Fall protection system and method
The system addresses the oversight in existing lift protection by using sensors to ensure the number of occupants matches safety keys, preventing unsafe lift operations and enhancing safety compliance.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024084562
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-05-26
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-24
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-24
AI Technical Summary
Existing fall protection systems for lift systems fail to account for the number of occupants in the basket and the secure connection of safety keys to anchors, leading to potential safety risks as occupants can inadvertently operate the lift without proper securing.
A system that uses sensors to determine the number of occupants and the number of safety keys coupled to anchors, controlling lift operations based on this comparison, and communicating alerts if discrepancies are detected.
Ensures safe operation of lift systems by preventing movement if the number of occupants exceeds the number of safety keys or if connections are faulty, enhancing safety and compliance with regulations.
Smart Images
Figure 2024178114000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001]
[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to personal fall protection systems and methods. [Background technology]
[0002]
[0002] Regulations exist that require all personnel using a lift system (e.g., boom lift, scissor lift, etc.) to wear a fall protection harness that is connected to the lift system so that the occupant cannot fall. For example, if an occupant falls from the lift, the fall distance is limited by the length of a safety strap that extends between the protection harness worn by the operator and the lift basket. The safety strap may have a safety key located at one end of the strap (opposite the end of the strap that is tethered to the operator's harness) that may be coupled to one or more safety anchors on the lift basket. The safety anchors may be electrically coupled to a control system of the lift system, and a verification process may be required to verify that each safety key is securely coupled to at least one safety anchor before movement of the lift system is permitted.
[0003]
[0003] However, existing verification systems are unable to take into account the number of occupants positioned in the occupant basket when determining whether movement of the occupant basket is permitted. Furthermore, existing verification systems are unable to control the locking system of the lift basket gate. For example, an occupant positioned in a raised lift basket can open the lift basket gate regardless of whether the occupant is securely fastened to the lift basket. Existing systems rely on the occupant remembering to connect the safety strap to the lift basket anchor. Furthermore, existing systems are unable to identify and / or communicate to the occupant if the connection of the safety key to the anchor is incorrect or has failed. For example, the occupant may believe that the key is securely fastened to the lift basket safety anchor, but the key may be dislodged from the anchor. Summary of the Invention
[0004]
[0004] What is needed is a fall protection system and method that automatically verifies the safety of all occupants. Further, what is needed is a fall protection system that can determine the number of occupants positioned in the lift basket and allow and / or prohibit operation of the lift system based on the number of occupants and the state of the connection between the safety keys tethered to the occupants via safety straps and the safety anchors of the lift basket.
[0005] With this need in mind, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fall protection system and method for determining a number of occupants disposed within a occupant basket of a lift system based on data received from one or more sensors. The occupant basket also includes a plurality of safety anchors. Each of the plurality of safety anchors is capable of receiving a safety key. The method also includes determining, by a lift system controller having one or more processors, a number of safety keys operably coupled to a corresponding safety anchor and comparing the number of occupants to the number of safety keys used.
[0006] In one embodiment, if the number of passengers is equal to the number of safety keys used, operation of the lift system and / or passenger basket of the lift system is permitted, such as controlling the lift system to move the passenger basket vertically and / or horizontally, changing the state of the locking system of the basket gate to an unlocked state to allow the gate to be opened or closed by the passenger, etc.
[0007] Alternatively, if the controller determines that the number of occupants is different than the number of safety keys operably coupled to the corresponding anchors, operation of the lift system and / or the passenger basket of the lift system is inhibited, e.g., the passenger basket is inhibited from moving in any direction, the state of the passenger basket gate locking system is changed to a locked state to inhibit a passenger basket occupant from opening the gate, etc.
[0008] In at least one embodiment, a controller receives sensed data from one or more sensors disposed within the passenger basket. The sensors may be referred to as occupant detector sensors and may include position sensors, cameras (e.g., still cameras, video cameras, ergonomic cameras, etc.), pressure sensors, ultrasonic sensors, crash sensors, infrared sensors, etc. For example, the controller may receive the sensed data from the one or more sensors and determine a number of occupants disposed within the passenger basket of the lift system based at least in part on the sensor data.
