SLIDING GUARDRAIL SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF UTILIZING SLIDING GUARDRAIL SYSTEMS

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to sliding guardrail systems and methods of utilizing sliding guardrail systems.

BACKGROUND

Removable guardrails are commonly used to provide fall protection in environments having one or more areas that may present a hazard to personnel, such as openings that present a falling hazard or other hazard to workers. Many conventional guardrails are installed in sockets formed in the floor and require workers to lift the guardrails to and from the sockets, when being installed or removed. Typically, many individual guardrails are installed side-by-side in order to surround an opening or otherwise form a continuous barrier. In order to provide adequate fall protection, guardrails typically are sturdy and of robust construction. As such, the guardrails may be heavy, and as a result, require time and effort to safely move, install, and remove. Moreover, frequent placement and/or movement of the guardrails can lead to injuries due to repetitive lifting. Furthermore, additional safety concerns arise when placing and removing the guardrails from the sockets in the floor, as the guardrails do not provide any fall protection when not installed in the floor.

SUMMARY

Sliding guardrail systems and methods of utilizing sliding guardrail systems are disclosed herein. In some examples, sliding guardrail systems comprise at least one track and at least one sliding guardrail operatively coupled to the at least one track. In some examples, the at least one track defines a channel extending longitudinally through the at least one track. In some examples, the at least one sliding guardrail is configured to be selectively translated along a longitudinal length of the at least one track and to be selectively locked in place at a selected position along the longitudinal length of the at least one track.

In some examples, a method of utilizing a sliding guardrail system includes translating the at least one sliding guardrail to a selected position along the longitudinal length of the track and locking the at least one sliding guardrail in the selected position relative to the at least one track.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration representing sliding guardrail systems installed in an assembly environment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration representing sliding guardrail systems with a locking foot of a sliding guardrail in an extended position.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration representing sliding guardrail systems with a locking foot of a sliding guardrail in a retracted position.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of an example sliding guardrail system.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the example sliding guardrail system of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an example sliding guardrail system illustrating a locking foot disposed in an extended position.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating the locking foot of FIG. 6 disposed in a retracted position.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating the locking foot of FIGS. 6 and 7 disposed in the retracted position and received in a positioning hole of a track.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an example sliding guardrail system and an example assembly environment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the example sliding guardrail system and assembly environment of FIG. 9 including a fuselage of an aircraft received in the assembly environment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the example sliding guardrail system and assembly environment of FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart schematically representing methods of utilizing sliding guardrail systems.

DESCRIPTION

Sliding guardrail systems and associated methods are disclosed. Generally, in the figures, elements that are likely to be included in a given example are illustrated in solid lines, while elements that are optional to a given example or that correspond to a specific example are illustrated in dashed lines. However, elements that are illustrated in solid lines are not essential to all examples of the present disclosure, and an element shown in solid lines may be omitted from a particular example without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates sliding guardrail systems 108. As shown in FIG. 1, sliding guardrail systems 108 may be installed or utilized in an assembly environment 100 (a.k.a. a production environment). Sliding guardrail systems 108 may be utilized in any suitable environment to provide fall protection or a barrier to restricted or hazardous regions in the environment. In some examples, the assembly environment 100 comprises at least one raised platform 102 comprising an edge 104 at least partially defining an opening 106. The opening 106 is configured to receive a work piece 105 which is accessible by a user such as a worker from the raised platform 102. In some examples, the work piece 105 comprises a fuselage 148 of an aircraft.

In some examples, the assembly environment 100 includes a pair of the raised platforms 102 disposed on opposing sides of the opening 106. In other words, the opening 106 may be defined between the respective edges 104 of two or more opposing raised platforms 102. In some examples, the raised platform 102 comprises a plurality of edges 104 formed in a floor of the raised platform 102 and defining the opening 106 through the floor of the raised platform 102 itself. For example, the raised platform 102 may comprise edges 104 that define a rectangular or other suitably shaped opening 106 in the floor of the raised platform 102. The raised platform 102 may be raised above a ground of the assembly environment 100 by any suitable height configured to facilitate a worker accessing the fuselage 148 or other suitable work piece 105 from the platform 102. As a result, the opening 106 defined by the edges 104 of the raised platform 102 poses a potential falling hazard for workers accessing the work piece 105 from the raised platform 102.

As shown in FIG. 1, sliding guardrail systems 108 are configured to be disposed proximate the edge 104 and to selectively block, shield, and/or guard the edge 104 to provide fall protection for workers. Sliding guardrail systems 108 comprise at least one track 110 and at least one sliding guardrail 114 operatively coupled to the at least one track 110. The sliding guardrail(s) 114 are configured to be selectively translated (e.g., slid, rolled, etc.) to any suitable position along a longitudinal length of the track(s) 110 and selectively locked in place at a selected position along the longitudinal length of the track(s) 110. The sliding guardrail(s) 114 are configured to remain operatively coupled to the track(s) 110, both when translated along the longitudinal length of the track(s) 110 and when locked in place at the selected position. This facilitates the sliding guardrail(s) 114 providing fall protection for a worker, both when being repositioned and when locked into a selected position.

