Intermediate support for lifeline

Abstract

The invention relates to an intermediate support (1) for a lifeline, comprising a base (10) for connecting the support to a building and connected to a tube (20) by a rib (30), the tube (20): - having a bore (21) configured for the passage of the lifeline; - having an external surface (22) configured to allow the passage of a slide (50) connected to a user; the intermediate support (1) further comprising means for locking the lifeline. According to the invention, the locking means are a headless screw (23) mounted in a radial thread (24) of the tube (20), and in that the external surface (22) of the tube (20) is contained within a cylindrical casing from which only the rib (30) protrudes. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Intermediate support for lifeline technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of personal protective equipment and in particular to that of lifelines. Previous art

[0002] It is known in the prior art to use lifelines to protect professionals working at height. The person wears a harness or a safety harness, connected to the lifeline by means of a lanyard. The lifeline is fixed to an immovable object, such as a building, a wall, or a roof. If the person falls, they are held by the lifeline.

[0003] In order to move along the lifeline, the connection between the lanyard and the line is made using a slider capable of sliding along the line.

[0004] To ensure its secure attachment and rigidity, the lifeline is connected to the building at regular intervals, for example every 10 m, by means of intermediate supports. These supports must not only incorporate line attachment means, in order to hold it and possibly tension it, but they must also allow free passage for the sliding mechanism so that movement along the lifeline can be carried out without detaching the lanyard.

[0005] Since the slider and the lanyard have their own masses, they tend to be oriented downwards by gravity. When passing the slider over a support, it is therefore necessary to manipulate the slider so that it is correctly aligned and oriented with the support, and so that its passage is not obstructed.

[0006] When the lifeline does not follow a straight path but must follow curves, for example at the corner of a building, it must not be sheared when tensioned. To this end, prior art solutions describe: - either using intermediate supports with a rigid section that creates the desired curve. In this case, manufacturing the equipment is more complex because the supports must be adapted to the path of the lifeline, and installation is also complex because the correct support must be assigned to the various anchor points of the lifeline; - either by crimping the cable at the support, leaving a section of the lifeline unstretched between two supports defining the curve of the route. In this case, installing the line requires the use of heavy and bulky tools to crimp the line into the supports.

[0007] In particular, document FR2895268 is known, which describes a regular lifeline The slide in this document has recesses to allow it to pass through the supports. However, neither the geometry of the slide nor that of the supports is optimal, and passage is obstructed.

[0008] Document WO2011 / 101781 describes an alternative lifeline. The slide in this document has a complex geometry. Furthermore, the slide's passage over intermediate supports can also be obstructed.

[0009] Document GB2389386 describes another lifeline, the slide of which also has a complex geometry. The intermediate support in this document has the advantage of being orientable along an axis parallel to that of the lifeline, but its use is laborious because it involves the use of different tools and must be carried out with two hands.

[0010] US6056085 describes another type of steerable intermediate support for line of life, of complex construction and for which the adjustment of the orientation is also laborious, despite the presence of indexes. Description of the invention

[0011] One of the aims of the invention is to provide lifeline components that facilitate the passage of the slider over intermediate supports without obstruction.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide lifeline components allowing for easy installation and use of a lifeline.

[0013] To this end, an intermediate support for a lifeline has been developed, comprising a base intended to connect the support to a building, and connected to a tube by a rib, the tube: - featuring a bore configured for the passage of the lifeline; - featuring an external surface configured to allow the passage of a slider connected to a user; the intermediate support further including means for blocking the lifeline.

[0014] According to the invention, the locking means are a headless screw mounted in a radial thread of the tube, and the external surface of the tube is contained in a cylindrical envelope of which only the rib protrudes.

[0015] In this way, the support fulfills the function of anchoring the lifeline by means of the pressure screws, which allows the lifeline, possibly under tension, to be locked in place. If a curve is required in the route, a support can be placed at the beginning and end of the curve, locking the lifeline tension upstream and downstream of the curve, but leaving the lifeline untensioned within the curve. In this way, the lifeline is not sheared by the edge of the tube.

[0016] The particular design of the invention ensures that the support presents no The design eliminates any protrusion or obstacle that could impede the slider's passage, allowing it to move freely through the support. This facilitates the use of the lifeline, reducing user fatigue and saving time. Furthermore, the support's simple geometry simplifies its manufacture.

