CA3012878C - Roof top lifeline system - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method for eliminating or otherwise limiting the fall risk on a residential building. The system includes a lifeline extending from a first side of a residential building to a second side of a residential building. The lifeline has a first end connected to a harness and a second end connected to a lifeline anchor. The harness is on the first side of the residential building and the lifeline anchor is on a second side of the residential building. A first redirect line has a first end connected to the lifeline at a first attachment location and a second end connected to a first redirect anchor.

Description

ROOF TOP LIFELINE SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a method and a system for preventing or minimizing fall risk, and, more specifically, to a lifeline subsystem and load sharing subsystem for use, for instance, in prevention of and/or minimizing swing falls or sliding off a peak of a residential building.

2. Description of Related Art [0002] Current conventional fall protection devices (e.g., harness, lanyard, anchorage point) that can be utilized for minimizing swing falls or sliding off a peak have certain limitations. These limitations include, but are not limited, the following: only relying upon a single rope that if rigged close to an edge can allow the lifeline to go past the peak; only fall protect the user once the user reaches their work; rely on a single anchor only, and are relatively heavy, and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is therefore a principal object and advantage of the present invention to provide a method and system for a fall protection device that eliminates one or more of the problems/issues with conventional fall protection devices.

[0004] It is a further object and advantage of the present invention to provide a method and a system for preventing and/or minimizing swing falls, for instance, from a roof by, e.g., protecting the user as they ascend to the work position and descend back to the ground. This can include using a single lifeline subsystem that can be positioned in the center of the roof and anchored to a suitable anchor. Such a lifeline subsystem allows a user to gain access to a weather head and can protect the user from a fall while working at the weather head.

[0005] Another object and advantage of the present invention is to provide a method and system for preventing sliding off a peak, for instance, of a roof This can include combining the single lifeline subsystem with one or more additional anchor or redirect lines (where one or more of the lifeline and/or redirect line is adjustable at one or both ends, per use of adjustability instrumentation/accessories described herein). These additional anchor lines provide additional support to a user working on the edge of the roof or along a ridgeline where there is a possibility of a swing fall or sliding off the peak. The anchor lines that extend outward from the single lifeline subsystem can be attached to the single lifeline subsystem using prusiks and half hitch knots, and the ends of the anchor lines can be attached to suitable anchors. In such an example, the weather head may function as a stop in one direction if the user falls past the weather head.
Another main function of a redirect line is to redistribute the weight of the load (user plus work accessories), and provide further support/stability to the load (e.g., prevent swinging).

[0006] Accordingly, then, in one aspect, there is provided a system for minimizing fall risk, comprising: a lifeline subsystem having a lifeline with a first end configured for attachment to a harness and a second end configured for attachment to a stationary lifeline anchor; a load sharing subsystem having one or more redirect lines, each with a first end configured for attachment to the lifeline and a second end configured for attachment to a redirect anchor; wherein, the load sharing subsystem and the lifeline subsystem have an undeployed state and a deployed state; and wherein, in the deployed state, the lifeline extends from a first side of a residential building to a second side of a residential building, the first end of the lifeline is connected to the harness of the first side and the second end of the lifeline is connected to the stationary lifeline anchor on the second side, and the first end of each of the one or more redirect lines is attached to the lifeline and the second end of the redirect line is attached to a redirect anchor.

[0007] In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a system for minimizing fall risk, comprising: a lifeline extending from a first side of a residential building to a second side of a residential building, the lifeline having a first end connected to a harness and a second end connected to a stationary lifeline anchor;
wherein the harness is on the first side of the residential building and the stationary lifeline anchor is on a second side of the residential building; and a first redirect line having a first end connected to the lifeline at a first attachment location and a second end connected to a first redirect anchor.

