Mobile fall arrest device

Abstract

Mobile fall arrest device. Mobile fall arrest device (1) for a mounting bracket (SF), comprising a main body (2), a retaining groove, in which the mounting bracket (SF) is retained by a lever (3) pivoting between an open position and a closed position, said lever (3) having a locking cam (30) and a hole (31) for receiving a carabiner or similar device, said device (1) comprising a movable stop pivoting between an operating position and a release position range, characterized in that said lever (3) and said stop have means for cooperation by drive when the stop is in the release position range and when the lever (3) is in a position between an intermediate position and the open position. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 7

Description

Title of the invention: Mobile fall arrest device

[0001] The present invention relates to a personal fall protection device for work at height. More specifically, the present invention relates to a mobile fall arrest device configured to secure a fixing support and, in particular, a flexible and vertical anchoring support or a flexible or rigid anchoring support, such as a cable or rope.

[0002] It is known that personnel who have to work on installations or at height and, for this purpose, climb up or down on pylons or poles, are equipped with a safety device against dangerous falls.

[0003] This is for example the case of workers on elevated construction sites, on high surfaces or sloping roofs.

[0004] It is therefore necessary to secure this personnel so that they can go up and down freely, without risk of falling, and carry out their activity.

[0005] Devices consisting of a vertically arranged rope or anchor cable, called a "lifeline," to which a user is connected in such a way as to be able to move up and down on an inclined plane or any other hazardous environment are already known. For this purpose, the user is equipped with personal protective equipment connecting them to the "lifeline" and including a harness attached to a mobile fall arrest device. This type of device is known by the acronym AMS AF, which stands for "Mobile Fall Arrest on a Flexible Anchor Line," or by the acronym AMSAR, which stands for "Mobile Fall Arrest on a Rigid Anchor Line."

[0006] However, known devices do not provide complete satisfaction in terms of ease of use and reliability. In particular, it is possible that the user may inadvertently detach the mobile fall arrest device from the "lifeline" during its use.

[0007] Such a possibility constitutes a high risk to user safety, especially if the user is inexperienced.

[0008] A fall arrest device is described in document EPI359980, to which the user can connect by means of a harness. Such a fall arrest device includes a retaining groove in which an attachment point, such as a cable or rope, is held. In the event of a fall, the device is prevented from sliding by a lever which, via a locking cam, engages the rope, thus preventing its sliding within the device. The lever can pivot between an open position, in which the cable can be inserted / removed from the device, and a closed position, in which the lever, and in particular its locking cam, is engaged with the cable to prevent its slippage in the event of a fall by the user. Such a device can It also includes a stop that limits the lever's rotation in an intermediate position when moving from the closed to the open position. This intermediate position allows the device to move along the mounting bracket while preventing the bracket from disengaging from the device. This allows the user to move the device along the "lifeline," facilitating their movements.

[0009] However, even if this type of fall arrest device has a stop for the contact of the lever and allows it to stop in the intermediate position, the user may inadvertently release the fall arrest device from the fixing support constituting the "lifeline" when the device is in the intermediate position of the lever, that is to say when the lever is in contact with the stop in its intermediate position, there is the condition of possible removal of the fall arrest device by forcing the rotation of the stop.

[0010] This is possible because, by acting on the stop, the user can transmit a rotation on the lever in contact with the stop itself.

[0011] Indeed, the contact between the stop and the lever occurs at a lever surface inclined relative to the stop, and therefore does not effectively prevent the rotation of the stop. In other words, in the intermediate position, the stop is in contact with a lever surface that does not effectively prevent the movement of the stop, and consequently, the user can inadvertently move the stop from its active position, in which the rotation of the lever is limited.

[0012] Moving the stop from its active position allows the lever to move to its open position and then to remove the fall arrest device from the cable or lashing rope.

[0013] Also, the device described in US5265696 is equipped with a stop and, in particular, a locking lever called a sleeve lock. However, in this device as well, when the lever is in contact with the stop, the rotation of the stop is not prevented. In fact, also in the device according to US5265696, the lever does not effectively prevent the stop from moving and, consequently, the user can inadvertently move the stop from its active position in which it restricts the rotation of the lever.

