EP1359980B1 - Movable fall prevention device for a belay support - Google Patents

Abstract

A movable fall-preventing device ( 1 ) for a belay support ( 6 ) includes an axis-retaining groove which retains the belay support ( 6 ) by means of a lever ( 16 ) that pivots between an open position and a closed position. One end of the lever comprises a locking cam and the other end is provided with a hole intended to receive a snap hook ( 5 ). An end stop system limits the pivoting movement of the lever ( 16 ) in an intermediary position when switching from the closed position to the open position. The end stop system comprises a retractable, movable stop ( 50 ).

Description

The present invention relates to an individual safety device against falls from height. It relates to a mobile fall arrester for belay support more particularly adapted to vertical flexible belay devices.

Personnel who have to intervene on installations at height and who must for this purpose climb or descend along pylons or poles must be ensured so as not to fall unexpectedly. This is for example the case of installers or repairers of facilities such as, for example, cable car or chairlift installations. It is therefore necessary to ensure that they can go up or down freely, without risking falling.

Such devices are already known constituted by a rope or a cable of belay disposed vertically, also called "life line", to which the user connects so as to be able to move upwards or downwards. For this purpose, it is equipped with personal protective equipment linking it to the "lifeline" and comprising a harness fixed to a fall arrester. However, the known devices are not entirely satisfactory in terms of their ease of use and reliability.

The present invention provides a new device particularly safe, reliable and convenient to implement.

Thus, the mobile fall arrester for belay support according to the invention, of the type comprising a retaining groove in which said belay support is retained by means of a pivoting lever between an open position and a closed position, of which one of the ends comprises a locking cam, and the other free end comprises a hole for receiving a carabiner, while an abutment system limits the pivoting of the lever in an intermediate position when passing from the position of closing towards the open position, is characterized in that the stop system is constituted by a retractable movable stop.

According to complementary features, the stop is pivotally movable and is, according to the preferred embodiment, constituted by a pivoting pawl biased by a spring in the active abutment position.

According to another characteristic, the stop is constituted by the end of a lower arm of the pivoting pawl, said end being intended to cooperate with the abutment surface of the lever to determine its intermediate position.

Add that the ratchet is pivotally mounted about a transverse axis disposed in the upper part of the fall arrest, while it is biased by a spring which advantageously also acts on the pivoting lever.

According to the embodiment given by way of example, the retaining groove is formed by the wall of a main flange and comprises a secondary flange constituted by a wall, while the lever is pivotally mounted between the two flanges.

The fall arrest device of the invention comprises a longitudinal passage parallel to the groove, said passage being limited laterally by, on the one hand, the first edge of the main flange and, on the other hand, the first edge of the second flange.

• La figure 1 est une vue d'ensemble illustrant comment est utilisé l'antichute de l'invention.
• La figure 2 est une vue latérale représentant plus particulièrement l'antichute monté sur le câble d'assurage et sa liaison au harnais porté par l'utilisateur.
• Les figures 3, 4 et 5 sont des vues d'exécution de l'antichute ; la figure 3 est une vue en plan, la figure 4 est une vue latérale, côté levier, tandis que la figure 5 est une vue en coupe selon A-A.
• La figure 6 est une vue similaire à la figure 3, mais illustrant l'antichute dans sa position d'ouverture extrême montrant les différents éléments constituant l'antichute, le flasque secondaire étant retiré pour une meilleure compréhension du dessin.
• Les figures 7 à 11 illustrent les différentes étapes de mise en place de l'antichute de l'invention.
• La figure 12 représente comment est utilisé l'antichute selon l'invention.
• La figure 13 illustre une variante de réalisation.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows with reference to the accompanying drawings which are given by way of non-limiting examples.

• Figure 1 is an overview illustrating how the fall arrest device of the invention is used.
• Figure 2 is a side view showing more particularly the fall arrester mounted on the belay cable and its connection to the harness worn by the user.
• Figures 3, 4 and 5 are views of execution of the fall arrest; Figure 3 is a plan view, Figure 4 is a side view, lever side, while Figure 5 is a sectional view along AA.
• Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3, but illustrating the fall arrest in its extreme open position showing the various elements constituting the fall arrest, the secondary flange being removed for a better understanding of the drawing.
• Figures 7 to 11 illustrate the different stages of implementation of the fall arrest device of the invention.
• Figure 12 shows how the fall arrest device according to the invention is used.
• Figure 13 illustrates an alternative embodiment.

