Fall-prevention device with energy absorber and method for manufacturing the device

Abstract

Fall arrest device (10, 10') comprising an attachment element suitable for being attached to a user's equipment, a first anchorage element suitable for being attached to an anchor point, a lanyard (14) extending between the first anchorage element and the attachment element and comprising a main part (142) and a backup part (141), and an energy absorber attached to the backup part (141) and configured to absorb at least part of the energy generated by a fall of the user, the backup part (141) and the main part (142) extending in continuity with each other, so that the lanyard (14) forms a single piece.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This presentation concerns the field of personal protective equipment, more particularly fall protection equipment, more precisely a fall arrest device comprising a lanyard, of the type with energy absorber. Prior art

[0002] Fall arrest devices of the energy absorber type are known in the state of the art. An example of such a device 100 is shown schematically in perspective in the figure 1 . As shown in this figure, the device 100 comprises an attachment element 101 capable of being attached to equipment (not shown) of a user (not shown), at least one (in the example shown, two) anchoring element 102 capable of being attached to an anchoring point, an energy absorber 103, for example of the textile type, to which the attachment element 101 is fixed, and at least one (in the example shown, two) lanyard 104 extending between the energy absorber 103 and the second attachment element 102.

[0003] Furthermore, the tether(s) 104 are generally connected to the energy absorber 103 via an eyelet 105, or any other attachment means making it possible to securely connect the energy absorber 103 to the rest of the device.

[0004] Such a device is in particular designed to protect, in the event of a fall, a user working at height, for example a user working on the roof of a building, scaffolding, a building facade or even a confined space. The user wears personal protective equipment, such as a harness or a harness, to which the device is attached via the attachment element 101, which may for example be a carabiner as shown in the figure 1 . The at least one anchoring element 102, which may for example be a carabiner as shown in the figure 1 , is attached to a fixed anchor point (not shown), for example a frame rigidly fixed to a building or scaffolding. In the event of a fall by the user, the energy absorber 103 absorbs a large part of the potential energy released by the fall of the user, which protects the user of the device 100 against possible injuries in addition to stopping his fall.

[0005] Such a device must comply with certain standards, including the European standard EN355, which is well known in the field of fall protection equipment. A description of this standard is available from the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) ( European Committee for Standardization This standard imposes maximum limits on the following two quantities: user fall distance (to prevent the user from touching the ground) and maximum force transmitted to the user (to limit or avoid possible injuries to the user).

[0006] According to the EN355 standard in particular, the total length of the device 100 (i.e. the greatest length that the device 100 can have between the first attachment element 101 and the second attachment element 102, this length being measured between the opposite ends 101E, 102E of the first attachment element 101 and the second attachment element 102) can reach 2 m. This maximum length of 2.0 m is commonly used in the construction field.

[0007] Although this device 100 known from the state of the art is generally satisfactory from the point of view of protecting the user against possible injuries in the event of a fall, it may have certain drawbacks, in particular due to the number of manufacturing operations required for its manufacture. In particular, the presence of an energy absorber 103 on these types of energy absorber devices involves an increase in the number of components and manufacturing operations required for their assembly, which also results in an increase in costs. Other fall arrest devices are known from documents WO 2012 / 158554 A2, CA 2 480 609 A1 and GB 2 292 782 A.

[0008] There is therefore a real need for a fall arrest device of the energy absorber type, which at least partly limits these drawbacks. Statement of the invention

[0009] In order to at least partially address the above drawbacks, the present disclosure relates to an anti-fall device as defined in claim 1, comprising: an attachment element capable of being attached to a user's equipment, and a first anchoring element capable of being attached to an anchor point; a lanyard extending between the first anchoring element and the attachment element and comprising a main portion and a backup portion, the backup portion being closer to the attachment element than to the first anchoring element; an energy absorber attached to the backup portion and configured to absorb at least part of the energy generated by a fall of the user, the backup portion and the main portion extending in continuity with each other, so that the lanyard forms a single piece, the energy absorber being a tear-off strap comprising two portions attached to each other over their entire length, except at one end of each of them,said end of each of the two portions being respectively fixed at a first and a second fixing position distinct from each other along the backup part, the two portions of the tear-off strap being configured to separate from each other in the event of the user falling, a first end of the lanyard being folded and sewn onto a first end of the tear-off strap, itself sewn onto the backup part at the first fixing position, such that the first end of the tear-off strap and the first end of the lanyard are sewn together to the backup part by means of a first seam.

