Abstract:
A collapsible safety rail system for providing a portable or permanent protective barrier to provide for fall prevention from elevated or other work areas. Lockable pivot assemblies are located between heavy bases and the end posts of collapsible safety rail assemblies. Removable detent pins are utilized to lock the pivot assemblies to maintain the erected position of the collapsible safety rail assemblies in protective vertical orientation or are removed to allow maneuvering of the collapsible safety rail assemblies to a minimum viewable profile position when not required for personnel protection.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This patent application is related to application Ser. No. 10/916,688 entitled “Gate Section and Base for a Safety Rail System” filed on Aug. 11, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,153, which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/319,992 entitled “Gate Section and Base for Safety Rail System” filed Dec. 16, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,845,970, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/595,794 entitled “Safety Rail System” filed Jun. 16, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,257. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention pertains to a safety rail system, and more particularly, pertains to a collapsible safety rail system for providing a portable or permanent protective barrier to provide for fall prevention from elevated or other work areas.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     Prior art safety rail systems or other fall prevention systems have been provided to prevent workers or other personnel from falling off an elevated work area, such as a rooftop, or to prevent personnel from falling into open work pits. Some fall prevention systems are only used occasionally and the temporary erection of a fall prevention system, such as at the edge of a building roof, can prove to be costly and time consuming. Often, aesthetics require that safety rail/guard rail systems be out of sight or that the systems be completely removed as to not detract from the beauty or aesthetics of a building or other publicly viewed area when not in use. One method of keeping a fall prevention system out of sight is by providing a low profile mounted horizontal lifeline in close proximity to a roof surface. Both ends of a horizontal lifeline are firmly anchored into structure underlying the waterproof region of a roof. A workman then dons a harness having a safety line and attaches the distant end of the safety line to the span of the lifeline to traverse the length of the horizontal lifeline. While being out of sight, the horizontal lifeline offers fall protection; however, a secure and waterproof installation of the horizontal lifeline can be difficult and expensive. Additionally, a horizontal lifeline system is an active fall prevention system requiring that an individual must actively don a harness having a safety line which then must be connected to the span of the horizontal lifeline. If an individual neglects to don the harness and connect the safety line, then the attributes of such an active system are not realized. A passive fall prevention system such as provided by the present invention does not require, after erection of the rails, any further action or connective maneuver by any personnel member. Protection is provided for all personnel, not just those who are connected such as to a lifeline.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The general purpose of the present invention is to provide a collapsible safety rail system which is portable and which is intended to be used to provide for fall protection from elevated or other work areas where human safety is an issue. The collapsible safety rail system is a portable system which can be broken down to a plurality of individual collapsible safety rail assemblies and a plurality of heavy and substantial cast iron bases which support the collapsible safety rail assemblies. The collapsible safety rail assemblies include a plurality of rails and end posts where a pivot assembly comprises the lower portion of each end post. Each pivot assembly includes a slotted tubular base which is stationary and a multi-radius mounting fixture pivotably secured to the upper region of the slotted tubular base. A pivot pin secures between an upper region of the slotted tubular base and through a pivot pin hole in a reduced radius shaft portion of the mounting fixture. A detent pin secures between an upper region of the slotted tubular base and through a detent pin hole in the reduced radius shaft portion of the mounting fixture. The lower region of the slotted tubular base aligns and secures within a post receiver in the cast iron base and can be rotated therein. The lower portion of an end post of the collapsible safety rail assembly aligns over and suitably secures about an end post mount at the upper portion of the mounting fixture. The collapsible safety rail assembly can be pivoted horizontally about the pivot pins subsequent to removal of the detent pins to a substantially horizontal and flat orientation, thereby reducing the viewable profile of the collapsible safety rail system and positioning the collapsible safety rail system completely out of view provided that the lower structure of the invention is located on an otherwise nonviewable area.  
