Safety rail

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.

1 . A safety rail system comprising:
 (a) a first support comprising:
 (i) a first joist support; 
 (ii) first means for fastening said first joist support to a first joist; 
 (iii) a first shaft coupled to said first joist support; and 
 (iv) a first rail retainer coupled to said first shaft. 
   (b) a second support comprising:
 (i) a second joist support; 
 (ii) second means for fastening said second joist support to a second joist; 
 (iii) a second shaft coupled to said second joist support; and 
 (iv) a second rail retainer coupled to said second shaft. 
   (c) a rail coupled to said first rail retainer and to said second rail retainer.   
   
   
       2 . The safety rail system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cantilevered lip support. 
   
   
       3 . The safety rail system of  claim 2 , wherein said first fastening means comprises means for compressing said first joist support and said third joist support against said first joist. 
   
   
       4 . The safety rail system of  claim 3 , wherein said first fastening means comprises a bolt coupled between said first joist support and said third joist support. 
   
   
       5 . The safety rail system of  claim 4 , wherein a shank of said bolt is secured below said first joist. 
   
   
       6 . The safety rail system of  claim 1 , wherein said first shaft is less than two meters in length. 
   
   
       7 . The safety rail system of  claim 1 , further comprising means for fastening said rail to said rail retainer. 
   
   
       8 . The safety rail system of  claim 3 , further comprising a bridge coupling said first joist support and said third joist support. 
   
   
       9 . The safety rail system of  claim 8 , further comprising a cantilevered lip support coupled to said bridge. 
   
   
       10 . A safety rail post comprising:
 (a) a shaft at least one meter in length;   (b) a first plate at least four centimeters long coupled to said shaft;   (c) a second plate at least four centimeters long coupled to said shaft;   (d) wherein said first plate and said second plate are positioned substantially parallel to one another at least one centimeter apart; and   (e) means for releasably securing said first plate to said second plate.   
   
   
       11 . The safety rail post of  claim 10 , further comprising a cantilevered lip support coupled to said shaft wherein said cantilevered lip support is at least one centimeter long. 
   
   
       12 . The safety rail post of  claim 11 , wherein said cantilevered lip support is positioned substantially perpendicular to said shaft and substantially perpendicular to said first plate. 
   
   
       13 . The safety rail post of  claim 10 , further comprising means for moving said first plate toward said second plate. 
   
   
       14 . The safety rail post of  claim 10 , wherein said shaft is less than two meters in length. 
   
   
       15 . The safety rail post of  claim 10 , further comprising a first rail retainer coupled to said shaft. 
   
   
       16 . The safety rail post of  claim 15 , further comprising a second rail retainer coupled to said shaft. 
   
   
       17 . The safety rail post of  claim 16 , further comprising a first rail coupled to said first rail retainer and a second rail coupled to said second rail retainer. 
   
   
       18 . A safety rail post comprising:
 (a) a shaft between one and two meters in length;   (b) a first plate coupled to said shaft, wherein said first plate is at least four centimeters in length;   (c) a second plate coupled to said shaft, wherein said second plate is at least four centimeters in length;   (d) wherein said first plate is located substantially parallel to said second plate, between two and eight centimeters from said second plate;   (e) means for biasing said first plate toward said second plate; and   (f) a rail releasably secured to said shaft.   
   
   
       19 . The safety rail post of  claim 18 , further comprising a cantilevered lip support coupled to said shaft, wherein said cantilevered lip support is at least one centimeter long, and wherein said cantilevered lip support is positioned substantially perpendicular to said shaft and substantially perpendicular to said first plate. 
   
   
       20 . The safety rail post of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 (a) a joist secured between said first plate and said second plate; and   (b) a rim joist secured perpendicular to said joist in contact with said cantilevered lip support.