EP1632271A1 - Intermediate anchor for a lifeline - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a slide (28) in which a guiding unit (18) slides. Braking jaws (29, 29`) permit to maintain the guiding unit in an initial position on the slide such that, during fall of a user, the guiding unit is moved into the slide due to force exerted on the slide by a cable. The braking jaws oppose a frictional force during movement of the guiding unit, and are clamped on respective shackles (30, 30`). Independent claims are also included for the following: (A) a lifeline system including an anchoring device (B) utilization of an anchoring device.

Description

Technical area

The present invention generally relates to a lifeline anchor for use as an intermediate structural anchor.

State of the art

Lifeline systems have been in widespread use for about fifteen years. Installed permanently or temporarily on buildings or other structures requiring the intervention of maintenance personnel at height, they are designed to protect these personnel against falls while allowing them great mobility.

A conventional horizontal line type life line system includes a belay support such as a cable, rope or strap, which extends horizontally between two terminal anchors. The lifeline can extend over relatively large distances, and it is then customary to use intermediate anchors for anchoring the belay cable between the end anchors. The maintenance personnel attach themselves to the belay cable via a mobile anchor (or mobile anchorage point) which can run on the line, the user being himself equipped with a harness connected to this mobile anchorage via a lanyard. The movement of the mobile anchor on the belay cable is normally simply due to the fact that it is driven by the lanyard when the user moves. In addition, the mobile anchor and the intermediate anchors are typically designed and arranged to cooperate so that the movable anchor can pass through the intermediate anchor when it is driven by the lanyard and without detaching it.

FR-A1-2 804 708 discloses an intermediate anchor for a lifeline comprising a stirrup with a core and two wings, and a jumper cut and folded to present a gutter whose edges are extended by legs and two sleeves having a longitudinal slot allowing to climb on the lifeline. Each sleeve is shaped to have a cylindrical portion for insertion into the gutter and the lifeline is extended by a portion tapering to its free end. The wings of the stirrup and the legs are drilled, each of a hole, the holes being aligned to be traversed by a bolt.

The fall of a person generates a kinetic energy proportional to the height of fall which is resorbed during braking of the fall by the system of lifeline. During braking and stopping of the fall, the braking force applied to the human body and the lifeline system depends on the kinetic energy to be dissipated and the rigidity of the system. The stiffer the system, the greater the braking force will be.

In order to reduce the braking force applied to the human body during a fall, it is known to design the terminal anchors, intermediate anchors and the lanyard so that they absorb some of the energy of the fall.

Object of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide an anchoring device capable of partially absorbing the fall energy. According to the invention, this object is achieved by an anchoring device according to claim 1.

General description of the invention

An anchoring device for a lifeline system according to the invention comprises a base element to be fixed on a support structure and a guide element. This guide element is adapted to receive and support a belay support such as a cable, a rope or a strap. It will be appreciated that the present anchoring device comprises a slide in which the guide element can slide as well as braking means. The braking means are designed such that they allow the guide element to be held in an initial position on the slideway and so that during a fall causing the guide element to move in the slideway due to the force exerted on the guide element by the belay support, the braking means oppose a friction force to this displacement.

Thus, when no significant force is exerted on the belay cable, the latter is held in a certain position (related to the initial position of the guide element) by the anchoring device. When a user hooked to the belay cable falls, this solicits the anchoring device at which the downward force exerted by the belay cable causes the displacement of the anchoring means in the slide. During this movement, the braking means oppose a friction force which makes it possible to absorb a part of the braking forces at the level of the anchoring device.

Preferably, the initial position of the anchoring means on the slideway is chosen according to the mounting configuration provided for the anchoring device (depending on whether the anchoring device will be fastened eg to the ceiling, the floor or the floor). Wall). Indeed, to cause the dissipation of the energy drop by friction on the slide, the anchoring means is fixed on the slide in an initial position from which it will be likely to move in case of a fall.

In practice, this initial position also depends on the shape of the slide which determines the sliding path which will be followed by the guide element. The slideway can for example be configured so that the guide member moves in a curve in a plane. Preferably, this curve describes an arc of an angle of 180 ° or less.

According to a preferred variant, the slide is secured to the base. It includes a pair of parallel mounted arches spaced on the base. The arches are preferably at least partially supported by reinforcing elements attached to the base. The guide member includes a slider portion engaged between the hoops. The braking means are mounted on the guide member and comprise a pair of braking jaws, each jaw being clamped to a respective hoop. This variant is of relatively simple construction and, since it offers a slide covering 180 °, is suitable for most mounting configurations.

