System for securing a person in a high-altitude course

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for securing a person in a high-altitude route, said system comprising a block (4) having a first (6) and a second (7) housing for receiving respectively a first (2a) and a second (2b) anchoring member, said first housing is provided with a first locking gate (8) operable between an unlocking position and a locking position by being provided with a first deactivation means (9), said first means being arranged so as to be activated by inserting said second anchoring member into said second housing, said second housing is provided with a second locking gate (10) operable between an unlocking position and a locking position by being provided with a second deactivation means (11), said second means being arranged so as to be activated by inserting said first anchoring member into said first housing,said block being fixed to a harness in a non-detachable manner without the use of a suitable tool. Figure 2,

Description

Title of the invention: System for securing a person in a high-altitude course

[0001] The invention relates to a system for securing a person in a high-altitude course and a securing assembly for such a system.

[0002] It is known, in particular from document EP-2 637 747, to produce a system for securing a person in a high-altitude course, said system comprising: • a plurality of anchoring members intended to be mounted in said path, • a harness intended to equip said person, • two lashing carabiners to said members, said carabiners being fixed by means of straps to said harness in a non-detachable manner without the use of a suitable tool, said carabiners being interconnected so that the opening of one of said carabiners lashed to one of said members can only be done once the other of said carabiners is lashed to another of said members.

[0003] With such an arrangement, the person fitted with the harness is on the one hand secured to the carabiners in a non-detachable manner, and on the other hand necessarily secured by at least one of said carabiners to at least one anchoring member, which guarantees his safety.

[0004] The person to be insured is then equipped with a belaying assembly comprising the harness and the carabiners attached to said harness by the straps.

[0005] However, when the course is provided with passages such as climbing walls, such a belaying assembly may prove difficult to use, due to the presence of straps which may become tangled in the person's limbs, and also due to the significant weight and bulk of said assembly.

[0006] The invention aims to overcome these drawbacks.

[0007] To this end, and according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a system for securing a person in a high-altitude course, said system comprising: • a plurality of anchoring members intended to be mounted in said path, • a harness intended to equip said person,

[0008] said system further comprising an anchoring block, said block comprising a support having a first and a second housing for receiving respectively a first and a second anchoring member, knowing that: • said first housing is provided with a first gate for locking said first member in said housing, said gate being operable between an unlocking position and a locking position to which it is returned by a first spring means, said gate being provided with a first deactivation means for bringing it into the unlocking position, said first means being arranged so as to be activated by inserting said second anchoring member into said second housing, • said second housing is provided with a second gate for locking said second member in said housing, said gate being operable between an unlocking position and a locking position towards which it is returned by a second spring means, said gate being provided with a second deactivation means for bringing it into the unlocking position, said second means being arranged so as to be activated by inserting said first anchoring member into said first housing,

[0009] said block being fixed by said support to said harness in a non-detachable manner without the use of a suitable tool.

[0010] With such an arrangement, the person provided with the harness is on the one hand secured to the anchoring block in a non-detachable manner, and on the other hand necessarily secured by said block to at least one anchoring member, which guarantees his safety.

[0011] Furthermore, the belaying assembly equipping the person is provided only with the harness and an anchor block which is much more compact than the assembly with straps and carabiners known from the prior art.

[0012] This results in simplified use of this assembly, the absence of straps providing better ergonomics. In addition, the assembly according to the invention has minimized bulk and weight.

[0013] And the fact that the block is fixed to the harness in a non-detachable manner guarantees the safety of the person to be secured.

[0014] According to a second aspect, the invention proposes a belaying assembly for such a system.

[0015] Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, given with reference to the attached figures, in which:

[0016] [Fig.l] is a general schematic representation of a system according to one embodiment,

[0017] [Fig.2] is a partial schematic perspective view of an anchoring block according to a first embodiment,

[0018] [Fig.3] is a partial schematic front view of the anchoring block shown in [Fig.2], said figure showing said block in the following successive situations: a first anchoring member is being inserted into the first housing (A), then inserted at the bottom of the first housing (B), then a second anchoring member is inserted at the bottom of the second housing (C), then the first anchoring member is being removed from the first housing after deactivation of an additional locking means (D),

[0019] [Fig.4] is a partial schematic front view of an anchor block according to a second embodiment, said figure showing said block in the following successive situations: a first anchoring member is being inserted into the first housing (A), then inserted at the bottom of the first housing (B), then a second anchoring member is inserted at the bottom of the second housing (C), then the first anchoring member is being removed from the first housing after deactivation of an additional locking means (D).

