Device for anchoring operator to high-altitude working structure, and aerial bucket comprising such anchoring device

Abstract

The anchoring device (100) comprises a housing (110) provided with means (113) for fastening to a high-altitude work structure and a link member (120) provided with a fastener (122) that can be hooked by a lanyard (40) to be connected to an operator. The link member is movably mounted on the housing in a direction of movement (X120) for movement between a retracted configuration in which the fastener is arranged within the interior volume of the housing against hooking by a lanyard and an extended configuration in which the fastener is arranged within the interior volume of the housing against hooking by a lanyard. The fastener is disposed outside the interior volume so as to be hooked by a lanyard, and once the fastener is hooked by the lanyard, the housing interferes with the lanyard to prevent the link member from returning to the retracted configuration. The position of the link member in the direction of movement is detected by at least one position sensor (151, 152) arranged within the interior volume.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for anchoring an operator to a high-altitude working structure. The present invention also relates to an aerial bucket having such an anchoring device.

[0002] The field of the invention is generally the safety of operators working at height, and in particular the safety of operators on aerial buckets.

[0003] When an operator is working at height, he is usually connected to the high working structure (such as the platform of an aerial bucket) by a safety lanyard. In this way, if a fall occurs, the operator is still hanging on the structure. At the operator, one end of the lanyard is usually connected to a harness, vest or safety belt that the operator wears around his body. The other end of the lanyard is anchored to the high working structure by the anchoring device involved in the present invention.

[0004] The most basic method is to attach the end of the lanyard, usually with a safety hook, directly to the high working structure. This solution is effective if it is actually hooked. However, it has been observed that some operators do not hook it for convenience or because they are not aware of the safety rules.

[0005] To address this problem, in recent years, "smart" anchoring devices have been developed that can detect whether they have a lanyard attached and, if not, issue a warning signal or even suppress certain related aerial bucket commands. However, these existing anchoring devices are complex and / or impractical and are therefore not suitable for the often dirty and demanding working conditions on construction sites. These anchoring devices are also sometimes dependent on one or more specific parts, which makes them very limited in their use. In addition, they cannot avoid being "cheated" by unscrupulous operators, for example by allowing a false end to be easily connected, such as the other end of the lanyard is not connected to the operator.

[0006] US9149670B1 discloses an anchoring device for an aerial bucket, comprising an anchoring portion of a fastener forming a safety hook for a hanging rope, and in US9149670B1 Fig.12 and 13 In an embodiment of the present invention, the anchoring portion is arranged to be vertically movable relative to the fixed housing between two extreme positions, retracting and extending relative to the fixed housing, respectively. The anchoring portion acts mechanically, directly or through a linkage device, on a hydraulic valve controlling the fluid supply of the hydraulic system of the aerial bucket.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a novel anchoring device which is simple, strong, practical and can effectively detect whether the operator has anchored correctly.

[0008] To this end, the present invention relates to a device for anchoring an operator to an elevated working structure, such as a platform of an aerial bucket, the anchoring device being as defined in claim 1 .

[0009] One of the concepts of the present invention is not to seek to detect directly a lanyard that can be hooked onto an anchoring device, but to detect the position of a link member that can be fixed to a high-altitude working structure, can be hooked onto a lanyard and can be moved between the inside and outside of the housing along a predetermined movement direction. The present invention provides a link member that moves between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration by moving it along the aforementioned direction. In the retracted configuration, the link member is arranged inside the housing so that the housing blocks access to a fastener of the link member for hooking the lanyard. In the extended configuration, the aforementioned fastener is sufficiently located outside the housing so that it can be hooked onto the lanyard. Once the lanyard is hooked onto the fastener in this way, the housing and the lanyard will mechanically interfere with each other to prevent the link from returning to the retracted configuration. In fact, the embodiment of the fastener and the end of the lanyard connected to the fastener are not limited, so that such an end can especially take the form of any conventional safety hook. Similarly, the method of connecting the housing to the high-altitude working structure according to the anchoring device of the present invention can be applied to any type of structure. In any case, since most or all of it is protected inside the housing, the retracted fastener is not exposed to the risk of damage or accumulation of dirt. Furthermore, once the operator has moved the link member to the extended configuration and hooked the lanyard to it, the operator need not worry about additional manipulation of the anchoring device according to the invention, while being assured that the anchoring device effectively holds the link in the extended configuration as long as the lanyard remains hooked thereto. The invention also provides for the position of the link member to be monitored by one or more position sensors: as explained in more detail below, the signals emitted by this or these position sensors are advantageously processed to determine the correct anchoring of the operator, in particular to check whether the operator who is on the high working structure has indeed moved the link member to the extended configuration to hook their lanyard thereto, and to determine whether the operator has not fallen or whether they are neither inanimate nor attempting to "cheat" the anchoring device by connecting a substitute for the lanyard that the operator is to connect. As described below, the anchoring device according to the invention can also advantageously emit a warning signal in the event of a non-anchoring or poor anchoring, and the warning signal is sent directly to the operator or to personnel in the vicinity of the high working structure, for example in the form of an acoustic or optical signal, and / or to a remote data processing system that uses the corresponding information for various purposes.

[0010] It should be noted that the anchoring device according to the present invention can be used in any high-altitude working structure, such as a scaffold.

[0011] However, the invention has a preferred application in the field of man lifts. The invention also relates to an aerial bucket as defined in claim 16. In practical application, such an aerial bucket is to be understood in a broad sense, including the nature of its lifting structure and its possible translational capabilities on the ground, as explained in detail below.

[0012] Additional advantageous features of the anchoring device according to the invention are specified in the other claims.

[0013] The invention may be better understood by reading the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lifting device according to the present invention;

[0015] - Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An elevational view of the platform of the hollow mid-bucket, provided with an anchoring device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0016] - Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic partial perspective view of the anchoring device, shown alone;

[0017] - Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An elevation view of only a portion of the anchoring device;

[0018] - Figure 5 yes Figure 3 Partial view of midplane V,

[0019] - Figure 6-8 is similar to Figure 5 , respectively showing different use states of the anchoring device according to the first embodiment;

[0020] - Fig. 9 is similar to Figure 3 , showing a second embodiment of an anchoring device according to the invention, shown in partial cross-section;

[0021] - Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 Local cross section in the mid-X plane,

[0022] - Fig.11 yes Fig.10 The local cross section of the XI-XI plane,

[0023] - Figure 12-14 is similar to Fig.10 , respectively showing different use states of the anchoring device according to the second embodiment, which are similar to Figure 6-8 The status of use shown.

[0024] Figure 1 An aerial bucket 1 is shown that allows one or more operators to reach heights to carry out work.

[0025] The aerial bucket 1 has a chassis 10 placed on the ground.

