Case or Cradle for a Fall Arrest Device

Abstract

A case or support cradle (10) for a fall arrest device has a shape or configuration enabling rolling of the case or cradle (10) along an arcuate path. The rollable case or cradle (10) allows the fall arrest device received therein to smoothly follow a user's movements around a work site, thereby protecting the device from damage due to dragging or scraping along a floor surface.

Claims

1.-32. (canceled)

33. A cradle for a fall arrest device, the cradle comprising: a first contact surface ring defining a first aperture and having a first diameter; a second contact surface ring defining a second aperture and having a second diameter different than the first diameter; and one or more links connecting the first contact surface ring to the second contact surface ring, wherein the cradle is configured to roll around an arcuate path about a rolling axis extending through the first opening and the second opening.

34. The cradle of claim 33, wherein the rolling axis is inclined at an angle relative to a surface supporting the cradle.

35. The cradle of claim 33, wherein the arcuate path has a specific radius determined by the first diameter and the second diameter.

36. The cradle of claim 33, further comprising one or more engagement formations on at least one of the first contact surface ring and the second contact surface ring, each of the one or more engagement formations configured for connecting to complementary engagement formations on a fall arrest device.

37. The cradle of claim 37, wherein at least one of the one or more engagement formations is configured for snap-fit engagement with the fall arrest device.

38. The cradle of claim 37, wherein at least one of the one or more engagement formations is a fixing aperture configured to receive a mechanical fastener for securing the cradle relative to the fall arrest device.

39. The cradle of claim 33, wherein the cradle comprises the fall arrest device.

40. The cradle of claim 39, wherein the fall arrest device is a self-retracting lanyard.

41. The cradle of claim 39, wherein the fall arrest device rotates about the rolling axis with the cradle.

42. The cradle of claim 39, wherein the rolling axis is orientated in a same direction as a safety line of the fall arrest device.

43. A case for a fall arrest device, the case comprising: a housing having a first end, a second end, and a body having a circular cross section over at least a portion of a body length extending between the first end and the second end; wherein the body has one or more rolling contact surfaces; and wherein the body is configured to roll on the one or more rolling contact surfaces in an arcuate path about a rolling axis.

44. The case of claim 43, wherein the first end comprises a connection point configured for receiving a connector for connecting the housing to an anchor.

45. The case of claim 43, wherein the second end comprises an aperture configured for receiving a lifeline.

46. The case of claim 43, wherein the housing comprises a first half connected to the second half.

47. The case of claim 43, wherein the housing comprises the fall arrest device.

48. The case of claim 47, wherein the fall arrest device is a self-retracting lanyard.

49. The case of claim 47, wherein the fall arrest device rotates about the rolling axis with the housing.

50. The case of claim 43, wherein at least a portion of one or more rolling contact surfaces comprises a shock-absorbing material.

51. The case of claim 50, wherein the shock-absorbing material is a tire at a largest diameter of the housing, and wherein the tire has one or more projections or indentations on its surface for improving a grip with a contact surface.

52. The case of claim 43, wherein the at least a portion of one or more rolling contact surfaces comprises a ring having one or more protrusions or indentations for improving a grip with a contact surface.

53.-87. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0112] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rollable cradle according to the principles of the present invention;

[0113] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of an SRL received in the cradle of FIG. 1;

[0114] FIG. 3 is a side view of the SRL and cradle shown in FIG. 2 used in a fall arrest system;

[0115] FIG. 4 is a side view of a rollable case according to the principles of the present invention;

[0116] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the rollable case of FIG. 4 shown as part of a fall arrest system;

[0117] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a rollable case according to further principles of the present invention; and

[0118] FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the rollable case of FIG. 6 shown as part of a fall arrest system.

[0119] In FIGS. 1-7, like characters refer to the same components and elements, as the case may be, unless otherwise stated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0120] As used herein, the singular form of a, an, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0121] Spatial or directional terms, such as left, right, inner, outer, above, below, and the like, relate to the invention as shown in the drawing figures and are not to be considered as limiting as the invention can assume various alternative orientations.

[0122] All numbers and ranges used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term about. By about is meant plus or minus twenty-five percent of the stated value, such as plus or minus ten percent of the stated value. However, this should not be considered as limiting to any analysis of the values under the doctrine of equivalents.

