Device providing safe access to a confined space, notably a lateral-access confined space

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for safe access to a confined space, comprising: a rectilinear support strut (12), two arms (14, 16) each fixed rigidly to an end (12a) of the strut, at right angles thereto and in opposite directions. A first arm (14) comprises at least one anchoring element (18), the second arm (16) being provided with at least two pulleys (20, 22) whose axis of rotation is at right angles to the plane defined by the strut and the arms. The anchoring element (18) and the two pulleys (20, 22) are arranged so as to allow the passage of a cordage of the anchoring element to the pulleys without interfering with the strut and the first and second arms. The strut (12) has at least one fixing member intended to cooperate with an opening (84) of the confined space in order to ensure the fixing thereof.

Claims

1. An access device for safe access to a confined space, comprising: a rectilinear support strut, a first arm fixed rigidly to an end of the strut and extending at right angles to the strut, a second arm fixed rigidly to another end of the strut and extending at right angles to the strut, in a same plane as the plane defined by the first arm and the strut but in a direction opposite to the first arm, and in which: the first arm comprises at least one anchoring element situated at a predetermined distance from the strut, the second arm is provided with a first pulley and a second pulley whose axis of rotation is at right angles to the plane defined by the strut and the first and second arms, the first pulley being situated at an end of the second arm fixed to the strut and the second pulley being situated at a predetermined distance from the strut, the anchoring element and the first and second pulleys being arranged so as to allow the passage of a cordage to the first and second pulleys without interfering with the strut and the first and second arms, the strut has at least one fixing member adapted to cooperate with an opening of the confined space, the strut is formed in two parts whose ends are joined and secured by removal fixing elements, and a first joined end defines a U-shaped housing whose concavity is open in a direction opposite to the second arm and a second joined end is received inside the housing, bearing against surfaces internal to the housing.

2. The access device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least on fixing member comprises two fixing members extending in a plane at right angles to the plane defined by the strut and the first and second arms, on either side of the strut.

3. The access device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one fixing member defines an orifice of axis parallel to the second arm, the orifice having an elongate form.

4. The access device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second joined end comprises a pierced fixing tab cooperating with an orifice formed in a bottom wall of the U-shaped housing of the first end, a pin passing through corresponding orifices of the joined ends or a screw joining the fixing tab to the bottom wall of the housing.

5. The access device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second arm is an extrusion with H-shaped cross section.

6. The access device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second arm comprises at least one anchoring element situated at a predetermined distance from the strut.

7. An enclosure comprising; a lateral wall provided with a manhole having a perimeter, the perimeter having an outer lip at a distance from the lateral wall, an access device secured to the manhole, the access device having: a rectilinear support strut, a first arm fixed rigidly to an end of the strut and extending at right angles to the strut, a second arm fixed rigidly to another end of the strut and extending at right angles to the strut, in a same plane as the plane defined by the first arm and the strut but in a direction opposite to the first arm, and in which: the first arm comprises at least one anchoring element situated at a predetermined distance from the strut, the second arm is provided with a first pulley and a second pulley whose axis of rotation is at right angles to the plane defined by the strut and the first and second arms, the first pulley being situated at an end of the second arm fixed to the strut and the second pulley being situated at a predetermined distance from the strut, the anchoring element and the first and second pulleys being arranged so as to allow the passage of a cordage to the first and second pulleys without interfering with the strut and the first and second arms, the strut has at least one fixing member adapted to cooperate with an opening of the confined space the strut of the access device extends substantially vertically above the manhole, the first arm extending substantially at right angles to the lateral wall of the enclosure and the second arm extending inside the manhole, bearing against a top inner surface of the manhole, wherein the at least one fixing member of the access device is bearing against the outer lip and secured thereto.

8. A method for installing an access device on a manhole formed through a lateral wall of an enclosure, the manhole having, on its perimeter, an outer lip, the method comprising the following steps: providing an access device, the access device comprising: a rectilinear support strut, a first arm fixed rigidly to an end of the strut and extending at right angles to the strut, a second arm fixed rigidly to another end of the strut and extending at right angles to the strut, in a same plane as the plane defined by the first arm and the strut but in a direction opposite to the first arm, and in which: the first arm comprises at least one anchoring element situated at a predetermined distance from the strut, the second arm is provided with a first pulley and a second pulley whose axis of rotation is at right angles to the plane defined by the strut and the first and second arms, the first pulley being situated at an end of the second arm fixed to the strut and the second pulley being situated at a predetermined distance from the strut, the anchoring element and the first and second pulleys being arranged so as to allow the passage of a cordage to the first and second pulleys without interfering with the strut and the first and second arms, the strut has at least one fixing member adapted to cooperate with an opening of the confined space placing at least one fixing member of the access device bearing against the outer lip, the strut extending substantially vertically above the manhole, the first arm extending substantially at right angles to the lateral wall of the enclosure and the second arm extending inside the manhole, bearing against a top inner surface of the manhole, securing of at least one fixing member to the outer lip.

