Abstract:
A safety rail system for protection of workers at construction sites. The system uses removable posts secured to joists supporting balconies, decking and the like. The safety rail system can be installed and removed using standard tools. The system uses standard rails, removably secured to the posts which are preconfigured to meet existing code regulations. The improved rail system reduces undesired deconstruction of the safety rail system, but allows for ease of removal and replacement.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates in general to a safety rail and, more particularly to a temporary safety rail system used during construction. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    It is known in the art to construct temporary safety rails on balconies, decks and the like to prevent workers from falling. Occupational Safety and Health Administration codes often require the use of safety railing during construction to protect workers. In many situations, temporary railing may be built and then later torn down when the permanent rail is to be installed. One drawback associated with such prior art temporary railing is the time and cost associated with constructing and removing the railing. This time and cost becomes a significant factor in situations where materials must be loaded and unloaded, requiring the railing to be constructed and removed several times during the construction process. 
         [0005]    Another drawback associated with such prior art systems is the damage such temporary railing systems may inflict on decorative deck floors and the like. Yet another drawback associated with prior art temporary railing systems is that they are typically constructed of standard building materials, sometimes depleting supplies required for other portions of the construction. Another drawback associated with using standard building materials is that workers are often tempted to remove portions of the temporary railing system to use the construction materials in other parts of the construction. 
         [0006]    Still another drawback associated with such temporary railings is the inconsistency in construction methods and materials used. As many codes require specific specifications for such temporary railings, additional time must be taken to insure compliance to avoid the risk of danger to construction workers and/or serious fines. It would, therefore, be desirable to provide a temporary railing system which may be easily installed and removed, and which meets code requirements for temporary railings. 
         [0007]    The difficulties encountered in the prior art discussed hereinabove are substantially eliminated by the present improved safety rail. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In an advantage provided by this improved safety rail, an inexpensive, durable system for constructing a safety rail at construction sites is provided. 
         [0009]    Advantageously, this improved safety rail system provides a reusable safety rail system which may be quickly constructed and removed as desired. 
         [0010]    Advantageously, this improved safety rail system provides a safety rail of consistent dimensions which may be used with a plurality of construction designs. 
         [0011]    Advantageously, this improved safety rail system provides a safety rail which is of a strong and lightweight construction. 
         [0012]    Advantageously, this improved safety rail system provides a safety rail which frustrates the undesired scavenging of the safety rail for other construction projects. 
         [0013]    Advantageously, this improved safety rail system provides a safety rail which may be quickly and easily installed and removed using standard tools. 
         [0014]    Advantageously, this improved safety rail system provides a safety rail which is adjustable to accommodate various types of construction projects. 
         [0015]    Advantageously, this improved safety rail system provides a safety rail which is of a low-maintenance, long-lasting design. 