[0010] The backup part corresponds to the part of the lanyard on which the energy absorber is attached, allowing at least part of the energy generated by the user's fall to be absorbed. Conversely, the main part, or "free part" of the lanyard, corresponds to the part of the lanyard on which the energy absorber is not attached, and connecting the user to the anchor point.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, although the safeguard portion and the main portion designate two distinct regions of the lanyard, each having their own function, they are nevertheless in continuity with each other. In other words, unlike the devices according to the prior art in which the lanyard is connected to the energy absorber via an eyelet (therefore implying a discontinuity along the lanyard), there is no attachment between the safeguard portion and the main portion of the lanyard. The latter therefore forms a single piece, more precisely, a single lanyard which extends between the attachment element and the anchoring element without discontinuity.

[0012] This configuration has the advantage of limiting the total number of components in the fall arrest device, and also the number of manufacturing operations required to manufacture this device, which means limiting costs. In addition, limiting the number of components also limits the number of attachment zones between these different components, and thus limits the risk of an accident in the event of failure of one of these attachment zones. Safety is therefore also improved.

[0013] Furthermore, since the energy absorber is attached to the lanyard, i.e. attached to the lanyard, the latter extending between the attachment element and the anchoring element, the user can be held by the lanyard even in the event of total tearing of the energy absorber, i.e. rupture of the tear strap.

[0014] The two portions of the tear-off strap may be two parts, preferably of equal length, of the tear-off strap folded over each other and secured to each other. Alternatively, the two portions of the tear-off strap may be two separate pieces, preferably identical to each other, i.e. of the same width and length, and secured to each other along their entire length, except at one of their ends, called the free ends.

[0015] Preferably, the two parts of the tear-off strap are attached to each other by a seam. Similarly, the free ends are attached to the backup part of the strap at the first and second attachment positions respectively, by means of a seam. It will be understood, however, that the latter seam is configured to withstand a tensile force generated by the fall of the user, while the seam, making it possible to join the two parts of the tear-off strap together, is configured to tear under the tensile force generated by this fall, thus absorbing at least part of the energy of this fall.

[0016] The fact that the ends of the two portions of the tear-off strap are not fixed to each other, unlike the rest of these two portions, makes it possible to fix each of these ends independently of each other to the safety part, in particular at the first position and the second fixing position. Furthermore, given that the safety part and the main part of the lanyard extend in continuity with each other, the tensile force generated on the main part of the strap in the event of a fall is transmitted directly to the safety part, and thus to the tear-off strap. This makes it possible to improve the effectiveness of the device and its safety as well, due to the absence of discontinuity between the safety part and the main part of the strap.

[0017] In some embodiments, during normal use of the device, the arrangement of the first and second attachment positions along the backup portion is such that a reserve of lanyard exists between the first and second attachment positions, such that a length of lanyard between the first and second attachment positions is greater than the shortest distance between the first and second attachment positions.

[0018] "Normal use of the device" means any use in which the user does not fall. In other words, normal use corresponds to use of the device in which the tensile forces exerted on the lanyard remain lower than the tensile forces generated by a fall of the user, causing the tearing of the tear strap.

[0019] Thus, the lanyard reserve corresponds to a portion of the safety part of the lanyard which is never under tension during normal use, in the absence of a fall, but whose length is sufficient to allow the two parts of the tear-off webbing to separate from each other at least in part in the event of a fall by the user. In other words, in the absence of this reserve, giving slack to this portion of the lanyard, the tearing of the tear-off webbing would be limited, and the energy generated by the fall would be essentially transmitted through the lanyard. On the contrary, the presence of this reserve allows the energy generated by a fall to pass at least in part through the tear-off webbing.

[0020] In some embodiments, the length of the lanyard portion extending between the first and second attachment positions is greater than the length of the tear-off strap between said two attachment positions.

[0021] The length of the tear-off strap corresponds to the total length of the tear-off strap, comprising two parts folded over each other, between the first and second fixing positions, when it is formed from a single piece, or to the sum of the lengths of the separate parts of the tear-off strap, when it comprises two separate parts.