As shown in FIG. 1, the track(s) 110 extend longitudinally along the edge 104 of the raised platform 102, e.g., parallel to the edge 104. This facilitates selectively positioning the sliding guardrail(s) 114 at any suitable position longitudinally along the edge 104 to provide fall protection for workers on the raised platform 102. The track(s) 110 may be fastened to the raised platform 102 proximate the edge 104 using screws, bolts, and/or any other suitable fastener. In other examples, the track(s) 110 may be integrally formed in and/or inset into the surface of the raised platform 102. In some examples, the track(s) 110 extend along an entirety of the edge of the raised platform 102. In some examples, the track(s) 110 extend along only a section of the edge 104 of the raised platform 102.

FIGS. 2 and 3 schematically illustrate a respective one of the sliding guardrail(s) 114 and the track(s) 110 of the sliding guardrail systems 108 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the track 110 defines a channel 112 (indicated with a dash-dot line) extending longitudinally through the track 110. In some examples, the channel 112 is formed as an inverted T-shaped slot having an upper elongate opening 122 in communication with an internal slot 124. In other words, the channel 112 may define an internal slot 124 (the bar of the inverted “T”) and an upper elongate opening 122 (the stem of the inverted “T”) to the internal slot 124. The upper elongate opening 122 is formed in an upper wall 123 of the track 110 and provides access to the internal slot 124 through the upper wall 123.

The channel 112 is configured to receive one or more portions of the sliding guardrail 114 to operatively couple the sliding guardrail 114 to the channel 112. For example, the one or more portions of the sliding guardrail 114 may extend through the upper elongate opening 122 into the internal slot 124 of the channel 112. In some examples, such as shown in the example sliding guardrail system 108 illustrated in FIG. 6, the upper elongate opening 122 has a first width 160 that is less than a second width 162 of the internal slot 124. As described further below, this facilitates preventing portions of the sliding guardrail 114 from exiting the channel 112 through the upper elongate opening 122 to maintain the sliding guardrail 114 operatively coupled to the track 110.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, in some examples, the track 110 comprises at least one positioning hole 130 formed in or defined by the channel 112. For example, the positioning hole 130 may comprise a recess or indentation formed in the upper elongate opening 122 of the track 110. The positioning hole 130 is configured to receive and retain a portion of the sliding guardrail 114 to lock the sliding guardrail 114 in position relative to the track 110. The positioning hole 130 may have any suitable shape (e.g., circular/cylindrical) and/or size configured to receive and retain the respective portion of the sliding guardrail 114 to lock the sliding guardrail 114 in position.

As shown in FIG. 1, the track(s) 110 may comprise a plurality of positioning holes 130 disposed along the longitudinal length of the track(s) 110. The track(s) 110 may comprise any suitable number of positioning holes 130 and the positioning holes 130 may be spaced apart from each other along the track 110 by any suitable distance. This facilitates providing a plurality of positions along the longitudinal length of the track 110 at which the sliding guardrail 114 is configured to be locked in place.

In some examples, sliding guardrail systems 108 include a plurality of tracks 110 each fixed to the raised platform 102. FIG. 1 schematically presents three tracks 110 on the raised platform 102 on each side of the opening 106, such that the tracks 110 are each disposed adjacent to each other and extend parallel to each other proximate the edge 104; however, any suitable number of tracks 110 may be provided depending on the configuration of the sliding guardrail system 108. In such examples, each of the tracks 110 comprises a respective channel 112 that is configured to be operatively coupled to one or more of the sliding guardrails 114. Alternatively, or additionally, the track 110 may comprise a unitary structure defining a plurality of channels 112 extending longitudinally through the unitary structure of the track 110 parallel to each other. In such examples, each of the channels 112 is configured to be operatively coupled to one or more of the sliding guardrails 114. Sliding guardrail systems 108 may include any suitable number and arrangement of the tracks 110, and/or the tracks 110 may comprise any suitable number and arrangement of the longitudinally extending channels 112. Having multiple tracks 110 and/or channels 112 facilitates positioning the sliding guardrails 114 at different distances from the opening 106 and further permits stowing of the sliding guardrails 114 at one end of the tracks 110 or channels 112 when not in use. Sliding guardrail systems 108 may include any suitable number of the sliding guardrails 114 operatively coupled to each of the tracks 110 and/or channels 112.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sliding guardrail 114 comprises a rigid body 115 which may comprise any suitable rigid structure(s) configured to form a barrier and/or to provide fall protection for a worker. For example, the rigid body 115 is configured to support the weight of a worker leaning or pressing against the sliding guardrail 114, when the sliding guardrail 114 is operatively coupled to the track 110. In some examples, the sliding guardrail 114 is configured to support at a minimum at least 200 lbs. and/or any other suitable amount of weight according to standard safety requirements for guardrails. The rigid body 115 and other portions of the sliding guardrail 114 may comprise any suitable materials configured to maintain an upright position and resist collapsing when transverse loads are applied to the sliding guardrail 114. For example, the sliding guardrail 114 may comprise steel, aluminum, and/or any other suitable rigid metal material.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in some examples, the sliding guardrail 114 comprises a shaft 118 configured to extend into the channel 112 of the at least one track 110. For example, the shaft 118 may extend downward into the upper elongate opening 122 of the channel 112. In some examples, a locking foot 120 is fixed to a lower end of the shaft 118. The locking foot 120 is configured to be received in the channel 112 and to be selectively received in a selected one of the positioning holes 130 to lock the sliding guardrail 114 in position relative to the at least one track 110. In some examples, the shaft 118 extends through a hollow interior of a portion of the rigid body 115 and out a bottom end of the rigid body 115 into the upper elongate opening 122. The shaft 118 may extend generally vertically from an upper end 138 to a lower end which is fixed to locking foot 120.