[0123] Unless otherwise indicated, all ranges or ratios disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass the beginning and ending values and any and all subranges or subratios subsumed therein. For example, a stated range or ratio of 1 to 10 should be considered to include any and all subranges or subratios between (and inclusive of) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges or subratios beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less. The ranges and/or ratios disclosed herein represent the average values over the specified range and/or ratio.

[0124] The terms first, second, and the like are not intended to refer to any particular order or chronology, but refer to different conditions, properties, or elements.

[0125] The term at least is synonymous with greater than or equal to.

[0126] The term not greater than is synonymous with less than or equal to.

[0127] As used herein, at least one of is synonymous with one or more of. For example, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C means any one of A, B, or C, or any combination of any two or more of A, B, or C. For example, at least one of A, B, and C includes A alone; or B alone; or C alone; or A and B; or A and C; or B and C; or all of A, B, and C.

[0128] The term adjacent means proximate to but not in direct contact with.

[0129] The term includes is synonymous with comprises.

[0130] As used herein, the terms parallel or substantially parallel mean a relative angle as between two objects (if extended to theoretical intersection), such as elongated objects and including reference lines, that is from 0 to 5, or from 0 to 3, or from 0 to 2, or from 0 to 1, or from 0 to 0.5, or from 0 to 0.25, or from 0 to 0.1, inclusive of the recited values.

[0131] As used herein, the terms perpendicular or substantially perpendicular mean a relative angle as between two objects at their real or theoretical intersection is from 85 to 90, or from 87 to 90, or from 88 to 90, or from 89 to 90, or from 89.5 to 90, or from 89.75 to 90, or from 89.9 to 90, inclusive of the recited values.

[0132] The discussion of the invention may describe certain features as being particularly or preferably within certain limitations (e.g., preferably, more preferably, or even more preferably, within certain limitations). It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these particular or preferred limitations but encompasses the entire scope of the disclosure.

[0133] FIG. 1 shows a cradle 10 according to an embodiment or aspect of the invention for receiving a fall arrest device. The cradle 10 has a first contact surface ring 11 and a second contact surface ring 12. The contact surface rings 11, 12 are attached together by means of links 13.

[0134] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second contact surface ring 12 has a larger diameter than the first contact surface ring 11. Both rings 11, 12 have a toroidal shape (i.e. a circular cross-section), which means that the rings 11, 12 roll smoothly along an arcuate path of a specific radius. The specific radius of the arcuate path is determined by the relative diameters of the rings 11, 12.

[0135] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the contact surface rings 11, 12 are the only portions of the cradle 10 which contact the surface on which the cradle 10 rests. Thus, the cradle 10 is shaped to inhibit rolling along any other paths than the arcuate path.

[0136] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first contact surface ring 11 defines a first aperture 11a in the cradle (shown in FIG. 1) and the second contact surface ring 12 defines a second aperture 12a in the cradle.

[0137] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the rings 11, 12 have engagement formations 14. The engagement formations can be configured to receive complementary engagement formations on a fall arrest device, such that there is a snap-fit engagement between the device and the cradle.

[0138] Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the engagement formations 14 may be fixing apertures configured to receive a mechanical fixing to secure the cradle relative to the fall arrest device (see FIG. 2).

[0139] FIG. 2 shows the cradle 10 of FIG. 1 with a self-retracting lifeline (SRL) device 50 received therein. The SRL 50 may for example be of the type described in WO2010/094921.

[0140] In order to arrive at the arrangement in FIG. 2, the end of the SRL 50 attached to a connector 15 for connecting the device 50 to a structural anchor is inserted through aperture 12a of the cradle 10 until the connector 15 projects through the first aperture 11a. The complementary engagement formations on the housing of the device (not shown) and on the cradle 14 then attach in a snap-fit engagement, thereby securing the cradle 10 with respect to the device 50.

[0141] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, bolts or other mechanical fixings may be received in the engagement formations 14.

[0142] FIG. 3 shows the apparatus of FIG. 2 as part of a fall arrest system. It is important to note that the figures are schematic illustrations which are not drawn to scale.

