Safety device

Abstract

To provide a safety device allowing a high-place worker to work in a safe state and enabling an extreme reduction in the occurrence frequency of alarms.SOLUTION: Provided is a safety device 1 comprising: a safety belt installation part 7 for installing to a safety belt 3; a rope body installation part 9 to which a rope body 17 is installed; a rope body detection part 11 that detects that the rope body 17 is installed to the rope body installation part 9; a signal reception part 13 that receives a signal delivered by a wearer detector 19 that detects that a wearer 5 wearing the safety belt 3 installed to the safety belt installation part 7 is in a prescribed area 21; and an alarm generation part 15 that raises an alarm when the rope body detection part 11 does not detect that the rope body 17 is installed although the signal reception part 13 receives the signal detecting the wearer 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a safety device, and more particularly to a safety device having a hook or the like and being attached to a safety belt for use. [Background technology]

[0002] When working at height, such as when riding on a picking forklift, it is important to prevent the worker from forgetting to fasten the safety belt he or she is wearing to the hook.

[0003] Therefore, a fall prevention device has been known that includes a safety bar to which the safety belt is connected, an optical sensor to detect whether the safety belt is connected to the safety bar, and a red warning light to warn that the safety belt is not connected to the safety bar (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] This reminds the worker to fasten the safety belt, allowing the worker to work in a safe state with the safety belt fastened. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-18212 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Incidentally, in conventional fall prevention devices, when the key switch of a picking forklift is turned on and the picking forklift is ready to operate, if the safety belt is not fastened to the safety belt, an alarm is sounded.

[0007] However, this increases the frequency of alarms, which may be irritating to the operator of the picking forklift and workers nearby the picking forklift. Furthermore, if the alarm is issued frequently, the operator of the picking forklift may become accustomed to the alarm and may become distracted.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a safety device that allows workers working at height, such as operators of picking forklifts, to work in a safe environment, and also aims to provide a safety device that can minimize the frequency of alarms. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A safety device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a safety device having a safety belt installation section for installation on a safety belt, a rope-like body installation section on which a rope-like body is installed, a rope-like body detection section for detecting that a rope-like body is installed on the rope-like body installation section, a signal receiving section for receiving a signal emitted by a wearer detection device that detects that a wearer wearing a safety belt installed on the safety belt installation section is entering a specified area, and an alarm generating section for generating an alarm when the signal receiving section receives a signal detecting the wearer but the rope-like body detection section does not detect that a rope-like body is installed.

[0010] In a safety device according to this aspect of the present invention, the alarm generating unit is configured to stop generating the alarm when the cord-like body detection unit detects a cord-like body while the alarm generating unit is generating the alarm.

[0011] A safety device according to one aspect of the present invention is a safety device comprising a base body made of a metal material or a material having a strength equivalent to that of a metal material, the safety belt installation portion being provided on one side of the base body, and the rope-shaped body installation portion being provided on the other side of the base body.

[0012] In the safety device according to this aspect of the present invention, the rope-like body is a hook attached to a rope of a safety block installed on a picking forklift.

[0013] In the safety device according to this aspect of the present invention, the wearer detection device is a device that detects whether the wearer is riding on the picking forklift. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a safety device that allows a worker working at height to work in a safe condition, and it is also possible to provide a safety device that can minimize the frequency of alarms. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating examples of usage of safety devices according to a first embodiment and a second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a safety device according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a base body is removed from a safety device according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a safety device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a base body of a safety device according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a base body is removed from a safety device according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a safety device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a cover portion and the like of a housing of a safety device according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover portion and the like are removed from a housing of a safety device according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a safety device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. [Figure 9] IX arrow view in FIG. 2. [Figure 10] 3 is a view taken along the X arrow in FIG. 2. [Figure 11] XI arrow view in FIG. 2. [Figure 12] FIG. 3 is a view taken along the arrow XII in FIG. [Figure 13] 1 is a diagram showing a usage mode of a safety device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 14] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a safety device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a usage state of a safety device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a safety device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a usage mode of a safety device according to a modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] [First embodiment] A safety device (device for preventing forgetting to fasten a rope-like body) 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is used to prevent a wearer 5 wearing a safety belt 3 from falling from a high place, etc., as shown in Fig. 1. The safety device 1 is configured with a safety belt installation section 7, a rope-like body installation section (hook installation section) 9, a rope-like body detection section (hook detection section) 11, a signal receiving section 13, and an alarm generation section (alert section) 15, as shown in Figs. 1, 7, 8, 14, etc.

[0017] For ease of explanation, a specific direction in the safety device is defined as the vertical direction, a specific direction perpendicular to the vertical direction is defined as the width direction, and a direction perpendicular to the vertical and width directions is defined as the thickness direction. When the safety device 1 is in use, the vertical direction is approximately the up-down direction, and the width and thickness directions are approximately the horizontal direction. In Figs. 2 to 12, the vertical direction is indicated as the up-down direction.