[0026] In this example, the chassis 10 is movably placed on the ground and is therefore equipped with wheels 11 so that it can be translated on the ground. Alternatively, not shown, all or part of the wheels 11 are replaced by tracks. More generally, the wheels 11 are only examples of ground translation components that match the chassis 10. Regardless of the specific characteristics of these ground translation components, the chassis 10 is advantageously designed to be self-propelled so that it can be moved on the ground by itself. Alternatively, the aerial bucket 1 is not self-propelled, but is designed to be moved on the ground by pulling or pushing it.

[0027] Alternatively, the chassis 10 is placed on the ground in a fixed manner via suitable fixed support members.

[0028] In any case, the aerial bucket 1 comprises a platform 20, also called a basket, which is designed for an operator who uses the platform to stand. Thus, the platform 20 is designed to accommodate the operator, and if necessary, one or more other persons and / or equipment, in order to perform work at height. Figure 2 As shown in more detail in Figure 1, the platform 20 includes a floor 21 on which the operator stands, and when the aerial bucket 1 is placed on the flat ground, the floor 21 extends horizontally. The platform 20 also includes a guardrail 22, which rises from the floor 21 around the platform to prevent people from falling from the platform. In addition, the platform 20 is advantageously equipped with a control panel 23, so that the operator on the platform 20 controls the movement of the chassis 10 on the ground, and / or controls the operation of the lifting structure 30 of the aerial bucket 1 to support the platform 20.

[0029] The lifting structure 30 is arranged on the chassis 10 in such a way that the platform 20 can be moved at least at a height relative to the frame. Figure 1 In the design example shown, the lifting structure 30 includes a turret 31 and an arm 32, wherein the turret 31 is located on the chassis 10 and can rotate relative to the chassis 10 around a rotation axis extending perpendicular to the ground, and the arm 32 connects the turret 31 to the platform 20 and can be deployed to move the platform 20 closer to or away from the turret 31, specifically upward and sideways to the turret. The design of the turret 31 is not limited. Similarly, the embodiment of the arm 32 is not limited, it should be noted that the term "arm" used here should be understood in a broad sense, and therefore corresponds to an elongated mechanical structure, including several arm elements that can move relative to each other, specifically in an articulated and / or telescopic manner, in order to deploy such a mechanical structure.

[0030] More generally, the embodiment of the lifting structure 30 is not limited, as long as the positioning of the platform 20 relative to the chassis 10 is changed in a corresponding manner by moving the parts of the lifting structure in relation to each other and / or in relation to the chassis 10, the platform 20 being thus moved by the operator using the aerial bucket 1 controlled by means of the lifting structure 30, in particular from the platform 20 via the control panel 23. Thus, in a variant not shown, the lifting structure 30 may not have a turret 31, and / or may comprise a scissor-type lifting mechanism, or even consist of a scissor-type lifting mechanism.

[0031] Regardless of the specific features of the aerial bucket 1, it includes a safety system to which the operator on the platform 20 is connected, thereby enabling the operator to work safely without the risk of falling. Figure 2 As shown schematically, the safety system includes a lanyard 40, through which the platform 20 and the operator on the platform are connected to each other. The lanyard 40 has two opposite ends 41, 42 along the length direction of the lanyard 40. The lanyard 40 also has a rope 43 that directly connects the ends 41 and 42 together.

[0032] The end 41 of the lanyard 40 is used to connect to the operator, usually through a clothing accessory 50 worn by the operator and around the operator's body. The clothing accessory 50 is, for example, a vest, a brace, a belt or a shoulder strap. In fact, the details related to the end 41 of the lanyard 40 and the clothing accessory 50 are not limited.

[0033] The end 42 of the lanyard 40 is used to be connected to the platform 20 by means of an anchoring device 100 which will be combined with Figure 3-8 According to a practical embodiment, the end 42 of the lanyard 40 includes a hooking element, such as a conventional safety hook 44, which allows the lanyard 40 to be hooked onto the anchor device 100, and its embodiment is not limited as long as it can be matched with the anchor device 100, as will be explained below.

[0034] like Figure 3-5 As shown, the anchoring device 100 comprises a housing 110, which in the exemplary embodiment of the figure comprises a main housing 111 and a cover 112 fixedly connected to the main housing 111. In practice, the housing 110 is advantageously made of a material resistant to impacts and, more generally, of a material resistant to conditions of use at a construction site, preferably a metal, such as an aluminum-based material.

[0035] The housing 110 is adapted to be connected to said platform 20, in particular to a dedicated anchor point of said platform 20, for example to a guardrail 22. To this end, the housing 110, in particular its main housing 111, is provided with fastening means 113, generally mechanical. In the embodiment shown, the fastening means 113 have a through hole 114 for receiving a locking ring 60, which permanently holds the housing 110 on the platform 20 unless the locking ring 60 is removed and released. Thus, the fastening means 113 allow the housing 110 to be connected to the platform 20 by means of an intermediate locking element, such as the locking ring 60 or a lifeline having a loop along which it can move freely. It will be understood that such an intermediate locking element enables the anchoring device 100 to be adapted to any embodiment of the platform 20. Alternatively, not shown, the housing 110 is directly connected to the platform 20 by means of a suitable form of fastening means 113 and / or dedicated fittings of the platform 20. In all cases, the fastening means 113 advantageously make it possible, when necessary, to cooperate with the aforementioned intermediate locking element to hold the housing 110 in a secure manner relative to the platform 20, while allowing the housing 110 to be adjusted relative to the platform 20 so that the anchoring device 100 is oriented substantially in the direction of the stress exerted on the anchoring device 100 by the lanyard 40.

[0036] The housing 110 forms an inner volume V110. Here, the inner volume V110 is defined by the main housing 111 and the cover 112. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As can be seen, the internal volume V110 advantageously comprises two compartments V110.1 and V110.2, each of which is delimited jointly by the main housing 111 and the cover 112. For reasons that will become clear later, the housing 110 completely encloses the compartment V110.1 except for a passage 115 that connects the compartments V110.1 and V110.2 to each other. Moreover, the housing 110 partially encloses the compartment V110.2 and, for this purpose, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the housing 110 comprises two walls 116 and 117, respectively belonging to the main housing 111 and the cover 112 and arranged opposite each other, between which the compartment V110.2 is delimited.

[0037] Regardless of the specifics of the housing 110, the anchoring device 100 also includes a link member 120 participating in the mechanical connection between the housing 110 and the lanyard 40. The link member 120 is mounted on the housing 110 so as to be movable along a movement direction X120. In a practical and economical embodiment implemented in the example shown in the figures, the link member 120 is translatable relative to the housing 110 along a geometric axis corresponding to the movement direction X120.

