assembly of Figure 11, in a fully open configuration.

[0056] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0057] Referring now to Figures 1 to 5, there is shown a series of schematic views of a perimeter safety screen assembly 1 depending from completed floors 301-306 of a multi-storey building which is under construction.

[0058] For illustrative purposes, completed floors 301-306 are shown with solid lines and the next floor under construction 307 is shown with broken lines. Similarly, completed exterior facade 320 is shown with solid lines and the next facade to be installed 321 is shown with broken lines. Again, completed exterior feature (in this case a sun shade) 330 is shown in a variety of possible configurations with solid lines and the next exterior feature to be installed 331 is shown with broken lines.

[0059] The perimeter safety screen assembly 1 comprises an upper screen assembly 100 which, in use, extends around a perimeter of the building and above the uppermost completed floor 306, primarily to protect workers preparing formwork for a new higher floor 307 of the building. [0060] The upper screen assembly 100 comprises a screen 101 depending from a frame 102. The frame 102 is carried upon a bracket 103 (also referred to as a shoe) which depends from a horizontal support beam 310 (also referred to as a needle or a base) which in turn is secured with respect to the floor slab.

[0061] The upper screen assembly 100 also comprises a plurality of support platforms 110, supported by the frame 102 and extending between the screen 101, the completed floors and the formwork for a new higher floor of the building.

[0062] The perimeter safety screen assembly 1 further comprises a hanging screen assembly 200 appending from the upper screen assembly 100, and extending around a perimeter of the building, below the upper screen assembly 100 and down to lower floors 301-303 awaiting final fixing of windows and/or external walls.

[0063] The hanging screen assembly 200 comprises a screen 201 depending from a frame 202. In order to accommodate the hanging screen assembly 200, the upper screen assembly 100 comprises a plurality of mounts (not shown) for each hanging screen assembly 200.

[0064] In use, the hanging screen assembly 200 is craned using crane lift points (not shown) and mounted in the mounts such that it partially overlaps the upper screen assembly 100 on its outwardly (relative to the building) facing side at the lower end thereof.

[0065] The perimeter safety screen assembly 1 further comprises a means for lifting it with respect to the building. A detailed description of one embodiment of this means can be found in PCT/AU2003/001112, and is incorporated herein by way of reference at least. It should be understood however, that alternative lifting mechanisms may be employed, or that the external lifting means such as a crane or winch may be employed.

[0066] In use, the hanging screen assembly 200 will hang from and below the upper screen assembly 100, and provide protection while workers complete the external facade (amongst other things) of the building on lower floor levels. As the upper screen assembly 100 is raised, the hanging screen assembly 200 hanging therefrom will be raised with it.

[0067] The hanging screen assembly 200 comprises at least one hinged, or foldable platform 210 depending from the frame 202 and extending from the screen 201 towards the building so as to substantially bridge the gap between these. The hinged platform 210 comprises a fixed outer section 211 depending from the frame 202. Rotatably, or pivotally depending from the distal end of the outer section 211 is a hinged, or folding section 212 adapted to move between a closed position and an open position. When in the closed position, the folding section 212 is folded down such that it is substantially horizontal and parallel with the fixed outer section 211. It is supported in this position by a support chain 220 at or toward each end of the hinged platform 210 depending from the frame 202 and connecting to a distal end of the folding section 212. When in the open position, the folding section 212 is folded up such that it is substantially vertical and parallel with the frame 202 of the hanging screen assembly 200. The hinged platform 210 further comprises at least one manual over-flap section 213 rotatably depending from the distal end of the folding section 212 and adapted to move between a closed position and an open position. When in the closed position, the over-flap section is folded down such that it rests on the upper surface of a completed floor, bridging (and covering) a gap between the folding section 212 and the completed floor. When in the open position, the over-flap section 213 is folded up such that it lies flat against the folding section.

[0068] In the embodiment shown, there are three over-flap sections 213a-213c, which are spaced apart along the length of the hinged platform 210 so as to locate around the support chains 220 and lifting cable 231 (described below).

