Abstract:
A system for perimeter access control and a method for use thereof is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of posts positioned around a secured area and a portable base station with a lockable storage cavity. Within the storage cavity is located at least one drum of fencing. A first portion of fencing is paid out from the at least one drum and is wrapped around the plurality of posts and then secured within the lockable storage cavity to form a fenced perimeter around the secured area. The method for use of the perimeter access control system includes positioning the plurality of posts around the secured area; positioning the portable base station proximate the secured area; unwinding the first portion of fencing from the at least one drum; wrapping the first portion of fencing around the plurality of posts; and securing both ends of the first portion of fencing within the portable base station.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention is generally related to a system for prohibiting access to a protected area. More particularly, the present invention is related to a system for providing a fenced perimeter surrounding a protected area to prohibit access thereto. More specifically, the present invention is related to a system providing a portable fencing system for defining a fenced perimeter used to secure a temporary fall protection system around a protected area. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Construction jobsites contain various hazards and areas requiring restricted access. For example, individuals require protection from entering demolition areas of construction jobsites containing injury inducing dangers. During construction, individuals also require protection from incomplete areas of construction jobsites. Such incomplete areas can include balconies, elevator shafts, skylights, slab edges, and stairwells. Similarly, mechanical areas of construction jobsites can contain valuable equipment that require restricted access to provide protection from theft. 
         [0005]    Therefore, there is a need for a temporary system for prohibiting access to a protected area. Such a system can be portable, and provide for a fenced perimeter surrounding a protected area to guard individuals from entry. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention in one preferred embodiment contemplates a perimeter access control system having a plurality of posts positioned around a secured area, and a portable base station including a first side and a second side, a lockable storage cavity, at least one drum of cable stored within the lockable storage cavity, a first strand of cable paid out from the at least one drum and wrapped around each of the plurality of posts, and a second strand of cable paid out from the at least one drum and wrapped around each of the plurality of posts, the first and second strands of cable extending from the first side to the second side around each of the plurality of posts to form a fenced perimeter around the secured area, and ends of the first and second strands of cable being secured to the lockable storage cavity. The preferred embodiment of the perimeter access control system should be sufficiently sized and robust enough to establish a fenced perimeter that satisfies all the requirements of 29 C.F.R. §1926.502, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0007]    The present invention in a further preferred embodiment contemplates a method of forming a fenced perimeter around a secured area including positioning a plurality of posts around the secured area; positioning a portable base station proximate the secured area, the portable base station including at least one drum of cable stored therein; unwinding a first strand of cable from the at least one drum, and wrapping the first strand of cable around the plurality of posts; unwinding a second strand of cable from the at least one drum, and wrapping the second strand of cable around the plurality of posts; attaching the first and second strands of cable to each of the plurality of posts; and after the first and second strands are wrapped around the plurality of posts, securing ends of the first and second strands of cable to the portable base station. 
         [0008]    It is understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and exemplary only, and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. Together with the description, they serve to explain the objects, advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view depicting an environment in which one embodiment of the system according to the present invention is used on a jobsite; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a rear elevational view of a base station used in the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 1  with a door thereof in an opened position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the base station of  FIG. 2  taken along Line A-A thereof; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the base station of  FIG. 2  with the door thereof in the closed position and a safety post positioned in the rear of the base station; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of the base station of  FIG. 2  with the door thereof in the closed position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of a safety post used with one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of the base station of  FIG. 2  with the door thereof in the closed position and with a plurality of safety posts stored thereon. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0017]    The following description is intended to be representative only and not limiting and many variations can be anticipated according to these teachings. Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of this invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  depicts a perimeter access control system according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention which is generally indicated by the numeral  10 . System  10  is used in securing access to a protected area, for example, indicated by the numeral  12  in  FIG. 1 . In doing so, system  10  defines a fenced perimeter  14  surrounding protected area  12 . Fenced perimeter  14  afforded by system  10  serves in guarding individuals from falling into or otherwise entering protected area  12 . 
