Anchor

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an anchor for anchoring to an elevated worksite. The anchor includes a shock absorbing portion configured to progressively distort under sudden loading, the shock absorbing portion having one or more serpentine shaped members each defining one or more serpentine shaped curves visible from a front view of the shock absorbing portion, the shock absorbing portion having a curved profile defining one or more curves visible from a side view of the shock absorbing portion. The curved profile is configured to progressively distort under sudden loading so as to provide a first level of shock absorption, and the serpentine shaped curves are configured to progressively distort under sudden loading to provide a second level of shock absorption.

Claims

1. An anchor for anchoring to an elevated worksite, the anchor comprising: a shock absorbing portion configured to progressively distort under sudden loading and comprising: one or more serpentine shaped members having a front surface and a side surface perpendicular to the front surface, each front surface defining, in an unloaded state of the shock absorbing portion, one or more serpentine shaped curves visible from the front surface of the one or more serpentine shaped members of the shock absorbing portion, and a curved profile defined by the side surface of the one or more serpentine shaped members, the curved profile, in the unloaded state of the shock absorbing portion, defining either a generally S-shaped or a generally C-shaped curve that is visible from the side surface of the one or more serpentine shaped members of the shock absorbing portion, wherein: the curved profile of the serpentine shaped members is configured to extend under sudden loading in a direction of the sudden loading so as to provide a first level of shock absorption in dissipating energy from the sudden loading, and when the sudden loading exceeds a certain amount, the serpentine shaped curves are configured to further extend in the direction of the sudden loading to provide a second level of shock absorption in further dissipating energy from the sudden loading.

2. The anchor according to claim 1, wherein the shock absorbing portion further comprises: one or more support members for supporting the serpentine shaped members, and one or more frangible joints for connecting the one or more serpentine shaped members to the one or more support members, wherein the one or more frangible joints are configured to break under sudden loading so as to provide a third level of shock absorption.

3. The anchor according to claim 1, further comprising a line mount for receiving a safety line to which a worker may be tethered.

4. An anchoring system for anchoring to an elevated worksite, the anchoring system comprising: at least two anchors, and a safety line for connecting the at least two anchors, wherein: each anchor comprises a shock absorbing portion configured to progressively distort under sudden loading, each shock absorbing portion having one or more serpentine shaped members having a front surface and a side surface perpendicular to the front surface, each front surface defining, in an unloaded state of the shock absorbing portion, one or more serpentine shaped curves visible from the front surface of the one or more serpentine shaped members of the shock absorbing portion, each shock absorbing portion further having a curved profile defined by the side surface of the one or more serpentine shaped members, the curved profile, in the unloaded state of the shock absorbing portion, defining either a generally S-shaped or a generally C-shaped curve that is visible from the side surface of the one or more serpentine shaped members of the shock absorbing portion, the curved profile of the serpentine shaped members is configured to extend under sudden loading in a direction of the sudden loading so as to provide a first level of shock absorption in dissipating energy from the sudden loading, and when the sudden loading exceeds a certain amount, the serpentine shaped curves are configured to further extend in the direction of the sudden loading to provide a second level of shock absorption in further dissipating energy from the sudden loading.

5. The anchoring system according to claim 4, wherein the at least two anchors comprises an end anchor for receiving an end portion of the safety line and an intermediate anchor for receiving an intermediate portion of the safety line.

6. The anchoring system of claim 5, wherein the each of the end anchor and intermediate anchor comprises a shock absorbing portion having a pair of serpentine members, the pair of serpentine members being attached to a central support tongue via one or more frangible joints.

7. The anchoring system according to claim 5, further comprising a corner anchor for receiving a corner portion of the safety line.

8. The anchoring system of claim 7, wherein the corner anchor comprises a shock absorbing portion having three serpentine members, two of the serpentine members each being attached to a lateral support member of the shock absorbing portion via one or more frangible joints.

9. The anchoring system of claim 8, wherein each of the two serpentine members of the intermediate anchor is attached to a lateral support member of the intermediate anchor via a single frangible joint.

10. The anchoring system according to claim 4, wherein each anchor has a sleeve for receiving a respective portion of the safety line.

11. The anchoring system according to claim 4, further comprising a shuttle for connecting to and moving along the safety line, such that a worker may be tethered to the safety line via the shuttle.

