OVERSPEED SHUTTLE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fall arrest device (1) intended to be used in a horizontal and inclined position on a rigid anchor support (2). For such use, an overspeed blocking system must be integrated into the fall arrest device. This overspeed blocking is carried out by means of a wheel (4). This wheel is mounted around an axis (7) on the body of the carriage (3). When the carriage (1) translates on the rigid anchor support (2), the wheel is held in contact with the rigid anchor support by means of 2 dual-purpose springs (9), which causes it to rotate. Within the wheel (4), 5 weights (11) are positioned in the radius and are retained by springs (12). If the wheel rotation is greater than a speed of 10 rpm, the centrifugal force becomes greater than the spring's holding capacity, the weight comes out of the wheel and drives the cam (6), which pivots and locks in the knurled part of the rail (13).The fall arrest device (1) is then locked onto the rigid anchor support (2).

Description

Title of the invention: OVERSPEED SHUTTLE

[0001] The present invention relates to a fall arrest device (1) intended to be used in a horizontal and inclined position on a rigid anchor support (2). The system locks in both directions, which allows it to be used on installations comprising ascending and then descending portions.

[0002] Document FR 2 291 563 describes this type of device, using a mechanism inspired by clutch systems, or systems used in automatic cable retractable fall arresters also used in the field of fall arrest, or in the better known systems such as safety belts.

[0003] This invention simplifies the mechanism by using a system of weights / springs placed radially in the wheel. This innovation has several advantages. The first is the simplicity of the system, in terms of operation but also in terms of assembly time. The second is the fact that the 5 weights have the possibility of triggering the locking of the shuttle and this in both directions of operation, which reinforces the reliability of the system. The third is the double use of the springs which both keep the wheel in contact with the rigid belay support and which keep the cam horizontal.

[0004] The simplicity of this mechanism makes it possible to limit the number of parts, and therefore the costs of production, assembly and maintenance.

[0005] A final advantage of this fall arrest device compared to that cited in document FR 2 291 563 is the fact that the entire mechanism remains visible, which subsequently facilitates periodic checks to monitor the condition of the fall arrest device. The only hidden parts of the device are the springs that hold the weights, but their inspection remains easy with a magnetic pencil.

[0006] This invention will be better understood from the following description, which uses as support the indexed schematic drawings representing, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of this fall arrest device.

[0007] [Fig.l] is an isometric top view.

[0008] [Fig.2] is an exploded perspective view of the device.

[0009] [Fig.3] is a sectional view of the device.

[0010] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the device on the rigid anchor support.

[0011] [Fig.5] is a perspective and sectional view of the device on the belay support rigid.

[0012] The fall arrest device (1) comprises a main body (3) intended to be mounted movably on the rigid anchor support (2). To facilitate the translation of the fall arrest system on the rigid anchor support, 12 casters (10) have been integrated into the body to facilitate the translation of the system.

[0013] The wheel (4) is movably mounted on the body (3) by means of an axle (7). Pressure towards the rigid anchor support is maintained by means of lateral springs 9. This pressure ensures the rotation of the wheel during translation of the fall arrest device on the rigid anchor support. The wheel is equipped with 2 ball bearings (8) to improve the operation of the system and 2 rubber O-rings.

[0014] A cam (6) and a handle (5) are also held on the body by means of the axis (7). The springs (9) maintain the balance of the cam in normal use, thus avoiding any untimely blocking of the fall arrest device.

[0015] The cam (6) is provided with a shape allowing the weight to be received and held.

[0016] The locking mechanism of this anti-fall system starts in the wheel (4). The wheel is equipped with 5 housings in which 5 weights (11) are housed. The upper part of the weights is machined to be housed and held in the cam (6). The 5 weights are held towards the center of the wheel (4) by means of 5 springs (12).

[0017] A translation of the shuttle at 6 km / h causes the wheel to rotate at more than 10 rpm. At this speed, the centrifugal force is then greater than the force exerted by the pressure of the spring on the weight. The upper part of the weights comes out of the wheel and is housed in the cam. [Fig.5] allows us to understand this mechanism.

[0018] By means of one of the weights, the cam is therefore located between the wheel and the rigid anchor support, which slows down the translation of the fall arrest system.

[0019] The shape of the ends of the cam has been designed to lock into the indentations (13) of the rigid anchor support (2). These indentations ensure that the shuttle is locked in the event of overspeed.

[0020] Thus, this fall arrest system makes it possible, in the event of a fall or slip, to block the translation of the fall arrest device (1) on the rigid anchor support (2) and this as soon as the translation speed of the fall arrest device is greater than 6 km / h. This speed can easily be modified by adjusting the stiffness of the springs (12).

[0021] A second, more conventional locking system is provided on the fall arrest device via the handle (5). Rotation of the handle can directly drive the cam (6) and thus directly stop the translation of the fall arrest device on the rigid anchor support.

[0022] As goes without saying, the invention is not limited to the embodiment of this fall arrest device, described above as an example; on the contrary, it encompasses all the variant embodiments thereof.

Claims

Claims

1. Overspeed fall arrest device (1), intended to be used on a rigid anchor support (2), mainly consisting of a main body (3) in translation on the rigid anchor support, this translation facilitated by 12 rollers (10), also drives a wheel (4) held in support by 2 springs (9) has a set of 5 weights (11) positioned radially and retained by 5 springs (12) which in the event of rotation greater than 10 rpm in both directions of rotation, come out of the wheel and drive a cam (6) which is housed between the rigid anchor support and the wheel, thus blocking the translation of the shuttle.

2. Anti-fall device according to claim 1, characterized in that the weight (11) and the cam (6) have a particular shape allowing the weight to be held on the cam.

3. Anti-fall device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the springs (9) allow both the wheel (4) to remain in contact with the rigid anchor support (2), but also maintain the balanced position of the cam (6).

4. Anti-fall device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the handle (5) in the event of rotation around the axis (7) can directly drive the cam (6), thus blocking the translation of the shuttle.

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