Captive Bracket Fixing for Safety Line Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing safety line systems for fall arrest systems face challenges in efficiently securing intermediate supports to structures without requiring specialized tools or high torque, especially in horizontal systems where ease of installation and interference minimization are critical.

Innovation Solution

A bracket fixing system featuring a cylindrical tube portion for the safety line, a separate mechanical fixing component held captive by a confinement structure, and a connecting web element, allowing for rotational re-orientation and secure attachment to structures using standard components and minimal torque.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional bracket fixings are used requiring specialized tools and high torque, then secure attachment is achieved, but installation complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is pre-assembled with the fixing mechanism and bolt in a captive configuration before installation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for specialized tools during installation, as the entire assembly can be installed with standard tools while maintaining secure attachment through the pre-configured fixing mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket fixing mechanism is designed to be self-aligning and self-securing through the captive bolt configuration. The safety line tension automatically helps secure the bracket in position, reducing the need for high torque applications and specialized installation tools while ensuring reliable attachment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If the bracket components are separate requiring assembly, then flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent flexibilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing mechanism and bolt are nested within or integrated with the bracket body in a captive configuration. This nesting approach maintains the flexibility of separate components for adaptability while presenting a simplified single-unit appearance that reduces assembly complexity during installation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple bracket components are merged into a pre-assembled unit with the fixing mechanism and bolt captive to the bracket. This merging maintains the functional flexibility of separate components while simplifying the installation process by eliminating the need for field assembly of complex components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2473239B1Bracket fixing for a safety line
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 LATCHWAYS PLC (GB)
  • EP2473239B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2473239B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2473239B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A bracket fixing for securing a safety line to a structure, has a safety line receiving portion and a fixing portion connected to the safety line receiving portion, the fixing portion having a captive mechanical fixing, arranged to engage with and secure the bracket to the structure.