12. A shock absorber configured to progressively distort under sudden loading, the shock absorber comprising: one or more serpentine shaped members having a front surface and a side surface perpendicular to the front surface, each front surface defining, in an unloaded state of the shock absorber, one or more serpentine shaped curves visible from the front surface of the one or more serpentine shaped members of the shock absorber, and a curved profile defined by the side surface of the one or more serpentine shaped members, the curved profile, in the unloaded state of the shock absorbing portion, defining either a generally S-shaped or a generally C-shaped curve that is visible from the side surface of the one or more serpentine shaped members of the shock absorber, wherein: the curved profile of the serpentine shaped members is configured to extend under sudden loading in a direction of the sudden loading so as to provide a first level of shock absorption in dissipating energy from the sudden loading, and when the sudden loading exceeds a certain amount, the serpentine shaped curves are configured to further extend in the direction of the sudden loading to provide a second level of shock absorption in further dissipating energy from the sudden loading.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of an anchor according one embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIGS. 1C and 1D illustrates a portion of the anchor as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B before and after forming;

(4) FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the portion of the anchor shown in FIG. 1D used with different base mount assemblies for mounting to different structures and materials;

(5) FIGS. 3A to 3D illustrate an anchoring system according an embodiment of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a shock absorbing portion for an end anchor of the anchoring system shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C;

(7) FIG. 4B is a front view of the shock absorbing portion of FIG. 4A;

(8) FIGS. 4C and 4D illustrate the shock absorbing portion of FIGS. 4A and 4B before and after forming;

(9) FIG. 4E illustrates a distorted shock absorbing portion of the end anchor of the anchoring system shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C.

(10) FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of a corner anchor of the anchoring system as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B; and

(11) FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the corner anchor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

(12) FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrates an anchor 100 for anchoring to an elevated worksite such as a roof. The anchor 100 includes a shock absorbing portion 102 preferably formed from sheet metal (preferably stainless steel, die cut), a base mount 106 for mounting the roof, and a line mount 108 for mounting to a safety line 118 (FIG. 1B). The safety line 118 is ultimately connected to the worker.

(13) The shock absorbing portion 102 is configured to progressively distort under sudden loading (explained in further detail below and with reference to FIG. 4E). The shock absorbing portion 102 includes a pair of serpentine shaped members 104a, 104b each defining serpentine shaped curves visible from a front view (and also visible from a rear view). In the embodiment shown, the pair of serpentine shaped members 104a, 104b are shaped to be a mirror image of one another about a centre line running longitudinally through a middle of the central support member, and terminate at a bridging portion 105. The bridging portion 105 connects an upper end of each of the serpentine shaped members 104a, 104b to each other and to the line mount 108. In the embodiments described herein, the front view is defined to be the view facing the wider side of the shock absorbing portion 102.

(14) The pair of serpentine shaped members 104a, 104b are connected to a central support member (or support tongue) 110 via respective frangible joints 112a, 112b. The frangible joints 112a, 112b prevent the serpentine members 104a, 104b from deforming too early or unnecessarily. A further advantage of the frangible joints 112a, 112b is that broken joints indicates a fall has taken place and the relevant anchor(s) 100 requires replacement.

(15) When viewed from a side (FIG. 1D), it can be seen that the shock absorbing portion 102 has a curved profile. In the embodiments described herein, the side view is defined to be the view facing the narrower side of the shock absorbing portion 102, rotated 90 from the front view. The curved profile defines a near S-shaped curve having a generally straightened upper portion.

(16) The base mount 106 includes a base plate 114 defining a plurality of openings 116 to facilitate mounting to a roof, for example by mounting to roof profiles of roof cladding. In particular, the positioning of the openings 116 about the periphery of the base plate 114 is designed to enable alignment with standardised roof profiles.

(17) As more clearly seen in FIG. 1B, the shock absorbing portion 102 includes a base 119 defining an opening 124 (FIGS. 1C and 1D) for attachment to the base plate 114 via a bolt 120. The line mount 108 includes a sleeve 122 having two open ends for receiving the safety line 118 therethrough.

(18) In use, a worker is connected to the anchor 100 either directly or indirectly via the safety line 118. In the event of an unexpected fall, forces from the fall are applied to the anchor as a sudden dynamic load. The anchor 100 is designed to progressively deform to dissipate energy from the load in a controlled manner. In particular, the curved profile allows the shock absorbing portion 102 to extend in the direction of the load upon breaking of the frangible joints 112a, 112b. When the sudden load exceeds a certain amount, the serpentine shaped members 104a, 104b can further extend to in the direction of the load to further dissipate energy from the fall as required. This will be explained in further detail with respect to FIG. 4E.