[0009]
[0009] In at least one embodiment, one or more processors of the controller may identify a location of each of a plurality of safety anchors operably coupled to at least one of the safety keys. For example, the controller may determine that the safety key is coupled to an internal safety anchor disposed within an interior region of the passenger basket. Alternatively, the controller may determine that the safety key is coupled to an external safety anchor disposed outside a basket frame of the passenger basket. Based on the location of the safety anchor to which the safety key is coupled, different operations of the lift system may be controlled (e.g., permitted or prohibited). For example, if at least one safety key is coupled to an external safety anchor, the gate locking system may be changed to an unlocked state and an occupant may be permitted to open and close the gate, but movement of the passenger basket in one or more directions (e.g., vertically, horizontally, radially, etc.) may be prohibited. As another example, if there is no safety key coupled to an external safety anchor, the gate locking system may be maintained in a locked state (e.g., an occupant may not be able to open the gate), but the passenger basket may be permitted to be controlled to move in one or more directions.
[0010] In at least one embodiment, the processor(s) of the controller may determine that the number of safety keys operably coupled to corresponding safety anchors has changed. For example, the controller may determine that an occupant who was previously securely tethered to a safety anchor is no longer secured to any safety anchor. In one embodiment, an operator may have manually detached a safety key from a safety anchor. In another embodiment, a connection between a safety key and a safety anchor may have failed. In response to a safety key being detached from a safety anchor and the safety key not being reattached to another safety anchor, operation of the lift system may be inhibited.
[0011]
[0011] In at least one embodiment, a processor (one or more) of the controller can receive sensed data from one or more sensors and distinguish sensed data corresponding to an occupant from other sensed data, such as data corresponding to other loads on the occupant basket.
[0012] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fall protection system including safety anchors operably coupled to a passenger basket. Each of the safety anchors is configured to receive a safety key. One or more operators may be disposed within the passenger basket. A controller having one or more processors receives sensed data from one or more sensors of the passenger basket and identifies a number of operators disposed within the passenger basket. The controller compares the number of operators to a number of safety keys operably coupled to the safety anchors. If the number of safety keys operably coupled to the corresponding safety anchors is different from the number of operators, operation of the passenger basket and / or lift system is prohibited. Alternatively, if the number of safety keys coupled to the safety anchors is the same as the number of operators, operation of the passenger basket and / or lift system is permitted.
[0013] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method that includes comparing, with one or more processors, a number of occupants disposed in a passenger basket of a lift system to a number of safety keys operably coupled to corresponding safety anchors of the passenger basket, and in response to determining that the number of occupants differs from the number of safety keys operably coupled to the corresponding safety anchors, movement of the passenger basket is inhibited. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0014] [Figure 1]
[0014] An example of a lift system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. [Diagram 2]
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a passenger basket of a lift system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3]
[0016] 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of a controller for the passenger basket shown in FIG. 2 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4]
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a circuit of components of a lift system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5]
[0018] 1 illustrates a partial view of a safety key operably coupled with a safety anchor of a passenger basket according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6]
[0019] 1 shows a flowchart of a method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7A]
[0020] 1 illustrates a first embodiment of an occupant positioned within an occupant basket according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7B]
[0021] 1 illustrates a second embodiment of an occupant positioned within an occupant basket according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8]
[0022] 13 illustrates a third embodiment of an occupant disposed within an occupant basket according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015]
[0023] The above summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. As used herein, it should be understood that the use of "a" or "an" in the singular form of an element or step does not necessarily exclude a plurality of such elements or steps. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that incorporate features described herein. Furthermore, embodiments that "comprising" or "having" one or more elements having a particular condition may include additional elements that do not have such conditions (unless expressly stated otherwise).
[0016]
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a lift system 100 according to one embodiment. The lift system includes a base 102 and a passenger basket 106. An arm 104 extends between the base and the basket. In other embodiments, the lift system may be a scissor lift system or the like that moves passengers and / or equipment between different heights. In the illustrated embodiment, the lift system is a boom lift system, and the arm 104 is controlled to move the passenger basket 106 vertically 108 and horizontally or laterally 110 between ground level and different heights. Additionally, the base 102 includes wheels that may be controlled to move the lift system in the horizontal direction 110.
[0017]
[0025] 2 illustrates a top view of a passenger basket 106 according to one embodiment. The passenger basket 106 includes a basket frame 204 coupled to an arm (not shown in FIG. 2) at a joint 202. The passenger basket 106 includes an interior region 206 inside the basket frame. For example, one or more passengers and / or equipment may be positioned within the interior region 206 of the basket frame 204, allowing the passengers and / or equipment to be moved to different heights.
[0018]
[0026] The passenger basket 106 includes a gate 210 that is positioned to move between open and closed positions (shown in FIG. 2) in a rotational direction 212. In another embodiment, the gate may have an alternative configuration whereby the gate moves in one or more different directions between the open and closed positions.
[0019]
[0027] The lift system 100 also includes a control system 220. In the illustrated embodiment, the control system is located within the passenger basket 106, although in alternative embodiments, the control system or one or more components of the control system 220 may be located elsewhere in the lift system, such as in the base 102.
