Anchoring assembly and method for absorbing a

Abstract

The present invention relates to an anchoring assembly, in particular for a fall protection system, and a method of absorbing a fall of a user, the anchoring assembly comprising: at least one securing means for connection to at least one substructure; at least one energy absorber, the at least one energy absorber has at least one elongate absorber element at least indirectly connectable to a substructure and / or a fixture at a first end of the energy absorber and / or absorber element and at least indirectly connectable to a second end of the energy absorber located opposite the first end. The absorber element at least partially passes through at least one opening comprised by the guide element, and wherein the guide element can be connected to and / or at least indirectly rest on the fixing device and / or the substructure.

Description

[0001] This disclosure relates to an anchoring component, and more particularly to an anchoring component for fall protection applications and a method for absorbing a user's fall.

[0002] In some cases, it is desirable for operators to work at heights, such as on the roof surface of a building. For example, DE 10 132 297 A1 discloses an example of an anchor for attachment to a building, which details a roof anchor for attachment to a standing seam roof of a building, the roof anchor having a strut connected in a joint manner around a threaded pin secured by bolts. A similar device is disclosed in DE 20 2007 013 157 U1.

[0003] Furthermore, general-purpose anchoring components are known from WO 2022 / 167788 A1 and GB 2 362 448 A. In particular, such anchoring components can be installed on roof structures to prevent excessive loads on the roof structure during a user's fall, while securely connecting the user to the roof. For this purpose, a horizontal lifeline can be connected to an energy absorber of the anchoring system. This energy absorber has a defined pretension and / or resistance to ensure that, in a fall event, i.e., when a force exceeding a first threshold is introduced into the anchoring system, the user is effectively protected from unexpected large forces and stresses that could cause injury or even death during a fall. Specifically, the energy absorber ensures that the fall is absorbed using a moderate force acting on the falling user.

[0004] It is important to ensure that the energy absorber effectively absorbs the user's fall. In known anchoring systems, there is a problem that the absorption capacity of the anchoring components and / or energy absorber depends on the direction of the fall relative to the anchoring components and / or energy absorber.

[0005] Therefore, the purpose of the claimed subject matter is to further develop known anchoring systems to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings, particularly to ensure that the energy absorber has the ability to absorb the falling force uniformly around its circumference, i.e., the falling force is uniformly absorbed regardless of the direction in which the fall occurs around the circumference of the anchoring assembly.

[0006] According to the first aspect, this problem is solved by an anchoring assembly, particularly an anchoring assembly for a fall protection system, the anchoring assembly comprising: at least one fixing device for connection to at least one substructure; at least one energy absorber having at least one elongated absorber element at a first end of the energy absorber and / or absorber element capable of at least indirectly connecting to the substructure and / or the fixing device, and at least one guide element capable of at least indirectly connecting to at least one first connecting element located at a second end of the energy absorber positioned opposite the first end of the energy absorber, wherein the absorber element at least partially passes through at least one opening included in the guide element, wherein the guide element is capable of connection to the fixing device and / or the substructure and / or at least indirectly resting on the fixing device and / or the substructure.

[0007] For the anchoring assembly, it may be proposed that the fixing device includes: at least one base plate; at least one connector for connecting to at least one column, to the lower structure, to the load-bearing structure, to the bottom fixing structure and / or to the top fixing member.

[0008] Furthermore, the anchoring assembly may be characterized in that the absorber element at least partially comprises at least one elastic element, at least one element that is at least partially wound and / or rolled up, at least one malleable element, at least one spring, at least one helical element, at least one coil element, at least one coil spring, at least one plastic material, at least one metallic material, at least one malleable material and / or at least one elastomeric material.

[0009] It may also be proposed that the absorber element includes at least one stop element to restrict the movement of the absorber element through the opening of the guide element and / or the travel of the guide element along the absorber element, wherein preferably, at least one external dimension of the stop element is larger than the internal dimension of the opening.

[0010] Alternatively or additionally, the guiding element may include at least a pair of guide plates, wherein the opening is formed at least partially by at least one gap between the guide plates.

