CA2630994C

CA2630994C - Method and apparatus for providing lanyard securement to a transport trailer

Info

Publication number: CA2630994C
Application number: CA2630994A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Elaine Vallance
Original assignee: Safe-T-Strap; Elaine Vallance
Current assignee: SAFE-T-STRAP
Priority date: 2008-05-08
Filing date: 2008-05-08
Publication date: 2013-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 2028-05-08
Also published as: CA2630994A1

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for providing lanyard hook attachment to a transport trailer. The strap has first and second opposite ends with respective securement means connected to the first and second ends. Tensioning means are connected to the strap between the first and second ends for applying tension to said strap to urge said first and second ends and in turn said respective securement means toward one another. The respective securement means are configured to grip opposite edges of the transport trailer in response to the tensioning of the strap to secure the strap to the transport trailer at least to such an extent as to support the weight of a worker hanging from a lanyard mounted to the strap. A method is provided for providing lanyard hook attachment to a transport trailer. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providing an apparatus as described above; (ii) securing the apparatus to a transport trailer by mounting the respective securing means over the opposite edges of the transport trailer and tensioning the tensioning means to apply tension to the strap thereby causing secure gripping of the opposite edges of the transport trailer with the securement means; (iii) securing the lanyard to the apparatus for either slideable or non- slideable movement therealong.

Description

TITLE: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING LANYARD SECUREMENT
TO A TRANSPORT TRAILER

Field of the Invention [0001] This invention relates to safety harnesses and lanyards and more particularly to the securement of lanyards to transport trailers.

Background of the Invention [0002] Transport trailers are large, generally rectangular enclosures mounted on a frame and wheels for the carting around of goods by truck or "tractor". A typical transport trailer would measure about 114 inches high, 102 inches wide and 53 feet in length. the bottom of the trailer would be several feet of the ground. Accordingly the top of the transport trailer may well be 15 feet or so from the ground.

[0003] On occasion it is necessary for a worker to access the top of a transport trailer for such things as cleaning or repairs to the top. It is also on occasion, necessary for a worker to access the sides of a transport trailer for similar reasons. In either case, the worker is at risk of falling from a considerable height which could cause severe injury or death.

[0004] One manner of safeguarding workers at risk of falling is through the use of a safety harness worn by the worker and a lanyard (safety line) connected to the safety harness at one end and having a lanyard hook at the opposite end. The worker secures the lanyard to a securement near where the worker is working to provide a limited range of mobility yet arrest a fall beyond the range should the worker be so unlucky. Unfortunately, at least heretofore, safety harnesses and lanyards haven't been effective for use with transport trailers because of the lack of securement points on a typical transport trailer.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to the problem of securing a lanyard to a transport trailer.

Summary of the Invention [0006] An apparatus is provided for providing lanyard hook attachment to a transport trailer. The strap has first and second opposite ends with respective securement means connected to the first and second ends. Tensioning means are connected to the strap between the first and second ends for applying tension to said strap to urge the first and second ends and in turn the respective securement means toward one another. The respective securement means are configured to grip opposite edges of the transport trailer in response to the tensioning of the strap to secure the strap to the transport trailer at least to such an extent as to support the weight of a worker hanging from a lanyard mounted to the strap.

[0007] The lanyard may be looped about a run of the strap for slideable movement therealong.

[0008] The strap may be provided with at least one tie-off loop secured thereto for receiving a lanyard hook connected to the lanyard.

[0009] The securement means may be "J-hooks".

[0010] The tie-off loop may extend along the strap to permit the lanyard hook to slide along the strap in response to the worker moving along the transport trailer.

[0011] A plurality of tie-off loops may be provided.

[0012] The apparatus may have a plurality of straps.

[0013] Where the apparatus has a plurality of straps each including tensioning means and securement means as described above, the plurality of straps may be secured to each other so as to extend transversely relative to one another.

[0014] The straps may be of woven webbing made from polyester, nylon, or combinations thereof.