[0018] For example, the safety device 1 has a vertical dimension greater than the width dimension, and the width dimension is slightly greater than the thickness dimension, approximately equal to the thickness dimension, or slightly smaller than the thickness dimension. The safety device 1 is formed approximately symmetrically with respect to a neutral plane. The neutral plane is a plane that includes the center of the safety device 1 and is perpendicular to the width direction.

[0019] The safety belt installation part 7 is a part for installation on the safety belt 3. That is, the safety belt 3 is installed on the safety belt installation part 7. The rope-like body installation part 9 is configured to install a rope-like body 17. The rope-like body detection part 11 is configured to detect that the rope-like body 17 is installed on the rope-like body installation part 9.

[0020] The signal receiving unit 13 is adapted to receive a signal (for example, a wirelessly transmitted signal) emitted by a wearer detection device 19 (see FIG. 13). The wearer detection device 19 is adapted to detect whether or not a person (wearer 5) wearing the safety belt 3 is within a predetermined area 21.

[0021] Furthermore, the wearer detection device 19 is configured to emit a signal indicating the detection when it detects that the wearer 5 is within the predetermined area 21. The wearer 5 is a person wearing the safety belt 3 to which the safety device 1 is installed using the safety belt installation part 7. Note that the wearer detection device 19 is configured not to emit any signal when the wearer 5 of the safety belt 3 to which the safety device 1 is installed is not within the predetermined area 21.

[0022] The alarm generating unit 15 is configured to generate an alarm when the signal receiving unit 13 receives a signal detecting the wearer 5 but the rope-like body detecting unit 11 does not detect that the rope-like body 17 is installed.

[0023] The safety device 1 is integrally formed with a safety belt installation section 7, a rope-like body installation section 9, a rope-like body detection section 11, a signal receiving section 13, and an alarm generating section 15. The safety device 1 is directly or indirectly installed on a safety belt 3 worn by a wearer 5 and used. The wearer detection device 19 is configured separately from the safety device 1, and is installed and used at a location other than the safety device 1 as shown in FIG. 13. The alarm generating section 15 may be separate from the safety belt installation section 7, the rope-like body installation section 9, the rope-like body detection section 11, and the signal receiving section 13. In this case, the alarm generating section 15 is configured to generate an alarm when it receives a predetermined wireless signal from the safety device 1 excluding the alarm generating section 15.

[0024] The wearer detection device 19 is configured to include at least one of a foot mat sensor, an infrared area sensor, and an ultrasonic area sensor, for example.

[0025] The alarm generating unit 15 is configured to stop generating the alarm when the cord-like body detecting unit 11 detects the cord-like body 17 while the alarm is being generated. More specifically, the alarm generating unit 15 is configured to stop generating the alarm when the cord-like body detecting unit 11 detects the cord-like body 17 while the alarm is being generated, or when the signal receiving unit 13 no longer receives a signal detecting the wearer 5.

[0026] The wearer detection device 19 may be configured to emit a signal indicating that the wearer 5 has not been detected when the wearer 5 of the safety belt 3 on which the safety device 1 is installed is not detected within the predetermined area 21. In this embodiment, the alarm generation unit 15 is configured to stop generating the alarm when the cord-like body detection unit 11 detects the cord-like body 17 or the signal receiving unit 13 receives a signal indicating that the wearer 5 has not been detected while the alarm is being generated.

[0027] Here, a state in which the signal receiving unit 13 receives a signal detecting the wearer 5 and the cord-like body detection unit 11 detects that the cord-like body 17 is placed is referred to as a receiving / detecting state. In this receiving / detecting state, the alarm generating unit 15 may be configured not to generate an alarm until a certain time has elapsed since the cord-like body detection unit 11 stopped detecting the cord-like body 17.

[0028] As a result, when the wearer 5 wearing the safety belt 3 on which the safety device 1 is installed removes the rope 17 from the rope installation section 9 after the work is completed, even if the wearer 5 of the safety belt 3 is within the specified area 21, no alarm is generated until a certain time has passed. This makes it possible to prevent the generation of an alarm that is annoying. Note that the alarm generating section 15 may be configured to generate an alarm again if the signal receiving section 13 receives a signal detecting the wearer 5 when the certain time has passed.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 14, etc., the rope-like body 17 is configured to include, for example, a string-like rope-like body main body (rope) 23 and a hook 25. As the rope-like body 17, the hook 25 provided on the rope (for example, a wire rope) 23 of a safety block (retractor-type fall prevention device) 33 installed on the roof 31 of the lifting body 29 of a picking forklift 27 can be raised.

[0030] The safety block 33 is used to prevent a worker (a person wearing the safety belt 3) 5 from falling from a high place. The safety block 33 is configured with a housing (keeper body) 35 and the wire rope 23 extending from the housing 35. A hook 25 is provided at the tip of the wire rope 23.

[0031] In the safety block 33, a small biasing force is applied to the wire rope 23 to shorten the extension length of the wire rope 23 from the housing 35. When the hook 25 is slowly pulled with a certain amount of force, the wire rope 23 can be pulled out from the housing 35. When the pulling force is removed, the extension length of the wire rope 23 from the housing 35 shortens, for example to a minimum value.