[0011] For the previously described embodiments, it is preferred that the guide element includes at least one distance maintainer located at least partially between these guide plates.

[0012] The anchoring assembly may further be characterized in that the guiding element includes at least one roller element, optionally allowing the absorber element to slide along the roller element, wherein the roller element is preferably in working relation with the distance retainer, at least partially included by the distance retainer, connected to the distance retainer and / or located at the distance retainer.

[0013] Furthermore, it can be proposed that the guide element can be detachably connected to and / or preferably detachably connected to the fixing device and / or the lower structure.

[0014] A preferred embodiment may be characterized in that the guide element rests on the fixing device and / or the substructure and / or is connected to the fixing device and / or the substructure via at least one, particularly radially symmetrical, reinforcing and / or centering element, which in particular at least partially comprises at least one disc, at least one washer, at least one spacer element, at least one eye bolt and / or at least one sleeve, wherein preferably, the first end of the absorber element passes through the reinforcing and / or centering element.

[0015] It can also be proposed that the guide element has at least a partial form in at least one first region that is complementary to the form of the second region of the fixing device, the lower structure and / or the reinforcing and / or centering element. In particular, the first region and the second region form a force-fit and / or a mating connection, at least one tenon connection, at least one snap-fit ​​connection, at least one latching connection and / or at least one snap-fit ​​connection.

[0016] In the previously described embodiments, preferably, the guiding element includes at least one recess and the reinforcing and / or centering element includes at least one, preferably radially symmetrical extension that extends at least partially into the recess of the guiding element, and / or the reinforcing and / or centering element includes at least one recess and the reinforcing and / or centering element includes at least one, preferably radially symmetrical extension that extends at least partially into the recess of the reinforcing and / or centering element.

[0017] Furthermore, advantageous embodiments of the anchoring assembly may feature that the reinforcing and / or centering element comprises at least one elastic material, at least one metallic material, and / or at least one composite material.

[0018] In the previously described embodiments, it is preferred that the first connecting element is directly or indirectly connected to at least one lifeline, at least one horizontal lifeline, at least one tether, at least one person fall limiter, and / or at least one safety harness optionally worn by the user.

[0019] Finally, the anchoring components according to the claimed subject matter may be characterized in that the substructure at least partially comprises at least one support structure, at least one roof, at least one track system and / or is formed by at least one support structure, at least one roof, at least one track system, preferably at least partially comprised of and / or connected to the support structure, at least one load-bearing structure, at least one indoor storage and / or at least one elevated storage device.

[0020] According to the second aspect, the problem is solved by a method for absorbing a user's fall from an anchoring assembly, particularly an anchoring assembly according to an embodiment of a previously described embodiment, wherein the anchoring assembly includes: at least one energy absorber having at least one elongated absorber element at a first end of the energy absorber and / or absorber element that is at least indirectly connected to a substructure and / or a fixing device, and at least one first connecting element at least indirectly connected to a second end of the energy absorber located opposite the first end of the energy absorber, and at least one guide element having at least one opening through which the absorber element at least partially passes, wherein in the event of a fall, the guide element is disconnected from the fixing device and / or the substructure, and / or the resting support of the guide element on the fixing device and / or the substructure is released and the guide element travels along the absorber element.

[0021] In this method, it can be proposed that the absorber element deforms during the travel of the guide element, optionally elastically, plastically and / or permanently.

[0022] Finally, for the method claimed, it may be proposed that the travel of the guide element along the absorber element is limited by at least one stop element, which optionally is at least partially included in and / or connected to the absorber element.

[0023] Therefore, the subject matter for protection is based on the surprising realization that known anchoring systems can be further developed to overcome their shortcomings by connecting a guide element to the substructure and / or the anchoring device, or by positioning the guide element such that it rests on the substructure and the anchoring device, ensuring that the absorber element provides substantially the same resistance due to the guidance of the guide element through which the absorber element passes, regardless of the direction in which the force acts on the energy absorber. Particularly when the guide element is connected to the anchoring device and / or the substructure, it can be ensured that the guide element travels along a predefined path along the absorber element. Through these measures, it can be ensured that the same amount of energy is absorbed each time, regardless of which radial direction of the fall event occurs in the anchoring assembly and the energy absorber.