[0017] Furthermore, since the lifeline is tightened by a pressure screw, it is possible to dismantle it, for example when it is necessary to modify the placement of an intermediate support, or to change only the support in case of deterioration.

[0018] Preferably, the screw includes a flat section designed to lock against rotation in the oblong opening of the lug. In this way, locking and unlocking can be done with one hand.

[0019] To ensure that there is no obstruction to the passage of the slider, in the lifeline locking position, the headless screw does not protrude more than 0.5 mm from the external surface of the tube.

[0020] Advantageously, the support includes orientation means connecting the tube to the base, pivotally about an axis parallel to the axis of the tube, the orientation means include locking means for the tube in position.

[0021] To make the orientation adjustment even easier, the orientation means include angular indexing means, for example in the form of notches regularly distributed around the periphery of the plate and a key protruding from the lug.

[0022] The axle is in the form of a screw and the locking means are in the form of a nut, and the lug opening is oblong, with a length greater than or equal to the length of the key grip in the notch.

[0023] In this way, it is possible to unlock the support and release the key from its notch in order to adjust the orientation of the support, without disassembling any part of the support. The risk of losing a part, and moreover of an accident caused by a falling part, since the lifeline is installed at a height, is eliminated.

[0024] The invention also relates to a lifeline assembly comprising a support according to the aforementioned characteristics, and a slider for securing a user, notable in that the functional clearance between an internal surface of the slider and the external surface of the tube during the slider's passage around the tube is between 0.5 mm and 3 mm. The slider and the support are properly adjusted, and the slider cannot become stuck during its passage.

[0025] Advantageously, the internal surface of the slide is cylindrical and longitudinally slotted to allow passage of the rib protruding from the support tube. The slide therefore has no element that could impede its passage over the support. The slide has a simple geometry, thus simplifying its manufacture.

[0026] In order to facilitate the attachment and detachment of the lanyard on the lifeline, the slide includes a retractable part against an elastic return element to widen the slot.

[0027] In order to simplify the design and lighten the slide, the retractable part is fixed on a plate of the slide.

[0028] In order to be able to cushion a possible fall of the user, the notches are in the form of semi-circular cutouts, and the key is in the form of a boss with a semi-circular profile acting as a cam.

[0029] To tension a lifeline attached to the support, and then to fix the support to the building, the rib includes two tabs and the base includes two plates so that the support has a recess intended to receive a tool for tensioning the assembly.

[0030] Preferably, the support comprises two screws on each side, each cooperating with a tab and a plate. In this way, the recess is larger and completely unobstructed. Brief description of the drawings

[0031] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a support according to the invention.

[0032] [Fig.2] is a side view of such a support.

[0033] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a screw of such a support.

[0034] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a base of such a support.

[0035] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of a tube and rib of such a support.

[0036] [Fig.6] is a perspective section of such a support.

[0037] [Fig.7] is another perspective section of such a support.

[0038] [Fig.8] is another side view of such a support.

[0039] [Fig.9] is another perspective view of such a support set in another orientation.

[0040] [Fig. 10] is a partial perspective view of a lifeline fixed by such supports.

[0041] [Fig. 11] is a perspective view of a slide suitable for operation with such a support.

[0042] [Fig. 12] is a side view of such a slide passing through such a support.

[0043] [Fig. 13] is a partial perspective view of such a slide.

[0044] [Fig. 14] is another side view of such a slide. Detailed description of the invention

[0045] With reference to figures 1 to 14, the invention relates to an improved intermediate support (1) for fixing a lifeline.

[0046] Lifelines are used for fall prevention. They are generally These anchors are fixed to the wall of an immovable object, such as a building or a roof, by means of brackets (1) fixed at regular intervals. They are designed to receive a lanyard with which a person secures themselves. The lanyard is attached on one end to the harness or belt worn by the person, and on the other end to a slide (50) which moves along the lifeline.

[0047] In order to never detach the lanyard, the support (1) is configured to be compact, and the slider (50) has openings allowing it to pass through the support (1), while preventing its separation from the lifeline.

[0048] In order to provide an intermediate support (1) that offers the least possible resistance to passage by a slide (50), the support includes a tube (20) designed to receive the lifeline within a bore (21). The tube (20) has an external surface (22) contained within a cylindrical casing, from which only one rib (30) protrudes, allowing the tube (20) to be connected to the base (10) which serves to fix the support (1) to the building.

