Method for blocking access to a user's tethering cable

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for blocking access to a user's tethering cable (1) as long as another user is tethered to said cable, said cable being stretched between an access space (2) and an exit space (3), and an access blocking system (16) usable in such a method, wherein the exit space (3) is provided with a connector passage detector (7), a communication device (15) being disposed between said detector and a blocking device, said communication device deactivating said blocking device when a connector passes through said exit space by activating said detector. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Method for blocking access to a user's attachment cable of a mooring system

[0001] The invention relates to a method for blocking access to a cable - for example for a zip line - for attaching a user's anchoring system and a blocking system usable in such a method.

[0002] It is known, for example from document FR-3 083 989-A1, to implement a method of blocking access to a cable - used in particular for a zip line - for attaching a user's mooring system, while another user is moored to said cable, said cable being stretched between an access space and an exit space.

[0003] The implementation of such a method makes it possible to avoid two users being on the cable simultaneously, which could generate a risk of collision between them.

[0004] However, the known methods do not allow for optimal user safety and / or present a certain complexity of implementation.

[0005] The invention aims to overcome these drawbacks.

[0006] To this end, and according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a method for blocking access to a hooking cable of a user's anchoring system, while another user is anchored to said cable, said cable being stretched between an access space and an exit space, said system comprising a first and a second anchoring connector on said cable, said connectors being connected to each other by a lanyard and by a safety device preventing the removal of a connector from an anchoring means when the other connector is not anchored, said method comprising the following steps: • anchor said second connector upstream of said access space, • anchoring said first connector on a sliding carriage, said carriage being arranged upstream of a box provided with a device for blocking access of a connector to said cable in a downstream direction, the length of said tether being defined so as to prevent the passage, in said downstream direction, of said carriage provided with a connector through said box as long as the other connector is anchored upstream of said access space, • unhook said second connector, • said locking device being deactivated, move said carriage through said housing in said downstream direction by activating said locking device, • hook said second connector downstream of said access space to anchor it on said cable, said length being defined so as to prevent the anchoring of said second connector downstream of said access space until said carriage provided with the other connector has passed through said housing, • unhook said first connector from said carriage, • return said carriage in the upstream direction on the other side of said box without deactivating said locking device, • move one of said connectors to said exit space, detect it and prevent it from returning to said cable, • deactivate said locking device so as to allow access to said cable to another user.

[0007] With the proposed method, optimal user safety is ensured with great ease of use.

[0008] According to a second aspect, the invention proposes a blocking system usable in such a method.

[0009] Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, given with reference to the attached figures, in which:

[0010] [Fig-1] is a partial schematic representation of a blocking system according to one embodiment,

[0011] [Fig.2] is a detail view of [Fig. 1],

[0012] [Fig.3a],

[0013] [Fig.3b],

[0014] [Fig.3c],

[0015] [Fig.3d],

[0016] [Fig.3e],

[0017] [Fig.3f] and

[0018] [Fig.3g] are schematic partial perspective views of the system of figures previous ones represented at different stages of the implementation of the access blocking process,

[0019] [Fig.4a],

[0020] [Fig.4b],

[0021] [Fig.4c] and

[0022] [Fig.4d] are partial schematic views of an embodiment of the system of the preceding figures represented at different stages of the implementation of the access blocking method.

