Weighted Base for a Mobile Stop Device, and Mobile Stop Device

The invention relates to a weight base for a mobile stop device for securing a person at risk of falling. The invention also relates to a mobile stop device with a weight base according to the present invention.

The invention is preferably used in slab formwork systems for constructing a concrete slab or slab section.

When constructing a concrete ceiling or ceiling section using a ceiling formwork system, it may be necessary for a person to work at a drop-off. This person must then be secured by means of a safety device. Safety devices are known that include a rope that is attached, on the one hand, to the person to be secured and, on the other hand, to an anchor point. Mobile stop devices are known for forming such an attachment point, which are set up freely on the work surface and secured in their position by a load.

DE 20 2011 001 953 U1 shows an example of a stop device held by a load, which has a central weight base with an attachment point for a safety rope to be attached to it. The attachment point is fixed by the weight of the device itself. In this respect, the central weight base has several modularly assembled base or bottom weights, which may in particular be containers filled with sand or water. These are distributed across several rows arranged in a star shape, so that a row is formed by several base or bottom weights lying one behind the other.

The advantage of assembling the weight pedestal in a modular fashion is that it can be disassembled into individual parts that are easier to transport. However, the disadvantage is that it takes more effort to assemble, since the individual parts have to be put together on site and, if necessary, filled with sand or water. Furthermore, many individual parts form many corners and edges on which items of clothing or parts of the safety device, in particular the rope, can get caught. Thus, many individual parts that are lined up next to each other pose a safety risk.

The present invention is concerned with the object of specifying a modular weight base for a mobile stop device that does not have the disadvantages mentioned above.

For the solution of the object, the weight base with the features of claimand the mobile stop device with the features of claimare proposed. Advantageous further developments of the invention can be found in the respective sub-claims.

The weight base proposed for a mobile stop device for securing a person at risk of falling has a base body with several arms arranged at angles to one another, as well as weights as a load. The weights are held at least in sections in the arms, which in this respect are designed at least in sections in a U-shaped, T-shaped, double-T-shaped or tubular cross-section.

In the proposed weight base, the weights are integrated into the base body. This does not mean that the base body encloses the weights on all sides. The weights can also be partially exposed. This is the case, for example, if the arms for the reception of the weights are U-, T-or double-T-shaped and the weights are inserted into the respective free spaces. By integrating the weights into the arms, the advantages of modular assembling can be utilized without the safety risk mentioned at the beginning of this article due to a large number of individual parts arranged in a row. This is because when the weights are integrated into the base body, the base body essentially determines the external dimensions. This means that protruding corners and edges that could pose a safety risk are avoided.

The integration of the weights into the base body or the arms of the base body also has the advantage that the weight base can be designed to be comparatively flat. If the weights are arranged on or under the arms of the base body, the height of the weights is added to the height of the arms, so that the overall height of the weight base increases. The flat design in turn leads to a low center of gravity of the weight base, so that its stability increases.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the arms are each designed with a U-shaped, T-shaped, double-T-shaped or tubular cross-section in an end section and the weights are received in the arms in the area of the end sections. In relation to the center of the weight base, the weights are therefore arranged eccentrically. The eccentric arrangement results in a favorable mass distribution, which further increases the stability of the weight base. In the event of a fall, the eccentric arrangement creates a maximally effective ballast lever arm that counteracts the tilting moment.

The weights are preferably designed in the form of plates and are accommodated in the arms as plate packs. This means that each arm of the base body contains several weights combined into a plate pack. The total weight of the weight base can be varied by changing the number of weights in the plate packs in the arms. The plate-shaped design of the weights makes it easier to insert and/or remove individual weights or plates.

The plate-shaped weights are preferably arranged upright in the arms as plate packs. The upright arrangement makes it easier to fix the weights in the arms, for example with the help of screw bolts that are passed through the plate pack at right angles to the plates. The fixing holds the weights securely in the base body. This is particularly advantageous if the weight base is to be transported to its place of use by crane. With the help of the crane, the weight base can be moved as a whole, eliminating the need for time-consuming assembly at the place of use.

In a further development of the invention, it is therefore proposed that the weights received in the arms are fixed in position in the arms by means of fastening means, for example by means of screw bolts. This measure ensures that no weights can fall out when the weight base is transported, for example by crane. This is because falling weights would pose an additional safety risk.

