Connecting and Anchoring Device for Fall Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility pole maintenance often requires line workers to climb structures that are difficult to reach, posing safety risks due to the weight and fatigue associated with using traditional snap hooks and carabiners, which can lead to the neglect of safety measures.
Innovation Solution
A connecting and anchoring device comprising a first arm, a second arm, and cables with a hinged mechanism, a double action snap hook, and optional features like a base with a latch and guide element, designed to provide fall protection by allowing for single-handed operation and attachment to various anchor points, reducing the need for traditional slings and connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional snap hooks and carabiners are used for fall protection, then reliable anchoring is achieved, but worker fatigue increases and safety compliance decreases due to weight
Solution Approach 1:
The safety device is divided into multiple functional components: a lightweight body, a retractable cable element with gate and spine termination structures, and a double action snap hook. This segmentation allows the heavy anchoring function to be separated from the climbing device, reducing the weight the worker must carry while maintaining fall protection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A retractable cable element acts as an intermediary between the worker's harness and the anchor point. The cable element with its gate and spine termination structures provides the secure anchoring connection, while the double action snap hook provides lightweight attachment, mediating between reliability requirements and weight reduction needs.
2Reliability
If traditional safety devices are used, then fall protection is provided, but ease of operation deteriorates due to two-handed operation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The gate termination structure incorporates a spring-biased locking mechanism that automatically engages and locks when the gate is closed, providing self-service functionality. The worker simply needs to close the gate with one hand, and the spring mechanism automatically secures the connection, eliminating the need for two-handed operation while maintaining reliable fall protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism uses spring bias to dynamically adjust the locking force, providing automatic engagement and secure locking without requiring manual intervention. This dynamic mechanism allows one-handed operation while ensuring reliable fall protection through automatic safety engagement.
3Ease of operation
If lightweight materials are used for the climbing device, then ease of operation improves, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes composite construction with a lightweight body made from low-density materials and a high-strength cable element. This composite approach allows the main device structure to be lightweight for ease of operation, while the cable element provides the necessary structural strength for fall protection, resolving the contradiction between weight and strength requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting and anchoring device. A cable element terminates at opposite ends in respective gate and spine cable termination structures. A gate housing houses a gating portion of the cable element and includes a locking element. The device has a first configuration in which the termination structures are locked together and a second configuration in which the termination structures can be separated from one another by manipulating the locking element. The device in at least the first configuration defines a closed aperture. A spine housing houses a spinal portion of the cable element. The spine housing is attached to the base and the gate housing is pivotally connected to the base so that the gate housing can pivot relative to the spine housing so as to change the configuration of the connecting and anchoring device between the second configuration and a third configuration in which the aperture is open. The cable element includes a cable that extends uninterrupted from the spine housing, through the base, and into the gate housing.