Removable Fall Protection Anchorage with Compression Legs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fall protection anchorage systems for construction sites are labor-intensive to install and remove, and they often compromise the integrity of the structure or require multiple fasteners, posing safety and legal concerns.
Innovation Solution
The development of removable fall protection anchorage devices with a triangular or U-shaped design made from zinc-coated steel or stainless steel, which can be easily attached and detached from wood or steel structures without using fasteners, featuring a compression mechanism for secure installation and quick removal, and incorporating a tether for enhanced safety and deflection resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If removable anchorage devices are used to avoid legal concerns, then safety can be implemented on job sites, but installation and removal become labor-intensive requiring many fasteners
Solution Approach 1:
The anchorage device is divided into two main segments: a base plate that remains attached to the structure and a stem portion that can be removed. This segmentation allows the device to provide continuous safety support while enabling efficient removal when no longer needed, resolving the contradiction between maintaining safety reliability and improving installation/removal productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate is pre-installed and permanently attached to the structure during construction, creating a ready-to-use anchorage system. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated fastener installation during each use, significantly improving productivity while maintaining safety reliability when workers need fall protection
2Reliability
If permanent anchorage devices are left on structures, then safety is continuously available, but legal concerns arise for builders
Solution Approach 1:
The anchorage device transitions from a static permanent installation to a dynamic system where the stem portion can be installed and removed as needed. The base plate remains permanently attached providing continuous availability, while the removable stem allows builders to adapt to legal requirements by removing the active anchorage component when not in use, thus resolving the contradiction between continuous safety availability and legal compliance flexibility
3Strength
If multiple fasteners are used to attach anchorage devices, then secure attachment is achieved, but the process becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function is extracted from the main anchorage device and integrated into the base plate installation process. The base plate incorporates built-in attachment mechanisms that secure the device during installation, eliminating the need for separate fasteners during subsequent removal operations. This reduces installation time significantly while maintaining attachment security through the integrated base plate design
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional surface mounted devices are used, then installation is simple, but they compromise the integrity or strength of the chord structure
Solution Approach 1:
The anchorage device base plate is nested within or attached to the chord structure in a way that distributes loads across multiple attachment points. This nesting approach allows simple installation while maintaining chord structure integrity by spreading the mechanical stress rather than concentrating it at single penetration points, thus resolving the contradiction between installation simplicity and structural integrity
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, labor-efficient, and cost-effective anchorage system that can withstand significant forces, is easy to install and remove, and maintains the structural integrity of the building, while offering enhanced safety features such as deflection resistance and a tell-tale indicator for usage inspection.
Implementation Method 1
the two legs generate a spring action between them, for example having an apex width (e.g., 1.0′′) that is less than the width of the wood top chord member or other anchor-holding structure (e.g., 1.5′′) to produce a compression of the top chord member, which compression holds the anchor in desired position on the top chord
Implementation Method 2
produce a compression of the top chord member, which compression holds the anchor in desired position on the top chord without the need of fasteners to facilitate installation
Data Source
AI summary
A fall protection anchor and related systems and methods. The anchor comprises a first elongate leg and a second elongate leg connected to each other at a base plate. The first elongate leg comprises a first base end and a first apex end and further comprises a first capture portion near the first base end and a first intra-connection portion near the first apex end. At least the second elongate leg comprises a second base end and a second apex end and further comprises a second capture portion near the second base end and a second intra-connection portion near the second apex end as well as a holding portion located beyond the capture portion: the holding portion comprises a holding element such as holding hole configured to securely hold a fall restraint device connected to a worker.