EP2578775A1

EP2578775A1 - Supporting device for safety lines

Info

Publication number: EP2578775A1
Application number: EP12186376.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alberto Gandellini
Original assignee: SI AL Srl
Current assignee: SI AL Srl
Priority date: 2011-10-04
Filing date: 2012-09-27
Publication date: 2013-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 2032-09-27
Also published as: EP2578775B1; ITMI20111800A1; ITMI20112375A1

Abstract

A supporting device (1) for safety lines (100) comprises a supporting element (2) comprising a plate-shaped main body (3) and a portion (4) for mechanical coupling to a cable (101) of the safety line;
- a first and a second wing (5) which are plate shaped, being rigidly fastened to a building structure,
where at two opposite ends the main body (3) comprises a plurality of through slits (8) and where each wing has a plurality of protruding tabs (9) inserted in the slits of a respective side wall in order to produce a mechanical coupling between the main body and the respective wing, the wing being able to rotate about an axis of rotation (10) positioned along the main direction of extension of the slits.

Description

This invention relates to a supporting device for safety lines, the safety line comprising said device, a method for making said device and a method for installing said device.
There are prior art safety lines intended to be mounted on fixed structures which are typically located a predetermined height above the ground, such as building roofs, walls or beams/girders, as a fall-prevention safety system for operators who work at that height. Should the operator lose his balance and slip downwards, such lines prevent the operator from hitting the structures below or the ground, or they at least limit the violence of the contact.
There are prior art safety lines comprising two supporting devices which are fastened on top of the covers of buildings and which comprise a flat metal plate stably connected to the cover and a portion for fastening a safety line connecting cable, preferably made of steel, which is fastened between the supporting devices. An operator can hook himself to the cable using a fall-prevention device (for example a harness, a safety cable, a carabiner or similar safety equipment), being able to move along the cable between the supporting devices. In that way, the operator can work safely on the building structure.
The Applicant has found that the currently available supporting devices for safety lines are not without disadvantages and can be improved on from various points of view.
In particular, the Applicant has found that the current plate-shaped supporting devices for safety lines cannot easily be mounted on the ridge of roofs, that is to say, at the line separating the sloping sections of the roof. In fact, typically such supports are equipped with a flat plate which does not adapt to the ridge of the roof. Moreover, even if one wanted to adapt such a plate to the ridge of the roof by suitably shaping it (e.g.: bending it), said operation would not give a satisfactory result. It should also be considered that the slope of the sloping sections of the roof may vary (typically from just a few degrees to up to 60 degrees). The Applicant has also found that the dimensions of the current plate-shaped supporting devices causes several disadvantages in transportation and/or warehousing operations.
In this situation, the basic aim of this invention, according to its various aspects and/or embodiments, is to provide a supporting device for safety lines, a supporting system and a safety line comprising said device, a method for making the supporting device and a method for installing the supporting device which can overcome one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages.
This aim, in addition to other possible aims, which will become clearer from the description given below, is substantially achieved by a supporting device for safety lines, a supporting system and a safety line comprising said device, a method for making the supporting device and a method for installing the supporting device with the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims, as well as according to the following aspects and/or example embodiments, variously combined, also with the above-mentioned claims.
According to one aspect, the invention relates to a supporting device for safety lines comprising:

a supporting element comprising a main body which is preferably (substantially) plate-shaped and a portion for mechanical coupling to a cable of said safety line;
a first and a second wing, preferably (substantially) plate-shaped and mechanically coupled to the main body on respective opposite sides of the latter, the first and second wings being intended to be rigidly fastened to a building structure.