[0014] Document WO2017072667 teaches a solution for increasing the level of safety provided by known fall arrest devices. In particular, this document describes a mobile fall arrest device that is particularly safe, reliable, and simple to use and deploy, and that can be used safely without the possibility, in the event of distraction, of the user inadvertently manipulating the device so that it opens unexpectedly and thus detaches from the "lifeline".

[0015] This document WO2017072667 thus describes a mobile fall arrest device for a fixing support (such as a cable or ropes forming a "lifeline"), said A device comprising a main body having a passage for inserting / removing the mounting bracket into / from a retaining groove, in which the mounting bracket is retained by means of a lever rotating between an open and a closed position. One end of the lever has a known locking cam, and the other free end has a hole for receiving a carabiner or similar connecting elements. The device further comprises a movable stop between an active or operating position, in which it limits the rotation of the lever to an intermediate position when the lever is moved from the closed to the open position, and a release or release position, in which it allows the lever to rotate to the open position.In other words, the limit can be retracted, that is, moved from its operating position, and thus no longer interfere with the movement of the lever towards its own open position. The lever includes at least one stop surface cooperating, in an intermediate position, with at least one corresponding engagement surface of the stop to lock the stop in its own operating position (i.e., prevent its movement towards the release position). The stop surface is inclined relative to the path of movement of the stop (and in particular its engagement surface) from the active position to the release position. In effect, such a stop surface allows the movement of the stop towards the release position to be blocked. A spring holds the stop in the position that blocks the movement of the lever.

[0016] This mobile fall arrest device described in document WO2017072667 requires a user to first move the stop from its operating position to its release position, against the elastic return force of the spring. Then, while holding the stop in the release position, a second movement is made to open the lever. The attachment bracket or "lifeline" can then be removed from the device's retaining groove. The requirement to perform two separate, consecutive movements to release the attachment bracket is considered to provide satisfactory protection against accidental opening of the device.

[0017] This device, although presenting several improvements over the prior art, nevertheless presents several disadvantages.

[0018] Indeed, this device requires the use of two hands to be opened, a first hand for the first manipulation and to hold the stop in the release position, a second hand to move the lever, then with the first hand to remove the fixing support of the device.

[0019] A second drawback lies in the fact that a user wearing gloves on a construction site or in a particularly cold environment may have difficulty Performing precise and delicate movements with numb fingers or thick gloves requires several attempts to successfully engage or disengage the device's mounting bracket.

[0020] A third drawback lies in the fact that a user must normally always be in a safe position. They can thus be secured to the mounting bracket by wearing a harness connected to the device by a lanyard ending in a carabiner or equivalent connecting element, the device being securely attached to the mounting bracket as mentioned above.

[0021] In the event of a change of attachment point, it is expected, to ensure satisfactory safety, that the user will temporarily attach themselves to another attachment point before removing the attachment point from the device. It sometimes happens that, in a stressful or tiring environment, such as in the cold, users forget to secure themselves and believe that their lanyard, being attached to the device, means they are safe, forgetting that the device, upon detachment from the attachment point or during its engagement, no longer secures them.

[0022] This brief period during which the device has a lever in the open position is dangerous. During this time, the user is not yet secured to the mounting bracket. It is important that the user be aware of this to minimize accidents and remember to temporarily attach themselves to a mounting bracket.

[0023] The object of the invention is to propose a mobile fall arrest device for a fixing support having all the aforementioned advantages, while not having the disadvantages of existing solutions.

[0024] In this context, the invention aims to provide a device that is easy for a user to handle, to open and close in order to attach or detach it from a fixing support.

[0025] The invention aims to provide such a device in few parts, therefore economical, and robust.

[0026] The invention aims to remind the user that, during this opening or release, he is no longer securely connected to the fixing support.

[0027] The invention also relates to a method of mounting such a device on a mounting support.