[0023] With reference to the figures, a method is described for blocking access to a cable 1 - for example for a zip line - for attaching a user's securing system, while another user is secured to said cable, said cable being stretched between an access space 2 and an exit space 3, said system comprising a first K1 and a second K2 anchoring connectors on said cable, said connectors being connected to each other by a lanyard 4 and by a safety device preventing the removal of a connector K1,K2 from an anchoring means - formed for example by said cable - when the other connector K2,K1 is not anchored, so as to guarantee continuous anchoring of said user, said method comprising the following steps: • anchor said second connector K2 upstream of said access space ([Fig.3a]), • anchoring said first connector K1 on a sliding carriage 5 ([Fig.3b]), said carriage being arranged upstream of a box 6 provided with a device for blocking access of a connector K1 to said cable in a downstream direction SI, the length of said lanyard being defined so as to prevent the passage, in said downstream direction SI, of said carriage provided with a connector K1 through said box as long as the other connector K2 is anchored upstream of said access space, • unhook said second connector K2 ([Fig.3c]), • said locking device being deactivated, move said carriage through said housing in said downstream direction SI by activating said locking device ([Fig.3d]), • hook said second connector K2 downstream of said access space to anchor it on said cable ([Fig.3e]), said length being defined so as to prevent the anchoring of said second connector K2 downstream of said access space until said carriage provided with the other connector K1 has passed through said box, • unhook said first connector Kl from said carriage, and possibly anchor it on said cable ([Fig.3f]), • return - for example by gravity or by a spring not shown - said carriage in the upstream direction S2 on the other side of said housing without deactivating said locking device ([Fig.3g]), • move one of said connectors K1, K2 to said exit space, detect it and prevent it from returning to said cable, • deactivate said locking device so as to allow access to said cable to another user.

[0024] A lashing system provided with a safety device as mentioned above is for example known from document EP-2 637 747-A1 which describes two connectors in the form of carabiners intended to receive a lashing means - for example a cable - each of said connectors comprising: • a hook provided with an opening for introducing said lashing means, • a detection means arranged to be activated in detection by introduction said lashing means in said hook, • a door for closing said opening, said door having an open position for receiving said securing means in said hook and a closed position for holding said securing means in said hook, • a means for locking said door coupled to a constraint means arranged to activate said locking means when said door is closed,

[0025] said connectors being connected to each other by transmission means - in this case in the form of "Bowden cables" - respectively connecting the detection means of one connector to the locking means of the other connector, said transmission means being arranged so that the activation of the detection means of one connector, whatever it may be, results in the deactivation of the locking means of the other connector.

[0026] A system 16 for blocking access to a cable 1 which can be used in such a method is now described, said system comprising: • an access space 2 which includes: • an upstream stop Al and a downstream stop A3 for blocking the sliding of a connector K2 respectively in the downstream direction SI of access to said cable and in the opposite upstream direction S2, • a carriage 5 provided with an anchoring point A2, said carriage being mounted to slide between two upstream B1 and downstream B3 auxiliary stops arranged between said upstream A1 and downstream A3 stops, • a housing 6 mounted between said additional stops B1, B3, said housing being provided with a device for locking said carriage in said downstream direction SI, said locking device being activatable by the passage of said carriage provided with a connector K1 in said downstream direction SI, said locking device being further arranged so as to: • block the return of said carriage in said upstream direction S2 when a connector Kl is anchored on it, • allow the return of said carriage in said upstream direction S2 in the absence of a connector K1 anchored thereon, said return not deactivating said locking device, • an exit space 3 provided with a detector 7 for the passage of a connector K1, K2, • a communication device 15 arranged between said detector and said blocking device, said communication device deactivating said blocking device when a connector K1, K2 passes said output space by activating said detector, • a lashing system comprising - in addition to a harness - a first Kl and a second K2 anchoring connectors on said cable, said connectors being connected to each other by a lanyard 4 and by a safety device preventing the removal of a connector K1,K2 from an anchoring means when the other connector K2,K1 is not anchored, said lanyard having a length defined so as to prevent: • the passage, in said downstream direction SI, of said carriage provided with a connector K1 through said housing as long as the other connector K2 is anchored upstream of said upstream stop Al, • the anchoring of a connector K2 downstream of said downstream stop A3 as long as said carriage provided with the other connector K1 has not passed through said box.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the upstream stops A1 and downstream stops A3 are provided with a system for recognizing a connector K1, K2, so as to force the user to anchor said connector only at the level of said stops.

