EP2097599B1 - Mobile anchoring and fall prevention device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a temporary anchoring device and transportable, for attaching an EPI (personal protective equipment), fall protection system.

The present invention also relates to a device for securing the work in front of a door, a balcony, a window sill because of the height at which it is above the ground.

Work on windowsills, balcony edges or other interventions at height close to the outside pose serious safety problems, given the risk of operators falling. These risks are particularly present because of the height at which the openings are above the ground.

These risks are also present when it is impossible to use a nacelle from the outside, or a work structure such as a scaffolding.

As fixed anchoring element, structural anchors are known for connecting an individual fall protection equipment. It is recalled that a structural anchor is a permanently fixed element on a structure to which it is possible to attach an EPI. They are slow to put in place and require a waiting time before use if a chemical seal is used and cause damage to the facades.

As mobile anchoring element, there is also known an aluminum ring requiring two fasteners by drilling in a wall near the place of intervention. It is recalled that an anchor point is an element to which personal protective equipment can be attached after installation of the anchoring device. This anchoring point is generally a ring or other means sufficiently resistant to cash the fall of an operator connected thereto via an EPI. They cause damage and take a long time to set up.

As mobile anchoring element, a door or window bar is also known. It is placed across a door or window in opposition to the direction of the risk of falling. A ring in the center of the bar allows the attachment of a PPE connected to the operator. It can be used by one or two people depending on the width of the door. If the operator falls, the bar stops the fall. Its disadvantages are: that the mooring is lower than the operator, which has the effect of reducing in the event of drop the force exerted on the rope and mooring; that the rope crosses all the room on the floor causing a gene for the operator ; that the door is not always facing the workplace which makes its use impossible in many cases.

Fatal accidents occur because all currently known devices on the labor market have serious drawbacks of implementation, complexity, cost of installation, installation time, adaptations specific to certain places for which they are inoperative, most of these devices indeed require alterations such as holes in the walls to fix an anchor, which the owners of the premises refuse.

The safety of the operators is not always ensured when the duration of the intervention at height is of short duration, or if the duration of intervention is shorter than the installation of the existing safeties today. These prefer to opt for the risk of falling rather than for safety.

In summary, the known devices are so inappropriate, long to implement, constraining, or degrading to the premises that workers intervening at height do not put any security, thus taking the risk of a fall.

The documents AT-387 143 and DE 93 18 317 also describe devices usable in this application but not satisfactory.

The document AT-387 143 discloses all the features of the preamble of claim 1.

The present invention aims to remedy all the disadvantages of existing devices.

The mobile anti-fall anchorage device concerned makes it possible to ensure the safety of the workers of any body of state wishing to intervene from inside a building on a wall, through a bay that includes this wall, being close to the void and without causing damage to the existing interior or exterior structure (floor, wall, ceiling).

The characteristics in accordance with the invention are mentioned in the characterizing part of claim 1.

• à l'intérieur d'un bâtiment,
• à l'extérieur d'un bâtiment,
• debout sur un rebord de fenêtre
• à l'intérieur d'un local, sur un escabeau proche d'une fenêtre ouverte.

The device of the invention overcomes the disadvantages of existing devices, in that it works perfectly in all cases and is quickly installed. It can be used immediately after installation. It installs in less than two minutes and authorizes all interventions presenting a risk of falling from the operator without it. It is particularly suitable to perform all types of work at height above the ground:

• inside a building,
• outside a building,
• standing on a window sill
• inside a room, on a stool close to an open window.

It avoids the need for a structural or mobile anchorage requiring a mechanical attachment, the use of the outside of the building of a nacelle, a scaffolding, a ladder.

• l'opérateur devant réparer un volet roulant défectueux, installer un ouvrage proche de l'extérieur ou à l'extérieur.
• l'opérateur devant laver les vitres,
• l'opérateur devant installer un appareillage sur une façade extérieure,
• l'opérateur intervenant en haut d'une échelle à l'intérieur ou à l'extérieur, ou sur un escabeau à l'intérieur.
• tous les opérateurs devant effectuer une intervention en hauteur ne permettant pas l'installation de points d'ancrages structurels, l'utilisation d'échafaudage ou de nacelle. Liste non exhaustive.

