Attachment loop with fall arrest indicator
The fall arrest indicator attachment loop addresses inconsistencies in existing systems by using a deformable structure with varying thickness zones to ensure predictable and secure fall arrest indication.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TRACTEL
- Filing Date
- 2022-12-23
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-26
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Fall arrest indicator attachment loop technical field
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of safety equipment. More specifically, it relates to a fall arrest indicator attachment loop. It is advantageously used with safety harnesses whose users are connected to a lifeline. Technological background
[0002] Systems are known for detecting excessive forces experienced when a fall arrests while wearing a safety harness and working at height. These systems use fusible seams between harness straps or between lifeline links, but their effectiveness varies depending on the fall.
[0003] One can also mention a fastening device comprising parts that can bend and break under excessive stress, as in document WO2020167147A1. The latter has the disadvantage that the parts that break under excessive stress can detach from the device, in addition to the fact that the force threshold for bending or breaking is not the same everywhere in the device due to its structure.
[0004] A solution is therefore proposed which avoids these problems in particular. Description of the invention
[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a fall arrest indicator attachment loop, the attachment loop comprising an annular attachment portion and a fastening portion, the fastening portion being configured to be attached to a restraint device such as a safety harness, the annular attachment portion being configured to allow the attachment of a lifeline connector connected to a lifeline, the attachment loop being configured to withstand a fall arrest of the restraint device, the annular attachment portion being delimited internally by an inner edge and externally by an outer edge, the inner edge of the annular attachment portion delimiting a central opening through which a portion of the connector can be passed in order to link the connector to the annular attachment portion of the attachment loop,The inner edge of the annular attachment portion has a deformable structure under tensile stress on the connector when a fall is stopped, causing the connector to clamp against the inner edge of the annular attachment portion. The annular attachment portion comprises, from the inner edge to the outer edge in radial section, a first material zone, a second material zone, and a third material zone. material, the thickness of the second material zone being less than the thickness of the first material zone and the thickness of the first material zone being less than the maximum thickness of the third material zone, the third material zone enabling the hook loop to withstand the fall arrest without deformation of said third material zone, and the first and second material zones corresponding to the deformable structure, the fixing part being arranged in the third material zone and in which the material of the deformable structure is continuous along the inner edge.
[0006] Other non-limiting and advantageous features of the fall arrest indicator attachment loop according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are as follows:
[0007] - the material constituting the fastening loop is metallic,
[0008] - the radial width of the first material zone is less than the radial width minimum of the third material zone,
[0009] - the radial width of the second material zone is less than the radial width minimum of the third material zone,
[0010] - the first and second material zones are continuous along the inner edge of the annular attachment part which constitutes the deformable structure,
[0011] - the first and second material zones are of constant shape along the inner edge of the annular attachment part that constitutes the deformable structure,
[0012] - the first and second material zones are continuous and of constant shape along the inner edge of the annular attachment part that constitutes the deformable structure,
[0013] - the fastening loop is made of a single metal, including an alloy,
[0014] - the fastening loop is a single piece,
[0015] - the attachment loop is obtained by molding,
[0016] - the attachment loop is machined,
[0017] - in the deformable structure, in radial cross-section, the first zone of The first material is cylindrical in shape, and the second area of material is flat.
[0018] - the fastening part includes a deformable element in the event of a fall arrest,
[0019] - the lifeline connector is a carabiner,
[0020] - in radial section, the flat forming the second material zone of the structure formable connects to the third material zone at mid-height of said third material zone,
[0021] - in radial section, the cylindrical shape forming the first zone of material, the flat forming the second and third material zones, are aligned in the same general radial plane.
[0022] - the deformable structure is extended around the entire perimeter of the inner edge of the part ring attachment.
[0023] - the third material zone comprises an external lateral extension and the edge The internal part of the annular attachment does not have a deformable structure on the side of the external lateral extension of the third material zone.
[0024] - the annular attachment part is in (i.e. carried by) a foreground and The external lateral extension of the third zone of matter is in (i.e., carried by) a second plane, the first and second planes being superimposed or parallel to each other.
[0025] - the annular attachment part is in (i.e. carried by) a foreground and The external lateral extension of the third zone of matter is in (i.e., carried by) a second plane, the first and second planes being inclined to each other.