According to one aspect, the main body of the supporting element comprises at two opposite ends at least one through slit for each end.
According to one aspect, the main body of the supporting element comprises a bearing wall and a first and a second side wall which are facing each other and extend from two opposite ends of the bearing wall, each side wall comprising said at least one through slit.
According to one aspect, each wing comprises at least one protruding tab at a respective end, the tab being inserted in said slit of a respective end of the main body (preferably in the slit of a respective side wall) in order to produce said mechanical coupling between the main body and the respective wing, the wing being rotatable relative to the supporting element about an axis of rotation positioned along the main direction of extension of the slit.
According to one aspect, each end of the main body (preferably each side wall) comprises a plurality of through slits whose main directions of extension are aligned with each other, each wing having a corresponding plurality of tabs (i.e.: the numbers being the same) at said respective end, the tabs being inserted in said plurality of slits of the respective end of the main body (preferably of the respective side wall) in order to produce said mechanical coupling between the main body and the respective wing, the wing being rotatable relative to the supporting element about an axis of rotation positioned along the main direction of extension of the slits.
According to one aspect, the main body has a longitudinal direction of extension (typically main, typically parallel with the safety line cable when installed), a transversal direction of extension orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of extension, and a vertical direction of extension orthogonal to both the longitudinal and transversal directions of extension.
According to one aspect, the total number of tabs is equal to the total number of slits (in other words, there are no further slits which are not engaged by said tabs or further tabs which do not engage in said slits). It should be noticed that this invention also covers the case in which each wing comprises further tabs in addition to said plurality of tabs, the extra tabs not necessarily engaging in any slits of said plurality.
According to one aspect, each end of the main body (preferably each side wall) comprises further through slits in addition to said plurality of slits, which are not engaged by the tabs, said further through slits having their main directions of extension aligned with each other and aligned with said plurality of slits. Hereinafter, unless otherwise indicated, the expression 'plurality of slits' (like every reference to the 'slits') shall refer to both said plurality of slits engaging with the tabs and the total plurality of slits present on each end (on each side wall) of the main body (that is to say, the set of said plurality of slits and said further slits), unless one of the two meanings must be excluded due to the context of the expression.
According to the Applicant, the fact that the number of tabs is less than the total number of slits advantageously allows the wing to be mounted on the main body in different longitudinal positions, preferably close to one another, while maintaining sufficient main body mechanical strength (since in that way it is possible to avoid making the slits at the longitudinal ends of the main body or of the side walls). That compensates for any misalignment which may occur at the ridge between the ribs of the two sloping sections of the cover.
According to one aspect, the slits are equidistant and/or are all the same length.
According to one aspect, the tabs are equidistant and/or are all the same length.
According to one aspect, the length of the slits and/or of the tabs is substantially (e.g.: within 10% of the distance) equal to the distance respectively between the adjacent slits and/or tabs.
According to one aspect, the length of the slits is slightly greater than or equal to (e.g.: the difference is less than or equal to 3 mm, preferably less than or equal to 2 mm) the length of the tabs.
According to one aspect, the pitch of the tabs is equal to that of the slits and is constant, where the term pitch refers to the longitudinal distance between a predetermined point of the tab or slit (for example an end point) and the corresponding point of the adjacent tab or slit.
According to one aspect, the pitch of the tabs and/or of the slits is less than or equal to approximately 5 cm, preferably less than or equal to 4 cm, and even more preferably less than or equal to 3 cm. According to the Applicant, in that way it is possible to perform precision adjust of the longitudinal position of each wing relative to the main body.
According to one aspect, on each end of the main body (e.g.: for each side wall) taking the final two opposite slits in the longitudinal direction, the longitudinal distance of the longitudinal end of at least one of the two final slits (preferably of both of the two final slits) from the longitudinal end edge of the main body closest to said final slit is greater than the pitch of the tabs, said longitudinal end of the slits being that proximal to said longitudinal end edge of the main body closest to said final slit. Preferably, said distance is greater than or equal to 4 cm, more preferably greater than or equal to 5 cm, and even more preferably greater than or equal to 7 cm. The Applicant has observed that if (also covered by this invention) said longitudinal distance is less than or equal to the pitch of the tabs, it is possible to vary the longitudinal position of the wings relative to the main body even when the number of tabs is greater than or equal to the total number of slits present. However, disadvantageously, longitudinal adjustment of the wings could be rough rather than precise, since the pitch would be long, and/or the main body (e.g.: the side walls) could be mechanically weakened.
According to one aspect, the tabs are distributed in a longitudinally central position, preferably a longitudinally middle position, of the respective wing.
According to one aspect, the total slits present are distributed in a longitudinally central position, preferably a longitudinally middle position, of the respective body.
According to one aspect, the number of tabs is less than or equal to 90% of the total number of slits present, preferably less than or equal to 80% of the total number of slits present.
According to one aspect, the number of slits and/or tabs is greater than or equal to five, preferably greater than or equal to ten, and even more preferably greater than or equal to twenty.
According to one aspect, the main body (and its parts) has an outer face and an inner face which are on opposite sides to one another. Preferably, the inside of the side walls are facing each other. Advantageously, the inner face is intended to face the ridge top of the roof. The expression first and second side facing each other means that the first and second walls are (preferably) parallel or (the respective planes) between them form (indirectly) an angle, on the inner face side, which is less than 180°, preferably less than or equal to 90°, and even more preferably less than or equal to 45°.
According to one aspect, the first and second side walls extend from the two opposite ends of the bearing wall relative to the transversal direction. They preferably extend in the longitudinal direction and at least in the vertical direction.
According to one aspect, the bearing wall and/or the first and/or the second side wall are (substantially) flat. Preferably the bearing wall lying plane comprises the longitudinal and transversal directions. Preferably the lying plane of the first and/or the second side wall comprises the longitudinal and vertical directions. According to one aspect, a respective first bending line with longitudinal extension delimits each side wall from the bearing wall.