Description

(1) The invention is now described with reference to the nonlimiting attached drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 represents an exploded perspective view of a device for safe access to a manhole according to an embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of the same access device, in the assembled state;

(4) FIG. 3 represents the same access device fixed to an outer lip of the manhole, the latter being partially represented;

(5) FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 are schematic representations of the device according to the invention in different configurations of use.

(6) In the present description, the terms top, bottom refer to the up and down directions, in the position of use of the access device in which the strut is substantially vertical, in other words substantially in the direction of gravity.

(7) Substantially horizontal, longitudinal or vertical is understood to mean a direction/a plane forming an angle of at most 20, even at most 10 or at most 5 with a horizontal, longitudinal or vertical direction/plane.

(8) Substantially parallel or at right angles is understood to mean a direction/a plane departing by at most 20, even at most 10 or at most 5 from a parallel or right-angled direction/plane.

(9) FIGS. 1 and 2 represent a safe stop device 10 comprising: a rectilinear support strut 12, a first arm 14 fixed rigidly to an end 12a of the strut 12, here a top end, and extending at right angles to the strut 12, a second arm 16, fixed rigidly to another end 12b of the strut 12 and extending at right angles to the strut 12, in a same plane as the plane defined by the first arm 14 and the strut 12, but in a direction opposite to the first arm 14.

(10) These different elements (the strut 12, the first and second arms 14, 16) are fixed rigidly to one another, in other words, no possibility of movement exists between these elements.

(11) The first arm 14 comprises an anchoring element, fixed rigidly, situated at a predetermined distance from the strut 12. This distance can in particular be chosen as a function of the length of the first arm 14 and of the strut 12. In the embodiment represented, a single anchoring element 18 is provided at the free end 14a of the first arm 14. It takes the form of a tab pierced with an orifice 19 for the attachment of a fixing element, for example of snap-hook type, or for the passage of a cordage. This anchoring element 18 is inclined toward the bottom end 12b of the strut.

(12) The second arm 16 is for its part provided with two pulleys 20, 22 whose axis of rotation is at right angles to the plane defined by the strut 12 and the first and second arms 14, 16. A first pulley 20 is situated at an end 16a of the second arm 16, here the end 16a fixed to the strut 12, and a second pulley 22 is situated in proximity to the other end 16b of the second arm.

(13) The anchoring element 18 and the pulleys 20 and 22 are arranged so as to allow the passage of a cordage from the anchoring element 18 to the pulleys 20, 22 without interfering with the strut 12 and the first and second arms 14, 16. To this end, as an example, as represented here, one pulley 20 can be situated in the extension of the second arm 16, at the end of the strut 12, the other pulley 22 can be arranged below the second arm 16, at the end thereof. This pulley 22 can be fixed to the second arm 16 by means of a fixing tab 23.

(14) The invention is not limited to a particular arrangement of the pulleys and of the anchoring element, or to a particular number of these elements. The positioning of the pulleys and of the anchoring element could be different, in particular the pulleys could occupy positions more distant from the strut and the second arm and the anchoring element could be at a distance from the strut, but not at the end of the first arm 14. Other anchoring elements and/or pulleys could also be provided, depending on the needs.

(15) Depending on the length of the second arm 16, the pulley 22 can also be arranged at a predetermined distance from the strut 12, for example at a sufficient distance to be inside the enclosure and sufficiently far away from the inner walls of the enclosure in order to avoid friction between the cordage and these walls. It will be noted that the length of the second arm is then sufficient for its free end to be able to be arranged inside different types of enclosure and to allow a positioning of the pulley 22 as specified previously. The length of the first arm will be chosen as a function of the length of the strut in order to allow an attachment of a cordage to the anchoring element and to the pulleys, without interferences with the access device 10.

(16) The strut 12 also has at least one fixing member intended to cooperate with an opening of the confined space.

(17) In the embodiment represented, two fixing members 24, 26 are arranged on either side of the strut 12. They extend on the side of the second arm 16 in a plane at right angles to the plane defined by the strut 12 and the first and second arms 14, 16.