         [0019]    The system  10  includes a base station  15 . Base station  15  serves in part as a storage locker for storing some of the components of system  10 . As discussed below, base station  15  is portable, and thus, can be positioned at the edge E of protected area  12 . To facilitate formation of fenced perimeter  14 , base station  15  includes at least one drum of fencing material mounted thereto. For example, the fencing material can be mesh fencing or cable C ( FIG. 1 ). As depicted in  FIG. 1 , first and second strands  20  and  21  of cable C are used in forming fenced perimeter  14 . First and second strands  20  and  21  can be provided on one drum, but, as depicted in  FIG. 2 , base station  15  includes first and second drums  16  and  17  of first and second strands  20  and  21  of cable C. 
         [0020]    As depicted in  FIG. 1 , first and second strands  20  and  21  of cable C are wrapped around safety posts  22  to form fenced perimeter  14 . As discussed below, safety posts  22  are positioned around protected area  12 , and first and second strands  20  and  21  are paid out from first and second drums  16  and  17  stored within base station  15 . When tensioned, first and second strands  20  and  21  serve in guarding individuals from falling or otherwise passing through fenced perimeter  14  into protected area  12 . Optionally, first and second drums  16  and  17  may include a spring loaded tensioning system to enable self-tensioning of cable C. Alternatively, the first and second drums  16  and  17  may be equipped with a ratcheting mechanism capable of tensioning cable C when the system is installed. 
         [0021]    As depicted in  FIGS. 2-5 , base station  15  includes a front wall  24 , a top wall  26 , bottom wall  27 , and opposed sidewalls  28  and  29 . As depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , brackets  30  are attached to front wall  24 . Brackets  30  include opposed portions defining a cavity  31  for securably receiving one of safety posts  22  therein. As such, one of safety posts  22  can be attached to base station  15  using brackets  30 . Thus, when positioned at the edge E of protected area  12 , base station  15  can be secured in position via attachment to one of safety posts  22  positioned adjacent protected area  12 . 
         [0022]    Front wall  24 , top wall  26 , bottom wall  27 , and opposed sidewalls  28  and  29  define a cavity  32  for containing first and second drums  16  and  17 . First and second drums  16  and  17 , as depicted in  FIG. 2 , are mounted on front wall  24  within cavity  32 . Slots  34  and  35  are formed through front wall  24  on both of the sides of first and second drums  16  and  17 . First and second strands  20  and  21  are paid out through slots  34 . Once first and second strands  20  and  21  are wrapped around safety posts  22  to form a fence, ends  36  and  37  of first and second strands  20  and  21 , respectively, are received through slots  35 . Ends  36  and  37  are then secured to base station  15 . As depicted in  FIG. 2 , ends  36  and  37  can be secured within cavity  32 . Ends  36  and  37  can be looped and/or include fasteners (such as, for example, karabiners) to facilitate attachment to attachment points  40  within cavity  32 . Alternatively, both ends  36  and  37  may be attached to a handle (not shown) that is paid out through slot  35  and received through slot  34 . The handle may be secured on hooks located within cavity  32 , thereby enabling a user to simultaneously wrap and secure both strands  20  and  21  around safety posts  22 . 
         [0023]    Access to cavity  32  can be restricted by a door  42  provided between opposed sidewalls  28  and  29 . As depicted in  FIG. 3 , one side of door  42  is hingedly attached to opposed sidewall  28 , and door  42  can be locked in a closed position using a lock  44  provided on the other side thereof. Lock  44  can be latched to a lip  45  provided on opposed sidewall  29 . In the closed position, door  42  prohibits access to cavity  32  containing first and second drums  16  and  17  and corresponding cable C. Thus, lock  44  effectively prevents ends  36  and  37  from being released from attachment points  40 . Lock  44  also prevents the option cable tensioning mechanisms of first and second drums  16  and  17  from being released. Therefore, access to restricted area  12  cannot be gained without damaging system  10 . 
