GB2453978A

GB2453978A - Safety device for use in loading and unloading

Info

Publication number: GB2453978A
Application number: GB0720872A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vince Wetton; George Tootle; Christopher Mcreynolds
Original assignee: PCE Ltd
Current assignee: PCE Ltd
Priority date: 2007-10-24
Filing date: 2007-10-24
Publication date: 2009-04-29
Also published as: GB0720872D0

Abstract

A loading and/or unloading safety device comprises a base structure 1 to which at least two generally upright support members 14 are affixed. Each support member 14 is provided with an elongate arm 3 movable radially relative to the base structure and/or the support member and each arm 3 has a moveable retainer 4, in the form of a ring or loop, to which a harness 19 worn by a worker 5 is attached through means 18. The base 1 may have a platform area 6 at a similar height to the floor 12 of a vehicle being loaded or unloaded. The base 1 may have steps to facilitate access to the platform 6 and the platform 6 may also have a safety railing.

Description

-I-2453978

SAFETY DEVICE

This invention is concerned with a safety device, in particular a safety device to be used for loading and/or unloading events. More particularly this invention is directed to a safety device for use in loading goods onto a vehicle such as a lorry load bay, and/or for use in removing loaded goods therefrom such as items for the construction industry typically using cranes or material handlers.

With ever increasing safety awareness, and the need to protect workers against the hazards of tripping, stumbling or falling, it is desirable to optimise the safety levels of workers exposed to the risks of tripping, stumbling or falling even comparatively short heights. At the same time workers need to go about their work such as loading and unloading goods with the minimum of restriction to their freedom to operate. *.

In the loading of construction elements onto lorries or wagons, loading personnel need to be able to manipulate and position the elements for effective storage and S. S. S * * subsequent transportation whilst being free to traverse the length and width of the floor * S of the lorry or wagon, and a stationery platform adjacent the parked lorry or wagon from * SI which the lorry can be accessed. 5S5 *

They need to be able to do this with minimal risk to their health and safety from accidental falling off the lorry, wagon or platform. A similar situation prevails in respect of unloading.

It is also desirable to prevent or minimise the risk of injury to loading/unloading personnel as may result from tripping or stumbling, especially when such initial event could lead directly to a more dangerous fall to ground level or impact with some other rigid structure.

Accordingly it is desirable to provide a safety device or means which can offer loading/unloading personnel an improved degree of safety against falling without significant impediment to their freedom to operate.

It is from a consideration of existing known safety devices and means for loading/unloading personnel and their attendant drawbacks that has led to the io development of the present invention.

Accordingly the present invention provides A loading and/or unloading safety device comprising a base structure to which at least two generally upright support members are affixed, each support member provided with an elongate arm moveable radially

S

* 15 relative to the base structure and/or said support member, a movable retainer provided S. on said arm being moveable laterally relative thereto and capable of attachment to

S

personnel fastening means S * * ** Further optional and preferred features are to be found amongst the sub claims. S..

S

In order that the invention may be illustrated, more easily appreciated and readily carried into effect by those skilled in the art, an embodiment will now be described purely by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an elevation of one preferred form of safety device for loading/unloading personnel,

--

Figure 2 is a side elevation of part of the device depicted in Figure 1 Figure 3 is a plan view of the device depicted in Figure 1 including the bases of two spaced lorries, but wherein the personnel are absent.

Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figures 1 and 2 thereof, the presently preferred embodiment of safety device comprises a base structure (1) (generally) in the form of a platform suitably ballasted to prevent overturning. The base has a flat platform area (6) raised above ground level (7) and at a similar level to the floor of the adjacent vehicle (12) being loading or unloaded. The base structure has a pair of opposing sides (13) io adjacent to which the lorries can be parked. The base structure also has two pairs of steps (9) for personnel to ascend to and descend from its corresponding platform.

Additionally, as depicted in Figure 2, the base can preferably be provided with hand railing (10) which can connect with the steps and be gated or otherwise have moving components enabling access from the platform to and from the floor of the lorry (12). .SS

Once on the floor of the lorry (12), loading/unloading personnel in the form of workers a. * (5) are able to move about that floor, and the adjacent platform in a comparatively unrestricted manner. However, the present safety device incorporates safety means * as which are adapted to prevent the worker from falling off the lorry floor or off the platform **.

should they trip, stumble or fall and be exposed to that risk.

The safety components which bring this about essentially comprise a pivotable elongate arm (3) secured to an upright post (2) affixed to the platform (6) of the base (1), and providing pivotal motion of the aforesaid arm. Between two fixed stops (not shown) at each end of the arm, a ring or loop (4) is able to move. The distance between the stops can be variable if required.

The arms (3) are both provided with removable lifting lugs or plates (17) which assist assembly of the device.

