Support chock for fall-arrest equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a practical support chock designed for attaching fall-arrest equipment, which ensures the safety of individuals working in high-risk areas, such as balconies and windows.

Description

[0001] SPECIFICATION

[0002] SUPPORT CHOCK FOR FALL-ARREST EQUIPMENT

[0003] Technical field to which the invention relates:

[0004] The invention relates to a support chock for use in fall-arrest equipment, designed to ensure the safety of individuals working at height, such as balconies and windows.

[0005] State of the art:

[0006] Fall-arrest equipment refers to a set of tools and systems designed to ensure the safety of individuals working at height by preventing falls or mitigating their consequences. Such equipment plays a critical role in preventing accidents in hazardous occupational environments, such as construction, industrial facilities, and the energy sector. A large proportion of work-at-height accidents occurring worldwide each year could be prevented through the proper and effective use of said equipment.

[0007] Fall-arrest systems are divided into two main categories: active and passive. Active systems include full-body harnesses, shock-absorbing lanyards, retractable lanyards, and vertical or horizontal lifelines. Passive systems comprise structural protection measures such as guardrails, safety nets, and physical barriers.

[0008] Active fall-arrest systems are utilized in various sectors, including construction projects, maintenance of power transmission lines, work on wind turbines, shelving systems in storage facilities, and roof repair operations. These systems are also widely preferred in sports activities, such as mountaineering and climbing. While ensuring the safety of workers, these systems also increase work efficiency by preventing accidents.

[0009] Active fall arrest equipment used today includes full-body harnesses, shock-absorbing lanyards, energy absorbers, retractable lanyards, and various types of lifelines. With ongoing technological innovations, these components have become more reliable, ergonomic, and durable. Furthermore, systems with fall detection and automatic locking features significantly enhance user safety.Fall arrest equipment used in active systems is integrated into solid points on the structure through secure anchoring methods. Anchor points are designed to withstand the forces generated during a fall using anchoring rings, hooks, or bolts. Horizontal lifelines, which enable users to move horizontally, are typically made of steel cable or rail systems and mounted to structural elements. Vertical lifelines, used in tasks that require vertical movement, are usually secured to ladders or tower structures with rope or rail systems. Retractable ropes adapt to the user’s movement, connecting to a fixed anchor point and automatically locking in the event of a fall to enhance safety.

[0010] The correct selection and application of anchoring methods used in active systems is vital for the effectiveness of the equipment. The proper placement of anchor points ensures safety without restricting the worker’s range of motion. Additionally, the durability of the surfaces on which the equipment is mounted and the compliance of the anchor points with relevant standards ensure that the forces generated during a fall are safely absorbed.

[0011] Although various suggestions and applications have been developed in prior techniques for fall-arrest equipment and anchoring systems and / or methods, these developments remain insufficient. Some applications related to inventions developed for this purpose are given below.

[0012] The invention covered by application number “CN218652779U,” which forms part of the state of the art, relates to a safety device used in high-altitude work where no external scaffolding protection exists and no safe and secure suspension points are available in the main structure. The device is described as being fixed to the main structure through connecting elements passing through the holes on the mounting plate and the tension bolt holes, ensuring the safe installation of the central rod and suspension ring. This creates a secure suspension point for the safety harness.

[0013] The invention that is the subject of application number “CN213642889U” in the known state of the art relates to a high-altitude work safety harness anchor point fixing device, featuring an open frame-type body on one side. A safety-belt connection ring is attached to the front edge of the body, which is formed in the shape of a ring. At least two protruding columns extend outward from one or both side edges of the body, and screw holes are located both on these columns and within the body itself. The ends ofthe screws placed in the holes are connected to the connection plates located inside the body. The screw holes on the side edges are distributed in at least two vertical rows. The inner wall of the body is equipped with an impact-absorbing pad, and the outer surface of the inner part of the connection plate is covered with an anti-slip fabric layer.

[0014] According to the current state of the art, fall-arrest equipment and support points are available for workers operating in high work areas. However, securing such equipment requires drilling into the structure and mounting the fall-arrest equipment. This requirement can weaken the structural elements to which the equipment is mounted and may also cause aesthetic damage. Furthermore, installation is not possible if the area where the equipment is to be mounted belongs to another property. A support chock that eliminates the need for drilling and mounting, thereby addressing these issues, is not currently available in the known state of the art.

[0015] Consequently, due to the aforementioned disadvantages and the inadequacy of existing solutions, further development in the relevant technical field has become necessary.

[0016] The purpose of the invention:

[0017] The primary purpose of the invention is to secure fall-arrest equipment without requiring surface-damaging processes such as drilling, by simply passing the support wedge through the structure and securing it by adjusting its length and width. In this way, it prevents potential damage to structures, as it does not damage the surface.

[0018] Another purpose of the invention is to provide a practical, functional, applicable, and accessible fall-arrest equipment support chock that can be fixed without damaging the structure (i.e., without drilling into the surface and without using mounting tools such as screws or bolts).

