Energy absorber and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

To provide a compact energy absorber.SOLUTION: An energy absorber includes two base materials 2 connected by a fracture link 3 and a resistance link 4, and has a wound textile element 1. A container 5 receives the textile element 1. The container 5 includes a first opening 5a for a first end part 1a of the textile element and a second opening 5b for a second end part 1b. The resistance link 4 connects at least parts of the two textile elements 2, and maintains the connection according to first stress applied between the first end part 1a and the second end part 1b. The fracture link 3 fractures in response to the first stress applied between the first end part 1a and the second end part 1b of the textile element 1, and absorbs energy. The container 5 cannot be opened or closed, and defines an access hole 5c that is open facing the center of the textile element 1 in a wound state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an energy absorber and a method for making such an energy absorber. [Background technology]

[0002] In the field of work at height and acrobatic recreational activities, it is known to connect a user to an anchor point by an energy absorber, such that in the event of a fall at least a part of the energy of the fall is absorbed by the energy absorber, reducing stress on the anchor and / or reducing stress on the harness supporting the user.

[0003] In the field of via ferrata (rock climbing), it is known to use lanyards. One end of the lanyard is formed by a loop designed to attach to the user's harness and the other end receives two carabiners designed to connect to a lifeline. The energy absorber is formed of two webbing strands sewn together, each connecting to a first end and a second end. In the event of a fall, the two ends move in different directions and the sewn seam is subjected to stresses representative of a fall.

[0004] The seams consist of breaking points so that, upon a fall, the different seams joining the two straps break in succession. With each seam break, a portion of the energy is absorbed.

[0005] It is therefore advantageous to make the seam distance as long as possible so that the seam breaks in a zigzag fashion. Zigzag seams reduce the stress felt by the user to a threshold level. However, using long seams means dealing with a bulky absorbent body.

[0006] Edelrid sells a via ferrata strap with an energy absorbing lanyard formed of two webbing straps sewn together. The lanyard is spirally wound on itself before being placed on a container having a hinged cover. Once the lanyard is placed on the container, the cover closes the container to maintain the lanyard in its wound state. The container defines a first opening designed to allow a first end of the energy absorbing lanyard to exit and a second opening designed to allow a second end of the energy absorbing lanyard to exit.

[0007] This arrangement is obviously not advantageous since the container presents a large volume in which the energy absorbing lanyard can be placed, which can be cumbersome for the user.

[0008] It is also known from document EP 2 409 733 to form an energy absorber in which a strap is wound around a drum, which automatically winds up the strap by means of a spring. The strap passes through a narrow opening in a main shaft which is biased by a spring so as to wind up the strap in the absence of external stress. The energy absorber has a first end formed by the strap and designed to be attached to the user, and a second end designed to be attached to a safety device for a via ferrata. Summary of the Invention

[0009] One object of the present invention is to provide an energy absorber that is more compact than prior art designs.

[0010] This result is a rolled textile element comprising at least two substrates connected to each other by breakable links and resistance links; a container for receiving the textile element in a rolled up state, the container defining (forming) a first opening for a first end of the textile element and a second opening for a second end of the textile element; This is easily achieved by an energy absorber having:

[0011] At least one of the resistance links connects portions of at least two of the textile elements and is configured to maintain the connection in response to a first stress applied between the first end and the second end.

[0012] The break link is designed to break and absorb energy in response to a first stress applied between the first end and the second end of the textile element.

[0013] Said energy absorber is advantageous in that the container cannot be opened or closed and defines (forms) at least one through access hole opening towards the centre of the textile element in the rolled state.

[0014] Advantageously, said textile element has a loop arranged facing at least one said through access hole.

[0015] In a particular configuration, the energy absorber comprises a rotating shaft fixed to the textile element, the rotating shaft terminating in a recess facing the at least one through access hole.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a via ferrata lanyard which is more compact than prior art designs.

[0017] This result is likely to be achieved with a via ferrata lanyard, in which one of the first end of the textile element and the second end of the textile element is designed to be attached to a rope harness, and one or more carabiners are attached to the other of the first end of the textile element and the second end of the textile element.

[0018] A further object of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an energy absorber which allows a more compact configuration to be formed whilst remaining easy to implement.

