Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02280438 2007-03-22
SAFETY LINE ANCHORAGE ASSEMBLIES
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.
BackQround 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 and/or relative to a variety of structural members.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for anchoring a first
member to
a second member. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes two
brackets,
two braces, two bolts, and enough threaded nuts to clamp the brackets and
braces relative to a
structural member. The components are configured to be assembled in a variety
of ways to
provide anchorages suitable for mounting on a variety of structural members.
A first aspect of the invention provides for an anchorage kit having
components
which may be combined in various manners to secure a safety line to various
types of
support structures, comprising:
a first bracket and a second bracket, wherein said first bracket and said
second
bracket may be aligned so that a first opening in said first bracket aligns
with a first
opening in said second bracket, and a second opening in said first bracket
aligns with a
second opening in said second bracket, and wherein a third opening is formed
in at least
one of said first bracket and
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CA 02280438 2007-03-22
said second bracket to anchor the safety line;
a first brace and a second brace, wherein at least one opening extends through
each
said brace;
a first bolt and a second bolt, wherein said first bolt is sized and
configured to insert
through each said first opening and through said at least one opening in said
first brace, and
said second bolt is sized and configured to insert through each said second
opening and
through said at least one opening in said second brace; and
at least four threaded nuts sized and configured to thread onto said bolts,
wherein
each said bolt may be secured at each end relative to a respective bracket,
and each said
brace may be secured at an intermediate point along a respective bolt.
A second aspect of the invention provides for an anchorage assembly
interconnected in series between a safety line and a structural member,
comprising:
a first bracket having a first bearing surface which is flat and faces in a
first
direction, and a second bearing surface which is concave and faces in a
second, opposite
direction;
a second bracket having at least one of a bearing surface which is flat and a
bearing
surface which is concave, wherein an opening extends through at least one of
said first
bracket and said second bracket to anchor the safety line;
at least two bolts interconnected between said first bracket and said second
bracket,
wherein said bolts extend perpendicular to said first bearing surface on said
first bracket;
and
an L-shaped brace defining a hole sized to receive one of said bolts, wherein
said
brace has a relatively longer segment which extends parallel to said first
bearing surface on
said first bracket, and a relatively shorter segment which extends
perpendicular to said
relatively longer segment, and a flange on the structural member is clamped
between said
relatively longer segment and one of said first bracket and said second
bracket.
A third aspect of the invention provides for an anchorage assembly
interconnected
in series between a safety line and a structural member having at least one
flange which
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CA 02280438 2007-03-22
terminates in a distal end, comprising:
a first bracket having at least one bearing surface;
a second bracket having at least one bearing surface, wherein at least one of
said
first bracket and said second bracket is configured to anchor the safety line;
a brace sized and configured to bear against the at least one flange proximate
the
distal end, wherein said brace is disposed between said first bracket and said
second
bracket;
and at least two bolts interconnected between said first bracket and said
second
bracket, wherein said bolts extend perpendicular to said at least one bearing
surface on
each said bracket, and at least one of said bolts extends through a hole in
said brace, and
said brace is clamped to said flange by at least one nut threaded onto said at
least one of
said bolts.
A further aspect of the invention provides for an anchorage assembly
interconnected in series between a safety line and a structural member,
comprising:
a first bracket having a first bearing surface which is flat and faces in a
first
direction, and a second bearing surface which is concave and faces in a
second, opposite
direction;
a second bracket having at least one of a bearing surface which is flat and a
bearing
surface which is concave, wherein an opening extends through at least one of
said first
bracket and said second bracket to anchor the safety line;
at least two bolts interconnected between said first bracket and said second
bracket,
wherein said bolts extend perpendicular to said first bearing surface on said
first bracket;
and
two L-shaped braces, each of said braces defining a hole sized to receive one
of said
bolts, and each of said braces having a relatively longer segment which
extends parallel to
said first bearing surface on said first bracket, and a relatively shorter
segment which
extends perpendicularly away from said first bearing surface on said first
bracket.
A still further aspect of the inventing provides for an anchorage assembly
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CA 02280438 2007-03-22
interconnected in series between a safety line and a structural member,
comprising:
a first bracket having a U-shaped cross section defined by a base plate and
opposite
side plates, wherein said base plate defines a flat bearing surface that faces
away from said
side plates, and said side plates have distal edges which face away from said
base plate and
define a concave bearing surface;
a second bracket having at least one of a bearing surface which is flat and a
bearing
surface which is concave, wherein an opening extends through at least one of
said first
bracket and said second bracket to anchor the safety line; and
at least two bolts interconnected between said first bracket and said second
bracket,
wherein said bolts extend perpendicular to said base plate.