In some examples, the locking foot 120 comprises an upper portion 126 and a base flange 128 extending around a periphery of a base of the upper portion 126. The upper portion 126 is fixed to a lower end of the shaft 118. In some examples, such as shown in FIG. 6, the base flange 128 has a third width 164 that is less than or equal to the second width 162 of the internal slot 124 and that is greater than the first width 160 of the upper elongate opening 122. The upper portion 126 of the locking foot 120 is configured to be selectively received and retained within a respective one of the positioning holes 130 to lock the sliding guardrail 114 in place relative to the track 110. Due to the greater width of the base flange 128, the base flange 128 remains in the internal slot 124 of the channel 112, when the upper portion 126 is received in the positioning hole 130. The base flange 128 is configured to prevent the locking foot 120 from exiting from the channel 112 through the upper elongate opening 122.

In some examples, the sliding guardrail 114 comprises a locking-foot actuator 132 configured to transition the locking foot 120 between an extended position 134 (as shown in FIG. 2) and a retracted position 136 (as shown in FIG. 3). When the locking foot 120 is in the extended position 134, the locking foot 120 is positioned to be disposed entirely within the internal slot 124 of the channel 112. When disposed in the extended position 134 with the locking foot 120 disposed entirely within the internal slot 124, the sliding guardrail 114 is configured to be selectively translated along the longitudinal length of the track 110. In other words, when the locking foot 120 is in the extended position 134 and disposed entirely within the internal slot 124, the sliding guardrail 114 is not locked in place and is free to be translated along the track 110. When the locking foot 120 is disposed in the retracted position 136, the locking foot 120 is positioned to be received within a respective one of the positioning holes 130 formed in the upper elongate opening 122 of the channel 112. For example, when the locking foot 120 is in the retracted position 136, the upper portion 126 of the locking foot 120 is received in the respective one of the positioning holes 130. The base flange 128 is configured to remain disposed in the internal slot 124 and to abut an internal-slot upper wall 141 of the internal slot 124. When the locking foot 120 is disposed in the retracted position 136 and received in the positioning hole 130, the sliding guardrail 114 is locked in place relative to the positioning hole 130.

The locking-foot actuator 132 may comprise any suitable mechanisms configured to selectively translate the locking foot 120 between the extended position 134 and the retracted position 136. For example, the locking-foot actuator 132 may comprise a push-pull clamp 140 operatively coupled to the upper end 138 of the shaft 118. The push-pull clamp 140 is configured to be selectively actuated or toggled to translate the shaft 118 up and down which transitions the locking foot 120 between the extended position 134 and the retracted position 136. For example, when the locking foot 120 is disposed in the extended position 134, the push-pull clamp 140 may be actuated to translate the shaft 118 upward, such that the locking foot 120 is translated upward and into the retracted position 136. Prior to actuating the push-pull clamp 140, the locking foot 120 may be aligned with a selected one of the positioning holes 130, such that the upper portion 126 of the locking foot 120 is received in the selected positioning hole 130, when the locking foot 120 is translated upward into the retracted position 136 by the push-pull clamp 140.

In some examples, the sliding guardrail 114 is configured to be translated on the track 110 by sliding or rolling the sliding guardrail 114 along the track 110. In some examples, the sliding guardrail 114 may comprise any suitable components and/or structures configured to facilitate sliding or rolling the sliding guardrail 114 along the longitudinal length of the track 110. For example, the sliding guardrail 114 may comprise one or more wheels 142. The wheels 142 are configured to contact the upper wall 123 of the track 110 and to facilitate sliding the sliding guardrail 114 relative to the track 110. In some examples, the sliding guardrail 114 comprises a pair of wheels 142 each configured to contact the upper surface of the track 110. The wheels 142 may be configured to at least partially bear the weight of the sliding guardrail 114 on the track 110. The wheels 142 may be coupled to any suitable portion of the rigid body 115, such that the wheels 142 are positioned to contact the upper surface of the track 110.

In some examples, the wheels 142 may be spring-biased and configured to provide clearance between the rigid body 115 and the track 110 when the locking foot 120 is disposed in the extended position 134. This facilitates the selective repositioning of the sliding guardrail 114 by rolling the sliding guardrail 114 on the wheels 142. In such examples, when the locking foot 120 is transitioned into the retracted position 136 and is received within the positioning hole 130, a force is applied on the track 110 between the wheels 142 and the base flange 128 of the locking foot 120. In some examples, this force may cause the spring-biased wheels 142 to compress, such that the rigid body 115 of the sliding guardrail 114 is brought into contact with the track 110 to further lock the sliding guardrail 114 in position relative to the track 110.