         [0007]     The bases of substantial weight are vital components of the collapsible safety rail system and enable the system to be as versatile as described herein. A base according to this invention has four post receivers so as to enable as many as four assemblies or devices including the collapsible safety rail assembly, as well as other patented devices by the inventor, such as, but not limited to, rail sections, latching posts, gate posts, or related devices, to be engagingly incorporated at any one time. Designed into each of the post receivers are strategically positioned slots, being horizontally aligned and being elongated. These slots align with at least two spaced holes in the lower region of the end posts of the collapsible safety rail assembly. This alignment enables the safety rail assemblies to be secured to the base at infinite positions along a 360° rotation with a locking pin. Thus, the collapsible safety rail system has the versatility to align to multiple protected work areas defined by the base placement. The base also incorporates four symmetrically positioned holes to enable a permanent mount to a surface via some form of anchor bolts, if desired. Further, the base includes cutouts and recesses which form recessed handles for manual grasping when it is necessary to move or carry the base. All edges of the recesses and the upper edges of the cutouts are rounded to eliminate sharp corners that could prove to be uncomfortable when the recessed handles are gripped. Yet another feature of the base is a stacking feature. Specifically, the base includes stacking recesses on its planar bottom surface in alignment with the post receivers. These stacking recesses receive the upper ends of the post receivers for stacking of bases when not in use. Drain holes coaxial with the post receivers and the stacking recesses extend through the base. Although collapsibility and portability of the collapsible safety rail system are major attributes of the invention, provisions are also made for continual use of the invention where the invention can be permanently secured and permanently utilized as a fixed but collapsible structure.  
         [0008]     According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a collapsible safety rail system which includes one or more collapsible safety rail assemblies having pivot assemblies and a plurality of bases. The pivot assemblies at the lower portions of the collapsible safety rail assemblies allow the collapsible safety rail assemblies to maintain an upright protective position or to allow the collapsible safety rail assemblies to be pivoted about the pivot assemblies to maintain a low and unobtrusive profile. The safety rail assemblies and plurality of substantial heavy bases provide for stability of the collapsible safety rail system to provide a robust structure which denies access to a hazard area or work area which is substantially unmovable when acted upon by any off balance, falling, or misdirected human form.  
         [0009]     One significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a collapsible safety rail system incorporated to prevent access to hazardous areas or to prevent falls from roofs or other elevated structures or falls into hazardous areas.  
         [0010]     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a collapsible safety rail system which can surround or be located adjacent to a work area.  
         [0011]     A further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is collapsible safety rail system having pivot assemblies which allow collapsible safety rail assemblies to be maneuvered to a low profile unobtrusive position.  
         [0012]     A still further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a collapsible safety rail system which, by the use of common bases, can also accommodate other rail sections, latching posts, gate posts, or related devices to be incorporated at any one time.  
         [0013]     Still another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the use of a pivot assembly between a heavy base and an end post of a collapsible safety rail assembly.  
         [0014]     Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a pivot assembly having a slotted tubular base which pivotally accommodates a mounting fixture.  
         [0015]     Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a mounting fixture having an end post mount and a reduced radius shaft.  
         [0016]     Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a reduced radius shaft maximally sized to provide for suitable robustness.  
         [0017]     A still further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a collapsible safety rail system which can incorporate other rail sections, latching posts, gate posts, or related devices, some or all or none of which can include a pivot assembly.  
