EP4667679A1

EP4667679A1 - Fall protection device

Info

Publication number: EP4667679A1
Application number: EP23921606.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alberto Cabeza Delgado
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2023-02-15
Filing date: 2023-12-07
Publication date: 2025-12-24
Also published as: ES1299172U; WO2024170805A1; ES1299172Y

Abstract

The subject-matter of the invention is a fall-protection device, deployable on an elevated structure, comprising a support (1) for a flexible sheet (4), the flexible sheet (4) having, along its periphery, a rope loop (3) which alternately runs over both faces of the flexible sheet (4) and is freely slidable, the arrangement being configured such that, by relative movement between the sheet (4) and the rope (3), the sheet (4) is gathered and constricted at its upper portion by the rope (3), the rope (3) being securable to a fixed point of the structure; the support (1) being composed of two Z-shaped poles arranged opposite one another symmetrically with variable spacing, each Z-shaped pole (1) having three sections-support section (1.1), intermediate section (1.2) and handle section (1.3)-lying in the same plane, articulated to one another, and provided with mechanisms for locking the articulation at 90° between adjacent sections and, optionally, at any other angle.

Description

Technical field

The present application relates to a fall-protection safety device, applicable when works are carried out at specific points on a façade and especially in the event of possible suicide attempts.

Background of the invention

It is known in the state of the art to use inflatable cushions placed on the ground beneath potential jumpers, so as to arrest their fall without their sustaining excessive injury.
A major problem with this tool is its size, which on occasion prevents installation due to the presence of street furniture, trees, vehicles, or because the location is a small inner courtyard-sometimes with narrow stairways providing access to it-or due to other hindrances.
There are models of cushions for different drop heights (up to 60 metres, equivalent to a 20th floor), and therefore they must absorb the energy accumulated over that entire height. Moreover, along the trajectory that the person would follow, they may strike various objects (air-conditioning units, awnings, balustrades, etc.), which may deflect them or cause injury. It should also be noted-although obvious-that there are buildings higher than 20 storeys.
It is preferable to be able to stop the falling person at an intermediate point, before they gain excessive speed, so that it is possible to catch them without injury.
The Applicant has been granted Utility Model application No. U202230840 , publication No. ES1292254, grant date 12/09/2022, and filing date of the application 20/05/2022 . In said utility model, a substantial part of the problems that the prior art did not address are solved. The Applicant, being aware of the needs for: 1.- adaptation to the façade opening where it is to be installed, 2.- lightness of the device, and 3.- immediacy of its use in cases of attempted suicide, intends-starting from the cited utility model-to achieve a system of almost instantaneous deployment, which adapts to different façade orographies (air-conditioning units, pipes, distance to the lateral perpendicular wall, etc.), and which can be transported by a single person in a backpack. Since this is a time-dependent intervention, in which a few seconds can make the difference between success and failure, having a system light enough to be transported by a single person (both in a lift and by stairs in the event that there is no lift) is of vital importance, as well as the immediate deployability achieved by having the entire device pre-assembled and folded.
The Applicant is not aware of any device similar to the invention.