[0143] In FIG. 3, the SRL 50 is secured in the cradle 10 as in FIG. 2 and a connector (e.g. a carabiner) 15 has been attached through the connection point on the device 50 and an structural anchor 16 disposed at floor level. The lifeline 17 wound onto the drum of the SRL 50 extends through aperture 12a of the cradle and is connected to an energy absorber device 18. The energy absorber device 18 may be of any known type.

[0144] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the energy absorber device 18 is secured to a user's harness 19 in accordance with the relevant safety regulations.

[0145] In use, when the user moves around the surface 25, the cradle 10 can roll smoothly in an arcuate path about the structural anchor 16 on the first and second surface contact rings 11, 12. This prevents the SRL device 50 scraping along the surface 25 and becoming damaged. The safety labels attached to the housing of the SRL device 50 (not shown) are also clearly visible through the cradle 10, in accordance with safety regulations.

[0146] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the SRL device 50 rotates about a rolling axis 19 orientated in the same direction as the lifeline 17. This is advantageous as it ensures that the lifeline 17 does not get tangled as the SRL device 50 and cradle 10 roll. The rolling axis 19 is inclined to the surface 25 upon which the cradle 10 is supported.

[0147] FIG. 4 shows a case 20 for receiving a fall arrest device therein in accordance with the present invention. The case 20 may be one within which an SRL housing is fitted, or the case 20 may provide the actual case of the SRL. This means that a case 20 can be retro-fitted to an existing SRL or an SRL can be manufactured having a case 20 as the device housing. Such an SRL could be used overhead or in rolling mode (i.e. mounted proximate the floor), as described.

[0148] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the case 20 has a housing 21 which has a circular profile. At least a portion of the housing 21 is substantially curved, part conical or part spherical. The housing 21 is shaped such that, in use, it rolls in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 4 along an arcuate path.

[0149] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the size and shape of the housing 21 (for example the degree of curvature) determines the specific radius of the arcuate path about which the case 20 can roll. The shape of the housing 21 inhibits rolling of the case 20 along any other paths or rolling axes.

[0150] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a first end of the housing 21 has a connection point 15a. The connection point 15a (e.g. a shackle or eyelet) may be bolted or otherwise attached to the housing 21. A connector 15 is secured through the connection point 15a to attach the case 20 to a structural anchor 16 (see FIG. 5). The connection point 15a and the connector 15 may be provided separately to the case 20.

[0151] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the housing 21 also has an aperture 23 on the second end opposite to the connection point 15a. The aperture 23 is sized to receive a lifeline of the SRL device 50 therethrough.

[0152] FIG. 5 shows the case 20 of FIG. 4 as part of a fall arrest system. The system has an SRL device 50 having an outer case 20. The housing 21 of the case 20 is formed into two halves which are then slotted together around the SRL device 50, or around an inner portion of the SRL device 50.

[0153] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a carabiner (or connector) 15 attaches the SRL device 50 to an anchor point 16 on the surface 25 which is at floor level for a user. A lifeline 17 which is wound onto a drum of the SRL device 50 extends out of aperture 23 in the housing 21 where it can be attached to an energy absorber device and/or a user's harness (as in FIG. 3). The housing 21 is shaped so that the case and the device received therein roll smoothly in an arcuate path about the structural anchor 16.

[0154] As in FIG. 3, the SRL 50 rolls about a rolling axis 19 orientated in the same direction as the lifeline 17, which is inclined to the surface 25.

[0155] FIG. 6 shows another example of a case 30 according to the present invention. The case 30 has a housing 31 with a circular profile, similar to the housing 21 in FIG. 4. The aperture 33 and connection point 15a perform the same function as in FIG. 4.

[0156] However, in FIG. 6 the case 30 has a tire 34 secured around the largest diameter of the housing 31. The tire 34 is made of a synthetic rubber material which is shock-absorbing and the tire 34 has a plurality of indentations and/or projections which improve the grip between the case 30 and a surface on which it rests.

[0157] In use, the shape of the housing 31 and the tire 34 ensures that the case 30 rolls smoothly in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 6 along an arcuate path.

[0158] FIG. 7 shows the case 30 of FIG. 6 as part of a fall arrest system. This is essentially the same as shown in FIG. 5 but with the addition of the tire 34, thus common features between these two figures have been numbered accordingly.

[0159] Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what are 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.