Climbing Harness Snap-Hook Tethering for Continuous Fall Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Workers climbing tall structures face severe injuries or death from falls due to the lack of effective, low-cost, and non-intrusive safety systems that can provide continuous protection during ascent and descent.

Innovation Solution

A safety device comprising a support harness with releasable safety cables and snap hooks that continuously connect to the structure, equipped with sensors to detect the worker's position and hook status, alerting the worker to potential hazards and ensuring constant tethering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If free climbing technique is used to climb the tower, then the worker can reach various locations on the tower, but the worker is exposed to severe injuries or death from falls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to reach various locationsVSAvoidprotection from falls

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The safety system is divided into separate modular components including a harness worn by the worker, multiple snap hooks for attachment, and safety cables. This segmentation allows the worker to maintain mobility while having discrete safety points that can be independently engaged or disengaged during climbing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The safety harness and snap hooks are pre-configured and ready for immediate use before the climbing operation begins. The worker is equipped with the harness in advance, and the snap hooks are positioned to be readily accessible, ensuring that safety protection is established before any fall hazard can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a safety system is implemented to protect workers from falls, then protection from falls is improved, but the system may impede the worker's actions and movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from fallsVSAvoidworker's actions and movements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The safety system incorporates dynamic elements including movable snap hooks that can be quickly engaged and disengaged, and cables that can extend and retract as the worker moves. This dynamic design allows the safety system to adapt to the worker's movements in real-time, maintaining protection without restricting the range or speed of motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The snap hooks are designed to be easily operated by the worker themselves without requiring assistance from other personnel. The worker can independently engage and disengage the snap hooks during climbing operations, maintaining autonomy and ease of operation while ensuring continuous safety protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If traditional safety systems are used, then protection is provided, but the systems are high in cost and complex to use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from fallsVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The safety system uses simple, robust components such as standard snap hooks and cables that can be easily replaced if needed, rather than complex electronic or mechanical systems. This approach prioritizes simplicity and reliability over complexity, reducing both the device complexity and potential costs while maintaining effective fall protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If traditional safety systems are used, then protection is provided, but the systems are not easy to use in application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from fallsVSAvoidease to use

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11433263B1Structure climbing safety device

Publication Date: 2022.09.06 BISHOP JERRY

AI summary

A safety device comprising a support harness that includes at least one safety cable, and preferably a pair of safety cables. The end of the safety cable has a snap hook designed to releasably connect to the structure. In application, the safety harness is worn by the worker and as the worker ascends or descends the structure, the worker continuously releases and then connects one of the snap hooks to the structure such that at least one safety cable is connected to the structure at all times. The safety harness includes sensors for detecting whether the worker is ascending or descending the structure, for detecting whether at least one of the snap hooks are connected to the structure, and detecting when the worker is attempting to open the snap hook.