Preferably, the guide element comprises at least one sleeve for receiving the belay cable. The sleeve is itself supported by a narrow base whose thickness in the direction of travel on the belay cable is less than the diameter of the cable. By adjusting the initial position of the guide member on the slideway, it is possible to ensure a smooth passage of the mobile anchor on the intermediate anchor in most mounting configurations.

The anchoring device according to the invention is mainly intended to be used as an intermediate structural anchor in a lifeline system, in particular of the horizontal flexible belay support type. However, it can also be used with an inclined belay support.

Description of the drawings

• FIG.1: une vue en perspective d'un mode de réalisation préféré d'un dispositif d'ancrage selon l'invention;
• FIG.2: une vue de face du dispositif de la Fig.1;
• FIG.3: une vue de coté du dispositif de la Fig.1;
• FIG.4: une vue de face du dispositif de la Fig.1 configuré pour un montage au plafond; et
• FIG.5: une vue de face du dispositif de la Fig.1 configuré pour un montage sur un mur.

Other features and characteristics of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of some advantageous embodiments presented below, by way of illustration, with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show:

• FIG. 1: a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an anchoring device according to the invention;
• FIG. 2: a front view of the device of FIG.
• FIG. 3: a side view of the device of FIG.
• FIG. 4: a front view of the device of FIG. 1 configured for ceiling mounting; and
• FIG. 5: a front view of the device of FIG. 1 configured for mounting on a wall.

Detailed description of some preferred embodiments

A preferred variant of an anchoring device 10 for use as an intermediate structural anchor is illustrated in FIG. It comprises a base plate 12 provided with a hole 14 for attachment to a support structure (wall, roof, ceiling, post, etc.) by means of a fixing screw 16.

The reference sign 18 generally indicates a guide element for a belay cable (not shown) for guiding and supporting the belay cable by means of two sleeves 20 and 20 'aligned axially so that the cable passes through them. in a straight line. The two sleeves 20 and 20 'are axially spaced, thus leaving space for a crimped ring. Such a crimped ring is typically used to hold the cable in position in curves along a desired radius. Each of the sleeves 20, 20 'is fixed to a first plate 22 of the guide element 18 by a narrow base 24, resp. 24 ', whose thickness is less than the diameter of the belay cable. By using a mobile anchor provided with a slot of a thickness greater than that of the bases 24, 24 'but smaller than the diameter of the belay cable, it is possible to carry the mobile anchor through the anchor 10 without having detach the mobile anchor from the lifeline. Such mobile anchors are well known in the art.

It will be appreciated that the guide element 18 comprises a slider portion 26 which extends on the opposite side of the sleeves 20, 20 'with respect to the plate 22 and which is engaged in a slideway 28 integral with the base 12.

The slideway 28 comprises two identical arches 30 and 30 'and fixed in parallel on the baseplate 12. The distance between the arches 30 and 30' is adapted to the dimensions of the slider portion 26 to be able to slide the guide element 18 in the slideway 28. The two arches 30 and 30 'are preferably metal blades formed so as to describe a semicircle. Reinforcing elements 31 and 31 'are fixed on the base 12 and support the hoops 30 and 30' by their inner face.

In the present variant, the guide member 18 is provided with a pair of brake shoes, generally indicated 29 and 29 ', biting on the arches 30 and 30'. These braking jaws 29, 29 'make it possible to fix the guide element 18 in a precise position on the slideway 28. As explained in more detail below, the braking jaws 29, 29' oppose a friction force during the moving the guide member on the slide. The movement on the slide in case of a fall is made with friction and partially absorbs the energy of the fall.

As regards more precisely the structure of the brake shoes 29 and 29 ', they are designed from the first plate 22 and a second plate 32, which are placed on either side of the arches 30 and 30' . The plates 22 and 32 are rectangular in shape and are oriented perpendicular to the direction of sliding defined by the slide 28. The plates 22 and 32 are fixed at a distance from each other by their edges by means of a pair of uprights 33 (only one is visible in Fig.1), which form the slider portion 26 of the guide member 18. The second plate 32 supports a brake lining 34 (friction material) in the form of wafer whose upper surface follows the curvature of the inner face of the arches 30 and 30 '. A second brake lining 36 similar to its lower face in contact with the outer surface of the hoops 30, 30 'and is pressed against it by an adjustable part 38 whose position can be adjusted by means of four setscrews 40 which lean on the upper surface of the adjustable part 38 and pass through the first plate 22. This allows to adjust the pressure exerted by the jaws 29 and 29 'on the hoops 30 and 30' and thus to control the friction force. Preferably, the pressure screws are adjusted so that the guide element 18 remains in the initial position as long as no significant force is exerted on it (no drop), and so as to obtain in the event of a fall, the desired friction force during the displacement of the guide element 18.

