PERSON ANCHOR UNIT FOR PERSON FALL SAFETY USING ONE OR MORE PERMANENT MAGNETS

Abstract

A person anchor unit (10) for person fall safety, the person anchor unit (10) comprising connection side (12) comprising a connection surface (14) adapted for facing an anchor surface (90) comprising magnetizable material; an anchor point (20) for attaching a safety line (80); one or more permanent magnets (30) positioned at or near the connection surface ( ); and at least one test unit (40) comprising a first displacement member (42I) being displaceable between a retracted position (44) and an extended position (46), wherein the first displacement member (42I) at the extended position (46) engage the anchor surface (90); a tool connection point (50) mechanically linked to the first displacement member (42I), wherein actuation of the tool connection point (50) causes displacement of the first displacement member (42I) between the retracted position (44) and the extended position (46).

Claims

1. A person anchor unit for person fall safety by attaching to a magnetizable anchor surface, the person anchor unit comprising: a connection side including a connection surface configured and arranged to face an anchor surface; an anchor point, the anchor point is configured and arranged for attaching a safety line; one or more permanent magnets positioned at or near the connection surface; and at least one test unit including a first displacement member configured and arranged to be displaceable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the first displacement member at the extended position engage the anchor surface, and a tool connection point mechanically linked to the first displacement member, wherein the tool connection point is configured and arranged to actuate and thereby cause displacement of the first displacement member between the retracted position and the extended position.

2. The person anchor unit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one test unit includes two or more test units.

3. The person anchor unit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one test unit further includes a tool gear and a first displacement gear being interconnected, the tool gear further connected to the tool connection point, wherein the first displacement member is configured and arranged to be displaceably connected to the first displacement gear, and rotation of the first displacement gear causes displacement of the first displacement member.

4. The person anchor unit according to claim 3, wherein the first displacement gear includes a first central bore and the first displacement member extends through the first central bore, wherein the first central bore and the first displacement member are complementarily threaded; and wherein the at least one test unit further includes a means for preventing rotation of the displacement member.

5. The person anchor unit of claim 3, wherein the at least one test unit further includes a second displacement gear connected to the tool gear, and a second displacement member configured and arranged to be displaceably connected to the second displacement gear, wherein the second displacement gear is configured and arranged when rotated to displace the second displacement member between the retracted position and the extended position, wherein the second displacement member is configured and arranged to engage the anchor surface in the extended position.

6. The person anchor unit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one test unit includes a first displacement chamber, wherein a part of the first displacement member is configured and arranged to be displaceable and positioned within the first displacement chamber, the first displacement chamber and the first displacement member being complementarily shaped to prevent rotation of the first displacement member.

7. The person anchor unit according to claim 6, wherein the first displacement member includes a first flange extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the displacement member, wherein the first flange is configured and arranged to engage the first displacement chamber to prevent rotation of the displacement member.

8. The person anchor unit of claim 1, wherein the person anchor unit includes a shock absorber connected to the anchor point.

9. The person anchor unit of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one test unit includes a hydraulic system configured and arranged to be actuated through the tool connection point for displacement of the first displacement member.

10. The person anchor unit according to claim 1, the first displacement member includes a first head with a color, wherein the first head is visible in the retracted position.

11. A kit comprising a person anchor unit according to claim 1; and a tool adapted to connect to the tool connection point.

12. A kit according to claim 11, wherein the tool is a torque wrench.

13. A method for testing connection strength between an anchor surface comprising magnetizable material and a person anchor unit comprising one or more permanent magnets and a displacement member, the method including the following steps: attaching the person anchor unit to the anchor surface; displacing the displacement member towards the anchor surface; applying a threshold force being equal to an approved connection strength to the displacement member simultaneously to displacing the displacement member; and testing whether the displacement member causes displacement of the person anchor unit (10) relative to the anchor surface.

