Low Profile Anchor with Folded Spine for Fall Arrest
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fall arrest systems for shipping containers and portable units require a low profile anchor that can securely attach to structures without obstructing stacking or end-to-end arrangements, while effectively absorbing energy during a fall arrest event.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile anchor with a folded spine and upwardly extending peripheral wings, featuring securing apertures for mechanical fixings, designed to deform and absorb energy, allowing secure attachment to containers or units and enabling connection of safety lines in a daisy chain configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a traditional anchor design is used, then the anchor provides secure attachment, but the profile height is too large to accommodate stacking or end-to-end arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor design transitions from a vertically-oriented traditional profile to a horizontally-oriented low-profile configuration. The spine extends primarily in the horizontal plane with minimal vertical projection, allowing the anchor to fit within constrained vertical clearances while maintaining attachment capability through horizontal spreading of load forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The spine incorporates controlled deformation zones that allow dynamic response to fall arrest loads. The spine can bend and deform in a controlled manner to absorb impact energy, transitioning from a rigid static structure to a dynamic energy-absorbing element that maintains attachment security while adapting to load conditions.
2Shape
If the anchor profile is reduced for stacking arrangements, then stacking compatibility is improved, but the energy absorption capacity during fall arrest may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor compensates for reduced vertical profile by extending horizontally through the spine structure. The spine spans across the container width, providing lever arms and moment resistance that enable sufficient energy absorption capacity without requiring vertical height, thus maintaining both low profile and energy absorption capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor design changes the dimensional parameters from vertical height to horizontal span. By increasing the horizontal extent of the spine while reducing vertical projection, the anchor maintains energy absorption capacity through increased moment arm length and distributed load paths, compensating for the reduced vertical dimension.
3Strength
If the spine is made thicker for strength, then attachment security is improved, but the profile height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor utilizes composite construction combining multiple materials with complementary properties. The spine incorporates high-strength low-alloy steel or stainless steel sections that provide exceptional strength-to-weight and strength-to-thickness ratios, enabling thin-profile construction while maintaining attachment security through superior material strength properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor applies local reinforcement strategies where thickness and material strength are concentrated specifically at critical attachment points and load transfer zones. The spine features localized thickening or reinforcement at connection points to bolts and at load application points, while maintaining thin profile in non-critical sections, thus achieving strength without overall profile increase.
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 anchor provides secure attachment and energy absorption during fall arrest events, allowing for safe use in stacked or end-to-end configurations, with the ability to connect safety lines between adjacent containers, ensuring effective fall protection.
Implementation Method 1
designed such that during a fall arrest event shear load is applied to the bolt fastenings through the multiple groups of securing apertures in the wings or flanges
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
An anchor for a fall arrest or fall safety system, has a plate for securing to a structure which is formed to have an upwardly extending spine, the upwardly extending spine being provided with a pair of spaced securing formations such as apertures or holes. The invention provides a low profile anchor for use with containers, transportable units or other structures providing shear loading in the event of a fall arrest and also energy absorbing functionality by virtue of the plastically deformable nature of the spine of the anchor plate.