[0015] The straps may preferably be of from 2 inches to 4 inches in breadth.

[0016] A method is provided for providing lanyard hook attachment to a transport trailer.
The method comprises the steps of-(i) providing an apparatus as described above;

(ii) securing the apparatus to a transport trailer by mounting the respective securing means over the opposite edges of the transport trailer and tensioning the tensioning means to apply tension to the strap thereby causing secure gripping of the opposite edges of the transport trailer with the securement means;

(iii) securing the lanyard to the apparatus for either slideable or non-slideable movement therealong.

Description of Drawings [0017] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying illustrations in which:

[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention secured to a transport trailer;

[0019] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention secured to a transport trailer;

[0020] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention secured to a transport trailer; and, [0021] Figure 4 is a perspective of a fourth embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention secured to a transport trailer.

Description of Preferred Embodiments [0022] An apparatus according to the present invention is generally indicated by reference 10 in the accompanying illustrations. Although different embodiments are illustrated and described, the different embodiments are largely built up of similar basic structural elements and operate according to similar principles. Accordingly similar reference numerals are used to identify similar elements or components.

[0023] As best illustrated in Figure 2, a transport trailer 20 has a top face 22, opposite side faces 24 and opposite end faces 26. Typically a ledge 30 extends about the transport trailer 20 where the top face 22 meets the side faces 24 and end faces 26, in other words, about the perimeter of the top face 22. The presence of the ledge 30 facilitates gripping of the transport trailer 20 about the perimeter of the top face 22.

[0024] The apparatus 10 has at least one strap 40 having a first end 42 opposite a second end 44. The strap 40 may be of webbing woven from polyester or nylon, a combination of the two or any webbing such as typically approved for use in safety vests and fall arrest straps. The strap 40 may have a breadth of two to four inches.

[0025] Tensioning means 50 are provided along the strap 40 between the first and second ends, 42 and 44 respectively. The tensioning means act to shorten and accordingly tension the strap by urging the first end 42 towards the second end 44. Suitable tensioning means include, without limitation, ratcheting spools such as used with tie-down straps.

[0026] Connected to the first end 42 and second end 44 are respective securement means such as the "J" shaped hooks referred to as "J-hooks" 60. The J-hooks 60 are shaped to grip opposite edges of the transport trailer 20.

[0027] "Opposite edges" refers to any two edges of the transport trailer 20 which are on opposite sides or ends and are defined by the junction between the top face 22 and either the opposite side faces 24 or end faces 26. "Opposite edges" also refers to opposite lower edges 32 of the side faces 24 or opposite lower edges 34 of the end faces 26.

[0028] Preferably, for use with transport trailer 20 having a ledge 30, the J-hooks 60 have a profile conforming to that of the ledge 30 to permit the ledge 30 to nest within the J-hook 60 for secure attachment.

[0029] The apparatus 10 is secured to the transport trailer 20 by placing the J-hooks 60 over opposite edges of the transport trailer 20 and tensioning the strap 40 via the tensioning means or ratchet 50 to cause the securement means or J-hooks 60 to grip the opposite edges of the transport trailer. While this may be done with one strap 40, preferably the apparatus 10 will be made up of a plurality of straps 40 each equipped with a respective tensioning means or ratchet 50 and securement means 60. This is discussed in more detail below.

[0030] The apparatus 10 further includes one or more tie-off loops 70 secured to the straps 40 to provide securement for a lanyard 80 connected to a safety harness 90. Alternatively, the lanyard 80 may have a loop or hook 82 which may be fastened about the strap 40. Preferably though tie-off loops 70 are provided. The tie-off loops 70 may be relatively short (a few inches) such as the loops illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 4 or run along a considerable length of the strap 40 such as illustrated in Figure 1.