[0020] With reference to the figures, a system 1 is described for securing a person in a high-altitude course, said system comprising: • a plurality of anchoring members 2a, 2b - here in the form of rings, said rings being suspended from straps - intended to be mounted in said course, • a harness 3 intended to equip said person,

[0021] said system further comprising an anchoring block 4, said block comprising a support 5 having a first 6 and a second 7 housing for receiving respectively a first 2a and a second 2b anchoring member knowing that: • said first housing is provided with a first gate 8 for locking said first member in said housing, said gate being operable between an unlocking position and a locking position towards which it is returned by a first spring means, not shown, said gate being provided with a first deactivation means 9 to bring it into the unlocking position, said first means being arranged so as to be activated by insertion of said second anchoring member into said second housing, • said second housing is provided with a second gate 10 for locking said second member in said housing, said gate being operable between an unlocking position and a locking position towards which it is returned by a second spring means, not shown, said gate being provided with a second deactivation means 11 to bring it into the unlocking position, said second means being arranged so as to be activated by insertion of said first anchoring member into said first housing,

[0022] said block being fixed by said support to said harness in a non-detachable manner without the use of a suitable tool - such as a key, a screwdriver, or even a cutting tool.

[0023] According to the embodiment shown in [Fig.l], the support 5 has an orifice 12 receiving a ring 22, said ring not being able to be opened without using a tool, said ring also passing through a loop 23 coming from said harness.

[0024] According to the embodiments shown, a housing 6,7 is in the form of a slot, one end 13 of which opens outwards and the other end of which forms a bottom 14 of said housing.

[0025] According to the embodiments shown, a gate 8, 10 is rotatably mounted on the support 5, said gate having: • a reception ramp 15 for a sliding member 2a, 2b, said ramp being intended to form a cam surface allowing, by interaction with said member, an actuation of said gate towards its unlocking position to allow passage of said member towards the bottom 14 of the corresponding housing 6, 7, • a hook 16 intended to ensure the blocking of said member once placed towards said bottom.

[0026] According to the embodiments shown, the second 11 - respectively first 9 - deactivation means is located at a distance from the hook 16 of the first 8 - respectively second 10 - gate, said distance being defined so that the abutment of a first 2a - respectively second 2b - member against said hook deactivates said deactivation means and releases the return of said second 10 - respectively first 8 - gate to the blocking position, so as to prevent simultaneous withdrawal of the two members 2a, 2b from their respective housings 6, 7.

[0027] According to the embodiments shown, the system 1 further comprises, for each of the housings 6, 7, an additional locking means 17 for an anchoring member 2a, 2b in said housing, said means comprising a bearing face 18, said means being arranged so as to be deactivated by manual pressure exerted on said face, to allow removal of said member from said housing.

[0028] The implementation of such an additional blocking means 17 makes it possible to optimize the safety of the person.

[0029] According to the embodiments shown, the additional locking means 17 is in the form of an additional gate provided with a first 19 and a second 20 branch, said gate being rotatably mounted between said branches on the support 5, said gate being actuated by an additional spring means, not shown, towards a locking position where said first branch obstructs the housing 6, 7 so as to hold the anchoring member 2a, 2b there, said second branch being provided with the bearing face 18, manual pressure exerted on said face rotating said gate towards an unlocking position where said first branch unobstructs said housing so as to allow removal of said member.

[0030] According to the embodiment shown in figures 2 and 3: • the first deactivation means 9 is formed by a sliding face provided on the first gate 8, said face being intended to form a cam surface receiving in support a second member 2b introduced towards the bottom 14 of the second housing 7 in order to actuate in rotation said gate towards its unlocking position, • the second deactivation means 11 is formed by a sliding face provided on the second gate 10, said face being intended to form a cam surface receiving in support a first member 2a introduced towards the bottom 14 of the first housing 6 in order to actuate in rotation said gate towards its unlocking position.

[0031] According to the embodiment shown in [Fig.4]: • the first deactivation means 9 is formed by a magnet fixed on the first gate 8, said magnet being intended to be attracted by a second member 2b made of metal which can be attracted by a magnet arranged towards the bottom 14 of the second housing 7, in order to actuate said first gate in the unlocked position, • the second deactivation means 11 is formed by a magnet fixed to the second gate 10, said magnet being intended to be attracted by a first member 2a made of metal which can be attracted by a magnet arranged towards the bottom 14 of the first housing 6, in order to actuate said second gate in the unlocked position.

[0032] According to the embodiments shown, the anchoring block has, in front view, in the absence of anchoring members 2a, 2b, housings 6, 7, gates 8, 10 and additional locking means 17 symmetrical with respect to an axis 21

[0033] It is thus possible to provide a height path equipped with similar anchoring members 2a, 2b so that they can be introduced indifferently into one or other of the housings 6, 7.

[0034] Finally, a belaying assembly for such a system 1 is described, said assembly comprising a harness 3 intended to equip a person and an anchoring block 4, said block comprising a support 5 having a first 6 and a second 7 housing for receiving respectively a first 2a and a second 2b anchoring member, knowing that: • said first housing is provided with a first gate 8 for locking said first member in said housing, said gate being operable between an unlocking position and a locking position towards which it is returned by a first spring means, said gate being provided with a first deactivation means 9 to bring it into the unlocking position, said first means being intended to be activated by insertion of said second anchoring member into said second housing, • said second housing is provided with a second gate 10 for locking said second member in said housing, said gate being operable between an unlocking position and a locking position towards which it is returned by a second spring means, said gate being provided with a second deactivation means 11 for bringing it into the unlocking position, said second means being intended to be activated by inserting said first anchoring member into said first housing,

[0035] said block being fixed by said support to said harness in a non-detachable manner without the use of a suitable tool.