[0019] This result is - providing a textile element comprising at least two substrates connected to each other by breakable links and resistive links, and a container, said container defining (forming) a first opening, a second opening and a through access hole; - inserting a central portion of said textile element into said container through said first opening until it faces at least one said through access hole; - connecting a winding shaft passing through said through access hole to said central part of said textile element; - winding said textile element inside said container by said winding shaft; - inserting said second end into said second opening while said first end is in said first opening; This is easily achieved by a manufacturing method for an energy absorber comprising the steps of:

[0020] Advantageously, the step of inserting the second end into the second opening while the first end is in the first opening is performed before the textile element is wound up inside the container by the winding shaft.

[0021] Other advantages and features will become more clearly apparent from the following description of particular embodiments and implementations of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example only and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a first step in manufacturing an energy absorber. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a second step in manufacturing the energy absorber. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a second step in manufacturing the energy absorber. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a third step in manufacturing the energy absorber. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a fourth step in manufacturing the energy absorber. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a fourth step in manufacturing the energy absorber. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a second step of manufacturing an energy absorber according to another embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a third step of manufacturing an energy absorber according to another embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows a schematic perspective view of a fourth step of manufacturing an energy absorber according to another embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of an energy absorber, the textile element of which is provided with a recess designed to work in conjunction with a winding shaft. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows another schematic perspective view of an energy absorber, the textile element of which is provided with a recess designed to work in conjunction with a winding shaft. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows a schematic cross-section of an energy absorber, the textile element of which is provided with a recess designed to interface with a winding shaft. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows a schematic perspective view of a lanyard equipped with an energy absorber. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Figures 1 to 13 show energy absorbers for working at height and for acrobatic activities, which are preferentially used for recreational activities such as via ferrata (rock climbing).

[0024] The energy absorber comprises a textile element 1 with at least two substrates 2 joined to each other by a breaking link 3 and at least one resistance link 4, preferably several resistance links 4. The two substrates 2 can be of any nature, for example two webbing straps, two fabrics, one webbing strap and one fabric. The textile element 1 has a first end 1a and a second end 1b different from the first end 1a. The position of the first end 1a relative to the second end 1b is irrelevant. One of the first end 1a and the second end 1b is designed to be attached to the user, whereas the other of the first end 1a and the second end 1b is designed to be attached to an anchor point, for example by a carabiner.

[0025] The two substrates 2 are mechanically fixed to each other by a first set of breakable links 3 and by a second set of resistance links 4. The breakable links 3 are links designed to break and absorb energy in response to a first stress applied between the first end 1a and the second end 1b. During a fall, the first end 1a and the second end 1b try to move relative to each other. They stress at least a part of the breakable link 3. When the first stress value is reached, the breakable link 3 deforms and breaks. It is advantageous for the breakable link 3 to plastically deform before it breaks. The deformation of the breakable link 3 allows it to dissipate the energy of the fall. The stress value above which the breakable link 3 breaks defines the stress value felt by the user during a fall.

[0026] In contrast, the resistance link 4 is configured to withstand the first stress, preferably a stress much higher than the first stress, and allows the mechanical connection between the two substrates 2 to be maintained. The resistance link 4 is arranged to receive the stress after the breaking link 3 breaks.

[0027] These realizations of the break links 3 and resistance links 4 are known as such. The break links 3 can be seams or binding threads resulting from the weaving operation. The resistance links 4 can be seams, binding threads, or other wires, or rivets, welds, glue, or any other means of implementing a mechanical connection between two substrates 2.

[0028] In one embodiment, the two substrates 2 can be two layers woven simultaneously and connected by a binding thread forming a break link. For example, the resistance link 4 is formed by a seam on the two layers and / or by a different weaving pattern of the binding thread and / or by modifying the binding thread in its diameter, chemical composition or any other parameter that allows to modify its mechanical behavior. In another embodiment, the two substrates 2 are two parts of a folded weaving element. The two parts are fixed to each other by a break link, preferably by stitching. The resistance link 4 can be formed, for example, by stitching. Alternatively, the thread forming the weaving can be used as a resistance link that performs the mechanical connection between the first and second ends after the break of the break link 3.

[0029] The energy absorber comprises a container 5 which receives the textile element 1 provided with the breaking link 3. For compactness, the textile element 1 is present in the container 5 in a rolled form. In a preferential embodiment, the container 5 is of circular or nearly circular shape and has a volume substantially the same as the volume of the textile element 1. The assembly formed by the textile element 1 and the container 5 is more compact than prior art configurations for the same volume of textile element 1, so that without or only with little modification of the textile element 1 it is possible to have a more compact overall configuration for the same energy absorption value.