[0038] In the embodiment shown in the figure, the link member 120 includes an elongated body 121 extending longitudinally along the moving direction X120. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The elongated body 121 is arranged in the internal volume V110 of the housing 110, extending into the compartments V110.1, V110.2 and the channel 115, in which the elongated body 121 is advantageously received in a complementary manner in order to guide the movement of the connecting rod member 120 along the movement direction X120. To this end, the channel 115 is advantageously defined by a bearing 118 fixedly integrated into the housing 110, in particular its main housing 111.

[0039] Regardless of the design of the elongated body 121, the link member 120 also includes a fastener 122 that can be hooked on the lanyard 40, more precisely, on the end 42 of the lanyard. Here, the fastener 122 is mounted on one of the two opposite longitudinal ends of the elongated body 121.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the fastener 122 comprises or even consists of a ring as shown here, the inner opening of the ring forming a hooking area for the end 42 of the lanyard 40 (in particular for the safety hook 44), such as Figure 6-8 The ring is advantageously carried by the elongated body 121 in a manner of rotation about a geometric axis Y122 extending both tangentially to the ring and perpendicularly to the direction of movement X120. In this case, more generally, the embodiment of the fastener 122 is not limited, since the link member 120 can be reversibly switched between the following configurations by movement along the direction of movement X120:

[0041] - retracted configuration, such as Figure 3-5 4, wherein the fastener 122 is at least partially, if not entirely, disposed within the interior volume V110 of the housing 110, such that the housing 110 renders the fastener 122 inaccessible to prevent the fastener from being caught by the lanyard 40, and

[0042] -Stretched configuration, such as Figure 2 and Figure 6-8 As shown, the fastener 122 is at least partially arranged outside the internal volume V110, so that the housing 110 enables the fastener 122 to be hooked by the lanyard 40, specifically by its end 42, and, once the fastener 122 is hooked by the lanyard 40, the housing 110 interferes with the lanyard 40 to prevent the link component 120 from returning to the retracted configuration.

[0043] It should be understood that the position of the link member 120 relative to the housing 110 along the movement direction X120 in the retracted configuration and in the extended configuration is not unique. On the contrary, when the link member 120 is in the retracted configuration, the link member 120 occupies a position in a continuous set of positions relative to the housing 110 along the movement direction X120, in which the fastener 122 is not sufficiently withdrawn from the internal volume V110 of the housing 110 to allow the lanyard 40 (specifically the safety hook 44 of the end 42 of the lanyard) to be hooked to the fastener 122. Similarly, when the link member 120 is in the extended configuration, the link member 120 occupies a position in a continuous set of positions relative to the housing 110 along the movement direction X120, in which the fastener 122 is sufficiently withdrawn from the internal volume V110 of the housing 110 to hook the lanyard 40 (specifically the safety hook 44 of the end 42 thereof) to the fastener 122. Figure 6 , 7 8 show three different respective positions of the linkage member 120 in the extended configuration.

[0044] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the fastener 122 is housed in the compartment V110.2, and when the link member 120 is in the retracted configuration, the walls 116 and 117 of the housing 100 completely cover the fastener 122, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 and Figure 5 Thus, when the link member 120 is in the retracted configuration, the housing 110 protects the fastener 120, while when the link member 120 is moved from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration, the fastener 120 is freely accessible from the compartment V110.2.

[0045] Advantageously, the anchoring device 120 comprises an elastic member 130 (generally a spring) acting on the link member 120 to return said link member from the extended configuration to the retracted configuration. In practice, the elastic member 130 is interposed between the housing 110 and the elongated body 121, for example along the movement direction X120, so as to be compressed when the link member 120 moves from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration, for example by Figure 5 and Figure 6-8 Comparison can be clearly seen. In any case, the elastic member 130 tends to move the link member 120 to the retracted configuration and keep it in this configuration. In order to move the link member 120 from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration, the resistance of the elastic member 130 must be overcome.

[0046] In order to facilitate manipulation of the linkage member 120 to move it from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration, the linkage member 120 is advantageously provided with a clamping element 123 which is present outside the internal volume V110 when the linkage member is in the retracted configuration. Figure 5120, in order not to obstruct the other drawings. In practice, the clamping element 123 comprises or consists of a flexible tongue permanently connected to the link member 120, in particular its fastener 122. In any case, when the link member 120 is in the retracted configuration, the user of the anchoring device 100 can easily grasp and pull the clamping element 123 to move the link member 120 along the movement direction X120 until the link member is in the extended configuration in which the user can access the fastener 122 to hook the lanyard 40 thereon.

[0047] In a particularly advantageous optional arrangement, the linkage member 120 is not carried directly by the housing 110, but rather is carried via a mechanism 140 that releasably connects the linkage member 120 and the housing 110. Figure 4 and Figure 5 It can be seen that the mechanism 140 includes a mechanical fuse 141, and the breaking of the mechanical fuse causes the mechanism 140 to Figure 2-7 The unbroken state shown switches to Figure 8 The broken state shown. The mechanism 140 also includes a bracket 142, which is mounted on the housing 110 so as to be movable along the movement direction X120 and is accommodated in the internal volume V110, specifically in the compartment V110.1. The bracket 142 carries the connecting rod member 120 and is connected to it via a mechanical fuse 141. In the unbroken state of the mechanism 140, the mechanical fuse 141 movably connects the connecting rod member 120 and the bracket 142 to each other along the movement direction X120, and the connecting rod member 120 can be moved relative to the housing 110 along the movement direction X120 between two relative extreme positions, namely a first functional position and a second functional position, wherein the connecting rod member occupies the first functional position in the retracted configuration, as shown in FIG. Figure 3-5 The connecting rod member 120 occupies a second functional position in the extended configuration, such as Figure 7 As shown, in the second functional position, the bracket 142 abuts against the housing 110 along the moving direction X120, specifically against the inner shoulder 119 thereof. Figure 6 In the broken state of the mechanism 140, the connecting rod member 120 can freely move relative to the bracket 142 along the moving direction X120, so that the connecting rod member 120 in the extended configuration can move relative to the housing 110 along the moving direction X120 between the above-mentioned second functional position and the dysfunctional position, and the dysfunctional position is as follows: Figure 81 and is further from the first functional position than the second functional position. In the dysfunctional position, the link member 120 is caused to abut against the housing 110, specifically against its internal shoulder 119, along the movement direction X120, so as to effectively hold the link member 120 relative to the housing 110. The mechanical fuse 141 is designed to break when the link member 120 in the second functional position is driven by a force above a predetermined threshold and pushed toward the dysfunctional position, thereby moving the mechanism 140 from the unbroken state to the broken state. The predetermined threshold is, for example, 1000 Newtons, or more generally selected between 500-2000 Newtons. More generally, the size of the predetermined threshold is designed so that it will not be exceeded when the user manually operates the anchor device 100 to reversibly hook the fastener 122 via the lanyard 40; at the same time, the predetermined threshold will be exceeded when an operator connected to the platform 20 via the lanyard 40 and the anchor device 100 falls from the platform 20 or is subjected to a strong catapulting force outward from the platform 20.