Potentially usable by:

• the operator to repair a defective rolling shutter, install a structure close to the outside or outside.
• the operator to wash the windows,
• the operator to install equipment on an external facade,
• the operator intervening at the top of a ladder inside or outside, or on a stepladder inside.
• all operators having to carry out an intervention at height that does not allow the installation of structural anchor points, the use of scaffolding or nacelle. Non-exhaustive list.

The object of the invention is thus to propose a method and a device for temporarily anchoring transportable installation particularly simplified and fast, secure, effective, non-degrading to the room in which it is installed, with great freedom of choice of the installation site.

Said structure comprises a single upright intended to rest against the floor of the room in which the intervention takes place and against the ceiling of the same room, said upright being equipped with means for adjusting its length so as to closely apply its ends. against that floor and that ceiling, respectively.

• une première, deuxième et troisième barre (ou élément) télescopique formant ledit montant, pouvant être fixées dans une position déterminée l'un par rapport à l'autre, notamment par un système de trous aménagés dans ces éléments télescopiques et d'au moins une clavette, ladite position déterminée étant telle que, dans cette position, ledit montant présente une longueur légèrement inférieure à distance séparant le sol du plafond de la pièce où se déroule l'intervention ;
• - des moyens de réglage fin de la longueur dudit montant, avec possibilité de serrage, agissant au niveau d'au moins une extrémité de ce montant, ces moyens de réglage permettant de réaliser l'application étroite des extrémités du montant contre le sol et le plafond, respectivement.

Said means for adjusting the length of said single amount comprise:

• a first, second and third bar (or element) telescopic forming said amount, which can be fixed in a specific position relative to each other, in particular by a system of holes formed in these telescopic elements and at least one key, said determined position being such that, in this position, said upright has a slightly shorter distance distance separating the floor of the ceiling of the room where the intervention takes place;
• - Fine adjustment means of the length of said amount, with the possibility of clamping, acting at at least one end of this amount, these adjustment means to achieve the close application of the ends of the amount against the ground and the ceiling, respectively.

These fine adjustment means may in particular be of the type turnbuckle or tensioner lantern.

• au moins un bras est monté pivotant par rapport à la structure ;
• le dispositif comprend au moins une pièce engagée sur un montant de la structure avec possibilité de coulissement ;
• le dispositif comprend une entretoise reliée de manière pivotante audit bras et à cette pièce coulissante, et
• le dispositif comprend une pièce fixée sur ledit montant, formant une butée contre laquelle vient buter ladite pièce coulissante en position de déploiement dudit bras.

advantageously,

• at least one arm is pivotally mounted relative to the structure;
• the device comprises at least one part engaged on an amount of the structure with the possibility of sliding;
• the device comprises a spacer pivotally connected to said arm and to this slider, and
• the device comprises a piece fixed on said upright, forming an abutment against which abuts said sliding piece in deployed position of said arm.

According to the invention the first and third bar (or element) of the single amount of the structure each comprise a bearing pad against the surface against which it is intended to come to rest.

Advantageously, each arm comprises, at its end opposite to said structure, a bearing pad against the wall comprising the bay, hinged to it.

According to another aspect of the invention, the two arms are, on the opposite side to said structure, connected to one another by a cable, which limits any possibility of spacing one arm relative to the other. .

This cable may, at its central portion, be connected to an elastic tensioner facilitating the folding of this cable during the folding of the arms relative to said structure.

The device may comprise rigid elements capable of being supported on the edges delimiting the bay, including deployable inside the bay, the additional structure formed by these rigid elements being connected to said structure of the device. Further stabilization of the device is thus achieved and a load lifting through the bay can be achieved.

