DISSIPATION DEVICE FOR SAFETY SYSTEMS

Description

Title Dissipation device for security systems Description of an invention patent entitled: “DISSIPATION DEVICE FOR SAFETY SYSTEMS” in the name of: FIN GROUP SRL DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a dissipation device for safety systems designed specifically to protect operators from the dangers of falling from a height. The dissipation device can be integrated into a lifeline, preferably a horizontal one, to reduce the force transmitted to the terminal elements in the event of an operator falling. A lifeline typically features a cable, usually made of steel or high-strength synthetic material, which serves as a continuous anchor point for an operator. The ends of the cable are attached to solid anchor points. Between the cable and the anchor point is a shock-absorbing device that absorbs the energy generated by the operator's fall, reducing the impact on the operator and the anchors. There are several types of heat dissipation devices that differ mainly in the principle used: spring heat dissipators exploit the deformation of the spring; wedge heat dissipators exploit the movement of a wedge through a resistant material; Sheet metal ones absorb energy by stretching a bent sheet metal or fracturing sections of the sheet metal. Known dissipation devices are subject to continuous improvement to increase their performance: an ideal dissipation device should provide the most optimal dissipation possible, balancing the need to arrest the operator's fall in the smallest possible space and the need to avoid excessive stress on the anchor points. Known devices are designed through complex analyses based on specific needs and forces, making them difficult to adapt to different situations. The aim of the present invention is to provide a dissipation device capable of optimising and improving energy dissipation. Another goal is to provide a dissipation device that is easy and simple to make. Another aim is to provide a dissipation device that has a low production cost. Another aim is to provide a dissipation device with reduced overall dimensions. These purposes are achieved by a dissipation device for safety systems comprising a main body suitable for attachment to a support structure of a safety system, the main body having a pair of opposing side walls extending along a longitudinal direction; a central wall interposed between the side walls and extending along said longitudinal direction; a compartment delimited by the walls; a pair of weakening lines formed on the central wall along the longitudinal direction so as to define a tear portion; and a connecting element connected to the tear portion and facing the compartment, the connecting element being suitable for connection to a load. These purposes are further achieved by a safety system comprising at least a support structure, a support element capable of supporting and / or receiving a load, and a dissipation device, the dissipation device being interposed between the support structure and the support element. Further features of the invention are described in the dependent claims. The advantages of this solution compared to prior art solutions are several. The characteristics of the dissipation device mean that the force used for dissipation tends to be substantially constant. In a dissipator, in fact, there are usually two parameters to evaluate: the energy absorbed per unit of space and the force discharged onto the support structure. The Applicant has found that using a constant force for dissipation allows for the best optimization of these two parameters. Furthermore, the ease with which such a dissipation device can be manufactured means that its characteristics can be easily adjusted to suit different operational needs, without requiring overly complex manufacturing processes. The device is quickly installed by a user as it can be easily pre-assembled before installation. The user then only needs to secure it to the support structure. The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a practical embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a top perspective view of a dissipation device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a bottom view of the dissipation device of Figure 1. Referring to the attached figures, the number 1 indicates a dissipation device for safety systems. The dissipation device 1 allows the forces generated by a load to be dissipated in emergency situations, such as following a fall from a height of an operator or a stored product. The safety system, in which device 1 can be integrated, comprises a support structure, which can be tied or rested on a structural element (for example a roof or the ground), and a support element, such as a cable or rope, capable of supporting and / or receiving a load. As shown in figure 1, the dissipation device 1 comprises a main body 2 suitable for being attached to the support structure of the safety system. The main body 2 has an elongated shape along a longitudinal direction L. The main body 2 is made of at least one material chosen from stainless steel, carbon steel, or aluminum. In the preferred version, the main body 2 is made of stainless steel. In cross-section, the main body 2 has a substantially “C” shape. Therefore, the main body 2 has a pair of side walls 3 opposite each other that extend along the longitudinal direction L. The side walls 3 are mirror images of each other with respect to the centre line of the main body 2. Preferably, the side walls 3 are substantially parallel to each other. Each side wall 3 has a shaped end edge 3a, visible in figure 2, which gives it a variable height. The main body 2 comprises a central wall 4 interposed between the side walls 3 and extending along the longitudinal direction L. The central wall 4 extends in a substantially rectilinear manner. It extends in particular between its two ends: an initial end 4a and a final end 4b. The central wall 4 has a substantially flat shape. As can be understood from the continuation of the description, this conformation of the main body 2 gives greater rigidity to the structure of the device 1, ensuring that, during the dissipation of the force, the main body 2 remains in a position parallel to the force exerted by the load (for example remaining parallel to a connection cable described later). The main body 2 is made from sheet metal, which is processed, for example by laser