Additional features and/or advantages of the present invention may become more
apparent from the detailed description which follows.
Brief Description of the Drawing
With reference to the Figures of the Drawing, wherein like numerals represent
like
parts and assemblies throughout the several views,
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CA 02280438 1999-08-12
Figure 1 is a perspective view of each type of component in an anchorage kit
made in accordance with the principles of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first anchorage assembly constructed with
the
components of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a bottom view of a first bracket included in the anchorage kit of
Figure
1;
Figure 4 is a side view of the bracket of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is an end view of the bracket of Figure 3;
Figure 6 is a bottom view of a second bracket included in the anchorage kit of
Figure 1;
Figure 7 is a side view of the bracket of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is an end view of the bracket of Figure 6;
Figure 9 shows the first anchorage assembly mounted on a support member
having a first profile;
Figure 10 shows a second anchorage assembly constructed with the components
of Figure 1 and mounted on a support member having a second profile;
Figures 11 a-11 f show additional support member profiles which are compatible
with the anchorage assembly of Figure 10;
Figure 12 shows a third anchorage assembly constructed with the components of
Figure 1 and mounted on a support member having another profile;
Figure 13 shows a fourth anchorage assembly constructed with the components of
Figure 1 and mounted on a support member having yet another profile;
Figure 14 shows a fifth anchorage assembly constructed with the components of
Figure 1 and mounted on a support member have yet another profile;
Figures 15a shows a sixth anchorage assembly constructed with the components
of Figure 1 and mounted on a support member having yet another profile;
Figures 15b-15d show additional support member profiles which are compatible
with anchorage assemblies similar to that shown in Figure 15a;
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Figure 16 shows a seventh anchorage assembly constructed with the components
of Figure 1 and mounted on a support member having still another profile; and
Figure 17 is a front view of an anchorage similar to that shown in Figure 10
interconnected between a safety line and a structural member similar to that
shown in
Figure 11 e.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
The components of a preferred embodiment anchorage kit made according to the
principles of the present invention are collectively designated as 100 in
Figure 1. The
preferred embodiment kit 100 includes a first bracket 120, a second bracket
140, two
braces 160, two threaded bolts 170, six washers 180, and six threaded nuts
190. The
components of the kit 100 may be assembled in different ways to provide
different
anchorages.
The first bracket 120 is shown alone in Figures 3-5. The first bracket 120 is
preferably a steel plate 122 having a U-shaped profile. Openings 123 extend
through the
base portion of the U-shaped plate 122 to receive respective bolts 170. Each
of the
openings 123 is sized and configured to support a bolt 170 at three discrete
locations
relative to the plate 122. An outer side 124 of the base wall provides a flat
surface
suitable for bearing against a flat surface on a structural member. Each of
the side walls
of the plate 122 terminates in an edge 126 which faces away from the outer
side 124 of
the base wall. Each of the side walls is provided with a V-shaped notch 128
which is
bounded by converging portions of a respective edge 126, and which defines an
angle of
approximately one hundred and twenty degrees. The contoured edges 126 are
sized and
configured to bear against a cylinder or other convex surface on a structural
member.
The first bracket 120 also includes a tab 132 which is integrally joined to an
end of the
base wall and extends parallel thereto. A hole 133 extends through the tab 132
to
facilitate connection of a safety line to the first bracket 120.
The second bracket 140 is shown alone in Figures 6-8. Except for the absence
of
tab 132, the second bracket 140 is identical to the first bracket 120. In
other words, the
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CA 02280438 1999-08-12
second bracket 140 is also preferably a steel plate 142 having a U-shaped
profile.
Openings 143 extend through the base portion of the U-shaped plate 142 to
receive
respective bolts 170. Each of the openings 143 is sized and configured to
support a bolt
170 at three discrete locations relative to the plate 142. An outer side 144
of the base
wall provides a flat surface suitable for bearing against a flat surface on a
structural
member. Each of the side walls of the plate 142 terminates in an edge 146
which faces
away from the outer side 144 of the base wall. Each of the side walls is
provided with a
V-shaped notch 148 which is bounded by converging portions of a respective
edge 146,
and which defines an angle of approximately one hundred and twenty degrees.
The
contoured edges 146 are sized and configured to bear against a cylinder or
other convex
surface on a structural member.
Each of the braces 160 is preferably a steel plate having an L-shaped profile.