[0019] Another purpose of the invention is to enable quick installation on the structure, thereby ensuring rapid securing and preventing unnecessary loss of time and energy during work practices.Another purpose of the invention is to incorporate an anti-slip covering, preventing the device from slipping on the structure.

[0020] Another purpose of the invention is that its transportation and use do not require detailed technical knowledge.

[0021] Description of the figures:

[0022] Figure 1: This drawing shows the general view of the support chock for fall-arrest equipment described in the invention.

[0023] Reference numbers:

[0024] 1. Body

[0025] 2. Leg

[0026] 3. Width-Adjustment Apparatus

[0027] 4. Length-Adjustment Apparatus

[0028] 5. Ring

[0029] Description of the invention:

[0030] The invention relates to a support chock for practical fall-arrest equipment, ensuring the safety of individuals working in elevated areas such as balconies and windows.

[0031] The invention is mounted on the wall of the area where work will be performed (such as a window or balcony). It features a length-and width-adjustment mechanism that allows for customization to suit the wall’s thickness. After the chock is placed on the wall (like a stand), the relevant component of the fall-arrest equipment (such as a carabiner) is passed through the ring on the outside. In the event of a fall, the chock provides grip by applying lateral pressure. The chock is covered with anti-slip material.

[0032] The invention is a fastening device to which fall-arrest equipment (such as carabiners and safety harnesses) can be attached. It is intended for use in work areas such asbalconies and windows. The invention consists of a body, legs, width-adjustment apparatuses, length-adjustment apparatuses, and rings.

[0033] The invention consists of a body (1), which is the component to which the legs and rings are attached; at least four legs (2) attached to the body (1) at the corner points, allowing the support chock to pass over the structure; at least two width-adjustment apparatuses (3) used to adjust the width of the body (1) to the width of the structure to which it will be attached; at least one length-adjustment apparatus (4) on each leg (2), used to adjust the length of the leg (2) to suit the width and length of the structure to which the device will be fixed; and at least two rings (5) that enable the attachment of fall-arrest equipment to the support chock.

[0034] The support chock is placed on the structure so that the legs (2) of the fall-arrest equipment, used to ensure safe working on surfaces such as windows and balconies, are positioned between them. The support chock is positioned so that one of the rings (5) faces outward from the structure, and the other faces inward. The body (1) is positioned facing the top of the structure, with the legs (2) facing the bottom. The width of the support chock is adjusted according to the thickness of the structure using the width adjustment apparatus (3). To prevent the support wedge from becoming displaced during a fall, the length of each leg (2) is adjusted using the length adjustment apparatus (4) so that the legs extend beyond the width of the structure. With these steps, the support chock for fall-arrest equipment is fixed to the relevant structure.

[0035] Since the support chock is placed on the walls of areas such as windows and balconies, its alignment corresponds to the area beneath the worker’s body or feet. During a fall, when the material or person connected to the safety apparatus moves downward, the support chock remains on the wall surface to which it is fixed. Since the fall-arrest equipment with the safety apparatus is attached to the ring (5) facing the outside of the structure, the weight generated by vertical acceleration falls on the ring (5) to which the fall arrest equipment is attached. Since the ring (5) is attached to the body (1 ), the body (1 ) and the legs (2) attached to it move as a whole. At this point, the legs (2) facing the outside of the structure exert lateral pressure against the wall, while the legs (2) facing the inside of the structure prevent the chock from being displaced. This prevents the fall.The device provides a practical attachment point for fall-arrest equipment in high work areas, such as balconies, windows, and roofs. Installation is simple, as it requires no additional processes beyond placing the device on the structure and adjusting its length and width. It can be placed directly on the structure and used immediately, and it can be easily mobilized. It does not damage the surface. Since it is used solely by being placed on the wall, rather than through a mechanism requiring installation to create a fixing point, it can be installed quickly. In this way, it prevents unnecessary loss of time and energy during work practices.

[0036] The invention is installed without interfering with the building surface, so it does not require any drilling or technical procedures and can be used easily without damaging the surface. Its transportation and use do not require detailed technical knowledge.

Claims

CLAIMS1. It is a support chock for fall-arrest equipment, comprising the following features:- a body (1 ) to which the legs and rings are fixed,- at least four legs (2) fixed to the body (1) at the corner points, enabling the support chock to be placed on the structure,- at least two width-adjustment apparatuses (3) used to adjust the width of the support chock body (1) to suit the width of the structure to which it will be secured,- at least one length-adjustment apparatus (4) on each leg (2) to adjust the length of the support chock leg (2) to fit the width and length of the structure to which it will be attached,- at least two rings (5) that enable fall-arrest equipment to be attached to the support chock.

2. It is a support chock for fall arrest equipment according to Claim 1 , characterized by incorporating a width-adjustment apparatus (3) and a length-adjustment apparatus (4) that enable the fall-arrest equipment to be fixed to the structure without drilling into the surface of the structure and without using any mounting tool.

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