cutting, and bent to obtain its final shape. This process allows for simple and cost-effective construction of the device, both in terms of production and assembly, while maintaining high operational efficiency. The side walls 3 are therefore continuous with the central wall 4 and are substantially perpendicular to the latter. Walls 3, 4 delimit a compartment 5 that acts as a sliding guide along the longitudinal direction L for a load-bearing element, described below. The compartment can also house, and protect, other operating elements of device 1. Advantageously, the main body 2 has a pair of weakening lines 6 formed on the central wall 4 along the longitudinal direction L so as to define a tear portion 7. The weakening lines 6 weaken the edges of the tear portion 7, which can thus be gradually torn from the central wall 4. The extension of the weakening lines 6 defines the tear direction of the tear portion 7. The beginning and the end of the weakening lines 6 define, respectively, the initial terminal end 7a and the final end 7b between which the tear portion 7 extends, which are obtained respectively in proximity to the initial end 4a and final end 4b of the central wall 4. Preferably, the final terminal end 7b is obtained spaced from the final end 4b of the central wall 4, so that it can remain connected to the main body 2. In one version, the weakening lines 6 are obtained by removing material from the central wall 4 to reduce its thickness. In one version, the weakening lines 6 are obtained by drilling a series of holes in the central wall, aligned and spaced apart from each other. As anticipated, the main body 2 comprises a connecting element 8 connected to the tear-off portion 7, preferably at the initial terminal end 7a, and faces the compartment 5. In particular, the connecting element 8 is integral with the tear-off portion 7. The connecting element 8 is an appendage of the central wall 4 which is folded towards the inside of the compartment 5, preferably perpendicular to the central wall 4. The connecting element 8 is suitable for being connected to a load whose force must be dissipated, for example by interposing a support element, such as a cable or a beam. The connecting element 8 is intended to be stressed by a force, the one to be dissipated, with at least one component directed parallel to the longitudinal direction L, with the direction going from the initial end 4a to the final end 4b. By exerting a force on the connecting element 8, the tear-off portion 7 is torn, dissipating this force. This device allows the creation of a heat sink in which the force that counteracts the load force is substantially constant along the travel of the tear-off portion 7. The dimensions of the main body 2 can vary as a function of the energy to be dissipated, for example by adjusting the ratio between the thickness of the central wall 4 and the depth of the weakening lines 6, and / or by varying the length and / or width of the tear portion 7. The manufacturing method of the main body 2 allows for the device 1 to be easily created with different dimensions and / or characteristics depending on the needs. In one embodiment, not illustrated in the figures, the dissipation device 1 is intended to dissipate the force generated by a falling load that is received by a rigid support member following a fall, such as a movable vertical beam. The connecting element 8 of the dissipation device 1, in this version, is rigidly fixed to the support element. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, however, the dissipation device 1 is intended to be integrated within a safety system such as a lifeline, and is therefore configured to dissipate forces from a load connected by a cable. In this embodiment, the dissipation device 1 comprises a carriage 9 constrained to the connecting element 8 and configured to receive and lock a cable. The carriage 9 is housed in the compartment 5 to slide along the longitudinal direction L. In particular, the side walls 3 contain and guide the carriage 9 along the compartment 5. The trolley 9 is made by means of a plate 10 of a shape complementary to the compartment 5, which can be housed in the latter. The carriage 9 includes a receiving portion 11 designed to receive and lock the cable. The receiving portion 11 has a through hole for the passage of the cable. The receiving portion 11 then includes a cable locking means 12, such as a quick link or eyebolt. The locking means 12 is positioned in the hole. The locking means 12 is of the self-locking type, meaning it allows the cable to be inserted in a direction opposite to that of the force to be dissipated, and blocks the movement of the cable when it moves in the direction of the force to be dissipated. The locking means 12 preferably has a funnel-shaped body, where the portion with the largest diameter faces the connecting element 8. The carriage 9 then comprises a connecting portion 13 connected to the connecting element 8. The connecting portion 13 is arranged opposite the receiving portion 11. The connecting portion 13 comprises a hole for receiving means of fastening to the connecting element 8. The dissipation device 1 comprises tensioning means 14 operatively connected to the carriage and configured to vary the tension of the cable (tensioning) when it is received and clamped by the carriage 9. Such tensioning is effected by varying the distance between the carriage 9 and the connecting element 8. These devices allow you to vary the tension of the cable quickly and easily. The tensioning means 14 are interposed between the connecting element 8 and the carriage 9 to connect them. The tensioning means 14 comprise a movement element 15 connected to the carriage 9, and configured to move the carriage 9 towards / away from the connecting element 8. The movement element 15 comprises a pin 16 coupled in a helical manner to the connecting element 8 and to the carriage 9 by means of respective threads. By rotating the pin 16 in one direction or the other, the carriage 9 can be moved closer to / away from the connecting element 8. Preferably, the threads are such that, by rotating the pin 16, the carriage 9 moves along the longitudinal direction L in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the pin 16. In practice, by rotating the pin 16 in an approaching direction, it slides along the longitudinal direction L in the direction of the force to be dissipated, and the carriage 