[0024] The defined position and orientation of the guide element ensure that the guide element is subjected to uniform force in any direction, especially when using radially symmetrical reinforcing and / or centering elements.

[0025] Furthermore, the claimed subject matter allows for the design of all parts of the anchoring assembly to be assembled as a single unit, with no space between each element of the energy absorber. This allows for easy connection to the fixture / substructure, for example, via threaded connections or quick-connects, and also allows for faster installation of the anchoring assembly. The anchoring assembly, particularly the energy absorber and the housing of the anchoring assembly, can be tightened simultaneously with a single tool.

[0026] Furthermore, the required anchoring system, particularly the configuration of the energy absorber, allows the anchoring assembly to withstand the same force in any direction of a fall event. This enables the anchoring assembly to be designed to absorb not only the fall energy of one user, but also the fall energy of multiple users, regardless of the direction of the fall. In known systems, the anchoring assembly must be oversized for fall events in a first direction to ensure sufficient absorption for fall events in a second direction.

[0027] The safety of the anchoring system can be further enhanced by a stop element (particularly a stop element integrated into the absorber element) that interacts with the absorber element and the guide element. This stop element ensures that the guide element, which is directly connected to the user's lifeline, and the absorber element, located at one end opposite the stop element connected to the anchorage and / or substructure, will not disconnect. In this way, it can be ensured that at the end of a fall event, the user is connected to the guide element via the lifeline, which in turn connects to and remains connected to the absorber element, which in turn connects to the anchorage / substructure.

[0028] Specifically, the roller elements included in the guide element ensure constant resistance (especially constant resistance in any direction of fall) and smooth absorption of fall energy, thereby ensuring continuous movement of the guide element along the absorber element without jolts or sudden force changes. In particular, it ensures that the deformation of the absorber element continues, thereby absorbing the fall force without generating sudden reaction forces.

[0029] Other features and advantages of the claimed subject matter will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments. These embodiments are explained with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which… Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a fall protection system that includes a horizontal lifeline; Figure 2 This is a view of the anchoring components based on the subject matter for which protection is sought; Figure 3 After removing the housing of the anchoring assembly Figure 2 A perspective view of the energy absorber of the anchoring assembly; and Figure 4 yes Figure 3 The perspective view of part A omits the fixing device.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a diagram depicting a fall protection system 100 in the form of a lifeline, which secures a user, 102, performing construction work at the top of a structure. The system 100 includes an elongated support member in the form of a horizontal lifeline 104.

[0031] A horizontal lifeline 104 is positioned above the substructure 106. Personnel or users 102 are connected to the horizontal lifeline 104 via a tether 108 and a load transfer device 110. The tether 108 is specifically connected to personal protective equipment (PPE), such as a harness 112.

[0032] The horizontal lifeline 104 is connected to or attached to the substructure 106 via an anchoring assembly 114. As will be explained later, the anchoring assembly 114 includes components surrounding the energy absorber ( Figure 1 The housing 116 (not shown) has an energy absorber with a first end 118 that is at least indirectly connected to the structure 106. Furthermore, the energy absorber has a second end 120 that is at least indirectly connected to a first connecting element 122. The first connecting element 122 is at least indirectly connected to a horizontal lifeline 104.

[0033] In the event of a fall by user 102, the forces acting during the fall are transmitted to the horizontal lifeline 104 via the safety harness 112, tether 108, and load transfer device 110. To avoid overstressing of the substructure 106, the anchoring assembly is configured to absorb forces exceeding a first threshold (e.g., 6 kN). For this purpose, the anchoring assembly 114 is configured to tilt during energy absorption.

[0034] exist Figure 2 The image shows a perspective view of the anchoring assembly 114 according to the subject matter for which protection is claimed. Figure 2 As shown, the anchoring assembly 114 includes a fixing device in the form of a base plate 124. The base plate 124 allows the anchoring assembly 114 to be connected to the lower structure 106.

