DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of safety nets for construction sites, buildings, and the likes. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a lightweight, flexible, strong, and easily foldable safety net for protecting people from injury after falling from a height, and protecting people beneath or beyond the safety net from falling objects, and a process of manufacturing the safety net.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Safety nets are used in construction, building maintenance, entertainment, or other industries to protect people from injury after falling from a height, and also protect people beneath or beyond the net from falling objects, by limiting the distance of fall, and deflecting to dissipate impact energy. A safety net gives falling people or objects much more time to come to rest than hitting the hard ground directly. In physical terms, this means more time for deceleration and kinetic energy transfer, resulting in a softer landing and a much lower risk of damage.
[0004] Safety nets are used at high-rise building construction sites and industries for preventing accidental falls of people or objects from the site. Safety nets are the safest and most cost-effective fall prevention systems in the world. These nets are flexible plastic nets generally made from HDPE or High-density polyethylene raw materials. A safety netting system can include multiple safety nets being installed both horizontally or vertically at the site according to the requirements, by covering the whole site, which works as a protection bed or wall to prevent anything from falling without blocking the view.
[0005] Existing safety nets made from HDPE materials can prevent accidental falls of people or objects up to some extent, without blocking the view. However, as the HDPE material is stiff and heavy, the net can cause damage to the person falling over it. In addition, the stiffness and heaviness of the existing safety net make them difficult to fold, transport, spread, and install at the required site. It requires multiple persons to handle folding, transportation, and installation of these HDPE based safety nets, still, these nets are very difficult to fold efficiently and compactly because of their stiffness and weight, thereby requiring larger area and manpower during transportation, and also requiring more manpower and time for uninstallation as well as installation.
[0006] Existing safety nets and other types of nets are manufactured by forming a meshed structure of indefinite shape and size by interlacing or joining ropes or filaments of required materials, which are knitted to form a sheet of the knot-based net having a plurality of mesh coupled to one another and having required mesh size and loop length. The sheet of the knot-based nets is further cut in required sizes, and their edges are braided to form the final safety net.
[0007] These safety nets are difficult to be connected with another net for covering a larger area. Even if these nets are connected with one another and installed over the area, still, they cannot efficiently distribute the impact energy because of the braided edges and knot-based design, which makes them unsafe when connected. In addition, the border of these nets tends to open, thereby causing damage to the nets.
[0008] Another drawback associated with these knot-based safety nets is that the knots of these safety nets can break all the string tension, generated upon receiving an impact of fall, at the knot of the net because the tension is generally concentrated at the knot. This reduces the strength and impact bearing capacity of these safety nets. Besides, the use of stiff materials and braided edges in these safety nets makes them inefficient in reducing the impact of falls.
[0009] There is, therefore, a requirement in the art for a knotless safety net that is lightweight yet strong, flexible and easily foldable, has no sagging, and has increased strength and impact bearing capacity, and which can be easily connected one another to provide flexibility in size. Further, there is a requirement for a method for producing the knotless safety net.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0010] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0011] It is an object of the present disclosure to overcome the drawbacks, shortcomings, and limitations associated with existing HDPE-based safety nets.
[0012] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a lightweight yet strong safety net that is easy to fold, transport, spread, and install at the required site.
[0013] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a safety net having a knotless design, which evenly spreads the string tension, generated upon receiving an impact of fall, thereby improving the strength and impact bearing capacity of the safety net.
[0014] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a safety net that allows a user to reduce the size of the safety net as required, without cutting the net or without creating any sag, based on an area to be covered for protection.
[0015] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a knotless safety net that is lightweight yet strong, flexible and easily foldable, has no sagging, and has increased strength and impact bearing capacity, and which can be easily connected one another to provide flexibility in size
[0016] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a method for manufacturing the knotless safety net.

