Adjustable safety barrier system

Abstract

The present invention provides a safety barrier for open-air floors, rooftops and openings from which an individual is at risk of falling from a height, such as windows and balconies. More specifically, the present invention relates to a safety barrier that can be pivotally adjusted between an open and closed position.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A safety barrier for an open floor or window, the safety barrier comprising.
 (i) a base-plate adapted to be fixed to a structure located peripheral and adjacent to the open floor or window;   (ii) a guard;   (iii) a linkage pivotally mounted to the base-plate and guard about a pivot axis, wherein the guard is movable about the pivot axis relative to the base-plate between an open position, allowing passage over the open floor or through the window, and a closed position preventing said passage; and   (iv) a locking means for securing the guard in the closed position.   
     
     
         28 . The safety barrier of  claim 27 , wherein the guard comprises at least one stanchion. 
     
     
         29 . The safety barrier of  claim 28 , wherein the guard comprises a stanchion having a first end pivotally mounted to the base-plate. 
     
     
         30 . A safety barrier for an open floor or window, the safety barrier comprising:
 (i) a base-plate adapted to be fixed to a structure located peripheral and adjacent to the open floor or window;   (ii) a guard;   (iii) at least one stanchion comprising a fixed portion and a moveable portion, wherein the fixed portion is fixed the base-plate and moveable portion is fixed to the guard;   (iv) a linkage pivotally mounted to the at least one stanchion between the fixed portion and the moveable portion, wherein the moveable portion and the guard fixed thereto is movable about a pivot axis relative to the fixed portion between an open position, allowing passage over the open floor or through the window, and a closed position preventing said passage; and   (v) a locking means for securing the guard in the closed position.   
     
     
         31 . The safety barrier of  claim 27 , wherein the guard comprises a guard rail; optionally wherein the guard rail has a first end fixed to a first stanchion and a second end fixed to a second stanchion; optionally wherein the first and second stanchions are adjacent stanchions. 
     
     
         32 . The safety barrier of  claim 31 , wherein the guard rail comprises (i) a first rail member fixed at one end to a first stanchion and (ii) a second rail member fixed at one end to a second stanchion, wherein the first rail member is connected at its opposite end to an opposite end of the second rail member and movable relative to the second rail member so as to allow the length of the guard rail to be adjusted between the first and second stanchions; optionally comprising a locking means for locking the first rail member to the second rail member. 
     
     
         33 . The safety barrier of  claim 31 , wherein the guard rail comprises (i) a first rail member fixed at one end to a first stanchion, (ii) a second rail member fixed at one end to a second stanchion, wherein the first rail member is' connected at its opposite end to one end of an inner rail member and the second rail member is connected at its opposite end to the inner rail member, wherein the first and second rail members are movable relative to the inner rail member so as to allow the length of the guard rail to be adjusted between the first and second stanchions; optionally comprising a locking means for locking the inner rail member to the first and/or second rail members. 
     
     
         34 . The safety barrier of  claim 27 , wherein the linkage comprises a elongated member extending through an opening in the base-plate and through an opening in the stanchion, wherein the stanchion is moveable about the pivot axis defined by the elongated member. 
     
     
         35 . The safety barrier of  claim 27 , wherein the guard is rotatable over about 180 degrees relative to the linkage. 
     
     
         36 . The safety barrier of  claim 27 , wherein linkage comprises the locking means for securing the guard in the closed position. 
     
     
         37 . The safety barrier of  claim 27 , wherein the guard comprises a kicker, the kicker comprising a first end fixed to a first stanchion and a second end fixed to a second stanchion. 
     
     
         38 . The safety barrier of  claim 27 , wherein the guard comprises a plurality of kickers comprising:
 (i) a first kicker comprising a fixed end and an open end, the fixed end connected to a first stanchion;   (ii) a second kicker comprising a fixed end and an open end, the fixed end connected to a second stanchion; and   (iii) a third kicker having a first end and a second end;   wherein the first end of the third kicker is releasably connected to the open end of the first kicker and the second end of the third kicker is releasably connected to the open end of the second kicker, wherein the third kicker is movable relative to the first and second kickers so as to allow the length of the kickers to be adjusted between the first and second stanchions.   
     
     
         39 . The safety barrier of  claim 27 , wherein the base-plate comprises an attachment means for fixing the base-plate to the structure that is peripheral and adjacent to the open floor or window. 
     
     
         40 . The safety barrier of  claim 39 , wherein the base-plate comprises an opening through which the attachment means can be accessed, optionally wherein when the guard is in the closed position, access to the attachment means is obstructed. 
     
     
         41 . The safety barrier of  claim 27 , wherein the locking means for securing the guard in the closed position comprises a pin, a first opening through the baseplate and a second opening through a stanchion pivotally mounted to the base-plate, wherein locking means maintains the stanchion in a locked position when the pin is passed through the first opening and the second opening. 
     
     
         42 . The safety barrier of  claim 30 , wherein the locking means for securing the guard in the open and/or closed positions comprises a pin, a first opening through the fixed portion of the at least one stanchion and a second opening through the moveable portion of the at least one stanchion, wherein locking means maintains the fixed portion and the moveable portion in a locked position when the pin is passed through the first opening and the second opening. 
     
     
         43 . The safety barrier of  claim 27 , wherein the base-plate comprises a flange extending upwardly from said base-plate, wherein said flange is adapted to receive the linkage and the locking means. 
     
     
         44 . A safety barrier for an open floor or window, the safety barrier comprising:
 (i) a base-plate adapted to be fixed to a structure located peripheral and adjacent to the open floor or window; (ii) a guard connected to at least one stanchion; (iii) a linkage pivotally mounted to the base-plate and stanchion about a pivot axis, wherein the guard is movable about the pivot axis relative to the base-plate between an open position allowing passage over the open floor or through the window and a closed position preventing said passage; and (iv) a locking means for securing the guard in the closed position,   
       wherein the base-plate comprises a flange extending outwardly from said base-plate, wherein said stanchion is pivotally mounted to said flange, wherein the flange comprises a first opening, the at least one stanchion comprising a second opening, wherein the first and second openings are aligned when the guard in the closed position allowing the locking means to be inserted through the aligned first and second opening to secure the guard in the closed position. 
     
     
         45 . The safety barrier of  claim 27 , wherein the pivot axis is substantially parallel to the base of the open floor or window such that the guard is moveable about the pivot axis in a forward and downward direction between the closed and open positions. 
     
     
         46 . The safety barrier of  claim 27 , further comprising a locking means for securing the guard in the open position.