[0032] When the hook 25 is pulled quickly (for example, when it is pulled as fast as a person 5 wearing the safety belt 3 would fall), a brake (not shown) is activated and the extension of the wire rope 23 from the housing 35 is stopped. The housing 35 of the safety block 33 is installed on the roof 31 of the lifting body 29 of the picking forklift 27.

[0033] When the wearer 5 is wearing the safety belt 3, the safety belt 3 is attached to the safety belt attachment part 7, and the hook 25 is attached to the rope-like body attachment part 9, for example, the wearer 5 accidentally steps off. In this case, a tensile force is applied to the rope-like body 17 and the safety device 1. This prevents the wearer 5 of the safety belt 3 from falling.

[0034] The wearer detection device 19 detects whether or not the wearer 5 is riding on the riding portion 37 of the lifting body 29 of the picking forklift 27.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 8 to Fig. 12, etc., the safety device 1 is configured to include a base body 39. The base body 39 is configured from a metal material or a material having a strength (e.g., breaking strength) equivalent to that of a metal material. Examples of the metal material include metal materials such as steel and stainless steel. In an embodiment in which the base body 39 is configured from steel, the surface of the steel is plated or the like to prevent rust. Examples of materials having a strength equivalent to that of a metal material include carbon fiber, FRP, etc.

[0036] A safety belt installation section 7 is provided on one vertical side (e.g., the lower side) of the base body 39, and a rope-like body installation section 9 is provided on the other vertical side (e.g., the upper side) of the base body 39. In addition, a rope-like body detection section 11, a signal receiving section 13, and an alarm generating section 15 are integrally provided on the base body 39.

[0037] The safety device 1 may be provided integrally with the safety belt 3 and configured not to be easily separated from the safety belt 3. The safety device 1 may also be provided with a safety belt detection unit (not shown) that detects that the safety belt 3 is installed at the safety belt installation part 7. In this case, the safety belt detection unit is also provided integrally with the base body 39. And, when the safety belt detection unit detects that the safety belt 3 is installed at the safety belt installation part 7, the safety device 1 may be configured to operate, for example.

[0038] The rope-like body detection unit 11 is configured with a non-contact sensor that detects the detection target without contacting the detection target, such as a Hall effect sensor, a magnetic sensor, an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a proximity sensor, a photoelectric sensor, a rotary encoder, an accelerometer, etc. The rope-like body detection unit 11 may also be configured with a contact sensor that has a movable part and detects the detection target by contacting the detection target, such as a microswitch or a limit switch.

[0039] 4 and other drawings, the base body 39 is formed, for example, in a rectangular flat plate shape. The vertical dimension of the base body 39 is larger than the width dimension, and the width dimension is larger than the thickness dimension.

[0040] The base body 39 is provided with a first through hole 41 penetrating the base body 39 in the thickness direction of the base body 39, and a second through hole 43 penetrating the base body 39 in the thickness direction of the base body 39 away from the first through hole 41. The rope-shaped body installation part 9 is constituted by the first through hole 41, and the safety belt installation part 7 is constituted by the second through hole 43.

[0041] As shown in Figures 2, 3, 5, etc., the safety device 1 is configured with a housing 45 that houses the rope-like body detection unit 11, the signal receiving unit 13, and the alarm generating unit 15, and the housing 45 is made of, for example, synthetic resin. More precisely, the rope-like body installation unit 9 is configured with a portion 47 opposite the second through hole 43, which is located on the opposite side of the first through hole 41 from the second through hole 43 (see Figure 4, etc.).

[0042] As shown in Figure 2 etc., the housing 45 is integrally formed on the base body 39 so as to penetrate and fit into the second through hole side portion 49 located on the second through hole 43 side of the first through hole 41.

[0043] As already understood, the safety device 1 is configured to include a base body 39, a safety belt installation section 7, a rope-like body installation section 9, a rope-like body detection section 11, a signal receiving section 13, an alarm generating section 15, and a housing 45. The base body 39, the safety belt installation section 7, the rope-like body installation section 9, the rope-like body detection section 11, the signal receiving section 13, the alarm generating section 15, and the housing 45 are integrated with one another. Note that the alarm generating section 15 may be separate from the base body 39 and the housing 45.

[0044] The housing 45 is configured to include a housing main body 53 (see FIG. 7, etc.) formed in a square shape with an opening 51, and a lid 55 (see FIG. 6, etc.) that is installed integrally with the housing main body 53 so as to close the opening 51 of the housing main body 53. The lid 55 is configured as a separate body from the housing main body 53.

[0045] 8 and 10, a portion on one side in the vertical direction of the housing 45 (for example, a lower portion of the housing 45) is configured to sandwich the base body 39 between the housing main body 53 and the lid portion 55. Also, a portion on the other side in the vertical direction of the housing 45 (for example, an upper portion of the housing 45) is fixed to the base body 39 by a fixing member (not shown) such as a bolt. In this way, the housing 45 is integrally installed on the base body 39.

