Anchor assembly and method of absorbing a fall of a user

Abstract

The invention relates to an anchor assembly, particularly for a fall protection system, the anchor assembly comprising at least one fixation means for connection to at least one substructure, at least one energy absorber having at least one elongate absorber element at least indirectly connectable to the substructure and / or the fixation means at a first end of the energy absorber and / or absorber element and at least one guide element at least indirectly connectable to at least one first connection element located at a second end of the energy absorber located opposite the first end, wherein the absorber element is at least partly reaching through at least one opening comprised by the guide element wherein the guide element is connectable to the fixation means and / or the substructure and / or rests at least indirectly on the fixation means and / or the substructure as well as a method of absorbing a fall of a user.

Description

[0001] ANCHOR ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF ABSORBING A FALL OF A USER

[0002] SPECIFICATION

[0003] The present disclosure relates to an anchor assembly, in particular to an anchor assembly used in fall protection applications and a method of absorbing a fall of a user.

[0004] In certain situations, it is desired for an operative to work at height, for example, on the roof surface of a building. An example of an anchor fitted to a building is disclosed in, for example, DE 10 132 297 Al which details a roof anchor for attachment to a standing seam roof of a building having struts that articulate about a threaded pin which is secured by a bolt. A similar device is disclosed in DE 20 2007 013 157 Ul.

[0005] Furthermore from WO 2022 / 167788 Al and GB 2 362 448 A generic anchor assemblies are known. Such anchor assemblies can in particular be installed on a roof structure to prevent the roof structure in the moment of a user’s fall from too high loads and simultaneously connects the users securely to the roof. For this purpose a horizontal lifeline can be connected to an energy absorber of the anchor system. The energy absorber has a defined pre-tension and / or resistance to ensure that in a fall event, i.e. when forces above a first threshold are introduced into the anchor system, the user is effectively protected from unintended high forces and stresses that might cause injuries up to death in a fall event. In particular the energy absorber ensures that the fall is absorbed with moderate forces acting on the falling user.

[0006] It is important to ensure that the energy absorber effectively absorbs a fall of a user. In known anchor systems the problem exists that the absorption capacities of the anchor assembly and / or the energy absorber are depending on the direction into which the fall is occurring relative to the anchor assembly and / or the energy absorber. It is thus the object of the claimed subject matter to further develop the known anchor systems to overcome the before described disadvantages, in particular to ensure that the energy absorber has the ability to absorb falling forces uniformly around its circumference, i.e. that the falling force is absorbed uniformly irrespective into which direction the fall is occurring around the circumference of the anchor assembly.

[0007] According to a first aspect this problem is solved by an anchor assembly, particularly for a fall protection system, the anchor assembly comprising at least one fixation means for connection to at least one substructure, at least one energy absorber having at least one elongate absorber element at least indirectly connectable to the substructure and / or the fixation means at a first end of the energy absorber and / or absorber element and at least one guide element at least indirectly connectable to at least one first connection element located at a second end of the energy absorber located opposite the first end of the energy absorber, wherein the absorber element is at least partly reaching through at least one opening comprised by the guide element wherein the guide element is connectable to the fixation means and / or the substructure and / or rests at least indirectly on the fixation means and / or the substructure.

[0008] For the anchor assembly it is proposed that the fixation means comprises at least one base plate, at least one connector for connecting to at least one post, to the substructure, to a load bearing structure, to a bottom fix structure and / or to a top fix.

[0009] Furthermore an anchor assembly can be characterized in that the absorber element comprises at least partly at least one elastic element, at least one at least partly wound and / or rolled-up element, at least one plastically deformable element, at least one spring, at least one spiral element, at least one coil element, at least one coil spring, at least one plastic material, at least one metal material, at least one plastically deformable material and / or at least one elastomeric material.

[0010] It is also proposed that the absorber element comprises at least one stop element to restrict a movement of the absorber element through the opening of the guide element and or a travel of the guide element along the absorber element, wherein preferably the stop element has at least one outer dimension being greater than the inner dimension of the opening. Alternatively or additionally it is proposed that the guide element comprises at least one pair of guide plates wherein the opening is at least partly formed by at least one gap between the guide plates.