[0022] According to this configuration, the length of the portion of the lanyard extending between the first and second attachment positions, greater than the length of the tear-off strap between these two attachment positions, constitutes a lanyard reserve allowing the tear-off strap to tear over its entire length in the event of a fall. In other words, the two parts of the tear-off strap can separate from each other over their entire length, which improves the absorption of energy generated by the fall, and thus the effectiveness of the device.

[0023] In some embodiments, during normal use of the device, the portion of the lanyard disposed between the first and second attachment positions is folded back on itself into a folding position encompassing the tear-off strap.

[0024] The folding position can be maintained by fastening means. This configuration makes it possible to improve the compactness of the device during normal use, facilitating the user's movements.

[0025] In some embodiments, the device includes a textile cover surrounding the tether portion and the tear-off strap in the folded position.

[0026] The textile casing acts as a case surrounding the energy absorber in its folded position, protecting it from external elements during normal use of the device, without hindering the deployment of the backup part and the tearing of the tear strap in the event of a fall.

[0027] In some embodiments, the lanyard is a primary lanyard, and the device further comprises a secondary lanyard disposed in parallel with the primary lanyard, a first end of the secondary lanyard being secured to the end of the tear-off strap secured to the backup portion at the second securing position, a second end of the secondary lanyard comprising a second anchoring element adapted to be hooked to an anchor point.

[0028] The presence of the secondary lanyard allows the user to be connected to two anchor points, so that even when one of the second anchor elements is unhooked from its anchor point, the other second anchor element is still hooked to its anchor point. This configuration improves the user's safety. In addition, the fact that the first end of the secondary lanyard is fixed to the end of the tear-off strap, itself fixed to the safety part, allows, in the event of a fall, to transmit the tensile forces exerted on both the main lanyard and the secondary lanyard, to the tear-off strap directly. The efficiency of the energy absorber is thus improved.

[0029] In some embodiments, the device includes a connecting strap, a first end of the connecting strap being attached to the primary strap, a second end of the connecting strap being attached to the secondary strap.

[0030] The first and second ends of the connecting strap are preferably sewn to the main strap and the secondary strap respectively. These seams are configured so as not to tear in the event of a fall by the user. The presence of the connecting strap makes it possible to improve the strength of the device, when the latter comprises a main lanyard and a secondary lanyard, such that the energy generated by a fall is transmitted to the tear strap and causes the tearing of this strap only.

[0031] The present disclosure also relates to a method of manufacturing a fall arrest device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, the method as defined in claim 6, comprising: providing a lanyard extending between a first anchoring element and a tethering element and comprising a main portion and a backup portion, the backup portion being closer to the tethering element than to the first anchoring element, attaching an energy absorber to the backup portion, the backup portion and the main portion extending in continuity with each other, so that the lanyard forms a single piece, the energy absorber being a tear-off strap comprising two portions attached to each other along their entire length, except at one end of each of them, the step of attaching the energy absorber comprising attaching the end of each of the two portions of the tear-off strap respectively to a first and a second position distinct from each other along the backup portion,the method also comprising securing a first end of the lanyard by folding it over and sewing it onto a first end of the tear-off strap, itself sewn onto the backup portion at the first securing position, such that the first end of the tear-off strap and the first end of the lanyard are sewn together to the backup portion via a first seam.

[0032] According to the present disclosure, the energy absorber is attached directly to the lanyard, more precisely to the safety part of the lanyard, the safety part being in continuity with the main part, so as to form only one single strap. The number of manufacturing operations necessary for the manufacture of the fall arrest device is thus reduced, which makes it possible to simplify the manufacture of such a device, also implying a limitation of costs.

[0033] The step of attaching the energy absorber may be preceded by a preliminary step of manufacturing the tear-off strap, in which two portions of the tear-off strap are folded against each other and attached to each other along their entire length, except at one end of each of them.

[0034] In some embodiments, the first and second attachment positions of the ends of the two portions of the tear-off strap on the backup portion of the strap are determined such that, after attachment, the length of the lanyard portion between the two separate attachment positions is greater than the length of the tear-off strap between said two attachment positions.

[0035] In other words, the first and second attachment positions of the ends of the two portions of the tear-off strap on the backup portion of the strap are determined so as to leave a reserve of lanyard between the two attachment positions. This reserve of lanyard is sufficient to allow the tear-off strap to tear along its entire length in the event of a fall, thus improving the shock absorption in the event of a fall.