It is clear to those skilled in the art that other embodiments can be envisaged for the slide and the braking means. In particular, the two braking jaws can be designed independently of each other, so that each of the jaws would be provided with its own pair of brake linings (inner and outer).

Preferably, the guide member is positioned on the slideway in a predetermined initial position, which depends on the subsequent mounting configuration of the anchor 10 on the support structure. The choice of this initial position can also be made to facilitate smooth passage of the mobile anchorage on the anchor 10. For example, if the anchor 10 is intended to be fixed horizontally to the ground or on a post (that is to say that the base plate 12 will be substantially horizontal), then the guide element 18 is positioned at an angle α of 90 ° with respect to the base plate as illustrated in Figs.1 to 3. For attachment to a ceiling, the guide element is preferably positioned at an angle β of 30 ° relative to the horizontal as shown in Fig.4 Finally for mounting on a vertical wall, the guide element is preferably positioned at an angle γ of 50 ° relative to horizontally (see Fig.5).

In the advantageous configurations presented above, the user does not need to intervene manually to facilitate the passage of the mobile anchor on the intermediate anchor 10. This allows in particular to be able to install the line out of range of the user and / or the operator to move with both hands busy carrying a load.

Note also that in view of its design, the present anchoring device 10 does not require the structure to which it is attached in the event of a fall of a user. Indeed, as can be deduced from the Figures, the fall of a user causes the displacement of the guide element in a vertical plane for the mounting configurations illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, and in a horizontal plane for the configuration of Fig.1. Consequently, considering the position of the guide element 18 on the slideway and with respect to the fixing screw 16, it appears that in the event of a fall, the fastening screw 16 is urged in pure shear in the case of mounting at the end. floor or wall (Figs.2 and 5), and in pure tension in the case of ceiling mounting (Fig.4). The fastening screw is therefore never subjected to a large breakaway torque, which allows attachment to relatively fragile structures.

In practice, the present device is primarily intended for use as an intermediate structural anchor in a lifeline system. Such a lifeline system preferably comprises a belay cable which extends horizontally between two terminal structural anchors, the intermediate anchors 10 providing support and guidance of the cable between the terminal anchors. The user clings to the belay cable via a mobile anchor, the user himself being equipped with a harness attached to a lanyard that connects to the mobile anchor. In order to control the braking force exerted on the user in the event of a fall, it is known to equip at least one of the end anchors of an energy absorber (for example of the deformation type).

The anchoring device 10 thus constitutes a distinct and redundant system of energy absorption, which makes it possible to limit the braking force applied to the human body and to the intermediate anchorages. In addition, it will be preferred to limit the distance between two intermediate anchors to 12 meters to avoid excessive deflection of the cable in case of fall of the user.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

10

anchoring device

12

base plate

14

hole

16

screw

18

guiding element

20, 20 '

sleeves

22

first plate

24.24 '

sleeve bases

26

slide

28

slide

29, 29 '

braking jaws

30, 30 '

poles

31, 31 '

reinforcing elements

32

second plate

33

amounts

34

brake lining

36

brake lining

38

adjustable piece

40

pressure screw

Claims (13)

Anchorage device for a lifeline system comprising: a base to be fixed on a support structure; a belay support guide member;
characterized by
a slide in which said guide member is slidable; and
braking means designed such that they allow said guide element to be held in an initial position on said slide, and so that during a fall causing said guide element to move in said slide due to the force exerted on it by the belay support, said braking means oppose a friction force to said displacement of the guide member. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said slideway is integral with said base. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said braking means are mounted on said guide element. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said slideway is configured such that said guide element moves in a plane in a plane. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said curve describes an arc of an angle of 180 ° or less. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said slideway comprises a pair of rollers mounted parallel and spaced on said base. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that said guide element comprises a slider portion engaged between said arches. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said braking means comprise a pair of braking jaws, each jaw being clamped on a respective bow. Device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that said arches rest partially on reinforcing elements fixed on said base. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said initial position of said guide element on said slideway can be freely chosen according to the mounting configuration of the anchoring device on the support structure. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said guide element comprises at least one sleeve for receiving said belay support, said sleeve being supported by a narrow base. A lifeline system comprising an anchoring device according to any one of the preceding claims. Use of the anchoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 as an intermediate structural anchor in a lifeline system.

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