[0011] For the before described embodiment it is preferred that the guide element comprises at least one distance holder located at least partly between the guide plates.

[0012] The anchor assembly can be further characterized in that the guide element comprises at least one roller element, optionally allowing a gliding of the absorber element along the roller element, wherein the roller element is preferably in work relationship with, at least partly comprised by, connected to and / or located at the distance holder.

[0013] It is furthermore proposed that the guide element is detachably connectable and / or, preferably detachably, connected to the fixation means and / or the substructure.

[0014] Preferred embodiments can be characterized in that the guide element rests on and / or is connected to the fixation means and / or the substructure via at least one, in particular radial symmetric, reinforcing and / or centering element, in particular at least partly comprising at least one disk, at least one washer, at least on spacer element, at least one eyebolt and / or at least one sleeve, wherein preferably the first end of the absorber element reaches through the reinforcing and / or centering element.

[0015] It is also proposed that the guide element has at least partly in at least one first area a form being complementary to a form of a second area of the fixation means, of the substructure and / or of the reinforcing and / or centering element, in particular the first area and the second area form a force fit and / or form fit connection, at least one tongue-and-groove connection, at least one clip connection, at least one latch connection, and / or at least one snap-in connection.

[0016] For the before described embodiment it is preferred that the guide element comprises at least one recess and the reinforcing and / or centering element comprises at least one, preferably radial symmetric, extension, at least partly reaching into the recess of the guide element and / or the reinforcing and / or centering element comprises at least one recess and the reinforcing and / or centering element comprises at least one, preferably radial symmetric, extension, at least partly reaching into the recess of the reinforcing and / or centering element.

[0017] Further advantageous embodiments of an anchor assembly can be characterized in that the reinforcing and / or centering element comprises at least one elastic material, at least on plastic material, at least one metal material and / or at least one composite material.

[0018] In the before described embodiments it is preferred that first connection element is, directly or indirectly, connectable to at least one lifeline, at least one horizontal lifeline, at least one lanyard, at least on personal fall limiter, and / or at least one a safety harness, optionally worn by a user.

[0019] Finally an anchor assembly according to the claimed subject matter can be characterized in that the substructure comprises at least partly and / or is formed by at least one support structure, at least one roof, at least one rail system, preferably at least partly comprised by and / or connected to the support structure, at least one load bearing structure, at least one indoor inventory and / or at least one high bay storage.

[0020] According to a second aspect the problem is solved by a method of absorbing a fall of a user connected to an anchor assembly, in particular an anchor assembly according to one of the before described embodiments, wherein the anchor assembly comprises at least one energy absorber having at least one elongate absorber element at least indirectly connectable to a substructure and / or a fixation means at a first end of the energy absorber and / or the absorber element and at least one guide element at least indirectly connectable to at least one first connection element located at a second end of the energy absorber located opposite the first end of the energy absorber and having at least one opening through which the absorber element reaches at least partly, wherein in case of a fall event the guide element is disconnected from the fixation means and / or the substructure and / or the resting support of the guide element on the fixation means and / or the substructure is dissolved and the guide element travels along the absorber element.

[0021] For the method it is proposed that during a travel of the guide element the absorber element is deformed, optionally elastically, plastically and / or permanently deformed. Finally it is proposed for the claimed method that the travel of the guide element along the absorber element is restricted by at least one stop element, optionally at least partly comprised by and / or connected to the absorber element.

[0022] The claimed subject matter is thus based on the astonishing perception that known anchor systems can be further developed to overcome the disadvantages of known systems, by connecting the guide element to the sub-structure and / or fixation means or by locating the guide means such that it rests on the sub-structure and on the fixation means so that it can be ensured that the absorber element provides mainly the same resistance due to the guidance by the guide element through which the absorber element reaches, irrespective in which direction a force is acting on the energy absorber. In particular in case the guide element is connected to the fixation means and / or sub-structure it is ensured that the guide element travels along the absorber element along a pre-defined path. By these measures it is ensured that every time the same amount of energy is absorbed irrespective in which radial direction of the anchor assembly and the energy absorber a fall event occurs.

