Bucket Tether Line and Harness for Fall Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Workers in elevated bucket trucks are at risk of falling due to the need to extend their reach beyond the bucket, leading to potential serious injury or death, as existing restraints do not effectively prevent falls over the edge or disengagement from the bucket.

Innovation Solution

A safety restraint system comprising a primary tether line encircling the bucket, a safety harness with adjustable straps and buckles, and a secondary tether line connecting to the basket boom anchor, which interconnects the harness to the tether line, preventing falls by applying upward forces that keep the worker suspended from the bucket even if it disengages from the boom.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If workers extend their reach beyond the bucket confines, then their work coverage and productivity are improved, but the risk of falling over the edge increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvework coverageVSAvoidfall risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The restraint system applies preliminary anti-action by pre-positioning the tether line and harness to counteract the harmful falling motion before it occurs. The system is configured so that when a worker reaches beyond the bucket edge, the tether line creates an upward force that prevents the worker from falling, effectively countering the gravitational pull and the worker's momentum before a fall can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The tether line acts as an intermediary element between the worker and the bucket. Instead of directly restraining the worker's movement, the tether line mediates the connection, allowing the worker to reach beyond the bucket edge while maintaining a safe connection. The tether line transfers forces between the worker and the bucket structure, enabling extended reach without compromising safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If existing restraint systems are used, then workers are protected from falling, but they cannot effectively prevent falls over the edge or disengagement from the bucket

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefall protectionVSAvoidedge fall and disengagement risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The restraint system is segmented into multiple independent components: a tether line, a harness, and a restraint mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the tether line provides the connection, the harness distributes forces on the worker's body, and the restraint mechanism prevents edge falls. The modular design enables the system to address multiple failure modes separately and reliably.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-attaching the tether line to the bucket and pre-configuring the harness on the worker before any falling can occur. The restraint mechanism is activated automatically when the worker approaches the edge, providing prevention before the harmful event occurs. This preliminary preparation ensures reliable protection without requiring active intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a restraint system is implemented, then worker safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworker safetyVSAvoidrestraint system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The restraint system merges multiple safety functions into a single integrated assembly. The tether line, harness, and restraint mechanism are combined into one unified system that provides fall protection, edge prevention, and disengagement protection simultaneously. This merging reduces the need for multiple separate devices and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining comprehensive safety coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively prevents workers from falling into a hazard zone by maintaining a secure connection to the bucket, ensuring they remain suspended and safe, even if the bucket disengages from the boom, thereby reducing the risk of injury or death.

Implementation Method 1

the downward force created by his fall would result in an upward force applied to the strap on the opposite side of the bucket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce: Force

Implementation Method 2

prevented from disengaging from the bucket due to the bucket's flanged rim

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS10099075B2Safety restraint system for an elevated worker's bucket

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 BUCKINGHAM MFG CO INC

AI summary

A safety restraint system for use by a worker working in a bucket, including a primary tether line that securely encircles the bucket at a position adjacent to the upper rim thereof; at least a pair of straps connected to the tether line on opposite sides of the bucket; a safety harness or aerial belt adapted to be worn by the worker and having at least a pair of clips attached thereto; and at least a pair of straps that interconnect the harness buckles to the straps on the tether line, thereby interconnecting the harness to the tether line.