AU2002301550B2

AU2002301550B2 - Fall Restraint Device

Info

Publication number: AU2002301550B2
Application number: AU2002301550A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John Leslie Heggs
Original assignee: JOHN HEGGS
Current assignee: JOHN HEGGS
Priority date: 2001-10-25
Filing date: 2002-10-21
Publication date: 2007-09-20
Anticipated expiration: 2022-10-21

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT (Original) APPLICATION NO:

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COMPLETE SPECIFICATION LODGED:

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PUBLISHED:

RELATED ART: NAME OF APPLICANT: ACTUAL INVENTOR: ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: INVENTION TITLE: JOHN LESLIE HEGGS JOHN LESLIE HEGGS LORD COMPANY, Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, of 4 Douro Place, West Perth, Western Australia, 6005, AUSTRALIA.

FALL RESTRAINT DEVICE DETAILS OF ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO'S: AUSTRALIAN PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NUMBER PR8449 FILED OCTOBER 25, 2001 The following Statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me/us:

TITLE

"FALL RESTRAINT DEVICE" The present invention relates to a fall restraint device for a person working from and along an elevated surface, in particular to a fall restraint device for a person working from and along a fly-jib or crane boom, scaffolding, or heavy vehicles. It is also envisaged that the fall restraint device will be suitable for use by a person connecting rigging equipment, for example slings or chains, or high loads on trailers.

In order to maintain heavy machinery, operators are frequently required to work on elevated surfaces, such as crane booms and jibs. For reasons of occupational health and safety, it is important to secure workers operating at elevated heights with harnesses and fall arrest assemblies from anchor points located on or along the elevated surface. Typically, the anchor points are located at or beneath the elevated surface on the structure or machinery that the person is operating on. In the event of a fall the harness and fall arrest assembly prevents the person falling beyond a limited distance further than the anchor point. However, since the anchor point itself is located beneath the operator, the fall may still result in injury if the worker collides with the structure or machinery located beneath them.

It is generally difficult to locate an anchor point for the harness and fall arrest assembly above the elevated surface, in what is typically thin air.

The present invention attempts to overcome at least in part some of the aforementioned disadvantages.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a fall restraint device for a person working from and along an elevated surface comprising a static line interconnecting a first stanchion and a second stanchion mounted on or adjacent to respective ends of the elevated surface, the first and second stanchions being pivotable between a first upright configuration and a second stowed configuration, and a lanyard interconnecting a harness to the static line, wherein the harness is arranged to be worn. by the person working from and along the elevated surface, such that in an eventuality whereby the person falls from the elevated surface, the person will be restrained from falling further than an effective length of the lanyard from the static line.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a person working from and along an elevated surface on a crane boom, wherein the person is shown wearing a harness connected by a lanyard to a static line interconnecting first and second stanchions of a fall restraint device in accordance with the present invention, wherein the first and second stanchions are shown in a first upright configuration; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the fall restraint device shown in Figure 1 wherein the firt and second stanchions are shown in a second stowed configuration.

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals and symbols refer to like parts throughout, there is shown a fall restraint device 10 for a person 200 working from and along an elevated surface 100 on a crane boom 1 10. The fall restraint device comprises a static line 20 interconnecting a first stanchion 30 and a second stanchion and a lanyard 50 interconnecting a harness 60 to the static line The first and second stanchions 30, 40 arc pivotably mounted on or adjacent to respective ends of the elevated surface 200. Preferably, a lowermost end 32 of the first stanchion 30 is pivotably mounted on or adjacent to a proximal end 112 of the elevated surface 100 of the crane boom 110, and a lowermost end 42 of the second stanchion 40 is pivotably mounted on or adjacent to a distal end 114 of the elevated surface 100 of the crane boom 1 The first and second stanchions 30, 40 are arranged to be pivotable between a first upright configuration, as shown in Figure 1, and a second stowed. configuration, as shown in Figure 2. In the first upright configuration, the first stanchion 30 is vertically disposed at substantially a 900 angle from the elevated surface 100, and the second stanchion 40 is inclinedly disposed away from the first stanchion 30 at an angle from about 50' to about 60* from the elevated surface 100. In the second stowed configuration, the first and second stanchions 30, 40 are horizontally disposed and longitudinally aligned with the elevated surface 100.