If the weights are fixed in the arms with the help of screw bolts, the upright arrangement of the plate-shaped weights ensures that the heads of the screw bolts and the nuts screwed onto the other ends of the screw bolts are located on the sides, in particular on the outside of the long sides of the arms, and not on their upper sides. The upper sides of the arms can thus be made largely flat and smooth.

It is advantageous if each arm forms a stop for the weights received in the arm. The stop facilitates the positioning of the weights when inserting them into the arm. In addition, the stop ensures that any holes formed in the weights overlap, so that a mounting means, for example a screw bolt, can be inserted into the holes.

As a further development measure, it is also proposed that the arms have undersides to which eccentrically arranged spacer elements and/or anti-slip bearing bodies made of an elastomer material are attached.

The weight base can be raised above the ground with the help of spacer elements on the underside of the arms. This is particularly advantageous if the ground is not level or if construction elements resting on the ground, such as reinforcements of prefabricated floor slabs, have to be bridged. The height of the spacer elements can be used to ensure that the base frame does not rest on the construction elements or the reinforcement.

With the help of bearing bodies made of an elastomer material, which can be arranged on the underside of the arms as an alternative or in addition to the spacer elements, an anti-slip bearing of the base frame can be achieved. Preferably, at least one bearing body made of an elastomer material is arranged under each arm of the base body, so that the weight base is only in contact with the ground via the bearing bodies. In the event of a fall, the bearing bodies made of an elastomer material also have a damping effect, as they yield and allow a slight tilting movement of the stop device.

If no spacers are needed, the bearing bodies are preferably attached directly to the underside of the arms so that the center of gravity of the weight stack is as low as possible. This is because a low center of gravity reduces the tendency to tip over and thus increases the stability of the weight stack. If spacers are needed, the bearing bodies can be attached to the spacers and indirectly attached to the arms via the spacers. Therefore, the spacers and/or bearing bodies are preferably attached to the underside of the arms in a detachable manner.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the bearing bodies be elongated and have a contact surface that is slanted or spherical in the longitudinal direction of the respective bearing body. In the event of a crash, the slanted or spherical contact surface causes the bearing body to roll on the ground if the base tilts in the longitudinal direction of a bearing body. On a damp or wet surface, this has the effect of displacing the moisture or wetness present between the bearing body and the surface, preventing a reduction in friction in the area where the bearing body comes into contact with the surface. The displacement effect thus reduces the risk of the weight base sliding towards the edge in the event of a damp or wet surface. As a result, the functional safety of the mobile stop device can be increased.

In order to be able to use the displacement effect in different tilting directions, it is proposed that several bearing bodies made of an elastomer material be arranged under each arm of the base body, arranged at an angle to each other. The angular arrangement allows the bearing bodies to be aligned in different tilting directions, so that the desired displacement effect can be achieved by the rolling movement over at least one bearing body during each tilting event. Since, when a tipping event occurs, the weight base tends to tip in a direction that either coincides with the longitudinal axis of an arm or with the angle bisector between the longitudinal axes of two adjacent arms, the preferred tipping directions are determined by the angular distances between the arms.

If spacer elements are used to raise or elevate the weight base, they should preferably be height-adjustable. For example, screw feet or telescopic legs can be used as spacer elements. Alternatively or in addition, it is suggested that the spacer elements be made of rectangular tubes. These are particularly easy to manufacture and have flat outer surfaces for contact with the arms and for the reception of the bearing bodies. Furthermore, the spacer elements can be detachably attached to the arms both via their short side and via their long side. For height adjustment, the spacer elements can then be turned through 90° around their central longitudinal axis, so that either the short side or the long side determines the height adjustment.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the arms each form a surface on their underside that slopes towards the end, so that the distance between an arm and the ground increases towards the end. When the bearing bodies are directly or indirectly attached in the area of these slopes, the slope assists in a tilting movement the rolling over the contact surface of the respective bearing body, which is preferably designed to be sloping or spherical in the tilting direction. The displacement effect can thus be further increased via the slope. The sloping surface on the underside of an arm can, for example, be formed by a floor plate that slopes or is angled at the end.

It is advantageous if the arms are designed with a stepped underside so that the distance between the base body and the ground is greater in the center than in the area of the end sections of the arms. A lifting device, for example a pallet truck, can then be inserted in the center to move the weight base.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the base body be designed with transport aids, for example in the form of crane lugs. The crane lugs can be designed as recesses in the base body, preferably as end recesses in the arms of the base body. In this case, each arm of the base body can be connected with a rope so that a good mass distribution is achieved when transporting the weight base with the help of a crane.