14. The method according to claim 13, when a displacement force is below the threshold force, the method further includes the steps of removing the person anchor unit from the anchor surface; re-attaching the person anchor unit to the anchor surface at a different position; repeating the steps of displacing the displacement member, applying the threshold force and testing for displacement.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the person anchor unit further includes a connection side including a connection surface facing an anchor surface, the anchor surface including magnetizable material; an anchor point configured and arranged for attaching a safety line; wherein the one or more permanent magnets are positioned at or near the connection surface; and at least one test unit including the first displacement member configured and arranged to be displaceable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the first displacement member at the extended position engage the anchor surface, and a tool connection point mechanically linked to the first displacement member, wherein the tool connection point is configured and arranged to be actuated and thereby displace the first displacement member between the retracted position and the extended position.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0092] Embodiments of the invention will be described in the figures, whereon:

[0093] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of a person anchor unit;

[0094] FIG. 2 illustrates a person anchor unit;

[0095] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the person anchor unit;

[0096] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a test unit;

[0097] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section of the test unit;

[0098] FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of the person anchor unit; and

[0099] FIG. 7 illustrates a person installing the person anchor unit on an anchor surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0100]

TABLE-US-00001 Item No Person anchor unit 10 Connection side 12 Connection surface 14 Anchor point 20 Shock absorber 22 Permanent magnet 30 Test unit 40, 40A, 40B . . . Displacement member 42I, 42II Flange 43I, 43II Retracted position 44 Extended position 46 Head 48I, 48II Tool connection point 50 Tool gear 52 Displacement gear 54I, 54II Central bore 56I, 56II Displacement chamber 58I, 58II Top plate 60 Aperture 62 Safety line 80 Anchor surface 90

[0101] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of a person anchor unit 10.

[0102] The person anchor unit 10 comprises a connection side 12 comprising a connection surface 14 adapted for facing an anchor surface 90 comprising magnetizable material. The anchor surface 90 is shown as having an uneven surface which may be due to a paint layer.

[0103] The person anchor unit 10 comprises an anchor point 20 for attaching a safety line 80 such that the person anchor unit 10 can be used for fall safety.

[0104] The person anchor unit 10 shown schematically, comprises a permanent magnet 30 positioned at the connection surface 14. The connection surface 14 is preferably designed to increased friction with the anchor surface.

[0105] The person anchor unit 10 comprises a test unit 40 for testing the connection strength between the permanent magnet 30 and the anchor surface.

[0106] The test unit 40 comprises a displacement member 42 being displaceable between a retracted position 44 (see FIG. 1A) and an extended position 46 (see FIG. 1B), wherein the displacement member 42 at the extended position 46 engage the anchor surface 90.

[0107] The test unit 40 further comprises a tool connection point 50 mechanically linked to the displacement member 42, wherein actuation of the tool connection point 50 causes displacement of the first displacement member 42 between the retracted position 44 and the extended position 46. If the person who actuates the tool connection point 50 knows the actuation force, then the connection strength can be calculated. If the connection strength is above a threshold connection strength, then the person anchor unit 10 can be used for fall safety.

[0108] FIG. 2 illustrates a person anchor unit 10 from a top view (A) and a side view (B).

[0109] The person anchor unit 10 comprises a connection side 12 comprising a connection surface 14 adapted for facing an anchor surface 90 comprising magnetizable material.

[0110] The person anchor unit 10 comprises an anchor point 20 including a shock absorber 22 for attaching a safety line 80 such that the person anchor unit 10 can be used for fall safety.

[0111] The person anchor unit 10 comprises one or more (not shown) permanent magnets 30 positioned at the connection surface 14. The connection surface 14 is preferably designed to increase friction with the anchor surface.

[0112] The person anchor unit 10 comprises two test units 40A, 40B for testing the connection strength between the permanent magnet 30 and the anchor surface 90. The one or more permanent magnets are placed between the two test units 40A, 40B, thereby handling of the person anchor unit 10 becomes easier. Each test unit 50A, 50B comprises a tool connection point 50A, 50B.