A first end 22 of the static line 20 is connected to a free end 34 of the first stanchion with suitable fixing means such as, for example, a D ring provided with a screw thread bolt and secured with a nut to the first stanchion 30. A second end 24 of the static line 20 is connected to a free end 44 of the second stanchion 40 with suitable fixing means such as, for example, a D ring provided with a screw thread bolt and secured with a nut to the second stanchion 40. The first end 22 of the static line 20 is further provided with a tension adjustment means 26, such as a turnbuckle, so as to adjust and maintain tension in the static line 20. The second end 24 of the static line is further provided with a shock absorbing means 28.

The static line 20 is arranged to extend tautly between respective free ends 34, 44 of the first and second stanchions 30, 40 such that when the first and second stanchions 40 are in the first upright configuration the static line 20 extends substantially horizontally above the elevated surface 100, preferably at a height of about 1.8 m above the elevated surface. In this way, a person working from and along the elevated surface 100 may work unhindered by the location of the static line Furthermore, the static line 20 affords a convenient continuous anchor point from which a fall arrest assembly may be secured along the length of the elevated surface 100 located between the first and second stanchions 30, The static line 20 is preferably formned from stainless steel cable, and is typically of about 8 mmr diameter. Preferably, the static line 20 is provided with at least a 15 kN breaking strain capacity.

The harness 60 is arranged to be worn by the person 200 working from and along the elevated surface 100. It is envisaged that the harness 60 is provided with various safety features and is of a soft typically associated with climbing and/or working at elevated heights. Preferably, the harness 60 is a full body harness. The harness 60 is provided with fixtures and/or receiving means for securing the lanyard 50 to the harness The lanyard 50 interconnects the harness 60 to the static line 20. The lanyard 50 is preferably an inertia reel lanyard.

Typically, a first end 52 of the lanyard 50 is provided with a locking D-ring harness attachment or similar well known rigging fixtures for securely attaching the lanyard 50 to corresponding fixtures of the harness 60. Typically, a second end 54 of the lanyard 50 is provided with a climber's non-slip hasp, a rope grab element, a one way line attachment means, or similar well known rigging fixtures for securely attaching the lanyard 50 to the static line 20 whilst at the same time allowing the second end of the lanyard 50 to travel along the length of the static line 20 under direction of the person wearing the harness If the elevated surface 100 is inclined by up to 100 it is preferable that the second end 54 of the lanyard 50 be provided with a one way line attachment means for securing the lanyard 50 to the static line 20 such that a person wearing the harness 60 will be required to purposefully release the one way line attachment means in order to descend the inclined elevated surface 100. In this way, the person wearing the harness 60 will be prevented from unintentionally sliding down and along the inclined elevated surface 100, particularly in wet, slippery conditions. As a further precautionary measure, it is envisaged that the inclined elevated surface 100 will also be provided with a non-slip surface material.

The first and second stanchions 30, 40 are provided with a pivoting means 90 for pivoting the first and second stanchions 30, 40 between the first upright configuration and the second stowed configuration. In the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pivoting means 90 comprises a manually operated winch 92 in fixed operative communication with a proximal side 36 of the first stanchion 30. It is envisaged, however, that in other embodiments of the present invention the pivoting means 90 may comprise an electrically operated winch or similar means to apply tension to the first stanchion 30, so as to raise and lower the first stanchion 30 between the first working configuration and the second stowed configuration. Alternatively, it is envisaged, that the pivoting means 90 may comprise a hydraulic ram in fixed operative communication with a distal side 38 of the first stanchion 30 or similar means to apply compressive tension to the first stanchion 30, so as to raise and lower the first stanchion 30 between the first working configuration and the second stowed configuration.

The free end 44 of the second stanchion 40 is in communication with the free end 34 of the first stanchion 30 via the static line 20. The second stanchion 40 thus moves in unison with the first stanchion 30, being caused to pivot about its lowermost end 42 from the second stowed configuration to the first upright configuration when tensile force is applied to the second stanchion 40 through the tautly extended static line by the first stanchion 30. Similarly, as the first stanchion 30 pivots about its lowermost end 32 from the first upright configuration to the second stowed configuration, the second stanchion 40 is caused to pivot from the fir st upright configuration to the second stowed configuration under its own weight.

