Modular Fall Protection System

Abstract

A modular fall protection system has an adjustable frame that can be mounted onto an external structure and used to support the weight of a user who has fallen. The adjustable frame has a length-adjustable mast, set of connective braces, and an anchor point. The length-adjustable mast is a telescoping post that can be extended or collapsed to provide fall protection to the user at various heights. The connective braces extend between the length-adjustable mast and the external structure and are used to maintain the length-adjustable mast in an orientation that facilitates suspending the user in the air after a fall. The anchor point enables the user to be tethered to the length-adjustable post. Preferably, the system has a detachable walkway and handrail that can be mounted onto the adjustable frame and provide fall protection in a variety of situations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular fall protection system comprising:
 at least one adjustable frame;   the adjustable frame comprising a length-adjustable mast, at least one connective brace, and at least one anchor point;   the length-adjustable mast comprising an exterior sleeve, an interior post, and an adjustment mechanism;   the interior post being slidably engaged into the exterior sleeve;   the adjustment mechanism being mechanically integrated in between the interior post and the exterior sleeve;   the connective brace being laterally mounted onto the exterior sleeve;   the anchor point being laterally mounted onto the interior post; and   the anchor point being positioned offset from the exterior sleeve along the interior post.   
     
     
         2 . The modular fall protection system as claimed in  claim 1  comprising:
 the connective brace comprising a length-adjustable brace, a first adjustable fastener, and a second adjustable fastener; 
 the first adjustable fastener being terminally connected to the length-adjustable support; 
 the second adjustable fastener being terminally connected to the length-adjustable support, opposite to the first adjustable fastener; and 
 the first adjustable fastener being connected in between the length-adjustable support and the exterior sleeve. 
 
     
     
         3 . The modular fall protection system as claimed in  claim 1  comprising:
 the at least one connective brace comprising a first brace and a second brace; and 
 the first brace being positioned offset from the second brace along the exterior sleeve. 
 
     
     
         4 . The modular fall protection system as claimed in  claim 1  comprising:
 the adjustable frame further comprising a base; and 
 the base being terminally mounted onto the exterior sleeve, opposite to the interior post. 
 
     
     
         5 . The modular fall protection system as claimed in  claim 1  comprising:
 the adjustment mechanism comprising a slot and a locking device; 
 the slot traversing through the exterior sleeve; 
 the slot being oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the length-adjustable mast; 
 the locking device being slidably engaged along the slot; and 
 the locking device being mechanically integrated in between the exterior sleeve and the interior post. 
 
     
     
         6 . The modular fall protection system as claimed in  claim 1  comprising:
 at least one collapsible handrail assembly; 
 the at least one connective brace comprising a first brace and a second brace; 
 the collapsible handrail assembly comprising a primary rail, a secondary rail, a first linkage, a second linkage, and a plurality of balusters; 
 the first linkage being pivotably connected in between the primary rail and the secondary rail; 
 the second linkage being pivotably connected in between the primary rail and the secondary rail; 
 the second linkage being positioned offset from the first linkage across the primary rail; 
 the primary rail being terminally and pivotably connected to each of the plurality of balusters; 
 the secondary rail being pivotably connected to each of the plurality of balusters; and 
 each of the plurality of balusters being terminally and pivotably mounted adjacent to the first brace, opposite to the primary rail. 
 
     
     
         7 . The modular fall protection system as claimed in  claim 6  comprising:
 the collapsible handrail assembly further comprising a plurality of pivoting couplers; 
 the plurality of pivoting couplers being mounted adjacent to the walkway; and 
 each of the plurality of balusters being terminally and pivotably connected to a corresponding coupler from the plurality of pivoting couplers. 
 
     
     
         8 . The modular fall protection system as claimed in  claim 6  comprising:
 the collapsible handrail assembly further comprising at least one rail actuator; and 
 the rail actuator being operatively coupled between the first brace and the collapsible handrail assembly, wherein the rail actuator governs the collapsible functionality of the collapsible handrail. 
 
     
     
         9 . The modular fall protection system as claimed in  claim 1  comprising:
 a walkway; 
 the at least one adjustable frame comprising a first frame and a second frame; 
 the first frame and the second frame each comprising a mast, a primary brace, and a secondary brace; 
 the first frame being positioned offset from the second frame; 
 the first frame being oriented parallel to the second frame; 
 the primary brace being laterally mounted onto the mast; 
 the secondary brace being laterally mounted onto the mast; 
 the secondary brace being positioned offset from the primary brace, along the mast; and 
 the walkway being connected in between the primary brace of the first frame and the primary brace of the second frame. 
 