[0036] In some embodiments, the lanyard is a primary lanyard, the method further comprising attaching a secondary lanyard in parallel to the primary lanyard, a first end of the secondary lanyard being attached to the end of the ripcord attached to the backup portion at the second attachment position, a second end of the secondary lanyard comprising a second anchoring member.

[0037] The method may also include a step of attaching a first end of a connecting strap to the main strap, and a second end of the connecting strap to the secondary strap. Brief description of the drawings

[0038] The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the detailed description given below of different embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples. This description refers to the appended pages of figures, in which: [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a fall arrest device of the type with energy absorber according to the state of the art, [ Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 is a schematic front view of a fall arrest device of the type with energy absorber according to a first embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure, [ Fig. 3 ] There figure 3 is a schematic front view of the device of the figure 2 , during a first stage of manufacturing the device, [ Fig. 4 ] There figure 4 is a schematic side view of the device of the figure 3 , during a second stage of manufacturing the device, [ Fig. 5 ] There figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the device of the figure 4 , after completion of the second stage of manufacturing the device, [ Fig. 6 ] There figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a fall arrest device of the type with energy absorber according to a second embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure. Description of the embodiments

[0039] A fall arrest device according to a first embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure will be described in the remainder of the description, with reference to the figures 2 à 5 . In the remainder of the disclosure, the terms "front" and "side" refer to the general structure of a flat strap. More specifically, the term "front view" refers to a view perpendicular to the main face of the strap, and a "side view" refers to a view along the edge of the strap.

[0040] So, the figure 2 schematically represents a front view of an embodiment of a fall arrest device of the type with energy absorber in accordance with the present disclosure. The invention is not limited to this example.

[0041] The fall arrest device 10 is of the type with energy absorber, like the device 100 of the prior art described previously. As such, as shown in the figure 2 , the device 10 comprises an attachment element 11, a first anchoring element 12, an energy absorber 13, and a lanyard 14.

[0042] The attachment element 11 is capable of being attached to equipment (not shown) of a user (not shown), in particular personal fall protection equipment such as a harness or a harness. The attachment element 11 may for example be a carabiner, as shown schematically in the figure 2 . Carabiners are well-known attachment elements as such and are therefore not described in further detail here. The attachment element 11 could, however, be of another type of attachment element, as long as it is capable of being attached to a user's equipment.

[0043] The first anchoring element 12 is capable of being attached to a fixed anchoring point (not shown), for example a frame rigidly fixed to a building or even scaffolding. The first anchoring element 12 may, like the attachment element 11, be a carabiner, for example. The first anchoring element 12 could however be of another type of anchoring element, as long as it is capable of being attached to an anchoring point.

[0044] The energy absorber 13 is an element capable of absorbing all or part of the potential energy released by a possible fall of the user of the lanyard 10. The energy absorber 13 is a tear-resistant strap preferably of the textile type, that is to say of the type comprising a plurality of fibers (for example polyethylene fibers or other synthetic polymer) sewn together in such a way that the seams come undone in the event of a fall and thus absorb a large part of the potential energy released by the fall. Such an energy absorber, in particular such a tear-resistant strap of the textile type, is described in more detail in the remainder of the description. It will be observed that in the case where the energy absorber 13 is of the textile type, it is for single use, that is to say that it must imperatively be replaced after a fall of the user.Of course, the energy absorber 13 can be of any known type, single-use or not, as long as it is capable of absorbing all or part of the potential energy released by a possible fall of the user of the lanyard 10. It is however preferable that the energy absorber 13 is single-use.

[0045] The tether 14 extends between the attachment element 11 and the first anchoring element 12. For this purpose, the attachment element 11 and the first anchoring element 12 may each have an eyelet receiving the respective end of the tether 14, which end is sewn to itself, so as to hold the end in place in the eyelet.

[0046] The lanyard 14 may be of any known type, as long as it is flexible and has sufficient tensile strength and wear resistance to be used in a fall protection device. In the example shown in the figures 2 à 5 , the lanyard 14 is a flat strap made up of a plurality of braided threads made of a suitable synthetic polymer, for example polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), a polyamide (PA), a polyester, or even an aramid.

[0047] The lanyard 14 described above is typically designed to comply with the European standard EN355 mentioned above. Consequently, the total length of the lanyard 14 (i.e. the greatest length that the lanyard 14 can have between the attachment element 11 and the first anchoring element 12, this length being measured between the opposite ends 11E, 12E of the attachment element 11 and the first anchoring element 12) may be equal to 2.0 m, or less than 2.0 m, for example between 0.80 m and 1.60 m.