A first bracket 35 is mounted to the elevated surface 100 at a location spaced apart from, and in longitudinal alignment with, the lowermost end 32 of the first stanchion The first bracket 35 is arranged to receive the first stanchion 30 when it is pivoted to the second stowed configuration. In use, the first stanchion 30 is secured in the second stowed configuration by threading a pin 31 through apertures 37 in an upper portion 39 of the first bracket 35. The pin 31 is manually removed from the apertures 37 before the first stanchion 30 is pivoted into the first upright configuration by the pivoting means In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fall restraint device 10 is provided with a hydraulically operated dual function priority valve mechanism which will function as a pivoting means 90 and provide a positive pin for securing the first stanchion 30 in the second stowed configuration.

The second stanchion 40 is comprised of an upper elongate member 41 hingedly connected to a lower elongate member 43. Typically, the combined length of the upper and lower elongate members 41, 43 of the second stanchion 40 is longer than the length of the first stanchion In the first upright configuration, the upper and lower elongate members 41, 43 are longitudinally aligned along a central longitudinal axis, as shown in Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 2, in the second stowed configuration, the upper elongate member 41 is configured in a folded position wherein respective distal sides 45, 47 of the upper and lower elongate members 41, 43 face one another.

A second bracket 135 is mounted to the elevated surface 100 at a location spaced apart from, and in longitudinal alignment with, the lowermost end 42 of the second stanchion 40. The second bracket 135 is arranged to receive the lower elongate member 43 of the second stanchion 40 when it is retracted to the second stowed configuration. In use, the lower elongate member 43 of the second stanchion 40 is secured in the second stowed configuration by threading a pin 131 through apertures 137 in an upper portion 139 of the second bracket 135. The pin 131 is manually removed from the apertures 137 before the lower elongate member 43 of the second stanchion 40 is pivoted into the first upright configuration by the pivoting means The distal side 47 of the lower elongate member 43 is provided with a latch means 49 disposed intermediate the lowermost end 42 and an uppermost end of the lower elongate member 43. The latch means 49 is spaced apart from the uppermost end of the lower elongate member 43 at a distance wherein a striker of the latch means 49 will engage the flee end 44 of the second stanchion 40 when it is in the second stowed configuration, such that the upper elongate member 41 is securely stowed. It is envisaged that the free end 44 of the second stanchion 40 will be disengaged from the latch means 45 manually before the second stanchion 40 is pivoted into the first upright configuration.

The operation of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. It is to be understood that the operation of alternative embodiments referred to previously may be effected in a similar manner.

The fall restraint device 10 is arranged to be used in the first upright configuration by a person working from and along an elevated surface, such as on a crane boom, for example. The fall restraint device 10 is positioned in the first upright configuration from the second stowed configuration by first disengaging the free end 44 of the second stanchion 40 from the latch means 49 manually. It is envisaged that a suitable elongate tool will be provided for doing so. The pin 31 that secures the first stanchion in the first bracket 35 is also manually removed from the apertures 37 located in the upper portion 39 of the first bracket 35 before the first stanchion 30 is pivoted into the first upright configuration by the pivoting means The pivoting means 90 is then actuated to apply a tensile or compressive force on the first stanchion 30 such that the first stanchion 30 and the second stanchion 40 are caused to pivot about respective lowennost ends 32, 42. As the angle of the first stanchion 30 from the horizontal increases, the static line 20 exerts tension on the free end 44 of the second stanchion 40, so causing it to first unfold to an extent wherein the upper and lower elongate members 41, 43 of the second stanchion 40 are longitudinally aligned along a central longitudinal axis. At this stage, the second stanchion 40 is substantially horizontally aligned with the elevated surface 100 and the angle of the first stanchion 30 from the horizontal is substantially obtuse. As the first stanchion 30 is pivoted to its final upright position in the first upright configuration, the tension exerted by the static line 200Th the free end 44 of the second stanchion 40 causes the second stanchion 40 to pivot about its lowermost end 42 such that the second stanchion 40 is inclined at an angle from about 50' to about 60' from the horizontal.