The fall arrester (1) is part of a personal protective equipment against falls at height with the general reference (2) and comprising in addition to said fall arrester (1) a harness (3) carrying at least one mooring loop (4) with a snap hook (5), said fall arrest device (2) being intended to be removably connected to a vertical belay support (6) fixed, for example, on an intervention pylon (7) .

In its position of use, that is to say connected to the harness (3), the mobile fall arrester (1) can be moved upward (HA) or downward (BA) by normal sliding ( that is to say at the speed of ascension or descent of the user) along a cable or a vertical rope (e) (6) constituting the belay support. In the event of a fall, which corresponds to an accelerated descent speed, the mobile fall arrester locks on the cable. It will be understood that the user (8) can then climb or descend along the pylon (7) by sliding the fall arrester upward (HA) or downward (BA) along the safety cable (6). when necessary, while it will be ensured not to fall down by blocking his fall arrest (1) on said cable (6) constituting the belay support.

The fall arrester (1) essentially comprises a hollow profile (9) rectilinear for receiving the belay cable (6) which is retained after engagement by a cam (10) movable pivotally. Thus, the hollow profile (9) is constituted by the wall (11a) of a main flange (12a) whose first side edge (13a) is folded parallel to said wall, so as to form a gutter or a semicircular groove (9), while the second lateral edge (14a) is in the plane of the wall and is curved. Note that the groove has a semi-circular profile of vertical axis (YY ') and has substantially the size of the cable or rope (6) intended (e) to be housed. Furthermore, the locking cam (10) is integral with an actuating lever and hooking (16) which is pivotally mounted on the fall arrest around a transverse axis (XX ').

Note that the second lateral edge (14a) is a lower ramp, substantially circular, radius (R1) centered on the axis (XX ').

The body of the fall arrester comprises, in addition to the main flange (12a) described above and forming the groove (9), a secondary flange (12b). The latter is secured to the main flange to be parallel to it and spaced a distance (d) to form, on the one hand, a space (e) between the two flanges intended for the movement of the lever (16) and, on the other hand on the other hand, a longitudinal passage (40) for the engagement of the cable (40). The secondary flange has a configuration identical to the wall (11a) of the main flange (12a). Thus, it consists of a wall (11b) and comprises a rectilinear first lateral edge (13b), while the second lateral edge (14b) is in the plane of the wall and is curved to form a lower, substantially circular ramp, radius (R1) centered on the axis (XX '). Let us add that the passage (40) is limited laterally by the first edge (13b) of the main flange (12a) and the first edge (13a) of the secondary flange (12b). Of course, the width of the passage is greater than the diameter of the cable or rope (6) intended (e) to be engaged (e), said passage extending parallel to the axis (YY ') of the groove.

The lever (16) previously mentioned is pivotally movable about the transverse axis (XX '). It is arranged to move between the two flanges (12a, 12b) in the space (e) formed between the main flange (12a) and the secondary flange (12b). It is thus mounted in rotation about an axis (21) extending between the two flanges so that its attachment end (22) extends beyond the ramps (14a, 14b) of the two flanges (12a, 12b). Said free hanging end (22) further comprises a hooking hole (23) for receiving the snap hook (5) which can be engaged therein. The hooking hole (23) is cylindrical and its axis (QQ ') is at a distance (L1) from the axis (XX') greater than the value of the radius (R1) of the ramp plus the radius of said hole ( 23) so that its peripheral wall (24) is at a distance (L2) from the axis (XX ') greater than the radius (R1).

Furthermore, the lever (16) comprises on the side opposite to the hooking hole (23) a cam (10) constituted by a locking ramp (25) for locking the fall arrest device (1) on the support of belay. The lever (16) can thus take, by rotation about the axis (XX '), two extreme positions: an open position as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, and a closed position as represented in FIGS. 3, 9, 10 and 11.