Said additional structure may comprise at least one bar intended to bear against one of the edges delimiting the bay, and preferably at least two bars, at least one of which is intended to bear against a lower edge delimiting the bay and whose another is intended to bear against an upper edge delimiting the bay. At least one of the bars of said additional structure is advantageously adjustable in length.

The device may also comprise a console including a floor and a railing intended to be placed on the outside of the bay, this console being connected to the rest of the device by at least one arm and / or at least one cable.

• une embase inférieure sur laquelle est monté l'un des éléments télescopiques, avec possibilité de coulissement par rapport à cette embase,
• un ressort interposé entre cette embase et cet élément télescopique,
• une pédale montée pivotante sur l'embase, et
• une tige reliant la pédale et l'élément télescopique.

The device advantageously comprises:

• a lower base on which is mounted one of the telescopic elements, with the possibility of sliding relative to this base,
• a spring interposed between this base and this telescopic element,
• a pedal pivotally mounted on the base, and
• a rod connecting the pedal and the telescopic element.

An actuation on the pedal thus makes it possible, by means of said rod, to slide the telescopic element vertically against the elastic force of the spring so as to easily bring this telescopic element into a sliding position determined by relative to the adjacent telescopic element. This determined sliding position may in particular be one in which the holes that comprise one of the telescopic elements come opposite the holes that comprises the other telescopic element, to facilitate insertion through these respective holes. a pin immobilizing a telescopic element relative to the other.

Description:

Lightweight structure, mountable and removable aluminum or steel, circular section, square, rectangular, or other, which consists of three or four elements depending on the ceiling height of the place of intervention.

• le premier point d'appui, au sol, très en retrait par rapport au mur intérieur, laisse un espace d'intervention utilisable pour la mise en place d'une menuiserie, l'installation d'un escabeau, d'un échafaudage...du matériel nécessaire au chantier.
• les deux points d'appui contre le mur se positionnent de part et d'autre de la baie en hauteur, au plus près du plafond.
• un système de blocage vertical immobilise le système.

It is a structure supported by four points: one on the ground, two against the wall and a fourth point vertically from the point to the ground against the ceiling. last point not being indispensable.

• the first point of support, on the ground, far back from the interior wall, leaves a space of intervention usable for the establishment of a carpentry, the installation of a stool, a scaffolding .. equipment needed at the site.
• the two points of support against the wall are positioned on either side of the bay in height, closer to the ceiling.
• a vertical locking system immobilizes the system.

Operation and implementation:

• Figure 1 : vue complète en perspective du dispositif selon l'invention.
• Figure 2 : vue de côté de la partie inférieure du dispositif selon l'invention.
• Figure 3 : vue de côté de la partie supérieure du dispositif selon l'invention.
• Figure 4 : vue de côté de la rehausse du dispositif selon l'invention.
• Figure 5 : vue de dessus du dispositif selon l'invention sans la rehausse.
• Figure 6 : vue de côté complète du dispositif selon l'invention.
• Figure 7 : vue de côté du de la rallonge du dispositif selon l'invention.
• Figure 8 : vue de côté de la partie supérieure repliée.
• Figure 9 : vue en perspective du dispositif selon l'invention muni d'options.
• Figure 10: vue de côté d'une variante de réalisation d'une structure supplémentaire que peut comprendre le dispositif.
• Figure 11 : vue en perspective d'une console que peut comprendre le dispositif.
• Figure 12 : variante de réalisation d'une embase que comprend le dispositif.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:

• Figure 1 : full perspective view of the device according to the invention.
• Figure 2 : side view of the lower part of the device according to the invention.
• Figure 3 : side view of the upper part of the device according to the invention.
• Figure 4 : Side view of the extension of the device according to the invention.
• Figure 5 : top view of the device according to the invention without the enhancement.
• Figure 6 : full side view of the device according to the invention.
• Figure 7 : Side view of the extension of the device according to the invention.
• Figure 8 : side view of the folded upper part.
• Figure 9 : perspective view of the device according to the invention provided with options.
• Figure 10 : side view of an alternative embodiment of an additional structure that can include the device.
• Figure 11 : perspective view of a console that can understand the device.
• Figure 12 : variant embodiment of a base that includes the device.