[0008] In accordance with a further aspect, there is provided a method for minimizing fall risk from a residential building, comprising the steps of:
securing a first end of a first redirect line to an attachment location along a lifeline on a first side of the residential building; extending a second end of the lifeline from the first side of the residential building to a second side of the residential building; securing a first end of the lifeline to a first stationary lifeline anchor; and securing a second end of the first redirect line to a first redirect anchor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] One or more aspects of the present invention are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed as examples in the claims at the conclusion of the specification.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematic representation of a lifeline subsystem in the undeployed state, according to an embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 2A is a top view schematic representation of the lifeline subsystem in the deployed state secured over a residential building, according to an embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 2B is a perspective view schematic representation of the lifeline subsystem in the deployed state secured over a residential building, according to an embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective schematic representation of a load sharing subsystem in the undeployed state, according to an embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 4A is a perspective view schematic representation of a lifeline and redirect lines secured over a residential building in a first deployed configuration, according to an embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 4B is a top view schematic representation of a lifeline and redirect lines secured over a residential building in a second deployed configuration, according to an embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a top view schematic representation of a lifeline and redirect lines secured over a residential building in a third deployed configuration, according to an embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a top view schematic representation of a lifeline and redirect lines secured over a residential building in a fourth deployed configuration, according to an embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 7A is a top view schematic representation of a lifeline prusik in the unlocked position on the primary lifeline, according to an embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 7B is a top view schematic representation of the lifeline prusik between the unlocked and locked positions on the primary lifeline, according to an embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 7C is a top view schematic representation of the lifeline prusik between the unlocked and locked positions on the primary lifeline, according to an embodiment;

[0021] FIG. 7D is a top view schematic representation of the lifeline prusik between the unlocked and locked positions on the primary lifeline, according to an embodiment;

[0022] FIG. 7E is a top view schematic representation of the lifeline prusik between the unlocked and locked positions on the primary lifeline, according to an embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 7F is a top view schematic representation of the lifeline prusik between the unlocked and locked positions on the primary lifeline, according to an embodiment;

[0024] FIG. 7G is a top view schematic representation of the lifeline prusik between the unlocked and locked positions on the primary lifeline, according to an embodiment;

[0025] FIG. 7H is a top view schematic representation of the lifeline prusik between the unlocked and locked positions on the primary lifeline, according to an embodiment;

[0026] FIG. 71 is a top view schematic representation of the lifeline prusik in the locked position on the primary lifeline, according to an embodiment;

[0027] FIG. 8A is a top view schematic representation of a redirect line in the unlocked position on the lifeline prusik, according to an embodiment;

[0028] FIG. 8B is a top view schematic representation of the redirect line between the unlocked and locked positions on the lifeline prusik, according to an embodiment;

[0029] FIG. 8C is a top view schematic representation of the redirect line between the unlocked and locked positions on the lifeline prusik, according to an embodiment;

[0030] FIG. 8D is a top view schematic representation of the redirect line between the unlocked and locked positions on the lifeline prusik, according to an embodiment;

[0031] FIG. 8E is a top view schematic representation of the redirect line between the unlocked and locked positions on the lifeline prusik, according to an embodiment;

[0032] FIG. 8F is a top view schematic representation of the redirect line between the unlocked and locked positions on the lifeline prusik, according to an embodiment;

[0033] FIG. 8G is a top view schematic representation of the redirect line in the locked position on the lifeline prusik, according to an embodiment;

[0034] FIG. 9A is a top view schematic representation of an anchor prusik in the unlocked position on the redirect line, according to an embodiment;

[0035] FIG. 9B is a top view schematic representation of the anchor prusik between the unlocked and locked positions on the redirect line, according to an embodiment;

[0036] FIG. 9C is a top view schematic representation of the anchor prusik between the unlocked and locked positions on the redirect line, according to an embodiment;

[0037] FIG. 9D is a top view schematic representation of the anchor prusik between the unlocked and locked positions on the redirect line, according to an embodiment;
100381 FIG. 9E is a top view schematic representation of the anchor prusik between the unlocked and locked positions on the redirect line, according to an embodiment;

[0039] FIG. 9F is a top view schematic representation of the anchor prusik between the unlocked and locked positions on the redirect line, according to an embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 9G is a top view schematic representation of the anchor prusik in the locked position on the redirect line, according to an embodiment;
[0041] FIG. 10A is a top view schematic representation of a redirect anchor sling in the unlocked position with the anchor prusik, according to an embodiment;
[0042] FIG. 10B is a top view schematic representation of the redirect anchor sling between the unlocked and locked positions on the anchor prusik, according to an embodiment;
[0043] FIG. 10C is a top view schematic representation of the redirect anchor sling between the unlocked and locked positions on the anchor prusik, according to an embodiment;
[0044] FIG. 10D is a top view schematic representation of the redirect anchor sling between the unlocked and locked positions on the anchor prusik, according to an embodiment;
100451 FIG. 10E is a top view schematic representation of the redirect anchor sling between the unlocked and locked positions on the anchor prusik, according to an embodiment;
[0046] FIG. 1OF is a top view schematic representation of the redirect anchor sling between the unlocked and locked positions on the anchor prusik, according to an embodiment;
[0047] FIG. 10G is a top view schematic representation of the redirect anchor sling between the unlocked and locked positions on the anchor prusik, according to an embodiment;
[0048] FIG. 10H is a top view schematic representation of the redirect anchor sling between the unlocked and locked positions on the anchor prusik, according to an embodiment;
[0049] FIG. 101 is a top view schematic representation of the redirect anchor sling in the locked position on the anchor prusik, according to an embodiment;