[0048] Unlike the device 100 according to the prior art, described with reference to the figure 1 , the lanyard 14 of the present description is not connected to the energy absorber 13 by means of an eyelet, but extends from the attachment element 11 to the first attachment element 12. It thus forms a single piece, without discontinuity, on which the energy absorber 13 is fixed. Such a strap 14 will be described in more detail in the remainder of the description, in particular describing its manufacturing method.

[0049] First, a tether 14, extending between a tether member 11 and a first anchor member 12 is provided. The tether 14 comprises a main portion 142 and a backup portion 141. The lengths of the main portion 142 and the backup portion 141 may be equal or substantially different. It will be noted that on the figure 3 , the strap 14 is shown in a fully extended configuration, in which it reaches its maximum length.

[0050] Although the backup portion 141 and the main portion 142 are illustrated as being two distinct regions of the tether 14, they are nevertheless continuous with each other. In other words, unlike the device 100 according to the prior art, no attachment exists between the backup portion 141 and the main portion 142 of the tether 14. The latter therefore forms a single and unique piece.

[0051] A first position P1 and a second position P2 along the line 14 are symbolized in gray ( figure 3 ) at both ends of the safeguard portion 141, and are spaced from each other by a portion of the safeguard portion 141 of length L. These positions represent the positions along the tether 14 where the energy absorber will be attached.

[0052] In the next step shown in the figure 4 , the energy absorber 13 is fixed on the lanyard 14, in particular on the safeguard part 141 of the lanyard. The figure 4 represents the device 10 seen from the side. Certain portions of the device, in particular the strap 14 at positions P1 and P2, and the ends 131, 132 of the tear strap 130, are nevertheless shown in perspective, in order to facilitate the description of this step.

[0053] According to the present disclosure, the energy absorber is a tear strap 130 comprising two portions sewn together over their entire length, except at a first end 131 and at a second end 132. The two sewn portions of the tear strap are sewn together at a sewn portion 133. The tear strap 130 preferably has the same width as the lanyard 14. In addition, the two ends 131, 132 not sewn together extend for example at least 5 cm each, this length having to allow these ends to be subsequently fixed to the lanyard 14.

[0054] The sewn portion 133 has a length I. The two portions of the sewn portion 133 of the tear-off strap 130 are configured to separate from each other in the event of a fall of the user. Furthermore, the first end 131 is fixed to the first position P1 of the backup portion 141, and the second end 132 is fixed to the second position P2 of the backup portion 141.

[0055] However, before fixing the first end 131 and the second end 132, the positions P1 and P2 are brought closer to each other, so that the portion of the backup part 141 disposed between the positions P1 and P2 folds in two. This portion of the backup part 141 thus folded in two therefore has a length substantially equal to L / 2. This portion thus folded constitutes a reserve of lanyard, allowing the two parts of the sewn portion 133 to separate from each other in the event of a fall. Furthermore, the length L / 2 of the folded portion of the backup part 141 is such that L / 2 > I. Thus, the two parts of the sewn portion 133 can separate from each other over the entire length of the sewn portion 133 in the event of a fall.

[0056] In this configuration where the positions P1 and P2 are brought closer to each other, the first and second ends 131 and 132 are then fixed to these positions P1 and P2 respectively, by being sewn to the backup part 141.

[0057] It should be noted that these figures are presented for illustrative purposes, in order to describe the structure of the device of the present disclosure, and its manufacturing method. Consequently, the various dimensions illustrated, in particular the lengths I and L and the lengths of the parts 141 and 142 on the figures 3 And 4 are not necessarily to scale, and do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensions of the device. For example, the main part 142 on the figure 4 is longer in reality.

[0058] There figure 5 represents the fall arrest device 10 after fixing the tear strap 130 on the safeguard part 141, more precisely, after fixing the first end 131 of the tear strap 130 on the first position P1 of the safeguard part 141, by a first seam 151, and the second end 132 of the tear strap 130 on the second position P2 of the safeguard part 141, by a second seam 152. In this configuration, the portion of the safeguard part 141 between the positions P1 and P2, is folded back on itself by wrapping the sewn part 133 of the tear strap 130. In addition, taking into account the fact that L / 2 > I, the portion of the safeguard part 141 folded back on itself has a reserve end 145, which does not wrap the sewn part 133. In other words, the sewn portion 133 does not reach this reserve end 145.