         [0018]     Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a reduced radius shaft having a semispherical-shaped end to provide for suitable robustness.  
         [0019]     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a collapsible safety rail system which is portable.  
         [0020]     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a collapsible safety rail system which is portable, but which can be permanently mounted.  
         [0021]     Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a collapsible safety rail system which uses heavy bases to provide for overall stability and robustness.  
         [0022]     A still further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a collapsible safety rail system which can be freestanding, but which can be permanently secured to a suitable mounting surface or structure utilizing mounting hardware extending through holes in the bases, if desired.  
         [0023]     A still further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a collapsible safety rail system having bases which are user-friendly for the purposes of manual handling, and which are stackable.  
         [0024]     Having thus briefly described embodiments of the present invention and having mentioned some significant aspects and features of the present invention, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a collapsible safety rail system.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]     Other objects of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein:  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view showing the use and structure of the collapsible safety rail system, the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a pivot assembly in relationship to the lower portion of an end post;  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is an assembled view of the pivot assembly connected to the lower portion of the end post;  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the assembled components of  FIG. 3  with the lower portion of the end post depicted in phantom;  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  is a cross section view of the pivot assembly substantially along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4  showing the mounting fixture and connected end post pivoted about the pivot pin to position the end post of the collapsible safety rail assembly to provide for minimum viewable profile;  
         [0031]      FIG. 6  is a cross section view of the pivot assembly along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a base;  
         [0033]      FIG. 8  shows a pivot assembly and a portion of an attached end post aligned vertically in the post receiver prior to pivoting of the mounting fixture and attached end post;  
         [0034]      FIG. 9  illustrates the pivoting of the mounting fixture and attached end post to and beyond the horizontal position during positioning of a collapsible safety rail assembly;  
         [0035]      FIG. 10 , an alternative embodiment, is an exploded view of a pivot assembly in alignment with an end post;  
         [0036]      FIG. 11  is an assembled view of elements of  FIG. 10 ; and,  
         [0037]      FIG. 12  is a cross section view of a pivot assembly substantially along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 11 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0038]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the collapsible safety rail system  10 , the present invention, including a plurality of similarly constructed collapsible safety rail assemblies  12   a - 12   d  and a plurality of bases  14   a - 14   e  of substantial weight and size, each connectively associated with one or more collapsible safety rail assemblies  12   a - 12   d . For purposes of illustration and example, the collapsible safety rail system  10  is shown in use for protection along the edge of a wall section  13  extending above the top surface of a roof  15  where the collapsible safety rail system  10  is shown partially in the protective mode and partially in the collapsed mode. Collapsible safety rail assemblies  12   a  and  12   b  are shown in the protective mode of operation being vertically erected with respect to the bases  14   a - 14   c  for prevention of access across the collapsible safety rail assemblies  12   a  and  12   b . Collapsible safety rail assemblies  12   c  and  12   d  are shown in the collapsed mode of operation being substantially horizontally oriented with respect to the bases  14   c - 14   e  to provide for minimum viewable profile.  