     
     
         10 . The modular fall protection system as claimed in  claim 9  comprising:
 a first collapsible handrail assembly; 
 a second collapsible handrail assembly; 
 the first collapsible handrail assembly being mounted adjacent to the primary brace of the first frame; and 
 the second collapsible handrail assembly being mounted adjacent to the primary brace of the second frame. 
 
     
     
         11 . A modular fall protection system comprising:
 at least one adjustable frame;   the adjustable frame comprising a length-adjustable mast, at least one connective brace, and at least one anchor point;   the length-adjustable mast comprising an exterior sleeve, an interior post, and an adjustment mechanism;   the at least one connective brace comprising a first brace and a second brace;   the interior post being slidably engaged into the exterior sleeve;   the adjustment mechanism being mechanically integrated in between the interior post and the exterior sleeve;   the connective brace being laterally mounted onto the exterior sleeve;   the anchor point being laterally mounted onto the interior post;   the anchor point being positioned offset from the exterior sleeve along the interior post; and   the first brace being positioned offset from the second brace along the exterior sleeve.   
     
     
         12 . The modular fall protection system as claimed in  claim 11  comprising:
 the connective brace comprising a length-adjustable brace, a first adjustable fastener, and a second adjustable fastener; 
 the first adjustable fastener being terminally connected to the length-adjustable support; 
 the second adjustable fastener being terminally connected to the length-adjustable support, opposite to the first adjustable fastener; and 
 the first adjustable fastener being connected in between the length-adjustable support and the exterior sleeve. 
 
     
     
         13 . The modular fall protection system as claimed in  claim 11  comprising:
 the adjustable frame further comprising a base; and 
 the base being terminally mounted onto the exterior sleeve, opposite to the interior post. 
 
     
     
         14 . The modular fall protection system as claimed in  claim 11  comprising:
 the adjustment mechanism comprising a slot and a locking device; 
 the slot traversing through the exterior sleeve; 
 the slot being oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the length-adjustable mast; 
 the locking device being slidably engaged along the slot; and 
 the locking device being mechanically integrated in between the exterior sleeve and the interior post. 
 
     
     
         15 . The modular fall protection system as claimed in  claim 11  comprising:
 at least one collapsible handrail assembly; 
 the at least one connective brace comprising a first brace and a second brace; 
 the collapsible handrail assembly comprising a primary rail, a secondary rail, a first linkage, a second linkage, and a plurality of balusters; 
 the first linkage being pivotably connected in between the primary rail and the secondary rail; 
 the second linkage being pivotably connected in between the primary rail and the secondary rail; 
 the second linkage being positioned offset from the first linkage across the primary rail; 
 the primary rail being terminally and pivotably connected to each of the plurality of balusters; 
 the secondary rail being pivotably connected to each of the plurality of balusters; and 
 each of the plurality of balusters being terminally and pivotably mounted adjacent to the first brace, opposite to the primary rail. 
 
     
     
         16 . The modular fall protection system as claimed in  claim 15  comprising:
 the collapsible handrail assembly further comprising a plurality of pivoting couplers; and 
 the plurality of pivoting couplers being mounted adjacent to the walkway; 
 each of the plurality of balusters being terminally and pivotably connected to a corresponding coupler from the plurality of pivoting couplers. 
 
     
     
         17 . The modular fall protection system as claimed in  claim 15  comprising:
 the collapsible handrail assembly further comprising at least one rail actuator; and 
 the rail actuator being operatively coupled between the first brace and the collapsible handrail assembly, wherein the rail actuator governs the collapsible functionality of the collapsible handrail. 
 
     
     
         18 . The modular fall protection system as claimed in  claim 11  comprising:
 a walkway; 
 the at least one adjustable frame comprising a first frame and a second frame; 
 the first frame and the second frame each comprising a mast, a primary brace, and a secondary brace; 
 the first frame being positioned offset from the second frame; 
 the first frame being oriented parallel to the second frame; 
 the primary brace being laterally mounted onto the mast; 
 the secondary brace being laterally mounted onto the mast; 
 the secondary brace being positioned offset from the primary brace, along the mast; and 
 the walkway being connected in between the primary brace of the first frame and the primary brace of the second frame. 
 
     
     
         19 . The modular fall protection system as claimed in  claim 18  comprising:
 a first collapsible handrail assembly; 
 a second collapsible handrail assembly; 
 the first collapsible handrail assembly being mounted adjacent to the primary brace of the first frame; and 
 the second collapsible handrail assembly being mounted adjacent to the primary brace of the second frame.