A
hole 163 extends through the relatively longer segment of each brace 160 to
receive a
respective bolt 170. An outer side of each longer segment provides a flat
surface suitable
for bearing against a flat surface on a structural member. The relatively
shorter segment
of each brace 160 terminates in an edge 166 which faces away from the outer
side on a
respective longer segment. Depending on the application, the edge 166 may bear
against
an opposing edge 166 on another brace 160, or against one of the plates 120 or
140, or
against a portion of a structural member. Also, depending on the application,
the longer
segment and the shorter segment may cooperate to cover a colner on a
structural member.
Each of the bolts 170 is provided with an external helical thread. Each of the
washers 180 is sized and configured to fit onto either of the bolts 170. Each
of the nuts
190 is provided with an internal helical thread and is adapted to thread onto
either of the
bolts 170. Those skilled in the art will recognize that two bolts with heads
could be
substituted for the two bolts 170 and two of the nuts 190.
Figure 2 shows the components of the kit 100 (except for two of the washers
180
and two of the nuts 190) assembled into a first anchorage 101. Figure 9 shows
this
particular anchorage 101 mounted on a structural member 201 having a circular
cross-
section. The brackets 120 and 140 are arranged so that their respective edges
126 and
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CA 02280438 1999-08-12
146 face toward one another and engage diametrically opposed portions of the
structural
member 201. The braces 160 are arranged relative to the second bracket 140 so
that the
longer segments bear against the outer side 144, and the shorter segments are
relatively
close to one another. The bolts 170 are inserted through aligned holes in the
brackets 120
and 140 and the braces 160. After a washer 180 is placed onto each end of each
bolt 170,
a nut 190 is threaded onto each end of each bolt 170 to mount the anchorage
101 on the
structural member 201.
Figure 10 shows the same components of the kit 100 assembled into a second
anchorage 102 which is mounted on a structural member 202 having a rectangular
cross-
section. The brackets 120 and 140 are arranged so that their respective outer
sides 124
and 144 face toward one another and engage opposite sides of the structural
member 202.
The braces 160 may be arranged in a variety of ways, depending on the
installation
parameters. For example, when the width of the structural member 202 is
comparable to
the distance between the two openings 123 (and the distance between the two
openings
143), then the braces 160 may be arranged like on the previous anchorage 101,
but
bearing against an opposite, inner side of the base wall on the bracket 140.
When the
structural member 202 has a relatively smaller width, the braces 160 may be
placed onto
a single bolt 170, arranged so the longer segments bear against respective
outer sides 124
and 144, and further arranged so the shorter segments bear against a common
edge of the
structural member 202. When the structural member 202 has an even smaller
width, the
braces 160 may be placed on discrete bolts, arranged so the longer segments
bear against
respective outer sides 124 and 144, and further arranged so the shorter
segments bear
against opposite edges of the structural member 202. In any event, the bolts
170, washers
180, nuts 190 are secured in place like on the previous anchorage 101.
Figures I1a-11f show additional structural members 203-208 having discrete
cross-sections. The components of the kit 100 may be arranged as described in
the
preceding paragraph to provide an anchorage suitable for mounting on any of
these
members 203-208. Again, the arrangement of the braces 160 will vary according
to the
size and shape of the structural member.
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Figure 12 shows all of the components of the kit 100 assembled into a third
anchorage 103 which is mounted on a structural member 213 having a "sideways
T"
cross-section. The brackets 120 and 140 are arranged so that their respective
outer sides
124 and 144 face toward one another and engage opposite distal ends of the
structural
member 213. One of the bolts 170 is secured between the brackets 120 and 140,
proximate the opposite distal ends of the structural member 213, by means of
washers
180 and nuts 190. The braces 160 are arranged so the relatively longer
segments are
disposed on opposite sides of the stem portion of the structural member 213,
and the
relatively shorter segments extend toward one another. The other bolt 170 is
inserted
through the brackets 120 and 140 and through the braces 160 in such a manner
that the
two braces 160 are clamped between opposing washers 180 and nuts 190 on an
intermediate portion of the second bolt 170. Additional washers 180 and nuts
190 are
secured to opposite ends of the second bolt 170.
Figure 13 shows all of the components of the kit 100 assembled into a fourth
anchorage 104 which is mounted on a structural member 214 having an upright T-
shaped
cross-section. The bracket 120 is arranged so that its outer side 124 bears
against the top
surface of the structural member 214, and the bracket 140 is arranged so that
it bears
against the lower distal end of the structural member 214, with its outer side
144 facing
away from the first bracket 120. The braces 160 are disposed at opposite sides
of the
structural member 214, with the relatively longer segments bearing against
respective
upper portions of the structural member 214, and the shorter segments
extending toward
respective portions of the first bracket 120 (beyond the edges of the
structural member
214). The bolts 170 are inserted through the brackets 120 and 140 and through
respective
braces 160 in such a manner that a washer 180 and a nut 190 are secured in
place
immediately beneath each brace 160.
