Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
21 792_~g
FALL RESTRAINT ANCHORING DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an anchoring device for mounting at
anchor points on a raised wall or other surface, particularly for use on large
electrical transformers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When working on raised surfaces or walkways workmen often
make use of fall restraint devices which secure them against falling to the
ground and help prevent serious injury from occurring. These fall restraint
devices are usually attached at one end to a nearby attachment point and are
secured to the workman at the other end. A problem occurs when there is no
available attachment point for the fall restraint device which makes it
difficult or
impossible to anchor the device and as a result the workman often ends up
performing his tasks without the use of such a device and thereby risks a
serious or potentially fatal fall.
This is particularly the case when working around large electrical
transformers which generally have an access opening through a top wall which
allows a workman to lower himself into the transformer for maintenance. These
transformers are often quite large and a fall can occur when moving about on
top of the transformer and when raising and lowering the person through the
access opening. Since the top of the transformer usually does not have
appropriate attachment points for a fall restraint device work is often
performed
without.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a fall restraint
anchoring device for mounting at a raised surface comprising:
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a base member arranged for attachment so as to be fixed relative
to the surface;
an elongate mast member having at a first lower end a base
coupling for attachment to the base member so that the mast member is
supported by the base member in an orientation in which a longitudinal axis of
the mast member is generally upstanding so as to define a second raised end;
the mast member having a generally cylindrical body portion having
thereon a swivel coupling for receiving a connector of at least one fall
restraint
cable device connected thereto and arranged for connection to a person to
restrain that person against falling from the raised surface;
the swivel coupling including at least two connector members each
including an annular plate having a swivel portion surrounding the cylindrical
body portion and arranged in substantially a radial plane of the axis of the
mast
member;
each annular plate being guided by an annular element of the
swivel coupling for free independent rotation of the swivel portion about the
axis and being spaced from a next adjacent annular plate by the annular
element;
the annular plate of each connector member having an attachment
opening therein at an edge thereof for receiving the connector of the fall
restraint cable device such that each person attached by the fall restraint
cable
device to a respective one of the annular plates can rotate around the axis of
the mast member independently of other persons.
Preferably there are three connector members each including a
respective annular plate and each separated from the next by an annular
element of the swivel coupling.
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Preferably the base member comprises:
a main elongate support beam for attachment to the structure;
a support base attached to the support beam on a front face thereof;
the elongate mast being arranged for mounting on the support base so
as to be carried by the support beam;
a first positioning arm pivotally connected adjacent a first end of the
first arm to a first end of the main support beam for pivotal movement
relative to the
beam about a first axis and extending therefrom to a second end of the first
arm
remote from the beam;
a second positioning arm connected adjacent a first end of the second
arm to a second end of the main support beam for pivotal movement relative to
the
beam about a second axis and extending therefrom to a second end of the second
arm remote from the beam;
the beam, the first arm and the second arm lying generally in a
common plane with the front face parallel to the plane such that the post is
carried
on a first side of the plane on the same side as the front face;
the first and second axes being parallel and substantially at right
angles to the common plane;
a first engagement means carried by the first arm adjacent the second
end thereof;
a second engagement means carried by the second arm adjacent the
second end thereof;
at least one third engagement means mounted on the main support
beam inwardly of the first and second ends thereof;
the first, second and third engagement means extending to a position
on a second side of the common plane of the beam and the first and second arms
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which second side is opposite to said first side and the first, second and
third
engagement means being arranged for engaging the structure on said second side
for mounting thereon.
Preferably the support base comprises a plate mounted on the front
face to which the post is attached.
Preferably the third engagement means comprises a pair of separate
engagement means each arranged on a respective side of the support base.
Preferably the arms are mounted on the main support beam so as to
be pivotal to an angle thereon less than ninety degrees such that the arms are
inclined toward one another.