         [0039]     The similarly constructed collapsible safety rail assemblies  12   a - 12   d  each includes opposed left and right end posts  16  and  18 , a top horizontal rail  20  extending from the left end post  16  to the right end post  18 , and a bottom horizontal rail  22  extending between the left end post  16  and the right end post  18 . An accessible instruction storage tube  23  is located on each bottom horizontal rail  22 . Individual pivot assemblies designated  24   a  and  24   b , as described in detail as pivot assembly  24  in  FIG. 2 , are located at the ends of the left and right end posts  16  and  18  nearest the bottom horizontal rail  22 , respectively, of each of the collapsible safety rail assemblies  12   a - 12   d . A slotted tubular base  26  ( FIG. 2 ), which is stationary, is located at the lower region of each of the pivot assemblies  24   a  and  24   b  and secures in the bases  14   a - 14   e , as later described in detail.  
         [0040]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the pivot assembly  24 , multiply designated as pivot assemblies  24   a  and  24   b  in  FIG. 1 , in relationship to the lower portion of an end post  18 . The pivot assembly  24  has major structural components including a stationary slotted tubular base  26  and a pivotable multi-radius mounting fixture  28 , and also includes a pivot pin  30  and a detent pin  32  having a spring-loaded ball  33 , the latter of which is secured to the slotted tubular base  26  by a lanyard  34  and ring  35 . Also shown is another locking pin  36  including suitable hardware for securing of the pivot assembly  24  to one of the bases  14   a - 14   e.    
         [0041]     The slotted tubular base  26  includes a slot  38  in vertical orientation intersecting the wall of the slotted tubular base  26  at the upper region of the slotted tubular base  26 . Opposed pivot pin holes  40  extend through the upper region of the slotted tubular base  26  for accommodation of the pivot pin  30 , and opposed detent pin holes  42  aligned above the opposed pivot pin holes  40  extend through the upper region of the slotted tubular base  26  for accommodation of the detent pin  32 . Four or another suitable number of locking pin holes  44  extend through the lower region of the slotted tubular base  26  for accommodation of the locking pin  36  when securing the pivot assembly  24  to a base  14   a - 14   e . The multi-radius mounting fixture  28  includes a round end post mount  46  and a round reduced radius shaft  48  having a semispherical-shaped end  50  extending from the end post mount  46 . The radius of the reduced radius shaft  48  is nearly as large as the radius of an inside surface  27  (see also  FIG. 6 ) of the slotted tubular base  26 . Such a relationship allows for robustness and maximizes the structural integrity of the mounting fixture  28  by providing sufficient structural mass about a pivot pin hole  52  extending through the lower portion of the reduced radius shaft  48 . The pivot pin hole  52  accommodates the pivot pin  30 , and a detent pin hole  54  aligned above the pivot pin hole  52  extends through the upper portion of the reduced radius shaft  48  for accommodation of the detent pin  32 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 3  is an assembled view of the pivot assembly  24  attached to the lower portion of the end post  18 . The end post mount  46  can be a close tolerance fit for suitable accommodation by the lower portion of the end post  18  and can be secured therein such as by swaging the end post  18  at one or more locations, such as is shown by one or more swages  56 , or by other suitable methods, such as, but not limited to, welding, press fitting, the use of fasteners, and the like. The reduced radius shaft  48  is shown aligned vertically within the top region of the slotted tubular base  26  and secured therein by the pivot pin  30  which extends through the opposed pivot pin holes  40  in the slotted tubular base  26  and through the pivot pin hole  52  in the reduced radius shaft  48  and by the detent pin  32  which extends through the opposed detent pin holes  42  in the slotted tubular base  26  and through the detent pin hole  54  in the reduced radius shaft  48 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the assembled components of  FIG. 3  with the lower portion of the end post  18  depicted in phantom. Shown in particular is the accommodation of the pivot pin  30  and of the detent pin  32 , as described with reference to  FIG. 2 . One end of the pivot pin  30  is peened over at  53  to permanently maintain the position of the pivot pin  30 . The spring-loaded ball  33  maintains the position of the detent pin  32  to ensure the upright positioning of the end post  18  when the collapsible safety rail assemblies  12   a - 12   d  are in the upright position.  
         [0044]      FIG. 5  is a cross section view of the pivot assembly  24  substantially along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4  showing the mounting fixture  28  and connected end post  18  (and  16 ) pivoted about the pivot pin  30  such as to position the end posts  18  of the collapsible safety rail assemblies  12   c - 12   d , as shown in  FIG. 1 , to provide for minimum viewable profile. The semispherical-shaped end  50  of the reduced radius shaft  48  is easily accommodated by and maintains clearance with the inside surface  27  of the slotted tubular base  26  to permit sufficient rotation of the mounting fixture  28  therein, as there is no interfering or conflicting geometry. The vertical dimension of the slot  38  is of sufficient length to allow rotation of the mounting fixture  28  below the horizontal aspect to allow the top horizontal rail  20  of the collapsible safety rail assemblies  12   c - 12   d  to contact and rest upon the general horizontal surface upon which the collapsible safety rail system  10  is utilized.  