[0028] The invention further relates to a method of dismantling such a device from a mounting support.

[0029] To this end, the invention relates to a mobile fall arrest device configured to cooperate with a fixing support (such as a cable or ropes forming a "lifeline"), said device comprising a main body having a passage for the insertion / removal of the fixing support into / from a retaining groove, in which The mounting bracket is held by means of a pivoting lever between an open position and a closed position, said lever having at one free end a locking cam and at the other free end a hole for receiving a carabiner or similar connecting elements, said device further comprising a movable stop pivoting between a so-called active or operating position, in which said stop limits the rotation of the lever between the closed position and an intermediate position, and a so-called release or dropping position range, in which said stop allows the rotation of the lever to the open position, said lever and said stop comprising means for cooperation by driving said stop and said lever when the stop is in the dropping position range and when the lever is in a position between the intermediate position and the open position.

[0030] This allows the device to secure the user once a mounting bracket is inserted into the device and the stop is in the operating position. To release the mounting bracket, the user must first release the stop from its operating position and position it within the release range. The user must then rotate the lever until it contacts the stop so that the lever and stop cooperate by drive between the intermediate and open positions. Thus, it is no longer necessary to hold both the lever and the stop simultaneously, as the movement of one causes the movement of the other. This configuration allows the user to perform two successive actions, ensuring safety while simplifying the required procedures.

[0031] According to another feature of the invention, the device includes locking means in the operating position of the stop in the form of a stop finger cooperating with a light in the main body, the finger being held in the light by elastic return means.

[0032] This allows the stop to remain in the operating position, unless the finger is disengaged from the light by going against the elastic return means.

[0033] According to another feature of the invention, the locking means cooperate perpendicular to the pivot plane of the stop, the finger being able to be pushed out of the light.

[0034] According to another feature of the invention, the finger is mounted on a rod, the light being through and continuing through a through groove configured so that, when the finger is out of the light, the rod can move in the groove when the stop travels through the release position range.

[0035] This simplifies handling, as the user can laterally press on the locking means to disengage the stop from the operating position. This prevents accidental disengagement, and locking occurs automatically when the stop reaches the operating position, which increases user safety.

[0036] According to another feature of the invention, the lever has a stop surface cooperating, in an intermediate position, with a corresponding engagement pin of the stop to prevent the movement of said lever between the intermediate position and the open position.

[0037] According to another feature of the invention, the means of cooperation by driving the lever and the stop are formed by at least one protrusion of the stop cooperating with at least one housing of the lever.

[0038] According to another feature of the invention, at least one protrusion of the stop is formed by the engagement pin.

[0039] According to another alternative feature of the invention, at least one protrusion of the stop is formed by at least one gear tooth, and at least one lever housing is formed by intervals between lever teeth.

[0040] According to another feature of the invention, the main body has a through hole, the hole in the lever coinciding with the hole in the main body when the lever is in a position between the closed position and the intermediate position to allow the insertion or presence of a carabiner or similar connecting elements in the hole, the hole in the lever being covered by the main body when the lever is in the open position, to prevent the insertion or presence of a carabiner or similar connecting elements in the hole.

[0041] This ensures that the user must remove the carabiner before placing the device in the open position. Therefore, when inserting or removing the device's mounting bracket, the user cannot be connected to the device. This prevents the user from mistakenly believing they are in a secure configuration.

[0042] According to another feature of the invention, the device includes means for holding the lever in the open position.

[0043] According to another feature of the invention, the means for holding the lever in the open position are formed by the stop finger cooperating with a complementary slot in the main body, the finger being held in the complementary slot by elastic return means.

[0044] Thus, the user can manipulate the device to position it on the mounting support without having to voluntarily hold the elements (stop, lever) of the device in a particular position, thus leaving his hands free.

[0045] According to another feature of the invention, the device includes means for holding the lever in the closed position, in particular in the form of a pivoting trigger to come against a support area of ​​the lever to hold it in the closed position.

[0046] Thus, the user can perform actions while being assured that the device is in locking position of the sliding of the mounting bracket in said device.