According to one aspect, the angle (the smaller angle of the two complementary angles) formed by the first and/or the second side wall with the bearing wall is on the inner face.
According to one aspect, the angle formed by the first and/or the second side wall with the bearing wall is less than or equal to 135°, preferably less than or equal to 115°, for example 90°.
According to one aspect, the angle formed by the first and/or the second side wall with the bearing wall is greater than or equal to 45°, preferably greater than or equal to 65°.
According to one aspect, the main body (e.g.: its inner face) forms a semi-closed space, for example delimited by the side walls and by the bearing wall, designed to house the roof ridge top, when the element is installed.
According to one aspect, a vertical end portion of each side wall positioned on the side (vertically) opposite to the bearing wall is bent towards the opposite side wall along a second bending line which is preferably positioned longitudinally. Preferably the end portion is substantially planar and forms an angle with the remaining part of the respective side wall which is less than or equal to 90°, preferably strictly less than 90°, for example less than or equal to 75°. Advantageously, said portion gives the main body structural stiffness in the longitudinal direction and/or forms a support for the main body on the cover below. According to one aspect, the through slit/slits has/have a longitudinal main direction of extension (so that the wings can rotate about a longitudinal axis of rotation). Preferably the slit/slits is/are positioned at around the half-way point of the vertical extension of the side wall.
According to one aspect, the longitudinal length of the main body (e.g.: of its walls) and/or of the wings (e.g.: of their walls) is greater than or equal to 25 cm, preferably (for supporting devices with the anchoring body) greater than or equal to 50 cm and/or less than or equal to 100 cm, preferably less than or equal to 80 cm.
According to one aspect, the height of the main body (e.g.: of its side walls) is greater than or equal to 3 cm, preferably greater than or equal to 5 cm and/or less than or equal to 12 cm, preferably less than or equal to 10 cm.
According to one aspect, the transversal width of the main body (e.g.: of the bearing wall) is greater than or equal to 10 cm, preferably greater than or equal to 20 cm and/or less than or equal to 50 cm, preferably less than or equal to 40 cm.
According to one aspect, the transversal width of the bent portion of the side walls is greater than or equal to 1 cm, preferably greater than or equal to 2 cm and/or less than or equal to 5 cm, preferably less than or equal to 4 cm.
According to one aspect, each wing comprises an upper face and a lower face which are on opposite sides to each other. The lower face is intended to face the building structure.
According to one aspect, each wing comprises a preferably (substantially) flat fastening wall, designed to be rigidly secured to the building structure, a preferably (substantially) flat first secondary wall, adjacent to the fastening wall and delimited therefrom by a third bending line which preferably has a longitudinal extension, and a preferably (substantially) flat second secondary wall, adjacent to the first secondary wall and delimited therefrom by a fourth bending line which preferably has a longitudinal extension.
According to one aspect, the tab/tabs protrude from a transversal end edge (with longitudinal extension) of the respective wing, preferably from the transversal end edge (with longitudinal extension) of the respective second secondary wall.
According to one aspect, the tab/tabs comprises/comprise (or are delimited by) a respective fifth bending line which preferably extends longitudinally. Preferably, each tab comprises a first (substantially) flat portion (e.g.: coplanar with the second secondary wall) interposed between the fifth bending line and the transversal end edge of the respective wing, preferably having the same size, in said longitudinal direction, as the remaining part of the tab. Preferably, each tab comprises a second (substantially) flat portion interposed between the fifth bending line and the free end edge of the tab.
According to one aspect, the parts of the transversal end edge of each wing which are free of the tab/tabs abut against the outer face of the main body (e.g.: against the outer face of the respective side wall).
According to one aspect, the (smaller) angle formed by the fastening wall and the first secondary wall and the (smaller) angle formed by the first and the second secondary walls are on opposite faces of the respective wing, and are preferably equal (in that way the fastening wall and the second secondary wall are parallel with each other).
According to one aspect, the smaller angle formed by each tab at the fifth bending line is on the same (lower) face of the respective wing on which the angle formed by the first and the second secondary walls is found.
According to one aspect, the (smaller) angle formed by the first secondary wall with the bearing wall is on the upper face of the wing and is less than or equal to 150°, preferably less than or equal to 125°, and/or greater than or equal to 60°, preferably greater than or equal to 90°, and even more preferably strictly greater than 90° (for example 99°).
According to one aspect, the (smaller) angle formed by the second secondary wall with the first secondary wall is on the lower face of the wing and is less than or equal to 150°, preferably less than or equal to 125°, and/or greater than or equal to 60°, preferably greater than (or equal to) 90° (e.g.: 99°).
According to one aspect, the (smaller) angle formed by each tab at the fifth bending line is on the lower face of the wing and is less than or equal to 120°, preferably less than or equal to 90°, and/or greater than or equal to 45°, preferably greater than or equal to 65°. Preferably, said angle is strictly less than 90°, so as to cause the free end of the tabs to make contact with the inner face of the supporting element for typical slope values of the sloping sections. Preferably, said angle is approximately complementary (e.g.: the sum is equal to 180°+/-10°) to the angle formed between the first and second secondary walls (in that way, the first secondary wall and the (second portion of the) tab are parallel with each other).
According to one aspect, the width (that is to say, the dimension orthogonal to the longitudinal one) of the first secondary wall is approximately equal (that is to say, within +/-10%, preferably within 0%/+5%) to the distance of the slit/slits from the second bending line, preferably being greater than or equal to 1 cm, preferably greater than or equal to 2 cm and/or less than or equal to 10 cm, preferably less than or equal to 6 cm.
According to one aspect, the width of the second secondary wall is greater than or equal to 1 cm, preferably greater than or equal to 2 cm and/or less than or equal to 10 cm, preferably less than or equal to 6 cm.
According to one aspect, the length of each tab in the longitudinal direction is greater than or equal to 0.5 cm, preferably greater than or equal to 1 cm and/or less than or equal to 5 cm, preferably less than or equal to 4 cm, and even more preferably less than or equal to 3 cm.
According to one aspect, the distance in the longitudinal direction of each tab from the adjacent tab is greater than or equal to 0.5 cm, preferably greater than or equal to 1 cm and/or less than or equal to 5 cm, preferably less than or equal to 4 cm.
According to one aspect, the height of each slit is greater than or equal to 2 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 3 mm and/or less than or equal to 6 mm, preferably less than or equal to 5 mm.
According to one aspect, the total width of each tab (that is to say, the total length of its main extension, locally orthogonal to the longitudinal direction) is greater than or equal to 1 cm, preferably greater than or equal to 2 cm and/or less than or equal to 5 cm, preferably less than or equal to 4 cm.