Figure 14 shows all of the components of the kit 100 assembled into a fifth
anchorage 105 which is mounted on a structural member 215 having an inverted T-
shaped cross-section. The bracket 120 is arranged so that it bears against the
upwardly
extending end of the structural member 215, with its outer side 124 facing
away from the
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structural member 215. The bracket 140 is arranged so that its outer side 144
bears
against the downwardly facing surface on the structural member 214. The braces
160 are
disposed in proximity to the second bracket 140, with the longer segments
bearing
against the structural member 215, and the shorter segments extending toward
respective
portions of the second bracket 140. The bolts 170 are inserted through the
brackets 120
and 140 and through respective braces 160 in such a manner that a washer 180
and a nut
190 are secured in place immediately above each brace 160.
Figure 15a shows many of the components of the kit 100 assembled into a sixth
anchorage 106 which is mounted on a structural member 216a having an L-shaped
cross-
section. The bracket 120 is arranged so that its outer side 124 bears against
an upwardly
extending, distal end of the structural member 216a. The bracket 140 is
arranged so that
its outer side 144 bears against a downwardly facing surface on the structural
member
216a. One of the bolts 170 is secured between aligned holes in the brackets
120 and 140,
proximate the vertical flange on the structural member 216a, by means of
washers 180
and nuts 190. One of the braces 160 is disposed proximate a distal end of the
structural
member 216a, immediately opposite the second bracket 140, with the longer
segment
bearing against the structural member 216a, and the shorter segment extending
toward
the second bracket 140. The other bolt 170 is inserted through the brackets
120 and 140
and the brace 160 in such a manner that a washer 180 and a nut 190 are secured
in place
immediately above the brace 160. Figures 15b-15d show how the brace 160 on the
anchorage 106 may be rearranged to provide anchorages suitable for mounting
relative to
three other L-shaped structural members 216b-216d.
Figure 16 shows all of the components of the kit 100 assembled into a seventh
anchorage 107 which is mounted on a structural member 217 having a "sideways
U"
cross-section. The brackets 120 and 140 are arranged so that their respective
outer sides
124 and 144 face toward one another and bear against opposite sides of the
structural
member 217. One of the bolts 170 is secured between the brackets 120 and 140,
proximate the base of the structural member 217, by means of washers 180 and
nuts 190.
The braces 160 are disposed at the distal ends of the structural member 217,
with the
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CA 02280438 1999-08-12
relatively longer segments disposed immediately opposite respective brackets
120 and
140, and with the relatively shorter segments extending across the distal ends
and toward
respective brackets 120 and 140. The other bolt 170 is inserted through the
brackets 120
and 140 and through the braces 160 in such a manner that the two braces 160
are
separated by a pair washers 180 and a pair of nuts 190 secured to intermediate
portions of
the bolt 170.
Figure 17 shows one possible application for an anchorage assembled in
accordance with the principles of the present invention. In this application,
the anchorage
102 is mounted on a horizontal I-beam 92 which is supported by a vertical I-
beam 91. A
safety line 80 is connected to the anchorage 102, and an energy absorber 82 is
connected
in series with the safety line 80. A rope grab 84 is movably mounted on the
safety line
80, and a lanyard 86 is connected between the rope grab 84 and a person's
safety belt 88.
The present invention may be described as an anchorage kit 100 having
components which may be combined in various manners to secure a safety line 80
to
various types of support structures, including a first support structure 201
having a
circular cross section and a second support structure 202 having a rectangular
cross
section, comprising: a first bracket 120 and a second bracket 140, wherein
said first
bracket 120 and said second bracket 140 may be aligned so that a first opening
123 in
said first bracket 120 aligns with a first opening 143 in said second bracket
140, and a
second opening 123 in said first bracket 120 aligns with a second opening 143
in said
second bracket 140, and wherein a third opening 133 is formed in at least one
of said first
bracket 120 and said second bracket 140 to anchor the safety line 80; a first
brace 160
and a second brace 160, wherein at least one opening 163 extends through each
said
brace 160; a first bolt 170 and a second bolt 170, wherein said first bolt 170
is sized and
configured to insert through each said first opening 123, 143 and through said
at least one
opening 163 in said first brace 160, and said second bolt 170 is sized and
configured to
insert through each said second opening 123, 143 and through said at least one
opening
163 in said second brace 160; and at least four threaded nuts 190 sized and
configured to
thread onto said bolts 170, wherein each said bolt 170 may be secured at each
end
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relative to a respective bracket 120, 140, and each said brace 160 may be
secured at an
intermediate point along a respective bolt 170. The anchorage kit 100 further
comprises
a washer 180 for each said threaded nut 190. Each said bolt 170 has opposite
threaded
ends, and said at least four threaded nuts 190 includes six said nuts 190. At
least one said
bracket 120 or 140 has a first side 124 or 144 configured to bear against a
flat surface,
and a second, opposite side 126 or 146 configured to engage at least four
points on a
cylindrical surface, and only as many as two of said points is intersected by
any given
line. Said first bracket 120 has a flat side 124 configured to bear against a
flat surface,
and said second bracket 140 has a contoured side 146 configured to engage at
least four
points on a cylindrical surface, and only as many as two of said points is
intersected by
any given line.