[0023] The defined position of the guide element and defined orientation of the same ensures that it uniforms the forces in any direction, in particular in case a radial symmetric reinforcing and / or centering element is used.

[0024] The claimed subject matter furthermore allows that all parts of the anchor assembly are designed to be assembled in a block without any space between each element of the energy absorber. That allows an easy connection to the fixation means / sub -structure, for example via a threaded or quick connect and also allows an accelerated installation of the anchor assembly. The anchor assembly, in particular the energy absorber and a housing of the anchor assembly, can be tightened up at the same time with one tool.

[0025] Furthermore, the claimed configuration of the anchor system, in particular the energy absorber, allows that the anchor assembly can withstand the same forces in any direction of a fall event such that the anchor assembly can be designed to absorb the fall energy of not only one user but also a plurality of users, irrespective of the direction of the fall. In known systems the anchor assembly had to be over dimensioned for a fall event in a first direction to ensure that a sufficient absorption is available for a fall event in a from the first direction different second direction. The security of the anchor system can be further enhanced by a stop element interacting with the absorber element and the guide element, in particular integrated in the absorber element. With such a stop element it is ensured that the guide element being directly connected to a lifeline of the user and the absorber element being at one end opposite the stop element connected to the fixation means and / or sub-structure does not get disconnected. In this way it is ensured that at the end of a fall event the user is connected via the lifeline to the guide element that in turn is and remains connected to the absorber element that in turn is connected to the fixation means / sub-structure.

[0026] A constant resistance, in particular in any fall direction, and a smooth absorption of the fall energy is in particular ensured by roller elements comprised by the guide element ensuring a continued movement of the guide element along the absorber element without jerking or abrupt force changes. In particular it is ensured that the deformation of the absorber element leading to the absorption of the fall forces is continued without abrupt counterforces.

[0027] Further features and advantages of the claimed subject-matter will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments. These embodiments are explained with the help of the attached figures in which

[0028] Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing of a fall-protection system including a horizontal lifeline;

[0029] Fig. 2 is a view onto an anchor assembly according to the claimed subject-matter;

[0030] Fig. 3 is a perspective view onto an energy absorber of the anchor assembly of

[0031] Fig. 2 after removal of a housing of the anchor assembly; and

[0032] Fig. 4 is a perspective view onto section A of Fig. 3, omitting the fixation means.

[0033] Fig. 1 is a diagram depicting a fall protection system 100 in form of a lifeline securing a user in form of a person 102 performing construction operations at a top of a structure. The system 100 includes an elongate support member in form of a horizontal lifeline 104. The horizontal lifeline 104 is positioned above a substructure 106. The person or user 102 is connected to the horizontal lifeline 104 via a lanyard 108 and a load transfer device 110, respectively. The lanyard 108 is in particular connected to a personal protective equipment (PPE), for example a harness 112.

[0034] The horizonal lifeline 104 is connected or attached to the substructure 106 via anchor assemblies 114. As will be explained later, the anchor assembly 114 comprises a housing 116 that surrounds an energy absorber (not shown in Fig. 1). The energy absorber has a first end 118 at least indirectly connected to the structure 106. Furthermore, the energy absorber has a second end 120 at least indirectly connected to a first connection element 122. The first connection element 122 is at least indirectly connected to the horizontal lifeline 104.

[0035] In case of a fall of the user 102 the forces acting during the fall are transferred via the harness 112, the lanyard 108, the load transfer device 110 onto the horizontal lifeline 104. To avoid an overstress of the substructure 106, the anchor assembly is configured to absorb forces above a first threshold, for example 6kN. For this purpose, the anchor assembly 114 is configured to tip during the energy absorption.

