Carabiner Divider and Fall Arrest System

Abstract

A divider for a carabiner in a fall arrest system, the carabiner having a frame; and an openable gate and configured to be moved between an open position and a closed position, the divider comprising a body having: (i) a central body portion; and (ii) a plurality of connection portions extending from the central body portion and configured to attach the divider to at least a portion of the frame, wherein the plurality of connection portions are spaced and divide the carabiner into a plurality of areas for connection of the at least one component of the harness arrangement and the at least one fall arrest device.

Claims

1. A divider for a carabiner in a fall arrest system, the carabiner having: (1) a frame; and (2) an openable gate attached to the frame and configured to be moved between an open position, wherein at least one component of a harness arrangement and at least one fall arrest device can be attached to or detached from the frame, and a closed position, wherein the at least one component of the harness arrangement and the at least one fall arrest device can be secured to the frame, the divider comprising a body having: (i) a central body portion; and (ii) a plurality of connection portions extending from the central body portion and configured to attach the divider to at least a portion of the frame, wherein the plurality of connection portions are spaced and divide the carabiner into a plurality of areas for connection of the at least one component of the harness arrangement and the at least one fall arrest device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0081] FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a fall arrest system according to the principles of the present invention;

[0082] FIG. 2 is a front view of a portion of the fall arrest system of FIG. 1;

[0083] FIG. 3 is a front view of one embodiment of a carabiner with a divider according to the principles of the present invention;

[0084] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the carabiner and divider of FIG. 3 wherein the divider is fully attached to the carabiner and the gate of the carabiner is in the closed position;

[0085] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the carabiner and divider of FIG. 3 wherein the divider is partially detached from the carabiner and the gate of the carabiner is in the open position;

[0086] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the carabiner and divider of FIG. 3 wherein the divider is partially detached from the carabiner and the gate of the carabiner is in the closed position; and

[0087] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a carabiner with a divider according to the principles of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0088] For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “end”, “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing FIGS. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments or aspects of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments or aspects disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

[0089] As illustrated in certain preferred and non-limiting embodiments or aspects in FIGS. 1-7, the present invention is directed to a divider 10 for a carabiner 12 in a fall arrest system 14. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the fall arrest system 14 includes a harness arrangement 16 that is worn by the user, and this harness arrangement 16 includes at least one strap 18 that is directly or indirectly attached or attachable to the carabiner 12. In one preferred and a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the at least one strap 18 is directly attached to the carabiner 12, while in another preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the at least one strap 18 is directly or indirectly attached to a harness connector 20, which, in turn, is directly attached to the carabiner 12. This harness connector 20 is typically in the form of a D-ring connector. As is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and in one preferred and a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the carabiner 12 is used to facilitate attachment between the harness arrangement 16 (i.e., the user) and at least one fall arrest device 22 (e.g., a connector element 24 of the fall arrest device 22). The connector element 24 may be configured to allow for the swiveling of a housing 26 of the fall arrest device 22, as well as at least partial rotation about the carabiner 12.

[0090] In another preferred and a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the fall arrest system 14 includes a plurality of fall arrest devices 22 (such as a pair of fall arrest devices 22, as shown in FIG. 1). These fall arrest devices 22 may be in the form of a safety line device, a fall protection device, a self-retracting lanyard, a safety device, and the like. Further, these fall arrest devices 22 are removably connectable to the carabiner 12 and each include a lifeline 28 that pays out from and retracts into the housing 26 of each fall arrest device 22. Alternatively, and in the context and scope of the present invention, the fall arrest devices may use or incorporate either a fixed safety line or an extendable safety line. Still further, a connector 30, such as a carabiner or the like, is positioned on or attached to an end of each fall arrest device 22, i.e., the extending end of the lifeline 28, and each connector 30 is configured to be removably secured to some anchor point or secure point, such as a surface of a structure.