According to one aspect, the distance between the fifth bending line and the fourth bending line (e.g.: the width of the second secondary wall or the sum of said width with the width of the first portion of the tab, if present) is greater (preferably slightly, that is to say less than 20% more) than or equal to the distance between the slit/slits and the second bending line. Advantageously, that means that it is possible to completely insert the (bent) tabs in the slits and then rotate the wings to the desired angle.
According to one aspect, an end portion of each fastening wall positioned on the opposite side to the first secondary wall is bent in the opposite direction to the bending direction of the first secondary wall along a sixth bending line preferably positioned longitudinally (or parallel with the proximal edge of the fastening wall). Preferably the end portion is substantially planar and forms an angle with the remaining part of the respective fastening wall which is equal to around 90°+/-20°, for example 90°. Advantageously, said portion gives the fastening body structural stiffness in the longitudinal direction and/or forms a support for the fastening body on the cover below.
According to one aspect, said portion for mechanically coupling with a cable comprises a cable anchoring body, which is preferably substantially plate-shaped, having one end securely connected to the main body and one free end, opposite to said connected end, for anchoring the cable.
According to one aspect, the anchoring body comprises a set of bending lines interposed between said free and connected ends, each pair of adjacent bending lines delimiting a respective sub-portion of the anchoring body in such a way as to form a set of sub-portions, each lying in a plane which is oblique relative to the lying plane of the adjacent sub-portions; where the anchoring body is structured so that it deforms at least at said bending lines due to a pulling force applied to said free end, in such a way that the free end modifies its position relative to the connected end.
According to one aspect, the main body together with the anchoring body forms a substantially plate-shaped single body.
According to one aspect, the main body bearing wall comprises two portions, which are positioned at two edges adjacent to, and on opposite sides of, the anchoring body and having longitudinal extension, the two portions being bent along a seventh bending line which preferably extends longitudinally and forming an angle with the remaining part of the bearing wall on the inner face side and preferably greater than 90°, more preferably greater than or equal to 75°. Advantageously, these bent portions may act as a sliding surface for the anchoring body in the event of sudden pulling on the cable, thereby preventing the anchoring body from locking against the bearing wall (e.g.: against one of its edges adjacent to the anchoring body).
According to one aspect, the supporting device comprises coupling units which are structured to allow the anchoring of a connecting cable of a safety line to the device.
According to one aspect, the free end of the anchoring body comprises a through hole.
According to one aspect, said coupling units comprise a pin inserted in said through hole and a ball joint associated with said pin and intended to be fastened to one end of the connecting cable.
According to one aspect, said portion for mechanically coupling with a cable comprises a cable containment unit for limiting the deviation of the cable in the transversal direction, for example comprising two pairs of opposite and offset hooks. Advantageously, in that way the supporting device can act as an intermediate device of a safety line.
According to one aspect, each wing (preferably the fastening wall) comprises a plurality of through holes, preferably positioned along one or more rows orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and parallel with each other.
According to one aspect, the invention relates to a supporting system comprising the supporting device according to this invention and fastening units for rigidly fastening the device to the building structure.
According to one aspect, the fastening units comprise a plurality of screws (e.g.: self-drilling and/or self-tapping) each structured for insertion in a respective hole in the wings and directly in a respective hole in the building structure (for example a hole in the sheet metal covering or in the reinforced concrete of the building structure, e.g.: of the roof) for rigidly fastening the wings directly in contact with the building structure.
According to one aspect, said fastening units comprise a plurality of clamps suitable for securely clamping and fastening themselves to the ribs of a sheet metal cover with a double lock standing seam and a plurality of bolts each structured for insertion in a respective hole in said wings and a respective hole in the clamps for rigidly fastening the wings to the clamps and therefore to the cover.
According to one aspect, the fastening units comprise at least one pair of mounting bars for each wing and a plurality of screws (e.g.: self-drilling and/or self-tapping) each structured for insertion or inserted in a respective hole in the wings and in a respective hole in the bars for securely and rigidly fastening the wings (and therefore the device) to the bars.
According to one aspect, each bar, which is preferably plate-shaped, is shaped to match a portion of the building structure (for example, a portion of ribbing of a sheet metal cover with trapezoidal box profile, e.g.: with three or five box profiles per panel) and is intended to be rigidly fastened to the above-mentioned portion of building structure (for example using a plurality of self-drilling and/or self-threading screws which engage with a plurality of through holes in the bar and the building structure), in such a way that it is interposed between the wing and the building structure, and thereby indirectly fastening the device to the building structure. Preferably, the through holes in the mounting bars are such that they create a mechanical grip on the bars by the respective screws for fastening to the building structure. Preferably, the through holes in the wings are such that they prevent a mechanical grip on the wings by the respective screws.
According to one aspect, the supporting element and/or the main body and/or each wing and/or each mounting bar is a single piece.
According to one aspect, the respective thickness of the supporting element and/or of the main body and/or of each wing and/or of the mounting bar is (constant and) greater than or equal to 1 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 2 mm, and/or less than or equal to 10 mm, preferably less than or equal to 6 mm. According to one aspect, said supporting element and/or said wings and/or said mounting bar are made of metal material, for example steel, preferably galvanised or stainless, or of aluminium, preferably oxidised. According to one aspect, the invention relates to a safety line comprising a supporting device and/or a supporting system according to this invention. According to one aspect, the safety line comprises two supporting devices and/or two supporting systems according to this invention, which are fastened to a building structure in such a way that they are spaced out, and a connecting cable which is fastened in such a way as to connect the two supporting devices.
According to one aspect, the invention relates to a building structure equipped with said safety line in which the supporting device is fastened to the roof or to a cover of a roof, for example a cover made of flat or corrugated sheet metal, with a trapezoidal box profile or standing seam profile, in particular on the ridge of the roof.
According to one aspect, the invention relates to a method for making a supporting device according to this invention comprising:

preparing three suitable shaped flat sheets, preferably having a rectangular plan;
bending said three sheets along the above-mentioned bending lines to obtain respectively the main body and the two wings. In that way it is possible to obtain the device according to this invention in a simple and economical way. Said method is highly repeatable and advantageously may be automated.

According to one aspect, the invention relates to a method for installing a supporting device according to this invention on the ridge of a roof, preferably having a ribbed sheet metal cover, comprising:

mechanically coupling the main body and the two wings by inserting the tab/tabs into the slit/slits and;
placing the device on the ridge so that the two wings are on opposite sides of the ridge top and lie (directly or indirectly) on the respective sloping sections of the roof;
securely and rigidly fastening the wings to the sloping sections of the roof. Preferably, fastening is performed by interposing mounting bars or clamps.

According to the Applicant, the device according to this invention is optimum for installation on the ridge of roofs which have two sloping sections (but also on flat covers), in particular in the case of a ribbed sheet metal cover (sheet metal with trapezoidal box profile, double standing seam profile, corrugated profile, etc.), thanks to the rotatable mechanical coupling between the supporting element and the wings which allows the device to be adapted to the various sloping angles of the ridges, at the same time guaranteeing, once the wings are rigidly fastened to the building structure, the sturdiness necessary for the entire supporting device.
The Applicant has also noticed that the mechanical coupling using tabs and slits in this invention helps to dampen any sudden pulling on the cable (e.g.: if the operator falls), probably thanks to deformation of the tabs and/or of the main body and/or of the wings.
Moreover, the Applicant observes that, although the wings have a degree of rotational freedom relative to the supporting element, when the wings are rigidly fastened to the building structure the device according to this invention becomes a rigid body.
Moreover, since the device comprises a main body and two plate-shaped wings, it is possible to limit its height relative to the building structure on which it is fastened, thereby limiting the lever arm of the pulling force on the device. The plate shape of the wings can guarantee stable, secure and easy fastening on building structures (for example a roof) already provided with a cover, e.g.: with ribs.
The Applicant observes that the supporting devices according to this invention, thanks to the possibility of detaching the wings from the supporting element and bending them against it, takes up little space when transported and/or stored in a warehouse.
Moreover, the device comprising plate-shaped bodies can be obtained easily and economically, for example by cutting (e.g.: with a laser) into a plate and bending.
Other features and advantages will become more apparent from the detailed description below of several non-limiting example embodiments of a supporting device for safety lines, a supporting system and a safety line according to this invention. The description is set out below with reference to the accompanying drawings (schematic and not to scale) which are provided solely for purposes of illustration without limiting the scope of the invention and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a safety line installed on a cover of a building structure and comprising three supporting systems and devices for safety lines according to this invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the safety line of Figure 1 which shows a supporting system according to this invention;
Figures 3a and 3b are two exploded views from different perspectives of the supporting device of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a perspective view, not to scale, of a further supporting device of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a perspective view, not to scale, of a detail of a further example of a safety line which shows a further supporting system according to this invention;
Figure 6 is a perspective view, not to scale, of a further detail of the further example of a safety line, which shows a further supporting system according to this invention;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a supporting element according to this invention;
Figure 8 is a side view of an embodiment of a wing according to this invention;
Figure 9 is a partly exploded view of a further embodiment of a supporting element according to this invention;
Figure 10 is a top view of the supporting element of Figure 9 assembled in an operating configuration.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a supporting device for safety lines according to this invention, the numeral 50 denotes in its entirety a supporting system for life lines according to this invention and the numeral 100 denotes in its entirety a safety line according to this invention. In general, the same reference numbers are used for the same elements in their alternative embodiments.
The safety line 100 comprises at least two supporting systems 50 (e.g.: the end ones in Figure 1), which are fastened in such a way that they are spaced out on a fixed building structure 80, each comprising a respective supporting device 1, and a connecting cable 101 fastened to the (two coupling portions of the) two supporting devices. The safety line preferably also comprises an intermediate supporting system 50, comprising a supporting device 1 (having a coupling portion) designed to contain the lateral deviation of the cable.
Optionally, to improve the absorption capacity, the safety line may also comprise at least one damping device 102, for example of the known type comprising a spring, which is interposed, in series, between the connecting cable and an end supporting device. Optionally, the safety line may comprise a tensioning device 103 (e.g.: of the known type), designed to vary the cable tension (said function may be performed - also or only - by the damping device 102).
The building structure is, for example, a cover of a roof of a shed, for example made of sheet metal, typically comprising a plurality of raised ribs 82 which are parallel with one another. The cover may, for example, be a cover with trapezoidal box profile, as shown by way of example in Figures 1 and 2, or a cover with double lock standing seam profile, as shown for example in Figures 5 and 6. It should be noticed that the supporting systems and devices shown by way of example in Figures 1 to 4 are particularly suitable for covers with trapezoidal box profile, whilst those shown in Figures 5 and 6 are particularly suitable for covers with a double standing seam profile.
The roof is, for example, of the type with two sloping sections, having a ridge 81 separating the sloping sections, and the supporting devices are typically fastened at the roof ridge, in a position on top of the ridge.
The supporting device 1 comprises a supporting element 2 comprising a main body 3 which is substantially plate-shaped and a portion 4 for mechanically coupling with the safety line cable 101.
The supporting device 1 comprises a first and a second wing 5 which are substantially plate-shaped and mechanically coupled to the main body 3 on respective opposite sides of the latter, the first and second wings being (intended to be) rigidly fastened to the building structure.
The main body 3 of the supporting element preferably comprises a bearing wall 6 and a first and a second side wall 7 which are facing each other and extend from two opposite ends of the bearing wall, each side wall comprising a plurality (or even just one) through slits 8 whose main directions of extension are aligned with each other (e.g.: along the axis 10). Preferably, each wing 5 comprises at a respective end a plurality of (or even just one) protruding tabs 9 (e.g.: their number less than or equal to the number of slits), which are inserted in a respective slit 8 of a respective side wall 7 in order to produce the mechanical coupling between the main body and the respective wing, the wing 5 being able to rotate relative to the supporting element 2 about an axis of rotation 10 positioned along the main direction of extension of the slits. Typically (e.g.: see Figure 3b or Figure 9) the supporting device 1 (and its elements) has a longitudinal direction of extension 10 (typically main, typically parallel with the safety line cable when installed and/or with the above-mentioned axis of rotation), a transversal direction of extension 11 orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and a vertical direction of extension 12 orthogonal to both the longitudinal and transversal directions.