[0026] - the third material zone comprises an external lateral extension and the part of The fastening is disposed in the external lateral extension of the third material zone,
[0027] - the retaining device is a means of fastening to an object, the object being in particular a toolbox or a stretcher, or any means of restraining a user, such as a safety harness,
[0028] - the restraint device is a safety harness for restraining a user,
[0029] - the fastening part is configured to be attached to a connector of the device restraint,
[0030] - the connector of the retaining device is a carabiner,
[0031] - the fastening part is configured to be attached to one or more straps of the restraint device
[0032] - the fastening part is configured to be attached to one or more straps of the safety harness
[0033] - the restraint device is a safety harness for holding a user and the The fastening part is configured to be attached to one or more straps of the safety harness.
[0034] - the fixing part is an elongated opening passing through the thickness of the third area of matter.
[0035] - the inner edge of the annular attachment part is essentially circular,
[0036] - the third material zone comprises an external lateral extension and the part of The fixing is disposed in the external lateral extension of the third material zone and in which the external edge of the annular hooking part has a radial enlargement on the side opposite the external lateral extension comprising the fixing part. Brief description of the drawings
[0037] [Fig-1] shows a front view of a flat attachment loop with a fall arrest indicator,
[0038] [Fig.2] shows a side view of the flat latching loop with stop indicator fall of the [Fig.1],
[0039] [Fig.3] represents a radial transverse section, i.e. perpendicular to the general plane carrying the flat attachment loop with fall arrest indicator of [Fig. 1], and
[0040] [Fig.4] shows a front view of a curved hook loop with a stop indicator of falling.
[0041] Detailed description of an example embodiment
[0042] The detailed description that will follow with regard to the attached drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be carried out.
[0043] In its general principle, the fall arrest indicator loop 1, 1' is a fall arrest loop, part of which deforms in the event of a fall arrest, thus indicating that a fall has stopped. This fall arrest loop is advantageously forged and schematically takes the form of a large-diameter peripheral ring (the third material zone 23, which will be described later) to which a smaller-diameter ring (the first material zone 22, which will be described later) is coupled. The coupling is achieved via a thin flat plate (the second material zone 22, which will be described later). The smaller-diameter ring and the flat plate form a deformable structure 21, 22, which will be described in detail later, and which will deform under the stress of the force experienced in the event of a fall arrest.The flat surface ensures the durability of the smaller diameter ring during normal use of the safety harness before a fall and reduces the risk of material detachment when the fall is arrested.
[0044] The attachment loop can be adapted to all fall arrest anchor points of a harness and can be flat or curved. To this end, the attachment loop is advantageously equipped with a fastening portion 3 having a passage for a harness strap or seams.
[0045] One of the advantages of the proposed attachment loop is that the impact of the fall arrest is directly on the ring with the smallest diameter (i.e., the first area of material 22). Indeed, the pressure exerted by the connector on the ring with the smallest diameter instantly deforms the latter regardless of, in particular, the angle of the fall, the random adjustment of the harness, and the tension exerted on the attachment part 3.
[0046] In this description, as schematically represented [Fig. 1], the radial direction is considered to correspond to a radial axis R originating from a virtual center 26 of the central opening 20 of the attachment loop and which lies in the principal plane carrying the annular attachment part 2. The widths of the different zones of the annular attachment part 2 are measured on such a radial axis R, therefore in the principal plane carrying the annular attachment part 2. The thicknesses of the different zones of the part annular attachment 2 are measured perpendicular to such a radial axis R, therefore orthogonally to the principal plane carrying the annular attachment part 2.
[0047] The attachment loops 1 and 1' comprise two main parts: a ring attachment part 2 and a fastening part 3. The fastening part 3 is configured to be typically attached to a safety harness designed to restrain / restrain a user in the event of a fall. The ring attachment part 2 allows attachment to a lifeline connector connected to a lifeline so that the user is secured against a fall. The connector can be a carabiner. The attachment loop 1, 1' is therefore an intermediate element of a user restraint chain, a restraint chain that arrests a fall in the event of a fall. When using a safety harness, the fastening part 3 is configured to be attached to at least one strap of the harness. For example, the attachment loop 1, 1' is located at the top of the back of the safety harness and the user.