[0035] exist Figure 2 Only the second end 120 of the energy absorber 126 is shown. A first connecting element 122 is located at the second end 120, while the opposite first end of the energy absorber 126 is connected to the substrate 124. The substrate 124 can be connected to the lower structure via a seventh connecting element, for example... Figure 1The lower structure 106 shown has a seventh connecting element formed, for example, by a hole through which a screw can extend into the lower structure. The energy absorber 126 is surrounded by a housing 116. Both the housing 116 and the energy absorber 126 extend in a first direction D.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the first direction D is parallel to the normal vector of the principal plane of the substrate 124. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the housing 116 includes tabs 128.

[0037] Figure 3 A perspective view of the energy absorber 126 of the anchoring assembly 114 after the housing 116 has been removed is shown.

[0038] The energy absorber 126 includes an elongated absorber element in the form of a coiled spiral element 130. The spiral element 130 has a first end 132 connected to the substrate 124 and a second end 134 where the stop element 136 is located.

[0039] The helical element 130 is made of a metallic material that allows for plastic deformation. Optionally, the helical element 130 allows for elastic deformation within a predefined range, and beyond this range, the helical element 130 is capable of plastic deformation. In this optional embodiment, reduced loads, such as those caused by wind loads, snow loads, or accidental impacts or bumps acting on the anchoring assembly 114 and / or the energy absorber 126, can be compensated for without irreversible changes. Preferably, in the case of loads acting on the energy absorber due to a fall event, exceeding the predefined range.

[0040] Furthermore, the energy absorber 126 includes a guide element 138. The guide element 138 is directly connected to, and specifically includes, the first connecting element 122. Additionally, the guide element 138 includes guide plates 140a and 140b. The guide plates 140a and 140b are maintained at a certain distance by a distance maintainer 142.

[0041] Specifically, the distance retainer 142 ensures that an opening in the form of a gap 144 is formed between the guide plates 140a and 140b. A spiral element 130 passes through the opening / gap 144. Specifically, the spiral element 130 enters the guide element at its lower end (i.e., facing the substrate 124 and / or the first end 132 of the absorber element in the form of the spiral element 130 and / or the first end 118 of the energy absorber 126, respectively). The spiral element 130 exits the guide element 138 perpendicular to direction D (primarily parallel to the substrate 124 and perpendicular to the extension of the distance retainer 142).

[0042] Therefore, in the event of a fall and / or the application of force to the first connecting element, particularly in the direction perpendicular to direction D, the area of ​​the helical element 130 lies within the guide element 138. Due to the extension of the guide plate and the contact between the helical element 130 and the distance holder, the guide element 138 must resist the same resistance of the helical element 130, regardless of whether the direction of the force is perpendicular to direction D.

[0043] To facilitate relative movement of the guide element 138 relative to the helical element 130, the distance holder 142 includes a roller element 146.

[0044] In alternative embodiments not shown, the guiding element may include other configurations, such as a closed body with openings through which absorber elements extend and are guided between the openings by the guiding element.

[0045] The guide element 138 is connected to the substrate 124 via a reinforcing and / or centering element in the form of a spacer element 148. The guide element 138 and the spacer element 148 are connected in a form-fitting manner. In particular, the guide element 138, especially the guide plates 140a, 140b, includes a recess 150 into which an extension 152 of the spacer element 148 extends.

[0046] As shown Figure 3 Perspective view of part A Figure 4 As can be seen, the helical element 130 passes through the spacer element 148, so that the first end 132 of the helical element 130 can be connected to the substrate 124. This connection can be achieved by threaded engagement or by any other suitable connection method.

[0047] By connecting the guide element 138 to the substrate 124, the guide element is positioned in a predefined location relative to the substrate 124. In the event of a fall, a force acts on the first connecting element 122, causing the guide element 138 to tilt, since the force acts in a direction having a component perpendicular to direction D during the fall. Because the guide element 138 is connected to the substrate 124, rests on the substrate 124 at least in a predefined position, and the helical element is guided a distance within the guide element 138, it can be ensured that the reaction force and / or resistance established by the movement of the helical element 130 against the guide element 138 are substantially the same in any direction perpendicular to direction D. In this way, it can be ensured that optimal possible absorption of the fall event is achieved regardless of the direction in which the fall event occurs, i.e., regardless of which direction the fall event occurs perpendicular to direction D.