[0031] Although a single strap 40 may be utilized, this will have limitations in the number and location of tie-off loops and hence will limit the range within which a worker 90 may operate. Preferably a plurality of straps will be utilized to provide enhanced security by way of additional J-hooks 60 for gripping the transport trailer 20 and the ability to provide a much more extensive coverage of the transport trailer 20 thereby having lanyard attachment capabilities nearby for virtually anywhere on the transport trailer 20 that a worker 90 may need to access.

[0032] Figure 1 illustrates an apparatus according to the present invention having three transversely extending straps 40 sewn to one longitudinally extending strap 40. The transversely extending straps 40 are secured to opposite lower side edges 32 of the transport trailer 20. The longitudinally extending strap 40 is secured at a diagonally opposite upper front edge 36 and lower rear edge 34 of the transport trailer 20.

[0033] The longitudinally extending strap 40 has a relatively long tie-off loop 72 extending along much of the length of the top face 22 of the transport trailer 20 enabling the worker 90 access over much of the top face 22. The transversely extending straps 40 have shorter tie-off loops 70 principally for workers working on the opposite side faces 24 of the transport trailer 20.

[0034] Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having two transversely extending straps 40 secured to one longitudinally extending strap 40. All securements to the transport trailer 20 in this case are to the ledge 30 extending about the top face 22 of the transport trailer 20. The lanyard 80 is illustrated as being secured about the longitudinally extending strap 40 which in this case lacks any tie-off loops.
The transversely extending straps 40 each have two respective tie-off loops 70 along their lengths.

I

[0035] Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention which is similar to the Figure 2 embodiment but has a pair of parallel longitudinally extending straps 40 secured to the transversely extending straps 40 rather than just one as in the Figure 2 embodiment. The lanyard 80 is fastened about a run 74 of the strap 40 for slideable movement therealong.

[0036] Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having two spaced apart transversely extending straps 40 secured to opposite of the lower edges 32 of the transport trailer 20. Tie-off loops 70 are provided along the length of the straps 40.
The Figure 3 embodiment differs from the other embodiments described above in that it doesn't directly connect the lanyard 80 to the straps 40 or tie-off loops 70. Instead a lifeline 110 is secured between tie-off loops 70 on the two straps 40 and the lanyard is mounted on the lifeline 110. The lifeline 110 has snap hooks 112 at each end for securement to the tie-off loops 70 and an adjuster 114 along its length for adjusting its length.

[0037] Abrasion sleeves 120 may be provided around the straps 40 where the straps extend over an edge of the transport trailer 20 to avoid chafing.

[0038] The above invention is described in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
Variations may be apparent to persons skilled in such arrangements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims set out below.

Parts List apparatus trailer 22 top face 24 side faces 26 end face ledge 32 lower edge of sides 34 lower edge of ends 36 upper front edge strap 42 first end of strap 44 second end of strap ratchet (tensioning means) J-hook (securement means) tie-off loops 72 long loops 74 "run" of straps lanyard 82 lanyard hook or loop worker

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing lanyard hook attachment to a transport trailer, said apparatus comprising:

a strap having first and second opposite ends;

tensioning means connected to said strap between said first and second opposite ends for applying tension to said strap to urge said first and second ends toward each other;

at least one tie-off loop secured to said strap for receiving said lanyard hook;

respective securement means connected to said first and second ends for gripping opposite edges of said transport trailer in response to tensioning of said strap to secure said strap to said transport trailer at least to such an extent as to support the weight of a worker hanging from a lanyard attached to said lanyard hook.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said securement means are "J" hooks.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one tie-off loop extends along said strap to permit said lanyard hook to slide along said strap in response to said worker moving along said transport trailer.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 having a plurality of said tie-off loops spaced along said strap.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said securement means are "J" hooks.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said securement means are "J" hooks.

7. An apparatus for providing lanyard hook attachment to a transport trailer comprising:

at least one longitudinally extending strap according to claim 1 for securement to opposite front and rear edges of said transport trailer; and, at least one transversely extending strap according to claim 1 for securement to opposite side edges of said transport trailer;

said longitudinally and transversely extending straps being secured on to another between said first and second opposite ends.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein:
said securement means are "J" hooks;

said at least one tie-off loop secured to said longitudinally extending strap extends along said longitudinally extending strap to permit said lanyard hook to slide along said longitudinally extending strap in response to said worker moving along said transport trailer.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said straps and said tie-off loops are of webbing woven from at least one of polyester and nylon.