[0113] The test unit 50A, 50B does not need to be similar nor identical, however in most cases they will be at least similar.

[0114] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the person anchor unit 10 disclosed in FIG. 2.

[0115] The test unit 50A will be described in detail, however the second test unit 50B has the same features.

[0116] The test unit 50A comprises a first displacement member 42I and a second displacement member 42II displaceable between a retracted position 44 and an extended position 46, wherein the first displacement member 42I and the second displacement member 42II at the extended position 46 engage the anchor surface 90 during use.

[0117] The connection point 50 is mechanically linked to the first displacement member 42I and the second displacement member 42II, wherein actuation of the tool connection point 50 causes displacement of both the first displacement member 42 and the second displacement member 42II between the retracted position 44 and the extended position 46.

[0118] The test unit 50A comprises a tool gear 52, a first displacement gear 54I, and a second displacement gear 54II being interconnected with the tool gear 52 at a center. The tool gear 52 is connected to the tool connection point 50, wherein the first displacement member 42I and the second displacement member 42II is displaceable connected to respectively the first displacement gear 52I and the second displacement gear 54II.

[0119] Rotation of the first displacement gear 54I and the second displacement gear 54II causes displacement of the first displacement member 42I and the second displacement member 42II.

[0120] FIGS. 4 and 5 disclose further features of the test unit 40A.

[0121] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a test unit 40A and FIG. 5 illustrates the cross-section of the test unit 40A. The test unit 40A comprises the features described in FIG. 3.

[0122] The test unit 40A further comprises a first displacement chamber 58I, wherein part of the first displacement member 52I is displaceable and positioned within the first displacement chamber 58I, and a second displacement chamber 58II, wherein part of the second displacement member 52II is displaceable and positioned within the second displacement chamber 58I.

[0123] The first displacement chamber 58I and the first displacement member 42I are complementarily shaped to prevent rotation of the first displacement member 42I. Likewise, the second displacement chamber 58II and the second displacement member 42II are complementarily shaped to prevent rotation of the second displacement member 42II.

[0124] The first displacement member 42I comprises a first flange 43I extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the displacement member 42I, wherein the first flange 43I is adapted to engage the first displacement chamber 58I to prevent rotation of the displacement member 42I. In this case the first flange 43I is hexagonal and the first displacement chamber 58I has a complementary shape.

[0125] Likewise, the second displacement member 42II comprises a second flange 43II extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the second displacement member 42II, wherein the second flange 43II is adapted to engage the second displacement chamber 58II to prevent rotation of the second displacement member 42II. In this case the second flange 43II is hexagonal and the second displacement chamber 58II has a complementary shape.

[0126] The test unit 40A comprises a top 60A with a first aperture 62I and a second aperture 62II.

[0127] Both the first displacement member 42I and the second displacement member 42II respectfully comprises a first head 48I and a second head 48II with a color, wherein the first head 48I and the second head 48II are visible in the retracted position 44 as the first head 48I and the second head 48II extend into the first aperture 62I and the second aperture 62II.

[0128] The color may be any color such as green.

[0129] The first displacement member 42I and the second displacement member 42II are fitted with a first and second cap 70I, 70II for engaging the anchor surface 90 without scratching.

[0130] FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of the person anchor unit 10 comprising six permanent magnets. Here the first and second displacement member 42I, 42II of the first test unit 40A are in the retracted position, while the first and second displacement member 42I, 42II of the second test unit 40B are in the retracted position 46.

[0131] FIG. 7 illustrates a person installing the person anchor unit 10 on an anchor surface 90 by using a torque wrench. The installation may be performed as described in anyone of method claims 13-15.

[0132] In FIG. 7B, the same person is attached to the person anchor unit 10 by a shock absorber 22 and a safety line 80.