A system for securing a person on a high ropes course

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for securing a person on a high ropes course, said system comprising a block (4) having a first (6) and a second (7) receiving housing for respectively a first (2a) and a second (2b) anchoring member, said first housing is provided with a first locking gate (8) actuable between an unlocking position and a locking position and being provided with a first deactivation means (9), 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 locking gate (10) actuable between an unlocking position and a locking position and being provided with a second deactivation means (11), said second means being arranged so as to be activated by insertion of said first anchoring member into said first housing,said block being fixed to a harness in a manner that cannot be detached without the use of a suitable tool. Figure 2,

Description

Title of the invention: A system for securing a person on a high ropes course

[0001] The invention relates to a system for belaying a person on a high ropes course and a belaying assembly for such a system.

[0002] It is known, in particular from document EP-2 637 747, to implement a system for belaying a person on a high ropes course, said system comprising: • a plurality of anchoring devices intended to be mounted in said path, • a harness intended to equip said person, • two carabiners for attaching to said organs, 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 attached to one of said organs can only be done once the other of said carabiners is attached to another of said organs.

[0003] With such an arrangement, the person wearing the harness is on the one hand attached 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 device, which guarantees his safety.

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

[0005] However, when the route includes passages such as climbing walls, such a belay system can prove difficult to use, due to the presence of straps which can become tangled in the person's limbs, and also due to the significant weight and bulk of said system.

[0006] The invention aims to overcome these drawbacks.

[0007] To this end, and according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a system for belaying a person on a high ropes course, said system comprising: • a plurality of anchoring devices 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 device, knowing that: • said first housing is provided with a first locking gate for said first component in said housing, said gate being actuable between an unlocked position and a locked position to which it is returned by a first spring means, said gate being provided with a first deactivation means to bring it to the unlocked position, said first means being arranged so as to be activated by insertion of said second anchoring component into said second housing, • said second housing is provided with a second locking gate for said second component in said housing, said gate being actuable between an unlocked position and a locked position to which it is returned by a second spring means, said gate being provided with a second deactivation means to bring it to the unlocked position, said second means being arranged so as to be activated by insertion of said first anchoring component 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 wearing the harness is on the one hand permanently attached to the anchor block, and on the other hand necessarily secured by said block to at least one anchoring device, which guarantees his safety.

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

[0012] This results in simplified use of the assembly, as the absence of straps provides improved ergonomics. Furthermore, the assembly according to the invention has a reduced size 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 being 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 become apparent from the following description, made with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0016] [Fig.1] is a general schematic representation of a system according to one embodiment,

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

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

[0020] With reference to the figures, a system 1 for belaying a person on a high ropes course is described, said system comprising: • a plurality of anchoring organs 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 anchor 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 device knowing that: • said first housing is provided with a first locking gate 8 for said first element in said housing, said gate being actuable between an unlocked position and a locked position to which it is returned by a first spring means, not shown, said gate being provided with a first deactivation means 9 to bring it to the unlocked position, said first means being arranged so as to be activated by insertion of said second anchoring element into said second housing, • said second housing is provided with a second locking gate 10 for said second element in said housing, said gate being actuable between an unlocked position and a locked position to 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 unlocked position, said second means being arranged so as to be activated by insertion of said first anchoring element 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 a cutting tool.

[0023] According to the embodiment shown in [Fig.1], 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 mounted for rotation on the support 5, said gate having: • a receiving ramp 15 for a sliding component 2a,2b, said ramp being intended to form a cam surface allowing, by interaction with said component, the actuation of said gate towards its unlocked position to allow passage of said component towards the bottom 14 of the corresponding housing 6,7, • a notch 16 intended to ensure the locking of said organ once disposed towards said bottom.

[0026] According to the embodiments represented, the second 11 - respectively first 9 - deactivation means is located at a distance from the notch 16 of the first 8 - respectively of the second 10 - gate, said distance being defined so that the butting of a first 2a - respectively second 2b - member against said notch deactivates said deactivation means and releases the return of said second 10 - respectively first 8 - gate in the blocking position, so as to prevent a 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 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 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 retain the anchoring member 2a,2b, said second branch being provided with the bearing face 18, a manual press exerted on said face actuating said gate in rotation 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 said gate in rotation 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 said gate in rotation towards its unlocking position.

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

[0032] According to the embodiments shown, the anchor block, viewed from the front, in the absence of anchoring elements 2a, 2b, has 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 high-level route equipped with similar anchoring devices 2a,2b so that they can be introduced indifferently into either 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 anchor block 4, said block comprising a support 5 having a first 6 and a second 7 receiving housing for respectively a first 2a and a second 2b anchoring device, given that: • said first housing is provided with a first locking gate 8 for said first component in said housing, said gate being actuable between an unlocked position and a locked position to which it is returned by a first spring means, said gate being provided with a first deactivation means 9 to bring it to the unlocked position, said first means being intended to be activated by insertion of said second anchoring device into said second housing, • said second housing is provided with a second locking gate 10 for said second element in said housing, said gate being actuable between an unlocked position and a locked position to which it is returned by a second spring means, said gate being provided with a second deactivation means 11 to bring it to the unlocked position, said second means being intended to be activated by insertion of said first anchoring element 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. Demands

1. A system (1) for belaying a person on a high ropes course, said system comprising: • a plurality of anchoring devices (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, given that: • said first housing is provided with a first locking gate (8) for said first element in said first housing, said first gate being actuable between an unlocked position and a locked position to 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 unlocked position, said first deactivation means being arranged so as to be activated by insertion of said second anchoring element into said second housing, • said second housing is provided with a second locking gate (10) for said second component in said second housing, said second gate being actuable between an unlocked position and a locked position to 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 unlocked position, said second deactivation means being arranged so as to be activated by insertion of said first anchoring component 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. A 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 actuating of said gate towards its unlocking position to allow passage of said member towards the bottom (14) of the corresponding housing (6,7), • a notch (16) intended to ensure the locking of said member once disposed 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 notch (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 notch deactivates said deactivation means and releases the return of said second - respectively first - gate to the blocking position, so as to prevent simultaneous withdrawal of the two anchoring members (2a,2b) from their respective housings.

5. A 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) 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.

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

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 to the first gate (8), said magnet being intended to be attracted by the second anchoring member (2b) made of metal which is attracted by a magnet disposed 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 the first anchoring member (2a) made of metal which is attracted by a magnet disposed towards the bottom (14) of the first housing (6), in order to actuate said second gate in the unlocked position.

9. A 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 anchor 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, given that: • said first housing is provided with a first locking gate (8) for said first element in said housing, said first gate being actuable between an unlocked position and a locked position to 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 unlocked position, said first deactivation means being intended to be activated by insertion of said second anchoring element into said second housing, • said second housing is provided with a second locking gate (10) for said second component in said housing, said second gate being actuable between an unlocked position and a locked position to 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 unlocked position, said second deactivation means being intended to be activated by insertion of said first anchoring component 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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