[0046] As can be seen from FIG. 4 etc., the second through hole side portion 49 of the first through hole 41 of the base body 39 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed in the thickness direction. The second through hole side portion 49 is located at the center of the base body 39 in the width direction and the vertical direction. The anti-second through hole side portion 47 of the first through hole 41 of the base body 39 is formed in a rectangular portion 57 and a semicircular portion 59 when viewed in the thickness direction. The value of the width direction dimension of the rectangular portion 57 and the value of the width direction dimension (diameter) of the semicircular portion 59 are equal to each other. The value of the width dimension of the anti-second through hole side portion 47 is smaller than the value of the dimension of the second through hole side portion 49.

[0047] The anti-second through hole side portion 47 is located at the center of the base body 39 in the width direction. The anti-second through hole side portion 47 is located on the opposite side to the first through hole 41 in the vertical direction, with the second through hole side portion 49 in between. The anti-second through hole side portion 47 is also connected to the second through hole side portion 49. The rectangular portion 57 of the anti-second through hole side portion 47 is located on the second through hole side portion 49 side, and the semicircular portion 59 of the anti-second through hole side portion 47 is located away from the second through hole side portion 49.

[0048] The second through hole 43 is formed in a semicircular shape when viewed in the thickness direction. The second through hole 43 has a straight line of the semicircle extending in the width direction, and the straight line portion of the semicircle is located on the first through hole 41 side. The second through hole 43 is located in the center of the base body 39 in the width direction. The value of the dimension of the second through hole 43 in the width direction is smaller than the value of the width dimension of the second through hole side portion 49 of the first through hole 41.

[0049] Further, the base body 39 is provided with a pair of through holes (for example, through holes formed with female threads) 61. The pair of through holes 61 are located at the anti-second through hole side portion 47 of the first through hole 41 in the vertical direction, and are provided outside the anti-second through hole side portion 47 of the first through hole 41 in the width direction so as to sandwich the anti-second through hole side portion 47 therebetween.

[0050] As shown in Figs. 3, 5, 11, etc., the housing main body 53 of the housing 45 is configured to include a box-shaped portion 63, a first protruding portion 65, and a pair of second protruding portions 67. The first protruding portion 65 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape. The first protruding portion 65 protrudes from an end face of the box-shaped portion 63 in the vertical direction, and is provided over the entire box-shaped portion 63 in the width direction. The first protruding portion 65 is located in the middle of the box-shaped portion 63 in the thickness direction.

[0051] Each of the pair of second protrusions 67 is formed in a small rectangular flat plate shape. Each of the pair of second protrusions 67 is provided with a through hole 69. The through hole 69 penetrates the second protrusion 67 in the thickness direction of the second protrusion 67. Each of the pair of second protrusions 67 protrudes from an end face of the box-shaped portion 63 in the vertical direction (the end face opposite to the end face from which the first protrusion 65 protrudes). Each of the pair of second protrusions 67 is located at both ends of the box-shaped portion 63 and spaced apart from each other in the width direction. The pair of second protrusions 67 is located at the middle of the box-shaped portion 63 in the thickness direction.

[0052] The vertical dimension of the square-shaped portion 63 is slightly smaller than the vertical dimension of the second through-hole side portion 49 of the first through-hole 41 in the base body 39. In addition, the widthwise dimension of the square-shaped portion 63 is slightly smaller than the widthwise dimension of the second through-hole side portion 49 of the first through-hole 41 in the base body 39.

[0053] 7 and other figures, a through hole (for example, a through hole formed by a female screw) 71 is provided at each of the four corners of the edge (the end face of the rectangular ring-shaped side wall) surrounding the opening of the square-shaped portion 63. Also, a notch 73 is provided on one side (one side extending in the width direction) of the rectangular ring-shaped edge forming the opening of the square-shaped portion 63.

[0054] Furthermore, one of the four rectangular side walls of the box-shaped portion 63 (the side wall facing the side wall in which the notch 73 is provided) is provided with a circular through hole 74. The thickness direction of the one side wall in which the through hole 74 is provided is the vertical direction. The through hole 74 is located in the middle of the side wall in the width direction and thickness direction, and is located at the opposite side to the second through hole side portion 47.

[0055] 6 and other drawings, the lid 55 is configured to include a rectangular, flat lid body 75, a first protrusion 77, a second protrusion 79, and a pair of third protrusions 81. The first protrusion 77, the second protrusion 79, and the pair of third protrusions 81 protrude from one surface of the lid body 75 in the thickness direction.

[0056] The first protrusion 77 is formed in a quadrangular prism shape. In the vertical direction, the first protrusion 77 is provided at one end of the lid main body 75. In the width direction, the first protrusion 77 is provided to extend across the entire lid main body 75.

[0057] The second protrusion 79 is formed in a rectangular prism shape smaller than the first protrusion 77. The second protrusion 79 is located closer to the center of the lid main body 75 than the first protrusion 77 in the vertical direction, and is provided at one end of the lid main body 75. In addition, the second protrusion 79 is attached to the first protrusion 77. The second protrusion 79 is located in the center of the lid main body 75 in the width direction, and extends long in the width direction.

