Safety rail system and method for using same

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a safety rail. The safety rail may include a body disposed on first and second adjustable boots. The first and second adjustable boots may be adapted to secure the safety rail to an excavation support structure. The body may include a lower rail connected to the first and second adjustable boots.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A safety rail for an excavation support structure, comprising:
 an upper rail spaced apart from a lower rail;   a generally vertical support post positioned between the upper and lower rails; and   an adjustable boot disposed on one end of the support post, the adjustable boot configured to clamp onto an excavation support structure having a first side surface, a second side surface, and a top surface, wherein the adjustable boot comprises:
 a first member connected to the support post, wherein the first member is L-shaped having a generally horizontal portion and a generally vertical portion, the generally horizontal portion is configured to sit above the top surface of the excavation structure and configured to rest thereon, 
 a second member configured to rest against a second side surface of the excavation support structure, wherein the second member moves relative to the first member, and wherein the first side surface and the second side surface of the excavation support structure are opposite one another, 
 wherein the second member is also L-shaped having a generally horizontal portion and a generally vertical portion, the generally horizontal portion of the second member configured to sit above the top surface of the excavation structure, 
 wherein the generally horizontal portion of the second member and the generally horizontal portion of the first member are configured to at least partially overlap one another to allow the second member to move relative to the first member, and 
 wherein the generally horizontal portions of the first member and the second member each comprise an aperture formed there through. 
   
     
     
         2 . The safety rail of  claim 1 , wherein the first member is made of one tubular portion or multiple tubular portions. 
     
     
         3 . The safety rail of  claim 1 , wherein the generally horizontal portion of the second member is configured to move back and forth within the generally horizontal portion of the first member to adjust the spacing between the respective vertical portions of the second member and the first member. 
     
     
         4 . The safety rail of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable boot further comprises a receptacle disposed on the generally horizontal portion of the first member and extending upwardly therefrom, the receptacle being adapted to receive and hold the one end of the support post. 
     
     
         5 . The safety rail of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable boot further comprises a generally horizontal support plate mounted on an upper surface of the generally horizontal portion of the first member, wherein the receptacle is disposed on top of the generally horizontal support plate. 
     
     
         6 . The safety rail of  claim 1 , wherein the first member further comprises a generally horizontal support plate that is mounted to an underside of the generally horizontal portion of the first member, and that is adapted to directly engage and rest on the top surface of the support structure. 
     
     
         7 . A safety rail for an excavation support structure, comprising:
 an upper rail spaced apart from a lower rail;   a generally vertical support post positioned between the upper and lower rails; and   an adjustable boot disposed on one end of the support post, the adjustable boot configured to clamp onto an excavation support structure having a first side surface, a second side surface, and a top surface, wherein the adjustable boot comprises:
 a first member connected to the support post, wherein the first member is L-shaped having a generally horizontal portion and a generally vertical portion, the generally horizontal portion is configured to sit above the top surface of the excavation support structure and rest thereon; 
 a second member that moves relative to the first member, and configured to rest against a second side surface of the excavation support structure, wherein the first side surface and the second side surface of the excavation support structure are opposite one another, 
 wherein the second member is also L-shaped having a generally horizontal portion and a generally vertical portion, the generally horizontal portion of the second member configured to sit above the top surface of the excavation support structure, and 
 wherein the generally horizontal portion of the second member and the generally horizontal portion of the first member are configured to at least partially overlap one another to allow the second member to move relative to the first member; and 
   a tightener configured to engage the excavation support structure, wherein the tightener is disposed through the generally vertical portion of the first member.   
     
     
         8 . The safety rail of  claim 7 , wherein the first member is made of one tubular portion or multiple tubular portions. 
     
     
         9 . The safety rail of  claim 7 , wherein the generally horizontal portion of the second member is configured to move back and forth within the generally horizontal portion of the first member to adjust the spacing between the respective vertical portions of the second member and the first member. 
     
     
         10 . The safety rail of  claim 7 , wherein the adjustable boot further comprises a receptacle disposed on the generally horizontal portion of the first member and extending upwardly therefrom, the receptacle being adapted to receive and hold the one end of the support post. 
     
     
         11 . The safety rail of  claim 7 , wherein the adjustable boot further comprises a generally horizontal support plate mounted on an upper surface of the generally horizontal portion of the first member, wherein the receptacle is disposed on top of the generally horizontal support plate. 
     
     
         12 . The safety rail of  claim 7 , wherein the first member further comprises a generally horizontal support plate that is mounted to an underside of the generally horizontal portion of the first member, and that is adapted to directly engage and rest on the top surface of the support structure. 
     
     
         13 . The safety rail of  claim 7 , wherein the generally horizontal portions of the first member and the second member each comprise an aperture formed there through. 
     
     
         14 . A safety rail for an excavation support structure, comprising:
 an upper rail;   a lower rail that is generally parallel to the upper rail;   a first generally vertical support post adjacent a first end of the upper and lower rails;   a second generally vertical support post adjacent a second end of the upper and lower rails, wherein the first and second support posts are generally parallel to one another,   an adjustable boot disposed on a lower end of each support post, the adjustable boot configured to clamp onto an excavation support structure having a first side surface, a second side surface, and a top surface, wherein each adjustable boot comprises:
 a first member connected to the support post, wherein the first member is L-shaped having a generally horizontal portion and a generally vertical portion, the generally horizontal portion is configured to sit above the top surface of the excavation support structure and rest thereon; 
 a second member that moves relative to the first member, and configured to rest against a second side surface of the excavation support structure, wherein the first side surface and the second side surface of the excavation support structure are opposite one another, 
 wherein the second member is also L-shaped having a generally horizontal portion and a generally vertical portion, the generally horizontal portion of the second member configured to sit above the top surface of the excavation support structure, and 
 wherein the generally horizontal portion of the second member and the generally horizontal portion of the first member are configured to at least partially overlap one another to allow the second member to move relative to the first member; and 
 a tightener configured to engage the excavation support structure, wherein the tightener is disposed through the generally vertical portion of the first member. 
   
     
     
         15 . The safety rail of  claim 14 , wherein the first member is made of one tubular portion or multiple tubular portions. 
     
     
         16 . The safety rail of  claim 14 , wherein the generally horizontal portion of the second member is configured to move back and forth within the generally horizontal portion of the first member to adjust the spacing between the respective vertical portions of the second member and the first member. 
     
     
         17 . The safety rail of  claim 14 , wherein the adjustable boot further comprises a receptacle disposed on the generally horizontal portion of the first member and extending upwardly therefrom, the receptacle being adapted to receive and hold the one end of the support post. 
     
     
         18 . The safety rail of  claim 14 , wherein the adjustable boot further comprises a generally horizontal support plate mounted on an upper surface of the generally horizontal portion of the first member, wherein the receptacle is disposed on top of the generally horizontal support plate. 
     
     
         19 . The safety rail of  claim 14 , wherein the first member further comprises a generally horizontal support plate that is mounted to an underside of the generally horizontal portion of the first member, and that is adapted to directly engage and rest on the top surface of the support structure. 
     
     
         20 . The safety rail of  claim 14 , wherein the generally horizontal portions of the first member and the second member each comprise an aperture formed there through.