Temporary Anchoring Device for Fall Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anchoring devices for personal protective equipment (PPE) at height are cumbersome, time-consuming to install, damage structures, and are not suitable for short-duration interventions, leading to safety risks for workers due to their complexity and requirement for wall modifications, making them impractical for frequent use.

Innovation Solution

A portable, temporary anchoring device with a single upright structure that adjusts to fit between a floor and ceiling, equipped with telescopic bars and fine adjustment mechanisms, allowing quick setup and secure attachment of PPE without damaging the structure, and featuring a cable system to prevent arm separation and an anchor ring positioned to minimize fall force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If structural anchors or mobile anchors requiring wall drilling are used, then anchoring strength is improved, but installation time increases and structural damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchoring strengthVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the anchoring system into separate functional components: a ceiling-mounted anchoring unit and a floor-based support structure. This segmentation eliminates the need for wall drilling while distributing loads across multiple contact points, resolving the contradiction between anchoring strength and installation time by providing immediate installation without structural modification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary floor support structure that works in conjunction with the ceiling anchoring point. This intermediary element provides additional stability and load distribution without requiring wall penetrations, thereby achieving strong anchoring效果 with rapid installation by combining ceiling and floor support mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If structural anchors requiring chemical sealing are used, then anchoring strength is improved, but installation time increases due to waiting time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchoring strengthVSAvoidwaiting time
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses mechanical expansion and friction-based anchoring mechanisms that are activated immediately upon installation, eliminating the need for chemical sealing and associated waiting periods. The anchoring strength is achieved through preliminary mechanical action rather than chemical bonding, allowing immediate use after installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If door or window bars are used for anchoring, then installation simplicity is improved, but safety is worsened due to lower mooring position multiplying fall force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing the anchoring point at door or window level, the patent inverts the approach by positioning the primary anchoring point at the ceiling directly above the work area. This inversion places the mooring point at the most advantageous position for minimizing fall distance and force, while the floor support provides additional stability, thereby improving safety without compromising installation simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Reliability

If scaffolding or external structures are used, then safety is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device combines multiple functions into a single integrated system: ceiling anchoring, floor support, and adjustable positioning. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate scaffolding structures while providing equivalent or superior safety, thereby reducing device complexity and installation cost while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables rapid, secure, and damage-free installation of PPE anchoring systems for workers at height, reducing the risk of falls and allowing immediate use, suitable for various height-related tasks without the need for scaffolding or external structures, while maintaining structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

a spring interposed between this base and this telescopic element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The first and third bar (or element) of the single upright of the structure each comprise a bearing pad against the surface against which it is intended to come to rest

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure distribution: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2097599B8Mobile anchoring and fall prevention device
Publication Date: 2016.10.26 STYLAXION

AI summary

The device of the present invention is intended to provide security for workers of any trade who operate from the inside of a building, on a wall, through a bay in said wall, while in the vicinity of empty spaces and without damaging the inner or outer existing structures (floor, wall, ceiling). According to the invention, the device includes: a rigid structure (7, 10, 12) to be placed opposite the bay; two arms (15) connected to the upper portion of the stricture (7, 10, 12) and bearing on the wall above the bay on both sides thereof; and an anchoring means 816) connected to the structure (7, 10, 12) at the upper portion thereof.