[0030] The container 5 is a non-openable container, i.e. an already rolled textile element 1 cannot be inserted into the container 5. The container 5 forms a first opening 5a and a second opening 5b that allow access to the interior of the container 5. The first opening 5a forms a first outlet for the first end 1a of the textile element 1 and the second opening 5b forms a second outlet for the second end 1b of the textile element 1. The first end 1a may be the end designed to connect to a user or to an anchor point. The first opening 5a and the second opening 5b do not present a cross-section that allows the rolled textile element 1 to be inserted.

[0031] Besides the two openings, the container 5 forms at least one access hole 5c, which opens towards the centre of the rolled textile element 1 placed inside the container 5. The container 5 has an almost circular or circular shape, so that the access hole 5c is located in the centre of the circular or almost circular shape. It is also possible that the shape is not perfectly circular, so as to facilitate the extension of the two ends of the textile element and to allow easier movement. The access hole 5c can be realised in any manner. Figure 1 shows the access hole 5c in the form of one or more cutouts allowing the insertion into the container, or in the form of a wider hole.

[0032] A method for manufacturing an energy absorber may comprise the following steps.

[0033] As shown in Figure 1, in a first step, a textile element 1 is provided and a container 5 is provided. The textile element 1 comprises at least two substrates 2 connected to each other by breakable links 3 and resistance links 4. The container 5 defines an access hole 5c opening into the interior of the container 5, a second opening 5b and a first opening 5a.

[0034] The central portion 1c of the textile element 1 is then inserted into the container 5 through the first opening 5a, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, with the central portion 1c facing the access hole 5c. In one embodiment, the central portion 1c is inserted directly through the first opening 5a, facing the access hole 5c. In another embodiment, shown in Figures 7 and 12, the central portion 1c is inserted through one or the other opening. The first end 1a of the textile element 1 extends from the container 5 through the first opening 5a, and the second end 1b extends from the container through the second opening 5b. The reverse configuration is also possible. The central portion 1c is the portion that is located between the first end and the second end 1b when the seam forming the break link 3 breaks. The central portion 1c is preferably equidistant from the first end 1a and the second end 1b.

[0035] A winding shaft 6 is then connected to the central part 1c. The winding shaft 6 passes through the access hole 5c. The textile element 1 is wound by the winding shaft 6 inside the container 5. The winding shaft 6 defines an axis of rotation passing through the wall of the container 5. The winding shaft 6 rotates about itself inside the access hole 5c, so that the textile element 1 is wound around the axis of rotation defined by the winding shaft 6.

[0036] As the winding shaft 6 rotates, the textile element 1 is gradually wound up in a spiral until the entire textile element 1, except for the first end 1a and the second end 1b, is placed in a wound configuration inside the container 5. Since the textile element 1 is wound inside the container 5, a more compact winding can be achieved by adjusting the winding parameters, in particular the tension of the textile element 1 during winding. The compactness of the winding is maintained since the textile element 1 is not moved in a wound configuration and inserted into the container 1.

[0037] If, upon completion of the winding operation, the two ends of the textile element 1 pass through the same opening, for example the first opening 5a, it is advantageous to move one of the ends so that it passes through the container 5 via an opening dedicated to it, for example the second opening 5b.

[0038] In a preferential embodiment, the container 5 is a flexible container. Since the container is designed to come into contact with the user, it is preferred that it is flexible to limit the risk of injury. Advantageously, the container 5 is made of a textile material, for example a flexible polymer material.

[0039] It is particularly advantageous for the textile element 1 to have the shape of a strap, i.e. to have a length greater than its width, which is greater than its thickness. For example, the textile element has a rectangular cross section. More preferentially, the width of the container is less than twice the width of the textile element. Even more preferentially, the ratio of the width of the container to the width of the textile element is less than 1.5 or less than 1.2. Such an embodiment is shown in figures 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9.

[0040] Advantageously, the dimension of the access hole 5c is smaller than the width of the textile element 1. The width of the textile element 1 is preferentially the dimension parallel to the axis of rotation of the rolled textile element 1.