In some examples, the sliding guardrail 114 comprises a downward extension 144 configured to be received in the channel 112. In some examples, the downward extension 144 comprises a lower extent of the rigid body 115 and/or any suitable rigid structure fixed to the rigid body 115 and is configured to extend into the channel 112. The downward extension 144 may have any suitable shape and/or size configured to be received in the channel 112 and to maintain and support the sliding guardrail 114 in an upright position relative to the track 110. For example, the downward extension 144 is configured to prevent the sliding guardrail 114 from tipping over or collapsing when the sliding guardrail 114 is subjected to a transverse force, e.g., from a person falling or moving into, or leaning on, the sliding guardrail 114. In other words, the downward extension 144 is configured to bear any transverse load that is applied to the sliding guardrail 114. In some examples, the sliding guardrail 114 comprises multiple downward extending portions that are each configured to be received in the channel 112. In some examples, the downward extensions 144 are configured to facilitate the sliding guardrail 114 bearing a minimum required weight of 200 lbs. and/or any other suitable amount of weight according to standard regulations.

In some examples, the sliding guardrail 114 comprises a slider 146 configured to extend into the channel 112 and to guide the sliding guardrail 114, when the sliding guardrail 114 is translated along the longitudinal length of the track 110. In some examples, the slider 146 is configured to extend through the upper elongate opening 122 of the channel 112 and is received in the internal slot 124. In some examples, the slider 146 is configured to contact or abut the surfaces or walls (e.g., internal-slot upper wall 141) of the internal slot 124 to maintain alignment of the sliding guardrail 114 on the track 110 during translation of the sliding guardrail 114. The slider 146 may be fixed to a bottom end of the rigid body 115 in any suitable manner, such that the slider 146 is positioned to extend into the channel 112.

In some examples, the sliding guardrail 114 comprises a handle 147 configured to be utilized by a user to translate the sliding guardrail 114 along the length of the track 110. For example, the handle 147 may comprise any suitable structures coupled to the rigid body 115 and configured to be held and pulled by a user to translate the sliding guardrail 114 along the track 110. In some examples, the handle 147 is configured to be selectively transitioned between a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration. When in the deployed configuration, the handle 147 may be positioned away from the rigid body 115 of the sliding guardrail 114, such that the handle 147 is positioned in an easily accessible position for the user. When in the stowed configuration, the handle 147 may be positioned proximate the rigid body 115 to decrease the overall size and profile of the sliding guardrail 114.

Turning now to FIGS. 4-10, illustrative non-exclusive examples of sliding guardrail systems 108 are illustrated. Where appropriate, the reference numerals from the schematic illustrations of FIGS. 1-3 are used to designate corresponding parts of the examples of FIGS. 4-10; however, the examples of FIGS. 4-10 are non-exclusive and do not limit the sliding guardrail systems 108 to the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 4-10. That is, sliding guardrail systems 108 are not limited to the specific embodiments of FIGS. 4-10, and sliding guardrail systems 108 may incorporate any number of the various aspects, configurations, characteristics, properties, etc. of the sliding guardrail systems 108 that are illustrated in and discussed with reference to the schematic representations of FIGS. 1-3 and/or the embodiments of FIGS. 4-10, as well as variations thereof, without requiring the inclusion of all such aspects, configurations, characteristics, properties, etc. For the purpose of brevity, each previously discussed component, part, portion, aspect, region, etc. or variants thereof may not be discussed, illustrated, and/or labeled again with respect to the examples of FIGS. 4-10; however, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the previously discussed features, variants, etc. may be utilized with the examples of FIGS. 4-10.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an example sliding guardrail system 108. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the sliding guardrail system 108 includes a sliding guardrail 114 operatively coupled to a track 110. The sliding guardrail 114 comprises a rigid body 115 configured to maintain an upright position and to block or close off an opening, such as opening 106, described above. The sliding guardrail 114 is operatively coupled to the track 110, such that the sliding guardrail 114 is configured to be translated to a selected position along the longitudinal length of the track 110. The sliding guardrail 114 comprises a pair of wheels 142 each contacting an upper surface of the track 110 and configured to facilitate the sliding translation of the sliding guardrail 114 along the length of the track 110. The sliding guardrail 114 comprises a handle 147 disposed in a deployed configuration in FIG. 4 and a stowed configuration in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 4, when the handle 147 is disposed in the deployed configuration, the handle 147 extends away from the rigid body 115, such that the handle 147 is positioned to be pulled on by a user to translate the sliding guardrail 114 along the longitudinal length of the track 110.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sliding guardrail 114 comprises a shaft guide pin 152 extending through a shaft-guide slot 154 formed in the rigid body 115. The shaft guide pin 152 is coupled to the shaft 118 which extends through a hollow interior of the rigid body 115, as described further above with reference to FIGS. 1-3. The shaft guide pin 152 and shaft-guide slot 154 are configured to guide the vertical translation of the shaft 118 when the locking-foot actuator 132 is toggled to transition the locking foot 120 between the extended position 134 and the retracted position 136. In other words, the shaft guide pin 152 and the shaft-guide slot 154 are configured to maintain vertical alignment of the shaft 118 during translation and to ensure that the shaft 118 is translated vertically by the locking-foot actuator 132. The sliding guardrail 114 further comprises a handle guide pin 156 and a handle-guide slot 158. The handle 147 extends into a hollow interior of the rigid body 115 and is coupled to the handle guide pin 156 extending through the handle-guide slot 158. The handle guide pin 156 and handle-guide slot 158 are configured to guide the handle 147 and maintain vertical alignment of the handle 147 when the handle 147 is transitioned between the deployed and stowed configurations.