[0050] FIG. 11A is a top view schematic representation of a redirect anchor sling in the unlocked position with the anchor prusik, according to an alternative embodiment;
and [0051] FIG. 1113 is a top view schematic representation of the redirect anchor sling in the locked position on the anchor prusik, according to an alternative embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0052] Aspects of the present invention and certain features, advantages, and details thereof, are explained more fully below with reference to the non-limiting examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Descriptions of well-known structures are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the invention in detail. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific non-limiting examples, while indicating aspects and steps of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, and are not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and/or arrangements, within the spirit and/or scope of the underlying inventive concepts will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.
[0053] As discussed/described herein, a lifeline subsystem is described and illustrated in a pre-delployed/undeployed state/configuration and a deployed state/configuration. In addition, the lifeline subsystem and a load sharing subsystem is described and illustrated in a combined pre-delployed/undeployed state/configuration and a deployed state/configuration. A method of using the lifeline subsystem and combined lifeline subsystem and a load sharing subsystem in conjunction with a residential unit(s) (typically 1-2 stories) is described and illustrated (however, the systems described herein can be used on/with any applicable construction or natural environment, as should be understood by a person of skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure).
Each of the lifeline subsystem and the load sharing subsystem are configured to be adjustable, i.e., the connections of the lifeline subsystem to the anchor points are configured to be adjustable, and the load sharing subsystem's anchor points and attachments to the lifeline subsystem can be adjustable (as described herein).
[0054] Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown a perspective view schematic representation of a lifeline subsystem 10 in the undeployed state, according to an embodiment. The lifeline subsystem 10 shown in FIG. 1 is configured for deployment and use on residential buildings. The lifeline subsystem 10 comprises a lifeline rope 12, which can comprise a carabiner eye 14, as shown in FIG. 1. The lifeline subsystem 10 further comprises a mobile fall arrester 16, anchor sling 18, triple locking carabiner 20, and harness 22. In FIG. 1, the mobile fall arrester 16, triple locking carabiner 20, and other components of the lifeline subsystem 10 may be composed of steel or any other suitable material. Further, in the depicted embodiment, the harness 22 includes a sternal D-ring 24. The lifeline subsystem 10 also comprises a launching assembly (e.g., Buck Shot) 26, a throw line 28, and a throw bag 30. The lifeline subsystem 10 may optionally include a throw line bag 32 for storing the throw line 28 and throw bag 30, and a rope bag 34 for storing the components of the lifeline subsystem 10.
[0055] Turning now to FIGs. 2A-2B, there are shown top and perspective views schematic representations of the lifeline subsystem 10 in the deployed state secured over a residential building 36, according to an embodiment. To secure the lifeline subsystem 10 over the residential building 36, the throw line 28 is first connected to both the throw bag 30 and the lifeline 12 on a first side 38 of the residential building 36.
The throw line 28 and connected throw bag 30 are launched, thrown, or otherwise extended over the residential building 36 to a second side 40 of the residential building 36.
The first side 38 and the second side 40 are on opposing sides of a central longitudinal y ¨ y axis extending through the residential building 36, as shown. The throw line 28 and throw bag 30 can be launched over the residential building 36 using the launching assembly 26 (e.g., Buck Shot) shown in FIG. 1.
[0056] As a result, the throw line 28 and the throw bag 30 are on the second side 40 of the residential building 36 and the lifeline 12 is on the first side 38.
With the throw line 28 and throw bag 30 on the second side 40, the throw line 28 is pulled to extend the connected lifeline 12 over the residential building 36 from the first side 38 to the second side 40. The lifeline 12 can preferably only be pulled such that a first end 42 of the lifeline 12 is on the first side 38 of the residential building 36 and a second end 44 of the lifeline 12 is on the second side 40 of the residential building 36, as shown in FIGs. 2A-2B.

