Z-Pole Fall Interception Sheet for Confined-Space Deployment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fall-protection devices, such as inflatable cushions, are hindered by size constraints and inability to adapt to various environments, often failing to deploy effectively due to obstacles, and cannot stop a falling person at intermediate points to prevent severe injury.
Innovation Solution
A fall-protection device comprising telescopic 'Z' poles and a flexible sheet with a rope system, allowing almost instantaneous deployment and anchoring to a structure, which intercepts the falling person at an intermediate height, using frangible rings and energy-absorbing mechanisms to guide the fall safely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inflatable cushions are used to arrest falls, then fall protection is provided, but the device size prevents installation in many locations due to obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two independent telescopic poles that can be assembled on-site from separate components. Each pole can be transported separately and then joined to form the complete support structure, enabling installation in confined spaces where a single large cushion cannot be placed.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic poles provide dynamic adjustability in length, allowing the device to adapt to various installation heights and space constraints. The poles can be extended or retracted as needed, providing flexibility in deployment locations with limited space.
2Length of stationary object
If cushions are designed for high drop heights, then they can protect from greater heights, but they cannot stop the falling person at intermediate points to prevent excessive speed
Solution Approach 1:
The device is deployed in advance at an intermediate height below the potential jump point. By positioning the net structure before the fall occurs, it creates an intermediate stopping point that prevents the person from accelerating to dangerous speeds over the full drop distance.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than providing protection only at ground level, the device extends the protection zone to an intermediate height. This partial intervention stops the fall earlier in the trajectory, reducing the total fall distance and impact speed while still allowing some downward motion.
3Weight of moving object
If the device is made lightweight for single-person transport, then mobility is improved, but structural strength must be sufficient to support fall impact
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a flexible net structure made of high-strength synthetic fibers that can be folded and compressed for compact transport. When deployed, the net's flexibility allows it to dynamically absorb impact forces through deformation, while the material strength prevents failure under load.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic poles utilize composite construction combining lightweight materials (such as aluminum alloys or carbon fiber) with sufficient structural strength. This allows the poles to be light enough for manual handling while maintaining the rigidity and load-bearing capacity needed to support fall impacts.
4Loss of time
If the device is pre-assembled for immediate deployment, then response time is reduced, but the device must be compact enough for single-person transport
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into modular components (two telescopic poles, net structure, connecting elements) that can be quickly assembled on-site. Each component is compact for transport, but they join together rapidly to form the complete functional structure, achieving both compactness and fast deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic poles utilize nested construction where sections are stored inside one another when collapsed. This nesting allows the poles to be compact for transport while extending to full length when deployed, enabling single-person carryability without sacrificing deployment size.
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, adaptable deployment and interception of a falling person at an intermediate height, reducing impact speed and preventing severe injury by guiding the fall away from the façade, suitable for use by firefighters in emergency situations.
Implementation Method 1
The support section will preferably be telescopic by gravity (depending on the inclination of the support section it will extend or retract, thus achieving an almost instantaneous positioning of the device)
Implementation Method 2
whose function is to release the sheet from the 'Z' poles at the moment the victim falls onto the sheet
Implementation Method 3
using frangible rings and energy-absorbing mechanisms to guide the fall safely
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The subject-matter of the invention is a fall-protection device, deployable on an elevated structure, comprising a support (1) for a flexible sheet (4), the flexible sheet (4) having, along its periphery, a rope loop (3) which alternately runs over both faces of the flexible sheet (4) and is freely slidable, the arrangement being configured such that, by relative movement between the sheet (4) and the rope (3), the sheet (4) is gathered and constricted at its upper portion by the rope (3), the rope (3) being securable to a fixed point of the structure; the support (1) being composed of two Z-shaped poles arranged opposite one another symmetrically with variable spacing, each Z-shaped pole (1) having three sections-support section (1.1), intermediate section (1.2) and handle section (1.3)-lying in the same plane, articulated to one another, and provided with mechanisms for locking the articulation at 90° between adjacent sections and, optionally, at any other angle.