As shown in FIG. 5, the track 110 defines three distinct channels 112 each extending longitudinally through the track 110 parallel to one another. In this example, the track 110 comprises a unitary structure or single unit defining the three channels 112. In other examples, as described above, the sliding guardrail systems 108 may include a plurality of different tracks 110 each defining a respective channel 112 and positioned adjacent to one another. The track 110 of FIG. 5 is shown having three channels 112, however the tracks 110 may have any suitable number and arrangement of the channels 112. Each of the channels 112 is configured to be operatively coupled to one or more of the sliding guardrails 114. In other words, each of the channels 112 is configured to receive a portion of one or more of the sliding guardrails 114 to operatively couple the sliding guardrail(s) 114 to the track 110. The portions of the sliding guardrail 114 that are received in the channel 112 (e.g., the locking foot 120) are configured to slide within the channel 112 when the sliding guardrail 114 is translated along the length of the track 110. As shown in FIGS. 6-8 illustrating sectional views of the track 110, the channels 112 each define an upper elongate opening 122 formed in an upper wall 123 of the track 110 and an internal slot 124 formed within the track 110.

As shown in FIG. 5, each channel 112 comprises a plurality of positioning holes 130 spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal length of the track 110. Each of the positioning holes 130 comprises a circular indentation or recess formed in the upper wall 123 of the track 110 and the upper elongate opening 122. The positioning holes 130 are configured to selectively retain the locking foot 120 of the sliding guardrail 114 to lock the sliding guardrail 114 in position relative to the positioning hole 130 and the track 110, as shown in FIGS. 6-8 described further below.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate sectional views of the track 110 and the sliding guardrail 114 operatively coupled to the track 110. FIG. 6 illustrates the locking foot 120 disposed in an extended position 134. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the locking foot 120 in a retracted position 136. As shown in FIG. 6, the locking foot 120 comprises an upper portion 126 and a base flange 128 extending around the periphery of a base of the upper portion 126. The base flange 128 has a third width 164 less than a second width 162 of the internal slot 124, but greater than a first width 160 of the upper elongate opening 122. As such, the base flange 128 is configured to prevent the locking foot 120 from exiting the channel 112 through the upper elongate opening 122 and to maintain the sliding guardrail 114 operatively coupled to the track 110.

When the locking foot 120 is disposed in the extended position 134, as shown in FIG. 6, the locking foot 120 is disposed entirely within the internal slot 124 of the channel 112. In other words, both the upper portion 126 and the base flange 128 of the locking foot 120 are disposed in the internal slot 124 when the locking foot is disposed in the extended position 134. When the locking foot 120 is disposed in the extended position 134, the sliding guardrail 114 is configured to be translated along the longitudinal length of the track 110 with the locking foot 120 being translated within the internal slot 124. In other words, when the locking foot 120 is disposed in the extended position 134, the sliding guardrail 114 is not locked in place and is configured to be moved along the length of the track 110.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the locking foot 120 disposed in the retracted position 136 and received within the positioning hole 130 of the track 110. Transitioning the locking foot 120 into the retracted position 136 comprises actuating the locking-foot actuator 132 to translate the locking foot upward from the extended position 134 into the retracted position 136. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the locking foot 120 is disposed in the retracted position 136, the upper portion 126 of the locking foot 120 is received in the positioning hole 130 and the base flange 128 abuts an internal-slot upper wall 141 of the internal slot 124. When the locking foot is disposed in the retracted position 136, a pressure is applied on the upper wall 123 of the track 110 between the upper surface of the base flange 128 and the wheels 142 and/or other portions of the sliding guardrail 114 that contact the upper surface of the track 110. The pressure applied between the wheels 142 and the base flange 128 facilitates maintaining the sliding guardrail 114 in an upright position, resisting nominal transverse loads applied to the sliding guardrail 114, and further locking the sliding guardrail 114 in position relative to the track 110. The positioning hole 130 is configured to retain the upper portion 126 of the locking foot 120, such that the sliding guardrail 114 is prevented from being translated along the track 110. The locking foot 120 may be transitioned back into the extended position 134 to allow the sliding guardrail 114 to be repositioned relative to the track 110.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate an example of the sliding guardrail systems 108 installed in an example assembly environment 100. As shown in FIG. 9, the assembly environment 100 comprises a raised platform 102 comprising edges 104 defining an opening 106. In the example of FIGS. 9 and 10, the edges 104 are formed in a rectangular shape and in a central portion of the raised platform 102 to define the opening 106 through a floor of the raised platform 102. The floor of the raised platform 102 is raised above a ground of the assembly environment 100 by pillars 150. As a result, the opening 106 defined by the edges 104 of the raised platform 102 poses a fall hazard for workers. As shown in FIG. 10, the opening 106 is configured to receive a fuselage 148 of an aircraft, such that workers can access portions of the fuselage 148 via the raised platform 102.