[0058] Each of the pair of third protrusions 81 is formed in a long and narrow rectangular prism shape. The pair of third protrusions 81 is located in the center of the lid main body 75 in the vertical direction and extends long in the vertical direction. Each of the pair of third protrusions 81 is located at both ends of the lid main body 75 in the width direction. Furthermore, a through hole 83 is provided at each of the four corners of the lid main body 75.

[0059] The casing 45 is formed by placing the lid part 55 on the casing main body 53. In the casing 45, the second protrusion 79 of the lid part main body 75 fits into the notch 73 of the square-shaped part 63, and the pair of third protrusions 81 of the lid part main body 75 fits into the square-shaped part 63. Also, in the casing 45, the first protrusion 77 of the lid part main body 75 abuts against the square-shaped part 63 outside the square-shaped part 63. This positions the lid part 55 relative to the casing main body 53.

[0060] In addition, in the housing 45, a bolt (not shown) passes through a through hole 83 of the cover portion 55 and is screwed into the female screw 71 of the housing body portion 53. In this way, the cover portion 55 is fixed to the housing body portion 53.

[0061] 8, 10, etc., when the housing 45 is installed on the base body 39, the base body 39 is sandwiched between the first protrusion 77 of the cover 55 and the first protrusion 65 of the housing body 53. When the housing 45 is installed on the base body 39, the second protrusion 67 of the housing body 53 abuts against the base body 39, and a bolt (not shown) passes through the through hole 69 of the second protrusion 67 and is screwed into the female screw 69 of the housing body 53. This fixes the housing 45 to the base body 39.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 7 and the like, the rope-like body detection unit 11 is configured to include, for example, a proximity sensor 85. As shown in FIG. 6 and the like, the proximity sensor 85 is fixed to the lid portion 55 using a bracket 88. When the lid portion 55 on which the proximity sensor 85 is installed is installed on the housing main body portion 53, the proximity sensor 85 is inside the housing 45, but the object detection surface of the proximity sensor 85 can be seen from the outside of the housing 45 through the through hole 74 of the housing 45. The proximity sensor 85 can detect the rope-like body 17 installed on the rope-like body installation portion 9. That is, the proximity sensor 85 can detect the hook 25 hung on the second through hole side portion 47 of the first through hole 41 of the base body 39. In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, the bracket 88 abuts against the housing main body portion 53, and the lid portion 55 is also positioned relative to the housing main body portion 53.

[0063] The signal receiving unit 13 is configured to include an antenna (not shown) that receives a radio signal emitted by the wearer detection device 19 (emitted from an antenna (not shown) of the wearer detection device 19). The receiving antenna is installed inside the housing 45.

[0064] The alarm generating unit 15 is configured to include a speaker (not shown) that issues an alarm. The speaker is installed inside the housing 45. Note that the alarm generating unit 15 may be configured to include a light-emitting body that issues an alarm by emitting light instead of or in addition to the speaker.

[0065] Also, a circuit board equipped with a CPU and a memory is provided inside the housing 45, and this circuit board constitutes the rope-shaped object detection unit 11, the signal receiving unit 13, and the alarm generating unit 15.

[0066] 1, the lifting body 29 (roof 31, riding section 37) is adapted to move up and down, and the wearer 5 of the safety belt 3 works by standing on the riding section 37 of the lifting body 29. The wearer detection device 19 is configured to include, for example, a foot mat sensor installed on the riding section 37.

[0067] 8 and 14, a battery (power source) 99 for supplying power to the alarm generating unit 15 and the like is provided within the housing 45 of the safety device 1. Note that, in the safety device 1, an external battery 101 may be provided instead of or in addition to the battery 99.

[0068] Next, there will be described the operation of the safety device 1. In an initial state, the wearer 5 wears the safety belt 3, and the wearer detection device 19 is in an operating state.

[0069] In this initial state, the safety device 1 is attached to the safety belt 3, and then the wearer 5 gets on the boarding section 37 of the picking forklift 27. Then, the wearer detection device 19 detects the wearer 5 and issues a signal indicating that the wearer 5 has been detected.

[0070] Then, the signal receiving unit 13 receives the signal emitted by the wearer detection device 19, and the alarm generating unit 15 generates an alarm. Then, when the rope-like body detection unit 11 detects the hook 25, the alarm generating unit 15 stops the alarm.

[0071] The safety device 1 is configured to include a safety belt installation section 7 and a rope-like body installation section 9. In addition, in the safety device 1, when the signal receiving section 13 receives a signal detecting the wearer 5 but the rope-like body detection section 11 does not detect that the rope-like body 17 is installed, the alarm generating section 15 is configured to generate an alarm.

