Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
  • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
  • A62B35/00—Safety belts or body harnesses; Similar equipment for limiting displacement of the human body, especially in case of sudden changes of motion
  • A62B35/0081—Equipment which can travel along the length of a lifeline, e.g. travelers
  • A62B35/0087—Arrangements for bypassing lifeline supports without lanyard disconnection
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
  • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
  • A62B35/00—Safety belts or body harnesses; Similar equipment for limiting displacement of the human body, especially in case of sudden changes of motion
  • A62B35/04—Safety belts or body harnesses; Similar equipment for limiting displacement of the human body, especially in case of sudden changes of motion incorporating energy absorbing means
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
  • F16F7/00—Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers
  • F16F7/08—Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers with friction surfaces rectilinearly movable along each other
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
  • F16F7/00—Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers
  • F16F7/12—Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers using plastic deformation of members
  • F16F7/123—Deformation involving a bending action, e.g. strap moving through multiple rollers, folding of members
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
  • Y10T24/39—Cord and rope holders
  • Y10T24/3936—Pivoted part
  • Y10T24/394—Cam lever

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an energy absorbing device for safety line and a tensioner for safety line incorporating such a device.
• the invention will find application in the field of securing facilities for the intervention of people in perilous conditions. More specifically, the invention is directed to the establishment of safety lines, also called lifelines, generally consisting of cables on which people can be hitched so as to avoid accidents during accidental falls.
• safety lines also called lifelines
• the tensioner according to the invention allows in particular the mounting of safety lines on external elements such as fixed walls (such as walls or poles) while ensuring their tensioning at a level adjusted and absorption of energy during possible shocks.
• document WO-A-93 06384 discloses an energy absorption device capable of being connected to a lifeline cable and having a tubular liner system in which a rod can perform a translational movement while rubbing on the wall of the jacket so as to produce a gradual absorption of energy.
• the energy absorption occurs by causing permanent radial deformation of the liner during movement of the rod.
• This type of energy absorbing device uses the stroke of a rod to absorb shocks.
• the stroke of such a rod is relatively limited unless there is a very bulky device. Moreover, no adjustment of the energy absorption can be easily produced according to this prior art.
• the device of the present invention has the advantage of exploiting friction between jaws and a plurality of cable portions, which makes it possible to obtain a greater stroke because the cable can be easily wound. in storage position and unrolled during shock absorption. Furthermore, this arrangement allows, preferably, an adjustment of the relative friction between the cable and the jaws.
• the device comprises two portions of cable so as to balance the assembly when pulling on the safety line produced during accidental drops.
• the present invention relates to a power absorbing device for a safety line comprising two parts capable of being set in relative motion with friction so as to absorb energy.
• This device is such that one of the parts comprises at least two parallel cable portions each able to move between a pair of jaws formed on the other part.
• This device is, according to preferred embodiments, such that:
• the cable portions are formed on the same cable on either side of a cable turn
• a turning piece is configured to guide the cable at the turn to balance and to distribute the tension on the two portions of the cable
• it comprises means for adjusting the friction force exerted by the pairs of jaws on the cable portions
• the adjustment means are means for screwing the jaws
• each cable portion comprises a limit stop
• the invention also relates to a tensioner for a safety line comprising firstly means for fixing to an external element and secondly means for connecting a safety line cable.
• This tensioner comprises an energy absorbing device for safety line according to the invention.
• the fastening means are formed integrally with the part comprising the pairs of jaws and the connection means are formed in the part comprising the cable portions
• the connection means comprise a crimping sleeve of the end of the safety line, said sleeve being secured to a rod configured to operate in translation relative to the remainder of the portion comprising the portions of the cable. opposition to elastic return means,
• the elastic return means are a spring mounted around the rod
• FIG. 1 illustrates a general exterior view of a tensioner of the invention in the normal position and Figure 2 illustrates a same tensioner in energy absorption position.