[0048] Therefore, except for the case where the operator falls, the mechanism 140 can limit the travel of the connecting rod component 120 relative to the housing 110 along the moving direction X120 to the distance between the above-mentioned first functional position and the second functional position, and when the operator falls, the connecting rod component 120 can overtravel relative to the housing 110, exceed the second functional position, and then hit the housing 110 and be thereby held by the housing 110.

[0049] Of course, the mechanism 140 may have other embodiments besides those associated with the mechanical fuse 141 and the bracket 142. In any case, the anchoring device 100 advantageously incorporates a visual indicator to indicate on the exterior of the housing 110 that the mechanism 140 has been switched to the broken state and therefore the anchoring device 100 should no longer be used in said state.

[0050] In any case, the anchoring device 100 comprises one or more position sensors which detect the position of the link member 120 relative to the housing 110 along the movement direction X120 and output a position signal representative of said position of the link member 120. According to a preferred embodiment which is both practical and efficient and suitable for the field of work on a construction site, and which is implemented in the embodiment considered in the figures, two such position sensors are provided, referenced in the figures at 151 and 152, each corresponding to a Hall effect sensor. These Hall effect position sensors 151 and 152 are here carried by the same printed circuit board 150 and measure the variations of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 160 which is fixedly carried by the link member 120: by comparing Figure 5-8It can be clearly seen that during the movement of the link member 120 relative to the housing 110 along the movement direction X120, in particular between the first functional position and the aforementioned dysfunctional position, the magnet 160 scans the position sensors 151 and 152 at a distance, the position of the magnet 160 being more particularly detected by the position sensor 151 when the link member 120 is between the aforementioned first functional position and the second functional position, and the position of the magnet 160 being more particularly detected by the position sensor 152 when the link member 120 is between the aforementioned second functional position and the dysfunctional position. However, according to an alternative variant not shown, the Hall Effect position sensors 151 and 152 are replaced by a set of micro switches distributed along the movement direction X120 and contact-scanned by an actuator fixedly carried by the link member 120. More generally, the position sensors of the anchoring device 100, such as the Hall effect position sensors 151 and 152, can be embodied in a variety of ways, can be active sensors or passive sensors, can emit position signals that are analog or digital, and / or can be contactless or contact-based.

[0051] Whatever the design of the position sensors 151 and 152, they are arranged within the internal volume V110 of the housing 110, advantageously housed in the compartment V110.1. Thus, the position sensors 151 and 152 are effectively protected by the housing 110. Advantageously, the sealing of the arrangement of the position sensors 151 and 152 inside the housing 110 can be enhanced by any suitable means. In this regard, in a practical embodiment implemented in the example shown in the figures, the printed circuit board 150 is sealed in a waterproof housing 170 fixedly carried by the cover 112 of the housing 110.

[0052] In order to evaluate the position signals emitted by the position sensors 151 and 152, the anchoring device 100 comprises a processing unit 180 which is connected to the position sensors in such a way that it can process the position signals. In practice, the processing unit 180 is essentially electronic, i.e. it comprises analog and / or digital electronic components, so as to be able to implement the processing steps detailed below.

[0053] like Figure 3 As shown schematically, the processing unit 180 is preferably separated from the housing 110, which, among other things, limits the size of the housing 110 and also has practical and economic advantages. The processing unit 180 is therefore connected to the housing 110 via a cable 190 to ensure the transmission of the position signals emitted by the position sensors 151 and 152, and the cable 190 is here connected to the printed circuit board 150, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 The solid line 171 in FIG. Figure 3Although not shown in detail, the processing unit 180 is arranged in a dedicated cabinet which is separate from the housing 110 and can be fixedly connected to the platform 20, for example.

[0054] Alternatively, not shown, the processing unit 180 is fully integrated within the housing 110, thereby avoiding the need for the aforementioned cabinet and may be convenient in certain operating environments. The electronic components of the processing unit 180 are then arranged within the internal volume V110 of the housing 110 and are thus effectively protected by the housing 110. The electronic components of the processing unit 180 are advantageously placed in the compartment V110.1, the electronic components benefiting from the sealing of the compartment and being located in the immediate vicinity of the printed circuit board 150 to be directly electrically connected to the printed circuit board 150, in particular in order to transmit the position signals emitted by the position sensors 151 and 152, without the corresponding electrical connections having to extend outside the housing 110.

[0055] Regardless of the design of processing unit 180, the unit is connected to Figure 3 The power supply 70 is shown in dashed lines, which ensures the power supply of the processing unit 180 and the position sensors 151 and 152, in particular through the processing unit 180 and the printed circuit board 150, and the electrical connection between the latter, such as the cable 190. In practice, the power supply 70 can be specific to the anchoring device 100, but can also be integrated into the lifting platform 1 for supplying various components of the latter, such as, in this case, the control panel 23 electrically connected to the processing unit 180.

[0056] Before describing the various processing steps performed by processing unit 180, it should be noted that, optionally, Figure 3 As schematically shown, the unit is advantageously connected to:

[0057] - warning means 81 , such as an acoustic and / or luminous alarm, activated by the processing unit 180 as a result of the processing performed by said processing unit, and / or

[0058] - A wireless communication module 82, which transmits the data generated by the processing unit 180 to a remote processing system.

[0059] The warning device 81 is designed to send a warning signal, specifically a sound, voice and / or light signal, to the operator on the platform 20 and / or the personnel near the aerial bucket 1. In fact, the warning device 81 can be separated from the cabinet of the housing 110 and the processing unit 180, such as Figure 3 As shown, the processing unit 180 may be carried by the aforementioned cabinet or may be integrated into the housing 110 , particularly when the processing unit 180 is fully integrated into the housing 110 .

[0060] In turn, the wireless communication module 82 is designed to transmit the data via a wireless communication protocol capable of reaching the remote processing system, such as a monitoring center, a server, cloud hardware, etc. Again, the wireless communication module 82 can actually be separated from the cabinet of the housing 110 and the processing unit 180, such as Figure 3 As shown, the processing unit 180 may be carried by the aforementioned cabinet or may be integrated into the housing 110 , particularly when the processing unit 180 is fully integrated into the housing 110 .

[0061] The processing unit 180 is adapted to perform a first processing step, which determines, from the position signal, whether the link member 120 is in the retracted configuration or in the extended configuration. In other words, from the position signal emitted by the position sensors 151 and 152, the processing unit 180 is able to determine whether the link member 120 is in the retracted configuration, or whether the link member 120 is in the extended configuration. In this way, the processing unit 180, when activated, can verify whether an operator on the platform 20 is connected to the platform via the anchoring device 100. In particular, if the first processing step performed by the processing unit 180 results in the link member 120 being in the retracted configuration, the processing unit 180 can conclude that an anchoring failure has occurred, and can then advantageously activate the warning device 81 and / or cause the wireless communication module 82 to send corresponding data items to the aforementioned remote processing system.