         [0045]      FIG. 6  is a cross section view of the pivot assembly  24  along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 . Shown in particular is the relationship of the reduced radius shaft  48  to the interior surface  27  of the slotted tubular base  26 , wherein clearance is provided for pivotal rotation therein.  
         [0046]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the base  14   a , one of the identical bases  14   a - 14   e  according to the present invention. The bases  14   a - 14   e  can weigh between 100-120 pounds for purposes of example, and can be of cast iron or welded plate and tube to support safety rail sections or assemblies without tipping. The identically constructed bases  14   a - 14   e  include four post receivers  58   a - 58   d  which extend perpendicularly and upwardly from planar top portion or surface  60 , any of which can appropriately accommodate the left or right end posts  16  and  18  of the collapsible safety rail assemblies  12   a - 12   d , as well as other suitably fashioned components, such as, but not limited to, unshown latching posts, gate posts, or locking couplers, which can also include one or more pivot assemblies  24 . Each of these post receivers  58   a - 58   d  includes a plurality of horizontally aligned pin receivers, such as slots  62   a - 62   n , best shown on post receiver  58   b . Left and right end posts  16  and  18  of the collapsible safety rail assemblies  12   a - 12   d , as well as other suitably fashioned components, such as, but not limited to, unshown latching posts, gate posts, or locking couplers, all incorporate the plurality of locking pin holes  44  ( FIG. 2 ) for receiving locking pins  36  ( FIG. 2 ) to hold the left and right end posts  16  and  18  of the collapsible safety rail assemblies  12   a - 12   d , as well as other suitably fashioned components, such as, but not limited to, unshown latching posts, gate posts, or locking couplers in place in the post receivers  58   a - 58   d  of the bases  14   a - 14   e . The left or right end posts  16  and  18  of the collapsible safety rail assemblies  12   a - 12   d  or other suitably fashioned components, such as, but not limited to, unshown latching posts, gate posts, or locking couplers, are secured to the post receivers  58   a - 58   d  of one or more individual bases  14   a - 14   e  by the use of locking pins  36  extending through opposed locking pin holes  44  and the slots  62   a - 62   n . Such a relationship allows the left or right end posts  16  and  18  of the collapsible safety rail assemblies  12   a - 12   n , as well as other suitably fashioned components, such as, but not limited to, unshown latching posts, gate posts, or locking couplers, to pivot as required about the vertical axes of the post receivers  58   a - 58   d . In the alternative, a base  14   a - 14   e  can also be pivoted about the lower region of a left or right post  16  and  18 , respectively, in order to align and utilize other post receivers  58   a - 58   d  or other suitably fashioned components. Each base  14   a - 14   e  may accommodate a maximum of four of the following components in various combinations: left and right end posts  16  and  18  of the collapsible safety rail assemblies  12   a - 12   d  and other suitably fashioned components, such as, but not limited to, unshown latching posts, gate posts, or locking couplers. Each can be locked in any position within its range of motion about a vertical axis by various utilizations of the holes  44 , the pin receivers in the form of slots  62   a - 62   n , and the locking pins  36 , all of which together constitute locking means or means for locking the various posts or other suitably fashioned components to the post receivers. It is to be understood that the slots  62   a - 62   n  may be replaced with multiple holes at different heights to accommodate other variously located holes in the lower region of a post, but holes will not allow the infinite 360° range in which the left or right end posts  16  and  18 , as well as other suitably fashioned components, such as, but not limited to, unshown latching posts, gate posts, or locking couplers, can be angularly oriented and locked. It is also to be understood that slots, such as slots  62   a - 62   n , can be included at other levels along and about the post receivers  58   a - 58   d , as well as at various locations about the circumferences of the post receivers  58   a - 58   d , to maintain 360° positionable capabilities of any member which engages the interior of the post receivers  58   a - 58   d.    
