Patent Publication Number: US-2007102241-A1

Title: Net system

Description:
BACKGROUND  
      The present invention relates generally to an apparatus used for maintaining a safe work environment, more particularly, to an apparatus that comprises a net system that maintains a safe work area for construction crews, members of the public, and property that are near a building undergoing construction or renovations. Specifically, the present invention utilizes a safety net system that is coupled to a building or structure and includes a cantilever arm that rotates between an open and closed position for maintenance on the net, protection of the net system in inclement weather, and added protection of the crew members, members of the public, and property.  
      A crew maintaining, renovating, or constructing a high-rise building or structure must deal with many hazards in the work environment. Members of the crew on the ground and in the air must be constantly aware of their surroundings to prevent injuries from falls or falling objects. Additionally, the public on the premises of a construction project must be aware of potentially hazardous situations, such as dropped objects falling from above that could cause bodily injury or property damage.  
      One way to ensure protection of the crew, public, and property is to install a safety net system that surrounds the perimeter of a building or structure near the area where objects may fall. However, it may be difficult to install a safety net system around a building while still allowing clearance between the net system and the building so that work can be done on the building exterior. Because a safety net system may hinder work on the outside of the building, the crew may not install a safety net system causing the potential for serious injury or damage to result.  
      The present invention provides crew members with a way to install a safety net system that provides clearance between the building and the net system. The present invention is a perimeter net system that includes at least one mounting apparatus, at least one cantilever arm, and a net. A net is coupled to an end of the cantilever arms such that the net adjusts as the cantilever arms rotate, and they form a barrier around the structure. The opposite ends of the cantilever arms are rotatably coupled to the mounting apparatuses that are coupled to a structure.  
      Currently, there are devices that use nets attached to buildings or structures to protect people working on maintenance or construction crews, the members of the public, and property on the ground that could be damaged by falling objects. However, each of these devices suffers from several disadvantages. First, the devices do not provide enough clearance between the net and the exterior of the building to allow crews to work. Second, the devices do not rotate allowing the net to be repaired or protected from inclement weather conditions such as wind. Finally, the devices are difficult to install. The devices contain many parts and require a difficult multi-step process including using a staging around the building or structure.  
      Presently, there is no net system that encompasses a building and provides adequate clearance between the net and exterior of the building while still providing an easy way to repair and protect the net. For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a device that would allow construction crews to easily install and repair a net system that encompasses a building while still allowing the crew to work on the exterior of the building.  
     SUMMARY  
      The present invention is directed to a device that satisfies the needs of providing a net system that encompasses the exterior of a building, providing a net system that allows sufficient clearance between the net and the exterior of the building to which it is attached, providing a net system that allows for ventilation, providing a net system that is rotatable so that installation can be done without staging, providing a net system that can be protected from inclement weather conditions such as high winds, providing a net system that extends past the reach of workers to prevent vandalism, and providing a net system that prevents objects from being thrown or blown off of buildings or structures.  
      A net system having features of the present invention comprises at least one mounting apparatus, at least one cantilever arm, and a net. The cantilever arms include a first end and a second end, where the first ends of the cantilever arms are coupled to the mounting apparatuses such that the cantilever arms rotate. Moreover, the mounting apparatuses are coupled to a structure. The second ends of the cantilever arms are coupled to a net that adjusts between and open position and a closed position as the cantilever arm rotates and forms a barrier around the structure.  
      It is an object of the present invention to provide a net system that encompasses the exterior of a building.  
      It is a further object of the present invention to provide a net system that provides sufficient clearance between the net and the exterior of the building.  
      It is a further object of the present invention to provide a net system that allows for ventilation.  
      It is a further object of the present invention to provide a net system that rotates so that installation of the net system can be done without staging.  
      It is a further object of the present invention to provide a net system that can be protected from inclement weather conditions and high winds.  
      It is a further object of the present invention to provide a net system that extends past the reach of workers on the building to prevent vandalism.  
      It is a further object of the present invention to provide a net system that prevents objects from being thrown or blown off of structures.  
      The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to it structure and its operation together with the additional object and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art or arts. If any other meaning is intended, the specification will specifically state that a special meaning is being applied to a word or phrase. Likewise, the use of the words “function” or “means” in the Description of Preferred Embodiments is not intended to indicate a desire to invoke the special provision of 35 U.S.C.§112, paragraph 6 to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C.§112, paragraph 6 are sought to be invoked to define the invention(s), the claims will specifically state the phrases “means for” or “step for” and a function, without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material, or act in support of the function.  
      Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C.§112, paragraph  6  are invoked to define the inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function, along with any and all known or later developed equivalent structures, materials, or acts for performing the claimed function.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  shows a side view of the net system with the cantilever arms and net in the open position and attached to the structure with clamp mounts. A swing stage is shown positioned between the net and the exterior of the structure.  
       FIG. 2  shows an alternate embodiment of the net system as in  FIG. 1  attached to the structure with a mounting plate.  
       FIG. 3  shows a side view the net system as in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 4  shows an alternate embodiment of the net system as in  FIG. 1  attached to the structure with a parapet clamp mount.  
       FIG. 5  shows an alternate embodiment of the net system as in  FIG. 1  attached to the structure with an eyebolt.  
       FIG. 6  shows an alternate embodiment of the net system as in  FIG. 1  attached to the structure with a web mount.  
