OVERSPEED SHUTTLE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fall arrest device (1) intended for use in a horizontal and inclined position on a rigid anchor point (2). For such use, an overspeed locking system must be integrated into the fall arrest device. This overspeed locking is achieved by means of a wheel (4). This wheel is mounted around an axle (7) on the body of the trolley (3). When the trolley (1) moves along the rigid anchor point (2), the wheel is held against the rigid anchor point by means of two dual-purpose springs (9), which causes it to rotate. Within the wheel (4), five weights (11) are positioned in the radius and are held in place by springs (12). If the rotation of the wheel is greater than a speed of 10 rpm, the centrifugal force becomes greater than the holding capacity of the spring, 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 for use in a horizontal and inclined position on a rigid anchor point (2). The system locks in both directions, allowing its use on installations with ascending and descending sections.

[0002] Document FR 2 291 563 describes this type of device, using a mechanism inspired by clutch systems, or systems used in self-retracting cable 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 offers several advantages. The first is the simplicity of the system, both in terms of operation and assembly time. The second is that the five weights can trigger the shuttle lock in both directions of operation, which enhances the system's reliability. The third is the dual function of the springs, which both maintain contact between the wheel and the rigid support and keep the cam horizontal.

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

[0005] A final advantage of this fall arrest device compared to that mentioned in document FR 2 291 563 is 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 these can be easily checked with a magnetic pencil.

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

[0007] [Fig.1] is an isometric top view.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0015] The cam (6) is provided with a shape enabling it to receive and retain the weight.

[0016] The locking mechanism of this fall-arrest system originates in the wheel (4). The wheel is equipped with 5 recesses into which 5 weights (11) are housed. The upper part of the weights is machined to fit and be 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 results in a rotation of the wheel at more than 10 rpm. At this speed, the centrifugal force is then greater than the force exerted by the spring pressure on the weight. The upper part of the weights moves out of the wheel and into the cam. Figure 5 clearly illustrates 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 the translation of the fall arrest system.

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

[0020] Thus, this fall arrest system allows, in the event of a fall or slip, the translation of the fall arrest device (1) on the rigid anchorage support (2) to be blocked as soon as the translation speed of the fall arrest device exceeds 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 anchorage support.

[0022] As will be understood, the invention is not limited to the form of embodiment of this fall arrest device, described above by way of example, but on the contrary encompasses all variant embodiments.

Claims

Demands

1. Overspeed fall arrest device (1), intended for use 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 case of rotation greater than 10tr / s in both directions of rotation, come out of the wheel and drive a cam (6) which comes to lodge 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. Fall arrest device according to any 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 any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the handle (5) in case of rotation around the axis (7) can directly drive the cam (6), thus blocking the translation of the shuttle.

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