[0057] In the embodiment depicted in FIGs. 2A-2B, the second end 44 of the lifeline 12 can comprise the carabiner eye 14. The carabiner eye 14 facilitates anchoring of the lifeline 12. The carabiner 20 can be connected to the carabiner eye 14 and to a lifeline anchor sling 18. The lifeline anchor sling 18 is used to attach the lifeline 12 to a lifeline anchor 46. In the depicted embodiment, the lifeline 12 extends along a central lateral x ¨ x axis, which extends through the residential building 36 from the first side 38 to the second side 40. Additionally, in the embodiment shown in FIGs. 2A-2B, the lifeline anchor 46 is secured into the ground; however, the lifeline anchor 46 can be installed into any suitable, secure substrate. Once the second end 44 of the lifeline 12 is anchored, the lifeline 12 is stable for use.
[0058] Still referring to FIGs. 2A-2B, to use the secured lifeline 12, the user may wear a harness 22 and attach the harness 22 to the first end 42 of the lifeline 12 using a mobile fall arrester 16 or other like device. In the depicted embodiment, the user wears the harness 22 and attaches it to the mobile fall arrester 16 via its sternal D-ring 24. Once the harness 22 is secured to the user, the user can scale or otherwise ascend the residential building 36, such as by a ladder 48, to reach the work area 50. If the user should fall from the ladder 48, the lifeline 12 is pulled toward the first side 38 of the residential building 36 until the lifeline 12 is taut between the harness 22 and the lifeline anchor 46.
To provide additional safety and support, the lifeline subsystem 10 of FIGs 1-23 can be used in conjunction with a load sharing subsystem 100.
[0059] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view schematic representation of a load sharing subsystem 100 in the undeployed state, according to an embodiment. The load sharing subsystem 100 comprises one or more anchor slings 102, one or more redirect lines 104, one or more anchor prusiks 106, and one or more lifeline prusiks 108. As should be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure, a prusik is a friction hitch or other knot used to attach one rope (cord or other similar device) to another rope. The load sharing subsystem 100 may also optionally include a load sharing bag 110 for storing the components of the load sharing subsystem 100.
[0060] Turning now to FIGs. 4A-6, there are shown top and perspective views schematic representations of the lifeline subsystem 10 and load sharing subsystem 100, each in a deployed state, in various configurations, over a residential building 36. To increase safety, the load sharing subsystem 100 can be installed with or otherwise coupled to the lifeline subsystem 10. To do so, the user can attach one or more redirect lines 104 to the lifeline 12 before (or, alternatively, after) the lifeline 12 is pulled over the residential building 36. In other words, the throw bag 30 and throw line 28 can be first attached to the lifeline 12 and launched over the residential building 36 from its first side

38 to its second side 40, as described above, but prior to pulling the throw line 28 to drag the lifeline 12 to the second side 40, the redirect lines 104 are attached to the lifeline 12.
[0061] In order to attach the redirect line 104 to the lifeline 12, first, a lifeline prusik 108 is coupled to the lifeline 12, and second, the redirect line 104 is secured to the lifeline prusik 108. Referring now to FIGs. 7A-7I, there is shown a method for adjustably attaching the lifeline prusik 108 to the lifeline 12. To attach the lifeline prusik 108 to the lifeline 12, the lifeline prusik 108 is extended across (approximately perpendicular) and under the lifeline 12 in the unlocked position, as shown in FIG. 7A.
Next, a stitching end 114 on the lifeline prusik 108 is passed back over the lifeline 12 and passed through the opposing end 116 of the lifeline prusik 108, forming a first wrap 118A, as shown in FIGs. 7A-7B. Then, as shown in FIGs. 7C-7D, the stitching end 114 is passed over the lifeline 12 through the opposing end 116 of the lifeline prusik 108 for a second time, forming a second wrap 118B. Next, as shown in FIGs. 7E-7F, the stitching .. end 114 is passed over the lifeline 12 through the opposing end 116 of the lifeline prusik 108 for a third time, forming a third wrap 118C. Finally, as shown in FIGs. 7G-7H, the stitching end 114 is passed over the lifeline 12 through the opposing end 116 of the lifeline prusik 108 for a fourth time, forming a fourth wrap 118D. The lifeline prusik 108 and the lifeline 12 are shown in the locked position in FIG. 71.
100621 With the lifeline prusik 108 attached to the lifeline 12, the redirect line 104 can be attached to the lifeline prusik 108. A user estimates the location for attachment of the one or more redirect lines 104 on the lifeline 12 based on a variety of factors, such as the positioning of the lifeline 12 on the residential building 36 and the location of the work area 50. A first end 112 of each of the one or more redirect lines 104 is then adjustably attached to the lifeline 12 at one or more attachment locations 114.