[0059] It will further be noted that according to this embodiment, a first end 14a of the strap 14 is folded and sewn onto itself. In particular, the end 14a is folded and sewn onto the first end 131 of the tear-off strap, itself sewn onto the strap 14 at the first position P1. In other words, the first end 131 of the tear-off strap 130 and the first end 14a of the strap 14 can be sewn together, and at the same time, to the backup portion 141, by means of the first seam 151. This configuration makes it possible to improve the cohesion of the device, and thus to improve its tensile strength. The loop thus formed by the end 14a makes it possible to receive the fastening element 11, not shown in the figure 5 . Similarly, a second end 14b of the strap 14 is folded and sewn onto itself. The loop thus formed by the end 14b makes it possible to receive the first anchoring element 12, not shown in the figure 5 .

[0060] In this configuration in which the tear strap 130 is fixed on the strap 14, the backup part 141 enveloping the sewn part 133 is folded back on itself so as to form a compact assembly, according to the folding zones illustrated on the figure 5 . More precisely, the reserve end 145 is folded over a first section F1 of the backup part 141, according to a first fold C1. The reserve end 145 and the first section F1 are then folded over a second section F2, according to a second fold C2. These three portions are then folded over a third section F3 according to a third fold C3, then over a fourth section F4 according to a fourth fold C4, then over a fifth section F5 according to a fifth fold C5. The assembly is finally folded over the strap 14 according to the sixth fold C6.

[0061] The backup portion 141 thus folded forms a compact structure, which can be maintained in this folded position by fastening means (not shown) such as transparent ties capable of breaking in the event of a fall. In addition, the backup portion 141 is maintained in this folded position, illustrated in the figure 2 , by a case 20 forming a textile envelope making it possible to protect this portion from external elements during normal use of the device, without hindering the deployment of the backup part and the tearing of the tear strap 130 in the event of a fall.

[0062] In this configuration, a pull exerted during normal use of the device between the two ends of the lanyard 14, involving tension in the lanyard 14, does not cause the tearing strap 130 to tear, as long as this pull remains below a certain threshold, corresponding to the occurrence of a fall of the user. Conversely, in the event of a fall, the tensile force exerted between the two ends of the lanyard 14 is such that it causes the tearing strap 130 to tear, in particular the separation of the two portions of the sewn portion 133. The seams connecting these two portions are in fact designed not to resist a force generated by the fall of the user, unlike the other seams of the device 10, in particular the first and second seams 151, 152.

[0063] There figure 6 represents a second embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure, having a second fall arrest device 10' similar to the first fall arrest device 10, in which the lanyard 14 is a main lanyard, the device 10' further comprising a secondary lanyard 14'. The secondary lanyard 14' comprises a first end 141' fixed to the main lanyard 14, and a second end 142' to which a second anchoring element 12' is fixed.

[0064] More specifically, the first end 141' is fixed to the second end 132 of the tear-off strap 130, itself fixed to the main strap 14 at the second position P2. In other words, the second end 132 of the tear-off strap 130 is interposed between the main lanyard 14 and the first end 141' of the secondary lanyard 14'. The second end 132 of the tear-off strap 130 and the first end 141' of the secondary lanyard 14' can be sewn together, and at the same time, to the main lanyard 14, via the second seam 152.

[0065] The device 10' also includes a connecting strap 15. A first end 15a of the connecting strap 15 is sewn to the main strap 14, and a second end 15b of the connecting strap 15 is sewn to the secondary strap 14'. These seams are configured not to tear in the event of a fall of the user. The other features related to the main strap 14 and the tear-resistant strap 130 are identical to those described above with reference to the figures 2 à 5 , and will not be described again.

[0066] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it is obvious that modifications and changes may be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In particular, individual features of the various illustrated / mentioned embodiments may be combined in additional embodiments. Therefore, the description and drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

[0067] It is also obvious that all the characteristics described with reference to a method are transposable, alone or in combination, to a device, and conversely, all the characteristics described with reference to a device are transposable, alone or in combination, to a method.