[0036] In Fig. 2, a perspective view onto an anchor assembly 114 according to the claimed subjectmatter is shown. As show in Fig. 2 the anchor assembly 114 comprises a fixation means in form of a base plate 124. The base plate 124 allows a connection of the anchor assembly 114 to the substructure 106.

[0037] In Fig. 2 only the second end 120 of the energy absorber 126 is shown. At the second end 120 the first connection element 122 is located whereas an opposite first end of the energy absorber 126 is connected to the base plate 124. The base plate 124 can be connected to the substructure, for example the substructure 106 shown in Fig. 1 via a seventh connection element for example formed by a hole through which a screw can reach into the substructure. The energy absorber 126 is surrounded by the housing 116. Both, the housing 116 as well as the energy absorber 126 are extending into a first direction D.

[0038] In the shown embodiments the first direction D is parallel to a normal vector of the main plane of the base plate 124. As shown in Fig. 2 the housing 116 comprises tabs 128. Fig. 3 shows a perspective view onto the energy absorber 126 of the anchor assembly 114 after removal of the housing 116.

[0039] The energy absorber 126 comprises an elongate absorber element in form of a rolled up spiral element 130. The spiral element 130 has a first end 132 being connected to the base plate 124 and a second end 134 at which a stop element 136 is located.

[0040] The spiral element 130 is made of a metallic material that allows a plastic deformation. Optionally the spiral element 130 allows an elastic deformation within a pre-defined range and above this range the spiral element 130 can be plastically deformed. In this optional embodiment reduced loads, for example due to wind loads, snowloads or unintended shocks or bumps acting on the anchor assembly 114 and / or the energy absorber 126 can be compensated without irreversible changes. Preferably in the event of a load acting on the anergy absorber due to a fall event the predefined range is exceeded.

[0041] The energy absorber 126 furthermore comprises a guide element 138. The guide element 138 is directly connected to the first connection element 122, in particular comprises the first connection element 122. Furthermore, the guide element 138 comprises guide plates 140a, 140b. The guide plates 140a, 140b are held at a distance by distance holders 142.

[0042] The distance holders 142 in particular ensure that between the guide plates 140a, 140b an opening in form of a gap 144 is formed. The spiral element 130 is running through the opening / gap 144. In particular the spiral element 130 enters into the guide element at a lower end, i.e. an end facing to the base plate 124 and / or the first end 132 of the absorber element in form of the spiral element 130 and / or to the first end 118 of the energy absorber 126, respectively. The spiral element 130 exits the guide element 138 perpendicular to the direction D, mainly parallel to the base plate 124 and perpendicular to an extension of the distance holders 142, respectively.

[0043] Thus in case of a fall event and / or forces acting on the first connection element, in particular in a direction perpendicular to the direction D an area of the spiral element 130 is located within the guide element 138. Due to the extension of the guide plates and the contact of the spiral element 130 with the distance holders, the guide element 138 has to act against the same resistance of the spiral element 130, irrespective into which direction the force is action perpendicular to direction D.

[0044] To ease a relative movement of a guide element 138 relative to the spiral element 130 the distance holders 142 comprise roller elements 146.

[0045] In an alternative not shown embodiments the guide element might comprise other configurations, for example a closed body having openings through which the absorber element is extending and guided by the guide element between the openings.

[0046] The guide element 138 is connected to the base plate 124 by a reinforcing and / or centering element in form of a spacer element 148. The guide element 138 and the spacer element 148 are connected in a form fit manner. In particular the guide element 138, especially the guide plates 140a, 140b, comprise recess 150 into which extensions 152 of the spacer element 148 are reaching.

[0047] As can be taken from Fig. 4 showing a perspective view onto section A of Fig. 3, the spiral element 130 is reaching through the spacer element 148 such that the first end 132 of the spiral element 130 can be connected to the base plates 124. This connection can be made by threaded engagement or by any other appropriate connection method.

