Energy Absorber

Abstract

An energy absorber (10) for use in a fall arrest system includes an elongate member (11) having a proximal end (14), a distal end (12), and a line of weakness (15, 16) extending in a longitudinal direction (A) along at least a portion of the elongate member between the proximal end (14) and the distal end (12). The line of weakness (15, 16) is at least partially non-linear. In response to application of a predetermined force, the elongate member (11) is configured to tear along the line of weakness (15, 16), thereby at least partially absorbing energy of a user's fall.

Claims

1-62. (canceled)

63. An energy absorber for use in a fall arrest system, the energy absorber comprising: an elongate member comprising a proximal end and a distal end; and at least one line of weakness extending in a longitudinal direction in a non-linear, manner along at least a portion of the elongate member between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein, in response to an application of a predetermined force, the elongate member is configured to tear along the at least one line of weakness.

64. The energy absorber according to claim 63, wherein the at least one line of weakness is a groove.

65. The energy absorber according to claim 63, wherein the at least one line of weakness is at least one of the following: partially wavy, zig-zagged, serriform, and any combination thereof.

66. The energy absorber according to claim 63, wherein the at least one line of weakness is formed by laser etching.

67. The energy absorber according to claim 63, wherein the at least one line of weakness comprises a first line of weakness and a second line of weakness, wherein the first line of weakness is transversely spaced from the second line of weakness.

68. The energy absorber according to claim 67, wherein the first line of weakness is offset or misaligned from the second line of weakness.

69. The energy absorber according to claim 67, wherein the first line of weakness and the second line of weakness each have a plurality of turning points, wherein the plurality of turning points of the first line of weakness are offset or misaligned from the plurality of turning points of the second line of weakness.

70. The energy absorber according to claim 69, wherein the first line of weakness and the second line of weakness each have a plurality of peaks and a plurality of troughs, wherein at least one of the plurality of peaks and the plurality of troughs of the first line of weakness are offset or misaligned from at least one of the plurality of peaks and the plurality of troughs of the second line of weakness.

71. The energy absorber according to claim 70, wherein at least one of the plurality of turning points, the plurality of peaks, and the plurality of troughs of the first line weakness and the second line of weakness are rounded.

72. The energy absorber according to claim 70, wherein one of the first line of weakness and the second line of weakness is deeper at the plurality of turning points, the plurality peaks, or the plurality of troughs compared to the other of the first line of weakness and the second line of weakness.

73. The energy absorber according to claim 63, further comprising a tab divided from the elongate member by a cut, wherein the at least one line of weakness extends from the tab towards the distal end of the elongate member.

74. The energy absorber according to claim 73, wherein the tab comprises a first edge and a second edge, and wherein the at least one line of weakness comprises a first line of weakness extending from the first edge of the tab and a second line of weakness extending from the second edge of the tab.

75. The energy absorber according to claim 74, wherein the first line of weakness and the second line of weakness each comprise a linear portion, wherein the linear portion of the first line of weakness and the second line of weakness is connected to the first edge of the tab and the second edge of the tab, respectively.

76. The energy absorber according to claim 75, wherein each linear portion has a same depth as a depth of remaining portion of the first line of weakness and the second line of weakness.

77. The energy absorber according to claim 73, wherein the proximal end of the elongate member comprises a first aperture configured for receiving a first connector connected to an anchor point, and wherein the tab comprises a second aperture configured for receiving a second connector connected to a user.

78. The energy absorber according to claim 63, wherein at least one line of weakness is spaced from at least one of the distal end and the proximal end of the elongate member.

79. The energy absorber according to claim 63, wherein the elongate member is a metallic strip.

80. The energy absorber according to claim 63, wherein the elongate member is provided in a coiled configuration and, in response to the application of the predetermined force, the elongate member is configured to deploy to an uncoiled configuration.

81. The energy absorber according to claim 63, wherein the at least one line of weakness is a continuous line of reduced thickness of the elongate member, or wherein the at least one line of weakness comprises a plurality of perforations.

82. The energy absorber according to claim 63, wherein a depth of the at least one line of weakness is substantially the same along a length of the at least one line of weakness, or wherein the depth of the at least one line of weakness varies along the length of the at least one line of weakness.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0128] Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0129] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an energy absorber according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure in an undeployed configuration;

[0130] FIG. 2 is a close up of a portion of the energy absorber in FIG. 1;

[0131] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section taken at an angle through a section of the energy absorber in FIG. 1;

[0132] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the energy absorber of FIG. 1 in a coiled configuration prior to deployment; and

[0133] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the energy absorber of FIGS. 1 to 4 in a fully deployed configuration.