Claims

1. A fall-prevention device (10, 10'), comprising: - an attachment element (11) able to be attached to an equipment item of a user, and a first anchoring element (12) able to be attached to an anchor point; - a lanyard (14) extending between the first anchoring element (12) and the attachment element (11) and comprising a main section (142) and a backup section (141), the backup section (141) being closer to the attachment element (11) than to the first anchoring element (12); - an energy absorber (13) attached to the backup section (141) and configured to at least partially absorb the energy generated by a fall of the user, the backup section (141) and the main section (142) extending in continuity with one another, so that the lanyard (14) forms a single and unique piece which extends between a first end attached to the attachment element (11) and a second end attached to the anchoring element (12) without discontinuity, the energy absorber being a tear-away strap (130) comprising two portions attached to one another along their entire length, except at one end (131, 132) of each of them, said end of each of the two portions being respectively attached to a first and a second attachment position (P1, P2) distinct from one another along the backup section (141), the two portions of the tear-away strap being configured to separate from one another in the event the user falls, characterized in that a first end (14a) of the lanyard (14) is folded over and sewn onto a first end (131) of the tear-away strap (130), which in turn is sewn onto the backup section (141) at the first attachment position (P1), such that the first end (131) of the tear-away strap (130) and the first end (14a) of the lanyard (14) are sewn together at the backup section (141) via a first seam (151).

2. The device (10, 10') according to claim 1, wherein the length of the lanyard portion (14) extending between the first and the second attachment position (P1, P2) is greater than the length of the tear-away strap (130) between said two attachment positions.

3. The device (10, 10') according to claim 2, wherein, during normal use of the device, in the absence of a fall of the user, the portion of the lanyard (14) placed between the first and second attachment positions (P1, P2) is folded back on itself in a folded position encompassing the tear-away strap (130), the device further comprising a textile envelope surrounding the portion of the lanyard and the tear-away strap in the folded position.

4. The device (10, 10') according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lanyard (14) is a main lanyard, the device further comprising a secondary lanyard (14') arranged in parallel with the main lanyard (14), a first end (141') of the secondary lanyard being attached to the end (132) of the tear-away strap attached to the backup section (141) at the second attachment position (P2), a second end (142') of the secondary lanyard (14') comprising a second anchoring element (12') adapted to be hooked to an anchor point.

5. The device (10, 10') according to claim 4, comprising a junction strap (15), a first end (15a) of the junction strap being attached to the main strap (14), a second end (15b) of the junction strap being attached to the secondary strap (14').

6. A method of manufacturing a fall-prevention device (10, 10') according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising: - providing a lanyard (14) extending between a first anchoring element (12) and an attachment element (11) and comprising a main section (142) and a backup section (141), the backup section (141) being closer to the attachment element (11) than to the first anchoring element (12), - attaching an energy absorber (13) to the backup section (141), the backup section and the main section extending in continuity with one another, so that the lanyard forms a single and unique piece which extends between a first end attached to the attachment element (11) and a second end attached to the anchoring element (12) without discontinuity, the energy absorber being a tear-away strap (130) comprising two portions attached to one another over their entire length, except at one end (131, 132) of each of them, the step of attaching the energy absorber comprising attaching the end (131, 132) of each of the two portions of the tear-away strap respectively to a first and a second position (P1, P2) distinct from one another along the backup section (141), the method also comprising attaching a first end (14a) of the lanyard (14) by folding it and sewing it to a first end (131) of the tear-away strap (130), which in turn is sewn onto the backup section (141) at the first attachment position (P1), in such a way that the first end (131) of the tear-away strap (130) and the first end (14a) of the lanyard (14) are sewn together to the backup portion (141) via a first seam (151).

7. The manufacturing method according to claim 6, wherein the first and the second attachment position (P1, P2) of the ends (131, 132) of the two portions of the tear-away strap (130) on the backup section (141) of the strap are determined such that, after attachment, the length of the lanyard portion between the two distinct attachment positions (P1, P2) is greater than the length of the tear-away strap (130) between said two attachment positions.

8. The manufacturing method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the lanyard (14) is a main lanyard, the method further comprising attaching a secondary lanyard (14') parallel to the main lanyard (14), a first end (141') of the secondary lanyard (14') being attached on the end (132) of the tear-away strap (130) attached to the backup section (141) at the second attachment position (P2), a second end (142') of the secondary lanyard (14') comprising a second anchoring element (12').

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