[0048] By the connection of the guide element 138 to the base plate 124 the guide element is located in a pre-defined position relative to the base plate 124. In case of a fall event forces are acting on the first connection element 122 leading to a tipping of the guide element 138 as during a fall event forces are acting in a direction having a component being perpendicular to the direction D. As the guide element 138 is connected to the base plate 124, at least rests on the base plate 124, in a pre-defined position, and that the spiral element is guided over a distance within the guide element 138 it is ensured that the counterforces and / or resistance build up by spiral element 130 against a movement of the guide element 138 are mainly identical in any direction perpendicular to the direction D. In this way it is ensured that a best possible absorption of the fall event is reached irrespective in which direction the fall event occurs, i.e. in which direction perpendicular to the direction D the fall event occurs. By tipping of the guide element 138 the connection between the base plate 124 and the guide element 138 is disconnected, in particular the extensions 152 of the spacer element 148 break such that the guide element 138 can travel along the spiral element 130. By the forces acting on the guide element 138, the spiral element 130 is plastically deformed, in particular without a breaking or weakening of the spiral element 130. By this deformation forces acting on the first connection element 122 are transformed into forces leading to the plastic deformation of the spiral element 130, in particular leading to a stretching of the spiral element 130 form the spiral form into a straight form and thus absorbing the forces acting on the first connection element 122 and the guide element 138, respectively. On the other hand it is ensured that irrespective of the deformation of the spiral element 130 the connection between the first connection element 122 and the base plate 124 is ensured. By the roller elements 146 the guide element 128 is moving along the spiral element 130.

[0049] This deformation of the spiral element 130 takes place as long as the complete fall energy is absorbed by the deformation of the spiral element 130. The spiral element 130 is dimensioned such that a fall event of one or more people does not lead to a sufficient force to deform the complete spiral element 130.

[0050] However, in case higher forces are acting on the first connection element 122 and the guide element 138, it is ensured that the guide element 138 remains in connection with the spiral element 130 which in turn remains connected to the base plate 124 at the first end 132. This is reached by the stop element 136. The stop element 136 has a diameter that is greater than the inner diameter of the gap 144 such that a movement of the guide element 138 along the spiral element 130 is stopped by the stop element 136.

[0051] The absorber element is not restricted to a wound element or element in form of a spiral or coil. This spiral configuration has inter alias the advantage that an installation space is kept small. But any other configuration of the absorber element can be used that is elastically and / or plastically deformed, in particular into an elongate form, thereby absorbing energy acting on the absorber element. In other not discussed embodiments the energy absorber allows to generate a constant counter force acting against the force generated during the fall event with an elastic absorber element. The features disclosed in the claims, the specification and the drawings may be essential for the different embodiments of the claimed subject-matter, either separately or in any combination with each other.

[0052] REFERENCE SIGN LIST fall protection system person horizontal lifeline substructure lanyard load transfer device harness anchor assembly housing first end second end first connection element base plate energy absorber tab spiral element first end second end stop element guide element a, 140b guide plates distance holder gap roller element spacer element recess extension A Section

[0053] D Direction

Claims

CLAIMS1. An anchor assembly (114), particularly for a fall protection system (100), the anchor assembly (114) comprising at least one fixation means (124) for connection to at least one substructure (106), at least one energy absorber (126) having at least one elongate absorber element (130) at least indirectly connectable to the substructure (106) and / or the fixation means (124) at a first end (118, 132) of the energy absorber (126) and / or absorber element (130) and at least one guide element (138) at least indirectly connectable to at least one first connection element (122) located at a second end (120) of the energy absorber (126) located opposite the first end (118) of the energy absorber (126), wherein the absorber element (130) is at least partly reaching through at least one opening (144) comprised by the guide element (138) wherein the guide element (138) is connectable to the fixation means (124) and / or the substructure (106) and / or rests at least indirectly on the fixation means (124) and / or the substructure (106).

2. The anchor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fixation means comprises at least one base plate (124), at least one connector for connecting to at least one post, to the substructure, to a load bearing structure, to a bottom fix structure and / or to a top fix structure.