         [0024]    Preferably, the key to lock  44  will be maintained by management in the jobsite office. Access to the key would only be provided to a responsible party upon signing an access log. Accordingly, upon signing out the key, the responsible party would assume responsibility for safeguarding the protected area while the system is removed and for the proper reinstallation thereof when finished. 
         [0025]    An alarm  48  can also be provided to sound if tension in first and second strands  20  and  21  is released. Alarm  48  can be housed within cavity  32 , and can include a strain gage  49  attached to either of first and second strands  20  and  21 . Alarm  48  is attached to strain cage  49  via an electrical connection  50 . As depicted in  FIG. 2 , strain gage  49  is attached to first strand  20 . Thus, if tension in first strand  20  is significantly diminished (e.g., when first strand  20  is cut or removed from any of safety posts  22 , or any of safety posts  22  are moved to gain access), alarm  48  will sound a warning. Furthermore, the warning could be provided by flashing lights (not shown) placed around protected area  12 . Either way, alarm  48  provides a warning when first strand  20 , or any of the safety posts  22  are tampered with. Alarm  48  may be configured to automatically set when lock  44  is engaged, or it may be configured to require separate setup. 
         [0026]    Safety posts  22 , as depicted in  FIG. 1 , can be placed along the edge E of protected area  12  at and in between the corners thereof. The number and placement of safety posts  22  will depend on the shape of protected area  12 . Furthermore, safety posts  22  can be provided at the jobsite and/or can be provided with base station  15 . For example, base station  15  can include racks  56  attached to sidewalls  28  and  29  for transport to the jobsite. 
         [0027]    Safety posts  22  each include eyelets  58  ( FIG. 6 ) for receiving first and second strands  20  and  21  therethrough. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the spacing of eyelets  58  apart from one another corresponds to the desired spacing between first and second strands of cable  20  and  21 . If necessary, additional eyelets  58  can be provided to accommodate additional strands of cable C. Eyelets  58  serve as points of attachment for securing first and second strands of cable  20  and  21  to safety posts  22 , and can be integrally formed with safety posts  22 . As such, eyelets  58  serve to resist removal of first and second strands of cable  20  and  21  from safety posts  22 . Thus, without releasing first and second strands of cable  20  and  21  from within base station  15 , strands  20  and  21  cannot be removed from safety posts  22  without damage thereto. Optionally, eyelets  58  may include closeable openings in the perimeter thereof to permit easier insertion of strands  20  and  21  therethrough. 
         [0028]    Safety posts  22  can be removably attached to the edge E of protected area  12  using a specialized tool  60  and clamping assemblies  62  provided adjacent the bottoms of safety posts  22 . Specialized tool  60  is ultimately stored within base station  15 , and can be used to actuate clamping assemblies  62 . Each of clamping assemblies  62  includes a fixed clamping portion  64 , a moveable clamping portion  66 , and an actuation mechanism (a rod  67  of which is shown in  FIG. 6 ) for moving moveable clamping portion  66  with respect to fixed clamping portion  64 . Besides rods  67 , the remainders of the actuation mechanisms are provided internal to safety posts  22 . Access to the actuation mechanisms is provided by removable caps  68  provided at the tops of safety posts  22 . Via actuation of the actuation mechanisms with specialized tool  60 , moveable clamping portions  66  can be drawn toward fixed clamping portions  64  to clamp the edge E of protected area  12  therebetween. Specialized tool  60  and storage thereof within based station  15  prevents tampering with clamping assemblies  62  of safety posts  22 . To facilitate portability thereof, base station  15  includes wheels  52  attached to each of racks  56  of opposed sidewalls  28  and  29 . Furthermore, a handle  53  is attached to opposed sidewalls  28  and  29  adjacent top wall  26  to facilitate manipulation of base station  15 . Accordingly, wheels  52  and handle  53  allow base station  15  to be positioned adjacent the edge of protected area  12 . 
         [0029]    Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.