[0072] This makes it possible to minimize the frequency of alarms and to allow the worker at height (wearer) 5 to work in a safe environment. In other words, the alarm is generated not only when the rope-like body detection unit 11 does not detect that the rope-like body 17 is installed, but also when the signal receiving unit 13 receives a signal detecting the wearer 5, so the frequency of alarms is reduced. Also, the safety belt 3 is installed at the safety belt installation unit 7 and the rope-like body 17 is installed at the rope-like body installation unit 9, so the worker at height 5 can work in a safe environment.

[0073] Furthermore, in the safety device 1, when the rope-like body detection unit 11 detects the rope-like body 17 while the alarm generation unit 15 is generating an alarm, the alarm generation unit 15 stops the alarm even if the signal receiving unit 13 receives a signal detecting the wearer 5. This prevents unnecessary and unpleasant alarms from being generated, improving usability.

[0074] In addition, in the safety device 1, the detection target of the rope-like object detection unit 11 is the hook 25 attached to the rope 23 of the safety block 33 installed on the picking forklift 27. This makes the safety device 1 easier to use on the picking forklift 27 on which the safety block 33 is installed.

[0075] Moreover, in the safety device 1, the wearer detection device 19 is configured to detect that the wearer 5 is riding on the picking forklift 27. This ensures that the wearer 5 is detected when the safety device 1 is used on the picking forklift 27.

[0076] In addition, in the safety device 1, a safety belt installation section 7 is provided on one side of a metal base body 39, and a rope-like body installation section 9 is provided on the other side. In addition, the safety device 1 is provided with a rope-like body detection section 11 that detects that a rope-like body 17 is installed on the rope-like body installation section 9. Furthermore, in the safety device 1, when the rope-like body detection section 11 does not detect the rope-like body 17, the alarm generation section 15 is configured to generate an alarm.

[0077] This makes it possible to remind workers working at height to wear the safety belt 3 and to work in a safe state wearing the safety belt 3, while improving the ease of use of the safety device 1. In addition, since the base body 39 is made of a material such as metal, even if the safety device 1 is made compact, it can sufficiently withstand the load generated when the wearer 5 falls.

[0078] Furthermore, in the safety device 1, the base body 39 is formed in a flat plate shape, and a first through hole 41 and a second through hole 43 are provided in the base body 39, the rope-like body installation part 9 is configured from the first through hole 41, and the safety belt installation part 7 is configured from a part of the second through hole 43. This allows the safety belt installation part 7 and the rope-like body installation part 9 to be formed with a simple configuration, and the safety device 1 can be made lighter.

[0079] The safety device 1 is configured with a housing 45 that houses the rope-shaped object detection unit 11, the alarm generation unit 15, etc. This makes it possible to prevent the rope-shaped object detection unit 11, the alarm generation unit 15, etc. from being damaged.

[0080] In addition, in the safety device 1, the rope-like body installation portion 9 is formed at the opposite second through hole side portion 47 of the first through hole 41, and the housing 45 is provided on the base body 39 by penetrating the second through hole side portion 49 of the first through hole 41.

[0081] As a result, the outer periphery of the base body 39 (the outer periphery including the safety belt installation part 7 and the rope-like body installation part 9) protrudes from the entire circumference of the end faces (vertical and widthwise end faces) of the housing 45, and the safety belt installation part 7 and the rope-like body installation part 9 can be formed away from the housing 45. In addition, the housing 45, which is made of a relatively soft material such as synthetic resin, can be protected from external forces that are suddenly applied.

[0082] Furthermore, in the safety device 1, one side portion of the housing 45 sandwiches the base body 39 between the housing main body 53 and the cover 55, and the other side portion of the housing 45 is fixed to the base body 39 by a fixing member, so that the housing 45 is installed on the base body 39. This makes it possible to firmly fix the housing 45 to the base body 39 even if the number of fixing members such as bolts is reduced.

[0083] Second Embodiment A safety device 1a according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 15 to 17. The safety device 1a according to the second embodiment of the present invention differs from the safety device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention in that it is provided with a wearer height detection unit 87.

[0084] That is, the safety device 1a is configured to include a safety belt installation section 7, a rope-like body installation section 9, a rope-like body detection section 11, a wearer altitude detection section 87, and an alarm generating section 15. The wearer altitude detection section 87 is configured to detect the altitude (height position) of the wearer 5 wearing the safety belt 3 on which the safety device 1 is installed. The wearer altitude detection section 87 is configured to detect the altitude using, for example, a barometric altimeter. The barometric altimeter is provided inside the housing 45. The above-mentioned circuit board also constitutes the wearer altitude detection section 87. The wearer altitude detection section 87 may be configured to include a GPS (GPS receiver) or the like.

[0085] The alarm generating unit 15 is configured to generate an alarm when the altitude value detected by the wearer altitude detection unit 87 exceeds a predetermined threshold value but the rope-like body detection unit 11 does not detect the rope-like body 17.

[0086] As already understood, the safety device 1a is integrally formed with the safety belt installation section 7, the rope-like body installation section 9, the rope-like body detection section 11, the wearer height detection section 87, the alarm generating section 15, the base body 39, and the housing 45. The safety device 1a is adapted to be used by being directly or indirectly installed on the safety belt 3 worn by the wearer 5. The alarm generating section 15 may be separate from the base body 39 and the housing 45.

