Cantilevered Railing Rescue System for Elevated Worksite Evacuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevated work site safety systems, such as those for electrical transformers, do not facilitate easy evacuation of incapacitated workers or objects, often requiring a jib crane for safe removal.

Innovation Solution

A cantilevered winch/pulley rescue system integrated with a railing system, featuring a frame mounted on vertical posts with a lowering system that allows safe and controlled descent of individuals or objects using a rope and winch mechanism, with anchors and pulley carabiners for secure attachment and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a railing system is used to prevent falls, then worker safety is improved, but evacuation capability for incapacitated workers deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefall preventionVSAvoidevacuation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the railing system with a rescue system by integrating a frame structure that can be mounted on the railing posts. The frame includes a winch mechanism and rope system that allows incapacitated workers to be lowered safely from the elevated surface, merging fall prevention and evacuation capabilities into a single integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The railing system is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides fall protection through its guardrails while simultaneously supporting evacuation operations through the integrated frame and winch mechanism. The same structural elements (posts, rails) are utilized for both safety and rescue operations, eliminating the need for separate equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a jib crane is used for worker evacuation, then evacuation capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevacuation capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential evacuation function from a complex jib crane system and implements it through a simplified frame structure with a winch mechanism. By removing unnecessary components and focusing only on the core lowering function, the system achieves evacuation capability with significantly reduced complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The rescue system is designed to be self-contained and easily deployable by workers themselves or with minimal assistance. The frame can be quickly assembled on the railing posts, and the winch mechanism allows workers to lower themselves or be lowered by colleagues without requiring external heavy machinery or complex operational procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If a cantilevered frame structure is used for the rescue system, then evacuation efficiency is improved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevacuation efficiencyVSAvoidframe structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame structure is divided into discrete, modular components including vertical posts, horizontal rails, and diagonal bracing elements that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows the structure to be quickly deployed and removed while maintaining structural integrity during use, balancing complexity with operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of designing a complex system that requires sophisticated assembly and operation procedures, the patent inverts the approach by creating a simple, intuitive structure that can be rapidly deployed and operated. The frame uses basic geometric shapes and straightforward connection methods that prioritize ease of deployment over structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

Enables quick and safe evacuation of incapacitated persons or objects from elevated areas without the need for a jib crane, distributing load across multiple anchors for stability and using non-conductive materials for safety, rated to handle significant weights.

Implementation Method 1

a cantilevered winch/pulley system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPulley: Pulley

Implementation Method 2

lowering system being configured to allow a rescuer to lower the incapacitated person by rope

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 3

distributing load across multiple anchors for stability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce distribution: Force

Data Source

PatentUS20240350836A1Safety systems and rescue systems for elevated worksites

Publication Date: 2024.10.24 CV INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A rescue system for evacuating an incapacitated person from an elevated area includes a frame configured to be mounted on a pair of vertical posts extending upwardly from a surface of the elevated area, the posts defining a plane, wherein at least a portion of the frame is cantilevered out from the plane of the posts, and a lowering system supported by the cantilevered portion of the frame, the lowering system being configured to allow a rescuer to lower the incapacitated person by rope from the elevated area.