Preferably each of the arms includes a pair of parallel flanges each on
a respective face of the main beam with a pivot pin passing through aligned
holes in
the flanges and through the main beam.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a
fall restraint anchoring device for mounting at a raised surface comprising:
a base member arranged for attachment so as to be fixed relative
to the surface;
an elongate mast member having at a first lower end a base
coupling for attachment to the base member so that the mast member is
supported by the base member in an orientation in which a longitudinal axis of
the mast member is generally upstanding so as to define a second raised end;
the base coupling including a pivot connection arranged such that
the mast can pivot about an axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis
through the base member and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mast
member such that the mast is movable to a vertical orientation when the
surface is inclined to the horizontal;
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the mast member having a generally cylindrical body portion having
thereon a swivel coupling for receiving a connector of at least one fall
restraint
cable device connected thereto and arranged for connection to a person to
restrain that person against falling from the raised surface;
5 the swivel coupling including at least two connector members each
including an annular plate having a swivel portion surrounding the cylindrical
body portion and arranged in substantially a radial plane of the axis of the
mast
member;
each annular plate being guided by an annular element of the
swivel coupling for free independent rotation of the swivel portion about the
axis and being spaced from a next adjacent annular plate by the annular
element;
the annular plate of each connector member having an attachment
opening therein at an edge thereof for receiving the connector of the fall
restraint cable device such that each person attached by the fall restraint
cable
device to a respective one of the annular plates can rotate around the axis of
the mast member independently of other persons.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a fall
restraint anchoring device for mounting at a raised surface comprising:
a base member arranged for attachment so as to be fixed relative
to the surface;
an elongate mast member having at a first lower end a base
coupling for attachment to the base member so that the mast member is
supported by the base member in an orientation in which a longitudinal axis of
the mast member is generally upstanding so as to define a second raised end;
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the mast member having a generally cylindrical body portion having
thereon a swivel coupling for receiving a connector of at least one fall
restraint
cable device connected thereto and arranged for connection to a person to
restrain that person against falling from the raised surface;
the swivel coupling including at least two connector members each
including an annular plate having a swivel portion surrounding the cylindrical
body portion and arranged in substantially a radial plane of the axis of the
mast
member;
each annular plate being guided by an annular element of the
swivel coupling for free independent rotation of the swivel portion about the
axis and being spaced from a next adjacent annular plate by the annular
element;
the annular plate of each connector member having an attachment
opening therein at an edge thereof for receiving the connector of the fall
restraint cable device such that each person attached by the fall restraint
cable
device to a respective one of the annular plates can rotate around the axis of
the mast member independently of other persons;
a winch support member which is mounted on the mast member so
as to extend to a position on the mast member axially spaced from the
connector members such that the connector members can rotate on the mast
member without interfering with the winch support member;
and a winch mounted on the winch support member.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side view of the fall restraint anchoring device.
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Figure 2 is top view of the fall restraint anchoring device.
Figure 3 is an enlarged rear view of the fall restraint anchoring
device showing the turn table and pivot connection of the mast connection
means.
Figure 4 is an enlarged top view of the turn table and pivot
connection.
Figure 5 is an enlarged side view of the top of the mast showing
the winch attachment pole in place.
Figure 6 is a side view of an anchoring member and an anchoring
member adapter.
Figure 7 is a side view of an anchoring member and alternative
anchoring member adapter.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding
parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to Figures 1, 4 and 5 the fall restraint anchoring device is
shown generally at 10. The fall restraint anchoring device is mounted at
anchor
points on a raised wall or other surface 1 1 and is often positioned adjacent
to
an edge of the surface, or to an opening in the surface. The fall restraint
anchoring device comprises an elongate mast member 12 attachment means 14
for securing the fall restraint device to the top end of the mast member 12,
mast connection means 16 at the base of the mast member 12, and a base
mount 18 for anchoring the mast to the raised wall or surface 1 1 .
The elongate mast member 12 is substantially upright extending
from a first end 20 at its bottom to a second end 22 at its top. The mast
member comprises a stepped tubular member which is rectangular in cross-
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s
section and is hollow. The mast member 12 has mounted at its top end 22 the
fall restraint attachment means 14 and has fixed at its bottom end 20 the mast
connection means 16.
The attachment means 14 of the mast member 12 is arranged to
receive at least one fall restraint device. The attachment means 14 comprises
a
circular cylindrical guide member 24 arranged over the cylindrical top end 22
of
the mast member 12. The guide member 24 has three guide tracks 26 spaced
longitudinally along the mast member 12. Three attachment rings 28, each in
the form of an annular plate, are mounted one in each guide track 26. The
annular plates of the attachment rings 28 each lie in a plane perpendicular to
a
longitudinal axis 13 of the mast 12 and are free to rotate about the
longitudinal
axis 13 in their respective tracks 26. The tracks thus define annular spacers
which space each annular plate from the next. Each attachment plate 28 has
an attachment portion 30 extending outwardly at a point around the
circumference thereof with an opening in the attachment portion of the plate
at
the edge of the plate. The opening in the attachment portion 30 provides the
attachment point for a fall restraint device.
Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 5 the top second end 22 of the mast
12 includes an opening 32 for receiving a winch mounting pole 34 therein. The
winch mounting pole 34 mounts a winch and a pulley schematically indicated at
34A at a top end, which maybe used to raise and lower a workman or
materials. The pole 34 is arranged to slidably fit the mast 12 such that it
can be
moved longitudinally therein to a variety of positions. The pole 34 is secured
within the mast 12 by clamping means 40. The clamping means 40 comprising
a threaded hole 42 which extends through the side of the mast 12 at a position
near the top end 22 of the mast 12 and an elongate threaded member 44
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arranged to extend through the hole 42 and engage a side of the winch
mounting pole 34. The elongate threaded member 44 is arranged to extend
through the threaded hole 42 such that a first end lies within the mast 12 and
a
second end lies outside of the mast 12. A handle 46 is fixed to the elongate
threaded member 44 at the second end thereof and allows the elongate
threaded member 44 to be turned in a first direction to hold the pole 34 in
place
and allows the handle 46 to be turned in a second direction to release the
pole
34.
Referring to Figures 1, 3, and 4 the mast connection means 16 is
arranged at the first bottom end 20 of the mast 12 and connects the mast 12
to the base mount 18 such that mast 12 extends upwards from the base mount
18 and such that the mast 12 is substantially perpendicular to the base mount
18 when in an unpivoted position. The mast connection means 16 includes a
pivot connection 48 which allows the mast to be pivoted about a horizontal
axis
of rotation 50 at an angle of 22 from its perpendicular unpivoted position.
The
pivot connection means 48 is mounted on top of a turn table 52 which is
arranged to allow the mast 12 to be rotated about the longitudinal axis 13 of
the mast 12 when the mast 12 is in the unpivoted position.
The pivot connection 48 comprises a pair of flanges 54 arranged
on opposite sides of the mast 12 and extending laterally outwards therefrom.
The flanges 54 extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 13 of the mast
12.
Each flange 54 includes a threaded hole 55 extending from a top side of the
flange 54 through to bottom side of the flange 54. The pivot connection 48
also includes a second pair of flanges 56 arranged adjacent the sides of the
mast 12 at 90 to the first set of flanges 54. The second pair of flanges lie
in a
plane parallel to the longitudinal axis 13 of the mast 12. The mast 12 has a
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hole 58 extending laterally through it adjacent the bottom end 20 of the mast
12. Each of the second set of flanges 56 includes a hole 60 extending through
the flange. The holes 58 and 60 are aligned with each other and are arranged
to co-operate to receive an elongate pin member 62 which is arranged to extend
5 through the holes 58 and 60. The pin 62 is arranged to lie substantially
perpendicular to the mast 12 such that the mast 12 can pivot about the pin 62
and about the axis of rotation 50 at an angle of pivot to the longitudinal
axis
13.
The pivot connection 48 also includes adjustment means 64 which
10 allow for adjusting the angle of pivot of the mast 12 and for holding the
mast
12 at said angle of pivot . The adjusting means 64 comprise a pair of elongate
threaded members 66 one being arranged in each of the holes 55 in the flanges
54. Each threaded member 66 has a first end arranged to engage a top surface
of the turn table 52 and a second end arranged on the side of the flanges
opposite the side of the hole 55. The second end of the elongate threaded
member 66 includes a handle 68 which allows the elongate threaded member
66 to be turned in the hole thereby changing the angle of pivot of the mast
12.
By adjusting both elongate members 66 the angle of pivot of the mast 12 can
be adjusted up to 22 the longitudinal axis 13. Having the two elongate
adjustment members 66 allows pivoting of the mast 12 while at the same time
positively holding the mast 12 in the pivoted position.
The turn table 52 is mounted on a top face of the base member 18
and arranged to rotate about the longitudinal axis 13. The turn table 52
comprises a substantially square plate member 70 arranged to lie in a plane
perpendicular to the mast 12 when in the unpivoted position. The plate
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member 70 is arranged to lie adjacent the top face of the base member 18 and
is fixed thereto.
A circular plate member 72 is arranged to lie parallel to the first
plate member 70 such that it lies between the plate member 70 and the mast
12. The circular plate 72 has a peripheral outer edge 74 which is spaced
inwards from an outer edge 76 of the plate member 70. The flanges 56 of the
pivot connection means 16 are fixed to a top surface of the circular plate 72
in
such a manner that the mast is centered over the circular plate 72 when in the
unpivoted position. The circular plate 72 is slidably arranged on the base
plate
70 for rotation thereon.
A plurality of restraining members 78 are spaced annularly around
the circular plate 72 and are fixed to the base plate 70 at a bottom end
thereof.