10. A method for providing lanyard hook attachment to a transport trailer, comprising the steps of:

(i) providing a plurality of straps each strap having first and second opposite ends, tensioning means connected to said strap between said first and second opposite ends for applying tension to said strap to urge said first and second ends toward each other; at least one tie-off loop secured to said strap for receiving said lanyard hooks, respective securement means connected to said first and second ends for gripping opposite edges of said transport trailer in response to tensioning of said strap to secure said strap to said transport trailer at least to such an extent as to support the weight of a worker hanging from a lanyard attached to said lanyard hook;

(ii) securing said plurality of straps to said transport trailer;

(iii) securing said lanyard hook to at least one of said tie-off loops.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein:

at least two of said straps are secured transversely across said transport trailer;

at least one longitudinal strap is secured between said transverse straps;
and, said lanyard is secured about said longitudinal strap for slideable movement therealong.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein said longitudinal strap extends between and is secured to tie-off loops on a pair of said transversely extending straps.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein said longitudinally extending strap is non-releasably affixed to said transversely extending straps.

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein said longitudinally extending strap has first and second opposite ends and is provided with tensioning means connected to said strap between said first and second opposite ends for applying tension to said strap to urge said first and second ends toward each other, at least one tie-off loop is secured to said strap for receiving said lanyard hook and respective securement means are connected to said first and second ends for gripping opposite edges of said transport trailer in response to tensioning of said strap to secure said strap to said transport trailer at least to such an extent as to support the weight of a worker hanging from a lanyard attached to said lanyard hook.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein said connecting means are "J"
hooks.

16. A method according to claim 14 wherein said tie-off loop secured to said longitudinally extending strap extends along said strap to permit lanyard secured to said lanyard to slide along said longitudinally extending strap in response to said worker moving along said transport trailer.

17. A method according to claim 16 wherein said strap and said tie-off loops are of webbing woven from at least one of polyester and nylon.

18. An apparatus for providing a lanyard hook attachment to a transport trailer said apparatus comprising:

a strap having first and second opposite ends;

tensioning means connected to said strap between said first and second opposite ends for applying tension to said strap to urge said first and second ends toward each other;
respective securement means connected to said first and second ends for gripping opposite edges of said transport trailer in response to tensioning of said strap to secure said strap to said transport trailer at least to such an extent as to support the weight of a worker hanging from a lanyard attached to said lanyard hook; and, said strap provides a run along a portion thereof between said ends about which an end of a lanyard may be secured for slidable movement therealong.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said securement means are hooks shaped to conform to a contour of said opposite edges.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 having a plurality of said straps, each strap of said plurality of straps being provided with respective of said tensioning means and securement means;
each said strap being disposed generally transversely to at least at one other of said straps and being secured thereto.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said straps are of webbing woven from at least one of polyester and nylon having a breadth of from 2 inches to 4 inches.

22. A method for providing lanyard attachment to a transport trailer comprising the steps of:
(i) obtaining an apparatus according to claim 18;

(ii) securing said apparatus to said transport trailer by placing said securement means over said opposite edges and tensioning said tensioning means to cause said securement means to firmly grip said opposite edges;

(iii) securing said lanyard to said run of strap for slideable movement therealong.

23. A method according to claim 22 wherein said apparatus has a plurality of said straps, each provided with respective of said tensioning means and securement means where each of said securement means and tensioning means are utilized to secure said apparatus to said transport trailer and said lanyard is secured about a run extending along one of said plurality of straps.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein each of said plurality of straps is transverse to at least one other of said plurality of straps.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein said straps are of webbing woven from at least one of polyester and nylon having a breadth of from 2 to 4 inches.