[0063] Turning now to FIGs. 8A-8G, there is shown a method for attaching a redirect line 104 to a lifeline prusik 108. In the unlocked position, shown in FIG. 8A the first end 112 of the redirect line 104 comprises a loop 120, such as a hitch loop, which is adjacent the loop 122 of the lifeline prusik 108. From the unlocked position, the loop 120 of the redirect line 104 is inserted through the loop 122 of the lifeline prusik 108, as shown in FIG. 8B. Next, the second end 124 of the redirect line 104 is inserted into through the loop 120 of the redirect line 104, as shown in FIGs. 8C-8D. In FIGs. 8D-8E, the second end 124 of the redirect line 104 is continuously pulled through the loop 120 of the redirect line 104 until an adjustable loop 126 in the redirect line 104 is created (FIGs.
.. 8E-8F) and is tight on the loop 122 of the lifeline prusik 108, as shown in FIG. 8G. FIG.
8G shows the redirect line 104 and the lifeline prusik 108 in the locked position.
[0064] With the one or more redirect lines 104 attached to the lifeline 12 at one or more attachment locations 114, the user pulls the throw line 28 on the second side 40 of the residential building 36, thereby pulling the first end 42 of the lifeline 12 to the second side 40 of the residential building 36. Both the lifeline 12 and the attached redirect line 104 are pulled along the residential building 36. Thereafter, the user places the ladder 48 or other climbing or scaling device in the proximity of the work area 50. For example, in FIG. 4A, the lifeline anchor 46 on the second side 40 of the residential building 36 is positioned approximately in alignment with the ladder 48 on the opposing first side 38 of the residential building 36 and with the central longitudinal y ¨ y axis. The lifeline anchor 46 provides the most support for potential falls from the ladder 48 when it is in alignment with the ladder 48.
[0065] With the ladder 48 in place, the user can determine where to anchor the lifeline 12 and the redirect line 104. As described above with reference to FIGs. 2A-2B, the second end 44 of the lifeline 12 is secured to the lifeline anchor 46 via the carabiner 20 and the lifeline anchor sling 18 (although any other suitable connectors may be used).
In order to anchor the redirect line 104 to a redirect anchor 148 (or 150), first, an anchor prusik 106 is coupled to the redirect line 104, and second, the anchor prusik 106 is couple to a redirect anchor sling 102.
[0066] Referring now to FIGs. 9A-9G, there is shown a method for adjustably attaching the redirect line 104 to the anchor prusik 106. To attach the anchor prusik 106 to the redirect line 104, the anchor prusik 106 is extended across (approximately perpendicular) and under the redirect line 104 in the unlocked position, as shown in FIG.
9A. Next, a ring end 130 on the anchor prusik 106 is passed back over the redirect line 104 the passed through the opposing end 132 of the anchor prusik 106, forming a first wrap 134A, as shown in FIGs. 9A-9B. Then, as shown in FIGs. 9C-9D, the ring end 130 is passed over the redirect line 104 through the opposing end 132 of the anchor prusik 106 for a second time, forming a second wrap 134B. Finally, as shown in FIGs.
9E-9F, the ring end 130 is then passed over the redirect line 104 through the opposing end 132 of the anchor prusik 106 for a third time, forming a third wrap 134C. The anchor prusik 106 and the redirect line 104 are shown in the locked position in FIG. 9G.
[0067] With the anchor prusik 106 adjustably attached to the redirect line 104, the redirect line 104 and the anchor prusik 106 can be attached to a redirect anchor sling 102.
The method for adjustable attachment is shown in FIGs. 10A-101. In the unlocked position shown in FIG. 10A, the second end 124 of the redirect line 104 is adjacent an anchor sling ring 136. First, as shown in FIG. 10B, the second end 124 of the redirect line 104 is passed through the anchor sling ring 136. Then, in FIG. 10C, the second end 124 of the redirect line 104 is passed through the ring end 130 of the anchor prusik 106.
Thereafter, the second end 124 of the redirect line 104 is pulled behind and around two sections 138A, 138B of the redirect line 104 which extend between the anchor sling ring 136 and the ring end 130 of the anchor prusik 106, creating a first locking loop 140, as shown in FIG. 10D. The second end 124 of the redirect line 104 is then passed through the first locking loop 140 and pulled tight, as shown in FIG. 10E. Next, in FIG. 10E-10F, the second end 124 of the redirect line 104 is pulled behind and around the two sections 138A, 138B of the redirect line 104 again, creating a second locking loop 142.
The second end 124 of the redirect line 104 is then passed through the second locking loop 142 and pulled tight, as shown in FIG. 10G. As shown in FIG. 10H, the second end 124 of the redirect line 104 is pulled behind and around the two sections 138A, 138B of the redirect line 104 for a third time, creating a third locking loop 144. The second end 124 of the redirect line 104 is then passed through the third locking loop 144 and pulled tight to achieve the locked position, as shown in FIG. 101. In the locked position, the redirect anchor sling 102 can be attached to a redirect anchor 148 (or 150).