[0020]
[0028] 3 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a control system 220. The control system 220 includes a controller 222 having one or more processors, such as one or more microprocessors, field programmable gate arrays, integrated circuits, etc. In one embodiment, the controller may include a single processor or multiple processors. All operations may be performed by each processor, or each processor may perform at least one operation different from one or more (or all) other processors.
[0021]
[0029] The control system 220 may include and / or be operatively coupled to one or more sensors 224. In one or more embodiments, the one or more sensors 224 may include a position sensor, a camera (e.g., a still camera, a video camera, an ergonomic camera, etc.), a pressure sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a crash sensor, an infrared sensor, etc. The one or more sensors 224 may be disposed at one or more locations on the occupant basket 106, operatively coupled to the occupant basket 106, disposed outside the basket, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the one or more sensors may be referred to as an occupant detector sensor. For example, the sensors may sense or otherwise detect data associated with occupants and / or other loads (e.g., equipment, materials, etc.) disposed within the passenger basket, such as, without limitation, the number of occupants inside the basket, the position of each of the occupants within the interior region 206 of the passenger basket 106 (e.g., relative to each other occupant, relative to the gate 210, etc.), the number of occupants disposed outside the passenger basket 106 (e.g., occupants who have moved outside the basket frame 204, etc.), the position of equipment within the basket, the weight of the other loads, and the total weight of the occupants and other loads.
[0022]
[0030] The control system 220 also includes one or more input and / or output devices 226 (denoted in FIG. 3 as "I / O device(s)"). The lift system may be manually operated by receiving command signals from the input / output device(s) 226, which may represent a touch screen, joystick, keyboard, switches, wheels, microphone, display, monitor, speakers, lights, etc.
[0023]
[0031] In one or more embodiments, the control system 220 may include a communications device 228, which represents transmission and reception hardware (e.g., antennas, wires, cables, modems, codecs, etc.) that may communicate signals described herein wirelessly or via a wired connection. The communications device may communicate with one or more passengers and / or operators disposed within the passenger basket 106, one or more operators disposed proximate the base 102 of the lift system 100, one or more operators at a control center (not shown), etc.
[0024]
[0032] The control system 220 also includes power devices 230, which may represent one or more batteries, fuel cells, etc., that may provide power to one or more systems and / or components of the lift system (e.g., propulsion loads, auxiliary loads, etc.).
[0025]
[0033] Returning to FIG. 2 , in one or more embodiments, the gate 210 may be moved from a closed position to an open position, such as to allow crew and / or equipment to move in and out of the interior region 206 of the crew basket 106. In one embodiment, the gate 210 may be moved to a closed position, such as to contain crew and / or equipment within the interior region 206 of the crew basket 106 before the crew basket 106 leaves or moves away from the surface of the earth. In another embodiment, the gate 210 may be moved to an open position to allow crew to exit the interior region 206 of the crew basket 106 after the crew basket 106 has been moved to an elevated location (e.g., to perform maintenance on a structure, such as a building, an aircraft system, equipment, etc.). For example, the crew may need to move to a portion of a structure being repaired that is in a location that the crew basket cannot reach.
[0026]
[0034] The passenger basket 106 also includes a number of safety anchors 214A-E disposed at different locations around the basket frame 204. In one embodiment shown, the passenger basket 106 includes four safety anchors 214A-D disposed at interior locations of the basket frame 204 (e.g., within the interior region 206 of the passenger basket) and two safety anchors 214E-F disposed at exterior locations of the basket frame 204 (e.g., outside the basket frame). Each of the safety anchors 214A-F may be shaped and / or sized to receive a mating component, such as a safety key, that secures or fastens one or more passengers to the passenger basket 106. For example, a first end of a safety strap or lanyard (not shown) may be operably coupled to at least one of the passengers (e.g., attached to the passenger by a harness, carabiner, etc.), and a second end of the safety strap may be operably coupled to the safety key.
[0027]
[0035] 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a circuit associated with controlling the operation of the passenger basket 106 and / or one or more systems or components of the passenger basket, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The controller 222 is electrically coupled to the input / output device(s) 226, the basket gate locking system 232 (e.g., an electrical and / or mechanical locking system that may control whether the gate may be opened or closed), one or more sensors 224 (such as an occupant detector sensor), one or more lift system motors 234 (e.g., a motor that controls the movement of the passenger basket and / or the base 102 of the lift system 100), and a power device 230 via a relay 236. The one or more lift system motors 234, the power device 230, and the relay 236 are also electrically coupled to an electrical ground 238. The schematic diagram illustrated in FIG. 4 is for illustrative purposes only. In another embodiment, the circuit may have an alternative configuration, may include one or more additional electrical components, may lack one or more components shown, etc.
