Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02280436 1999-08-12
225P6EP01
PATENT APPLICATION
SAFETY LINE ANCHORAGE METHODS AND APPARATUS
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing an
anchorage between two members, such as a safety line and a support structure.
Background of the Invention
Various occupations place people in precarious positions at relatively
dangerous
heights, thereby creating a need for fall-arresting safety apparatus. Such
apparatus
typically require a reliable safety line and reliable connections to both the
support
structure and persons working in proximity to the support structure. An object
of the
present invention is to provide an improved anchorage suitable for supporting
a safety
line in a variety of installation environments.
One known type of fall arrest system connects a horizontal line to a support
structure to support individual worker safety lines without substantially
interfering with
the worker's movements. Examples of horizontal safety line systems are
disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,975 to Riches et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,385 to Riches et
al., U.S. Pat.
No. 5,224,427 to Riches et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,410 to Sharp et al.
Another object
of the present invention is to provide an improved anchorage suitable for use
at the ends
of safety lines used in this type of system.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for establishing a
connection between two members. On a preferred embodiment of the present
invention,
a base plate is adapted to be mounted on a support structure, and a transverse
plate
extends outward from the base plate and supports a ring adapted to be
connected to an
end of a safety line. The ring is retained within a slot in the transverse
plate, and a notch
in the slot cooperates with tension in the safety line to discourage movement
of the ring
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along the slot. Additional features and/or advantages of the present invention
may
become more apparent from the detailed description which follows.
In one aspect of the invention there is provided an anchorage of the type
interconnected between a support structure and a safety line, comprising: a
base
plate adapted to be secured to the support structure; a solid uninterrupted
ring
designed to permanently remain in a closed loop; and a transverse plate having
a
slot having an open end and a closed end, wherein first and second distal leg
portions of the transverse plate are disposed on opposite sides of the slot,
each of
the distal leg portions being secured to the base plate to close off the slot
and
extend outward from the base plate with the ring captured within the slot in
the
transverse plate and forming a closed loop about an edge of the transverse
plate,
wherein the slot is bounded by a sidewall having a notch sized and configured
to
receive the ring proximate an end of the slot opposite the base plate.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of making an
anchorage of the type interconnected between a support structure and a safety
line,
comprising the steps of: forming a plate with opposite first and second
surfaces that
define a plate thickness therebetween, and with a slot that extends through
both
surfaces from an inferior portion of the plate to a peripheral edge of the
plate, and
with first and second distal leg portions disposed on opposite sides of the
slot;
2 o forming a solid, uninterrupted ring to fit into the slot and to form a
permanently
closed loop about a portion of the plate; forming a base to be secured to the
support structure; inserting the ring into the slot; and securing each of the
distal leg
portions to the base in such a manner that the ring is captured within the
slot.
In yet another aspect of the invention a method of making an anchorage of
the type interconnected between a support structure and a safety line,
comprising
the steps of: forming a plate to define a slot having an open end and a closed
end,
wherein first and second distal leg portions of the plate are disposed on
opposite
sides of the slot; forming a ring to fit into the slot and to form a loop
about a portion
of the plate; forming a base to be secured to the support structure; inserting
one of
3 o the distal leg portions through the ring; and securing each of the distal
leg portions
to the base in such a manner that the ring is captured within the slot.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
With reference to the Figures of the Drawing, wherein like numerals
represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views,
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an anchorage constructed according to the
principles of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a side view of the anchorage of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a front view of the anchorage of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is an end view of the anchorage of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a side view of the anchorage of Figures 1-4 secured to a support
1o structure extending vertically relative to an underlying ground surface;
Figure 6 is a side view of the anchorage of Figures 1-4 secured on top of a
support structure extending parallel to an underlying ground surface;
Figure 7 is a side view of the anchorage of Figures 1-4 secured beneath a
support structure extending parallel to an underlying ground surface;
Figure 8 is a side view of the anchorage of Figures 1-4 secured to a support
structure extending at an angle of approximately thirty degrees relative to an
underlying ground surface; and
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a horizontal safety line system including
the
anchorage of Figures 1-4.