[0069] The folding section 212 is raised and lowered between its open and closed positions by virtue of an electric hoist 230 mounted above the hinged platform 210 (in this instance, to the upper screen assembly 100). The hoist 230 (also used to assist in lifting and/or lowering external windows and walls, and other external features in to position) is removably connected to the hinged platform 210 via a lifting cable 231. As can be seen in Figure 1, the hanging screen assembly 200 further comprises at least one cable deviator 240 mounted with respect to the frame, routing the cable 231 along the frame 202, such that it is able to pull the distal end of the folding section 212 up and toward the frame 202 in to its open position. There are a plurality of cable deviators 240 spaced apart along the frame 202. These cable deviators 240 might comprise, but need not be limited to pulleys, eyelets, hooks and the like. The hanging screen assembly 200 may also be provided with a means for locking the folding section 212 in its open position, in order to prevent against an inadvertent release or failure of the hoist, or in the event that the hoist 230 is required to perform another lifting operation while the folding section 212 is in its open position. This locking means might comprise locking pins or bolts, or locking hinges.

[0070] Referring to Figures 2 to 5, it will be appreciated that the hinged platform 210 is capable of a variety of configurations depending on how far progressed the building is. When the folding section 212 and over-flap sections 213 are deployed to their closed positions (as shown in Figure 2) the distal end of the hinged platform 210 (corresponding to the distal end of the over-flap sections) extends beyond the edge of the completed floor slab 302. This is also shown schematically in Figure 5, where the edge of the completed floor slab 302 is represented with the over-flap sections extending beyond the edge. When the folding section is in its closed position and the over-flap sections are in their open positions (as shown in Figure 3) the distal end of the hinged platform (corresponding to the distal end of the folding section) extends such that it clears the exterior facade of the building. This is also shown schematically in Figure 5, where the exterior facade 320 of the building is represented, with a small clearance formed between the distal end of the folding section 212 and the exterior facade 320. When the folding and overflap sections are in their open positions (as shown in Figure 4) the hinged platform clears the exterior feature of the building. This is also shown schematically in Figure 5, where the outer most edge of the exterior feature 330 is represented, with a small clearance formed between the fixed outer section 211 and the exterior feature 330.

[0071] Referring to Figures 2 and 6, when the hanging screen assembly 200 is first deployed, and prior to any external facade being installed, the folding section 212 would be moved to its closed position, with the manual over-flap sections 213 deployed to closed positions where they extend beyond the edge of and bear against the upper surface of the completed floor slab 302. Referring now to Figure 7, it can be seen that the over-flap sections 213 may be fitted with optional connecting elements 214 that fill in the gap between adjacent over-flap sections 213.

[0072] When external facade is to be installed, workers would remove the connecting elements 214 (if installed) and then manually move the over-flap sections 213 to their open positions (as shown in Figures 3 and 8), allowing for external facade such as windows or cladding to be lifted and/or lowered in to position using the hoist 230, and secured by workers standing on the hinged platform 210 inside of the hanging screen assembly 200. As best shown in Figure 8, the over-flap sections 213 have gaps between them so as to clear the lifting cable 231 and support chains 220. It will be appreciated that while in this configuration, the hanging screen assembly 200 and hinged platform 210 would be able to be raised up the building without interfering with the external facade 320.

[0073] With the folding section 212 and over-flap sections 213 still in closed positions and open positions respectively (as shown in Figures 3 and 8) an external feature 330 is also able to be fitted to the installed external facade 320.

[0074] When it becomes necessary for the perimeter safety screen assembly 1 to be raised up the side of the building, the hoist 230 would be connected to the folding section 212 via the cable 231 and the folding section 212 would be moved to its open position (as shown in Figures 4 and 9) enabling the hinged platform 210 and the hanging screen assembly 200 to which it depends to be lifted past the completed external feature 330 and exterior facade 320. Once the hinged platform 210 has passed the external feature 330 it is able to be lowered to its closed position.

[0075] Referring now to Figure 10, where there is shown a further embodiment, where instead of using the electric hoist 230 to raise and lower the folding section, a dedicated mechanical winch 250 is provided above the hinged platform 210 but depending from the hanging screen assembly 220. [0076] It will be appreciated that by providing a dedicated mechanical winch 250, that it is not necessary for workers to be constantly managing what the hoist 230 (of the first embodiment) is connected to. It will also be appreciated that for certain operations, it will be possible to have the folding section raised to its open position using the mechanical winch 250 while using the hoist 230 to perform other lifting operations. For instance, if lifting external facade or features from the ground or lower floors below the hanging screen.