[0028]
[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 222 is also electrically coupled to the first safety anchor 214A and the second safety anchor 214B. In other embodiments, the controller may be electrically coupled to more than two safety anchors of the occupant basket 106. The first safety anchor 214A is matingly coupled to a first safety key 240A and the second safety anchor 214B is matingly coupled to a second safety key 240B.
[0029]
[0037] 5 illustrates a partial close-up view of a safety key 240A in mating engagement with a first safety anchor 214A, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The safety key 240A is operably coupled to a first end of a safety strap 244 or safety lanyard. A second end of the safety strap 244 may be secured or coupled to an occupant 242 of the occupant basket 106 (not shown). While an occupant or operator is secured to the safety anchor of the occupant basket 106 via the safety key 240A, the safety of the occupant is increased compared to when the occupant is not secured or tethered to the safety anchor via the safety key.
[0030]
[0038] 6 illustrates a flowchart 600 of a method, such as for controlling operation of a passenger basket of a lift system, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The method includes receiving data 602 from one or more sensors 224 by a controller 222 including one or more processors. The controller may determine 604 a number of operators or passengers disposed or positioned within the passenger basket of the lift system based at least in part on the sensor data. The controller may also determine 606 a number of safety keys operably coupled with corresponding safety anchors of the passenger basket. As one example, each of the safety anchors may be arranged to receive a single safety key. In another example, one or more safety anchors may be arranged to receive two or more different safety keys.
[0031]
[0039] The method also includes comparing the number of operators placed in the passenger basket with the number of safety keys coupled to corresponding safety anchors to determine 608 by the controller 222 whether the number of operators is the same as the number of safety keys. If the number of operators is the same as the number of safety keys, the method proceeds to 610 and movement or operation of the passenger basket is permitted. For example, if the controller determines that two passengers are placed in the passenger basket and two safety keys are coupled to corresponding safety anchors, the controller can raise the passenger basket away from the ground, move the passenger basket toward the ground or toward a lower elevation, move the passenger basket laterally or horizontally, permit the basket gate to be opened (e.g., change the state of the basket gate locking system 232 shown in FIG. 4 to permit an operator to open or close the gate), etc.
[0032]
[0040] Alternatively, if the controller 222 determines that the number of operators is different than the number of safety keys, the method proceeds to 612, where movement or motion of the passenger basket is inhibited. For example, when the controller determines that two passengers are disposed in the passenger basket, but only one safety key is coupled to the corresponding safety anchor, the controller may inhibit the passenger basket from being raised or lowered to a different height, inhibit the basket gate from being opened, etc. (e.g., the state of the basket gate locking system 232 may be in a locked state, and an operator cannot open the gate), etc. In one embodiment, an alarm may be communicated 614, such as by the communication device 228. The alarm may be an audio, visual, and / or physical alarm communicated to the passenger basket occupant. Optionally, the alarm may be communicated wirelessly to a control center, such as to notify one or more operators at the control center that the passenger basket occupant is not properly secured in the passenger basket.
[0033]
[0041] In one embodiment, the controller 222 may identify the location of each of the safety anchors operably coupled to at least one safety key and may inhibit or permit movement of the passenger basket in response to identifying the location of the safety anchor in use. For example, FIG. 7A illustrates a first embodiment 700 of a passenger in a passenger basket 106 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. A first passenger 702 and a second passenger 704 are positioned within the passenger basket 106 of the lift system. The first passenger 702 is tethered to a first safety strap 740A extending between a first end coupled to the first passenger and a second end coupled to a first safety key 240A. In the illustrated embodiment, the first passenger 702 is secured to a third safety anchor 214C via the first safety key 240A. Additionally, the second occupant 704 is tethered to a second safety strap 740B extending between a first end coupled to the second occupant and a second end coupled to the second safety key 240A. The second occupant is secured to the first safety anchor 214A via the second safety key 240B.
[0034]
[0042] The control system 220 may determine that two occupants (e.g., first and second occupants 702, 704) are located within the occupant basket 106 and that two safety keys are operably coupled to two corresponding safety anchors (e.g., first and third interior safety anchors 214A, 214C). Movement of the occupant basket may be permitted based on the number of occupants being the same as the number of safety keys coupled to the safety anchors.