[0028] Such a recognition system is for example known from document FR-2 984 752-Al which describes a connector in the form of a carabiner intended to be secured to an anchoring means - such as a cable - said connector comprising: • a hook provided with an opening for introducing said element, • a door for closing said opening, said door having an open position for receiving said anchoring means in said hook and a closed position for holding said anchoring means in said hook,

[0029] said recognition system having the following characteristics: • said anchoring means is provided with a magnet, • said connector comprises a device for blocking its introduction onto said anchoring means,

[0030] said locking device comprising: • a locking part mounted to move between a locking position activating said device and an unlocking position deactivating said device, said part comprising a part sensitive to a magnetic field, • a spring means actuating said part towards its locking position where it locks said door in the closed position to prevent said connector from being secured,

[0031] said part sensitive to a magnetic field being arranged so that said part is actuated towards its unlocking position, against said spring means, when said part is arranged opposite said magnet by placing said connector in a docking situation on said anchoring means.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the anchoring point A2 is also provided with a system for recognizing a connector K1, K2, so as to force the user to anchor said connector only at said point.

[0033]

[0034]

[0035]

[0036]

[0037]

[0038] According to the embodiment shown in figures 4, the housing 6 comprises: • a rotating gate 8 actuated by a main spring 9 towards a position for receiving the carriage 5 ([Fig.4a]), said gate having a tab 10 allowing it to be rotated towards a locking position under the effect of a thrust from said carriage in the downstream direction SI (figures 4b and 4c), said tab being able to retract elastically under the effect of a thrust from said carriage in the upstream direction S2 ([Fig.4d]) so as to allow a return of said carriage upstream of said housing without re-rotating said gate towards its receiving position, • a first latch 11 for automatically locking said gate in the locking position, said latch being actuated towards its locking position by a first spring 12, • a second automatic locking latch 13, in the upstream direction S2, of said carriage provided with a connector K1, K2 once past said housing, said latch being actuated towards its locking position by a second spring 14. According to an embodiment not shown, the exit space 3 is provided with a box 6 and a carriage 5 similar to those of the access space 2, the user arriving at the exit space 3 being required to anchor a connector K1, K2 on said carriage, said connector once passed through said box being prevented from returning to the cable 1 by the second latch 13. According to one embodiment, the detector 7 is based on mechanical detection - for example by actuation of a switch in the form of a lever - or hertzian detection. According to one embodiment, the communication device 15 is based on a radio transmission. The method previously described is now described in relation to the means implemented in the access blocking system described previously. The access blocking process includes the following steps: • anchor the second connector K2 upstream of the upstream stop Al ([Fig.3a]), • anchor the first connector Kl on the anchor point A2, the carriage 5 being arranged towards the upstream annex stop B1 ([Fig.3b]), • unhook said second connector K2 ([Fig.3c]), • the locking device being deactivated, move said carriage on either side of the housing 6 in the downstream direction SI so as to activate the locking device ([Fig.3d]), • hook said second connector K2 downstream of the downstream stop A3 to anchor it on the cable 1 ([Fig.3e]), • unhook said first connector K1 from said anchoring point A2, and possibly anchor it on said cable ([Fig.3f]), return - for example by gravity or by a spring not shown - said carriage towards said upstream annex stop B1 without deactivating said locking device ([Fig.3g]), moving one of said connectors K1, K2 to the exit space 3, detecting it by means of the detector 7 and preventing its return to said cable - for example by a non-return latch -, deactivating said blocking device by means of the communication device 15 arranged between said detector and said blocking device, so as to allow access to said cable to another user.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for blocking access to a cable (1) for attaching a user's anchoring system, while another user is anchored to said cable, said cable being stretched between an access space (2) and an exit space (3), said system comprising a first (K1) and a second (K2) anchoring connector on said cable, said connectors being connected to each other by a lanyard (4) and by a safety device preventing the removal of a connector (K1, K2) from an anchoring means when the other connector (K2, K1) is not anchored, said method comprising the following steps: • anchor said second connector (K2) upstream of said access space, • anchoring said first connector (Kl) on a sliding carriage (5), said carriage being arranged upstream of a box (6) provided with a device for blocking access of a connector (Kl) to said cable in a downstream direction (SI), the length of said lanyard being defined so as to prevent the passage, in said downstream direction (SI), of said carriage provided with a connector (Kl) through said box as long as the other connector (K2) is anchored upstream of said access space, • unhook said second connector (K2), • said locking device being deactivated, move said carriage through said housing in said downstream direction (SI) by activating said locking device, • hook said second connector (K2) downstream of said access space to anchor it on said cable, said length being defined so as to prevent the anchoring of said second connector (K2) downstream of said access space until said carriage provided with the other connector (K1) has passed through said box, • unhook said first connector (Kl) from said carriage, • return said carriage in the upstream direction (S2) to the other side of said box without deactivating said locking device, • move one of said connectors (K1, K2) to said exit space, detect it and prevent it from returning to said cable • deactivate said locking device so as to allow access to said cable to another user.