• Figure 3 shows more precisely one embodiment of the internal organs of the tensioner incorporating an energy absorbing device.
• Figure 4 illustrates this same embodiment in the energy absorption position.
• the tensioner here presented generally comprises a first end provided with a sleeve 11 for fastening by crimping. a security line cable.
• fastening means 15 are provided for connecting the tensioner to an external element such as a fastening system on a wall or on a post or to another safety line cable.
• the tensioner comprises a mechanism covered with a hood
• the energy absorbing device comprises two relatively movable parts 1, 2 of which Figure 4 gives the relative position during the absorption of shocks.
• One of the parts, hereinafter referred to as fixed part 1 comprises a frame 10, for example metal, on which are reported the fastening means 15, for example by a threaded rod system and nut.
• the frame 10 also makes it possible to receive pairs of jaws 4a, 4b here formed in a single vice assembly 3 having an upper plate and a lower plate in which are made two passages for cable portions 6a, 6b substantially parallel to each other and the direction of traction on the safety line.
• Adjusting means for clamping the vise 3 are provided here in the form of a clamping screw 5, the clamping can be adjusted so as to modify the relative friction between the cable portions 6a, 6b and the vice 3.
• the cable portions 6a, 6b comprise a free portion terminated by end stops 9a, 9b and another end adapted to be driven in a translation movement during the absorption of a shock.
• the two cable portions 6a, 6b are formed on the same cable having a turning zone 7 substantially in its middle and in conjunction with the axis of the sleeve 11 so as to produce two portions 6a , 6b symmetrical on both sides of the longitudinal axis of the assembly.
• a turning piece 8 is formed with a longitudinal portion and a substantially rounded transverse portion adapted to receive the cable at the turn 7 as shown in FIGS. 4.
• a rod 12 integral with the sleeve 11 is movable in opposition to elastic return means here in the form of a spring 13 surrounding the rod 12 over part of its length between the turning piece 8 and a cup 19 at the end of the rod 12.
• elastic return means here in the form of a spring 13 surrounding the rod 12 over part of its length between the turning piece 8 and a cup 19 at the end of the rod 12.
• the tension of the safety line cable can also be adjusted by adjusting the length of the entire tensioner, in particular by playing on the fastening means 15 or by providing a threaded connection between the sleeve 11 and the rod 12 to shorten or lengthen the whole.
• the fuse means comprise a fuse nut 14 s' applying on an inner part of the body 10 and cooperating by threading with a threaded rod end secured to the turning piece 8.
• the portion is formed rod of a relatively hard material such as steel and the fuse nut 14 of a less hard material such as aluminum.
• This threshold is easily adjustable, in particular by modifying the properties (for example the height) and the material of the nut 14.
• the tensioner is attached to an outer element such as a fixed wall, by fixing means 15. At its other end, it is connected to the end of a safety line cable by crimping the cable in the sleeve 11. During this step, or later by acting on the length of the tensioner (in particular by relative displacement of the fastening means 15 and the body 10 or the sleeve 11 and the rod 12), it is possible to adjust the applied tension on the life line.
• a graduation system visible through a window 18 assists the operator for this purpose.
• the formation of two cable portions 6a, 6b makes it possible to balance the assembly in the direction of traction and produces two symmetrical friction zones.
• the turning part 8 provides in this context the balancing and distribution of the tension on the two portions of the cable 6a, 6b.
• Another advantage of this embodiment is to allow the use of smaller diameter cables than if a single cable was formed thus ensuring better winding capacity of the free end of the cable portions 6a, 6b and a greater length . These windings are received in a volume dedicated for this purpose formed in a cavity internal to the cover 17.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Emergency Management (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Vibration Dampers (AREA)
• Buildings Adapted To Withstand Abnormal External Influences (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=35517338

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Families Citing this family (7)

Citations (1)

Family Cites Families (31)

• 2005
  • 2005-05-24 FR FR0551358A patent/FR2886166B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2006
  • 2006-05-23 CA CA2605730A patent/CA2605730C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2006-05-23 MX MX2007014664A patent/MX2007014664A/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2006-05-23 EP EP06763241A patent/EP1899020A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2006-05-23 AU AU2006251140A patent/AU2006251140B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2006-05-23 US US11/913,183 patent/US8061482B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2006-05-23 WO PCT/EP2006/062548 patent/WO2006125786A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation

Patent Citations (1)

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