SUMMARY
[0017] The present disclosure relates generally to a lightweight, flexible, strong, and easily foldable safety net for protecting people from injury after falling from a height, protecting people beneath or beyond the safety net from falling objects, and a process of manufacturing the safety net.
[0018] According to an aspect, the present disclosure elaborates upon a safety net comprising a yarn knitted in a predefined geometric configuration to form a roll of the safety net having a knotless design. The yarn may be made of Polypropylene multifilament material (PPMF).
[0019] In an aspect, the safety net may comprise a set of center support elements extending horizontally and vertically between two opposite edges and along a center of the safety net. The set of center support elements may be in form of webbings that are adapted to restrict sagging of the safety net and add strength to the safety net.
[0020] In an aspect, the safety net may comprise a first webbing configured along edges of the corresponding net to strengthen the safety net and facilitate coupling of a plurality of the safety net to one another.
[0021] In an aspect, the safety net may comprise a second set of webbings extending around a center of the safety net, at a predefined interval between the edges and center of the corresponding net, such that the two adjacent sets of second webbings are separated by a first predefined distance. The second set of webbings may be adapted to reinforce the safety net and facilitate tethering of the safety net to one or more objects in an area of interest (AOI) through at least one of the second set of webbings.
[0022] In an aspect, the safety net may comprise a set of coupling elements adapted to be attached to the safety net at any or a combination of the edges of the safety net and the second set of webbings. The set of coupling elements may facilitate coupling of the safety net to one or more objects in the AOI through any or a combination of the edges, and one of the second webbings of the safety net.
[0023] In an aspect, the set of coupling elements may be selected from a group comprising a hook, a karabiner, and a fabric loop, which are adapted to be attached to one or more objects.
[0024] According to another aspect, the present disclosure may elaborate upon a method for manufacturing a safety net. The method may comprise the steps of knitting yarn of Polypropylene multifilament material (PPMF) in a predefined geometric configuration to form a roll of the net having a knotless design, and cutting the roll is cut in a predefined dimension to form the safety net.
[0025] In an aspect, the method may comprise the step of attaching a first webbing along the edges of the safety net. The first webbing may strengthen the safety net and facilitate the coupling of a plurality of the safety net to one another.
[0026] In an aspect, the method may comprise the step of attaching a second set of webbings around a center of the safety net, at a predefined interval between the edges and center of the corresponding net, such that two adjacent sets of second webbings are separated by a first predefined distance. The second set of webbings may reinforce the safety net and facilitate tethering of the safety net to one or more objects in an area of interest (AOI) using one of the second set of webbings.
[0027] In an aspect, the method may comprise the step of attaching a set of coupling elements at any or a combination of edges of the safety net and the second set of webbings. The set of coupling elements may facilitate coupling of the safety net to the one or more objects in the AOI through any or a combination of the edges and one of the second webbings of the safety net.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0028] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.
[0029] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
[0030] FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary view of the proposed safety net having hook-shaped coupling elements, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary view of the proposed safety net having a fabric loop as coupling elements, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary steps involved in the proposed method for manufacturing the safety net, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0034] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of safety nets for construction sites, buildings, and the likes. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a lightweight, flexible, strong, and easily foldable safety net for protecting people from injury after falling from a height, and protecting people beneath or beyond the safety net from falling objects.
[0035] Referring to FIGs, 1A and 1B, in an aspect, the present disclosure elaborates upon a safety net 100 (also referred to as knotless safety net 100, herein) that can be manufactured using a Polypropylene multifilament (PPMF) yarn 102, being knitted in a predefined geometric configuration to form a roll of the net having knotless design and having a plurality of mesh being coupled to one another, and having a mesh size and loop length of a predefined value.
[0036] In an embodiment, the manufactured roll of the net can then be cut in required sizes and shapes and can be provided with webbings 104-1 to 104-3 (collectively referred to as webbings 104, herein) at predefined intervals and along the edges of the net to fabricate the proposed safety net 100. The webbings 104 can facilitate easier coupling of one safety net to another for increasing the overall size of the safety net 100 when required and also providing additional support and strength to the safety net 100.
[0037] In an embodiment, a first webbing 104-1 can be configured along edges of the corresponding net 100 to strengthen the safety net 100. The webbing 104-1 can facilitate easier coupling of one safety net to another for increasing the overall size of the safety net 100 when required. In another embodiment, a second set of webbings 104-2, 104-3 can extend around a center of the safety net 100, at a predefined interval between the edges and center of the corresponding net 100, such that the two adjacent sets of second webbings 104-2, 104-3 are separated by a first predefined distance. The second set of webbings 104-2, 104-3 can be adapted to reinforce the safety net 100 and also facilitate tethering of the safety net 100 to objects in an area of interest (AOI) through at least one of the second set of webbings 104-2, 104-3. The objects can be associated with a building, construction site, tower, tree, bridges, and the likes.
[0038] In an embodiment, the proposed safety net 100 can include center support elements 106-1 and 106-2 (collectively designated as 106, herein) extending horizontally and vertically between two opposite edges and along a center of the safety net 100. The center support elements 106 can also be in form of webbing and can help restrict the sagging of the proposed safety net 100 and also add strength to the safety net 100.