[0049] In this way, the outer casing of the tube (20) has no element that could obstruct the passage of the slide. Only the rib (30), necessary to connect the tube (20) to the building, protrudes from the outer surface (22), and the slide (50) has a longitudinal slot (52) to allow the passage of the rib (30).

[0050] Furthermore, the tube (20) advantageously has frustoconical portions at each end of its external surface (22) to facilitate the positioning of the slide (50). Similarly, and for the same purpose, the slide (50) has a frustoconical portion at each end of an internal surface (51).

[0051] It is evident that the slot (52) must be thinner than the diameter of the lifeline so that the slider (50) remains on the lifeline. Therefore, the rib (30) has a thinner thickness than the lifeline. For example, for a lifeline with a diameter of 8 mm, the slot (52) measures 6 mm and the thickness of the rib is between 3 and 4 mm.

[0052] In order to allow free movement, the diameters of the outer surface (22) and the inner surface (51) are designed so that a functional clearance (j) illustrated [Fig. 12] is between 0.5 mm and 3 mm. The functional clearance must be greater than 0.5 mm to ensure free movement between the slide (50) and the support (1).

[0053] However, excessive play has the disadvantage of limiting the contact area of ​​the inner surface (51) with the outer surface (22), particularly at the slot (52). This means that the pull-out resistance of the slider (50) will be reduced: this can be detrimental because the slider (50) must be able to prevent a person from falling. The functional play (j) is therefore a maximum of 3 mm. Preferably, the play (j) is between 0.5 and 3 mm, for example 2.8 mm.

[0054] With a slide (50) of length between 5 and 10cm, the risks of buttressing are thus avoided.

[0055] In order to lock the lifeline, the tube (20) includes a through radial thread (24), drilled from the outer surface (22) towards the bore (21). The radial thread (24) receives a set screw (23) intended to bear against the lifeline.

[0056] With reference to [Fig. 2], when in the lifeline locking position, the pressure screw (23) does not protrude more than 0.5 mm from the external surface (22) so as not to obstruct the passage of the slide (50). Preferably, it does not protrude at all from the external surface (22).

[0057] The illustrated example [Fig. 2] shows a screw (23) positioned so that it does not protrude from the external surface (22). The screw (23) protruding on the side of the bore (21) allows the lifeline to be compressed until it is locked in place. In the case of a lifeline made from a cable, this compression can be 2 mm to 3 mm.

[0058] The thickness of the tube (20), i.e., the difference between the diameters of the bore (21) and the external surface (22), is adjusted accordingly so that the screw (23) does not protrude from the external surface (22). Furthermore, a small difference in diameter between the lifeline and the external surface (21) also facilitates the passage of the slide (50), as the diameter variation is less. For example, with a lifeline of 8 mm in diameter, it is possible to produce a tube (20) with an external surface (21) of 15 mm in diameter.

[0059] The locking of the lifeline is particularly necessary at the curves it must follow. Referring to [Fig. 10], a lifeline is shown following the angle of a building in three sections. A first section (L1) and a third section (L3) are each stretched between an anchor point (not shown) and a support (la, 1b). A second section (L2) forms the curve at the angle.

[0060] If the section (L2) were under tension, two problems would arise: - The angle formed by the second section (L2) with each of the respective tubes (20) of the first support (la) and the second support (1b) would block the passage of the slider (50): its length being greater than 5 cm, the angle that the slider (50) can take with respect to the tube (20) is limited. - The lifeline would be sheared, because the second section (L2) would not be aligned with the respective tubes (20) of the first support (la) and the second support (1b). In the case of a lifeline made with a cable, this could sever strands of the cable and contribute to its failure.

[0061] Thanks to the support (1) of the invention, it is possible: - to tension the first section (Ll) of the lifeline, and to lock its tension by means of the screw (23) of the first support (la) fixed to the building; - to deploy the second section (L2) without tension, and to lock the lifeline using the screw (23b) of the second support (1b); - to deploy the third section (L3) and energize it. Since the lifeline is blocked by the screw (23b), energizing the third section (L3) will not affect the second section (L2), which will remain slack.

[0062] When the slide (50) is in use, its own weight tends to bring it into a vertical position, as indicated by the direction (P) shown in [Fig. 12]. To facilitate passage over the support (1), it is advantageous to orient the rib (30) so that it is naturally aligned with the slot (52) of the slide (50). This allows the user to easily orient and position the slide (50) for passage over the support (1).