2 0 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
A preferred embodiment anchorage or connector constructed according to
the principles of the present invention is designated as 100 and in Figures 1-
9. The
connector 100 may be described in terms of a first plate 110, a second plate
120,
and a ring 130.
The first plate 110 is preferably made of steel and generally triangular in
shape. Holes 111 are formed through the plate 110 proximate each corner of the
triangular
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perimeter. The holes 111 provide a means for bolting or otherwise securing the
plate 110
to a support structure.
The second plate 120 is also preferably made of steel and generally triangular
in
shape. A slot 122 extends inward from one straight edge of the plate 120
toward an
opposite corner of the triangular perimeter. A notch 123 extends into a
sidewall of the
slot 122, proximate the interior end thereof. A notch 125 extends into the
edge of the
plate 120 nearest the notch 123 in the slot 122.
The slot 122 is sized and configured to receive the ring 130, which is
preferably
made of steel and has a solid and uninterrupted perimeter. The notch 123 in
the slot 122
is also sized and configured to receive the ring 130, and it discourages
movement of the
ring 130 along the slot 122 (especially when the ring 130 is connected to a
taut safety line
extending away from the plate 120). The notch 125 in the edge of the plate 120
provides
clearance for the ring 130 and whatever is connected to the ring 130.
The connector 100 is assembled by inserting a distal portion of the second
plate
120 through the ring 130 and then arranging the first plate 110 to span the
open end of the
slot 122 and thereby retain the ring 130 within the slot 122. The two plates
110 and 120
are arranged so that (1) the second plate 120 extends perpendicular to the
first plate 110;
(2) the interface between the first plate 110 and the second plate 120 extends
between one
of the holes 111 on the first plate 110 and the midpoint of an opposite,
straight edge of
the first plate 110; and (3) the notched edge of the plate 120 faces toward
the hole 111
which is aligned with the interface. The plates 110 and 120 are secured to one
another by
welds 121 or other suitable means.
The resulting bracket 100 is both strong and durable. For example, the
assembly
process allows the ring 130 to be of solid construction. Also, the notch 123
in the slot
122 prevents deterioration of the bracket 100 which might otherwise result
from
repetitive movement of the ring 130 along the slot 122.
The preferred embodiment bracket 100 is also versatile, as suggested by the
installation scenarios shown in Figures 5-8. Figure 5 shows a support
structure 20 having
a vertically extending surface to which the bracket 100 is mounted by means of
bolts 99.
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The ring 130 (depicted in solid lines) extends perpendicularly away from the
vertical
surface on the support structure 20, as if secured to a horizontally extending
safety line
(not shown). The ring 13C~ ;depicted in dashed lines) extends away from the
base plate
at an angle of approximately thirty degrees relative to horizontal, as if
secured to a safety
line extending at a similar angle. The ring l3pb (depicted in dashed lines)
extends away
from the base plate at an angle of approximately negative thirty degrees
relative to
horizontal, as if secured to a safety line extending at a similar angle.
Figure 6 shows a support structure 20 having an upwardly facing, horizontal
surface to which the bracket 100 is mounted by means of bolts 99. The ring 130
extends
parallel to the vertical surface on the support structure 20, as if secured to
a horizontally
w
extending safety line (not shown). The ring l~ extends away from the base
plate at an
angle of approximately thirty degrees relative to horizontal, as if secured to
a safety line
extending at a similar angle. The ring 130b extends away from the base plate
at an angle
of approximately negative thirty degrees relative to horizontal, as if secured
to a safety
line extending at a similar angle. In this particular installation scenario,
the bracket 100
may be mounted on the edge of a rooftop or on top of a post, for example.
