Outrigger Support Anchor with Multi-Directional Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fall protection anchors for rooftops, particularly in wood-framed buildings, often rely on single fasteners or orientations, which can lead to uneven stress distribution and potential detachment under extreme loads, failing to adequately secure workers against falls.
Innovation Solution
A fall protection anchor system that attaches to multiple surfaces of the rooftop framing, allowing fasteners to penetrate at multiple right angles, distributing shear forces and increasing strength, while also serving as a detachable outrigger support for beams, eliminating the need for counterweights and enhancing versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If anchors are attached to a single framing member through roof sheathing, then installation is simple, but the anchor cannot adequately distribute load and may detach under extreme stress
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor system is divided into multiple fasteners distributed across multiple framing members instead of relying on a single fastener. This segmentation of the anchoring function allows the load to be distributed across multiple attachment points, significantly increasing the overall strength and reliability of the anchor system while maintaining a relatively simple individual fastener design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple framing members into a unified anchor system by using multiple fasteners that attach to adjacent or overlapping framing members. This merging approach creates a collective structural support system that distributes forces across multiple members, enhancing the anchor's holding strength without requiring each individual component to be overly complex.
2Reliability
If fasteners are oriented in the same direction, then installation is straightforward, but shear forces are not adequately distributed and detachment risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric fastener orientations where fasteners are arranged at different angles and directions relative to the roof surface and framing members. This asymmetric configuration allows shear forces to be distributed more effectively across multiple planes and directions, preventing any single fastener from bearing excessive lateral loads. While slightly more complex than uniform orientation, the asymmetric arrangement significantly improves attachment reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated outrigger beam supports are used, then beam support is reliable, but the device has no other use and increases overall system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor system is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a fall protection anchor and as an outrigger beam support. The same anchor assembly with its multiple fasteners and structural components can securely hold either a fall protection harness or an outrigger beam, eliminating the need for separate dedicated supports and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability for both functions.
Data Source
AI summary
An outrigger beam support that comprises a fall protection anchor that comprises a plate, an anchor post coupled with a first side of the plate, and at least one member on a second side of the plate, the member being substantially perpendicular and spaced inwardly from the plate's perimeter, and the plate and/or member(s) may have holes to accommodate fasteners. The outrigger beam support further comprises a support post with a first end that operatively couples with the anchor post, and a second end of the support post is attached to a beam holder adapted to hold an outrigger support beam.