[0063] To achieve this, the support (1) includes orientation means (40) connecting the rib (30) to the base (10), which rotates about an axis (41) parallel to the axis of the tube (20). Thus, depending on the orientation of the wall on which the support (1) is fixed, it is possible to orient the rib (30) at an angle (46) between 0° and 180°, which covers all common orientations.

[0064] Locking means (42) allow, once the angle (46) has been suitably adjusted, the rotation of the rib (30) relative to the base (10) to be blocked. For the sake of simplicity, these locking means are in the form of a screw (44) and a nut, mounted through an opening (32) in a tab (31) of the rib (30) and through an opening (12) in a plate (11) of the base (10).

[0065] Advantageously, the screw (44) has a flat (45) that abuts against a straight wall of the orifice (32). Thus, the screw (44) is prevented from rotating, and the locking means (42) can be tightened with one hand, by manipulating only the nut. Preferably, the screw (44) has a portion with a square cross-section.

[0066] In addition, in order to facilitate the adjustment of the orientation, the orientation means (40) include indexing means (43) in the form of notches (13) made on an angular portion of the circumference of the plate (11), and these notches (13) can receive a key (33) protruding from the lug (31).

[0067] Thus, when the rib (30) has been positioned at the desired angle (46), the indexing of the key (33) in the corresponding notch (13) allows the rib (30) to be held in place during the tightening of the locking means (42). There is no risk of an unintentional or accidental change in the angle (46).

[0068] In a preferred embodiment as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the orifice (32) of the lug (31) is oblong and longer than the length of the key (33) engaged in the notches (13). Thus, when the screw (44) is unlocked and the movement of the rib (30) is free, it is possible to pull the rib (30) until the key (33) comes out of its notch (13). The rotation of the rib (30) is free, it is possible to adjust its inclination before inserting the key (33) into a new rib (13), then tightening the screw (44).

[0069] In this way, it is not necessary to disassemble the screw (44) to adjust the angle (46): the risks of loss or falling of material such as the screw (44) or the nut are eliminated, and the adjustment of the inclination of the rib (30) is particularly easy.

[0070] In the mode where the screw (44) has a portion with a square cross-section, the orifice (32) therefore has a rectangular cross-section visible in figures 5 and 7.

[0071] Furthermore, the notches (13) are semi-circular in shape and the key (33) has a semi-circular profile boss. Indeed, if the lifeline arrests a user's fall, the tensile force will be offset from the axis of rotation (41) of the adjustment means, so the locking means (42) must withstand not only a tensile force, but also a torque, which can be high.

[0072] Following various tests simulating a fall of a particularly large mass, the Applicant observed that the semi-circular profile of the notches (13) and the key (33) constitutes a cam profile, which allows the fall to be gradually stopped by acting as a brake. At rest, the screw (44) and the nut clamp the rotation of the rib (30). In the event of a fall: - If the force of the fall is too great, the clamping force between the plate (11) and the lug (31) is not sufficient, the rib (30) begins to move around the axis (41), and the key (33) slides against the semi-circular profile of its notch (13), which dissipates a first part of the energy of the fall. - If the fall has not yet stopped, the key (33) comes out of the notch (13) and the rib (30) is free to rotate, which leads to the failure of the support (1) concerned. The other supports (1) located on either side of the failed support (1) dissipate the remaining energy of the fall.

[0073] In this way, the stopping of the fall of a particularly large mass is not abrupt, which can be traumatic for the body, but gradual. The user's health is therefore preserved.

[0074] According to calculations performed by the applicant, using stainless steel to manufacture the intermediate support, the radius of the key (33) is between 3 and 5 mm, and is preferably 4 mm. The resulting key (33) and notch (13) assembly provides the desired dynamic behavior in the event of a fall.

[0075] Advantageously, the slide (50) according to the invention has a retractable part (53), movable between two positions: - a closed position where the slot (52) has its nominal width allowing passage of the rib (30), but not allowing passage of the lifeline inserted in the slide; and - an open position where the width of the slot (52) is greater, and allows remove the slider (50) from the lifeline. The slider (50) is therefore removable from the lifeline.