[0048] The fastening part 3 is arranged through the thickness of an external lateral extension 4 of the hook loop, more precisely through the thickness of an external lateral extension 4 of the third 23 material zone, external, of the annular hook part 2.
[0049] The annular attachment part 2 is generally ring-shaped, delimited on the inside and the central opening 20 by an internal edge 29 and on the outside by an external edge 28. A lifeline connector can be attached to the annular attachment part 2 in order to link the lifeline connector to the annular attachment part 2 of the attachment loop 1,1'.
[0050] The annular attachment portion 2 comprises three main material parts which, starting from the inner edge 29 and moving towards the outer edge 28, are: a first 21 material zone, a second 22 material zone, and a third 23 material zone. The material is metallic, in particular iron or steel, or even an alloy, in particular aluminum. In the case of iron or steel, the attachment loop is preferably forged.
[0051] The first 21 material zone is the innermost of the annular 1,1' attachment loop and forms the inner edge 29 of said attachment loop. The third 23 material zone is the outermost of the annular 1,1' attachment loop and forms the outer edge 28 of said attachment loop. The first 21 and third 23 material zones are joined and secured together by a second 22 material zone that is continuous between the two. In practice, the first 21, second 22, and third 23 material zones are a single piece during the manufacture of the attachment loop.
[0052] The third 23 material zone is configured so that the 1.1' hook loop resists the arrest of a fall without this third 23 material zone deforming. On the other hand, the first 21 and second 22 material zones are a deformable, non-elastic structure, which deforms permanently following the arrest of a fall having applied a restraint force greater than a determined threshold, the inner edge of the connector clamping the inner edge 29 of the annular attachment part 2 and causing a crushing and / or displacement of the second 22 material zone and possibly of the first 21 material zone.
[0053] To this end, the thickness of the second 22 material zone is less than the thickness of the first 21 material zone, and the thickness of the first 21 material zone is less than the maximum thickness of the third 23 material zone. It is understood that the fall arrest resistance of the third 23 material zone and the possible deformation of the deformable structure formed by the first 21 and second 22 material zones can also be obtained and / or increased by material zones with increased radial width to increase resistance and decreased radial widths to increase deformability. The thickness and / or width of the material zones can therefore be modified as required, and in particular so that the deformability of the deformable structure only occurs from and above a predetermined restraint force threshold during a fall arrest.The shape of the zones can also be chosen according to the needs and, advantageously, the first 21 and second 22 material zones have constant shapes over their extents around the central opening 20. It is preferable that the inner edge 29 of the hook loop be rounded and that the outer edge 28 of the hook loop have no sharp edge.
[0054] Because in the figures, the first 21 and second 22 zones of material which form a deformable structure are continuous and of constant shapes along the inner edge 29 of the annular attachment part 2, the mechanical characteristics of this deformable structure are constant at every point of the inner edge 29 constituting the deformable structure.
[0055] Because the fastening part 3 is designed for a strap and is therefore made up of an elongated opening or slot arranged through the thickness of an external lateral extension 4 of the attachment loop, and because in the event of a fall, due to the directions of the forces, the lifeline connector will end up and pull in the opposite direction to the external lateral extension 4, the inner edge 29 of the attachment loop does not have a deformable structure at the level 24 of the external lateral extension 4 in Figures 1 to 4. In alternative embodiments, the deformable structure can go around the inner edge 29 of the attachment loop 1,1', i.e. be extended around the entire circumference of the inner edge 29.
[0056] The attachment loop 1 of Figures 1 to 3 is a flat attachment loop in that the annular attachment portion 2 and the external lateral extension 4 are in (i.e. supported by) the same plane or by two parallel planes slightly offset from each other.
[0057] The hook loop 1' of [Fig.4] is a curved hook loop in that the annular hook part 2 and the external lateral extension 4 are in (i.e. carried by) two planes inclined to each other.
[0058] The diameter of the inner edge 29 defined by the first 21 material zone advantageously has a minimum diameter of 50mm to reduce the risk of unexpected opening of the connector which is attached to the attachment loop 1, 1'. In addition, because the attachment loop has a radial widening 25 on the side opposite the external lateral extension 4 comprising the fixing part 3, the connector is led to orient itself in a intended manner, i.e. in the plane carrying the annular attachment part 2 when the lifeline is taut, in particular during a fall.