(19) Now referring to FIGS. 1C and 1D, the shock absorbing portion 102 can be initially formed from a single sheet of metal as shown in FIG. 1C. The bridging portion 105 is then welded to the sleeve 112 for attachment thereto. The shock absorbing portion 102 is then deformed to create a curved profile as shown in FIG. 1D. In an alternative embodiment, the curved profile of the shock absorbing portion 102 may be formed prior to attachment of the sleeve 112. In another embodiment, the entire component (including the shock absorbing portion 102 and the m sleeve 112) as shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D is manufactured using forging or casting processes. It will be appreciated that the bridging portion 105 is an optional feature and in a further embodiment (not shown), the sleeve 112 is welded or otherwise attached directly to the shock absorbing portion 102.

(20) As shown in FIG. 2A, in another embodiment, the anchor 100 has a different base mount assembly 206 configured for mounting to an underlying support structure of a roof (also referred to as a purlin). Purlins are often positioned beneath roof sheeting to provide structural support. When working on roofs having purlins, the anchor 100 can be mounted directly to the purlins through the roof sheeting using a combination of bolts, washers, cables and tubes.

(21) In a further embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2B, the anchor 100 includes a base mount assembly 206 configured for mounting to a concrete structure. In particular, the base 119 can be directly mounted to the concrete via a bolt 212.

(22) Whilst the above provides an example of the types of base mount assemblies which can be used, other base mount assemblies can also be used for mounting the anchor 100 to any structure including steel beams, timber rafters and the like.

(23) The concept of the anchor 100 having serpentine portions 104a, 104b and a curved profile can be applied to various other specific anchor configurations as explained in further detail below.

(24) FIGS. 3A to 3C illustrate an anchoring system 300 including two end anchors 302, 304, an intermediate anchor 100 configured as described above in relation to FIGS. 1A to 1D, and a corner anchor 306. FIG. 3D illustrates an anchoring system 300 having two intermediate anchors 100. A safety line 118 is secured to each of the anchors 302, 304, 100, 306 to provide a static line assembly. In particular, end anchors 302, 304 are configured to receive opposite ends of the safety line 118, the intermediate anchor 100 receives an intermediate portion of the safety line 118 between the two opposite ends, and the corner anchor 306 receives a bent corner portion of the safety line 118.

(25) Each of the anchors 302, 304, 100, 306 can be secured to any elevated worksite, such as a roof, ridge, beam and the like. The specific example provided herein relates to an anchoring system 300 secured to roof profiles/cladding.

(26) As more clearly shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, each anchor 304, 100, 306 respectively includes a shock absorbing portion 308, 102, 310, a base mount 318, 106, 320 for mounting to the roof, and a line mount 314, 122, 312 for securing the safety line 118. The configuration of the end anchors 302, 304 is the same.

(27) Each base mount 318, 106, 320 includes a base plate configured in a similar manner to base plate 114 as described above with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B.

(28) Each line mount includes a sleeve 316, 122, 312 for receiving a portion of the safety line 118. In addition, the end anchor 304 includes a clamp 317 for securing the end of the safety line 118 to the end anchor 304. The sleeve 312 of the corner anchor 306 is curved to accommodate for a curve in the safety line 118.

(29) The anchoring system 300 further includes a shuttle 322 attached to and movable along the safety line 118, and a link in the form of a rope 326 attached to the shuttle 322 via a carabiner 324. The rope 326 is attached to the worker's safety harness (not shown)

(30) The configuration of the end anchor 302, 304 and corner anchor 306 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 6.

(31) FIGS. 4A to 4D illustrate the shock absorbing portion 308 of the end anchor 302. The shock absorbing portion 308 of the end anchor 302 is similar to the shock absorbing portion 102 of the intermediate anchor 100. The portion 308 includes a pair of serpentine shaped members 404a, 404b each defining serpentine shaped curves visible from a front view. The pair of serpentine shaped members 404a, 404b start from a base 419 and terminate at a bridging portion 405. The base 419 defines an opening 424 for attachment to a base plate 315 (FIG. 4E). The bridging portion 405 connects an upper end of each of the serpentine shaped members 404a, 404b to each other and defines an opening 403 for connection to the line mount 314.

(32) The pair of serpentine shaped members 404a, 404b are connected to a central support member 410 via respective frangible joints 412a, 412b (FIG. 4B). As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4D, when viewed from a side, it can be seen that the shock absorbing portion 308 has a curved profile defining an S-shaped curve.