[0076] This retractable part (53) is mounted on the slide (50) against an elastic return element, so that the user can easily manipulate it, without tools, with one hand.

[0077] In order for the slider (50) to be compact and space-saving, the retractable part (53) is mounted on a plate (55) of the slider, this plate (55) fulfilling both the role of guide for the retractable part (53), and of structure of the slider (50) connecting a first portion comprising the internal surface (51) and a second portion comprising an opening (56) intended to be connected to the user's harness by means of a lanyard, for example by means of a carabiner.

[0078] It is noteworthy that once the lanyard is attached to the slider (50) at the opening (56), for example with a carabiner, its presence in the opening (56) prevents the retractable part (53) from moving against its stop. Thus, once the user has installed the slider (50) on the lifeline and then harnessed themselves to the slider (50), they can walk along the lifeline without risking accidentally detaching the slider (50) and thus endangering themselves.

[0079] The method for installing an intermediate support (1) therefore comprises the following steps: - fixing the base (10) to a building; - insertion of a lifeline into the tube (20); - locking the lifeline in the support (1) by tightening a headless screw (23) disposed in a radial thread (24) of the tube (20).

[0080] The lifeline is thus fixed to the newly installed intermediate support (1).

[0081] If the support (1) is not located at a curve in the path of the lifeline, but within a straight section, a tensioning step of the lifeline is advantageously carried out before locking it. In this way, the lifeline does not hang down under its own weight.

[0082] In the context of an installation within a straight section, another installation method is as follows: - insertion of a lifeline into the tube (20); - locking the lifeline in the support (1) by tightening a headless screw (23) disposed in a radial thread (24) of the tube (20); - tensioning of the lifeline; - fixing the base (10) onto a building.

[0083] This method is advantageous in that the support (1) is easier to grasp than the lifeline to perform the energizing.

[0084] For this purpose, the support (1) has an opening adapted for inserting a tool connected to power-up device. Preferably, this opening is formed by a central recess (14), between two tabs (31) of the rib (30). In order to increase the space within the central recess (14), there is not a single screw (44) passing through the support (1), but two screws (44), each located on a tab (31) and cooperating with a plate (11) of the base (10).

[0085] The resulting lifeline assembly, comprising an intermediate support (1) and a slider (50) according to the invention, therefore allows for easy and improved installation and use of a lifeline, compared to prior art solutions.

[0086] Furthermore, the intermediate support (1) and the slider (50) can be shaped differently from the figures without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims.

[0087] Furthermore, the technical characteristics of the various embodiments and variants mentioned above can be combined, in whole or in part. Thus, the intermediate support (1) and the slider (50) can be adapted in terms of cost, functionality, and performance.

Claims

Demands

1. Intermediate support (1) for lifeline, comprising a base (10) intended to connect the support to a building, and connected to a tube (20) by a rib (30), the tube (20): - having a bore (21) configured for the passage of the lifeline; - having an external surface (22) configured to allow the passage of a slide (50) connected to a user; the intermediate support (1) further comprising means for locking the lifeline; characterized in that the locking means are a headless screw (23) mounted in a radial thread (24) of the tube (20), and in that the external surface (22) of the tube (20) is contained in a cylindrical casing of which only the rib (30) protrudes.

2. Support (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that in the lifeline locking position, the headless screw (23) does not protrude more than 0.5 mm from the external surface (22) of the tube (20).

3. Support (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises orientation means (40) connecting the tube (20) to the base (10), pivotally about an axis (41) parallel to the axis of the tube (20), the orientation means (40) comprise locking means in position (42) of the tube.

4. Support (1) according to claim 3 characterized in that the orientation means (40) comprise angular indexing means (43).

5. Lifeline assembly comprising a support (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and a slide (50) for securing a user, characterized in that the functional clearance between an internal surface (51) of the slide and the external surface (22) of the tube during the passage of the slide (50) around the tube (20) is between 0.5 mm and 3 mm.

6. Lifeline assembly according to claim 5 characterized in that the internal surface (51) of the slider is cylindrical and has a longitudinal slot (52) for the passage of the rib (30) projecting from the tube (20) of the support (1).

7. Lifeline assembly according to claim 6 characterized in that the slider (50) comprises a retractable part (53)

8. against an elastic return element (54) for widening the slot (52). Lifeline assembly according to claim 7 characterized in that the retractable part (53) is fixed on a plate (55) of the slide.

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