The sliding guardrail system 108 is disposed proximate the edges 104 and the opening 106 and is configured to protect workers from the fall hazard posed by the opening 106. As shown in FIG. 9, the sliding guardrail system 108 comprises a plurality of sliding guardrails 114 each operatively coupled to a respective track 110 running longitudinally along the edge 104 of the opening 106. The sliding guardrails 114 are configured to be selectively positioned along the track 110 to block off the opening 106 and/or to provide access to selected sections of the fuselage 148. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the sliding guardrails 114 are translated along the track 110 to remove the sliding guardrails 114 from blocking access to a front portion of the fuselage 148. The position of the sliding guardrails 114 is easily adjusted by a user, as described above, to either provide access to a portion of the fuselage 148 or to block off a portion of the opening 106.

FIG. 12 schematically provides a flowchart that represents illustrative, non-exclusive examples of methods according to the present disclosure. In FIG. 12, some steps are illustrated in dashed boxes indicating that such steps may be optional or may correspond to an optional version of a method according to the present disclosure. That said, not all methods according to the present disclosure are required to include the steps illustrated in solid boxes. The methods and steps illustrated in FIG. 12 are not limiting and other methods and steps are within the scope of the present disclosure, including methods having greater than or fewer than the number of steps illustrated, as understood from the discussions herein.

As seen in FIG. 12, a method 200 includes translating 202 at least one sliding guardrail 114 to a selected position along the longitudinal length of at least one track 110. In some examples, methods 200 include locking 204 the at least one sliding guardrail 114 in the selected position relative to the at least one track 110. In some examples, methods 200 include repositioning the at least one sliding guardrail 114 along the longitudinal length of the track 110. The at least one sliding guardrail 114 remains operatively coupled to the at least one track 110 during each of the steps of methods 200, such that the at least one sliding guardrail 114 is configured to provide continued fall protection for a user.

The translating 202 the at least one sliding guardrail 114 to the selected position may comprise sliding and/or rolling the sliding guardrail 114 to the selected position. When the at least one sliding guardrail 114 is translated in step 202, a locking foot 120 of the at least one sliding guardrail 114 is disposed in an extended position 134 in which the locking foot 120 is received entirely within an internal slot 124 of a channel 112. As described above, when the locking foot 120 is disposed in the extended position 134, the sliding guardrail 114 is configured to be selectively and freely translated along the longitudinal length of the track 110.

In some examples, the locking 204 the sliding guardrail 114 in the selected position may comprise aligning 206 the locking foot 120 of the at least one sliding guardrail 114 with a respective positioning hole 130 of the at least one track 110, and transitioning 208 the locking foot 120 to a retracted position 136, such that at least a portion of the locking foot 120 (e.g., upper portion 126) is received within the positioning hole 130. In some examples, the transitioning 208 the locking foot 120 into the retracted position 136 comprises actuating or toggling a push-pull clamp 140 to move the locking foot 120 vertically upwards from the extended position 134 into the retracted position 136. When the locking foot 120 is disposed in the retracted position 136 and received within the positioning hole 130, the sliding guardrail 114 is prevented from being translated along the length of the track 110 as a result of the positioning hole 130 retaining the locking foot 120.

Methods 200 optionally include repositioning 210 the at least one sliding guardrail 114 after the locking 204. In some examples, the repositioning 210 may comprise transitioning 212 the locking foot 120 from the retracted position 136 to the extended position 134, such that the locking foot 120 is disposed entirely within the internal slot 124 of the channel 112 and translating 214 the sliding guardrail along the longitudinal length of the track 110 to a different position. In some examples, the transitioning 212 comprises actuating or toggling the push-pull clamp 140 to move the locking foot 120 downward from the retracted position 136 to the extended position 134. As described above, when the locking foot 120 is disposed in the extended position 134 and disposed entirely within the internal slot 124, the sliding guardrail 114 is free to be translated to any suitable position along the longitudinal length of the track 110.

During each of steps 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, and 214 of methods 200, the sliding guardrail 114 is configured to remain operatively coupled to the track 110. For example, a downward extension 144 of the sliding guardrail 114, a slider 146, and/or the locking foot 120 are each configured to be received in the channel 112 of the track 110 during each step of the method 200. The downward extension 144, the slider 146, and/or the locking foot 120 are configured to maintain the sliding guardrail 114 in an upright position and resist against transverse loads that may be applied to the sliding guardrail 114 during any of the steps of method 200. For example, the sliding guardrail 114 is configured to remain in an upright position and resist collapsing in response to a user leaning against or falling into the sliding guardrail 114 during any one of the steps of the method 200. As a result, the sliding guardrail 114 is configured to provide continued fall protection for users, such as workers, when being translated 202 into the selected position, when being locked 204 into position, and when being repositioned 210. In some examples, as described above, the sliding guardrail system 108 comprises a plurality of tracks 110 aligned proximate one another and one or more of the sliding guardrails 114 are coupled to each of the tracks 110. In such examples, the sliding guardrails 114 that are coupled to the track(s) 110 disposed closest to the edge 104 provide added fall protection for a worker that is translating or locking the sliding guardrails 114 coupled to the track(s) disposed further from the edge 104.

Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of inventive subject matter according to the present disclosure are described in the following enumerated paragraphs:

A. A guardrail system (108) comprising:

• • at least one track (110) defining a channel (112) extending longitudinally through the at least one track (110); and
  • at least one sliding guardrail (114) configured to be operatively coupled to the at least one track (110), wherein the at least one sliding guardrail (114) is configured to be selectively translated along a longitudinal length of the at least one track (110), and wherein the at least one sliding guardrail (114) is configured to be selectively locked in place at a selected position along the longitudinal length of the at least one track (110).

A1. The guardrail system (108) of paragraph A, wherein the channel (112) defines an internal slot (124) and an upper elongate opening (122) to the internal slot (124).

A1.1. The guardrail system (108) of paragraph A1, wherein the upper elongate opening (122) has a first width (160) and the internal slot (124) has a second width (162), and wherein the first width (160) is less than the second width (162).

A1.2. The guardrail system (108) of paragraph A1 or A1.1, wherein the at least one sliding guardrail (114) comprises a shaft (118) configured to extend downward into the upper elongate opening (122), and a locking foot (120) fixed to the shaft (118) and configured to be received in the channel (112).

A1.2.1. The guardrail system (108) of paragraph A1.2, wherein the locking foot (120) comprises an upper portion (126) and a base flange (128), wherein at least the base flange (128) is configured to be received in the internal slot (124) of the channel (112), and wherein the base flange (128) has a third width (164) greater than the first width (160) of the upper elongate opening (122), and wherein the base flange (128) is configured to restrict passage of the base flange (128) through the upper elongate opening (122).

A1.2.2. The guardrail system (108) of any one of paragraphs A1.2 or A1.2.1, wherein the at least one track (110) comprises at least one positioning hole (130) formed in the channel (112), wherein the at least one positioning hole (130) is configured to selectively receive and retain at least a portion of the locking foot (120) to retain the at least one sliding guardrail (114) in a fixed position relative to the at least one positioning hole (130).

A1.2.2.1. The guardrail system (108) of paragraph A1.2.2, wherein the at least one positioning hole (130) comprises a plurality of positioning holes (130) spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal length of the track (110).

A1.2.2.2. The guardrail system (108) of paragraph A1.2.2 or A1.2.2.1, wherein the at least one sliding guardrail (114) comprises a locking-foot actuator (132), wherein the locking-foot actuator (132) is configured to transition the locking foot (120) between an extended position (134), in which the locking foot (120) is positioned to be disposed entirely within the internal slot (124), and a retracted position (136) in which at least the portion of the locking foot (120) is positioned to be received in the at least one positioning hole (130).

A1.2.2.2.1. The guardrail system (108) of paragraph A1.2.2.2, wherein when the locking foot (120) is in the extended position (134) and within the internal slot (124), the at least one sliding guardrail (114) is configured to be selectively translated along the longitudinal length of the track (110), and wherein when the locking foot (120) is in the retracted position (136) and in the at least one positioning hole (130), the at least one sliding guardrail (114) is held in a fixed position relative to the at least one positioning hole (130).

A1.2.2.2.2. The guardrail system (108) of paragraph A1.2.2.2 or A1.2.2.2.1, wherein the shaft (118) of the at least one sliding guardrail (114) comprises an upper end (138) and the locking-foot actuator (132) comprises a push-pull clamp (140) operatively coupled to the upper end (138) of the shaft (118).

A1.2.2.2.2.1. The guardrail system (108) of paragraph A1.2.2.2.2, wherein the push-pull clamp (140) is configured to be selectively toggled to translate the shaft (118) to transition the locking foot (120) between the extended position (134) and the retracted position (136).

A1.2.3. The guardrail system (108) of any one of paragraphs A1.2-A1.2.2.2.2.1, wherein the locking foot (120) comprises a/the base flange (128), wherein the internal slot (124) comprises an upper wall (141), and wherein the base flange (128) of the locking foot (120) is configured to abut the upper wall (141) when the locking foot (120) is in the retracted position (136).

A2. The guardrail system (108) of any one of paragraphs A-A1.2.3, wherein the at least one sliding guardrail (114) comprises at least one wheel (142) configured to contact the at least one track (110), when the at least one sliding guardrail (114) is operatively coupled to the at least one track (110).

A3. The guardrail system (108) of any one of paragraphs A-A2, wherein the at least one sliding guardrail (114) comprises a downward extension (144) configured to be received in the channel (112).

A3.1. The guardrail system (108) of paragraph A3, wherein the downward extension (144) is configured to maintain and support the at least one sliding guardrail (114) in an upright position relative to the at least one track (110).

A4. The guardrail system (108) of any one of paragraphs A-A3.1, wherein the at least one sliding guardrail (114) comprises a slider (146) configured to extend into the channel (112) and guide selective translation of the at least one sliding guardrail (114) along the longitudinal length of the at least one track (110).

A5. The guardrail system (108) of any one of paragraphs A-A4, wherein the at least one track (110) comprises a plurality of tracks (110) each configured to be positioned adjacent to one another.