Preferably, the main body 3 (and the walls 6 and 7) comprises an outer face 13 and an inner face 14 which are on opposite sides to each other, the inside of the side walls facing each other, for example being parallel with one another. This invention also covers the case in which the side walls are not parallel, and the case in which the main body has a roof shape or similar shape, that is to say, without a horizontal wall and where two plate-shaped walls (e.g.: flat) are adjacent and directly between them form an angle intended to be positioned over the ridge top.
When the device is installed, the inner face 14 is facing the roof ridge top 83 and the main body (or its inner face) forms a semi-closed space 16 delimited by the side walls and by the bearing wall 6 in which the roof ridge top 83 is housed.
Preferably, the first and second side walls 7 extend from the two opposite ends of the bearing wall relative to the transversal direction 11. They preferably extend in the longitudinal direction 10 and at least in the vertical direction 12.
Preferably, the bearing wall 6 and/or the first and/or the second side wall 7 are (substantially) flat. Preferably the bearing wall lying plane comprises the longitudinal and transversal directions. Preferably the lying plane of the first and/or the second side wall comprises the longitudinal and vertical directions. Preferably, a respective first bending line 15 with longitudinal extension delimits each side wall from the bearing wall.
Preferably, the smaller angle (of the two complementary angles) formed by the first and second side wall with the bearing wall is on the inner face 14 and it is, for example, equal to 90°.
Preferably, a vertical end portion 17 of each side wall positioned on the side (vertically) opposite to the bearing wall is bent towards the opposite side wall along a second bending line 18 which is preferably positioned longitudinally. Preferably the end portion 17 is substantially flat and forms an angle with the remaining part of the respective side wall which is, for example, equal to 60°. Advantageously, said portion gives the main body structural stiffness in the longitudinal direction and/or forms a support for the main body on the cover below.
By way of example, the longitudinal length of the main body (e.g.: is walls) is equal to 65 cm (e.g.: for all end devices) or 29 cm (for intermediate devices), the height of the main body (e.g.: of its side walls) is equal to 73 mm, the transversal width of the main body (e.g.: of the bearing wall) is equal to 23 cm and the transversal width of the bent portion of the side walls (if present) is equal to 20 mm.
Typically, each wing 5 comprises an upper face 20 and a lower face 21 which are on opposite sides to each other. The lower face is, in use, facing the building structure.
Preferably, each wing 5 comprises a substantially flat fastening wall 22, designed to be rigidly secured to the building structure, a substantially flat first secondary wall 23, adjacent to the fastening wall and delimited therefrom by a third bending line 24 preferably having a longitudinal extension, and a substantially flat second secondary wall 25, adjacent to the first secondary wall and delimited therefrom by a fourth bending line 26 which preferably has a longitudinal extension.
Preferably the tabs 9 protrude from a transversal end edge 27 (with longitudinal extension) of the respective second secondary wall 25.
Preferably, the tabs comprise a respective fifth bending line 28 which preferably extends longitudinally. Preferably, each tab comprises a first (substantially) flat portion 9a (e.g.: coplanar with the second secondary wall) interposed between the fifth bending line and the transversal end edge 27 of the respective wing, preferably having the same length, in said longitudinal direction, as the remaining part of the tab. Preferably, each tab comprises a second (substantially) flat portion 9b interposed between the fifth bending line 28 and the free end edge 39 of the tab.
Alternatively (not illustrated), the tabs are delimited from the second secondary wall by the respective folding line which preferably has a longitudinal extension.
Preferably, the angle (the smaller of the two) formed by the first secondary wall and the fastening wall at the third bending line 24 is on the upper face 20 of the wing and it is, for example, equal to 99°.
Preferably, the angle (the smaller one) formed by the second secondary wall and the first secondary wall at the fourth bending line 26 is on the lower face 21 of the wing and it is, for example, equal to 99°. Preferably, the angle (the smaller one) formed by each tab at the fifth bending line 28 is on the lower face 21 of the wing and it is, for example, equal to 81°.
Preferably, the parts of the transversal end edge 27 of each wing which are left free of the tabs abut against the outer face 13 of the respective side wall 7.
By way of example, the longitudinal length of the wings (and their walls) is equal to 65 cm (e.g.: for all end devices and the intermediate devices for sheet metal with a double standing seam profile) or 29 cm (e.g.: for intermediate devices for sheet metal with a trapezoidal box profile) and the width of the fastening wall may vary from 12 cm to approximately 25 cm.
By way of example, the width of the first secondary wall 23 is approximately equal to 31 mm, which is approximately equal to the distance between of lower part of the slits from the second bending line 18 (e.g.: equal to 30 mm), or from the lower edge of the first and second side walls, if without the bent portion 17. By way of example, the width of the second secondary wall 25 is equal to 27 mm, and the width of the first portion 9a of each tab is equal to 3.5 mm. Advantageously, the sum of the two widths (equal to the distance between the fourth and fifth bending lines) is (slightly) greater than the above-mentioned distance between the slits and the second bending line 18. By way of example, the width of the second portion 9b of each tab is equal to 17 mm.
In one embodiment, like that shown in Figures 9 and 10, the number of tabs is less than the total number of slits present, for example twenty two tabs compared with twenty eight slits. Advantageously, that allows the wing to be mounted on the main body in various longitudinal positions, as shown by way of example in Figure 10, where one wing (shown at the bottom of the Figure) is mounted in such a way that the left end tab is inserted in the penultimate slit, whilst the other wing (shown at the top) is mounted in such a way that the right end tab is inserted in the final slit. That compensates for any misalignment which may occur at the ridge between the ribs 82 of the two sloping sections of the cover.
By way of example, the slits are all 11 mm long and 4.1 mm high and the tabs are all 10 mm long and 3 mm high (in the sense of their thickness). The slits and the tabs are radiused at all of the corners with radii of at least around 1 mm (for example 1.5 mm), to prevent any mechanical cracks.
By way of example, the slits and the tabs are equidistant from one another, respectively separated by 11 mm and 12 mm.
Preferably the pitch of the tabs is equal to that of the slits and is constant. By way of example, the pitch is equal to around 22 mm.
Preferably, the tabs are distributed in a longitudinally central position of the respective wing, more preferably in a longitudinally middle position of the respective wing.
According to one embodiment, for example that shown in Figures 5 and 6 for covers with a double standing seam, an end portion 29 of each fastening wall 22 positioned on the opposite side to the first secondary wall 23 is bent in the opposite direction to the bending direction of the first secondary wall 23 along a sixth bending line 30 preferably positioned longitudinally (parallel with the proximal edge 31 of the fastening wall). Preferably, the end portion 29 is substantially planar and forms a (smaller) angle with the remaining part of the respective fastening wall on the lower face 21 side, e.g.: equal to around 90°. Preferably, the bent portion 29 has a longitudinal extension which is shorter than the longitudinal extension of the fastening wall, remaining set back from both ends of the remaining part of the fastening wall (thereby creating space for the underlying rib 82 or clamp 53).