         [0016]    Advantageously, in a preferred example of this improved safety rail system, posts are provided with leg plates which straddle joists associated with a balcony or deck under construction. The posts have rail retainers which accommodate standard construction materials for use as rails. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the post of the improved safety rail system; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the improved safety rail system installed at a construction site; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the anchor of the improved safety rail system, secured to a joist and rim joist; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the improved safety rail system in partial phantom; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the improved safety rail system secured to a narrow joist. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0023]    Referring to the figures, a safety rail post is shown generally as ( 10 ) in  FIG. 1 . The post includes a hollow steel bar ( 12 ), having sides approximately 7.5 centimeters in length. The bar ( 12 ) is preferably between 0.5 and 2.0 centimeters in length, more preferably between 1.0 and 1.5 centimeters in length, and most preferably approximately 115.0 centimeters in length. Welded to the bar ( 12 ) are a first rail retainer ( 14 ), a second rail retainer ( 16 ), and a third rail retainer ( 17 ). The rail retainers ( 14 ), ( 16 ) and ( 17 ) are preferably constructed of flat steel and are welded or otherwise secured to the bar ( 12 ). The rail retainers ( 14 ), ( 16 ) and ( 17 ) form slots ( 18 ), ( 20 ) and ( 21 ) approximately 4.5 centimeters wide and approximately 10.0 centimeters high. While the slots ( 18 ), ( 20 ) and ( 21 ) may be of any suitable dimension to accommodate rails ( 22 ), ( 24 ) and ( 25 ) of any suitable dimension, the slots ( 18 ), ( 20 ) and ( 21 ) are preferably designed to accommodate a standard “2×4” rail ( 22 ). ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The rail retainers ( 14 ), ( 16 ) and ( 17 ) are each preferably provided with two holes ( 26 ), ( 28 ), ( 30 ), ( 32 ), ( 33 ) and ( 35 ) to accommodate screws ( 34 ), ( 36 ), ( 38 ), ( 40 ), ( 41 ) and ( 43 ) to secure the rails ( 22 ), ( 24 ) and ( 25 ) within the slots ( 18 ), ( 20 ) and ( 21 ). The screws ( 34 ), ( 36 ), ( 38 ), ( 40 ), ( 41 ) and ( 43 ) may be of any suitable type known in the art. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the bar ( 12 ) is welded or otherwise secured to a footplate ( 42 ) which is a steel plate having a width of approximately 7.6 centimeters and a length of approximately 20.0 centimeters. The footplate ( 42 ) is welded approximately 1.9 centimeters below the third rail retainer ( 17 ) to accommodate a standard piece of decking plywood ( 45 ) therebetween. The footplate ( 42 ) forms a bridge between a first leg plate ( 44 ) and a second leg plate ( 46 ) welded thereto. Alternatively, the leg plates ( 44 ) and ( 46 ) may be welded directly to the bar ( 12 ). The leg plates ( 44 ) and ( 46 ) are preferably 15.2 centimeters wide and 30.4 centimeters long. The leg plates ( 44 ) and ( 46 ) are welded or otherwise secured to the footplate ( 42 ) flush with one end ( 48 ) of the footplate ( 42 ) to create a lip ( 48 ) cantilevered beyond the leg plates ( 44 ) and ( 46 ) approximately 5.0 centimeters. Alternatively, a lip ( 48 ) may be welded directly to the bar ( 12 ). 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the leg plates ( 44 ) and ( 46 ) are provided with three sets of holes ( 50 ), ( 52 ) and ( 54 ). The sets of holes ( 50 ), ( 52 ) and ( 54 ) are preferably provided toward the sides of the leg plates ( 44 ) and ( 46 ) opposite the lip ( 48 ). The first set of holes ( 50 ) is preferably provided with the top of the first hole ( 56 ) 17.8 centimeters from the footplate ( 42 ), and the top of the second hole ( 58 ) 18.4 centimeters from the footplate ( 42 ). For the second set of holes ( 52 ) the top of the first hole ( 60 ) is preferably 22.9 centimeters below the footplate ( 42 ) and the top of the second hole ( 62 ) is preferably 23.5 centimeters below the footplate ( 42 ). For the third set of holes ( 54 ), the top of the first hole ( 64 ) is preferably 27.9 centimeters below the footplate ( 42 ) and the top of the second hole ( 66 ) is preferably 28.6 centimeters below the footplate ( 42 ). As shown, the holes ( 56 ) and ( 58 ), ( 60 ) and ( 62 ), and ( 64 ) and ( 66 ) are preferably slightly offset from one another to prevent proximity of the holes ( 56 ), ( 58 ), ( 60 ), ( 62 ), ( 64 ) and ( 66 ) weakening the leg plates ( 44 ) and ( 46 ). 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , when it is desired to utilize the post ( 10 ) of the present invention, the leg plates ( 44 ) and ( 46 ) are provided around a decking joist ( 68 ). A bolt and nut assembly ( 70 ) is then secured through the holes ( 66 ) in the leg plates ( 44 ) and ( 46 ) and secured thereto. Preferably, the bolt and nut assembly ( 70 ) is tightened to squeeze the leg plates ( 44 ) and ( 46 ) against the decking joist ( 68 ). 