Let us add that the fall arrest device comprises two stops (28, 29) for limiting the angular displacement of the lever downwards by a lower stop (28) and upwards by an upper stop (29). The lower stop (28) is formed by a cylindrical spacer extending between the two flanges (12a, 12b) in the lower zone, while the upper stop (29) is formed by another upper cylindrical spacer connecting the upper portion of the two flanges (12a, 12b).

Note that the lever is constantly biased towards its closed position by a torsion spring (27). The latter is useful, on the one hand, to maintain in place the fall arrest device (1) on the belay cable (6) at the time of installation and removal of the carabiner (5) and, on the other hand on the other hand, to ensure that the fall arrester is stopped in the event of a fall, even before the carabiner (5) has to single-handedly pivot the lever downwards.

According to the invention, there is provided a retractable movable abutment member (50) for the lever (16) intended to limit its upward rotation in an intermediate position that does not allow the belay support to leave the fall arrest device, which is constituted by a pivoting pawl (50) biased to closure by a spring (27). Said pawl is intended, on the one hand, to limit the pivoting of the lever in an intermediate position and, secondly and simultaneously, to condemn, thanks to its shape, the inadvertent release of the belay support (6) by the passage (40).

The pawl consists of three arms, namely, a lateral arm (51) intended to block the inadvertent release of the belay support (6) through the passage (40), a lower arm (52) intended to limit the pivoting of the lever up in the intermediate position, and an upper actuating arm (55). The lower arm (52) serves as a stop for the lever with its lower end (53) intended to cooperate with the upper abutment surface (54) of the lever (16). The ratchet, thanks to its side arm, is an obstacle condemning the inadvertent release of the belay support through the passage (40). The pawl, constituting a double security system, is biased, in its active position of abutment and closure, by a spring (27) which is advantageously the same spring as that actuating the lever (16).

The pawl is rotatably mounted about the transverse axis (58) disposed between the main flange and the secondary flange in the upper part of the fall arrest device substantially in the extension of the first edge (13b) of the secondary flange, such that so that the upper part of the pawl exceeds the edge (13b) until reaching the edge (13a), thus condemning the passage (40). When the pawl is in the stop position for the lever, it condemns the passage (40) and vice versa.

The pawl is movable and retractable between a so-called "safety" position condemning the passage (40) and limiting the rotation of the lever in its intermediate position, and an inactive release position. The user, by simple action on the ratchet, simultaneously actuates the two safety systems to introduce the belay support, by moving the lever from its intermediate position to its upper position. Add that said ratchet can be advantageously equipped with a wheel (56) at its upper arm to ensure better guidance belay support at the upper end of the groove (9).

Figures 7 to 11 illustrate the different stages of implementation of the fall arrest device of the invention.

The user, placing the first flange (12a) of the fall arrest device (1) in the palm of the right hand, pivots with his thumb the lever (16) upwards according to R1 to clear the passage (40) for the cable ; all in now the pawl (50) in its inactive position, it brings the fall arrester (1) on the cable (6) to pass said cable (6) through the passage (40), as shown in Figure 7.

Then it engages the cable (6) in the groove (9) and releases the lever (16) and the pawl (50), as shown in Figure 8. The lever (16) biased by the spring (27), rotates downwards according to (R2) until the locking ramp (25) comes to pinch the cable thus holding it in the groove (9), as shown in FIG. 8, the pawl then condemning the passage (40) by its lateral arm (51).

The user then installs a carabiner (5) by engaging it in the hole (23) of the lever (16), as illustrated in FIG. 10. Then, it fixes its harness (3) to the carabiner, for example, through the mooring loops (4), as shown in Figure 11.

In the position illustrated in FIG. 11, the fall arrest device (1) is blocked against any unintentional descent downward (BA) preventing the user from falling but can be moved upwards (HA) to its intermediate position in abutment against the pawl, by rotation upwards according to (R1) of the lever (16), as illustrated in FIG. 12.

