Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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REMOVEABLE CRANE BOOM LIFELINE SYSTEM
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a removable crane boom
lifeline system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Buildings and related structures are commonly
constructed
with the use of cranes.
[0003] Because of its size, the boom of the crane is formed of
modular sections, which also allow for the assembly of various size
cranes. Assembly and disassembly of the boom require workers to climb
unto and move along the modular sections as they are
assembled/disassembled. Typically, for safety reasons, workers secure
their security harness to the modular sections to prevent falls. However,
this requires them to lower themselves to secure their security harness to
structural elements of the boom located at their feet, make frequent
switches of the structure element they secure themselves to. In the event
of a fall, the securing point being at their feet, there is a jolt as the
security link picks up the slack between the security harness attachment
point and the securing point.
[0004] It is to be understood that although reference is made to
modular boom sections, the above equally applies to other structures
such as, for example, lattice jib sections, hydraulic boom jibs and
extensions including any lattice work.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for a removable crane boom
lifeline system that addresses these shortcomings.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present disclosure provides a removable crane boom
lifeline system, comprising:
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at least one support element, the support element including:
a base post having a top and a bottom securing members
for securing to respective top and bottom side longitudinal
lattices of the crane boom; and
an extendable post longitudinally and slidingly engaged with
the base post, the extendable post being provided near a
top extremity with a lifeline anchor for attaching a lifeline
thereto.
[0007] The present disclosure further provides a removable crane
boom lifeline system as above, comprising a plurality of support
elements, at least two of the plurality of support elements being linked by
a plurality of steps therefore forming a ladder.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] Embodiments of the disclosure will be described by way of
examples only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a crane boom lifeline system
mounted to a crane boom section in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mounting of the support
posts of the crane boom lifeline system to the lattice of a boom;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of a support post of the crane boom
lifeline system; and
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a combination of support
posts and ladder in accordance with other illustrative embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0013] Similar references used in different Figures denote similar
components.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Generally stated, the non-limitative illustrative embodiments
of the present disclosure provide a removable crane boom lifeline system
that can easily be mounted unto, and removed from, a crane boom (or
horizontal jib, lattice jib sections, hydraulic boom jibs, extensions
including any lattice work, etc.) that is being assembled or disassembled
in order to provide a lifeline that workers can easily access and to which
attach their security harness to without having to bend down, the
removable crane boom lifeline system being adjustable in height.
Furthermore, the removable crane boom lifeline system can also be
provided with a ladder attachment which workers can use to climb unto
and down from the crane boom that is being assembled or disassembled.
[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a removable crane
boom lifeline system 1 mounted to a crane boom 50 in accordance with
an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure. The crane boom
lifeline system 1 consists in a plurality of support elements 10 that can be
individually mounted to one or both sides of the crane boom 50 at desired
intervals. The support elements 10 are configured to be mounted unto
top 52 and bottom 54 side longitudinal lattices of the crane boom 50 in
order to provide a lifeline 56 to which workers can secure their security
harness to prevent falls while moving on the catwalk 58 during the
assembly and disassembly processes of the crane boom 50.
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, each support element 10
generally includes a base post 12 and an extendable post 14
longitudinally and slidingly engaged therein, for example square tubing.
The extendable post 14 is provided near its top extremity with a lifeline
anchor 16 for attaching the lifeline 56 thereto. The portion of the
extendable post 14 that extends outwardly from the base post 12 in
direction A is adjustable using, for example, a pin 22 configured to be
inserted into corresponding holes 18, 20 in the extendable 14 and base
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12 posts, respectively. It is to be understood that other height adjustment
mechanisms may be used in order to set the length of the extendable
post 14 that extends beyond the base post 12. In an alternative
embodiment, the extendable post 14 may be longitudinally slidingly
engaged to a post section exteriorly mounted to the base post 12, in
which case holes 20 would be located on the exteriorly mounted post
section.
[0017] Each support element 10 is provided with top 26 and
bottom 32 securing members positioned on its base post 12 for securing
to respective top 52 and bottom 54 side longitudinal lattices of the crane
boom 50. In the illustrative embodiment, the securing members 26, 32
form, with segments 28, 30 and 34, 38, respectively, downward "U"
receiver structures or hooks configured to receive therein, respectively,
the top 52 and bottom 54 side longitudinal lattices. The top 26 and/or
bottom 32 securing members may be adjustable in order to adapt to
longitudinal lattices 52, 54 of various diameters. The bottom securing
member 32 is illustrated in an adjustable form, segment 34 extending
from and retracting into the base post 12 in direction B, a stopper 36
insures that the securing member 32 does not separate from the base
post 12. It is to be understood, however, that either, both or none of the
top 26 and bottom 32 securing members may be adjustable.
[0018] A locking mechanism 40 is provided with the bottom
securing member 32 in order to ensure that the support element 10
remains in position during use. In the illustrative embodiment the locking
mechanism 40 consists in a combination screw and bolt passing through
both the base post 12 and segment 38, via hole 42, such that the screw
40 passes just below the bottom side longitudinal lattice 54, thus
effectively locking the support element 10 in place. It is to be understood
that the locking mechanism may be provided at either or both of the top
26 and bottom 32 securing members. Furthermore, in the case were
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either or both of the top 26 and bottom 32 securing members are
adjustable, the screw and bolt 40 ensures tight fit of the top 52 and/or
bottom 54 side longitudinal lattices between the base post 12 and
segments 30, 38, respectively.
5 [0019] The support element 10 is also provided with a
stabilizing
member 24 extending outwardly from opposite sides of the base post 12
at the level of the top 26 securing member so as to be generally parallel
to and abut on the top side longitudinal lattice 52 once it is located within
the top 26 securing member. The stabilizing member 24 helps ensure
that the support element 10 remains stable and generally perpendicular
to the top 52 and bottom 54 side longitudinal lattices regardless of forces
applied to it.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 3, pin 22 can be further configured so as
to allow the storage of the lifeline 56 when not in use by wrapping it
around the anchor 16 and the pin 22. In an alternative embodiment, a
hook may be provided on the base post 12 for wrapping the lifeline 56
around it and the anchor 16.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 4, the lifeline system 1 can also be
provided with a ladder attachment 60 which workers can use to climb
unto and down from the crane boom 50 being assembled or
disassembled. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the ladder
attachment 60 consists in two ladder base posts 62 linked together by a
series of steps 78. The other elements of the ladder attachment 60 have
similar features and functions as the support element 10, namely
extendable posts 64 longitudinally and slidingly engaged within or to the
ladder base posts 62, lifeline anchor 66, pin 72 configured to be inserted
into corresponding holes 68, 70 in the extendable 64 and base 62 posts,
respectively, top 76 and bottom 82 securing members, locking
mechanism 90 and stabilizing member 74.
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[0022] In an alternative embodiment, the ladder attachment 60
may be composed of two support elements 10 having openings or
connectors in one or more sides of their respective base post 12 such
that steps 78 may be connected between the two support elements 10,
thereby producing the ladder attachment 60.
[0023] Optionally, the ladder base posts 62 may be provided
with
connectors 92, such as tubing brackets, for engaging thereto additional
ladder segments.
[0024] Optionally still, one or more of the extendable posts
14, 64
may be provided with one or more additional anchors 17, 67 for attaching
a support cable for further securing the extendable posts 14, 64 to the
crane boom 50 or other structure.
[0025] Although the present disclosure has been described with
a
certain degree of particularity and by way of an illustrative embodiments
and examples thereof, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is
not limited to the features of the embodiments described and illustrated
herein, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope and
spirit of the present disclosure and as hereinafter claimed.