[0047] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, which refers to the accompanying drawings illustrating an example of an embodiment and in which:

[0048] [Fig-1] is a schematic view of the device according to the invention, in position for use with a rope-type fixing support inserted into it, viewed from the front, i.e. showing the insertion side of the fixing support, and in a configuration allowing the fixing support to be locked from sliding inside the device;

[0049] [Fig.2] is a schematic view of the device of [Fig.1], from a viewing angle of behind, that is to say presenting the side opposite to the insertion side of the fixing support;

[0050] [Fig.3] is a schematic view of the device of [Fig.1], seen from the front, and in a configuration allowing the insertion of the fixing support inside the device;

[0051] [Fig.4] is a schematic detail view of [Fig.1], from a viewing angle in high rear perspective;

[0052] [Fig.5] is a schematic detail view of [Fig.3], from a top rear perspective angle;

[0053] [Fig.6] is a schematic view of the device of [Fig.1], seen from the front, with a cutaway of the main body allowing the interior of the device to be seen, in which a carabiner is engaged, in an intermediate position;

[0054] [Fig.7] is a schematic detail view of [Fig.3], front view, with a cutaway of the main body allowing a view of the inside of the device and a cutaway view of the device's stop;

[0055] [Fig.8] is a partial schematic view of the device of [Fig.1], seen from the front, with a cutaway of the main body allowing the inside of the device to be seen, locked in a configuration allowing the sliding of the fixing support to be blocked inside the device;

[0056] [Fig.9] is a partial schematic view of an alternative embodiment of means of cooperation by training a device according to the invention.

[0057] The invention relates to a mobile fall arrest device 1 configured to cooperate with an SF attachment support such as a cable or ropes forming a "lifeline".

[0058] Such a mobile fall arrest device 1 is generally part of individual fall protection equipment which includes, in addition to said fall arrest device 1, a harness comprising at least one anchor ring with a snap hook M, or similar connecting elements.

[0059] The fall arrest device 1 may be intended to be removably connected to a vertical fixing support.

[0060] The mobile fall arrest device 1, hereinafter also referred to simply as device 1, in its position of use, i.e. connected to the harness, can be voluntarily moved up or down by normal sliding along the fixing support SF.

[0061] In the event of a fall, corresponding to an accelerated descent speed, the mobile fall arrest device 1 locks onto the SF fixing support, here an SF cable.

[0062] It will be understood that the user will therefore be able to go up or down along a pole by sliding the device up or down along the SF cable, while he will be secured against falls since the fall arrest device 1 is locked onto the cable constituting the anchoring support.

[0063] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 1 to 8, in the operating position. With reference to the drawings, [Fig. 1] shows the device 1 from the front, in a vertical position, with the top of the device at the top of [Fig. 1]. [Fig. 2] shows the device 1 viewed from the rear.

[0064] This device 1 comprises a main body 2 having here a plate folded at its two lateral ends 20a, 20b to present a "C" shaped section, the two ends 20a, 20b being placed opposite each other to form a passage for the insertion / removal of the SF cable so as to position it in a retaining groove 21. The plate also has an orifice 22 passing through the front and rear faces, which will be discussed later.

[0065] This retaining groove 21 can be formed in a known manner directly by the plate, or be partially delimited by a complementary element in the form of a rigid blade pivotally mounted 23 at the bottom of the groove 21, as illustrated in the figures.

[0066] As detailed further below, the SF cable is held in the groove 21 by a lever 3 equipped with a locking cam 30 at a free end designed to engage the SF cable and prevent its slippage inside the groove 21, de facto determining the blocking of the fall.

[0067] This lever 3 pivots between an open position and a closed position around a first shaft 24 fixedly connected to the main body 2.

[0068] The so-called open position corresponds to a configuration in which the SF cable can be inserted or removed from the groove 21 through the passage, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 7.

[0069] The so-called closed position corresponds to a configuration in which the SF cable cannot be inserted or removed from the groove 21 by the passage due to the presence of the lever 3, as illustrated in figures 1, 2, 6 and 8.