[0059] It is understood that the fall arrest indicator attachment loop can be made in multiple shapes and for various applications.
[0060] For example, the fastening part 3 may have two parallel slots instead of the single slot shown in figures 1 to 4 and allow the passage of a belt or shoulder strap; a barb may also be provided to lock the strap, which then has indexed perforations for barb locking.
[0061] For example, the attachment part 3 may be designed for straps of an object other than a safety harness, and for example, straps of a stretcher in first aid applications. The attachment part may have a different structure than a slot and, for example, a circular opening for the passage of a rope or a carabiner or for the installation of a bolted or crimped device, possibly articulated, for example, a davit or a base on which the fall arrest indicator attachment loop is fixed.
Claims
1. Demands Attachment loop (1, 1') comprising an annular attachment portion (2) and a fastening portion (3), the fastening portion (3) being configured to be attached to a restraint device such as a safety harness, the annular attachment portion (2) being configured to allow the attachment of a lifeline connector connected to a lifeline, the attachment loop (1, 1') being configured to withstand a fall arrest of the restraint device, the annular attachment portion (2) being delimited internally by an inner edge (29) and externally by an outer edge (28), the inner edge (29) of the annular attachment portion (2) defining a central opening (20) through which a portion of the connector can be passed in order to link the connector to the annular attachment portion (2) of the attachment loop (1, 1'), characterized in that the attachment loop (1, 1') is a fall arrest witness,the inner edge (29) of the annular attachment portion (2) having a deformable structure (21, 22) under a tensile stress of the connector during the arrest of a fall, causing the connector to clamp against the inner edge (29) of the annular attachment portion (2), the annular attachment portion (2) comprising, from the inner edge (29) to the outer edge (28), a first (21) material zone, a second (22) material zone, and a third (23) material zone, the thickness of the second (22) material zone being less than the thickness of the first (21) material zone and the thickness of the first (21) material zone being less than the maximum thickness of the third (23) material zone, the third (23) material zone enabling the attachment loop (1, 1') to withstand the arrest of the fall without deformation of said third (23) material zone, and the first (21) and second (22) material zones corresponding to the deformable structure (21,22), the fastening part (3) being arranged in the third (23) material zone, and in which the material of the deformable structure (21, 22) is continuous along the inner edge (29), and in which the attachment loop is a single piece and in which, in radial section, the first (21) material zone is cylindrical and the second (22) material zone is flat, and in which, in radial section, the cylindrical shape forming the first (21) material zone, the flat (22) forming the second material zone and the third, (23) area of matter are aligned in the same general radial plane.
2. Attachment loop (1, 1') according to claim 1, wherein the deformable structure (21, 22) is extended around the entire circumference of the inner edge (29) of the annular attachment part (2).
3. Hooking loop (1, 1') according to claim 1, wherein the third (23) material zone has an external lateral extension (4) and the inner edge (29) of the annular hooking portion (2) does not have a deformable structure on the side of the external lateral extension (4) of the third material zone (23).
4. Attachment loop (1, 1') according to claim 3, wherein either the annular attachment part (2) is in a first plane and the external lateral extension (4) of the third (23) material zone is in a second plane, the first and second planes being superimposed or parallel to each other, or the annular attachment part (2) is in a first plane and the external lateral extension (4) of the third (23) material zone is in a second plane, the first and second planes being inclined to each other.
5. Attachment loop (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the third (23) material zone has an external lateral extension (4) and the fastening part (3) is disposed in the external lateral extension (4) of the third material zone (23).
6. Attachment loop (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the restraint device is a user restraint safety harness and the attachment part (3) is configured to be attached to one or more straps of the safety harness.
7. Attachment loop (1, 1') according to claim 6, wherein the attachment part (3) is an elongated opening through the thickness of the third (23) material zone.
8. Attachment loop (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the inner edge (29) of the annular attachment part (2) is essentially circular.
9. Attachment loop (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the third (23) material zone comprises an external lateral extension (4) and the fastening portion (3) is disposed in the external lateral extension (4) of the third (23) material zone and wherein the external edge (28) of the annular attachment portion (2) includes a radial enlargement (25) on the side opposite the external lateral extension (4) comprising the fixing part (3).