-The fig 1 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention, from the inside of a building.

- The fig 2 is a side view of the lower part of the device according to the invention. It is provided with a base (1) providing a bearing surface for distributing the load. Installed on the ground this base allows the stability of the device during its assembly. The underside of this base can be provided with a small thin foam mattress (2) that can avoid degrading the floors. On this base is fixed a plate (3) on which is maintained a device that allows blocking and putting in slight vertical pressure of the entire structure from above and from below once all assembly operations performed. This vertical blocking can be done by means of a system that can be a gas cylinder or any other system, in this case on the figure 1 a mechanical system with inverted threads of the lantern tensioning type (4). A threaded rod (5), lower part of the tensioner is fixed on the plate (3). A second threaded rod (6) forming the upper portion of the lantern tensioner is fixed at the end of a bar (7). In the upper part of the bar (7) a bore (8) allows the establishment of a key (9).

- The fig 3 is a side view of the upper part of the device according to the invention. It comes to fit in the lower part by sliding the bar (10) inside the bar (7).

At the top of the bar (10) is fixed a hollow part (11) inside which the bar (12) can move vertically. fig 4 the riser that is immobilized by means of the locking key (13) housed in the hole (14) at the top of the piece (11).

On this hollow part (11) between the two arms (15) is the anchoring ring (16) fig 1 , 3 and 6 allowing the attachment of the PPE of the operator. The two arms (15) are articulated at one of their end (17) on the part (11) and a few tens of centimeters from this articulation (18), a bar forming a spacer (19) is articulated in (18) on the arm (15) and (20) on the hollow part (21) sliding.

The hollow part (21) allows, by its upward vertical movement along the bar (10) thus abuts against the hollow part (11), the deployment of the two arms (15).

These two arms (15) sufficiently spaced apart from each other, in this case perpendicular to each other, are provided at their other end with articulations (22). These joints receiving load-distributing pads (23) equipped with protective foam (24) are supported on both sides of the opening on the inner wall of the place of intervention. The joints (22) allow contact against a wall, regardless of its state and the folding of the structure.

These two arms (15) are connected to one another by a cable (25) fig 5 via two rings (26).

An elastic tensioner (27) fig 5 connects the middle of the cable (25) to the top of the part (11) fig 3 and 5 a ring (29) facilitating the folding of the cable during the closure of the structure.

The arms (19) fig 3 articulated at two points (18) and (20) assist in opening and closing, by means of the handle (28) fixed on the hollow part (21).

The lock key (30) housed in the hole (31) locks the element (21) in the upper position thus maintaining in the open position the two arms (15) supported by the arms (19).

The fig 4 is the side view of the element for enhancing the device according to the invention. Its height adjustment is made by sliding its lower bar (12) inside the bar (10) and its immobilization through one of the holes (32), located on the bar (12). The locking of this extension is done by the key (13) lodged in the hole (14). This riser is provided on top of a plate (33) can be articulated, on which is fixed a load distribution pad (34) equipped with foam (35), this to avoid damage to the ceiling. This superior element fig 3 slides vertically through the bar (10) in the bar (7) until the foam (35) comes into contact with the ceiling. It comes to a stop close to it with a second locking key (9) which is housed in the hole (8) on this bar (7) and in the nearest hole available on the bar (10). The vertical lock immobilizing the structure is done by means of the lantern tensioner (4).

• évite à la corde de traîner à terre, diminuant le risque de dégradation de celle-ci
• diminue grâce à sa position la force choc encaissée par l'ancrage et le facteur de chute, qui ne peut être ainsi supérieur à 1. On rappelle que la force choc est très supérieure au poids du corps. Elle peut provoquer la rupture de la corde, du câble, de l'amarrage ou blesser l'individu. Il y a choc lorsque la corde bloque l'opérateur. Sa valeur dépend de la hauteur de chute. Le facteur de chute est égal à la hauteur de la chute divisée par la longueur de corde utilisée. Celui-ci doit être le plus faible possible.