The present invention may also be described as an anchorage assembly 102
interconnected in series between a safety line 80 and a structural member 92,
comprising:
a first bracket 120 having a first bearing surface 124 which is flat and a
second bearing
surface 126 which is concave, wherein said first bearing surface 124 and said
second
bearing surface 126 face in opposite directions; a second bracket 140 having
at least one
of a bearing surface 144 which is flat and a bearing surface 146 which is
concave,
wherein an opening 133 extends through at least one of said first bracket 120
and said
second bracket 140 to anchor the safety line 80; and at least two bolts 170
interconnected
between said first bracket 120 and said second bracket 140, wherein said bolts
170 extend
perpendicular to said first bearing surface 124 on said first bracket 120.
Said second
bracket 140 has a flat bearing surface 144 and a concave bearing surface 146,
and said
flat bearing surface 144 and said concave bearing surface 146 face in opposite
directions.
Each said bracket 120, 140 has a U-shaped cross-section.
The anchorage assembly of the foregoing paragraph may be described as further
comprising an L-shaped brace 160 defining a hole 163 sized and configured to
receive
one of said bolts 170, wherein said brace 160 has a relatively longer segment
which
extends parallel to said first bearing surface 124 on said first bracket 120,
and a relatively
shorter segment which extends perpendicular to said relatively longer segment,
and a
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CA 02280438 1999-08-12
flange on the structural member is clamped between said relatively longer
segment and
one of said first bracket 120 and said second bracket 140. In the alternative,
the
anchorage assembly of the foregoing paragraph may be described as further
comprising
two L-shaped braces 160, each of said braces 160 defining a hole 163 sized and
configured to receive one of said bolts 170, and each of said braces 160
having a
relatively longer segment which extends parallel to said first bearing surface
124 on said
first bracket 120, and a relatively shorter segment which extends
perpendicularly away
from said first bearing surface 124 on said first bracket 120.
The present invention may also be described as an anchorage assembly 102
interconnected in series between a safety line 80 and a structural member 92
having at
least one flange which terminates in a distal end, comprising: a first bracket
120 having
at least one bearing surface 124 or 126; a second bracket 140 having at least
one bearing
surface 144 or 146, wherein at least one of said first bracket 120 and said
second bracket
140 is configured to anchor the safety line 80; a brace 160 sized and
configured to bear
against the at least one flange proximate the distal end, wherein said brace
160 is
disposed between said first bracket 120 and said second bracket 140; and at
least two
bolts 170 interconnected between said first bracket 120 and said second
bracket 140,
wherein said bolts 170 extend perpendicular to said at least one bearing
surface 124 or
126, 144 or 146 on each said bracket 120, 140, and at least one of said bolts
170 extends
through a hole 163 in said brace 160, and said brace 160 is clamped to said
flange by at
least one nut 190 threaded onto said at least one of said bolts 170. Said
first bracket 120
has a first bearing surface 124 which is flat, and said first bracket has a
second bearing
surface 126 which is contoured, and said first bearing surface 124 and said
second
bearing surface 126 face in opposite directions. Said second bracket 140 has a
first
bearing surface 144 which is flat, and said second bracket 140 has a second
bearing
surface 146 which is contoured, and said first bearing surface 144 and said
second
bearing surface 146 on said second bracket 140 face in opposite directions.
Each said
bracket 120, 140 has a U-shaped cross-section. The anchorage assembly further
comprises a second brace 160 sized and configured to bear against the
structural member
CA 02280438 1999-08-12
proximate another distal flange end, wherein said second brace 160 is disposed
between
said first bracket 120 and said second bracket 120, and said second brace 160
is clamped
to said structural member by at least one nut 190 threaded onto at least one
of said bolts
170.
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 vertically,
for
example. Thus, the scope of the present invention should be limited only to
the extent of
the following claims.
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