(33) Now referring to FIG. 4E, in the event of a fallen worker, a dynamic load is applied to the safety line 118, and transmitted to the shock absorbing portion 308 via the bridging portion 405 which is connected to the safety line 118. If the load exceeds a certain amount, the frangible joints 412a, 412b will break apart, allowing the pair of serpentine members 404a, 404b to break away from the support member 410 and extend in the direction of the load. The curves in the serpentine members 404a, 404b will allow further extension and deformation to absorb any additional energy, for example, in the event of a significant load.

(34) The inventors have found that the combination of the serpentine members 404a, 404b and curved profile of the shock absorbing portion 308 provide the portion 308 with exceptional shock absorbing capabilities. The arrangement of the curves in different planes allow the portion 308 to more effectively absorb the sudden load from any direction.

(35) The frangible joints 412a, 412b provide a degree of support for the serpentine members 404a, 404b and the overall shock absorbing portion 308. The joints 412a, 412b have been designed to break when the portion 308 is subject to a predetermined load.

(36) Therefore, in the event of the application of a sudden load, an initial portion of energy is dissipated by the breaking of the joints 412a, 412b. Further energy is dissipated by extension and/or deformation of the shock absorbing portion 308 from the curve of the S-shaped profile. Finally, extension and deformation of the serpentine members 404a, 404b can facilitate yet further dissipation of energy if required.

(37) The progressive stages in which energy can be absorbed and dissipated by the shock absorbing portion 308 effectively prevents serious injury to the worker in the event of a sudden fall. In other words, the progressive deformation of the portion 308 reduces the effects of the forces acting on a fallen worker.

(38) The configuration of the shock absorbing portion also prevents forces from a sudden load to be concentrated at a single point of an anchor, such as in conventional anchor designs, which can undesirably cause sudden failure at the single point of the anchor without warning.

(39) It will be appreciated that in the event of a fall, the direction the load is applied does not matter. The anchor 304 will still function effectively with the serpentine shaped members 404a, 404b on either side of the central support portion 410 sharing a greater or lesser degree of the load and suitably deforming depending on the direction of the load.

(40) The frangible joints 412a, 412b prevent the serpentine members 404a, 404b from deforming too early or unnecessarily. A further advantage of the frangible joints 412a, 412b is that broken joints indicates a fall has taken place and the relevant anchor(s) 304 requires replacement.

(41) Providing each anchor 302, 306, 100, 304 in the system 300 to with inherent shock absorbing capabilities improves the overall performance and shock absorbing abilities of the system 300, when compared to conventional static line systems in which a single shock absorbing unit is typically mounted to an end anchor.

(42) FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the corner anchor 306 of the anchoring system 300. The corner anchor 306 includes a shock absorbing portion 310, a base 502 defining an opening 504 for attachment to a mounting plate (not shown) for mounting to the roof, and a curved sleeve 312 for receiving a curved corner portion of the safety line 118.

(43) The three serpentine shaped members 506a, 506b, 506c extend upward from the base 502 along a curved edge of the base 502. When viewed from above, the shock absorbing portion 310 has a curved profile defining a C-shaped curve.

(44) The shock absorbing portion 310 includes a pair of support braces 508a, 508b extending upwardly from opposite sides of the base 502. The two outer serpentine shaped members 506a, 506c are each attached to a respective support brace 508a, 508b via a respective frangible joint 510a, 510b.

(45) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the serpentine shaped members 506a, 506b, 506c are directly attached to the line mount sleeve 312.

(46) In an alternative embodiment of a corner anchor 600 as shown in FIG. 6, the serpentine shaped members 606a, 606b, 606c terminate at a bridging portion 605. The bridging portion 605 connects the serpentine members 606a, 606b, 606c to one another and to the line mount sleeve 312. The bridging portion 605 serves to further strengthen the anchor 600 by increasing the connection surface area between the shock absorbing portion 605 and the sleeve 312 through which a sudden load from the safety line 118 is transmitted. The bridging portion 605 also facilitates the absorption and distribution of energy from a sudden load. It will be appreciated that any one or more of the anchors described herein can be configured with or without a bridging portion.

(47) The foregoing embodiments are illustrative only of the principles of the invention, and various modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention is capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways and in other embodiments. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

(48) Throughout the specification and claims the word comprise and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word comprise and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly m references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.