[0077] Referring now to Figures 11 to 13, where there is shown a further embodiment detailing an alternate hinged platform 400 comprising a fixed outer platform 410 atop an outer bracket 411 depending from the frame, the bracket 411 comprising a horizontal arm 412 upon which the outer platform 410 is supported, the horizontal arm 412 supported by a bracket vertical 413 and a bracket diagonal 414 extending between the frame of the hanging screen assembly and the horizontal arm 412.

[0078] Rotatably depending from a distal end of the bracket 411 is an inner platform 420 atop a folding section 421 adapted to move between a closed position and an open position ft can be seen that this folding section 421 has a first distal end 422 and a second proximal end 423, and that the folding section 421 is rotatably attached to the distal end of the bracket 414 at a position intermediate its first and second ends 422, 423. When in the closed position, the folding section 421 is rotated such that the inner platform 420 is substantially horizontal and parallel with the outer platform 410, and the proximal end 423 of the folding section 421 bears against the underside of the horizontal arm 412 of the bracket 411 so as to support the folding section 421 in this position. When in the open position, the folding section 421 is rotated up such that the inner platform 420 is substantially vertical and perpendicular to the outer platform 410, the distal end 422 of the folding section 421 extending upward, above the outer platform 410, and the proximal end 423 of the folding section 421 extending downward, below the outer platform 410.

[0079] ft will be appreciated that by virtue of the proximal end 423 of the folding section 421 bearing against the underside of the horizontal arm 412 of the bracket 411, that this embodiment does not require support chains.

[0080] Similar to the previous embodiments, the hinged platform 400 further comprises at least one manual over-flap section 430 rotatably depending from the distal end 422 of the folding section 421 and adapted to move between a closed position and an open position, when in the closed position, the overflap section 430 is folded down such that it rests on the upper surface of a completed floor, or against an installed exterior facade. When in the open position, the over-flap section 430 is folded up such that it lies flat against or parallel with the inner platform 420.

[0081] ft can be seen that the hinged platform 400 further comprises an intermediate flap section 440 pivotally attached to a distal end of the outer platform 410 and configured to bear against the upper surface of the inner platform 420. It will be appreciated that when the folding section 421 is in the closed position, the intermediate flap section 440 lies across a gap formed between the inner and outer platforms 420, 410, and as the folding section 421 is moved to the fully open position, it can be seen that the intermediate flap section 440 pivots upwardly while continuing to bear against the inner platform 420, through to the fully open position where the intermediate flap section 440 lies against the inner platform 420.

[0082] While in the embodiments shown, the hanging screen assemblies only comprise a single hinged platform, it will be appreciated that in alternate embodiments, the hanging screen assembly may comprise multiple hinged platforms or a combination of fixed and hinged platforms. For instance, in an alternate embodiment, a hanging screen assembly may comprise two platforms, where the uppermost platform is fixed and the lowermost platform is hinged.

[0083] It will also be appreciated that by providing an electric hoist or mechanical winch for lifting the folding section of the platform, that it is not necessary for a team of workers to lift and lower what would otherwise be a heavy platform. It will also be appreciated that by providing an electric hoist, it is conceivable that the folding section could be remotely opened prior to a lifting operation of the perimeter screen assembly.

[0084] Finally, it will be appreciated that by providing a hanging screen assembly with a hinged platform, it becomes possible for external features to be installed on the exterior of a building using the hanging screen, rather than having to use some other means after the hanging screen assembly has moved up or been removed from the building.

[0085] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise” and “include” and variations such as “comprising” and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0086] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0087] In some cases, a single embodiment may, for succinctness and/or to assist in understanding the scope of the disclosure, combine multiple features. It is to be understood that in such a case, these multiple features may be provided separately (in separate embodiments), or in any other suitable combination. Alternatively, where separate features are described in separate embodiments, these separate features may be combined into a single embodiment unless otherwise stated or implied. This also applies to the claims which can be recombined in any combination. That is a claim may be amended to include a feature defined in any other claim. Further a phrase referring to “at least one of’ a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c.

[0088] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.