[0062] The processing unit 180 is also advantageously adapted to perform a second processing step, which includes determining whether the position of the link member 120 in the extended configuration is between the aforementioned first functional position and the second functional position, or between the aforementioned second functional position and the dysfunctional position, based on the position signals emitted by the position sensors 151 and 152. Thus, the processing unit 180, when activated, is able to verify that the operator on the platform 20 has not fallen from the platform or has been violently ejected from the platform 20. Specifically, if the second processing step performed by the processing unit 180 results in the link member 120 being between the second functional position and the dysfunctional position, the processing unit 180 may conclude that the operator has fallen from the platform 20 or has been subjected to a violent ejection force, and may cause the warning device 81 and / or the wireless communication module 82 to transmit a distress signal.

[0063] The processing unit 180 is also advantageously also adapted to perform a third processing step, which consists in processing together the position signals emitted by the position sensors 151 and 152 and the presence signal, the presence signal indicating the detected presence of an operator on the platform 20. The presence signal Figure 390. In practice, the presence signal 90 is emitted by a presence detector separate from the anchoring device 100, and its implementation is not limited. It should be understood that the presence signal 90 informs the processing unit 180 that an operator is indeed present on the platform 20: therefore, the third processing step advantageously provides that, in the absence of an operator on the platform 20, as indicated by the presence signal 90, when the link member 120 is in the retracted configuration, the processing unit 180 does not conclude that an anchoring failure has occurred.

[0064] According to a particularly practical and effective embodiment, the presence signal 90 is an emergency brake signal, i.e. a signal provided by an emergency brake device with which the platform 20 is equipped, such as an emergency brake trigger or an emergency brake pedal: in a manner known per se, said emergency brake device comprises a normally open switch which must be closed to allow the operation of all or part of the aerial bucket from the platform 20, in particular to activate the control panel 23. Figure 2 In the example shown, the emergency brake device is an emergency brake pedal 24. Therefore, it can be understood that once the operator is on the platform 20 and needs to use the control panel 23, the operator must press the emergency brake device, such as the emergency brake pedal 24, which notifies the processing unit 180 of the actual presence of the operator on the platform 20 through the presence signal 90. In addition, in addition to ensuring the transmission of the presence signal 90, the wired connection between the emergency brake pedal 24 and the processing unit 180 can advantageously allow the unit to obtain power from the emergency brake pedal 24.

[0065] Advantageously, the processing unit 180 is further adapted to perform a fourth processing step, which determines that the link member 120 is not in the extended configuration and that its fastener 122 is not hooked on the lanyard 40 connected to the non-inanimate operator. The fourth processing step is performed by the processing unit 180 according to Figure 3 The motion signal 91 schematically indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 1 is executed. The motion signal 91 is emitted by an inertial sensor 153 of the anchoring device 100. The inertial sensor detects movement in the space of the housing 110, specifically vibration of the housing 110, and is carried by, for example, a printed circuit board 150. In fact, the implementation of the inertial sensor 153 is not limited, for example, the inertial sensor 153 is an accelerometer, specifically a six-axis accelerometer. In any implementation of the inertial sensor 153, the motion signal 91 emitted by the inertial sensor represents the movement detected by the inertial sensor. In addition, the processing unit 180 is connected to the inertial sensor 153 so as to be able to process the motion signal 91, such as by Figure 3The cable 190 shown, or a direct electrical connection when the processing unit 180 is fully integrated within the housing 110, ensures the corresponding transmission of the motion signal. The fourth processing step described above is based on the fact that the processing unit 180 uses the motion signal 91 by temporary calculation (Ad-Hoc) to conclude that the housing 110 is connected to an active person, i.e. a person who is not inanimate, via the connecting rod member 120. In particular, the processing unit 180 is able to conclude from the motion signal 91 that the housing 110 is too static to be connected to a person who is not inanimate, which may occur when the operator on the platform 20 is inanimate, and when the operator on the platform 20 tries to "cheat" the anchor device 100 by hooking the fastener 122 to a dummy end or by means of replacing the lanyard 40, such as wedging a piece of wood on the fastener 122 to firmly hold the connecting rod member 120 in the extended configuration. It should be understood that once the processing unit 180 concludes that the housing 110 is substantially stationary in space and the link member 120 is in the extended configuration, the processing unit 180 will infer that the operator on the platform 20 is lifeless or is trying to "cheat" the anchor device 100; similar to the first processing step described above, the processing unit 180 can then activate the warning device 81 and / or notify the remote processing system through the wireless communication module 82. In practice, the processing unit 180 performs the fourth processing either based on the motion signal 91 alone or based on two different motion signals, namely the motion signal 91 and another motion signal, the other motion signal being emitted by an inertial sensor that is different from the inertial sensor 153 and is fixedly connected to the platform 20, for example, when the unit 180 is separated from the housing 110, it is integrated into the cabinet of the processing unit 180.

[0066] It should be noted that for at least one or each of the four processing steps described above, the warning signals emitted by the warning device 81 can be modulated in time, rhythm and / or intensity, in particular appropriately modulated between different processing steps. For example, with respect to the warning signals emitted during the first processing step, these warning signals are first triggered according to the first level, in which a buzzer and / or a flash are emitted once per second for ten seconds; then continue to be triggered according to the second level, in which a buzzer and / or a flash are emitted every 0.5 seconds for ten seconds; then continue to be triggered according to the third level, in which, as long as the link member 120 is in the retracted configuration and the processing unit 180 is activated, a buzzer stronger than the buzzer of the first and second levels and / or a flash stronger than the flash of the first and second levels are continuously emitted. Of course, the values ​​of quantity, duration and intensity given above are not restrictive, but purely illustrative.

[0067] Figure 9-14 An alternative embodiment of the anchoring device 100 is shown, generally designated 200 .

[0068] The anchor device 200 includes a housing 210 that functions similarly to the housing 110 of the anchor device 100. Figure 9-14 In the embodiment considered in FIG. 2 , the housing 210 comprises two half-shells 211 and 212 which function similarly to the main housing 111 and the cover 112 of the housing 110 and which are obviously fixedly connected to each other.

[0069] According to similar considerations as described above for the fastening means 113, the housing 210 is provided with a fastening means 213 including a through hole 214, the function of the through hole 214 is similar to the through hole 114, and in particular is capable of receiving the aforementioned locking ring 60, such as Figure 9-14 shown.