[0048] By tilting the guide element 138, the connection between the substrate 124 and the guide element 138 is broken, particularly the extension 152 of the spacer element 148 breaks, allowing the guide element 138 to travel along the spiral element 130. The spiral element 130 undergoes plastic deformation due to the force acting on the guide element 138, without breaking or weakening. Through this deformation, the force acting on the first connecting element 122 is converted into a force causing plastic deformation of the spiral element 130, specifically stretching the spiral element 130 from a spiral shape to a straight shape, and thus absorbing the forces acting on the first connecting element 122 and the guide element 138 respectively. On the other hand, it can be ensured that the connection between the first connecting element 122 and the substrate 124 is maintained regardless of the deformation of the spiral element 130. The guide element 128 moves along the spiral element 130 via the roller element 146.

[0049] The helical element 130 will deform as long as it absorbs all the energy of the fall. The dimensions of the helical element 130 are set such that a fall of one or more people will not generate a force sufficient to deform the entire helical element 130.

[0050] However, even with a higher force acting on the first connecting element 122 and the guiding element 138, it can be ensured that the guiding element 138 remains connected to the spiral element 130, which in turn remains connected to the substrate 124 at the first end 132. This is achieved by a stop element 136. The diameter of the stop element 136 is larger than the inner diameter of the gap 144, such that movement of the guiding element 138 along the spiral element 130 is prevented by the stop element 136.

[0051] The absorber element is not limited to a wound element or an element in the form of a helix or coil. Such a helical structure also has the advantage of requiring less installation space. However, any other configuration of the absorber element that can be elastically and / or plastically deformed, particularly deformed into an elongated form, can also be used to absorb energy acting on the absorber element. In other embodiments not discussed, the energy absorber allows the generation of a constant reaction force using an elastic absorber element that counteracts the forces generated during a fall event.

[0052] The features disclosed in the claims, specification, and drawings, whether individually or in arbitrary combination, are essential for different embodiments of the claimed subject matter. List of icon numbers 100 Fall Protection System 102 personnel 104 horizontal lifeline 106 Substructure 108 Ladders 110 load transfer equipment 112 seat belt 114 Anchoring Components 116 housing 118 First end 120 Second End 122 First connecting element 124 substrate 126 Energy Absorber 128 protrusions 130 spiral element 132 First end 134 Second end 136 Stopping Components 138 boot element 140a, 140b guide plates 142 Distance Holder 144 gap 146 roller elements 148 spacer elements 150 recess 152 Extension Part A Direction D.

Claims

1. An anchoring assembly (114), particularly for a fall protection system (100), said anchoring assembly (114) comprising: At least one fixing device (124) for connection to at least one lower structure (106); at least one energy absorber (126) having a first end (118, ) of the energy absorber (126) and / or absorber element (130). At least one elongated absorber element (130) at 132 can be indirectly connected to at least one elongated absorber element (130) of the lower structure (106) and / or the fixing device (124) and at least one guide element (138) at least one first connecting element (122) located at at least one second end (120) of the energy absorber (126) positioned opposite the first end (118) of the energy absorber (126), wherein the absorber element (130) at least partially passes through at least one opening (144) included in the guide element (138), wherein the guide element (138) can be connected to the fixing device (124) and / or the lower structure (106) and / or at least indirectly rest on the fixing device (124) and / or the lower structure (106).

2. The anchoring assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fixing device comprises: At least one substrate (124); At least one connector for connecting to at least one column, to the lower structure, to the load-bearing structure, to the bottom fixing structure, and / or to the top fixing structure.

3. The anchoring assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorber element at least partially comprises at least one elastic element, at least one at least partially wound and / or coiled element, at least one malleable element, at least one spring, at least one helical element (130), at least one coil element, at least one coil spring, at least one plastic material, at least one metal material, at least one malleable material and / or at least one elastomeric material.