[0070] The lever 3 can also be in an intermediate position, described later, in which the SF cable cannot be inserted into or removed from the groove 21 by the passage of the due to the presence of lever 3.

[0071] The lever 3 has, at another free end, a hole 31 intended here to receive a carabiner M. The lever 3 also has a stop surface 32 and a support area 33 which will be discussed later.

[0072] The device 1 further comprises a movable stop 4 pivoting around a second shaft 25 fixedly connected to the main body 2 along a pivot plane perpendicular to said second shaft 25.

[0073] This stop 4 can be formed of parallel plates fixedly joined together by rivets, as particularly visible in figures 4 and 5. At one free end between these two plates is disposed an engagement pin 40, and at the other free end is disposed a roller that can bear against the cable SF.

[0074] This stop 4 may have a so-called operating position, in which said stop 4 limits the rotation of the lever 3 between the closed position and an intermediate position, and does not allow it to reach the open position.

[0075] The stop 4 can pivot to reach a position range called release or release in which said stop 4 allows the rotation of the lever 3 to the open position.

[0076] The device 1 may include locking means 5 in the operating position of the stop 4, in the form of a finger 50 of the stop 4 cooperating with a light 51 of the main body 2, the finger 50 being held in the light 51 by elastic return means such as, for example, a spiral or coil spring.

[0077] The locking means 5 can cooperate perpendicularly to the pivot plane of the stop 4, i.e. the finger 50 and the light 51 extend from the front to the rear of the device 1 as illustrated in [Fig.4], the finger 50 being able to be pushed out of the light 51 which is through.

[0078] The finger 50 can be mounted on a rod 52, the slot 51 being able to pass through the entire rear plate of the main body 2. This slot 51 can continue as a groove 53 passing through the entire rear plate of the main body 2, as illustrated in figures 4 and 5. This groove 53 can be configured so that when the finger 50 is pushed out of the slot 51, the rod 52 can move in the groove 53 when the stop 4 moves into the release position range.

[0079] In order to push the finger 50 out of the light 51, the user can press a push button 54 by compressing the elastic return means mentioned above.

[0080] The lever 3 can come to an intermediate position, in which the stop 4 prevents the lever 3 from coming to the open position.

[0081] In fact, when the stop 4 is in the operating position, the stop surface 32 of the lever 3 comes into contact with the corresponding engagement pin 40 of the stop 4, which blocks the travel of the lever 3 to prevent the movement of said lever 3 between the intermediate position and the open position. Thus, the stop 4 limits, in this configuration, the stroke of the lever 3 to a displacement between the closed position and the intermediate position.

[0082] In addition, in the event of tension on the SF cable during a fall, the SF cable presses on the stop 4, the engagement pin 40 then pushes the lever 3 to press the locking cam 30 against the SF cable and block the sliding of said SF cable, preventing the fall.

[0083] The lever 3 and the stop 4 include means of cooperation by driving 6 of said stop 4 and said lever 3 when the stop 4 is in the release position range and when the lever 3 is in a position between the intermediate position and the open position.

[0084] The means of cooperation by drive 6 of the lever 3 and the stop 4 are formed by at least one protrusion 60 of the stop 4 cooperating with at least one housing 61 of the lever 3, as illustrated in figures 6, 7 and 8.

[0085] The protrusion 60 can be formed by the engagement pin 40.

[0086] At least one protrusion 60 of the stop 4 can also be formed by at least one gear tooth, and at least one housing 61 of the lever 3 can be formed by gaps between teeth of the lever. An example is illustrated in [Fig.9].

[0087] The main body 2 may have a through orifice 22, as previously indicated.

[0088] This orifice 22 is configured so that the hole 31 of the lever 3 coincides with the orifice 22 when the lever 3 is in a position between the closed position and the intermediate position, which allows the insertion or presence of a carabiner M in the hole 31, as illustrated in figures 1, 2, 6 and 8. Conversely, the hole 31 of the lever 3 is obscured and covered by the plate of the main body 2 when the lever 3 is in the open position, which then prevents the insertion or presence of a carabiner M in the hole 31, as illustrated in figures 3 and 7.