The anchoring ring (16) located in height fig 1 , 3 , 5 , 6 :

• prevents the rope from dragging on the ground, reducing the risk of damage to it
• decreases thanks to its position the shock force received by the anchor and the fall factor, which can not be greater than 1. It is recalled that the impact force is much greater than the weight of the body. It can break the rope, cable, mooring or injure the individual. There is shock when the rope blocks the operator. Its value depends on the height of fall. The fall factor is equal to the height of the fall divided by the length of rope used. It must be as low as possible.

This anchor point allows the operator to be connected to the structure through his PPE before climbing on his stepladder and to rest on the edge of the window or another opening in height.

For rooms equipped with false ceilings, the riser integrated in the upper element fig 2 slid vertically to reach the existing ceiling. Captive key locking (13) fig 3 team this enhancement that allows high plenums.

For rooms with a ceiling height exceeding three meters: an extension fig 7 composed of two sleeves (36) and (37) which fit respectively in the arms (7) and (10) allows to enhance the entire structure. An additional locking key (38) allows its immobilization.

The structure fig 3 once folded fig 8 fits in a surface corresponding to the lower and upper plates. Storage is in a bag with handles and / or straps for transport as a backpack. It is easily transportable on site thanks to its low weight.

The dimensions can be modified (diminished or increased) to respond to less common cases.

This structure can have a footprint reduced by half in height once folded if it is manufactured with arms (15) fig 8 and arms (10) fig 8 (7) fig 2 (37) fig 7 slept together.

This structure can be equipped with additional ground support points to increase its stability during assembly and disassembly.

A possible copy would be to replace the vertical blocking (lantern tensioner), and the point of support to the ceiling, by an additional base limiting the interest of the system but still providing the same benefits as the structure presented above. This structure would then be stable in itself, longer to implement, certainly heavier and cumbersome but nevertheless can be more efficient because it does not require the presence of a support surface at the top.

Another use of this device would be in other cases to ensure the lifting of loads from the street to the floor concerned by the work fig 9 . Using a bar 39 connected from one side at the top of the structure to the workpiece (11) and at the other end with two arms (40) and (41) resting at two points on the rim of the window or the opening. These three arms are interconnected by means of a connecting piece having on its underside a lifting ring on which a return pulley could be installed. This pulley could be used as a bevel gear. It could also be used to avoid friction of the wire used for the insurance of an operator intervening below the facade outside the building. The whole of this new structure fig 9 combined with a hoist, could be used as a means of lifting loads from the ground.

The figure 10 shows that the bar 39 can be telescopic structure so to be adjustable in length, and that the additional lifting structure formed by the bars 39 to 41 can be completed by an additional upper bar 42, connected to the part which allows to assemble the bars 39 to 41 to each other and bearing against the edge of the wall of the building delimiting the bay at the top. This bar 42 may be of telescopic structure so as to be adjustable in length and be equipped with a tensioner 43. The part which makes it possible to assemble the bars 39 to 42 to each other may comprise a pulley on which the cable of lifting.

The figure 11 shows that the device may also comprise a console 45 including a floor and a railing, intended to be placed on the outside of the bay, this bracket 45 being connected to the device by at least one cable 46. A net 47 anti- tool drop can be stretched between the bay and the bracket 45.

The figure 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the lower base 1. This base 1 comprises a vertical finger on which the telescopic element 7 is mounted with the possibility of vertical sliding relative to this base. A spring 50 is engaged on the vertical finger being interposed between the base 1 and the telescopic element 7. A pedal 51 is pivotally mounted on the base 1, and a connecting rod 52 connects the pedal 51 and the telescopic element 7 .

Actuation on the pedal 51 makes it possible, by means of the connecting rod 52, to slide the telescopic element 7 vertically against the elastic force of the spring 50 so as to easily bring this telescopic element 7 into a position slidably with respect to the adjacent telescopic member. This determined sliding position can in particular be that in which the holes that comprises one of the telescopic elements 7 are opposite the holes that comprises the other telescopic element 10, to facilitate insertion through these respective holes a pin 9 of immobilization of a telescopic element 7 relative to the other.