When the first and second stanchions 30, 40 are in the first upright configuration, the person working from and along the elevated surface 100 dons the harness 60 which is interconnected to the static line 20 by a lanyard 50. The static line 20 is located substantially horizontally above the person and the elevated surface 100. The person is able to work and travel along the length of the elevated surface 100 between the first and second stanchions 30, 40 without substantial overhead hindrance from the static line 20. In the eventuality whereby the person falls from the elevated surface 100, the person will be restrained from falling further than an effective length of the lanyard 50 from the static line The first and second stanchions 30, 40 can be placed in the second stowed configuration by reversing the operation of the pivoting means 90. The first stanchion is secured in the first bracket 35 by replacing the pin 31 in the apertures 37 located in the upper portion 39 of the bracket, and the upper elongate member 41 of the second stanchion 40 is secured by engaging the flee end 44 of the second stanchion with the latch means 49 provided on the distal side 47 of the lower elongate member 43 of the second stanchion.

It is envisaged that in some circumstances of use, wherein it is beneficial to reduce or eliminate strain or undue forces placed on the shock absorbing means 28 of the static line 20, two fall restraint devices 10 may be installed in parallel on an elevated surface 100. Alternatively, a second static line 20 may be interconnected between the first and second stanchions 30, It will be understood that if the fall restraint device 10 of the present invention is to be used on a lattice boom crane, a footway or continuous work surface would have to also be installed over an upper surface of the lattice boom for reasons of occupational health and safety.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fall restraint device for a person working from and along an elevated surface 00 comprising a static line interconnecting a first stanchion and a second stanchion having a lowermost end mounted on or adjacent to respective ends of the elevated Ssurface, the first and second stanchions being pivotable between a first upright configuration and a second stowed configuration, a lanyard interconnecting a harness to the static line, the first and second stanchions being provided with a pivoting means for pivoting the first and second stanchions between the first upright configuration and the second stowed configuration, the pivoting means being in operative communication with the first stanchion, so as to raise and lower the first stanchion between the first working configuration and the second stowed configuration, the second stanchion moving in unison with the first stanchion, the second stanchion being caused to pivot about its lowermost end from the second stowed configuration to the first upright configuration when tensile force is applied to the second stanchion through the static line tautly extended by the first stanchion, wherein the harness is arranged to be worn by the person working from and along the elevated surface, such that in an eventuality whereby the person falls from the elevated surface, the person will be restrained from falling further than an effective length of the lanyard from the static line.

2. The fall restraint device according to claim 1, wherein in the first upright configuration the first stanchion is vertically disposed at substantially an 900 angle from the elevated surface and the second stanchion is inclinedly disposed away from the first stanchion at an angle from about 50 to about 600 from the elevated surface;

3. The fall restraint device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the static line is Sarranged to extend tautly between respective free ends of the first and second ;stanchions such that when the first and second stanchions are in the first upright 00 configuration the static line extends substantially horizontally above the elevated surface. S

4. The fall restraint device according to claim 3, wherein respective ends of the static line are connected to respective free ends of the first and second stanchions with fixing means.

The fall restraint device according to claim 4, wherein one end of the static line is provided with a tension adjustment means.

6. The fall restraint device according to claim 4 or claim 5, where one end of the static line is provided with a shock absorbing means.

7. The fall restraint device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the static line is formed from stainless steel cable.

8. The fall restraint device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the static line has at least a 15kN breaking strain capacity.

9. The fall restraint device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the harness is a full body harness.

The fall restraint device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the harness is provided with fixtures and/or receiving means for securing the lanyard to the harness.

11. The fall restraint device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lanyard is an inertia reel lanyard.

12. The fall restraint device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second stanchion comprises an upper elongate member hingedly connected to a lower elongate member, a combined length of the upper and lower elongate members 0 Sbeing longer than a length of the first stanchion. b13

13. The fall restraint device according to claim 12, wherein in the first upright 00 configuration the upper and lower elongate members are longitudinally aligned; and, in the second stowed configuration the upper elongate member is configured in a t folded position wherein respective distal sides of the upper and lower elongate member face one another. N14. The fall restraint device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein Sthe elevated surface is provided with respective brackets adapted to receive the first and second stanchions in the second stowed configuration. A fall restraint device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to accompanying Figures 1 and 2.