[0091] It is envisioned that the carabiner 12 can be configured, arranged, or modified to interact with a variety of makes and models of fall arrest systems and devices without departing from the spirit and scope hereof. It is further envisioned that the divider 10 according to the present invention may be configured, arranged, or modified to interact with a variety of makes and models of carabiners 12, such as the carabiner 12 shown in FIGS. 1-6 and the carabiner 12 shown in FIG. 7. Still further, in one preferred and a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the carabiner 12 includes a frame 32 and an openable gate 34 attached to the frame 32 and configured to be moved between an open position, wherein at least one component (e.g., a strap 18 and/or a harness connector 20) of the harness arrangement 16 and at least one fall arrest device 22 (e.g., the connector element 24) can be attached to or detached from the frame 32, and a closed position, wherein the at least one component of the harness arrangement 16 and the at least one fall arrest device 22 (e.g., the connector element 24) can be secured to the frame 32. The gate 34 may be a two-stage opening gate which requires that the gate first be rotated or twisted about its axis and only then pivoted open, or a three-stage opening gate which requires that the gate be first slid longitudinally before the rotation and pivot steps required for the two-stage opening gate.

[0092] In one preferred and a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, and with reference to FIGS. 2-7, the divider 10 includes a body 50 having a central body portion 52 and a plurality of connection portions 54 extending from the central body portion 52. The connection portions 54 are sized, shaped, or configured to attach the divider 10 to at least a portion of the frame 32, and further, these connection portions 54 are spaced and divide the carabiner 12 into a plurality of areas 56 for connection of the at least one component of the harness arrangement 16 (e.g., a strap 18 and/or a harness connector 20) and the at least one fall arrest device 22, e.g., the twin fall arrest devices 22 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0093] In one preferred and a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, and as best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the plurality of connection portions 54a, 54b, 54c, 54d define four areas 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d, as follows: (1) a first area 56a for connection of a first fall arrest device 22; (2) a second area 56c for connection of a second fall arrest device 22; (3) a third area 56b for connection of the at least one component of the harness arrangement 16; and (4) a fourth area 56d at least partially surrounding the gate 34. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the carabiner 12 is divided or separated into four sections that are spaced from each other, and allow for the appropriate positioning and separation of the various connections and attached components in the fall arrest system 14. In addition, this separation reduces the risk of the various connections or connected components from impacting each other, twisting, or otherwise binding as the user is moving between anchor points and/or during routine operation.

[0094] In one preferred and a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, at least one connection portion 54 of the plurality of connection portions 54 is in the form of a collar 58 that extends around the frame 32 of the carabiner 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection portion 54a represents the collar 58. While, in this embodiment, the collar 58 extends completely around the frame 32, in other embodiments, the collar 58 may extend only partially around the frame 32. Further, and in one preferred and a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the collar 58 (or one or all of the other connection portions 54) are substantially adjacent to and spaced from an end (e.g., a pivot point end 60 of the gate 34 and/or a pivoting end 62 of the gate 34). In the illustrated embodiment, the collar 58 is located substantially adjacent to and spaced from the pivot point end 60 of the gate 34. This beneficial positioning of the connection portion 54, e.g., the collar 58, on the frame 32 (as opposed to the gate 34) allows for the engagement and disengagement of the divider 10 without the simultaneous movement of the gate 34. In addition, this beneficial positioning of the connection portion 54, e.g., the collar 58, allows for the reduction in size of the collar 58, since it needs to only interact with the smaller-proportioned frame 32 diameter. Still further, this positioning reduces the chances that the divider 10 is accidentally removed from the carabiner 12 when the gate 34 is open, which would be a possibility if the divider 10 was connected to the gate 34.

[0095] In one preferred and a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, at least one of the connection portions 54, e.g., the collar 58, facilitates the swiveling of the divider 10 from an engaged position (FIGS. 3 and 4), wherein all of the plurality of connection portions 54 are attached to the frame 32, to a disengaged position (FIGS. 5 and 6), wherein only the collar 58 remains attached to the frame 32. While in the disengaged position, the user can easily attach or detach the fall arrest devices 22 (e.g., the connector element 24) and/or the component of the harness arrangement 16 (e.g., a strap 18 and/or a harness connector 20). Of course it is recognized that the strap 18 may be fed through the appropriate area 56b regardless of whether the divider 10 is engaged with or disengaged from the carabiner 12. Similarly, and in one preferred and a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, when attached, one or all of the connection portions 54 are slidable along the frame 32 and configured to facilitate complete removal of the divider 10 from the carabiner 12.