         [0047]     The bases  14   a - 14   e  include cutouts  64   a - 64   d , whereby handling of the bases  14   a - 14   e  is readily facilitated in a manual fashion. Each base  14   a - 14   e  is constructed in the same manner having identical parts including the planar top portion or surface  60  with cutouts  64   a - 64   d  on four opposing sides creating built-in recessed handles  66   a - 66   d  for manual transporting or lifting of the bases  14   a - 14   e . The bases  14   a - 14   e  include a continuous curved or radiused upper edge  68  about the planar top portion or surface  60 . The recessed handles  66   a - 66   d  are fashioned to accommodate manual handling and include features making the gripping of the recessed handles  66   a - 66   d  accessible and comfortable. The upper and outer regions of the recessed handles  66   a - 66   d  are formed by portions of the curved or radiused upper edge  68 , and the remaining edges forming the recessed handles  66   a - 66   d  have edges which are curved or radiused to eliminate any edges which could prove to be uncomfortable given the weight of the bases  14   a - 14   e . It is to be appreciated that all of the upper edges of the cutouts  64   a - 64   d  are curved or radiused. Downwardly extending recesses  70   a - 70   d  beneath the recessed handles  66   a - 66   d  provide for manual access under the recessed handles  66   a - 66   d  without first lifting the bases  14   a - 14   e . There is also a centrally located lifting bar  72  which allows the user to hook the bases  14   a - 14   e  to a pulley, a dolly, or other labor saving device to more easily move the heavy bases  14   a - 14   e . There are provided holes  74   a - 74   d  which can accommodate anchor bolts for securing the bases  14   a - 14   e  to a work surface, such as a concrete floor or roof top, if permanent mounting is desired.  
         [0048]     Stacking recesses (not shown) are recessed into a planar bottom surface of the bases  14   a - 14   e  which align with the upper regions of other post receivers  58   a - 58   d  extending from the planar top portion or surface  60 . The stacking recesses are utilized for stacking or storage of bases  14   a - 14   e  when not in use. Also included are drain holes (not shown) extending through the bases  14   a - 14   e  and co-located between the post receivers  58   a - 58   d  and the stacking recesses.  
       Mode of Operation  
       [0049]      FIGS. 8 and 9  best illustrate the mode of operation.  FIG. 8  shows a pivot assembly  24  and a portion of an attached end post  18  aligned vertically in the post receiver  58   a  prior to pivoting of the mounting fixture  28  and attached end post  18  (and  16 ), as well as the rest of a collapsible safety rail assembly  12   c - 12   d  to the collapsed position in a fashion shown in  FIG. 1 ; and  FIG. 9  illustrates the pivoting of the mounting fixture  28  and attached end post  18  to and beyond the horizontal position. The locking pin  36  is not shown engaged in the locking position for purposes of brevity.  
         [0050]     In  FIG. 8 , the detent pin  32  and the pivot pin  30  engage both the slotted tubular base  26  and the mounting fixture  28  of the pivot assembly  24 , and the pivot assembly  24  engages the post receiver  58   a  of the base  14   a . Such an arrangement causes the mounting fixture  28  and connected end post  18  to maintain a vertically oriented position, thereby keeping a collapsible safety rail assembly  12   a - 12   b  in the erect and protective mode of operation.  
         [0051]     In  FIG. 9 , the detent pin  32  is shown disengaged from the holes  42  of the slotted tubular base  26  and from the detent pin hole  54  of the reduced radius shaft  48  to allow pivoting of the mounting fixture  28  about the co-located pivot pin hole  52  of the reduced radius shaft  48  and the pivot pin  30 . Such pivoting allows repositioning of the mounting fixture  28  and connected end post  18  of a collapsible safety rail assembly  12   c - 12   d  to a collapsed and minimum viewable profile position, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Understandably, parallel operation and manipulation at another of the bases  14   a - 14   e  at the other end of an associated collapsible safety rail assembly  12   c - 12   d  would occur simultaneously to allow such repositioning of a collapsible safety rail assembly  12   c - 12   d . Erection of the collapsible safety rail assembly  12   c - 12   d  is accomplished in reverse order. The use of pivot assemblies  24  can also be incorporated into use with the post receivers  58   a - 58   d  of the bases  14   a - 14   d  to provide for collapsing of other related structures, such as, but not limited to, unshown latching posts, gate posts, and the like.  
