Rope access chair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rope access systems for works in height, such as those used in civil engineering, suffer from high oscillation and poor ergonomic conditions, leading to physical discomfort, psychological strain, and safety risks for workers, limiting their ability to perform continuous tasks without frequent breaks.
Innovation Solution
A rope access chair with a rigid, padded, and leather-coated seat and backrest, attached to equipment via descenders and footrests, providing additional stability and comfort through a dual-roped system that reduces rotation and allows controlled descent, enhancing safety and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-point support chair system is used, then the equipment is simple and easy to deploy, but high oscillation and poor stability occur during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The chair support system is segmented from single-point to dual-point attachment, with two independent ropes anchored at separate locations. This segmentation distributes the load and reduces oscillation, allowing the chair to remain stable while maintaining structural simplicity through modular rope and anchor configurations.
2Device complexity
If a single-point support chair system is used, then the equipment structure is simple, but ergonomic conditions deteriorate causing worker fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented into two independent attachment points, creating a more stable base that reduces unwanted movements. This segmentation provides better ergonomic conditions by minimizing oscillation and rotation, allowing workers to perform tasks for extended periods without fatigue, while the overall equipment remains relatively simple in design and deployment.
3Reliability
If a dual-roped system with descenders is used, then safety and stability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Descenders are introduced as intermediary devices between the ropes and the chair, providing controlled descent and enhanced safety through friction-based braking mechanisms. While this adds some complexity, the descenders are standardized components that manage the trade-off by significantly improving reliability and safety while maintaining reasonable operational simplicity through their self-contained design.
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention relates to a rope access chair which, thanks to its geometry, provides unique comfort and safety conditions to people working in heights, due to its two arms wherein two ropes can be attached, thus increasing the chair's stability. The angle formed between the arms of the chair causes the equilibrium of forces to be achieved, providing the worker with stability in parallel to the work's vertical plane. This invention allows two ropes to be installed, thereby increasing stability, since the opening angle of the arms allows the worker to be balanced in the two ropes in parallel to the work's vertical plane, also ensuring that the space ahead is unobstructed so that he is able to work with his hands. The fact that the arms of the chair are ended with eyelets, allows descenders to be fixed thereto in order to perform lowering and raising operations. This invention is designed to be transported by a single man, thus providing greater work autonomy in what concerns the assembly operations of the ropes' systems intended for securing the workers, and its rigidity (which is similar to a common chair) exponentially enhances the workers' comfort.