Fall Arrest Mounting Bracket With Movable Retainer for Easy Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for improved methods and arrangements to securely mount and detach fall arrest devices on structures like towers, derricks, and drilling rigs, while allowing for easy replacement and maintenance, especially during transportation.

Innovation Solution

A mounting bracket with a base element and a front retainer element, featuring spacer struts and a resilient engagement mechanism, which securely attaches the fall arrest device to a structure and allows for easy attachment and detachment, while maintaining the device in place during transportation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fall arrest device is securely mounted to a structure using a rigid bracket, then the reliability of the mounting is improved, but the ease of operation for attachment and detachment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting reliabilityVSAvoidattachment and detachment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket is divided into a base element and a front retainer element that can move relative to each other along a movement path. This segmentation allows the front retainer element to be positioned in different locations (first location for secure retention, second location for easy detachment) while maintaining overall mounting reliability through the resilient engagement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The front retainer element is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to transition between a first position that securely retains the fall arrest device and a second position that facilitates easy detachment. This dynamic capability enables the bracket to adapt between secure mounting and easy operation modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the fall arrest device is firmly secured to prevent movement during use, then the safety is improved, but the ability to replace and repair the device deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice replaceability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The front retainer element's movability along the movement path enables it to switch between a secure retention position that ensures safety during use and a detachment position that facilitates easy device replacement and repair, resolving the contradiction between firm securing and replaceability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient engagement element acts as an intermediary mechanism that provides secure engagement when the front retainer element is in the first position, ensuring safety, while allowing controlled disengagement when moved to the second position, enabling easy device replacement without compromising either safety or repairability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a resilient engagement element is added to improve ease of attachment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment easeVSAvoidbracket complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is segmented into distinct functional elements (base element, front retainer element, resilient engagement element) where each component has a specific role. This modular segmentation allows the resilient engagement element to be integrated in a way that improves attachment ease while keeping the overall structure organized and manageable, minimizing unnecessary complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution provides a secure and reliable attachment system for fall arrest devices, ensuring they remain attached during use and transportation, while allowing for easy replacement and maintenance, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The front retainer element includes a resilient engagement element arranged to engage with the fall arrest device to assist it in holding in place

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3256744B1Mounting bracket for fall arrest device and fall arrest system
Publication Date: 2021.09.15 LATCHWAYS PLC (GB)
  • EP3256744B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3256744B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3256744B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mounting bracket (1) for securing a fall arrest device (200) to a structure, the mounting bracket including a base plate (3) configured for attachment to a structure, and at least one device mounting arrangement (20) attached to or integral with the base plate and configured to secure the fall arrest device to the mounting bracket.