         [0027]    As shown, the leg plates ( 44 ) and ( 46 ) are also provided with a center hole ( 72 ). Preferably, a hole is drilled through the decking joist ( 68 ) at a point aligned with the center hole ( 72 ) to allow a bolt and nut assembly ( 74 ) to be secured through the center hole ( 72 ). The bolt and nut assembly ( 74 ) is then tightened to further secure the leg plates ( 44 ) and ( 46 ) to the joist ( 68 ). 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , once the leg plates ( 44 ) and ( 46 ) are secured to the decking joist ( 68 ), the lip ( 48 ) extends over the rim joist ( 76 ) to further support the post ( 10 ). Once the post ( 10 ) has been secured, a second post ( 78 ) is secured to a second joist ( 80 ) in a similar manner. While  FIG. 4  shows the post ( 10 ) and ( 78 ) secured to adjacent joists ( 68 ) and ( 80 ), in the preferred embodiment, the posts ( 10 ) and ( 78 ) are secured to joists at intervals mandated by code requirements. 
         [0029]    Once the posts ( 10 ) and ( 78 ) have been secured, the rail ( 22 ) is positioned between the first rail retainer ( 14 ) and the rail retainer ( 82 ) of the second post ( 78 ). The rail ( 22 ) is then secured to the posts ( 10 ) and ( 78 ) by screws ( 34 ), ( 36 ), ( 84 ) and ( 86 ). The holes ( 26 ) and ( 28 ) of the rail retainer ( 14 ) are preferably offset slightly to reduce fatigue. Once the rail ( 22 ) has been secured, the second rail ( 24 ) is secured to the second rail retainer ( 16 ) of the first post ( 10 ), and rail retainer ( 88 ) of the second post ( 78 ), and the third rail ( 25 ) is secured to the third rail retainer ( 17 ) of the first post ( 10 ) and rail retainer ( 89 ) of the second post ( 78 ), in a similar manner. Obviously, rails ( 22 ), ( 24 ) and ( 25 ) of any suitable dimensions and length may be secured using any desired number of posts ( 10 ) and ( 78 ). When it is desired to move the safety railing system ( 90 ) of the present invention, the rails ( 22 ), ( 24 ) and ( 25 ) are unscrewed from the rail retainers ( 14 ), ( 16 ), ( 17 ), ( 82 ), ( 88 ) and ( 89 ) and removed. Thereafter, the posts ( 10 ) and ( 78 ) are unbolted from the joists ( 68 ) and ( 80 ). The posts ( 10 ) and ( 78 ) may be reattached, as would be the case if material was to be loaded on to the deck at the point of the safety railing system ( 90 ), or may be moved to another location for construction of the safety railing system ( 90 ). 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , if it is desired to secure the post ( 10 ) midway along a joist ( 92 ), the leg plates ( 44 ) and ( 46 ) may simply be placed around the joist ( 92 ) and secured thereto utilizing the bolt and nut assembly ( 70 ). As shown, the joist ( 92 ) is narrower than in the preferred embodiment. In this instance, the upper holes ( 56 ) may be used to secure the nut and bolt assembly ( 70 ) to prevent undesired movement of the post ( 10 ) relative to the joist ( 92 ). As there is no rim joist available in this application, the lip ( 48 ) extends outward along the joist ( 92 ) to provide support against deviation of the post ( 10 ) from an orientation normal to the joist ( 10 ). The spacing of the sets of holes ( 50 ), ( 52 ) and ( 54 ) accommodate variations in lumber dimensions so that the post ( 10 ) may be used with any desired standard joist dimension. Of course, the leg plates ( 44 ) and ( 46 ) may be provided with holes of any configuration to allow the post ( 10 ) to be secured to joists of non-traditional dimensions. 
         [0031]    Although the improved safety rail system has been described with respect to the preferred embodiment thereof, it is also to be understood that it is not to be so limited, since changes and modifications can be made therein which are within the full, intended scope of the improved safety rail system as defined by the appended claims. For example, the bar ( 12 ) may be of any desired height or dimension, or may be constructed of any suitable material designed to meet code or construction requirements. Furthermore, it is anticipated that any number and design of rails may be used.