[0087] Incidentally, as shown in Fig. 15 and Fig. 16, the safety device 1a may be provided with a signal receiving unit 13 and a reference altitude detection device 89. The reference altitude detection device 89 detects the reference altitude, for example, by measuring the air pressure at a floor surface 91 on which the picking forklift 27 is located, in the vicinity of the picking forklift 27. The reference altitude detection device 89 also transmits a signal indicating the reference altitude, for example, wirelessly. The signal receiving unit 13 receives the signal indicating the reference altitude transmitted by the reference altitude detection device 89.

[0088] The alarm generating unit 15 is configured to generate an alarm when the rope-like body detection unit 11 does not detect the rope-like body 17 even though the difference between the altitude detected by the wearer altitude detection unit 87 and the reference altitude received by the signal receiving unit 13 exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The condition for the alarm generating unit 15 to generate an alarm may include receiving a signal indicating the reference altitude emitted by the reference altitude detection device 89. Furthermore, a wearer detection device 19 may be provided and a signal emitted by the wearer detection device 19 may be received. These atmospheric pressure data related to the altitude may be transmitted to a gateway and managed by a cloud server on a communication network such as the Internet, or an alarm may be notified to a remote administrator (for example, the administrator's mobile terminal).

[0089] The reference altitude detection device 89 may measure the air pressure at a certain height away from the floor 91, instead of the floor 91, to detect the reference altitude. The alarm generating unit 15 may obtain the difference (which may be a negative value) between the altitude detected by the wearer altitude detection unit 87 and the altitude received by the signal receiving unit 13. Furthermore, the alarm generating unit 15 may issue an alarm when the rope-like body detection unit 11 does not detect the rope-like body 17 even though the obtained difference in altitude exceeds a predetermined threshold. The certain height away from the floor 91 may be a predetermined position (such as a beam of a building) above (for example, directly above) the picking forklift 27.

[0090] 16 and 17, the safety device 1a may be provided with a radio wave receiving unit 93. The radio wave receiving unit 93 is adapted to receive radio waves emitted by a beacon 95 installed at a predetermined position. The predetermined position at which the beacon 95 is installed is located, for example, within the above-mentioned area 21. Although the beacon 95 is installed on the floor surface 91, the beacon 95 may be installed at a certain height away from the floor surface 91, similar to the reference altitude detection device 89.

[0091] The alarm generating unit 15 is configured to generate an alarm under a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is that the difference between the altitude detected by the wearer altitude detecting unit 87 and the altitude detected by the wearer altitude detecting unit 87 immediately after the radio wave receiving unit 93 starts receiving the radio waves emitted by the beacon 95 exceeds a predetermined threshold. The predetermined condition is that the radio wave receiving unit (radio wave detecting unit) 93 receives the radio waves emitted by the beacon 95 and the rope-like body detecting unit 11 does not detect the rope-like body 17, even though the difference in altitude exceeds the predetermined threshold.

[0092] When the safety device 1a (radio wave receiving unit 93) is located inside the dashed line 97 shown in Fig. 17, the radio wave receiving unit 93 can receive radio waves emitted by the beacon 95. When the radio wave receiving unit 93 is located outside the dashed line 97 shown in Fig. 17, the radio wave receiving unit 93 cannot receive radio waves emitted by the beacon 95.

[0093] Immediately after the radio wave receiving unit 93 starts receiving the radio waves emitted by the beacon 95 means immediately after the wearer 5 (wearer standing on the floor surface 91) at the position indicated by reference symbol P1 in Figure 17 moves slightly horizontally in the direction indicated by arrow A1 and enters inside the dashed line 97.

[0094] For example, in the safety device 1a, the wearer altitude detection unit 87 is configured to reset the detected altitude value (for example, to the height of the floor surface 91) immediately after the radio wave receiving unit 93 starts receiving the radio waves emitted by the beacon 95. After being reset, the wearer altitude detection unit 87 is configured to continue detecting the altitude. Then, it is configured to determine whether or not the continuously detected altitude value exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

[0095] The value of altitude detected by the wearer altitude detection unit 87 immediately after the radio wave receiving unit 93 starts receiving the radio waves emitted by the beacon 95 is stored in memory. Then, the wearer altitude detection unit 87 continues to detect the altitude from the moment the radio wave receiving unit 93 starts receiving the radio waves emitted by the beacon 95. The alarm generation unit 15 determines whether the difference between this continuously detected altitude value and the altitude value stored in the memory exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

[0096] In addition, in the safety device 1, 1a, the alarm generating unit 15 may be configured to generate an alarm under the following condition. The above condition is that the value of the change (for example, the increase) per predetermined time of the altitude detected by the wearer altitude detection unit 87 (the value of the rate of increase) exceeds a predetermined threshold, but the rope-like body detection unit 11 does not detect the rope-like body 17. The predetermined threshold for the change in the altitude per predetermined time is the same as the minimum value of the moving speed of the lifting body 29 of the picking forklift 27, or a value slightly smaller than the minimum value of the moving speed of the lifting body 29 of the picking forklift 27. For example, a value of about 70% of the minimum value of the moving speed of the lifting body 29 of the picking forklift 27 can be used as a value slightly smaller than the minimum value of the moving speed. Furthermore, the condition for the alarm generating unit 15 to generate an alarm may be that the wearer detection device 19 is provided and a signal emitted by the wearer detection device 19 is received.