[0035]
[0043] In one embodiment, the controller 222 of the control system 220 may identify the locations of the safety anchors to which the first and second occupants 702, 704 are secured and may permit and / or control movement of the occupant basket 106 based on the locations of the safety anchors in use. For example, the controller may identify the first and third safety anchors 214A, 214C as being interior anchors. In response to determining that the first and third safety anchors 214A, 214C are interior safety anchors, the controller may permit the occupant basket 106 to be raised and lowered, but the controller may control the gate 210 to be in a locked state.
[0036]
[0044] In an alternative embodiment, FIG. 7B illustrates a second embodiment 750 of a passenger disposed within the passenger basket 106. A first passenger 702 is secured to the third safety anchor 214C via a first safety key 240A, and a second passenger 704 is secured to the fifth safety anchor 214E via a second safety key 240B. For example, the controller 222 may identify that the first passenger 702 is secured to the inner safety anchor (e.g., 214C) and the second passenger 704 is secured to the outer safety anchor (e.g., 214E). In response to determining that the second passenger 704 is secured to the outer safety anchor, the controller may be permitted to change the locking state of the gate 210 from a locked state to an unlocked state. For example, the gate 210 may be unlocked and the first and / or second occupants 702, 704 may be permitted to open and close the gate 210 of the passenger basket 106. In one embodiment, while the gate is in the unlocked state, the controller may prohibit other movement of the passenger basket 106. For example, the controller may prohibit one of the occupants from controlling the lift system motor 234 (shown in FIG. 4 ) to raise or lower the passenger basket 106 while the gate 210 is in the unlocked state.
[0037]
[0045] In the illustrated embodiments of Figures 7A and 7B, the number of occupants disposed in the passenger basket matches or is the same as the number of safety keys operably coupled to the corresponding safety anchors. For example, the first and second occupants 702, 704 in the first and second embodiments 700, 750 are properly secured to the passenger basket 106. In another example, Figure 8 illustrates a third example 800 of occupants disposed in the passenger basket 106 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated example, the first occupant 702 is secured to the third safety anchor 214C via the first safety key 240A. However, the second occupant 704 is not secured to any of the other safety anchors. The controller 222 may determine that the number of occupants (e.g., two) is different from the number of safety keys (e.g., one) coupled to the safety anchors and prohibit movement or other operation of the passenger basket 106 and / or the lift system 100. For example, the gate 210 may remain in a locked state and / or be changed to a locked state, preventing the occupant from opening the gate, preventing the occupant from controlling the lift motor to move the occupant basket (e.g., vertically and / or horizontally), and / or preventing the base 102 of the lift system 100 from moving, etc.
[0038]
[0046] In one or more embodiments, the controller 222 may continually monitor the number of passengers and the number of safety keys being used while the lift system 100 is in use. For example, the controller may allow the passenger basket to move away from the surface in response to determining that the number of passengers is equal to the number of safety keys coupled to the corresponding safety anchors. Additionally, the controller may determine that the number of safety keys being used has changed. In one embodiment, after the passenger basket 106 is raised to a height and the vertical movement of the passenger basket 106 is stopped, the controller may determine that the second passenger 704 has disconnected the second safety key 240B from the first safety anchor 214A, but the second safety key 240B is not connected to any of the safety anchors. In one embodiment, the second passenger 704 may manually disconnect the second safety key 240B from the first safety anchor 214A and may have forgotten to attach the second safety key 240B to a different safety anchor. In another example, the connection between the second safety key 240B and the first safety anchor 214A may have failed. For example, one or more components of the safety key and / or safety anchor may have failed or otherwise compromised the connection between the key and anchor. The controller may communicate an alert to the occupants of the passenger basket 106 indicating that one of the occupants is not securely secured in the passenger basket 106 and may prohibit any movement or motion of the passenger basket 106 until the second occupant 704 is securely secured in one of the safety anchors.
[0039]
[0047] In one or more embodiments, the controller 222 may receive sensed data from one or more sensors 224 of the passenger basket 106. The data may include data associated with an occupant of the passenger basket 106 and one or more loads 802 disposed within the passenger basket. In one embodiment, the loads may be equipment and / or materials that may be used by the occupants, such as to repair a structure or system. The controller may distinguish data corresponding to the occupants (and number of occupants) from data corresponding to one or more loads 802. For example, the controller may distinguish or separate data associated with the occupants from data associated with the loads and permit or prohibit movement or operation of the passenger basket (or lift system) based on the data corresponding to the occupants (and the data not corresponding to a load).
[0040]
[0048] Furthermore, the present disclosure includes embodiments according to the following clauses.
[0049] Article 1.