2. System (16) for blocking access to a cable (1) usable in a method according to claim 1, said system comprising: • an access space (2) which includes: • an upstream stop (Al) and a downstream stop (A3) for blocking the sliding of a connector (K2) respectively in the downstream directions (SI) of access to said cable and in the opposite upstream direction (S2), • a carriage (5) provided with an anchoring point (A2), said carriage being mounted to slide between two upstream (B1) and downstream (B3) auxiliary stops arranged between said upstream (A1) and downstream (A3) stops, • a housing (6) mounted between said additional stops (B1, B3), said housing being provided with a device for locking said carriage in said downstream direction (SI), said locking device being activatable by the passage of said carriage provided with a connector (Kl) in said downstream direction (SI), said locking device being further arranged so as to: • block the return of said carriage in said upstream direction (S2) when a connector (Kl) is anchored on it, • allow the return of said carriage in said upstream direction (S2) in the absence of a connector (Kl) anchored thereon, said return not deactivating said locking device, • an exit space (3) provided with a detector (7) for the passage of a connector (K1, K2), • a communication device (15) arranged between said detector and said blocking device, said communication device deactivating said blocking device when a connector (K1, K2) passes said exit space by activating said detector, • a lashing system comprising a first (K1) and a second (K2) anchoring connectors on said cable, said connectors being connected to each other by a lanyard (4) and by a safety device preventing the removal of a connector (K1,K2) of an anchoring means when the other connector (K2,K1) is not anchored, said tether having a length defined so as to prevent: • the passage, in said downstream direction (SI), of said carriage provided with a connector (Kl) through said housing as long as the other connector (K2) is anchored upstream of said upstream stop (A1), • the anchoring of a connector (K2) downstream of said downstream stop (A3) as long as said carriage provided with the other connector (Kl) has not passed through said housing.

3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the upstream (A1) and downstream (A3) stops are provided with a system for recognizing a connector (K1, K2), so as to force the user to anchor said connector only at the level of said stops.

4. System according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the anchoring point (A2) is provided with a system for recognizing a connector (K1, K2), so as to force the user to anchor said connector only at said point.

5. System according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the housing (6) comprises: • a rotary gate (8) actuated by a main spring (9) towards a position for receiving the carriage, said gate having a tab (10) allowing it to be rotated towards a locking position under the effect of a thrust from said carriage in the downstream direction (S1), said tab being able to retract elastically under the effect of a thrust from said carriage in the upstream direction (S2) so as to allow a return of said carriage upstream of said housing without re-rotating said gate towards its receiving position, • a first latch (11) for automatically locking said gate in the locking position, said latch being actuated towards its locking position by a first spring (12), • a second latch (13) for automatically locking, in the upstream direction (S2), said carriage provided with a connector (K1, K2) a once past said housing, said latch being actuated towards its locking position by a second spring (14).

6. System according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the exit space (3) is provided with a box (6) and a carriage (5) similar to those of the access space (2), the user arriving at the exit space (3) being required to anchor a connector (K1, K2) on said carriage, said connector once passed through said box being prevented from returning to the cable (1) by the second latch (13).

7. System according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the detector (7) is based on mechanical or hertzian detection.

8. System according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the communication device (15) is based on a radio transmission.

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