[0089] The device 1 may include means for holding the lever in the open position 7, for example in the form of the finger 50 of the locking means 5 of the stop 4 cooperating with a complementary light 70, of construction similar to the light 51 of the locking means 5, the finger 50 being held in the complementary light 70 by elastic return means.

[0090] The device 1 may include means for holding the lever 3 in the closed position 8, in particular in the form of a trigger 80 pivoting around a third shaft 26 fixedly connected to the main body 2, to bear against the bearing area of ​​the lever 3 mentioned above, to hold it in the closed position, as illustrated in [Fig.8]

[0091] The device 1 also includes a spring 10 forming known means of elastic return of lever 3 towards groove 21.

[0092] The first, second and possibly third trees 24, 25, 26 of the main body 2 are advantageously parallel to each other.

Claims

Demands

1. A mobile fall arrest device (1) configured to cooperate with a mounting bracket (SF), said device (1) comprising a main body (2) having a passage for insertion / removal of the mounting bracket (SF) into / from a retaining groove (21), in which the mounting bracket (SF) is retained by means of a lever (3) pivoting between an open position and a closed position, said lever (3) comprising at one free end a locking cam (30) and at the other free end a hole (31) for receiving a carabiner (M) or similar connecting elements, said device (1) further comprising a movable stop (4) pivoting between a so-called operating position, in which said stop (4) limits the rotation of the lever (3) between the closed position and an intermediate position, and a so-called release position range in which said stop (4) permits the rotation of the lever (3) to the open position,characterized in that said lever (3) and said stop (4) comprise means for cooperation by driving (6) said stop (4) and said lever (3) when the stop (4) is in the release position range and when the lever (3) is in a position between the intermediate position and the open position.

2. Mobile fall arrest device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises locking means (5) in the operating position of the stop (4) in the form of a finger (50) of the stop (4) cooperating with a slot (51) of the main body (2), the finger (50) being held in the slot (51) by elastic return means.

3. Mobile fall arrest device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking means (5) cooperate perpendicular to the pivot plane of the stop (4), the finger (50) being able to be pushed out of the light (51).

4. Mobile fall arrest device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the finger (50) is mounted on a rod (52), the light (51) being through and continuing through a through groove (53) configured so that, when the finger (50) is out of the light (51), the rod (52) can move in the groove (53) when the stop (4) travels through the release position range.

5. Mobile fall arrest device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lever (3) has a stop surface (32) cooperating, in an intermediate position, with an engagement pin (40) corresponding to the stop (4) to prevent the movement of said lever (3) between the intermediate position and the open position.

6. Mobile fall arrest device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the means of cooperation by drive (6) of the lever (3) and the stop (4) are formed by at least one protrusion (60) of the stop (4) cooperating with at least one housing (61) of the lever (3).

7. Mobile fall arrest device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one protrusion (60) of the stop (4) is formed by the engagement pin (40).

8. Mobile fall arrest device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one protrusion (60) of the stop (4) is formed by at least one gear tooth, and at least one housing (61) of the lever (3) is formed by intervals between teeth of the lever (3).

9. Mobile fall arrest device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the main body (2) has a through orifice (22), the hole (31) of the lever (3) coinciding with the orifice (22) when the lever (3) is in a position between the closed position and the intermediate position, the hole (31) of the lever (3) being obscured by the main body (2) when the lever (3) is in the open position.

10. Mobile fall arrest device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it includes means for holding the lever in the open position (7).

11. Mobile fall arrest device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the means for holding the lever in the open position (7) are formed by the finger (50) of the stop (4) cooperating with a complementary slot (70) of the main body (2).

12. Mobile fall arrest device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it includes means for holding the lever in the closed position (8).

13. Mobile fall arrest device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the means for holding the lever in the closed position (8) are formed by a trigger (80) pivoting to come to rest against a support area (33) of the lever (3) to hold it in the closed position.

Images