Each one of the plurality of restraining members 78 includes a flange 80 which
extends inwards and over the circular plate 72 such that the circular plate is
restrained laterally and vertically and yet is free to rotate about the
longitudinal
axis 13. Each of the restraining members 78 includes a clamping means 82 for
clamping the circular plate 72 between the flange 80 of the restraining member
78 and the base plate 70 thus preventing rotation of the circular plate 72 and
locking the mast 12 in the desired position. The clamping means 82 generally
comprises a threaded member extending upwards from the top of the base plate
70 and a hole in the restraining member 78 for receiving the corresponding
threaded member therethrough. A nut 64 is arranged for tightening down or
loosening the restraining member 78 thereby either allowing the circular plate
72 to rotate or preventing rotation of the circular plate 72.
By adjusting the pivot connection 48 and the turn table 52 the
mast may be turned and pivoted to allow the top end of the mast 22 to be
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repositioned through a plurality of positions such as over the side of the
surface
1 1, or over an opening in the surface 1 1.
Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 4 the base mount 18 is fixed to a
bottom end of the turn table 52 and anchors the mast 12 to the surface 11.
The base mount 18 comprises a main support member 84, a plurality of
anchoring members 86, a first anchor member positioning arm 88, and a second
anchor member positioning arm 90. The main support member 84 comprises a
pair of elongate tubular members 92 and 94 arranged side by side and to lie
parallel to the axis of rotation 50 of the pivot connection 58. The main
support
member 84 extends outwards from the mast to outer ends 96 and 98.
The first anchor member positioning arm 88 is pivotally connected
at a first end 100 to the outer end 96 of the main support member 84 and
extends outwards from the first end 100 to a second end 102. The second
anchor member positioning arm 90 is pivotally connected at a first end 104 to
an outer end 98 of the main support member 84 on a side of the mast opposite
the first anchor member positioning arm 88. The second anchor member
positioning arm 90 extends outwards from its first end 104 to a second end
106. The first and second anchor member positioning arms 88 and 90 lying
substantially in the same plane as the main support member 84 which is
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 13 of the mast 12 when
the
mast 12 is in the upright position. The first and second clamp positioning
arms
88 and 90 are pivotally connected to the main support member 84 such that
the arms 88 and 90 can be positioned inwards towards one another and
outwards away from one another between a range of positions.
Referring to Figures 1, 2, 6, and 7 a plurality of anchoring member
mounts 108 are arranged in two rows spaced apart from one another and
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extending longitudinally along the main support member 84. Each anchoring
member mount may receive a respective one of the plurality of anchoring
members 86. Each of the first and second anchor member positioning arms 88
and 90 also a plurality of anchoring member mounts 108 spaced longitudinally
therealong. The anchoring member mounts 108 on the first and second anchor
member positioning arms 88 and 90 are the same as those on the main support
member 84 are also arranged to receive a respective one of the plurality of
anchoring members 86. The anchoring member mounts 108 are arranged on
the first and second anchor member positioning arms 88 and 90 such that there
is an anchoring member mount 108 arranged at the second outer end of each of
the arms.
Each one of the plurality of anchoring member mounts 108
comprises a hole 109 extending from a top side to a bottom side of one of the
main support members 84, the first anchor member positioning arm 88 and the
second anchor member positioning arm 90.
Each of the plurality of anchoring members 86 is mounted on the
base mount 18 at one of the anchoring member mounts 108. A removable and
re-engageable pivot connection means 1 10 is located at a first end 1 1 1 of
each
anchoring member 86 and allows the anchoring member 86 to connect to a
respective one of the plurality of anchoring member mounts 108. A fastening
means 112 is arranged at a second end 113 of each of the plurality of
anchoring members 86 for engaging an anchor member adapter 1 14.
Each one of the anchoring members 86 comprises a first pair of
spaced apart plate members 116 aligned vertically with one another, a second
pair of spaced apart plate members 1 18 fixed to the first plate members 1 16
at
the second end of the anchoring member 84. The second plate members 1 18
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14
are arranged to extend laterally outward from the first plate member 116 to
respective first and second ends. A third pair of spaced apart plate members
120 are arranged such that each one of the third pair of spaced apart plate
members extends between respective first or second ends of the second plate
members 118 such that second and third plate members are perpendicular to
one another.
A hole 122 is arranged through each of the first pair of spaced
apart plate members adjacent the first end thereof. The holes 122 are arranged
to align vertically with each other and the plates 114 are spaced apart a
distance such the holes 122 can be arranged on either side of the main support
member or one of the anchoring member positioning arms such that the holes
122 can be aligned to co-operate with the hole 108 of a respective anchoring
member mounting point.