Claims

2. Claims

1. System (1) for securing a person in a high-altitude course, said system comprising: • a plurality of anchoring members (2a, 2b) intended to be mounted in said path, • a harness (3) intended to equip said person, said system being characterized in that it further comprises an anchoring block (4), said block comprising a support (5) having a first (6) and a second (7) housing for receiving respectively a first (2a) and a second (2b) anchoring member, knowing that: • said first housing is provided with a first gate (8) for locking said first member in said first housing, said first gate being operable between an unlocking position and a locking position towards which it is returned by a first spring means, said first gate being provided with a first deactivation means (9) for bringing it into the unlocking position, said first deactivation means being arranged so as to be activated by inserting said second anchoring member into said second housing, • said second housing is provided with a second gate (10) for locking said second member in said second housing, said second gate being operable between an unlocking position and a locking position towards which it is returned by a second spring means, said second gate being provided with a second deactivation means (11) for bringing it into the unlocking position, said second deactivation means being arranged so as to be activated by inserting said first anchoring member into said first housing, and in that said block is fixed by said support to said harness in a non-detachable manner without the use of a suitable tool. System according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the housings (6, 7) is in the form of a slot, one of which end (13) opens outwards and the other end of which forms a bottom (14) of said housing.

3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one of the gates (8, 10) is rotatably mounted on the support (5), said gate having: • a receiving ramp (15) for a sliding member (2a, 2b), said ramp being intended to form a cam surface allowing, by interaction with said member, an actuation of said gate towards its unlocking position to allow passage of said member towards the bottom (14) of the corresponding housing (6, 7), • a release (16) intended to ensure the blocking of said member once arranged towards said bottom.

4. System according to claim 3, characterized in that the second (11) - respectively first (9) - deactivation means is located at a distance from the hook (16) of the first (8) - respectively second (10) - gate, said distance being defined so that the abutment of a first (2a) - respectively second (2b) - member against said hook deactivates said deactivation means and releases the return of said second - respectively first - gate to the locking position, so as to prevent simultaneous removal of the two anchoring members (2a, 2b) from their respective housings.

5. System according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it further comprises, for each of the housings (6, 7), an additional locking means (17) of an anchoring member (2a, 2b) in said housing, said means comprising a bearing face (18), said means being arranged so as to be deactivated by manual pressure exerted on said face, to authorize removal of said member from said housing.

6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that the additional locking means (17) is in the form of an additional gate provided with a first (19) and a second (20) branch, said gate being rotatably mounted between said branches on the support (5), said gate being actuated by an additional spring means towards a locking position where said first branch obstructs the housing (6,7) so as to hold the anchoring member (2a,2b) there, said second branch being provided with the bearing face (18), manual pressure exerted on said face rotating said gate towards an unlocking position where said first branch unblocks said housing so as to allow removal of said member.

7. System according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: • the first deactivation means (9) is formed by a sliding face provided on the first gate (8), said face being intended to form a cam surface receiving in support the second anchoring member (2b) introduced towards the bottom (14) of the second housing (7) in order to actuate in rotation said gate towards its unlocking position, • the second deactivation means (11) is formed by a sliding face provided on the second gate (10), said face being intended to form a cam surface receiving in support the first anchoring member (2a) introduced towards the bottom (14) of the first housing (6) in order to actuate in rotation said gate towards its unlocking position.

8. System according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: • the first deactivation means (9) is formed by a magnet fixed on the first gate (8), said magnet being intended to be attracted by the second anchoring member (2b) made of metal attractable by a magnet arranged towards the bottom (14) of the second housing (7), in order to actuate said first gate in the unlocked position, • the second deactivation means (11) is formed by a magnet fixed on the second gate (10), said magnet being intended to be attracted by the first anchoring member (2a) made of metal attractable by a magnet arranged towards the bottom (14) of the first housing (6), in order to actuate said second gate in the unlocked position.

9. Belaying assembly for a system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a harness (3) intended to equip a person and an anchoring block (4), said block comprising a support (5) having a first (6) and a second (7) housing for receiving respectively a first (2a) and a second (2b) anchoring member, knowing that: • said first housing is provided with a first gate (8) for locking said first member in said housing, said first gate being operable between an unlocking position and a locking position towards which it is returned by a first spring means, said first gate being provided with a first deactivation means (9) to bring it into the unlocking position, said first deactivation means being intended to be activated by inserting said second anchoring member into said second housing, • said second housing is provided with a second gate (10) for locking said second member in said housing, said second gate being operable between an unlocking position and a locking position towards which it is returned by a second spring means, said second gate being provided with a second deactivation means (11) to bring it into the unlocking position, said second deactivation means being intended to be activated by inserting said first anchoring member into said first housing, and in that said block is fixed by said support to said harness in a non-detachable manner without the use of a suitable tool.

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