The loop or ring is thus capable of linear displacement along the elongate arm and is connected to the moveable worker by means of a suitable fastening material (18) in turn attached to a harness (19) (or brace) worn by the worker (5). The height of the arm (3) above the floor of the lorry (or platform) may also be adjustable. The arm (3) is connected directly to a post (14) at 900 thereto The height of the post (14) can be varied by a series of pegs (16) projecting from the upright support post (2). Between io the post (14) and support post (2) a bearing is conveniently provided allowing the pivotal movement of the arm (3) and hence the ring or loop (4) displaceably mounted thereon The worker (5) can load/unload the panel (20) by attaching it to the crane (not shown) and the arm is capable of moving to follow or take into account movements of the worker between sides of the lorry floor (12).

S

**SS. 15 * Should the worker trip, stumble or fall, he will be prevented from hitting the ground (7) Is**** S * as the harness, fastening material and loop come into play and physically restrain the S * worker preventing this type of accident and allowing the worker to regain his * ** composure and continue the loading and/or unloading task. S..

A similar building panel (20) with window and door opening is shown at the other end of the lorry where another worker (not shown) can use the equivalent safety components described above, there being two such elongate arms to the base structure. Two such arms are preferably provided because a crane may need to be present and operate in the gap between upright posts (2). Alternatively one worker can attach to a lifting crane both ends of the load to be lifted by returning to the platform and attaching himself to the second Boom i.e the other radially moveable arm (3). -s-

Referring to Figure 3, two lorry trailers are shown each adjacent one side (13) of the base structure (1). The step ladders (9) are more readily apparent in this view and enable the loading/unloading personnel (not shown) to climb aboard the platform (6) from ground level, and from the platform reach either or both lorry floors. To facilitate access, the base structure (1) is provided with a pair of oppositely located bridge supports (11), which may be foldable with respect to the base structure and positioned to make a bridge only once the lorry to be loaded is in the proper position adjacent the side (13) of the base structure (1).

It will be appreciated that the pair of elongate arms (3) are pivotable to operate as adjustable booms, although the rotational movement of the arms may be restricted to about 192° so as not to interfere with the presence of a crane or crane components (not shown) between the two upright support posts (2). S.'

i.S.. 15 *SSS It may be preferable to have one worker loading/unloading at the front half of the lorry * S * base, whilst another worker can load/unload at the rear half of the same lorry base.

I... *. S * * S.

SS S

* It will be a simple matter for each worker to connect himself to and disconnect themself *SS from the fastening material (18). This can be resilient webbing attached at the back of the worker who may wear a conventional harness to which the fastening material can be releasably secured. As the fastening material is preferably located at the back of the worker, interference with his normal work activities are minimised because both arms and hands are left free for manipulation, loading and unloading.

As the worker moves along the lorry platform, so the moveable loop moves and if necessary the corresponding pivoting arm to which it is connected. Should the worker accidentally trip or stumble whilst on the lorry or platform, the arm and/or loop will have moved if necessary to ensure that the worker does not fall in a manner likely to cause injury and will enable the worker to resume activities.

Finally both booms are positioned parallel with vehicle to allow clear unobstructed hoisting of the load.

S *.S *** *IS*

S

IS

S

I * S * II I* I * I.

I

Claims

1) A loading and/or unloading safety device comprising a base structure to which at least two generally upright support members are affixed, each support member provided with an elongate arm moveable radially relative to the base structure and/or said support member, a movable retainer provided on said arm being moveable laterally relative thereto and capable of attachment to personnel fastening means.

2) A device as claimed in Claim 1, where the base structure comprises a plafform having a raised, generally flat surface relative to ground level.

3) A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the base structure comprises a plurality of steps. * *

* 4) A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the base structure S... *.

comprises at least one handrail assembly. * *S * . * * .. S..

5) A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the base structure is provided with at least one bridge support able to rest against a loading vehicle when present adjacent one side of the base structure.

6) A device as claimed in any preceding claim incorporating at least two such generally upright support members, each of which being provided with such an elongate arm.

7) A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the height of the or each upright support member is adjustable.

8) A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the or each elongate arm is adapted to pivot about the vertical axis of the or each support member.

9) A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the or each moveable retainer is constrained to move along only part of the length of the or each elongate arm.

1O)A device as claimed in Claim 10, in which the said part of the length is

* adjustable. *.* * *

11)A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the retainer ":4 comprises a ring or other loop configuration. * * * * * **

12)A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the retainer is coupled to a length of fastening material adapted for attachment to loading and/or unloading personnel.

13)A device as claimed in Claim 13, in which the fastening material is secured to a brace, harness or strap, suitable to be worn by loading and/or unloading personnel.

14)A loading and/or unloading safety device as claimed in any preceding claim substantially as herein described.

15)A loading and/or unloading safety device as claimed in any one of Claims I to 14, substantially as herein illustrated in any figure of the accompanying drawings.

16)A method of loading and/or unloading goods from a vehicle which involves use of a safety device as claimed in any preceding claim, and optionally use of a crane to effect at least partial movement of said goods. *

s** *I I..... * ** S * * *

S *S* *