[0070] The housing 210 forms an interior volume V210 delimited therein by the half shells 211 and 212. The interior volume V210 is functionally similar to the interior volume V110 of the housing 110 and advantageously comprises compartments V210.1 and V210.2 functionally similar to the compartments V110.1 and V110.2 and interconnected by a channel 215 functionally similar to the channel 115.

[0071] The anchoring device 200 further comprises a link member 220 which functions similarly to the link member 120 and is mounted on the housing 210 so as to be movable along a movement direction X220, specifically translatable along a geometric axis corresponding to the movement direction X220.

[0072] The connecting rod member 220 comprises an elongated body 221, which functions similarly to the elongated body 121 and is arranged here in the internal volume V210, extending into the compartments V210.1, V210.2 and the channel 215, in which the elongated body 221 is advantageously received in a complementary manner so as to guide the connecting rod member 220 in a movable manner along the translation direction X220. To this end, the channel 215 is advantageously partially delimited here by a guide washer 218 fixedly connected to the housing 210.

[0073] In either embodiment, the linkage assembly 220 includes a fastener 222 that functions similarly to the fastener 122 of the anchor device 100. Figure 9-14 In the embodiment shown, the fastener 222 is carried by one of the two opposite longitudinal ends of the elongated body 221 and comprises a loop whose inner opening forms a hooking area for the end 42 of the lanyard 40 (specifically for the safety hook 44), such as Figure 12-14 In practice, the aforementioned ring of the fastener 222 is mounted on the elongated body 221 in a fixed manner or in a freely rotatable manner around a geometric axis corresponding to the movement direction X220.

[0074] In any event, the linkage member 220 is designed to be reversibly switchable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, which functions similarly to the retracted configuration and the extended configuration, respectively, defined above for the linkage member 120 of the anchor device 100. Figure 9-11 2 . 2 , the connecting rod part 220 is in a retracted configuration, wherein the fastener 222 is advantageously housed in the compartment V210 . 2 and is completely covered by the walls 216 and 217 of the housing 210 belonging respectively to the half-shells 211 and 212 . Figure 12-14 , the link member 220 is in an extended configuration, which shows three respective different positions of the link member 220 in the extended configuration, wherein the fastener 222 is hooked on the lanyard 40, specifically on the safety hook 44 of the end 42 of the lanyard 40.

[0075] The anchoring device 200 further comprises an elastic member 230, the function or even structure of which is similar to the elastic member 130 of the anchoring device 100. In the example shown in the figures, the elastic member 230 is arranged around the elongated body 221, centered on a geometric axis corresponding to the movement direction X220, and is interposed along the movement direction X220 between the housing 210, which is a guide washer 218 in this example, and the link member 220, which is inserted into a sleeve 224 connected to the elongated body 221 in this example, so that when the link member 220 translates from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration, the elastic member 230 is compressed, as can be seen by comparing Fig.10 and Figure 12-14 Here, the elastic member 230 comprises or is constituted by a spring which abuts against the guide washer 218 and against the sleeve 224 .

[0076] The connecting rod part 220 is advantageously provided with a clamping element 223 which is similar in function or even in structure to the clamping element 123 and which is Fig. 9 and Fig.10 Visible in Figure 12-14 Not shown in FIG.

[0077] Unlike the link component 120, the link component 220 is directly carried by the housing 210, but advantageously integrates an overtravel spring 240, which makes it possible, except in the event of a fall of the operator, to limit the travel of the link component 220 relative to the housing 210 along the movement direction X220 to a distance between a first functional position and a second functional position, respectively similar to those defined above for the link component 120, while allowing the link component 220 to travel a distance exceeding the second functional position relative to the housing 210 when the operator falls, until the link component 220 reaches a dysfunctional position, similar to the dysfunctional position defined above for the link component 120, in which the link component 220 abuts against the housing 210 and is thereby held by the housing 210. More precisely, the overtravel spring 240 is interposed along the movement direction X220 between the connecting rod member 220, which is here inserted into a sleeve 225 fixedly connected to the elongated body 221, and a stopper mounted on the connecting rod member 220 so as to be movable along the movement direction X220, the stopper being formed here by the sleeve 224 on which the elastic member 230 acts as described above. As long as the overtravel spring 240 is not compressed, it constrains the connecting rod member 220 and the stopper formed here by the sleeve 224 as described above in terms of movement. Therefore, without compressing the overtravel spring 240, the connecting rod member 220 can move relative to the housing 210 along the movement direction X220 between two mutually opposite extreme positions, namely the aforementioned extreme positions as described above. Figure 9-11 As shown, the first functional position occupied by the link member 220 in the retracted configuration and the aforementioned Fig.13 2, the second functional position assumed by the connecting rod part 220 in the extended configuration. In the second functional position, the aforementioned stop formed here by the sleeve 224 is pressed against the housing 210, here against the guide washer 218. Fig.12 In the embodiment, the connecting rod member 220 in the extended configuration is in an intermediate position between the first functional position and the second functional position. By compressing the overtravel spring 240 to elastically deform it along the moving direction X220, the connecting rod member 220 in the extended configuration can move relative to the housing 210 along the moving direction X220 between the second functional position and the aforementioned dysfunctional position, such as Fig.14 As shown, the dysfunctional position is further from the first functional position than the second functional position, and wherein the sleeve 225 here abuts against the housing 210 in the displacement direction X220, here against the guide washer 218. The overtravel spring 240 is adapted to be compressed when the link member 220 in the second functional position is pushed towards the dysfunctional position with a force greater than a predetermined threshold, the value of the predetermined threshold being selected according to similar considerations as described in detail above for the force threshold in connection with the mechanism 140 of the anchoring device 100.

[0078] In fact, it should be understood that Figure 9-14In the embodiment shown, the resilient member 230 acts on the sleeve 224 forming the aforementioned stop, and the overtravel spring 240 has a much greater spring rate than that belonging to or constituting the resilient member 230. Of course, other arrangements are possible for the overtravel spring 240 and its associated stop within the anchor device 200 in addition to the arrangement detailed above.

[0079] Thus, compared to the mechanism 140 of the anchor device 100, the overtravel spring 240 and its associated stopper can perform the same overtravel function for the link member 220 when an operator connected to the platform 20 by the lanyard 40 and the connection device 200 falls from the platform 20 or is ejected from the platform 20 by a strong ejection force. Unlike the mechanism 140, the actuation of the overtravel spring 240 is reversible, so there is no damage to the overtravel spring or its associated stopper.

[0080] exist Figure 9-14 In the embodiment shown, the connecting rod member 220 is directly carried by the housing 210 for enhancing the guidance of the connecting rod member 220 relative to the housing 210 along the movement direction X220. Fig.11 As can be clearly seen, a sleeve 225 integral with the slender body 221 is provided to cooperate with a dedicated device (such as a track 219) of the housing 210 through guided contact, each track 219 extends along the moving direction X220, is distributed around the movement axis, and the sleeve 225 slides on it with the movement axis X220 as the center.