3. The anchor assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorber element comprises at least partly at least one elastic element, at least one at least partly wound and / or rolled-up element, at least one plastically deformable element, at least one spring, at least one spiral 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 plastically deformable material and / or at least one elastomeric material.

4. The anchor assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the absorber element (130) comprises at least one stop element (136) to restrict a movement of the absorber element (130) through the opening (144) of the guide element (138) and or a travel of the guide element (138) along the absorber element(130), wherein preferably the stop element (136) has at least one outer dimension being greater than the inner dimension of the opening (144).

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

6. The anchor assembly according to claim 5, wherein the guide element (138) comprises at least one distance holder (142) located at least partly between the guide plates (140a, 140b).

7. The anchor assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the guide element (138) comprises at least one roller element (146), optionally allowing a gliding of the absorber element (130) along the roller element (146), wherein the roller element (146) is preferably in work relationship with, at least partly comprised by, connected to and / or located at the distance holder (142).

8. The anchor assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide element (138) is detachably connectable and / or, preferably detachably, connected to the fixation means (124) and / or the substructure (106).

9. The anchor assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide element (138) rests on and / or is connected to the fixation means (124) and / or the substructure (106) via at least one, in particular radial symmetric, reinforcing and / or centering element (148), in particular at least partly comprising at least one disk, at least one washer, at least on spacer element, at least one eyebolt and / or at least one sleeve, wherein preferably the first end (132) of the absorber element (130) reaches through the reinforcing and / or centering element (148).

10. The anchor assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide element (138) has at least partly in at least one first area a form being complementary to a form of a second area of the fixation means (124), of the substructure (106) and / or of the reinforcing and / or centering element (148), inparticular the first area and the second area form a force fit and / or form fit connection, at least one tongue-and-groove connection, at least one clip connection, at least one latch connection and / or at least one snap-in connection.

11. The anchor assembly according to claim 10, wherein the guide element (138) comprises at least one recess (150) and the reinforcing and / or centering element (148) comprises at least one, preferably radial symmetric, extension (152), at least partly reaching into the recess (150) of the guide element (138) and / or the reinforcing and / or centering element comprises at least one recess and the reinforcing and / or centering element comprises at least one, preferably radial symmetric, extension, at least partly reaching into the recess of the reinforcing and / or centering element.

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

13. Anchor assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first connection element (122) is, directly or indirectly, connectable to at least one lifeline, at least one horizontal lifeline, at least one lanyard (106), at least on personal fall limiter, and / or at least one a safety harness (112), optionally worn by a user (102).

14. Anchor assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the substructure (106) comprises at least partly and / or is formed by at least one support structure, at least one roof, at least one rail system, preferably at least partly comprised by and / or connected to the support structure, at least one load bearing structure, at least one indoor inventory and / or at least one high bay storage.

15. Method of absorbing a fall of a user (102) connected to an anchor assembly (114), in particular an anchor assembly (114) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the anchor assembly (114) comprises at least one energy absorber (126) having at least one elongate absorber element (130) at least indirectly connectable toa substructure (106) and / or a fixation means (124) at a first end (118, 132) of the energy absorber (126) and / or the absorber element (130) and at least one guide element (148) at least indirectly connectable to at least one first connection element (122) located at a second end (120) of the energy absorber (126) located opposite the first end (118) of the energy absorber (126) and having at least one opening (144) through which the absorber element (130) reaches at least partly, wherein in case of a fall event the guide element (148) is disconnected from the fixation means (124) and / or the substructure (106) and / or the resting support of the guide element (138) on the fixation means (124) and / or the substructure (106) is dissolved and the guide element (138) travels along the absorber element (130).

16. Method according to claim 15, wherein during a travel of the guide element (138) the absorber element (130) is deformed, optionally elastically, plastically and / or permanently deformed.

17. Method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the travel of the guide element (138) along the absorber element (130) is restricted by at least one stop element (136), optionally at least partly comprised by and / or connected to the absorber element (130).

Images