[0050] determining a number of operators disposed within a passenger basket of a lift system based on data received from one or more sensors, the passenger basket comprising a plurality of safety anchors, each of the plurality of safety anchors configured to receive a safety key;
[0051] determining a number of security keys operably coupled to the plurality of security anchors;
[0052] comparing the number of operators positioned within the occupant basket to the number of safety keys operably coupled to the plurality of safety anchors; and
[0053] and inhibiting one or more movements of the passenger basket in response to determining that a number of the operators positioned within the passenger basket is different than a number of the safety keys operably coupled to the plurality of safety anchors.
[0041]
[0054] Article 2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of safety anchors includes one or more internal safety anchors disposed on an inner portion of the occupant basket and one or more external safety anchors disposed on an outer portion of the occupant basket.
[0042]
[0055] Article 3.
[0056] determining a location of each of the plurality of safety anchors operatively coupled to at least one of the safety keys; and
[0057] 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising controlling the one or more movements of the occupant basket in response to determining the position of each of the plurality of safety anchors.
[0043]
[0058] Article 4. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the one or more movements of the passenger basket include one or more of: vertically moving the passenger basket between a plurality of different heights, moving the passenger basket laterally, or changing the state of a locking system of a gate of the passenger basket to an unlocked state.
[0044]
[0059] Article 5. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 4, further comprising communicating an alarm in response to determining that the number of operators positioned within the occupant basket is different from the number of safety keys operably coupled to the plurality of safety anchors.
[0045]
[0060] Article 6. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 5, further comprising allowing movement of the one or more passenger baskets in response to determining that the number of operators positioned within the passenger basket is the same as the number of safety keys operably coupled to the plurality of safety anchors of the passenger basket.
[0046]
[0061] Article 7.
[0062] determining that a number of the security keys operably coupled to the plurality of security anchors has changed;
[0063] determining that a number of operators disposed within the passenger basket is different from a number of the safety keys operably coupled to the plurality of safety anchors of the passenger basket; and
[0064] 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: inhibiting one or more movements of the passenger basket in response to determining that the number of operators positioned within the passenger basket is different from the number of safety keys operably coupled to the plurality of safety anchors.
[0047]
[0065] Article 8.
[0066] identifying one or more loads disposed within the occupant basket based at least in part on the data received from the one or more sensors; and
[0067] 8. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 7, further comprising distinguishing the one or more loads from a number of operators positioned within the occupant basket.
[0048]
[0068] Article 9.
[0069] safety anchors operably coupled to passenger baskets of a lift system, each of the safety anchors configured to receive a safety key and configured for one or more operators to be positioned within the passenger baskets; and
[0070] 1. A fall protection system comprising: a controller including one or more processors configured to receive data from one or more sensors, the controller configured to determine a number of operators positioned within the occupant basket based on the data received from the one or more sensors,
[0071] the controller is configured to compare a number of operators positioned within the occupant basket to a number of safety keys operably coupled to the safety anchors;
[0072] The controller is configured to inhibit one or more movements of the occupant basket in response to determining that the number of operators positioned in the occupant basket is different from the number of safety keys operably coupled to the safety anchors.
[0049]
[0073] Article 10. 10. The fall protection system of claim 9, wherein the occupant basket is configured to be controlled to move between a plurality of different heights to move the one or more operators between a plurality of different heights.
[0050]
[0074] Article 11. 11. A fall protection system as described in clause 9 or 10, wherein in response to determining that the number of operators positioned within the occupant basket is different from the number of safety keys operably coupled to the safety anchors, the controller is configured to control a communication device to communicate an alarm.
[0051]
[0075] Article 12. A fall protection system as described in any one of clauses 9 to 11, wherein the controller is configured to allow one or more movements of the passenger basket in response to determining that the number of operators positioned within the passenger basket is the same as the number of safety keys operably coupled to the safety anchors.
[0052]
[0076] Article 13. 13. A fall protection system as described in any one of clauses 9 to 12, wherein the one or more movements of the passenger basket include one or more of: vertically moving the passenger basket between a plurality of different heights, moving the passenger basket laterally, or changing the state of a locking system of a gate of the passenger basket to an unlocked state.
[0053]
[0077] Article 14. 14. A fall protection system as described in any one of clauses 9 to 13, wherein the one or more sensors include one or more of a position sensor, a camera, a pressure sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a collision sensor, or an infrared sensor.
[0054]
[0078] Article 15. 15. A fall protection system as described in any one of clauses 9 to 14, wherein the one or more sensors are operably coupled to the occupant basket.
[0055]
[0079] Article 16. 16. A fall protection system as described in any one of clauses 9 to 15, wherein the controller is configured to identify one or more loads placed in the occupant basket based at least in part on the data received from the one or more sensors, and the controller is configured to distinguish the one or more loads from the number of operators placed in the occupant basket.