[0068] Turning briefly to FIGs. 11A-11B, there are shown top views schematic representations of the redirect anchor sling 102 in the locked and unlocked positions on the anchor prusik 106, according to an alternative embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11A, a carabiner 152 is connected through the ring end 130 on the anchor prusik 106.
With the carabiner 152 attached to the anchor prusik 106, as shown in FIG. 11A, the carabiner can then also be attached to the anchor sling ring 136 of the redirect anchor sling 102, as shown in FIG. 11B. In the locked position, the redirect anchor sling 102 can be attached to a redirect anchor 148 (or 150).
[0069] After the lifeline 12 and redirect line 104 are anchored in place, the user may continue to adjust the slack in the redirect line 104 via the anchor prusik 106 and the attachment location 114 of the redirect line 104 along the lifeline 12 using the lifeline prusik 108 until the desired configuration is achieved. Once the desired configuration is achieved, the user can lock the anchor prusik 106 and/or lifeline prusik 108 in place.
With the redirect line 104 and lifeline 12 secured, the user can ascend or climb the ladder 48 to the work area 50 on the residential building 36.
[0070] Turning back to FIGs. 4A-4B, there are shown first and second configurations of the lifeline subsystem 10 used in conjunction with the load sharing subsystem 100. In the first configuration shown in FIG. 4A, one redirect line 104 is connected to the lifeline 12 at an attachment location 114. In the depicted embodiment, the work area 50 is along the central longitudinal y ¨ y axis. In the second configuration shown in FIG. 4B, two redirect lines 104A, 104B are attached to the lifeline 12. As shown in FIG. 4B, the work area 50 is located centrally on the top surface 52 of the residential building 36. The redirect lines 104A, 104B are connected to the lifeline 12 at spaced attachment locations 114. Using two redirect lines 104A, 104B
eliminates or further limits the chance that the user falls or slides from the work area 50 at the top surface 52 of the residential building 36.
[0071] Referring briefly back to FIGs. 5-6, there are shown third and fourth configurations of the lifeline subsystem 10 used in conjunction with the load sharing subsystem 100. In FIG. 5, the work area is located at an edge 54 (or along a ridgeline 56) on the top surface 52 of the residential building 36. Differing from the position in FIGs.
2A-2B and FIGs. 4A-4B, the lifeline 12 in the third configuration, as shown in FIG. 5, extends at angle relative to the central longitudinal y ¨ y axis through the residential building 36 from the first side 38 of the residential building 36 to the second side 40 of the residential building 36. In the third configuration, the spaced redirect attachment locations 114 are on the same side of the central longitudinal y ¨y axis extending through .. the residential building 36 and on the same side (i.e., first side 38) as the work area 50, as shown.
[0072] In FIG. 6, the lifeline subsystem 10 and the load sharing subsystem 100 are in a fourth configuration. In the fourth configuration, the lifeline 12 extends from a third side 58 of the residential building 36 to the second side 40 of the residential building 36. As shown, the third side 58 is adjacent (and directly connected to) the second side 40. Thus, the lifeline 12 extends across and at angle relative to a central lateral x ¨ x axis through the residential building 36. The fourth configuration may also represent a scenario wherein the first redirect anchor 148 for the first redirect line 104A does not meet the minimum strength requirements for an anchor. The load sharing subsystem 100 is utilized to secure a second redirect line 104B attached to a second redirect anchor 150.
The second redirect anchor 150 and the lifeline anchor 46 are used to achieve the required anchor strength to eliminate or limit the change of the user falling or sliding from the work area 50. Additional configurations of the lifeline 12 and redirect line 104 in the deployed state are contemplated and can be used to prevent or minimize falls and sliding, as should be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure (taking advantage of the adjustability configurations described herein).
[0073] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprise" (and any form of comprise, such as "comprises" and "comprising"), "have"
(and any form of have, such as, "has" and "having"), "include" (and any form of include, such as "includes" and "including"), and "contain" (any form of contain, such as "contains" and "containing") are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a method or device that "comprises", "has", "includes" or "contains" one or more steps or elements.