(18) These fixing members 24, 26 define orifices 25, 27 respectively, of axis parallel to the second arm 16. These orifices 25, 27 each have an elongate and curved form, the inward curvature of which is directed toward the end 12b of the strut secured to the second arm. In particular, the center of curvature is on a straight line extending substantially in the extension of the strut 12, under the latter. Thus, the two orifices 25, 27 follow substantially one and the same curve, the curvature of which can correspond to the curvature of a lip of a manhole. These orifices are fairly large, which makes it possible to place them easily in line with pre-existing orifices on different manhole lips.

(19) The fixing members 24, 26 are, here, similar to fixing rings. It will be noted that they are situated in immediate proximity to the second arm 16 in the example represented.

(20) The strut 12 has a fixing orifice 28 situated between the fixing members 24, 26 and whose axis is parallel to the second arm 16. It will be noted that this orifice 28 is, here, of oblong form whose length extends substantially parallel to the axis of the strut 12. This orifice 28 also forms a fixing member within the meaning of the invention.

(21) The access device 10 according to the invention can be produced in a single piece, or in several elements secured definitively to one another. The access device is then not dismantable. Advantageously, and as represented in the figures, the access device 10 according to the invention can be produced in several parts, preferably in two parts as in the example represented.

(22) Here, the strut 12 is thus formed in two parts, 121, 122 whose ends are joined and secured by removable fixing elements. A robust strut 12 is thus obtained despite its two-part construction.

(23) In the example represented and as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 1 and 2, a first joined end here forming all of the first part 121 of the strut 12 defines a U-shaped housing whose concavity is open in a direction opposite to the second arm 16. In other words, the bottom wall 123 of this U-shaped housing is arranged on the side of the second arm 16 between the fixing members 24, 26. This bottom wall 123 extends in the longitudinal direction of the strut.

(24) A second joined end 124, which forms part of the second part 122 of the strut 12, is received inside the U-shaped housing, bearing against surfaces internal to this housing. In other words, this second end 124 has a form complementary to the U-shaped housing.

(25) It will be noted that the second end 124 comprises a fixing tab 125 pierced with an orifice 126. This fixing tab comes to bear against the bottom wall 123 of the first part 121 when the two parts 121, 122 are joined one inside the other. The orifice 28 of the bottom wall 123 can then line up with the orifice 126 of the fixing tab 125. It is thus possible to fix the fixing tab 125 to the bottom wall 123 by means of a removable fixing element, such as, for example, a screw-nut set which will be described later.

(26) As mentioned above, the two parts 121, 122, of the strut 12 are secured by removable fixing elements. In the example, these fixing elements are two pins 30, 32, or shafts, which extend parallel to one another and at right angles to the plane defined by the strut 12 and the first and second arms 14, 16. Here, these pins are arranged one above the other and pass through orifices provided for this purpose in the first and second joined parts 121, 122 of the strut, these orifices being aligned for the passage of the pins 30, 32. These pins can be linked by a chain or the like to the strut 12 in order to prevent them from being lost. Furthermore, a screw-nut set comprising a screw 34 makes it possible to associate the first and second parts 121, 122 via the orifices 28, 126 described above, in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second arm 16.

(27) In the example represented, the second arm 16 comprises two anchoring elements, 36, 38, situated at a distance from the strut 12, here level with the pulley 22, namely at the free end of the second arm 16. They are secured to the tab 23 supporting the pulley 22.

(28) In the present invention, the different anchoring points, 18, 36, 38 are preferably produced in such a way as to observe the safety standards in force for people, such as class B of the standard EN795:2012.

(29) In order to lighten to the maximum weight of the access device 10, the second arm 16 takes the form of an extrusion with H-shaped cross section. The first arm 14, and the top part 122 of the strut 12, are hollow extrusions with closed section.

(30) FIG. 3 represents the access device 10 described above fixed onto a manhole 85 of an enclosure (not represented in FIG. 3). The same access device 10 is represented schematically in different configurations of use in FIGS. 4-7.

(31) FIG. 3 shows in particular an outer lip 40 of the manhole 85 which usually extends at a distance from the lateral wall 82 of an enclosure 80 (see FIGS. 4-7). This outer lip 40 defines a bearing surface 42 pierced with orifices 44. It will be noted that these orifices 44 are distributed over all the periphery of the outer lip 40, here of annular form. These orifices 44 are initially intended to ensure the closure of the manhole 85 by a plate screwed by screws passing through these orifices 44. In order to ensure a good closure of the manhole, the bearing surface 42 is therefore generally planar and extends over all the perimeter of the manhole 85.