[0056]
[0080] Article 17.
[0081] using one or more processors to compare a number of occupants disposed in a passenger basket of the lift system with a number of safety keys operably coupled to corresponding safety anchors of the passenger basket;
[0082] and inhibiting movement of one or more of the occupant baskets in response to determining that the number of occupants is different from the number of the safety keys operably coupled to the corresponding safety anchors.
[0057]
[0083] Article 18. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the one or more movements of the passenger basket include one or more of: vertically moving the passenger basket between a plurality of different heights, moving the passenger basket laterally, or changing the state of a locking system of a gate of the passenger basket to an unlocked state.
[0058]
[0084] Article 19. 19. The method of claim 17 or 18, further comprising communicating an alert in response to determining that the number of occupants disposed in the occupant basket is different from the number of safety keys operably coupled to at least one of the safety anchors.
[0059]
[0085] Article 20.
[0086] determining a location of each of the safety anchors operatively coupled to at least one of the safety keys; and
[0087] 20. The method of any one of clauses 17 to 19, further comprising controlling the one or more movements of the passenger basket in response to determining the position of each of the safety anchors.
[0060]
[0088] As described herein, several embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for moving a safety rail system between loading and unloading positions to provide safety to an operator standing on the elevated platform, to enable movement of items (e.g., equipment, systems, etc.) above a stationary platform, to enable movement of an elevated platform from one position to another without interfering with a structure (e.g., an aircraft or any other structure), etc.
[0061]
[0089] For purposes of describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, various spatial and directional terms may be used, such as top, bottom, lower, middle, sideways, horizontal, vertical, front, etc., but it should be understood that such terms are used only with reference to the orientations shown in the drawings, and that these orientations may be flipped, rotated, or otherwise changed so that top becomes bottom, bottom becomes top, horizontal becomes vertical, and so on.
[0062]
[0090] As used herein, a structure, limitation, or element that is "configured to" perform a task or operation is structurally shaped, configured, or adapted to specifically correspond to the task or operation. For the sake of clarity and to avoid doubt, an object that can merely be modified to perform a task or operation is not, as used herein, "configured / set to" perform a task or operation.
[0063]
[0091] It should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, not limiting. For example, the above-described examples (and / or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define aspects of the various embodiments of the present disclosure, but the embodiments are by no means limiting, but are illustrative examples. Many other examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the above description. The scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the accompanying claims and the detailed description herein, the words "including" and "in which" are used as the plain English equivalents of the words "comprising" and "wherein," respectively. Moreover, terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Moreover, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function form, and are not intended to be construed under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless such claim limitations expressly use the phrase "means for" followed by a statement of function lacking further structure.
[0064]
[0092] The description herein uses examples to disclose various embodiments of the disclosure, including the best mode, and to enable any person skilled in the art to practice various embodiments of the disclosure, including making and using any device or system, and practicing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the various examples of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if the examples have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if the examples include equivalent structural elements that differ only insignificantly from the literal language of the claims.
Claims
1. determining a number of operators (702, 704) positioned within a passenger basket (106) of a lift system (100) based on data received from one or more sensors (224), the passenger basket (106) comprising a plurality of safety anchors (214A-F), each of the plurality of safety anchors (214A-F) configured to receive a safety key (240); determining the number of operators (702, 704); determining a number of security keys (240) operably coupled to said plurality of security anchors (214A-F); comparing the number of operators (702, 704) located within the occupant basket (106) to the number of safety keys (240) operably coupled to the plurality of safety anchors (214A-F); and and inhibiting one or more movements of the passenger basket (106) in response to determining that a number of the operators (702, 704) disposed within the passenger basket (106) is different than a number of the safety keys (240) operably coupled to the plurality of safety anchors (214A-F).
2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of safety anchors (214A-F) includes one or more inner safety anchors (214A-D) disposed on an inner portion (206) of the occupant basket (106) and one or more outer safety anchors (214E-F) disposed on an outer portion of the occupant basket (106).
3. determining a location of each of the plurality of safety anchors (214A-F) operably coupled to at least one of the safety keys (240); and 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: controlling the one or more movements of the passenger basket (106) in response to determining the location of each of the plurality of safety anchors (214A-F) operably coupled to at least one of the safety keys (240).
4. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more movements of the passenger basket (106) include one or more of: moving the passenger basket (106) vertically (108) between a plurality of different heights, moving the passenger basket (106) laterally (110), or changing a state of a locking system of a gate (210) of the passenger basket (106) to an unlocked state.
5. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: communicating an alert in response to determining that a number of the operators (702, 704) disposed within the passenger basket (106) is different than a number of the safety keys (240) operably coupled to the plurality of safety anchors (214A-F).
6. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: permitting the one or more movements of the passenger basket in response to determining that a number of the operators (702, 704) disposed within the passenger basket (106) is the same as a number of the safety keys (240) operably coupled to the plurality of safety anchors (214A-F) of the passenger basket (106).
7. determining that a number of said security keys (240) operably coupled to said plurality of security anchors (214A-F) has changed; determining that a number of the operators (702, 704) disposed within the passenger basket (106) is different than a number of the safety keys (240) operably coupled to the plurality of safety anchors (214A-F) of the passenger basket (106); and 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: inhibiting the one or more movements of the passenger basket in response to determining that a number of the operators disposed in the passenger basket is different than a number of the safety keys operably coupled to the plurality of safety anchors.
8. identifying one or more loads (802) disposed within the occupant basket (106) based at least in part on the data received from the one or more sensors (224); and The method of claim 1, further comprising distinguishing the one or more loads (802) from a number of the operators (702, 704) positioned within the passenger basket (106).
9. safety anchors (214A-F) operably coupled to a passenger basket (106) of a lift system, each of said safety anchors (214A-F) configured to receive a safety key (240) and configured to allow one or more operators (702, 704) to be positioned within said passenger basket (106); and 1. A fall protection system (100) comprising: a controller (222) including one or more processors configured to receive data from one or more sensors (224), the controller configured to determine a number of operators (702, 704) disposed within the occupant basket (106) based on the data received from the one or more sensors (224), the controller comprising: the controller (222) is configured to compare a number of the operators (702, 704) disposed within the passenger basket (106) with a number of safety keys (240) operably coupled to the safety anchors (214A-F); the controller (222) is configured to inhibit one or more movements of the passenger basket (106) in response to determining that a number of the operators (702, 704) positioned within the passenger basket (106) is different from a number of the safety keys (240) operably coupled to the safety anchors (214A-F).
10. 10. The fall protection system of claim 9, wherein the passenger basket (106) is configured to be controlled to move between a plurality of different heights to move the one or more operators (702, 704) between the plurality of different heights.
11. 10. The fall protection system of claim 9, wherein in response to determining that a number of the operators (702, 704) disposed within the occupant basket (106) is different than a number of the safety keys (240) operably coupled to the safety anchors (214A-F), the controller (222) is configured to control a communication device (228) to communicate an alert.
12. 10. The fall protection system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to permit the one or more movements of the passenger basket in response to determining that a number of the operators disposed within the passenger basket is the same as a number of the safety keys operably coupled to the safety anchors.
13. 10. The fall protection system of claim 9, wherein the one or more movements of the passenger basket (106) include one or more of: moving the passenger basket (106) vertically (108) between a plurality of different heights, moving the passenger basket (106) laterally (110), or changing a state of a locking system of a gate (210) of the passenger basket (106) to an unlocked state.
14. 10. The fall protection system of claim 9, wherein the one or more sensors (224) include one or more of a position sensor, a camera, a pressure sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a crash sensor, or an infrared sensor.
15. 10. The fall protection system of claim 9, wherein the one or more sensors (224) are operatively coupled to the occupant basket (106).
16. 10. The fall protection system of claim 9, wherein the controller (222) is configured to identify one or more loads (802) disposed within the passenger basket (106) based at least in part on the data received from the one or more sensors (224), and the controller (222) is configured to distinguish the one or more loads (802) from a number of the operators (702, 704) disposed within the passenger basket (106).
17. comparing, with one or more processors (222), a number of occupants (702, 704) disposed within a passenger basket (106) of the lift system (100) with a number of safety keys (240) operably coupled to corresponding safety anchors (214A-F) of said passenger basket (106); and inhibiting movement of one or more of the passenger baskets (106) in response to determining that a number of the passengers (702, 704) is different than a number of the safety keys (240) operably coupled to at least one of the safety anchors (214A-F).
18. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the one or more movements of the passenger basket (106) include one or more of: moving the passenger basket (106) vertically (108) between a plurality of different heights, moving the passenger basket (106) laterally (110), or changing a state of a locking system of a gate (210) of the passenger basket (106) to an unlocked state.
19. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising communicating an alert in response to determining that a number of the occupants (702, 704) disposed within the occupant basket (106) is different than a number of the safety keys (240) operably coupled with the corresponding safety anchors (214A-F).
20. determining a location of each of said safety anchors (214A-F) operably coupled to at least one of said safety keys (240); and 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising controlling the one or more movements of the passenger basket (106) in response to determining the location of each of the safety anchors (214A-F).