While climbing, the user rotates the lever (16) upwards (HA) according to (R2). In this intermediate position, the lever prohibits any possibility for the cable to leave the groove (9) and, as soon as the lever is released, it pivots downward again according to (R1), which causes the cable to lock on the cable. 'Anti fall.

Downhill, the weight of the fall arrester (1) and the spring allow the lever (16) to remain in abutment on the stop (53).

Thus, the user can go down without intervening on the fall arrest (1). In the event of a sudden fall or fall, the lever (16) pivots downwards (BA) according to (R1), while the locking ramp (25) pinches the cable (6).

From the description above, it is found that the fall arrest device comprises a movable and retractable stop system (52, 53, 54) which limits the pivoting of the lever in an intermediate position when the user moves this lever from the closed position to the open position. It is then impossible for the user to go beyond this intermediate position and it is then impossible for the cable to leave the retaining groove, the cam (10) still being engaged in the retaining zone of the cable, as shown in FIG. 12 .

In the intermediate position of Figure 12, there is a clearance (j) between the cable and the cam (10), allowing free sliding both upward (HA) and downward (BA). However, as soon as there is a fall, the fall arrester (1) immediately returns to its blocking position, as shown in Figure 11.

Moreover, the fall arrester is advantageously metallic, for example stainless steel or any other suitable material.

Note that in the position of use, the user can not rotate the pawl (50) along R3, because the end of the lower arm (52) is in abutment against the upper surface (54) of the arm and its trajectory (T) is engaging, as clearly shown in Figure 12. Thus, the locked position of the pawl condemns the passage (40), which is an additional security.

Figure 13 is a side view illustrating an alternative embodiment in which the fall arrester (1) is extended downwardly by a gripping handle (60). The said handle forms a sufficiently large and strong loop, to form a climbing handle that the user can grip to pull himself up, by pulling on his fall arrest. It will be added that thanks to the fall arrest of the invention, that the user can also move down without risk of losing his life line, this being due to the fact that the passage (40) is doomed.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown by way of examples.

Claims (11)

1. Movable fall prevention device (1) for a belay support (6), of the type comprising a retaining groove (9) having an YY' axis which retains said belay support (6) by means of a lever (16) that pivots between an open position and a closed position, one end of said lever comprising a locking cam (10, 25) and the other end being provided with a hole (23) intended to receive a snap hook (5), whereas an end stop system limits the pivoting movement of the lever (16) in an intermediary position when switching from the closed position to the open position, said device being characterised in that the end stop system comprises a retractable, movable end stop (50, 52, 53).
2. Fall prevention device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said end stop moves in a pivoting movement.
3. Fall prevention device (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the end stop comprises a pivoting ratchet (50) stressed by a spring (27) in the stop position.
4. Fall prevention device (1) according to claims 2 or 3, characterised in that the end stop consists of the end (53) of a lower arm (52) of the pivoting ratchet (50), said end being designed to cooperate with the end stop surface of the lever (16) to determine its intermediate position.
5. Fall prevention device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the ratchet is assembled to pivot around a transverse axis (58) arranged in the upper part of the fall prevention device (1).
6. Fall prevention device (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the pivoting ratchet is stressed by a spring (57).
7. Fall prevention device (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that the spring (57) of the pivoting ratchet (50) also acts upon the pivoting lever (16).
8. Fall prevention device (1) according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the retaining groove (9) is created by the wall (11a) of a principal side plate (12a) and comprises a secondary side plate (12b) comprising a wall (11b), while a lever (16) is assembled to pivot between the two side plates (12a, 12b).
9. Fall prevention device according to claim 8, characterised in that it comprises a passage (40) that is longitudinal and parallel to the axis (YY') of the groove (9), said passage being limited laterally by, on one side, the first edge (13a) of the principal side plate (12a) and on the other side, the first edge (13b) of the second side plate.
10. Fall prevention device according to claim 8, characterised in that the lever (16) comprises a cam (10) consisting of a locking ramp (25).
11. Fall prevention device according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the length of the lever (16) is such that it protrudes beyond the upper ramps (17a, 17b) of each of the side plates (11a, 11b).

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