In one embodiment, for example those shown in Figures 2, 3a, 3b, 5, 7, 9 and 10, the portion for mechanical coupling 4 with a cable 101 comprises an anchoring body 35 for the cable which is preferably substantially plate-shaped and has one end 36 securely connected to the main body and one free end 37, opposite to said connected end, for anchoring the cable. It should be noticed that the example embodiment of the supporting element 2 shown in Figures 2, 3a and 3b is identical to the example embodiment shown in Figure 5.
Preferably, in plan view the surface of the main body 3 is greater than (double or triple) the surface in plan view of the anchoring body 35. Preferably, the anchoring body comprises a set of bending lines interposed between the free and connected ends, each pair of adjacent bending lines delimiting a respective sub-portion of the anchoring body in such a way as to form a set of sub-portions, each lying in a plane which is oblique relative to the lying plane of the adjacent sub-portions; where the anchoring body is structured so that it deforms at least at said bending lines due to a pulling force applied to said free end 37, in such a way that the free end modifies its position relative to the connected end.
Preferably, said deformation of the anchoring body remains elastic at least up to a value of said pulling force less than or equal to 2.5 kN and becomes plastic (permanent) at a value of said pulling force which is less than 10 kN, preferably less than or equal to 5 kN.
Preferably, the anchoring body is structured in such a way that it deforms, due to the pulling force greater than 2 kN, by permanent stretching of the sub-portions which tends to bring the anchoring body into a flat configuration, said stretching causing a lengthening of the anchoring body, and a movement of the free end away from the connected end in the direction in which the pulling force is applied.
Preferably, the set of bending lines comprises a number of bending lines which is greater than or equal to four, for example thirteen.
Preferably, the set of sub-portions forms a set of smaller angles (of the two angles formed) between each pair of adjacent sub-portions, which are preferably the same (e.g.: equal to 90°). Preferably, each of the smaller angles is on a face of the anchoring body which is opposite to the face on which the adjacent smaller angles are.
Preferably, the anchoring body is bent in such a way that the even sub-portions lie in respective planes which are parallel with each other and the odd sub-portions lie in respective planes which are parallel with each other. However, this invention covers all embodiments of the anchoring body in which each sub-portion is oriented according to any angle relative to the previous sub-portion.
Preferably, the anchoring body 35 has a constant thickness, preferably equal to that of the main body 3. Preferably, the anchoring body 35 has a longitudinal direction of extension extending from said connected to end to said free end and intersecting the set of bending lines in an orthogonal fashion.
Preferably, the main body 3 surrounds the anchoring body 35 on three sides and the anchoring body is in a middle position relative to the transversal dimension of the main body, so as to avoid or reduce twisting moments on the main body.
Preferably, the main body 3 has the shape of a concave polygon (e.g.: rectangular) and comprises a recessed concavity, and the connected end 36 of the anchoring body is contained in that concavity. Preferably, the anchoring body has the shape of a convex polygon (for example, rectangular).
Preferably (for example thanks to a suitable choice of bending angles) the anchoring body 35 extends, at least for a longitudinal portion of it comprising the free end, preferably entirely (with the exception of the connected end) in the half-space above the bearing wall 6.
According to one embodiment, such as those shown by way of example in Figures 7, 9 and 10, the main body 3 bearing wall 6 comprises two portions 60, which are positioned at two edges 61 of the bearing wall adjacent to, and on opposite sides of, the anchoring body 35 and having (substantially) longitudinal extension, the two portions 60 being bent along a seventh bending line 62 which preferably extends longitudinally and forming a (smaller) angle with the remaining part of the bearing wall on the inner face side and for example equal to 45°.
Preferably, the supporting device 1 comprises coupling units 38 to allow anchoring of the cable 101 to the device. Preferably, the free end 37 of the anchoring body comprises a through hole and the coupling units comprise a pin inserted in the through hole and a ball joint associated with the pin and fastened to one end of the connecting cable.
In another embodiment particularly suitable for an intermediate supporting device for a safety line (limiting the cable deviation in the direction orthogonal to its longitudinal extension), such as those shown in Figures 4 and 6, the portion for mechanically coupling 4 with a cable comprises a cable containment unit 40 for limiting the deviation of the cable in the transversal direction, for example comprising two pairs of opposite and offset hooks 41. Preferably, the bearing wall 6 has the shape of a solid rectangle or square. It should be noticed that the example embodiment of the supporting element 2 shown in Figure 4 is identical to the example embodiment shown in Figure 6.
Preferably, each wing (e.g.: the fastening wall 22) comprises a plurality of through holes 42, preferably positioned along one or more rows orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and parallel with each other. The supporting system 50 preferably comprises fastening units 51 for rigidly fastening the device to the building structure.
According to an embodiment not illustrated, the fastening units comprise a plurality of screws (e.g.: self-drilling and/or self-tapping) each structured for insertion in a respective hole 42 in the wings for rigidly fastening the wings directly in contact with the building structure, for example with the reinforced concrete of a roof.
According to a further embodiment, such as those shown by way of example in Figure 5 and 6, the fastening units 51 comprise a plurality of clamps 53 suitable for securely clamping and fastening themselves to the ribs 82 of the sheet metal cover with a double standing seam profile, and a plurality of bolts 52 each structured for insertion in a respective hole 42 in said wings and a respective hole in the clamps for rigidly fastening the wings to the clamps and therefore to the cover.
According to a further embodiment, such as those shown for example in Figures 1 and 2, the fastening units 51 comprise two or three mounting bars 55 for each wing and a plurality of screws 52 (e.g.: self-drilling and/or self-tapping) each structured for insertion or inserted in a respective hole 42 in the wings and in a respective hole in the bars for securely and rigidly fastening the wings (and therefore the device) to the bars.
Preferably, the bar 55 comprises a first and a second wall which are facing each other in such a way that a portion of the building structure (for example a portion of rib 82 of a sheet metal cover with trapezoidal box profile, e.g.: with three or five box profiles per panel), when the mounting bar is fixed to it, is interposed between the first and second walls, and a third wall interposed between the first and second walls. Preferably, the first and/or second wall and/or the third wall of the bar are (substantially) flat. Preferably, the mounting bar has an extension which is mainly orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and has a constant cross-section. Preferably, the mounting bar is a plate with a rectangular base having two bending lines orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and respectively delimiting the first wall and the third wall, and the second wall and the third wall.
Preferably, each of the first and second walls comprises a plurality of through holes, preferably aligned along the main extension of the bar. Preferably, the holes in the first wall are offset from the holes in the second wall. Preferably, a plurality of self-tapping and/or self-drilling screws 56 engage in the plurality of through holes in the bar and the underlying rib, in such a way that the bar is interposed between the wing and the ribs, thus indirectly fastening the device 1 to the building structure.
By way of example, the respective thickness of the supporting element 2, of the main body 3, of each wing 5 and of each bar 55 is equal to 3 mm.

