Safety screen system for steel erection work

Abstract

A system for providing a safety barrier around a work area on a high-rise structure includes at least one vertical rail detachably connected to the structure. The system also includes a safety screen assembly detachably connected to the structure. The system further includes an adjustment mechanism operable to translate the vertical rail(s) and safety screen assembly relative to the structure at appropriate times. A method for moving a safety screen system on a high-rise structure includes detachably coupling at least one vertical rail and safety screen assembly to the structure, and actuating an adjustment mechanism at appropriate times to move the rail(s) and safety screen system upwardly relative to the structure.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A self-climbing safety screen system for providing a safety barrier around the perimeter of a high-rise structure under construction, the safety screen system comprising:
 at least one vertical rail detachably connected to the structure;   a safety screen assembly detachably connected to the structure; and   an adjustment mechanism, the adjustment mechanism operable to translate the safety screen assembly relative to the structure when the safety screen assembly is detached from the structure, the adjustment mechanism also operable to translate the at least one vertical rail relative to the structure when the at least one vertical rail is detached from the structure.   
     
     
         2 . The self-climbing safety screen system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment mechanism is structurally integrated into the system. 
     
     
         3 . The self-climbing safety screen system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
         4 . The self-climbing safety screen system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one vertical rail is detachably connected to the structure by a clamp that connects around an exterior member of the structure. 
     
     
         5 . The self-climbing safety screen system of  claim 1 , wherein the safety screen assembly is detachably connected to the structure by a detachable connection to the at least one vertical rail. 
     
     
         6 . The self-climbing safety screen system of  claim 1 , wherein the safety screen assembly comprises a plurality of vertical screen panels and a horizontal member, each vertical screen panel anchored to the horizontal member. 
     
     
         7 . The self-climbing safety screen system of  claim 6 , wherein the horizontal member is a truss that structurally supports the plurality of screen panels. 
     
     
         8 . The self-climbing safety screen system of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the adjustment mechanism is detachably connected to the at least one vertical rail with a pin connection. 
     
     
         9 . The self-climbing safety screen system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a roller assembly attached to the safety screen assembly, the roller assembly in slidable engagement with the at least one vertical rail. 
     
     
         10 . The self-climbing safety screen system of  claim 1 , wherein the safety screen assembly comprises a plurality of transfer frames. 
     
     
         11 . The self-climbing safety screen system of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the transfer frames is connected to the structure by a clamp that detachably connects around an exterior member of the structure. 
     
     
         12 . The self-climbing safety screen system of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the transfer frames is detachably connected to the at least one vertical rail by a pin. 
     
     
         13 . The self-climbing safety screen system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one vertical rail comprises a pair of vertical rails. 
     
     
         14 . The self-climbing safety screen system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises an actuated or mechanized lifting device. 
     
     
         15 . The self-climbing safety screen system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a hoist. 
     
     
         16 . A method for moving a self-climbing safety screen system up a high-rise structure under construction, the method comprising the steps of:
 detachably coupling a vertical rail to the structure in a first position;   detachably coupling a safety screen assembly to the structure in a second position;   detachably coupling an adjustment mechanism to the vertical rail;   detaching the vertical rail from the structure;   actuating the adjustment mechanism to move the vertical rail upwardly relative to the structure until the vertical rail is in a third position;   detachably coupling the vertical rail to the structure in the third position;   detaching the safety screen assembly from the structure;   actuating the adjustment mechanism to move the safety screen assembly upwardly relative to the structure until the safety screen assembly is in a fourth position; and   detachably coupling the safety screen assembly to the structure in the fourth position.