4. The anchoring assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the absorber element (130) includes at least one stop element (136) to restrict the movement of the absorber element (130) through the opening (144) of the guide element (138) and / or the travel of the guide element (138) along the absorber element (130), wherein preferably at least one external dimension of the stop element (136) is larger than the internal dimension of the opening (144).

5. The anchoring assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide element (138) comprises at least a pair of guide plates (140a, 140b), wherein the opening is formed at least partially by at least one gap (144) between the guide plates (140a, 140b).

6. The anchoring assembly of claim 5, wherein the guide element (138) includes at least one distance retainer (142) located at least partially between the guide plates (140a, 140b).

7. The anchoring assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the guide element (138) includes at least one roller element (146) optionally allowing the absorber element (130) to slide along the roller element (146), wherein the roller element (146) is preferably in working relation with the distance retainer (142), is at least partially included by the distance retainer, connected to the distance retainer and / or located at the distance retainer.

8. The anchoring assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide element (138) is detachably connected to and / or preferably detachably connected to the fixing device (124) and / or the lower structure (106).

9. An anchoring assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide element (138) is rested on and / or connected to the fixing device (124) and / or the substructure (106) via at least one, particularly radially symmetrical, reinforcing and / or centering element (148), the reinforcing and / or centering element particularly comprising at least in part at least one disc, at least one washer, at least one spacer element, at least one eye bolt and / or at least one sleeve, wherein preferably the first end (132) of the absorber element (130) passes through the reinforcing and / or centering element (148).

10. The anchoring assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guiding element (138) has at least partially a form in at least a first region that is complementary to the form of a second region of the fixing device (124), the lower structure (106), and / or the reinforcing and / or centering element (148), Specifically, the first region and the second region form a force-fit and / or a mating connection, at least one mortise and tenon connection, at least one snap-fit ​​connection, at least one latching connection and / or at least one snap-fit ​​connection.

11. The anchoring assembly of claim 10, wherein the guide element (138) includes at least one recess (150) and the reinforcing and / or centering element (148) includes at least one, preferably radially symmetrical extension (152), extending at least partially into at least one of the recesses (150) of the guide element (138), and / or the reinforcing and / or centering element includes at least one recess and the reinforcing and / or centering element includes at least one, preferably radially symmetrical extension, extending at least partially into at least one of the recesses of the reinforcing and / or centering element.

12. The anchoring assembly according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the reinforcing and / or centering element (148) comprises at least one elastic material, at least one metallic material and / or at least one composite material.

13. The anchoring assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first connecting element (122) is capable of being directly or indirectly connected to at least one lifeline, at least one horizontal lifeline, at least one tether (106), at least one person fall limiter and / or at least one safety belt (112) optionally worn by the user (102).

14. The anchoring assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower structure (106) at least partially comprises at least one support structure, at least one roof, at least one track system and / or is formed by said at least one support structure, said at least one roof, said at least one track system, preferably comprised of and / or connected to said support structure, said at least one load-bearing structure, said at least one indoor storage and / or said at least one elevated storage device at least partially.

15. A method for absorbing a fall by a user (102) connected to an anchoring assembly (114), particularly an anchoring assembly (114) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the anchoring assembly (114) comprises: At least one energy absorber (126), the at least one energy absorber having a first end (118, ) of the energy absorber (126) and / or absorber element (130). At least one elongated absorber element (130) at 132 can be indirectly connected to at least one first connecting element (122) at at least one second end (120) of the energy absorber (126) located opposite to the first end (118) of the energy absorber (126) and at least one guide element (148) having at least one opening (144) through which the absorber element (130) passes, wherein in the event of a fall, the guide element (148) is disconnected from the fixation device (124) and / or the lower structure (106), and / or the resting support of the guide element (138) on the fixation device (124) and / or the lower structure (106) is released and the guide element (138) travels along the absorber element (130).

16. The method of claim 15, wherein during the travel of the guide element (138), the absorber element (130) deforms, optionally elastically, plastically and / or permanently.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the travel of the guide element (138) along the absorber element (130) is limited by at least one stop element (136), the at least one stop element optionally being at least partially included by and / or connected to the absorber element (130).

Images