Alternatively or in addition, it is proposed that the base body be designed with stacking aids, for example in the form of tabs and corresponding recesses. The tabs and recesses are preferably provided on opposite sides of the base body, so that when two base bodies are stacked on top of each other, the tabs of one base body engage in the recesses of the other base body and create a form fit that prevents the two base bodies from moving relative to each other.

Preferably, the base body of a weight base according to the present invention has at least three, preferably at least four arms. The stability increases with the number of arms. Furthermore, the arms are preferably arranged in a common plane and/or at the same angular distance from one another. If the arms are in one plane, the base body can be designed to be very flat, which favors a low center of gravity. Furthermore, the upper side of the base body can be designed to be flat so that neither clothing nor parts of the safety device can get caught. If the arms are at the same angular distance from each other, the tendency to tilt is the same for all arms.

Furthermore, the base body preferably has a central part with receptions for connecting means of an anchor element with a mast for attaching a safety device, in particular a rope. The central part or parts can be designed as a separate part or integrally with the base body. The central arrangement of the anchor element including the mast also contributes to the fact that the tendency to tilt is the same in all directions, in particular equally low. In addition, depending on the design of the connecting means, a detachable connection between the anchor element and the weight base can be established via the receptions in the middle part. The detachable connection has the advantage that, according to the acceptance of the anchor element, several weight bases can be stacked on top of each other, which simplifies the transportation and/or storage of the weight base.

Furthermore, a mobile stop device for a safety device is proposed, which has a weight base according to the present invention and an anchor element connected to the weight base, with a mast for attaching the safety device, in particular a cable. The anchor element is preferably detachably connected to the weight base so that it can be removed if necessary, for example during transport and/or storage of the weight base. The connection is preferably made in the area of a central part of the base body of the weight base, so that the anchor element, including the mast, is arranged in the center with respect to the base body. The arms then form extension arms, via which the mobile stop device can optimally be supported in the event of a crash.

The anchor element preferably has mechanical connecting means for detachable connection to the weight base. For example, mechanical connecting means in the form of claws can be provided. Preferably, the claws are arranged in a movable manner so that they can be brought into latching engagement with recesses in the base body of the weight base. Alternatively, mechanical connecting means in the form of screws are provided, by means of which the anchor element is screwed or can be screwed to the base body.

As already mentioned, the mast is preferably arranged in the center of the weight base. That means that the attachment point is located in the center above the weight base. Alternatively or in addition, it is suggested that the mast be designed as a telescopic tube. This allows for the height adjustment of the attachment point if necessary. This may be necessary, for example, if spacers are arranged on the underside of the base body so that it is raised. At the same time, the center of gravity of the weight base is raised, increasing the tendency to tip over and the tipping moment. This disadvantage can be largely compensated for by reducing the height of the pole or by lowering the attachment point.

The mobile stop deviceshown inhas a weight baseand an anchor element. The anchor elementcomprises a central mast, on which a stop pointfor a safety device, in particular for a rope, is formed. At the other end, the anchor elementhas connecting means, by means of which the anchor elementis detachably connected to the weight base.

The weight basehas a base bodywith four armsas extension arms. The armsare each designed in a tubular shape for the reception of weightsin their end sections, that is, at their free ends. The weightsare integrated into the armsin the area of the end sections. This results in an eccentric arrangement of the weightsand, consequently, in a particularly favorable mass distribution.

The base bodyis mounted on bearing bodiesmade of an elastomer material that has an anti-slip effect. The bearing bodiesare each arranged under the armsat their free ends, so that the load of the weightsrests on the bearing bodies. The upper sides of the armshave recesses which, together with recesses in the weights, form crane lugs. The weight baseor the mobile stop devicecan be connected to a 4-strand crane sling in the area of the crane lugs. On the upper side, the armsalso form lugsthat serve as stacking aids. When weight basesare stacked on top of each other, the lugsof the lower weight baseengage in corresponding recessesof the weight baselocated above. This prevents the weight basesfrom moving relative to one another.

The armsof the weight baseshown inconverge in a central partwhich has receptionsfor the connecting meansof the anchor elementfor the releasable connection to the base body. The connecting meansare in the form of claws which, for the releasable connection to the base body, are inserted into the receptionsof the center partand are brought into latching engagement with the base body(see). The center sectionalso forms four clamping belt receptacles, which are each arranged laterally on the center sectionbetween two arms.