[0097] 16 and other drawings, a battery (power source) 99 for supplying power to the alarm generating unit 15 and the like may be provided inside the housing 45 of the safety device 1a, similar to the safety device 1. Furthermore, in the safety device a1, an external battery 101 may be provided instead of or in addition to the battery 99.

[0098] The safety device 1a is configured to include a safety belt installation section 7 and a rope-like body installation section 9. In addition, in the safety device 1a, when the altitude value detected by the wearer altitude detection section 87 exceeds a predetermined threshold value but the rope-like body detection section 11 does not detect the rope-like body 17, the alarm generation section 15 is configured to generate an alarm.

[0099] This can minimize the frequency of alarms and allow the high-altitude worker 5 to work in a safe environment. That is, the alarm generation condition is not only that the rope-like body detection unit 11 does not detect that the rope-like body 17 is installed, but also that the altitude value detected by the wearer altitude detection unit 87 exceeds a predetermined threshold. This reduces the frequency of alarms. Also, the safety belt 3 is installed at the safety belt installation unit 7 and the rope-like body 17 is installed at the rope-like body installation unit 9, allowing the high-altitude worker 5 to work in a safe environment.

[0100] Furthermore, the safety device 1a sets as one of the conditions for generating an alarm in the alarm generating unit 15 that the difference between the altitude detected by the wearer altitude detecting unit 87 and the altitude received by the signal receiving unit 13 exceeds a predetermined threshold. This makes it possible to accurately determine the value of the altitude difference even if the reference altitude detecting device 89 and the wearer altitude detecting unit 87 are configured as barometric altimeters.

[0101] Furthermore, in the safety device 1a, one of the conditions for generating an alarm is that the difference between the altitude detected by the wearer altitude detection unit 87 and the altitude detected by the wearer altitude detection unit 87 immediately after starting to receive radio waves emitted by the beacon 95 exceeds a predetermined threshold. This makes it possible to accurately determine the value of the altitude difference without using the reference altitude detection device 89, even if the wearer altitude detection unit 87 is configured as a barometric altimeter.

[0102] Furthermore, in safety device 1a, one of the conditions for alarm generation by alarm generating unit 15 is that the amount of change in altitude detected by wearer altitude detecting unit 87 per predetermined time exceeds a predetermined threshold. As a result, even if wearer altitude detecting unit 87 is configured as a barometric altimeter, the condition for alarm generation can be obtained with a simplified configuration.

[0103] Also, the safety device 1, 1a may be configured to be provided with at least one of the signal receiving unit 13 and the wearer height detecting unit 87. Then, the alarm generating unit 15 may be configured to generate an alarm when the signal receiving unit 13 receives a signal detecting the wearer 5 but the rope-like body detecting unit 11 does not detect that the rope-like body 17 is installed. Also, the alarm generating unit 15 may be configured to generate an alarm when the rope-like body detecting unit 11 does not detect the rope-like body 17 but the value of the height detected by the wearer height detecting unit 87 exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

[0104] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1 Safety equipment 3. Safety harness 5. Wearer 7 Safety belt installation section 9. Rope installation section 11. Rope detection unit 13 Signal receiving section 15 Alarm generating section 17 Reticulum 19 Wearer detection device 21 areas 23 Rope 25 Hook 27 Picking Forklift 33 Safety Block 39 Base Body

Claims

1. A safety belt attachment part for attaching to the safety belt; a rope-like body installation section on which the rope-like body is installed; a rope-like object detection unit that detects that a rope-like object is installed in the rope-like object installation unit; a signal receiving section for receiving a signal emitted by a wearer detection device that detects whether a wearer wearing a safety belt, the wearer being installed in the safety belt installation section, is within a predetermined area; an alarm generating unit that generates an alarm when the signal receiving unit receives a signal that detects the wearer but the cord-like body detecting unit does not detect that the cord-like body is placed; A safety device having

2. The safety device according to claim 1 , wherein the alarm generating unit is configured to stop generating the alarm when the cord-like object detecting unit detects a cord-like object while the alarm is being generated.

3. The device is configured with a base body made of a metal material or a material having a strength equivalent to that of a metal material, 2. The safety device of claim 1, wherein the safety belt mounting portion is provided on one side of the base body, and the rope mounting portion is provided on the other side of the base body.

4. The safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rope-like body is a hook attached to a rope of a safety block installed on a picking forklift.

5. The safety device according to claim 4 , wherein the wearer detection device detects whether the wearer is riding on the picking forklift.

Images