[0039] In an embodiment, the proposed safety net 100 can include a plurality of coupling elements 108-1 to 108-N (collectively designated as coupling element 108, herein) attached to and extending from the edges of the safety net 100 through the first webbing 104-1 and configured at regular intervals along the edges to facilitate coupling and installation of the safety net 100 to desired objects and at the desired location, The coupling elements 108 can also facilitate coupling of one safety net to another.
[0040] In another embodiment, the coupling elements 108 can be attached to the safety net 100, through the second set of webbings 104-2, 104-3, to facilitate coupling and installation of the safety net 100 to the objects in the AOI. This allows a user to reduce the size of the safety net 100 as required, without cutting the net or without creating any sag, based on an area to be covered for protection. For instance, the user can connect the coupling elements 108 to the innermost second webbings 104-3 for a much-reduced size. Further, the user can connect the coupling elements 108 to the outer second webbings 104-2 for a slightly reduced size.
[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, the coupling element 108 can be in form of a hook extending from the edges of the safety net 100 as illustrated in FIG. 1A. In another exemplary embodiment, the coupling element 108 can be in form of a fabric loop extending from the edges of the safety net 100 as illustrated in FIG. 1B. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the coupling elements 108 can be in form of a karabiner extending from the edges of the safety net 100.
[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, the webbings 104, the center support elements 106, and the coupling elements 108 can be made of the same fabric material. In another exemplary embodiment, the webbings 104, the center support elements 106, and the coupling elements 108 can be made of different materials selected from any or a combination of metal, alloys, polymers, and fabric, but not limited to the likes.
[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, the webbings 104 and the center support elements 106 can have a predefined width and thickness. Further, there can be a predefined distance between two adjacent webbings 104, as well as between two adjacent coupling elements 108.
[0044] The PPMF material being used in the proposed safety net 100 is 20-40% lighter than the HDPE materials being used in the existing safety nets, which makes the proposed safety net 20-40% lighter in weight in comparison with the HDPE knotted safety net. In addition, since there are no knots present in the proposed safety net 100, the string tension generated in the yarn upon receiving an impact of fall is not broken at any knot, thereby making the proposed safety net 20-30% stronger, yet 20-40% lighter than the existing HDPE knotted safety nets.
[0045] Further, since the PPMF yarn being used in the proposed safety net 100 are not stiff but are flexible and softer compared to the existing HDPE yarn, thus, the proposed safety net 100 does not cause damage to the person falling over it. Furthermore, the flexible and lightweight PPMF yarn makes the proposed safety net 100 lighter as well as foldable, thereby enabling easy, efficient, and compact folding of the safety net 100, requiring lesser area and manpower during transportation, and also requiring lesser manpower and time during uninstallation as well as installation of the proposed safety net at required sites.
[0046] In another aspect, the present invention elaborates upon a method 200 for manufacturing the proposed safety net 100. Method 200 can include step 202 of manufacturing a roll of a net using a Polypropylene multifilament (PPMF) yarn 102, being knitted in a predefined geometric configuration to form the roll of the net having a knotless design as illustrated in FIG. 1A and 1B, The manufactured net can have a plurality of mesh being coupled to one another, and having a mesh size and loop length of a predefined value.
[0047] In an embodiment, the proposed method 200 can include step 204 of cutting the manufactured net into predefined shape and sizes, followed by step 206 of attaching first webbings 104-1 at predefined intervals, and along the edges of the manufactured net of predefined shape and sizes to fabricate the proposed safety net 100. Method 200 can include another step 208 of attaching a second set of webbings 104-2, 104-3 around a center of the safety net 100, at a predefined interval between the edges and center of the corresponding net, such that two adjacent sets of second webbings 104-2, 104-3 are separated by a first predefined distance. The second set of webbings 104-2, 104-3 can reinforce the safety net 100 and facilitate tethering of the safety net 100 to object using one of the second set of webbings. The first and second webbings 104-1 to 104-3 can facilitate easier attachment of one safety net to another for increasing the overall size of the safety net when required, and also providing additional support and strength to the safety net 100.
[0048] In an embodiment, the proposed method 200 can include step 210 of attaching center support elements 106 to the safety net 100. The center support elements 106 can also be in form of webbing and can be extended horizontally and vertically between two opposite edges and along the center of the safety net 100. The center support elements 106 can restrict the sagging of the proposed safety net 100 and also strengthen the safety net 100.
[0049] In an embodiment, the proposed method can include step 212 of attaching a plurality of coupling elements 108 at regular intervals along any or a combination of the first webbings 104-1 or edges of the safety net 100, and the second webbings 104-2, 104-3, to facilitate coupling of the safety net 100 to desired objects and at desired locations, and also facilitate coupling of one safety net to another. In an exemplary embodiment, the coupling elements 108 can be fabricated in form of hooks and/or loops extending from the edges of the safety net 100as illustrated in FIG. 1A and 1B, respectively, but not limited to the likes.
[0050] In an implementation, experiments were performed on the proposed knotless safety net 100 having a 25mm square mesh and made of PPMF material, and the existing knotted net having a 25mm square mesh and made of HDPE material. The experimental results are provided in Table-1 below.
TABLE-1
SPECIFICATIONS EXISTING KNOTTED SAFETY NET PROPOSED KNOTLESS SAFETY NET
Material HDPE PPMF
Mesh Size 25 mm square mesh 25 mm square mesh
Mesh breaking strength in Kilogram-force (Kgf) 80 105
GSM (Gram per square meter) 355 320
Twine size in mm 2.5 3.0