[0081] Regardless, the anchoring device 200 also includes one or more position sensors that are similar in function or even structure to the position sensors 151 and 152 of the anchoring device 100. Thus, following similar considerations as detailed above for the anchoring device 100, two such position sensors may be provided, similar to the sensors 151 and 152, respectively. Figure 9-14 In the embodiment shown, the anchoring device 200 includes three position sensors, respectively labeled 251, 252 and 253. Here, the position sensors 251, 252 and 253 are carried on the same printed circuit board 250 and have similar functions to the printed circuit board 150, such as Hall effect sensors, for measuring the changes in the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 260 fixedly carried by the connecting rod component 220. Fig.10 and Figure 12-14 It can be seen from the comparison that when the link member 220 moves relative to the housing 210 along the moving direction X220, specifically when it moves between the aforementioned first functional position and the dysfunctional position, the magnet 260 scans the position sensors 251, 252 and 253 at a long distance. More specifically, when the link member 220 moves along the moving direction X220 relative to the housing 210, specifically when it moves between the aforementioned first functional position and the dysfunctional position, the magnet 260 scans the position sensors 251, 252 and 253 at a long distance. Fig.10In the first functional position, as can be clearly seen in FIG. 2 , the position of the magnet 260 is advantageously and more specifically detected by the position sensor 251, when the connecting rod member 220 is Fig.12 and 13 The position of the magnet 260 is advantageously detected by the position sensor 252 when it is between the first functional position and the second functional position, as can be clearly seen in FIG. Fig.14 The position of the magnet 260 is advantageously detected by the position sensor 253 in the dysfunctional position, as can be clearly seen in FIG.

[0082] Regardless of the design of position sensors of the anchoring device 200, such as position sensors 251, 252 and 253, such position sensors are advantageously arranged within the inner volume V210 of the housing 210, specifically housed in the compartment V210.1.

[0083] The anchoring device 200 also includes a processing unit 280 that is similar in function or even structure to the processing unit 180, such as only Fig. 9 Specifically, according to similar considerations as described above with respect to processing unit 180, processing unit 280 can be separated from housing 210 by connection with cable 290 similar to cable 190, such as Fig. 9 200, or integrated into the housing 210. In addition, similar to the processing unit 180, the processing unit 280 is connected to the power supply 70, the warning device 81 and the wireless communication module 82. In particular, the processing unit 280 is adapted to perform the various processing steps detailed above for the processing unit 180, and the aspects of the use of this anchoring device 200 are the same as the aspects of the use of the anchoring device 100.

[0084] Finally, there are many possible developments and variations of what has been described so far. For example, various corresponding aspects are listed below, which can be considered independently of the above aspects or in combination with the above aspects:

[0085] - In addition to the translation of the link member 120 or 220 relative to the housing 110 or 210, other kinematics of relative movement between the link member and the housing are possible. For example, the link member can be arranged to be rotatable relative to the housing about a rotation axis, in which case the aforementioned movement direction is the periphery of said rotation axis. Another example is a kinematic based on a combination of translation and rotation. Of course, the position sensor has to be adapted accordingly.

[0086] Optionally, the processing unit 180 or 280 is advantageously provided with an external electrical connection port, such as a USB port. Such an external port makes it possible, among other things, to collect data stored in the processing unit, to update the processing steps performed by the processing unit, to configure the operating parameters of the processing unit, and / or to activate / deactivate the processing steps performed by the processing unit. For example, the acoustic and / or visual level of the warning signal can be configured.

[0087] - Optionally, a backup battery can be advantageously carried in a removable manner within the anchoring device 100 or 200, specifically within the internal volume V110 or V210 of the housing 110 or 210, and / or in the cabinet of the processing unit 180 or 280 when the processing unit 180 or 280 is separated from the housing 110 or 210, in order to temporarily maintain the operation of the position sensors 151 and 152, or 251, 252 and 253 and the processing unit 180 or 280 in the event of an interruption in the power supply to the power supply 70.

[0088] - When the platform 20 may accommodate several operators simultaneously, a first possible solution consists in providing an anchoring device 100 or 200 only once, by allocating it to a reference operator and providing the other operators with conventional anchoring elements on the platform; in this case, the reference operator is responsible for ensuring that the other operators are correctly anchored to the platform 20. A second possible solution is to provide on the platform 20 as many copies of the anchoring device 100 or 200 as there are operators that may be present on the platform 20. In this case, one of the operators, called the reference operator, must first declare the number of people actually present on the platform 20 to a monitoring system common to the respective processing units 180 or 280 of the various anchoring devices 100 or 200. The monitoring system manages the data resulting from the processing respectively performed by the different processing units 180 or 280, taking into account the declared number of operators respectively associated with the different anchoring devices.

[0089] Optionally, the data resulting from the processing performed by the processing unit 180 or 280 are displayed on a screen, which may be integrated into the control panel 23 or independent of it, in order to provide corresponding visual information to an operator on the platform 20 .

[0090] - As detailed above, the anchoring device 100 or 200 can generate a warning or distress signal based on the results of the processing steps performed by its processing unit 180, as well as send corresponding data to a remote processing system, if necessary, in the form of a device integrating the detection, processing, alarm and data transmission functions into a single unit. In any case, it is understood that the anchoring device 100 or 200 is therefore completely independent of the control system of the aerial bucket 1 and can therefore be applied to any type of aerial bucket, that is, a machine for lifting and lowering personnel. Nevertheless, optionally, the processing unit 180 or 280 of the anchoring device 100 or 200 can be connected to the control system of the aerial bucket 1, for example via a CAN bus, so that the signals generated by the processing steps performed by the processing unit 180 or 280 are directly taken into account by the aforementioned control system and thus limit the movement of the aerial bucket 1 if necessary, or even completely stop said aerial bucket.

[0091] - The anchoring device 100 or 200 is not used to anchor the operator to the platform of the aerial bucket, but can be used to anchor the operator to any type of high-altitude working structure, such as scaffolding.

Claims

1. A device for anchoring an operator to a platform (20) of a high-altitude working structure such as an aerial bucket (1), the anchoring device (100; 200) comprising: - a housing (110; 210) forming an inner volume (V110; V210) and is provided with a fastening device (113; 213) for fastening the housing to a high-altitude working structure, - a link member (120; 220) provided with a fastener (122; 222) suitable for being hooked by a lanyard (40) connectable to an operator, said link member being mounted on the housing (110; 210) so as to be movable along a movement direction (X120; X220) so as to be able to switch between the following configurations: - a retracted configuration, wherein the fastener is at least partially arranged within the internal volume (V110; V210), such that the housing renders the fastener inaccessible to prevent the fastener from being caught by the lanyard, and - an extended configuration, wherein the fastener is at least partially disposed outside of the interior volume, such that the housing enables the fastener to be hooked by the lanyard, and once the fastener is hooked by the lanyard, the housing interferes with the lanyard to prevent the linkage member from returning to the retracted configuration, and - at least one position sensor (151, 152; 251, 252, 253) arranged within the inner volume (V110; V210) and detecting the position of the connecting rod member (120; 220) relative to the housing (110; 210) along a movement direction (X120; X220).