[0134] It will be appreciated that FIGS. 1 to 5 are schematic drawings and features are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0135] As used herein, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0136] Spatial or directional terms, such as “left”, “right”, “inner”, “outer”, “above”, “below”, and the like, relate to the embodiments or aspects as shown in the drawing figures and are not to be considered as limiting as the embodiments or aspects can assume various alternative orientations.

[0137] All numbers used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” or “approximately”. By “about” or “approximately” is meant within plus or minus twenty-five percent of the stated value. However, this should not be considered as limiting to any analysis of the values under the doctrine of equivalents.

[0138] 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.

[0139] 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.

[0140] All documents referred to herein are “incorporated by reference” in their entirety.

[0141] The term “at least” is synonymous with “greater than or equal to”.

[0142] As used herein, “at least one of” is synonymous with “one or more of”. For example, the phrase “at least one of A, B, or 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.

[0143] The word “comprising” and “comprises”, and the like, does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. In the present specification, “comprises” means “includes” and “comprising” means “including”.

[0144] 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.

[0145] As used herein, the terms “perpendicular”, “transverse”, “substantially perpendicular”, or “substantially transverse” 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.

[0146] The discussion of various embodiments or aspects 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 disclosure is not limited to these particular or preferred limitations but encompasses the entire scope of the various embodiments and aspects described herein.

[0147] The disclosure comprises, consists of, or consists essentially of, the following embodiments or aspects, in any combination. Various embodiments or aspects of the disclosure are illustrated in separate drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that this is simply for ease of illustration and discussion. In the practice of the disclosure, one or more embodiments or aspects shown in one drawing figure can be combined with one or more embodiments or aspects shown in one or more of the other drawing figures.

[0148] FIG. 1 shows an energy absorber 10 according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure in an undeployed configuration. The energy absorber 10 includes an elongate member 11 having a distal end 12 and a proximal end 14. In this non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the elongate member 11 is a metallic strip.

[0149] The proximal end 14 of the elongate member 11 includes an aperture 13 for receiving a connector, such a karabiner or shackle, therethrough.

[0150] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a first line of weakness 15 and a second line of weakness 16 extend along a portion of the elongate member 11 in the longitudinal direction (A) between the proximal end 14 and the distal end 12 of the elongate member 11. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, only a single line of weakness may be provided.

[0151] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first line of weakness 15 is spaced from the second line of weakness 16 in the transverse direction of the elongate member 11.

[0152] In this non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the first and second lines of weakness 15, 16 are grooves (or continuous lines of weakness). It will be appreciated that, in some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first and/or second line of weakness 15, 16 may comprise perforations, rather than a groove.

[0153] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first and second grooves 15, 16 are formed by laser etching the elongate member 11, rather than scoring. Laser etching does not add any additional stress to the elongate member 11, unlike scoring or perforating the elongate member 11. In addition, laser etching generally allows the grooves 15, 16 to be manufactured more accurately.

[0154] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first groove 15 is of substantially the same length as the second groove 16. There is a gap (or space) between the distal edge of the elongate member 11 and the first and second grooves 15, 16.

[0155] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the grooves 15, 16 are connected to a tab 17 disposed at the proximal end 14 of the elongate member 11. The tab 17 is separated from the body of the elongate member 11 by a U or C shaped cut. The tab 17 has a first edge 18 connected to the proximal end of the first groove 15 and a second end 19 connected to the proximal end of the second groove 16.

[0156] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the tab 17 and the first 15 and second 16 lines of weakness separate (or delineate) a first portion 21 of the elongate member 11 from a second portion of the elongate member 11. The first portion 21 may be referred to as a tear strip.

[0157] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first 15 and second 16 grooves each include a straight (or linear) section where the grooves are connected to the first edge 18 and second edge 19 respectively of the tab 17. An issue with known energy absorbers comprising linear grooves is that the initial force required to start tearing along the groove (and therefore to start absorbing energy) is higher than the force required to tear along the remainder of the groove. The use of the initial straight sections of the grooves 15, 16 eliminates the peak in force required to initiate deployment, as along the straight section there is a reduced tearing distance for a given length compared to the remaining non-linear portion of the groove.

[0158] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the straight sections of the grooves 15, 16 preferably have the same depth as the remainder of the groove 15, 16.

[0159] The tab 17 includes an aperture 20 for receiving a connector therethrough. In use, the aperture 13 in the elongate member 11 is connected to an anchor point or a fall arrest device. The aperture 20 in the tab 17 is connected to the user (such as to a user's harness).