[0051] A comparative study between webbing-based support elements used in the proposed safety net 100 and a braided rope-based support used in existing safety nets is provided in Table-2 below.
TABLE-2
S.No Parameters Unit Current usage Proposed Solution
14MM PP Rope at Edges 3 MM Thick Polyester Webbing at Border Rope
1 Weight of One Meter Kgs 0.101 0.007
2 Breaking strength KN 31 25 mm square mesh
3 Cost comparison per meter Rs 13.4 105
4 Length required for making a 10X5 sq. meter safety net Meter 35 320
5 Total cost of rope per net Rs 469 3.0
6 Reduciton in weight Kg 3.535 2.45

[0052] It is to be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the cost of rope required for webbings per net in the safety net (100) increased marginally by 6% compared to braided rope required in the existing safety nets, however, the overall weight of the webbings required in the proposed safety net (100) significantly reduced by 31% compared to the braided rope. This makes the overall proposed safety net (100) lighter, and economical, yet strong and reliable compared to existing safety nets.
[0053] Thus, the present disclosure overcomes the drawbacks, shortcomings, and limitations associated with existing HDPE based safety nets and provides a knotless safety net that is lightweight yet strong, flexible, and easily foldable, has no sagging, and has increased strength and impact bearing capacity, and which can be easily connected to one another or objects to provide flexibility in size.
[0054] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0055] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks, shortcomings, and limitations associated with existing HDPE-based safety nets.
[0056] The present invention provides a lightweight yet strong safety net that is easy to fold, transport, spread, and install at the required site.
[0057] The present invention provides a safety net having a knotless design, which evenly spreads the string tension, generated upon receiving an impact of fall, thereby improving the strength and impact bearing capacity of the safety net.
[0058] The present invention provides a safety net that allows a user to reduce the size of the safety net as required, without cutting the net or without creating any sag, based on an area to be covered for protection.
[0059] The present invention provides a knotless safety net that is lightweight yet strong, flexible, and easily foldable, has no sagging, and has increased strength and impact bearing capacity, and which can be easily connected to one another to provide flexibility in size
[0060] The present invention provides a method for manufacturing the knotless safety net.