Claims (9)

1. Mobile anchoring and fall prevention device to making it possible to ensure the security of workers of any trade who operate from the inside of a building, on a wall, through a bay in said wall, while in the vicinity of empty spaces and without damaging the inner or outer existing structures (floor, wall, ceiling), comprising:

   - a rigid structure (7, 10, 12) to be placed opposite the bay, comprising a single post (7, 10, 12) intended to rest against the floor of the room in which the work is taking place and against the ceiling of this same room, said post being equipped with means (8, 9, 13, 14, 32, 4) for adjusting its length so as to apply its ends tightly against this floor and this ceiling, respectively;

   - a hollow member (11) secured to said single post (7, 10, 12);

   characterized in that the device also comprises:

   - two arms (15) hinged to the hollow member (11), intended to bear on the wall, above the bay and on either side thereof, and

   - an anchoring point (16) secured to said hollow member (11), located between the two arms (15);

   - for forming said single post (7, 10, 12), the apparatus comprises:

   - a first telescopic bar (7), comprising a bearing pad (1) for bearing against the ground;

   - a second telescopic bar (10) to be engaged within the first telescopic bar (7), and on top of which said hollow member (11) is fixed;

   - a third telescopic bar (12), or upper extension, intended to be engaged inside said hollow member (11) and movable relative thereto, said third telescopic bar (12) comprising a bearing pad (34) intended to bear against the ceiling;

   said means for adjusting the length of the single post comprises:

   - said first, second and third telescopic bars (7, 10, 12), adapted to be fixed in a specific position relative to each other by a system of holes (8, 14, 32) provided in these telescopic bars (7, 10, 12) and by at least one pin (9, 13), said predetermined position being such that, in this position, said single post has a length slightly less than distance between the floor and the ceiling of the room in which the work takes place;

   - means (4) for making fine adjustments to the length of said single post, with the possibility of tightening, acting at the level of at least one end of this post (7, 10, 12), said fine adjustment means (4) making it possible to achieve tight application of said pads (1, 34) of the post against the floor and the ceiling, respectively.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized:

   - in that at least one arm (15) comprises at least one portion (21) engaged on said second telescopic bar (10) of the structure with the possibility of sliding;

   - in that the arm (15) comprises a spacer (19) pivotally connected to said arm (15) and this sliding piece (21), and

   - in that said hollow member (11) attached to said second telescopic bar (10) forms a stop against which said sliding piece (21) abuts in the deployed position of said arm (15).
3. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that each arm (15) comprises, at its end opposite said structure, a bearing pad (23) bearing against the wall comprising the bay, articulated in relation thereto.
4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the two arms (15) are, on the side opposite said structure, connected to each other by a cable (25) which limits any possibility of separation of one arm (15) in relation to the other.
5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the cable (25) is, at its central part connected to an elastic tensioner (27) facilitating folding of the arms (15) in relation to said structure.
6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it includes rigid members (39 to 42) adapted to bear on the edges defining the bay, the additional structure formed by these rigid members (39 to 42) being connected to said structure of the device.
7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that said additional structure comprises at least one bar (40 to 42) designed to bear against one of the edges delimiting the bay, and preferably at least two bars, at least one of which is designed to bear against a lower edge defining the bay and the other of which is designed to bear against an upper edge delimiting the bay.
8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a console (45) including a floor and a railing designed to be placed on the outside the bay, this console (45) being connected to the rest of the device by at least one arm and/or at least one cable (46).
9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises:

   - a lower base (1) on which is mounted said first telescopic rod (7), with the possibility of sliding in relation to said base (1),

   - a spring (50) inserted between said base (1) and the first telescopic bar (7),

   - a pedal (51) pivotally mounted on the base (1), and

   - a connecting rod (52) connecting the pedal (51) and the first telescopic bar (7).

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