Claims

A supporting device (1) for safety lines (100) comprising:
- a supporting element (2) comprising a main body (3) which is preferably substantially plate-shaped and a portion (4) for mechanical coupling to a cable (101) of said safety line;

- a first and a second wing (5) which are preferably substantially plate-shaped and mechanically coupled to the main body on respective opposite sides of the latter, the first and second wings being designed to be rigidly fastened to a building structure, wherein the main body (3) of the supporting element comprises at two opposite ends at least one through slit (8) for each end and wherein each wing has at least one protruding tab (9) at a respective end, the tab being fitted in said slit of a respective end of the main body in order to produce said mechanical coupling between the main body and the respective wing, wherein the wing can rotate relative to the supporting element about an axis of rotation (10) positioned along the main direction of extension of the slit.
The device according to claim 2, wherein each end of the main body comprises a plurality of through slits (8) whose main directions of extension are aligned with each other, wherein each wing has a corresponding plurality of tabs (9) at said respective end, the tabs being fitted in said plurality of slits of the respective end of the main body in order to produce said mechanical coupling between the main body and the respective wing, wherein the wing can rotate relative to the supporting element about an axis of rotation (10) positioned along the main direction of extension of the slits.
The device according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the main body has a longitudinal direction of extension parallel with the cable of the safety line when installed, a transversal direction of extension orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of extension, and a vertical direction of extension orthogonal to both the longitudinal and transversal directions of extension, wherein the main body comprises a bearing wall (6) and a first and a second side wall (7) which are facing each other and extend from two opposite ends of the bearing wall, each side wall comprising said at least one through slit (8) or said plurality of through slits (8).
The device according to the preceding claim, wherein the bearing wall and/or the first and/or second side wall are substantially flat, the lying plane of the bearing wall including the longitudinal and transversal directions, the lying plane of the first and/or second side wall including the longitudinal and vertical directions.
The device according to the preceding claim, wherein the angle formed by the first and/or second side wall with the bearing wall is on an inner face and is less than or equal to 135°, preferably less than or equal to 115°, and greater than or equal to 45°, preferably greater than or equal to 65°.
The device according to any one of the claims from 4 to 6, wherein the height of the first and second side walls is greater than or equal to 3 cm, preferably greater than or equal to 5 cm, and less than or equal to 12 cm, preferably less than or equal to 10 cm.
The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each wing comprises a preferably substantially flat fastening wall (22), designed to be rigidly secured to the building structure, a preferably substantially flat, first secondary wall (23) adjacent to the fastening wall and delimited therefrom by a third bending line (24), and a preferably substantially flat, second secondary wall (25), adjacent to the first secondary wall and delimited therefrom by a fourth bending line (26).
The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tab/tabs (9) protrudes/protrude from a transversal end edge (27) with longitudinal extension of the respective wing, preferably from the transversal end edge of the respective second secondary wall.
The device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the angle formed by the fastening wall with the first secondary wall is on an upper face of the wing and is less than or equal to 150° and greater than or equal to 60°, wherein the angle formed by the second secondary wall with the first secondary wall is on a lower face of the wing and is less than or equal to 150° and greater than or equal to 60°, and wherein the tab/tabs comprises/comprise or is/are delimited by a respective fifth bending line (28) with preferably longitudinal extension and the angle formed by each tab at the fifth bending line is on a lower face of the wing and is less than 120° and greater than or equal to 45°.
The device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein a vertical end portion (17) of each side wall (7) positioned on the side vertically opposite to the bearing wall is bent towards the opposite side wall (7) along a second bending line (18), wherein the width of the first secondary wall is equal to, within +/-10%, the distance of the slit/slits from the second bending line, and wherein the distance between the fifth bending line and the fourth bending line is greater than or equal to the distance of the slit/slits from the second bending line.
The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each end of the main body, preferably each side wall, comprises further through slits in addition to said plurality of slits, which are not engaged by the tabs, said further through slits having their main directions of extension aligned with each other and aligned with said plurality of slits, the slits being all the same length and the tabs being all the same length, and wherein the pitch of the tabs is equal to that of the slits and is constant.
The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the slits are all the same length, the tabs are all the same length and wherein the pitch of the tabs is equal to the pitch of the slits, is constant and is less than or equal to approximately 5 cm, preferably less than or equal to 4 cm, and even more preferably less than or equal to 3 cm.
The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the total number of slits is greater than or equal to five, preferably greater than or equal to ten, and even more preferably greater than or equal to twenty.
The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the total number of slits is greater than or equal to twenty and the number of tabs is less than or equal to 90% of the total number of slits, preferably less than or equal to 80% of the total number of slits, the tabs being distributed in a longitudinally central position of the respective wing.
A method for installing a supporting device (1) according to any of the preceding claims on the ridge (81) of a roof preferably having a cover made of ribbed sheet metal, comprising:
- mechanically coupling the main body (3) and the two wings (5) by fitting the tab/tabs (9) into the respective slit/slits (8);

- placing the device on the ridge (81) so that the two wings are on opposite sides of the ridge top (83) and lie on the respective sloping sections of the roof;

- securely and rigidly fastening the wings to the sloping sections of the roof.