         [0052]      FIG. 10 , an alternative embodiment, is an exploded view of a pivot assembly  80  which could be utilized in lieu of pivot assemblies  24   a  and  24   b  of  FIG. 1  shown in relationship to the lower region of an end post  82  which can be utilized in lieu of end post  18  (and  16 ) to, in part, form collapsible safety rail assemblies generally similar to collapsible safety rail assemblies  12   a - 12   d . The pivot assembly  80  has major structural components including a stationary tubular base  84  and a vertically aligned mounting fixture  86  resembling a channel having panels  86   a ,  86   b  and  86   c . Opposed pivot pin holes  88  extend through the upper region of the panels  86   a  and  86   c , respectively. A pivot pin  30   a  extends through the opposed pivot pin holes  88   a . A detent pin  32   a  is secured to the mounting fixture  86  by a lanyard  34   a  and ring  35   a . Opposed detent pin holes  90  align above the opposed pivot pin holes  88  and extend through the upper regions of the panels  86   a  and  86   c , respectively, for accommodation of the detent pin  32   a . The detent pin  32   a  includes a spring-loaded ball  33   a . Also shown is another locking pin  36   a  including suitable hardware for securing of the pivot assembly  80  to one of the bases  14   a - 14   e.    
         [0053]     The end post  82  includes opposed pivot pin holes  92  at the lower edge thereof and opposed detent pin holes  94  aligned above the opposed pivot pin holes  92 . The lower portion of the end post  82  includes radiused edges  96   a  and  96   b  which accommodate rotation of the lower region of the end post  82  to provide clearance with the panel  86   b  at the rear of the mounting fixture  86 .  
         [0054]     The tubular base  84  includes locking pin holes  44   a  which extend through the lower region of the tubular base  84  for accommodation of the locking pin  36   a  when securing the pivot assembly  80  to a base  14   a - 14   e . The radius of the tubular base  84  and of the end post  82  is nearly as large as the distance between inside surfaces of the panels  86   a  and  86   c  of the mounting fixture  86 . Such a relationship allows for robustness and maximizes the structural integrity about the mounting fixture  86  by providing sufficient structural mass about the opposed pivot holes  92  extending through the lower portion of the end post  82 . The opposed pivot holes  92  accommodate the pivot pin  30   a  and the opposed detent pin holes  94  provide for accommodation of the detent pin  32   a.    
         [0055]      FIG. 11  is an assembled view of elements of  FIG. 10  where the tubular base  84  is attached to the mounting fixture  86 , such as by welding, riveting, the use of fasteners, or other suitable methods. The tubular base  84  attaches to the bases  14   a - 14   e  by use of the locking pin  36   a  in a manner previously described. The end post  82  secures to the mounting fixture  86  by the use of the pivot pin  30   a  which extends through the opposed pivot pin holes  88  of the mounting fixture  86  and the opposed pivot pin holes  92  of the end post  82  and is peened over to secure therein. The detent pin  32   a  assists in securing of the end post  82  to the mounting fixture  86 . The detent pin  32   a  extends through the opposed detent pin holes  90  of the mounting fixture  86  and through the opposed detent pin holes  94  of the end post  82  and is secured therein by the spring-loaded ball  33   a.    
         [0056]      FIG. 12  is a cross section view of the pivot assembly  80  substantially along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 11  showing the relationship of the mounting fixture  86 , the attached end post  82 , and the attached tubular base  84 . The end post  82  is pivoted about the pivot pin  30   a  as shown in dashed lines to position the end post  82  in the same manner shown for the collapsible safety rail assemblies  12   c - 12   d  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , to provide for minimum viewable profile. The radiused edges  96   a  and  96   b  of the end post  82  are easily accommodated by and maintain clearance with the panel  86   b  of the mounting fixture  86  to permit sufficient rotation of the end post  82  within mounting fixture  86 , as there is no interfering or conflicting geometry. The vertical spacing between the top of the tubular base  84  and the end post  82  is of sufficient dimension to allow rotation of the end post  82  below the horizontal aspect to allow the top horizontal rail of the collapsible safety rail assemblies which are generally similar to collapsible safety rail assemblies  12   a - 12   d  to contact and rest upon the general horizontal surface upon which the collapsible safety rail system  10  is utilized.  
         [0057]     Operation of the alternative embodiment is similar in many fashions to the operation of the preferred embodiment. The detent pin  32   a  is removed to allow pivoting of the end post  82  about the pivot pin  30   a  in order to maneuver a collapsible safety rail assembly similar in most respects to the collapsible safety rail assemblies  12   a - 12   d.    
         [0058]     Various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the apparent scope hereof.  
       Parts List  
       [0059]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 10 
                 collapsible safety 
               
