Safety system and method for openings in concrete

Abstract

A safely device and method for construction sites provide secure and easy fastening of a sheet material over an opening in a concrete slab. By covering the opening, injuries and other risks posed by openings can be avoided. Holes are formed through the concrete around the opening and then a two part fastener is used to securely hold the sheet material (e.g., plywood).

1 . A method for securing an opening in a concrete slab, comprising:
 forming a plurality of through-holes around the perimeter of the opening while fabricating the concrete slab; and   attaching a sheet material over the opening by passing a respective bolt through each of the through-holes to extend from beneath the concrete slab and securing each respective boll with a nut; wherein, each respective bolt has a bent portion that overlaps a portion the sheet material and each respective nut attaches to each respective bolt underneath the concrete slab.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each respective bolt and nut attach via threads. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each respective nut is configured to be tightenable using a hammer. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each respective bolt is rotatable within its through hole so as to allow the bolt to move in order to no longer overlap the sheet material. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of forming further includes:
 placing a support structure adjacent a location of the opening before forming the concrete slab:   supporting a dowel in a generally upright position within the support structure; and   removing the dowel from the concrete slab.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the dowel extends through the entire thickness of the concrete slab. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for forming a through hole in a concrete slab, comprising:
 a plurality of support legs, the support legs tapering in distance from one another such that the support legs are further apart at the bottom than the top;   a plurality of rings supported by the support legs, the rings aligned in a vertical direction and each of the support legs having an upper end terminating at an uppermost of the plurality of rings;   the plurality of rings configured to accept and hold a dowel substantially upright; and   each of the support legs having a lower end configured to attach to a form used to fabricate the concrete slab and being sized to locate the uppermost ring approximately one inch below the top of the slab.   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , comprising three support legs. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , comprising two rings. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein a lowermost of the plurality of rings is located approximately one inch above the form. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 7  constructed of wire. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein each respective lower end of the support legs is coated. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein each respective lower end of the support legs accepts a tack to secure the apparatus to the form. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus to hold a sheet material above an opening in a concrete slab; comprising:
 a boll having a bent portion configured to overlap an edge of the sheet material and a shaft portion extending through a through hole in the concrete slab adjacent the opening;   the bolt having a threaded portion on a lower end of the shaft portion such that the threaded portion extends below a lower surface of the concrete slab; and   a nut configured to attach to the threaded portion such that the nut is located below the concrete slab.   
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the nut includes a flange configured to hold a portion of a whaler below the opening of the concrete slab. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the nut includes an outer surface configured to be struck with a hammer to adjust a tightness of the nut relative to the bolt. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the bolt and nut includes a high-visibility surface color. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the lower end of the bolt extends at least four inches below the lower surface of the concrete slab. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the bent portion provides at least one inch of a striking surface, for a substantially horizontal strike, above the sheet material.