Multi-level safety net support system for high-rise construction

Abstract

A multi-level safety net support system for a structure under construction, the structure having reinforced concrete decks including a first deck and a second deck arranged above the first deck and openings provided in the decks. The system includes bearing plates arranged in an associated opening in the first deck and lateral support blocks arranged in an associated opening in the second deck. Vertical support posts are detachably secured at a bottom portion to an associated bearing plate and extend upwardly through an associated opening in the second deck. The vertical support posts are supported laterally by the lateral support blocks. Safety net support posts slidably engage the vertical support posts and outwardly extending safety net support arms are disposed at a top portion of the safety net support posts. A sheet of flexible netting is secured to at least two of the safety net support arms.

1 . A multi-level safety net support system for a structure under construction, the structure having a plurality of reinforced concrete decks with a plurality of openings provided in the decks, the plurality of decks including a first deck and a second deck arranged above the first deck, the system comprising:
 a) a plurality of bearing plates, each of said plurality of bearing plates arranged in an associated opening in the first deck and comprising a flange portion larger than the associated opening;   b) a plurality of lateral support blocks, each of said plurality of lateral support blocks arranged in an associated opening in the second deck;   c) a plurality of vertical support posts, each of said plurality of vertical support posts being detachably secured at a bottom portion to an associated bearing plate of said plurality of bearing plates, extending upwardly through an associated opening in the second deck and being supported laterally by an associated lateral support block of said plurality of lateral support blocks;   d) a plurality of safety net support posts, wherein at least a portion of each of said plurality of safety net support posts slidably engages a respective vertical support post of said plurality of vertical support posts;   e) a plurality of outwardly extending safety net support arms, each disposed at a top portion of a respective safety net support post of said plurality of safety net support posts; and   f) a sheet of flexible netting secured to at least two of said plurality of safety net support arms.   
   
   
       2 . The multi-level safety net support system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible line extending between said at least two of said plurality of safety net support arms wherein said flexible line is disposed in front of said sheet of flexible netting for preventing damage to said sheet of flexible netting. 
   
   
       3 . The multi-level safety net support system according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of vertical support posts and said plurality of safety net support posts are arranged around a perimeter of the structure. 
   
   
       4 . The multi-level safety net support system according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of vertical support posts comprises a plurality of tubular support posts and said at least a portion of each of said plurality of safety net support posts is received within an inside diameter of a respective tubular support post of said plurality of tubular support posts. 
   
   
       5 . The multi-level safety net support system according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of safety net support posts comprises a plurality of tubular safety net support posts and at least a portion of a respective vertical support post of said plurality of vertical support posts is received within an inside diameter of a respective tubular safety net support post of said plurality of tubular safety net support posts. 
   
   
       6 . The multi-level safety net support system according to  claim 1  further comprising a lateral support arm projecting outwardly from a vertical support post of said plurality of vertical support posts. 
   
   
       7 . The multi-level safety net support system according to  claim 1  further comprising a flexible support line extending between and coupled to a pair of said plurality of vertical support posts. 
   
   
       8 . The multi-level safety net system according to  claim 7 , wherein said flexible support line comprises a handrail for preventing a fall. 
   
   
       9 . The multi-level safety net system according to  claim 7 , wherein said flexible support line comprises a lifeline for arresting a fall. 
   
   
       10 . The multi-level safety net support system according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of vertical support posts and said plurality of safety net support posts each have a plurality of spaced apart openings therethrough for receiving a respective fastener, said respective fastener for securing a safety net support post of said plurality of safety net support posts to a respective vertical support post of said plurality of vertical support posts. 
   
   
       11 . A method for providing a multi-level safety net support system for a structure under construction, the structure having a plurality of reinforced concrete decks with a plurality of openings provided in the decks, the plurality of decks including a first deck and a second deck arranged above the first deck, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) arranging each of a plurality of bearing plates in an associated opening in the first deck, wherein said bearing plates comprise a flange portion larger than the associated opening in the first deck;   b) arranging each of a plurality of vertical support posts so as to extend upwardly from the first deck through an associated opening in the second deck;   c) detachably securing a bottom portion of said vertical support posts to an associated bearing plate of said plurality of bearing plates;   d) arranging each of a plurality of lateral support blocks in an associated opening in the second deck for laterally supporting an associated vertical support post of said plurality of vertical support posts;   e) securing each of a plurality of safety net support posts to a respective vertical support post of said plurality of vertical support posts, each of said plurality of safety net support posts having an outwardly extending safety net support arm disposed at a top portion thereof; and   f) securing a sheet of flexible netting to at least two of said safety net support arms.   
   
   
       12 . A multi-level safety net support system for a structure under construction, the structure having a plurality of reinforced concrete decks with a plurality of openings provided in the decks, the plurality of decks including a first deck and a second deck arranged above the first deck, the system comprising:
 a) a plurality of bearing plates, each of said plurality of bearing plates arranged in an associated opening in the first deck and comprising a flange portion larger than the associated opening;   b) a plurality of lateral support blocks, each of said plurality of lateral support blocks arranged in an associated opening in the second deck;   c) a plurality of vertical support posts, each of said plurality of vertical support posts being detachably secured at a bottom portion to an associated bearing plate of said plurality of bearing plates, extending upwardly through an associated opening in the second deck and being supported laterally by an associated lateral support block of said plurality of lateral support blocks;   d) a plurality of outwardly extending safety net support arms, each disposed at a top portion of a respective vertical support post of said plurality of vertical support posts; and   e) a sheet of flexible netting secured to at least two of said plurality of safety net support arms.   
   
   
       13 . The multi-level safety net support system according to  claim 12 , further comprising a flexible line extending between said at least two of said plurality of safety net support arms wherein said flexible line is disposed in front of said sheet of flexible netting for preventing damage to said sheet of flexible netting. 
   
   
       14 . The multi-level safety net support system according to  claim 12 , wherein said plurality of vertical support posts are arranged around a perimeter of the structure. 
   
   
       15 . The multi-level safety net support system according to  claim 12  further comprising a lateral support arm projecting outwardly from a vertical support post of said plurality of vertical support posts. 
   
   
       16 . The multi-level safety net support system according to  claim 12  further comprising a flexible support line extending between and coupled to a pair of said plurality of vertical support posts. 
   
   
       17 . The multi-level safety net system according to  claim 16 , wherein said flexible support line comprises a handrail for preventing a fall. 
   
   
       18 . The multi-level safety net system according to  claim 16 , wherein said flexible support line comprises a lifeline for arresting a fall.