A second hole 124 is arranged at the second end of the anchoring
member through each of the pairs of plates 116 and 118 and such that the
holes 124 align vertically with respect to one another. Arranged between the
plates 116 and aligned with the holes 124 is the fastening means 112. The
fastening means 112 comprises a threaded socket 126 arranged between the
plates 1 16 and 1 18 such that it may rotate about a vertical axis. The
threaded
socket 126 has an elongate handle member 128 extending upwards through the
hole 124 in the plates 116 and 114 and has an opening 130 at a bottom end
132 adjacent the hole 124 and the plates 116 and 114 arranged below the
socket member.
Each of the anchoring members 86 may be positioned at any of the
plurality of mounting points 108 on either the arms 88 and 90, and may be
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selectively repositioned at their second ends 1 13 relative to the first ends
113
by pivoting them about the pivot connection.
The anchor member adapters 130 each have removable and re
engageable first fastener means 132 sized and arranged for co-operation with
5 the fastening means 1 12 of a respective one of the anchoring members 86 and
a removable and re-engageable second fastener means 134 sized and arranged
for co-operation with the corresponding one of the anchor points 136 on the
surface 1 1 . A number of different types of anchoring member adapters 130 are
provided each type having a different second fastening means 134 for securing
10 the base mount to different types of anchor points 136.
The removable and re-engageable first fastener means 132
comprise an elongate threaded member 126 extending up from a hexagonal
body 133 and is arranged such that it can be engaged within the socket
member of the anchoring member 86. The second fastener means 134 usually
15 comprises an elongate threaded member extending downwards from the hex-
member 133 for engaging within an anchoring point 136 comprising a threaded
hole in the surface 1 1 . An alternative second fastener means 134 comprises
an
elongate pin member extending downwards from the hex-member 133 and
arranged to extend through a predetermined anchor point 136 comprising a hole
through the surface 11. The elongate pin member 134 includes a hole 138
extending laterally therethrough and having a retaining pin 140 for engaging
through the lateral hole 138 thereby retaining the pin member 134 within the
anchor point hole 136.
The anchoring member adapters 130 allow the device to be used
on surfaces having a variety of anchoring point 136 types without modifying
the body of the device. The anchoring point adapters 130 may have any
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second fastening means which is appropriate to anchor to the corresponding
anchoring point 136 on the surface 1 1. This allows one device to be used on a
number of different surfaces, and for a number of different purposes, simply
by
using the appropriate adapter to anchor the device to the desired surface.
In use the fall restraint anchoring device 10 is secured to a surface
11 by first selecting an appropriate anchoring member adapter 130 such that
the second fastening means 132 of the anchoring member adapter 130 is
compatible with the respective anchor point 136. The anchoring member
adapter 130 is then positioned at the anchoring point 136 and is secured to
the
anchoring point 136 either by screwing the threaded member 134 into the
anchoring point 136 by using turning the hex 133 or by positioning the pin 134
through the anchoring point 136 and securing it in place using the restraining
pin 138. Any other appropriate method of securing the anchoring member
adapter to the anchoring point 136 may also be used.
Each anchoring member 86 is thus positioned adjacent and above a
corresponding anchoring member adapter 130. This is done by selecting an
appropriate mounting point 108 for the anchoring member 86 and by positioning
the first and second anchor member positioning arms 88 and 90 and second
end of the anchoring member 86 to align above the anchoring member adapters
130 and in the case of the anchoring members on the main support member 84
by positioning the second end of the anchoring member 84 above a
corresponding anchoring member adapter 130. Each anchoring member 84 is
fastened to the anchoring member adapter 130 by engaging the second
fastening means 132 of the anchoring member adapter 130 with the fastening
means 1 12 of the anchoring member 86. The second fastening means 132, the
anchoring member adapter 130 is aligned with the socket 126 in the anchoring
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member. The socket 126 is rotated and thereby threaded onto the second
fastening means 132 by rotating a handle or other means for rotating the
socket
126. By engaging the fastener means 1 12 of each anchoring member 86 with
the second fastener means 112 of each anchoring member adapter 130 the
base member 18 is secured to the surface 1 1.
The position of the top end 22 of the mast 12 can be repositioned
by rotating the turn table 52 and pivoting the pivot connection 48 such that
the
end 22 of the mast 12 extends over the desired location. A fall restraint
device
is connected to the attachment means at the top 22 of the mast 12 and is
connected to a workman at its other end securing the workman to the device
10 and thereby the surface 1 1 against a fall.
While one embodiment of the present invention has been described
in the foregoing, it is to be understood that other embodiments are possible
within the scope of the invention. The invention is to be considered limited
solely by the scope of the appended claims.
a