A6. The guardrail system (108) of any one of paragraphs A-A5, wherein the at least one sliding guardrail (114) comprises a plurality of sliding guardrails (114) each configured to be operatively coupled to the at least one track (110) or a respective one of a/the plurality of tracks (110).

A7. The guardrail system (108) of any one of paragraphs A-A6, wherein the at least one sliding guardrail (114) further comprises:

• • a handle (147) configured to be pulled or pushed by a user to translate the sliding guardrail (114) along the longitudinal length of the track (110).

A7.1 The guardrail system (108) of paragraph A7, wherein the handle (147) is configured to be selectively transitioned between a deployed configuration and stowed configuration.

A8. The guardrail system (108) of any one of paragraphs A-A7.1, further comprising:

• • an assembly environment (100) comprising a raised platform (102) comprising an edge (104) at least partially defining an opening (106).

A8.1. The guardrail system (108) of paragraph A8, wherein the at least one track (110) is operatively coupled to the raised platform (102) and extends longitudinally along the edge (104).

A8.2. The guardrail system (108) of any one of paragraphs A8-A8.1, wherein the opening (104) is configured to receive a fuselage (148) of an aircraft.

B. A method (200) of utilizing the guardrail system (108) of any one of paragraphs A-A8.2, the method comprising:

• • translating (202) the at least one sliding guardrail (114) to the selected position along the longitudinal length of the at least one track (110).

B1. The method of paragraph B, further comprising:

• • locking (204) the at least one sliding guardrail (114) in the selected position relative to the at least one track (110).

B1.1. The method (200) of paragraph B1 when depending from paragraph A1.2.2, wherein the locking (204) further comprises:

• • aligning (206) the locking foot of the at least one sliding guardrail (114) with the at least one positioning hole (130) of the at least one track (110); and
  • transitioning (208) the locking foot (120) to a/the retracted position (136), such that at least the portion of the locking foot (120) is received within the at least one positioning hole (130).

B2. The method (200) of any one of paragraphs B-B1.1, further comprising:

• • repositioning (210) the at least one sliding guardrail (114) along the longitudinal length of the at least one track (110).

B2.1. The method of paragraph B2 when depending from paragraph A1.2.2, wherein the repositioning (210) further comprises:

• • transitioning (212) the locking foot (120) into a/the extended position (134), such that the locking foot (120) is disposed entirely within the internal slot (124) of the channel (112); and
  • translating (214) the sliding guardrail (114) along the longitudinal length of the at least one track (110).

B2.2. The method of paragraph B2 or B2.1, wherein the at least one sliding guardrail (114) remains operatively coupled to the at least one track (110) during the repositioning (210).

C. A guardrail system (108) comprising:

• • at least one track (110) defining a channel (112) extending longitudinally through the at least one track (110), wherein the channel (112) defines an internal slot (124) and an upper elongate opening (122) to the internal slot (124), and wherein the channel (112) comprises at least one positioning hole (130) formed in the upper elongate opening (122); and
  • at least one sliding guardrail (114) configured to be operatively coupled to the at least one track (110), wherein the at least one sliding guardrail (114) is configured to be selectively translated along a longitudinal length of the at least one track (110), and wherein the at least one sliding guardrail (114) comprises a locking foot (120) configured to be selectively transitioned between an extended position (134), in which the locking foot (120) is positioned to be disposed entirely within the internal slot (124), and a retracted position (136) in which at least a portion of the locking foot (120) is positioned to be received and retained in the at least one positioning hole (130), such that the at least one sliding guardrail (114) is locked in place relative to the at least one track (110).

As used herein, the terms “adapted” and “configured” mean that the element, component, or other subject matter is designed and/or intended to perform a given function. Thus, the use of the terms “adapted” and “configured” should not be construed to mean that a given element, component, or other subject matter is simply “capable of” performing a given function but that the element, component, and/or other subject matter is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the function. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that elements, components, and/or other recited subject matter that is recited as being adapted to perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being configured to perform that function, and vice versa. Similarly, subject matter that is recited as being configured to perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being operative to perform that function.

As used herein, the term “and/or” placed between a first entity and a second entity means one of (1) the first entity, (2) the second entity, and (3) the first entity and the second entity. Multiple entries listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same manner, i.e., “one or more” of the entities so conjoined. Other entities optionally may be present other than the entities specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B,” when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising,” may refer, in one example, to A only (optionally including entities other than B); in another example, to B only (optionally including entities other than A); in yet another example, to both A and B (optionally including other entities). These entities may refer to elements, actions, structures, steps, operations, values, and the like.

The various disclosed elements of apparatuses and steps of methods disclosed herein are not required to all apparatuses and methods according to the present disclosure, and the present disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements and steps disclosed herein. Moreover, one or more of the various elements and steps disclosed herein may define independent inventive subject matter that is separate and apart from the whole of a disclosed apparatus or method. Accordingly, such inventive subject matter is not required to be associated with the specific apparatuses and methods that are expressly disclosed herein, and such inventive subject matter may find utility in apparatuses and/or methods that are not expressly disclosed herein. CLAIMS