(32) When it is fixed to the manhole 85, the strut 12 of the access device 10 extends vertically (or substantially vertically), above the manhole. The first arm 14 extends substantially at right angles to the lateral wall 82 of the enclosure, whereas the second arm 16 extends inside the manhole, substantially parallel to the axis thereof. This second arm 16 is bearing against a top inner surface 46 of the outer lip 40. The fixing members 24, 26 are bearing against the bearing surface 42 of the outer lip. Here, the securing of the access device 10 is obtained by two fixing screws 48, 50 by means of tightening nuts (not represented), these screws being inserted through orifices 25, 27 of fixing the members and orifices 44 of the outer lip 40 that are lined up. It will be noted that, by virtue of the relatively large dimensions of the orifices 25, 27, the heads 49, 51 of the screws 48, 50 respectively cannot be retained by the fixing members. To nevertheless allow for a securing of the screws 48, 50, pierced backing plates 52, 54 are interposed between the screwheads 49, 51 and the fixing members 24, 26, the screws 48, 50 passing through these plates 52, 54 whose dimensions are large enough to bear against the edges of the orifices 25, 27. Other pierced plates 56, 58 are arranged bearing against a face of the outer lip 40 opposite the bearing surface 42 receiving the fixing rings, between the lip 40 and tightening nuts (not represented). These plates 56, 58, also passed through by the screws 48, 50, make it possible to ensure a better engagement and a better tightening of the screw-nut sets. Note that the tightening nuts can be incorporated in these plates 56, 58 for easier manipulation.

(33) Other pierced plates 60, 62 are provided to ensure the tightening of the screw 34 passing through the orifices 126, 28. This screw 34 is thus also used for the fixing of the access device 10 onto the outer lip 40 by passage through one of the aligned orifices 44.

(34) The fixing of the access device 10 described previously to the manhole 85 is now detailed.

(35) The bottom part of the access device 10, namely the second arm 16 and the part 121 of the strut 12, is first of all fixed onto the manhole 85. To this end, the fixing members 24, 26 are placed bearing against the bearing surface 42 of the outer lip 40, the part 121 of the strut extending substantially vertically above the manhole 85, the second arm 16 is, for its part, pressed along the top inner wall 46 of the manhole 85.

(36) After this bearing placement, the orifices 25, 27 of the fixing members and the orifice 28 can be lined up with the orifices 44 of the outer lip. It is then possible to insert the fixing screws 48, 50 mounted on the backing plates 52, 54. On the other side of the outer lip, the backing plates 56, 58 are threaded onto the screws 48, 50, then the tightening nuts are put in place. The bottom part of the access device is then fixed to the manhole. It is then possible to put in place the top part, by joining the end 124 inside the end 121. The fixing screw 34 is then inserted into the aligned orifices 126, 28 and 44 and its nut is put in place. It is thus possible to rapidly secure, notably in less than five minutes, the access device to the outer lip by means of three screw-nut sets.

(37) Note that the invention is not limited to a particular number of removable fixing elements, or to their form, provided that they make it possible to rigidly and non-definitively fix the access device to the manhole, and the different parts of the strut as appropriate.

(38) A few configurations of use of the access device are described hereinbelow.

(39) FIG. 4 represents a configuration in which a ladder 64 is fixed to one of the anchoring points 36, 38 of the device situated inside the enclosure. The other anchoring element 38 is used here to secure the lowering of a worker by means of a fall prevention device 66 to which the worker is attached by means of a harness.

(40) FIG. 5 represents a rescue configuration. The outer anchoring element 18 is used here to fix a raising device 68 whose cordage 69 passes through the pulleys 20, 22 to the victim to be raised. The rescuer is, for his part, attached by a harness to a fall prevention device 66 attached to the anchoring element 36. It is thus possible to raise a person, even an unconscious person, via the access device according to the invention.

(41) In the configuration of FIG. 6, a winch 70 is fixed to the outside of the enclosure 80 on the first arm 14 of the access device 10. A cordage 71 passing through the pulleys 20, 22 links the worker to the winch. A ladder 64 is fixed inside the enclosure to the anchoring element 36 to facilitate the descent.

(42) In the configuration of FIG. 7, a fall prevention device 66 is attached to the anchoring element 36. A winch 70 is fixed in the same way as in the configuration of FIG. 6 and is used to raise or lower a person.

(43) The access device according to the invention thus allows for safe access to a confined space, for maintenance interventions, the different anchoring elements making it possible to ensure the safety of a worker and/or to attach working equipment, or for rescue interventions, the different anchoring elements being able to be used to attach lowering/raising devices.

(44) Furthermore, the access device has little bulk and its weight can be of the order of 30 to 35 kg when the different parts are made of steel.

(45) Obviously, other materials can be envisaged, such as aluminum or other alloys.