[0096] In one preferred and a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, at least one connection portion 54 (e.g., connection portions 54b, 54c, 54d) of the plurality of connection portions 54 are removably attachable to the frame 32. For example, and as best illustrated in FIG. 5, one, some, or all of the connection portions 54 are in the form of a substantially C-shaped clip member 64 (e.g., a jaw structure) that is sized, shaped, or configured to fit at least partially around at least a portion of the frame 32. For example, in one preferred and a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, such a substantially C-shaped clip member 64 may be clamped over a portion of the frame 32, and in another preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the substantially C-shaped clip member 64 is substantially deformable or flexible, such that the substantially C-shaped clip member 64 can be frictionally engaged with the frame 32. In particular, the C-shaped clip member 64 may be formed from a flexible or deformable material, such as plastic, and snap-fit or clamped to the frame 32. Such an arrangement allows for the easy attachment to or detachment from the frame 32, and in the embodiment with the collar 58, these substantially C-shaped clip members 64 may be disengaged and pivot with the central body portion 52 to allow for attachment of the other components.

[0097] In one preferred and a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, at least a portion of the body 50 is positionable substantially adjacent the gate 34, i.e., the gate 34 is located in an area 56, e.g., area 56d, formed by two connection portions 54, e.g., connection portions 54a, 54d. In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the central body portion 52 includes or is formed with at least one edge 66 extending substantially adjacent to a side 68 of the gate 34, such that, when the divider 10 is attached to the frame 32, the gate 34 is prevented from pivoting to the open position. As illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, when the divider 10 is engaged with the carabiner 12, the gate 34 is prevented from pivoting inward (as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the divider 10 is disengaged from the carabiner 12). This protects against accidental pivoting/opening of the gate 34 while the divider 10 is attached to or engaged with the carabiner 12, and is equally effective with a two-stage or three-stage gate.

[0098] In one preferred and a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the central body portion 52 includes or is formed with at least one stop formation 70 positioned substantially adjacent an end, e.g., the pivoting end 62, of the gate 34. Accordingly, and when the divider 10 is attached to the frame 32, the gate 34 is prevented from longitudinally sliding. In this manner, and as discussed above in connection with the edge 66, the stop formation 70 will protect against the accidental sliding (and, thereafter, pivoting/opening) of the gate 34 while the divider 10 is attached to or engaged with the carabiner 12, and is particularly effective with a three-stage gate. Further, this stop formation 70 may be a separate piece or integral to the body 50 of the divider 10. It is further envisioned that one of the connection portions 54 may be positioned or located on the carabiner 12 to provide the same prevention of longitudinal sliding of the gate 34.

[0099] In one preferred and a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the divider 10 includes at least one rib 72 formed on the body 50 at least partially along at least one of the plurality of connection portions 54. Such a rib 72 may be used to strengthen the connection portion 54, particular after repeated engagements and disengagements of the divider 10. In addition, the rib 72 facilitates operation and manipulation of the divider 10.

[0100] In one preferred and a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, and as illustrated in FIG. 7, the divider 10 may be used in connection with a variety of different carabiners, such as the shaped carabiner 12, which is shown and described in Great Britain Patent Application No. 1514915.6. As illustrated, and in this embodiment, the central body portion 52 defining one of the areas 56, e.g., 56b, includes an indent 74. This indent 74 is sized, shaped, or configured to allow for the effective attachment of a harness connector 20 of the harness arrangement 16, such as a D-ring connector. Of course, it is envisioned that the body 50, the central body portion 52, and/or any of the connection portions 54 can be sized, shaped, or configured to accommodate differently sized and shaped components of the fall arrest system 14.

[0101] Accordingly, the divider 10 and fall arrest system 14 facilitates safe and effective engagement in activities by a user working in certain environments and applications.

[0102] Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments or aspects, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments or aspects, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment or aspect can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment or aspect.