               
                   
                   
                 rail system 
               
               
                   
                 12a-d 
                 collapsible safety 
               
               
                   
                   
                 rail assemblies 
               
               
                   
                 13 
                 wall section 
               
               
                   
                 14a-e 
                 bases 
               
               
                   
                 15 
                 roof 
               
               
                   
                 16 
                 end post 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 end post 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 top horizontal rail 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 bottom horizontal 
               
               
                   
                   
                 rail 
               
               
                   
                 23 
                 instruction storage 
               
               
                   
                   
                 tube 
               
               
                   
                 24 
                 pivot assembly 
               
               
                   
                 24a-b 
                 pivot assemblies 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 slotted tubular base 
               
               
                   
                 27 
                 inside surface 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 mounting fixture 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 pivot pin 
               
               
                   
                 30a 
                 pivot pin 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 detent pin 
               
               
                   
                 32a 
                 detent pin 
               
               
                   
                 33 
                 spring-loaded ball 
               
               
                   
                 33a 
                 spring-loaded ball 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 lanyard 
               
               
                   
                 34a 
                 lanyard 
               
               
                   
                 35 
                 ring 
               
               
                   
                 35a 
                 ring 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 locking pin 
               
               
                   
                 36a 
                 locking pin 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 slot 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 pivot pin hole 
               
               
                   
                 42 
                 detent pin hole 
               
               
                   
                 44 
                 locking pin hole 
               
               
                   
                 44a 
                 locking pin hole 
               
               
                   
                 46 
                 end post mount 
               
               
                   
                 48 
                 reduced radius shaft 
               
               
                   
                 50 
                 semispherical-shaped 
               
               
                   
                   
                 end 
               
               
                   
                 52 
                 pivot pin hole 
               
               
                   
                 53 
                 peen 
               
               
                   
                 54 
                 detent pin hole 
               
               
                   
                 56 
                 swage 
               
               
                   
                 58a-d 
                 post receivers 
               
               
                   
                 60 
                 planar top portion or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 surface 
               
               
                   
                 62a-n 
                 slots 
               
               
                   
                 64a-d 
                 cutouts 
               
               
                   
                 66a-d 
                 recessed handles 
               
               
                   
                 68 
                 curved or radiused 
               
               
                   
                   
                 upper edge 
               
               
                   
                 70a-d 
                 recesses 
               
               
                   
                 72 
                 lifting bar 
               
               
                   
                 74a-d 
                 holes 
               
               
                   
                 80 
                 pivot assembly 
               
               
                   
                 82 
                 end post 
               
               
                   
                 84 
                 tubular base 
               
               
                   
                 86 
                 mounting fixture 
               
               
                   
                 86a-c 
                 panels 
               
               
                   
                 88 
                 pivot pin hole 
               
               
                   
                 90 
                 detent pin hole 
               
               
                   
                 92 
                 pivot pin hole 
               
               
                   
                 94 
                 detent pin hole 
               
               
                   
                 96a-b 
                 radiused edges