2. Anchoring device according to claim 1, wherein the housing (110; 210) comprises at least one wall (116, 117; 216, 217) which completely covers the fastener (122; 222) when the linkage member (120; 220) is in the retracted configuration.

3. An anchoring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the internal volume (V110; V210) comprises a first compartment (V110.1; V210.1) and a second compartment (V110.2; V210.2), the first compartment (V110.1; V210.1) accommodating the at least one position sensor (151, 152; 215, 252, 253) and the second compartment (V110.2; V210.2) accommodating the fastener (122; 222) when the link member (120; 220) is in the retracted configuration, wherein the housing (110; 210) completely encloses the first compartment (V110.1; V210.1) except for a passage (115; 215) connecting the first compartment and the second compartment to each other, and guides the link member (120; 220) to move along a moving direction (X120; X220) through the passage (115; 215), and The housing (110; 210) partially encloses the second compartment (V110.2; V210.2), thereby protecting the fastener (122; 222) when the connecting rod member (120; 220) is in the retracted configuration, and allowing the fastener to be freely removed from the second compartment when the connecting rod member moves from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration.

4. Anchoring device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the link member (120; 220) is movable in translation relative to the housing (110; 210) along an axis corresponding to a movement direction (X120; X220).

5. Anchoring device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The anchoring device (100; 200) further comprises a resilient member (130; 230) acting on the link member (120; 220) to bias the link member from the extended configuration to the retracted configuration.

6. Anchoring device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the link member (120; 220) is provided with a clamping element (123; 223) which is present outside the inner volume (V110; V210) when the link member is in the retracted configuration.

7. An anchoring device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the anchoring device (100) further comprises a mechanism (140) for releasably connecting the link member (120) and the housing (110) such that: - in the unbroken state of the mechanism, the link member is movable relative to the housing along a displacement direction (X120) between two mutually opposite extreme positions, namely a first functional position and a second functional position, wherein in the retracted configuration the link member occupies the first functional position and in the extended configuration the link member occupies the second functional position, and -In the broken state of the mechanism, the connecting rod component in the extended configuration can move between the second functional position and the dysfunctional position along the moving direction relative to the housing, and the dysfunctional position is farther from the first functional position than the second functional position. When the connecting rod component (120) in the second functional position is pushed toward the dysfunctional position by a force higher than a predetermined threshold, the mechanism (140) is suitable for moving from the unbroken state to the broken state.

8. Anchoring device according to claim 7, wherein the mechanism (140) comprises a mechanical fuse (141), the breaking of which causes the mechanism to change from the unbroken state to the broken state, and a bracket (142) mounted on the housing (110) so as to be movable in the moving direction (X120), carrying the link member (120) and connected to the link member through the mechanical fuse (141), so that: - in the unbroken state of the mechanism, the mechanical fuse movably connects the link member and the bracket to each other along the movement direction (X120) between the first functional position and the second functional position, and when the link member is in the second functional position, the bracket abuts against the housing (110) along the movement direction, and In the broken state of the mechanism, the link member is freely movable relative to the bracket in a movement direction.

9. The anchoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the anchoring device (200) comprises an overtravel spring (240), wherein the overtravel spring (240) is interposed between the connecting rod component (220) and a stopper (224) mounted on the connecting rod component and movable in the moving direction along the moving direction (X220), so that: - when the overtravel spring (240) is not compressed, the link member (220) can move relative to the housing (210) along the movement direction (X220) between two mutually opposite extreme positions, namely a first functional position and a second functional position, wherein the link member occupies the first functional position in the retracted configuration and the link member occupies the second functional position in the extended configuration, and in the second functional position the stopper (224) is pressed against the housing along the movement direction, and - when the overtravel spring (240) is compressed, the link member (220) in the extended configuration is movable relative to the housing (210) along a movement direction (X220) between the second functional position and a dysfunctional position, the dysfunctional position being further from the first functional position than the second functional position, The overtravel spring (240) is designed to be compressed when the link member (220) in the second functional position is pushed toward the dysfunctional position by a force above a predetermined threshold.

10. Anchoring device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the anchoring device (100; 200) further comprises a processing unit (180; 280), the processing unit (180; 280): - connected to the at least one position sensor (151, 152; 251, 252, 253) so as to be able to process a position signal emitted by the at least one position sensor and representative of the position of the connecting rod member (120; 220) detected by the position sensor, and - adapted to determine, based on said position signal, whether the linkage member is in said retracted configuration or in said extended configuration.

11. An anchoring device according to claim 10 in combination with any one of claims 7, 8 or 9, wherein the processing unit (180; 280) is further suitable for determining, based on the position signal, whether the position of the connecting rod component (120; 220) in the extended configuration is between the first functional position and the second functional position, or between the second functional position and the dysfunctional position.

12. Anchoring device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the processing unit (180; 280) is further adapted to process a presence signal (90) representative of the detected presence of an operator on the elevated working structure.

13. An anchoring device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the anchoring device (100; 200) further comprises an inertial sensor (153) which detects movement in the space of the housing (110; 210) and emits a movement signal (91), the movement signal (91) being representative of the movement detected by the inertial sensor, and wherein the processing unit (180; 280): - connected to the inertial sensor in order to process the motion signal (91), and - adapted to determine, based on the motion signal, that the link member (120; 220) is not in the extended configuration without hooking the fastener (122; 222) to the lanyard (40) connected to a non-inanimate operator.

14. An anchoring device according to any one of claims 10-13, wherein the anchoring device (100; 200) comprises a warning device (81), such as an audible and / or luminous alarm, which is connected to the processing unit (180; 280) and is activated by the processing unit according to the result of the processing step performed by the processing unit.

15. An anchoring device according to any one of claims 10-14, wherein the anchoring device (100; 200) comprises a wireless communication module (82), which is connected to the processing unit (180; 280) and sends data generated by the processing steps performed by the processing unit to a remote processing system.

16. An aerial bucket (1), comprising: - a ground-supporting chassis (10), - a platform (20) suitable for at least one operator to stand on, - a lifting structure (30) supporting the platform and arranged on the frame so as to be able to move the platform relative to the frame at least at a height, and - at least one anchoring device (100; 200) according to any one of the preceding claims, and wherein the housing (110; 210) of the anchoring device is secured to the anchoring device by means of the fastening means (113; 213) is connected to the platform (20).

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