Collapsible safety rail system

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 a divisional of and claims benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 149,569, filed Jun. 10, 2005, which 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]Pr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a collapsible safety rail system that is portable and can be used in elevated or other work areas to provide fall protection. The system includes collapsible safety rail assemblies and heavy bases that support the safety rail assemblies. The safety rail assemblies have pivot assemblies and can be pivoted to a flat position to reduce visibility. The system is stable and can be permanently secured to a surface. The technical effects of the invention include providing a versatile and portable safety rail system that can be adapted to different work areas and ensuring stability and safety in the face of human hazards.

Problems solved by technology

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.

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.

If an individual neglects to don the harness and connect the safety line, then the attributes of such an active system are not realized.

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