9 slides on it in the opposite direction to move closer to the connecting element 8. The movement of both will therefore be opposite when it is rotated in the opposite direction of movement. The connection between the pin 16 and the connecting element 8 is strengthened by the presence of a reinforcing plate 17 placed in adhesion to the connecting element 8. The reinforcement plate 17 also has a through hole centered on the hole of the connecting element 8, so as to allow the passage of the pin 16 towards the carriage 9. The reinforcing plate 17 is held in contact with the connecting element 8 by means of a pair of tabs 18 obtained on the main body 2. The reinforcing plate 17 and the pair of tabs 18 provide additional resistance to the force to be dissipated. The reinforcement plate 17 also acts as a fall indicator: on the main body 2, preferably in correspondence with one of the side walls 3 or both, a window 26 is obtained which allows a user to see the positioning of the reinforcement plate 17; the positioning of the window 26 and the reinforcement plate 17 is such that, when the device 1 has not come into action to dissipate a force, the reinforcement plate 17 is completely visible from the window 17; however, when the device 1 has been activated, the reinforcement plate 17 emerges at least partially, or completely, from the view, indicating that it has been used. The tensioning means 14 also comprise a spring 19, or more generally an elastically deformable element, interposed between the connecting element 8 and the pin 16. The spring 19 is configured to deform elastically, preferably in compression, when the carriage 9 is moved in the longitudinal direction L in the direction of the force to be dissipated. The spring 19 is positioned so as to compress when the pin 16 is rotated in the approach direction and decompress when it is rotated in the withdrawal direction. Spring 19 simultaneously facilitates the adjustment of cable tension and provides additional dissipation force. Spring 19 wraps around a portion of pin 16 and is located on the other side of connecting member 8 relative to carriage 9. Spring 19 is arranged to abut the connecting element 8, and is secured to pin 16 by a bolt. The bolt allows the use of a screwdriver to rotate pin 16, facilitating tensioning operations. The side walls 3 include respective extensions, in addition to the initial end 4a of the central wall 4. These extensions enclose and contain part of the tensioning means. In this case, the extensions enclose in particular the spring 19 and the portion of the pin 16 around which it wraps. The dissipation device 1 comprises measuring means 20, arranged partly on the main body 2, suitable for measuring the cable tension. The measuring means 20 comprise a graduated scale obtained on the main body 2 and which extends alongside a part of the movement element 15. The graduated scale is preferably obtained on the extension of one of the side walls 3. The graduated scale is obtained by laser engraving along the longitudinal direction L. An indicator, preferably a small plate, is fixed to pin 16, which slides with the pin adjacent to the graduated scale to indicate the variation in voltage. This arrangement allows for the creation of measuring devices using a simple and effective solution. However, it cannot be excluded that the graduated scale is obtained on the pin 16 and the indicator is placed on the main body 3. The dissipation device 1 comprises attachment means 22 connected to the main body 2 and configured to attach to the support structure of a safety system. The attachment means 22 comprise a base structure 23 that is fixed to the main body 2 and is suitable for being secured to a support structure by means of fastening means such as screws or the like. The base structure 23 is fixed to the side walls 3 of the main body 2, preferably to the extensions described above, so as to keep them in position. Conveniently, the dissipation device 1 includes an anti-tamper assembly 24 that is suitable for mounting on the tensioning means 14. This anti-tamper assembly 24 is mounted after the installation of the dissipation device 1 and the tensioning of the cable. The anti-tamper assembly 24 includes one or more elements configured to be mounted only once. To be removed, these elements must be broken. Preferably, these elements are an anti-tamper strap that can be mounted using an anti-rotation plate that can be associated with the pin 16. The present invention also provides a safety system, not illustrated in the figures, which comprises a support structure, a support element capable of supporting and / or receiving a load, and the dissipation device 1 described above. The dissipation device 1 is interposed between the support structure and the support element. The dissipation device 1 is fixed so that its longitudinal direction L is arranged along the direction of the force that will be generated by the load. In the preferred version, the safety system is of the lifeline type, meaning that the support structure includes at least one structural anchor, while the support element includes a cable that can be connected to the structural anchor and attached to an operator using a harness. The dissipation device 1 is attached to the structural anchor, while the connection element 8 is fixed to the cable. Preferably, the safety system is a horizontal lifeline, meaning it includes at least one pair of anchors, and the cable extends horizontally between the two anchors. The dissipation device is preferably associated with only one of the anchors. It is possible that a dissipation device may be present for each anchor. The operation of the invention is clear to those skilled in the art from what has been described and, in particular, is as follows. The following description refers to the case of a safety system such as a lifeline. When an operator secured to the lifeline falls, the safety cable exerts a force on the connection element directed in the longitudinal direction L. Initially, this force compresses the spring 19, then causes the tear-off portion 7 to break at the weakening lines 6. The breakage is essentially continuous until the extension of the weakening lines 6 ends or the applied force ceases. The system thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which fall within the scope of the inventive concept; furthermore, all the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