[0160] As shown in FIG. 1, the first and second grooves 15, 16 do not follow an entirely straight path. Rather, the first and second grooves 15, 16 follow a substantially non-linear path, such as a wave or a zigzag. This is advantageous as a wave or zigzagged path means that the grooves 15, 16 follow a longer path on the same length of elongate member 11. Thus, an elongate member 11 of a given length can absorb more energy from a fall arrest event than if the grooves 15, 16 were straight (or linear). Thus, a thinner elongate member 11 can be used compared to the prior art, which is more cost effective and convenient for the user as the energy absorber is lighter and less bulky.

[0161] The grooves are shown in more detail in FIG. 2, which is a close-up of a portion of FIG. 1.

[0162] As shown in FIG. 2, the first groove 15 is offset (or not aligned with) the second groove 16. The first groove 15 includes a plurality of peaks 15b and a plurality of troughs 15a. These could equivalently be referred to as the turning points of the groove. Similarly, the second groove 16 comprises a plurality of peaks 16b and a plurality of troughs 16a.

[0163] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the peaks 15b of the first groove 15 are not aligned with the peaks 16b or the troughs 16a of the second groove 16. This is shown more clearly by the dotted lines in FIG. 2. In this example, the first groove 15 is approximately 90 degrees out of phase with the second groove 16. It is advantageous for the first groove 15 to be offset (or shifted) relative to the second groove 16 as this avoids high load spikes when the grooves change direction.

[0164] If the first groove 15 was completely out of phase (180 degrees) with the second groove 16 then the troughs 15a would be aligned with (i.e. positioned directly above or opposite) the peaks 16b of the second groove. Thus, at these points the spacing between the grooves 15, 16 would be reduced, creating a weak point which could potentially tear or break.

[0165] It will be appreciated that the phase difference between the first and second grooves 15, 16 is not limited to 90 degrees.

[0166] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the depth of the first and/or second groove (or line of weakness) 15, 16 may vary along the length of the groove. As shown in FIG. 3, the first and/or second groove may be deeper at the peaks 15b, 16b and troughs 15a, 16a of the grooves. The depth of the groove is defined as the distance that the groove extends into the body of the elongate member 11. In other words, the first groove 15 and/or the second groove 16 may be shallower along the straight (or linear) portions of the groove compared to the turning points of the groove. This may be advantageous as it may increase the smoothness of the tearing of the elongate member in a fall arrest event. If the groove 15, 16 is of a uniform depth along its length then, particularly if the turning points are quite abrupt (or narrow), it may be difficult for the energy absorber to tear along (or around) the turning point of the groove. Increasing the depth of the groove(s) at the turning points reduces the force required to tear along that portion of the groove, thereby decreasing the risk of an incomplete deployment of the energy absorber.

[0167] As shown in FIG. 4, the energy absorber 10 can be coiled prior to use. In the coiled configuration the length of the elongate member 11 is rolled or coiled such that the axis B through the centre of the coil is parallel to the transverse axis of the elongate member 11.

[0168] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the aperture 13 in the proximal end 14 of the elongate member 11 extends from the coil to be connected to an anchor point spaced from the user. The end of the tab 17 is separated from the body of the elongate member 11 such that the aperture 20 can be connected to the user. In use, if the user falls (i.e. a fall arrest event occurs) the aperture 13 will remain fixed to the anchor point and the tab 17 will be pulled away from the aperture 13 in the direction of the user's descent. This will cause the elongate member 11 to uncoil and to tear along the first and second grooves 15, 16 to at least partially absorb the energy of the user's fall.

[0169] FIG. 5 shows the energy absorber 10 in a fully deployed configuration after a fall arrest event. The elongate member 11 has uncoiled. The force of the tab 17 pulling away from the aperture 13 has torn the elongate member 11 along the first groove 15 and the second groove 16. As such, the tear portion 21 is only connected to the body of the elongate member 11 at the distal end 12. The elongate member 11 and/or the tear portion 21 may also stretch or deform when moving from the undeployed configuration, as long as the tear portion 21 does not become fully detached from the elongate member 11.

[0170] The non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure have been described in detail herein. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to the embodiments or aspects may be made without departing from the concepts disclosed in the foregoing description. Such modifications are to be considered as included within the following claims unless the claims, by their language, expressly state otherwise. Accordingly, the particular embodiments or aspects described in detail hereinabove are illustrative only and are not limiting as to the scope of the disclosure, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.