       FIG. 7  shows the net system as in  FIG. 1  in the closed position with the cantilever arm in a vertical position and the net in a vertical position against the structure. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      A side view of a net system  100  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The preferred embodiment of the net system  100  is comprised of at least one mounting apparatus  200 , at least one cantilever arm  300 , and a net  400 . These components work together to create a net system  100  that encompasses a structure  500  while still allowing sufficient clearance between the net  400  and the structure  500  for a swing stage  600  or other types of construction equipment to easily move.  
      Cantilever arms  300  and mounting apparatuses  200  are positioned around the building or structure in an arrangement where the cantilever aims  300  support a net system  100  around the exterior of a building or structure. The net system  100  comprises multiple large nets  400  that are coupled to the second ends  310  of the cantilever arms  300  with fasteners  350 . Further, the large nets  400  are connected to each other with fasteners such as hooks, loops, wire, or rope and form a continuous protective barrier around the building or structure. While the net system  100  can encompass the entire building or structure, it is also possible to place the net system  100  around a smaller area if desired.  
      The first ends  320  of the cantilever arms  300  are attached to the mounting apparatus  200  with pivot pins  330  and rotate around the axis of the pivot pin  330  between an open and closed position. This configuration allows the net  400  to be deployed at various angles. When in the closed position, the net  400  is against the structure  500 . When in the open position, the net  400  is deployed at some angle between the closed position and 90°. The mounting apparatuses  200  attach the cantilever arms  300  and the net  400  to the structure  500  ultimately providing protection to the crew, members of the public, and property below the structure  500  from falling objects. Additionally, the adjustability of the net  400  ensures that the net  400  is easily repaired and protected from inclement weather conditions and high winds.  
       FIGS. 2-6  show side views of alternate embodiments of the net system  100  attached to structures  500  with various mounting apparatuses  200 , and the net  400  in the open position. In  FIG. 2 , the mounting apparatus  200  is a mounting plate  210 . The mounting plate  210  attaches to one side of the beam structure  500  with fasteners  220 , such as bolts or pins. A pivot pin  330  couples the cantilever arm  300  to the mounting plate  210  so that the cantilever arm  300  can rotate between an open and closed position.  
      In  FIG. 3 , the net system  100  is attached to the beam structure  500  with a clamp mount  230 . As described above, the clamp mount  230  is attached to the structure  500  with fasteners  220 , such as bolts or pins. The clamp mount  230  fits around the edge of the beam structure  500  and can be adjusted to fit various size beams. The clamp mount  230  comprises separate top and bottom pieces that are adjustably connected. When the desired width of the clamp mount  230  is achieved, the top and bottom piece of the clamp mount  230  are secured to each other and then onto the beam structure  500 . The cantilever arm  300  is coupled to the top piece of the clamp mount  230  with a pivot pin  330  so that the cantilever arm  330  can rotate around the axis of the pivot pin  330  between an open or closed position.  
      The parapet clamp mount  240  in  FIG. 4  is similar to the clamp mount  230  in  FIG. 3 . The parapet clamp mount  240  attaches around the edge of a parapet wall structure  500  and can be adjusted to fit parapet walls of varying sizes. The parapet clamp mount  240  can also include two separate pieces that are adjusted and then secured together like the clamp mount  230 . Fasteners  220 , such as bolts or pins attach the parapet clamp mount  240  to the parapet wall structure  500 . Moreover, a pivot pin  330  attaches the cantilever arm  300  to one piece of the parapet clamp mount  240  so that the cantilever arm  300  can rotate between an open and closed position. The parapet clamp mount  240  is preferred when the structure  50  consists of a parapet wall such as around a roof of a building.  
       FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of the net system  100  where the cantilever arm  300  is attached to the beam structure  500  with an eyebolt  250 . The eyebolt  250  is a preferred embodiment because it can be left in the beam structure  500  after the net system  100  is removed and used for future applications. The cantilever arm  300  attaches to the eyebolt  250  with a wire  340 . The wire  340  is inserted through the eyebolt  250  and attached to both sides of the second end  320  of the cantilever arm  300  with fasteners  255 , such as bolts or pins. This configuration allows the cantilever arm  300  to rotate between an open and closed position.  
       FIG. 6  depicts the net system  100  attached to the beam structure  500  with a web mount  260 . The web mount  260  is made of a material that can be cut off when the net system  100  is no longer needed on the structure  500 . This type of mounting apparatus  200  leaves a small repair area and is preferred when minor cosmetic damage is necessary. The web mount  260  material attaches to both sides of the cantilever arm  300  and to both sides of the structure beam  500  while still allowing the cantilever arm  300  to rotate between an open and closed position. The web mount is secured to the structure  500  and cantilever arm  300  by either integrally attaching the web mount  260  into the structure  500  or by attaching the web mount  260  to the structure  500  with an eyebolt.  
      As shown in  FIG. 7 , when the cantilever arm  300  is in the closed position, the net  400  is against the structure  500 . This arrangement allows the net  400  to be easily repaired by a crew on the structure  500  and protected from inclement weather and high winds. A clamp mount  220  is shown as the mounting apparatus  200  in  FIG. 7 , but any mounting apparatus  200  disclosed in  FIGS. 2-6  could be used in its place. When in the closed position, the cantilever arm  300  is secured with a rope or tie so that it will stay in place.  
      The preferred embodiment of the invention is described above, in the Drawings, and Description of Preferred Embodiments. While these descriptions directly describe the above embodiments, it is understood that those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/or variations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Any such modifications or variations that fall within the purview of this description are intended to be included therein as well. Unless specifically noted, it is the intention of the inventor that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meanings to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art(s). The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment and best mode of the invention known to the applicant at the time of filing the application has been presented and is intended for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in the light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.