Likewise, a step of method or an element of a device that "comprises", "has", "includes"
or "contains" one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features. Furthermore, a device or structure that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.
[0074] The corresponding structures, materials, acts and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below, if any, are intended to include any structure, material or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of one or more aspects of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand one or more aspects of the present invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:

1. A system for minimizing fall risk, comprising:
a lifeline subsystem having a lifeline with a first end configured for attachment to a harness and a second end configured for attachment to a stationary lifeline anchor;
a load sharing subsystem having one or more redirect lines, each with a first end configured for attachment to the lifeline and a second end configured for attachment to a redirect anchor;
wherein, the load sharing subsystem and the lifeline subsystem have an undeployed state and a deployed state; and wherein, in the deployed state, the lifeline extends from a first side of a residential building to a second side of a residential building, the first end of the lifeline is connected to the harness of the first side and the second end of the lifeline is connected to the stationary lifeline anchor on the second side, and the first end of each of the one or more redirect lines is attached to the lifeline and the second end of the redirect line is attached to a redirect anchor.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein, in the deployed state, a lifeline prusik is adjustably attached to the lifeline.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein, in the deployed state, the first end of each of the one or more redirect lines is adjustably attached to the lifeline via the lifeline prusik.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein, in the deployed state, an anchor prusik is adjustably attached to each of the one or more redirect lines.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein, in the deployed state, the anchor prusik is connected to a redirect anchor sling.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein, in the deployed state, the redirect anchor sling is directly connected to the redirect anchor and the lifeline is connected to the stationary lifeline anchor via a lifeline anchor sling.

7. A system for minimizing fall risk, comprising:
a lifeline extending from a first side of a residential building to a second side of a residential building, the lifeline having a first end connected to a harness and a second end connected to a stationary lifeline anchor;
wherein the harness is on the first side of the residential building and the stationary lifeline anchor is on a second side of the residential building;
and a first redirect line having a first end connected to the lifeline at a first attachment location and a second end connected to a first redirect anchor.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first side of the residential building opposes the second side of the residential building.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the first redirect line extends to the first redirect anchor on a third side of the residential building.

10. The system of claim 7, further comprising a second redirect line having a first end connected to the lifeline at a second attachment location and a second end connected to a second redirect anchor.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the first side of the residential building is adjacent and directly connected to the second side of the residential building.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the lifeline extends adjacent a work area on a top surface of the residential building.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein the first end of the first redirect line is adjustably attached to the lifeline via a lifeline prusik.

14. The system of claim 7, further comprising an anchor prusik adjustably attached to the first redirect line, the anchor prusik being connected to the first redirect anchor via a redirect anchor sling.

15. A method for minimizing fall risk from a residential building, comprising the steps of:
securing a first end of a first redirect line to an attachment location along a lifeline on a first side of the residential building;
extending a second end of the lifeline from the first side of the residential building to a second side of the residential building;
securing a first end of the lifeline to a first stationary lifeline anchor;
and securing a second end of the first redirect line to a first redirect anchor.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of extending a second end of the lifeline from the first side of the residential building to a second side of the residential building includes the steps of:
attaching a first end of a throw line to a throw bag;
attaching a second end of the throw line to the second end of the lifeline;
and launching the throw bag to the second side of the residential building.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of securing a first end of a first redirect line to an attachment location along a lifeline on a first side of the residential building includes the steps of:
connecting a lifeline prusik to the lifeline; and attaching the first end of the first redirect line to the lifeline pruisk at the attachment location.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of securing a second end of the first redirect line to a first redirect anchor includes the steps of:
connecting an anchor prusik to the second end of the first redirect line;
attaching the anchor prusik and the second end of the first redirect line to a first redirect anchor sling; and attaching the first redirect anchor sling to the first redirect anchor.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the lifeline extends across a top surface of the residential building in proximity to a work area.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of positioning a ladder against the first side of the residential building in proximity to the work area.