[0041] To facilitate gripping of the central part 1c by the winding shaft 6, the central part 1c of the textile element 1 can be provided with a loop that is closed by the resistance link 4 or the breaking link 3. The winding shaft 6 preferentially has a groove. A part of the loop fits into the groove, thereby ensuring that the winding shaft 6 is properly placed with the central part 1c. In an alternative embodiment shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the central part 1c of the textile element 1 comprises a rotating shaft provided with a recess 7, which is designed to interlock with a complementary recess in the winding shaft 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the recess 7 has a triangular shape, but other shapes are also possible. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 10, the recess 7 is not removable from the textile element 1. The recess 7 is fixed to the textile element 1 before the resistance link and / or the breaking link are formed. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 11, the recess 7 is not removable with respect to the textile element 1 before the textile element 1 is placed in the container 5.

[0042] Preferentially, the shape of the recess 7 is selected to allow only winding in one direction, thereby preventing incorrect assembly of the textile element 1 in the container 5. Such a precaution is advantageous if the first opening 5a and the second opening 5b are not identical and the first end 1a and the second end 1b have different characteristics, for a better interaction with the user and the anchor points.

[0043] Depending on the configuration, the container 5 may be provided with a single access hole 5c or with two access holes arranged on either side of the container 5 so as to define a through access hole. The use of a through access hole may be advantageous for the winding shaft 6 to pass through the container 5, thereby allowing for a better winding of the textile element 1. The winding shaft 6 passes through the container 5 along the winding axis of the textile element 1, which is the axis of rotation around which the wound textile element 1 rotates in case of a fall.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 12, the two ends of the textile element 1 are arranged to extend through certain openings before winding is performed or before winding around the rotating shaft is completed.

[0045] Such an energy absorber is particularly advantageous in a via ferrata lanyard as shown in figure 13. One of the first end 1a of the textile element 1 and the second end 1b of the textile element 1 is designed to be fixed to a rope harness. One or more carabiners are attached to the other of the first end 1a of the textile element 1 and the second end 1b of the textile element 1.

[0046] Upon dropping, the breaking link 3 breaks, increasing the length of the textile element 1 extending from the container 5, so that at least partial breaking of the breaking link 3 can be detected.

Claims

1. - a rolled textile element (1) comprising at least two substrates (2) connected to each other by a breaking link (3) and at least one resistance link (4); a container (5) for receiving said textile element (1) in a rolled up state, said container (5) defining a first opening (5a) for a first end (1a) of said textile element (1) and a second opening (5b) for a second end (1b) of said textile element (1); Equipped with the at least one resistive link (4) is configured to connect portions of the at least two substrates (2) and to maintain said connection in response to a first stress applied between the first end (1 a) and the second end (1 b); the breaking link (3) is designed to break and absorb energy in response to a first stress applied between the first end (1 a) and the second end (1 b) of the textile element (1); In the energy absorber, The container (5) is unopenable and unclosable; said container (5) defines at least one access hole (5c) facing the center of said textile element (1) arranged in a rolled state within said container (5); An energy absorber characterized by:

2. said textile element (1) having loops arranged facing said at least one access hole (5c); 2. The energy absorber of claim 1.

3. The energy absorber comprises a rotating shaft fixed to the textile element (1), said rotating shaft terminates in a recess (7) facing said at least one access hole (5c); 2. The energy absorber of claim 1.

4. A via ferrata lanyard comprising the energy absorber according to claim 1, one of the first end (1a) of the textile element (1) and the second end (1b) of the textile element (1) is designed to be attached to a rope harness, one or more carabiners are attached to the other of the first end (1a) of the textile element (1) and the second end (1b) of the textile element (1); Lanyards for via ferrata.

5. - providing a textile element (1) comprising at least two substrates (2) connected to each other by breakable links (3) and resistance links (4), and a container (5), said container (5) defining at least one access hole (5c) opening into the interior of said container (5), a second opening (5b) and a first opening (5a); - inserting a central portion (1c) of said textile element (1) into said container (5) through said first opening (5a) until said central portion faces said at least one access hole (5c); - connecting a winding shaft (6) to said central part (1c) of said textile element (1), said winding shaft (6) passing through at least one of said access holes (5c); - winding said textile element (1) inside said container (5) by said winding shaft (6); - inserting said second end (1b) into said second opening (5b) while said first end (1a) is in said first opening (5a); A method for manufacturing an energy absorber comprising the steps of:

6. said step of inserting said second end (1b) into said second opening (5b) while said first end (1a) is in said first opening (5a) is performed before said textile element (1) is wound up inside said container (5) by said winding shaft (6), A method for producing the energy absorber according to claim 5.

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