,CLAIMS:1. A safety net (100) comprising: a yarn (102) knitted in a predefined geometric configuration to form a roll of the safety net (100) having a knotless design, wherein the yarn (102) is made of Polypropylene multifilament material (PPMF).

2. The safety net (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the safety net (100) comprises a set of center support elements (106-1, 106-2) extending horizontally and vertically between two opposite edges and along a center of the safety net (100), wherein the set of center support elements (106-1, 106-2) are in form of webbings that are adapted to restrict sagging of the safety net (100) and add strength to the safety net (100).

3. The safety net (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the safety net (100) comprises a first webbing (104-1) configured along edges of the corresponding net (100) to strengthen the safety net (100) and facilitate coupling of a plurality of the safety net (100) to one another.

4. The safety net (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the safety net (100) comprises a second set of webbings (104-2, 104-3) extending around a center of the safety net (100), at a predefined interval between the edges and center of the corresponding net (100), such that the two adjacent sets of second webbings (104-2, 104-3) are separated by a first predefined distance, wherein the second set of webbings (104-2, 104-3) are adapted to reinforce the safety net (100) and facilitate tethering of the safety net (100) to one or more objects in an area of interest (AOI) through at least one of the second set of webbings (104-2, 104-3).

5. The safety net (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the safety net (100) comprises a set of coupling elements (108) adapted to be attached to the safety net (100) at any or a combination of the edges of the safety net (100), and the second set of webbings (104-2, 104-3), wherein the set of coupling elements (108) facilitate coupling of the safety net (100) to the one or more objects in the AOI through any or a combination of the edges, first webbing (104-1), and one of the second webbings (104-2, 104-3) of the safety net (100).

6. The safety net (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the set of coupling elements (108) are selected from a group comprising a hook, a karabiner, and a fabric loop, which are adapted to be attached to the one or more objects.

7. A method (200) for manufacturing a safety net (100), the method comprising the steps of: knitting (202) a yarn (102) of Polypropylene multifilament material (PPMF) in a predefined geometric configuration to form a roll of the net (100) having a knotless design; and cutting (204) the roll is cut in a predefined dimension to form the safety net (100).

8. The method (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the method (200) comprises the step of attaching (206) a first webbing (104-1) along edges of the safety net (100), wherein the first webbing (104-1) strengthens the safety net (100) and facilitate coupling of a plurality of the safety net (100) to one another.

9. The method (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the method (200) comprises the step of attaching (208) a second set of webbings (104-2, 104-3) around a center of the safety net (100), at a predefined interval between the edges and center of the corresponding net (100), such that two adjacent sets of second webbings (104-2, 104-3) are separated by a first predefined distance, wherein the second set of webbings (104-2, 104-3) reinforce the safety net (100) and facilitate tethering of the safety net (100) to one or more objects in an area of interest (AOI) using one of the second set of webbings.

10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the method (200) comprises the step of attaching (212) a set of coupling elements (108) at any or a combination of edges of the safety net (100), the first webbing (104-1), and the second set of webbings (104-2, 104-3), wherein the set of coupling elements (108) facilitate coupling of the safety net (100) to the one or more objects in the AOI through any or a combination of the edges and one of the second webbings (104-2, 104-3) of the safety net (100).