Figure 7 shows a support structure. 2o having an downwardly facing, horizontal
surface to which the bracket 100 is mounted by means of bolts 99. The ring 130
extends
parallel to the vertical surface on the support structure 2p, as if secured to
a horizontally
extending safety line (not shown). The ring 130a extends away from the base
plate at an
angle of approximately thirty degrees relative to horizontal, as if secured to
a safety line
extending at a similar angle. In this particular installation scenario. the
bracket 100 may
be mounted to the underside of a beam, for example. The ring l3ob extends away
from
the base plate at an angle of approximately negative thirty degrees relative
to horizontal,
as if secured to a safety line extending at a similar angle. The ring l3oc
extends
perpendicularly away from the base plate, as if secured to a vertically
extending safety
line. This particular orientation is shown to emphasize that the bracket 100
can be
erranged to accommodate any safety line orientation between horizontal and
vertical,
regardless of the orientation of the support structure to which the bracket
100 is secured.
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Yet another example is shown if Figure 8, where the bracket 100 is bolted to a
support
structure 98 having an inclined surface. The rings 130, l3cb and 130b show how
the
bracket 100 can still support any generally horizontal safety line (within
thirty degrees of
horizontal).
S Figure 9 shows a preferred application for the bracket 100. In this
application, the
bracket 100 is a component of a horizontal safety line system of the type
disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,975 to Riches et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,385 to Riches et
al., U.S. Pat.
No. 5,224,427 to Riches et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,410 to Sharp et al.
As shown in Figure 9, the bracket 100 is connected in
series between a support structure 20 and the end of a horizontal safety line
40
(recognizing that an energy absorber may be connected in series with the
safety line 40).
The horizontal line 40 is also supported by intermediate brackets 90. A
personal safety
line 70 is interconnected behveen a worker's harness and a slotted coupling
member 80
which moves along the horizontal line 40 and is capable of traversing the
intermediate
brackets 90.
The present invention may be described as an anchorage 100 of the type
interconnected between a support structure 20 and a safety line 40,
comprising: a base
plate 110 adapted to be secured to the support structure 20; a transverse
plate 120 secured
to the base plate 110 and extending outward from the base plate 110; and a
ring 130
captured within a slot 122 in the transverse plate 120 and surrounding an edge
of the
transverse plate 120, wherein the slot 122 is bounded by a sidewall having a
notch 123
sized and configured to receive the ring 130. The slot 122 extends to an edge
of the
transverse plate 120, and the base plate 110 closes off the slot 122. The ring
130 is of
solid, uninterrupted construction. Each said plate 110, 120 is steel, and the
base plate 110
is secured to the transverse plate 120 by welding.
The present invention may also be described as a universal bracket 100 for
connecting an end of a safety line 40 to a support structure 20, comprising: a
securing
means 99, 110 for securing the bracket 100 to the support structure 20; a
receiving means
130 for receiving the end of the safety line 40; and a supporting means 120,
122,
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CA 02280436 1999-08-12
interconnected between the receiving means 130 and the securing means 99, 110,
for
supporting the receiving means 130 at a particular location and in a desired
orientation
regardless of how the support structure 20 is oriented relative to the desired
orientation.
The securing means 99, 110 includes a base plate 110 and at least one hole 111
extending
through the base plate 110 to receive a fastener 99. The receiving means 130
includes a
ring 130. The supporting means 120, 122 includes a transverse plate 120
extending
outward from the base plate 110, and a slot 122 which extends inward from an
edge of
the transverse plate 120, and a notch 123 which extends into a sidewall of the
slot 122 to
seat the ring 130 within the slot 122.
The present invention may also be described as a method of making an anchorage
100 of the type interconnected between a support structure 20 and a safety
line 40,
comprising the steps of: forming a plate 120 with a slot 122 that extends
inward from an
edge of the plate 120; forming a solid, uninterrupted ring 130 to fit into the
slot 122 and
surround a portion of the plate 120; forming a base 110 to be secured to the
support
1 S structure 20; and securing the base 110 to the plate 120 in such a manner
that the ring 130
is captured within the slot 122. The securing step involves welding the base
110 to the
plate 120.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to a
preferred
embodiment and a particular application, this disclosure will enable those
skilled in the
art to recognize additional embodiments and/or applications which fall within
the scope
of the present invention. For example, the present invention may be used in
other
systems and/or environments to support lines which may not extend generally
horizontally, for example. Thus, the scope of the present invention should be
limited
only to the extent of the following claims.
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