Claims

1. A dissipation device (1) for safety systems, comprising a main body (2) suitable for attachment to a support structure of a safety system, said main body (2) having: - a pair of side walls (3) facing each other and extending along a longitudinal direction (L); - a central wall (4) interposed between said side walls (3) and extending along said longitudinal direction (L); - a compartment (5) delimited by said walls (3, 4); - a pair of weakening lines (6) formed on said central wall (4) along said longitudinal direction (L) so as to define a tear portion (7); and - a connecting element (8) connected to said tear portion (7) and facing said compartment (5), said connecting element (8) being suitable for attachment to a load.

2. Dissipation device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said central wall (4) extends in a substantially rectilinear manner.

3. Dissipation device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said weakening lines extend substantially parallel to said longitudinal direction (L).

4. Dissipation device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a carriage (9) constrained to said connecting element (8) and configured to receive and block a cable of a safety system; said carriage (9) being housed in said compartment (5) to slide along said longitudinal direction (L).

5. Dissipation device (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that it comprises tensioning means (14) operatively connected to said carriage (9) and configured to vary the tension of said cable when it is received and blocked by said carriage (9).

6. Dissipation device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that said tensioning means (14) comprise a movement element (15) connected to said carriage (9); said movement element (15) being configured to move said carriage (9) towards / away from said connecting element (8).

7. Dissipation device (1) according to the previous claim, characterised in that said movement element (15) comprises a pin (16) coupled in a helical manner to said connection element (8) and to said carriage (9) by means of respective threads; said threads being such that, by rotating said pin (16), said carriage (9) moves along said longitudinal direction (L) in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said pin (16).

8. Dissipation device (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that said tensioning means (14) comprise an elastically deformable element interposed between said connecting element (8) and said movement element (15); said elastically deformable element being configured to deform elastically when said carriage (9) is moved in the longitudinal direction (L) in the direction of the force to be dissipated.

9. Safety system comprising at least a support structure, a support element suitable for supporting and / or receiving a load, and a dissipation device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, said dissipation device (1) being interposed between said support structure and said support element.

10. Safety system according to claim 9, wherein said support structure comprises at least one structural anchor, and wherein said support element comprises a cable connectable to said structural anchor and capable of being attached to an operator by means of a harness; said dissipation device being attached to said structural anchor and said connection element (8) being connected to said cable.