Integrated Vertical Horizontal Fall Protection Rope System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fixed horizontal systems for fall protection from building roofs do not address the lack of continuity in securing individuals when entering or exiting the roof via ladders or hatches, leading to increased accident risks, particularly in hazardous weather conditions.

Innovation Solution

A fixed system integrating vertical and horizontal securement elements, using steel ropes with connection assemblies and self-gripping devices, ensuring continuous protection by connecting the vertical ladder system to the horizontal roof system at the edge, allowing seamless transition and operation without complicated user actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate vertical and horizontal securement systems are used, then each system can be optimized for its specific function, but continuity of protection is lost when transitioning between them

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuity of protectionVSAvoidsystem integration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the vertical securement system (ladder anchorage) and horizontal securement system (roof edge protection) into a single integrated fixed system. The steel rope continuously connects from the ladder at the wall up to the roof edge and along the roof surface, eliminating the gap between separate systems and ensuring uninterrupted protection during transition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If additional anchoring intermediate posts are installed to bridge the gap, then continuity of protection is improved, but user operation becomes more complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuity of securementVSAvoiduser actions required
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the need for intermediate anchoring posts by directly integrating the vertical and horizontal securement functions into a continuous steel rope system. The rope extends seamlessly from the ladder anchorage point, over the roof edge, to the horizontal positioning points, eliminating intermediate components and simplifying user operation to merely attaching the safety harness to the continuous rope.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If fixed horizontal systems are positioned far from the roof edge, then assembly safety is improved for installers, but protection coverage is reduced for users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstaller safetyVSAvoidprotected zone
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the horizontal securement rope in three-dimensional space by routing it over the roof edge itself, utilizing the vertical dimension to achieve both goals. The rope is anchored at the edge and extends horizontally along the roof surface, allowing installers to work safely from a distance while users positioned at the edge are fully protected within the hazardous zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3722539B1A fixed system for protection against falls from height
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 CBR ROCK MASTER SP ZOO SPOKA KOMANDYTOWA
  • EP3722539B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3722539B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3722539B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The object of the invention is a fixed system for protection against falls from height, comprising a steel rope of a horizontal system positioned substantially parallel to the roof surface characterised in that it comprises a steel rope of a vertical system, whose upper segment is fixedly connected to one of the posts of the horizontal system, the steel rope of the horizontal system being fixedly situated above the roof level by means of at least two posts of the horizontal system.