The weightsreceived in the armsare plate-shaped, wherein a plurality of plate-shaped weightseach form a plate pack received in an arm. The individual plate-shaped weightsare arranged in an upright position. The weightscan thus be inserted individually or as a plate pack into the tubular end sections of the arms. Insertion preferably takes place from the inside outwards, since—as can be seen in particular from—the armshave undersidesthat run at an angle towards the end or form surfacesthat run at an angle. In the present case, the sloping surfacesare formed by angled base plates. Each base platealso forms a stopfor the plate-shaped weights, so that the end position of the weightsis predetermined by the stop. This facilitates the insertion of bolts, by means of which the weightsare fixed in the arms. Since the weightsare held upright in the arms, the screw boltscan be arranged transversely in this respect, so that their heads and nuts screwed on at the other end come to rest on the side of the armsin each case.

The bearing bodiesare also arranged in the area of the angled base plates. As can be seen in particular from, a plurality of bearing bodiesare arranged on the undersideof each arm. These are each elongated and arranged at an angle to one another. In the area of the inclined surface, each armhas three bearing bodies. A first bearing bodyis arranged in each case in the center under the armand oriented in the longitudinal direction of the arm. The central bearing bodyis flanked by two further bearing bodies, which are each arranged at the same angular distance a from the first bearing body. The angular distance α—measured between the longitudinal axes of the bearing bodies—is 45° in the present case. The three bearing bodieseach have a contact surfacethat is convex in the longitudinal direction of the bearing bodies(see in particular). Outside the oblique surface, a further bearing body′ is attached to the floor panel, which is aligned transversely to the longitudinal direction of the armand has a flat contact surface′ (see in particular).

In the event of a crash, a tensile force F acts on the attachment point, causing a tilting moment such that the weight baseperforms a tilting movement (see). The weight basethen rolls over at least one bearing bodywith a convex contact surface. When the ground is damp or wet, this rolling motion causes a displacement effect that prevents the formation of a friction-reducing film of moisture between the bearing bodyand the ground. This reduces the risk of the weight baseslipping on a film of moisture towards the fall edge. The arrangement of the bearing bodiesin the area of the sloping surfacesfurther increases the displacement effect.

Provided that the weight basedoes not tilt, it essentially rests on the four bearing bodies′, whose contact surfaces′ are flat.

show the anchor elementand its connecting means, via which the anchor elementis detachably connected to the base body. The connecting means, which are designed as claws, are inserted into the receptionsof the center partand are brought into latching engagement with the base body. In this respect, at least one claw is designed to be movable, in particular to be pivotable.

The undersidesof the armsare designed in a stepped manner so that the distance of the base bodyfrom the ground is greater further inwards than in the area of the end sections of the armsthat receive the weights. This free space can be used for the reception of a lifting device, as shown inby way of example. The lifting devicecan be used to easily move the weight baseor the mobile stop device.

The low height of the weight baseshown contributes to a low center of gravity, which increases the stability of the weight base. However, if the weight baseor the mobile stop deviceis to be used on a thin concrete layer of a prefabricated ceilingwith reinforcement(see), the low height of the weight basecan be a disadvantage. To remedy this, the weight basecan be combined with spacer elements, which are attached to the undersideof the arms, so that the weight baseis raised.

As exemplarily shown in, the spacer elementscan be made of rectangular tubes with a short sideand a long side. For the height adjustment, the spacer elementscan then be connected to the armseither via their long side(see) or via their short side(see). This makes it possible to set two different heights. The spacer elementscan be fastened with screws, for example, so that the fastening is removable. The sloping surfaceof the angled base platepreferably serves as the contact surface. If bearing bodiesare arranged there, they are dismantled beforehand. The dismantled bearing bodiescan then be attached to the spacer elements, so that they are indirectly attached to the armsof the weight basevia the spacer elements. In this way, the displacement effect caused by the bearing bodiescan continue to be used.

Since not only the height of the reinforcementcan vary, but also the distance of the lattice girders usually used as reinforcement, a position can always be found by changing the angular position of the weight basein relation to the ground, in which the spacer elementscan be placed on the thin concrete layer of the prefabricated element ceilingbetween two lattice girders.shows a large number of different angular positions at different distances from the reinforcement.