Portable Anchorage Assembly with Counterweight and Pivoting Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable anchorage assemblies for fall protection in hazardous heights lack user-friendliness and stability, particularly in securing safety harnesses to lifelines, as they require secure support structures that can remain stable during falls.
Innovation Solution
A portable anchorage assembly comprising a counterweight assembly with a housing, rear and front wheel assemblies, and adjustable jack systems that allow the assembly to pivot and adjust its anchorage points, enabling easy positioning and increased stability by shifting the center of gravity for secure anchorage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the portable anchorage assembly uses a fixed support structure, then stability is improved, but adaptability to different locations is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The portable anchorage assembly incorporates movable components including a movable anchor point that can be repositioned along the lifeline, and adjustable leg mechanisms that allow the base to adapt to various ground conditions. This dynamic design enables the same structure to maintain stability while adapting to different deployment locations and terrain types.
2Weight of moving object
If the portable anchorage assembly is made lightweight for portability, then ease of transport is improved, but stability during fall arrest is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The anchorage assembly is divided into modular components including the base, lifeline, anchor point mechanism, and leg structures that can be separately assembled and transported. This segmentation allows for optimized weight distribution where critical stability components are strategically placed, and non-essential elements can be removed or reduced when not needed, achieving a balance between portability and stability.
3Device complexity
If the anchorage point is fixed in position, then structural simplicity is improved, but ease of positioning is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary anchor point mechanism that moves along the lifeline rather than requiring the entire anchorage structure to be repositioned. This mediator component allows independent adjustment of the anchorage point position while the base remains stationary, simplifying the overall structure while greatly improving ease of positioning for different work locations.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the base is made large for stability, then stability is improved, but ease of movement is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The base design incorporates counterbalancing elements and a low center of gravity through strategic weight distribution that provides inherent stability without requiring excessive size. The counterweight principle allows a compact base structure to achieve the same stability as a much larger base would provide, thereby maintaining ease of movement while ensuring stability during operation.
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 enhances user-friendliness and stability by allowing the portable anchorage assembly to be easily positioned and secured, providing a stable anchorage structure that can effectively support safety harnesses and lifelines, ensuring secure fall protection.
Implementation Method 1
The rear jack assembly is adjustable in length to move the housing and the rear wheel assembly relative to one another. As the rear jack assembly increases in length, the rear wheel assembly is moved downward and the housing is moved upward thus moving the at least one rear wheel downward to contact a support surface
Implementation Method 2
The front jack assembly interconnects the front wheel assembly and the base. The rear jack assembly and the front jack assembly are adjustable in length to raise and lower the respective wheel assemblies
Implementation Method 3
The mobile position of the rear wheel assembly positions a center of gravity of the counterweight assembly proximate the at least one rear wheel to assist in moving the counterweight assembly. As the rear wheel assembly is moved from the mobile position to the anchorage position, the center of gravity of the counterweight assembly is moved from proximate the at least one rear wheel to more proximate a front of the counterweight assembly
Implementation Method 4
The base is pivotable about the counterweight assembly on the wheel to position the at least one anchorage point in a desired location
Data Source
AI summary
A portable anchorage assembly comprises an extension member interconnecting a counterweight assembly and a base. The counterweight assembly has a cavity configured and arranged to receive at least one weight. The extension member has a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally connected to the counterweight assembly. The base is connected to the second end of the extension member and includes a wheel and at least one anchorage point. The base is pivotable about the counterweight assembly on the wheel to position the at least one anchorage point in a desired location.