Explanation of the invention

The invention consists of a fall-protection safety device according to claim 1, and whose variants solve the problems of the prior art. In an emergency context, it is designed for use by firefighters or persons trained in its operation.
This device is applied to elevated structures, one or more storeys below the person with suicidal intent, provided that it remains at a sufficient height so that, during its functioning, the person does not strike the ground. It comprises a support, a flexible sheet, and a resistant anchoring element.
The most preferred solution makes the support of the sheet consist of two poles in the form of a "Z", independent from one another, arranged symmetrically on each side of the sheet. Each pole is operated by one person. Each "Z" pole consists of three sections (handle section, intermediate section, and support section), preferably telescopic and foldable with respect to each other (in order to reduce size and facilitate transport and storage), with a mechanism to fix the sections at a 90° angle with the adjoining section or even at any other angle. The first section, functioning as a handle-hereinafter "handle section"-will end in a "T" shape on the side opposite the 90° angle, which will serve to counteract the force or rotational moment generated by the weight of the device once deployed. Additionally, once the device is deployed, the two "Z" poles may be joined by means of a telescopic bar inserted into the "T"-shaped ends of both "Z" poles, and another telescopic bar connecting an intermediate point of the two handle sections to maintain the distance, so as to allow the device to be held by a single person, freeing the other for different tasks. The section of the "Z" pole opposite the handle section will be the one supporting the weight of the sheet-hereinafter "support section"-and will be attached to the side of the sheet by frangible rings (closed with Velcro, snap fasteners, breakable ties, etc.), whose function is to release the sheet from the "Z" poles at the moment the victim falls onto the sheet. Said frangible rings must be able to slide freely along said support section, except for the frangible ring closest to the intermediate section of the "Z" pole, which will be fixed to prevent the flexible sheet from separating from the façade and generating a gap. These frangible rings may be multi-stage, since it is common that persons attempting suicide, before jumping into the void, throw objects (for example shoes), which could trigger the release of the sheet from the support, leaving the victim unprotected. The support section will end with a stop to prevent the frangible rings connecting it to the flexible sheet from sliding off. The support section will preferably be telescopic by gravity (depending on the inclination of the support section it will extend or retract, thus achieving an almost instantaneous positioning of the device) and must have sufficient strength to hold the flexible sheet. However, if it receives the direct impact of a body in free fall, it must break without detaching from the "Z" pole, so as to avoid becoming a free-falling object. The remaining sections must be telescopic with locking capability at a determined length, that is, once their length has been selected, it must be fixed and remain unchanged.
The flexible sheet has a rope, strap, or cable (hereinafter always referred to as "rope") forming a loop along its perimeter, which passes alternately over both faces of the flexible sheet. This rope is free to move and is configured so that when pulling on the rope-for example when the flexible sheet intercepts a body in free fall-the sheet slides along the rope, enclosing the body within the sheet, with the assembly hanging from the rope. Alternatively, a point of the rope loop may also be fixed to the flexible sheet, for example in the area closest to the opening of the structure where it is installed, and the rope can be anchored to the resistant structure. Preferably, the rope will be doubled, so that the distance covered during detection of the body is reduced. The rope can be fixed to an anchoring element in the form of a hook that attaches to a point of the resistant structure (for example, embracing the entire window sill). The connection between the rope and the anchoring element is made through an energy-dissipating device such as a shock absorber or an energy absorber. The hook-shaped anchoring element may, in turn, be re-secured by means of a rope to a resistant element inside the building (for example, a stairwell railing). The flexible sheet, generally made of canvas or netting, may have a concave shape, preferably with greater depth at the end furthest from the anchoring element, and with sufficient strength so that it does not break under the impact of a person's fall or by friction against sharp or cutting elements. Additionally, it may be padded.
The anchoring element will preferably have a hook shape with sufficient width so that the throat can fit the sill of a conventional window. In this way, the time required for its placement is minimal. It will include an anchoring point, preferably elongated in shape, to anchor-by means of a connector and an intermediate energy absorber or shock absorber-the rope of the sheet. Additionally, it may include another anchoring element to connect a cord that reaches the ground, which, once tied to a fixed point located a few metres away from the façade (for example, a tree or a lamppost), fulfils a dual function: a) preventing the hook-shaped anchoring element from being released from the fixed point (window sill), and b) serving as a guide for the path of the sheet once it has intercepted the body in free fall, separating it slightly from the façade and preventing impact against the façade due to pendulum effect. For this purpose, a point of the sheet must be attached to the cord by means of a connector that slides freely along said cord. Additionally, the hook-shaped anchoring element may have, at its upper area, a resistant ring for re-securing the anchoring element to another resistant element inside the building by means of a rope (for example, the stairwell railing).

Description of the drawings

For a better understanding of the invention, the following figures are included:

Figure 1:: Schematic exploded view of an exemplary embodiment.
Figure 2:: Simplified side section of an exemplary device coupled to a window opening.
Figure 3:: A third exemplary embodiment, in perspective.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

A brief description is provided below of one embodiment of the invention, as an illustrative and non-limiting example thereof.
In Figure 1, an exemplary embodiment can be seen, consisting of a support, in this case formed by two "Z" poles (1). The preferred pole consists of three telescopic sections foldable with respect to each other for better transport and storage: support section (1.1), intermediate section (1.2), and handle section (1.3). At the junction points between one section and another of the "Z" pole, there will be a mechanism to fix the sections at a 90° angle with the adjoining section, or even at any other angle. The support section (1.1) will preferably be telescopic by gravity, that is, depending on the inclination of said section, it will extend or retract, thereby achieving an almost instantaneous deployment of the device. Additionally, it includes a series of frangible rings (2) whose function is to releasably attach the flexible sheet (4) to the support section (1.1). These frangible rings (2) may be closed by Velcro, snap fasteners, breakable ties, or any other system performing the same function. Furthermore, these frangible rings (2) must be attached to a specific point on the side of the flexible sheet (4), but they must be able to slide freely along the support section (1.1) of the "Z" pole (1), with the sole exception of the frangible ring (2.1) closest to the intermediate section (1.2) of the "Z" pole, which will remain fixed to prevent the flexible sheet (4) from sliding to the end of the support section (1.1) and creating a gap. Additionally, the support section (1.1) will include at its end a stop (8) to prevent the frangible rings (2) from coming off the support section (1.1).
The handle section (1.3) will preferably end in a "T" shape (1.4) in order to manually counteract the force or rotational moment produced by the weight of the device once deployed.
Both the intermediate section (1.2) and the handle section (1.3) must be telescopic with locking capability at a determined length, that is, once their length has been selected, it must be fixed and remain unchanged.
Additionally, once the device has been deployed, the two "Z" poles (1) may be joined by means of a telescopic bar (5) inserted into the "T"-shaped ends (1.4) of both poles, and another telescopic bar (5.1) connecting an intermediate point of the two handle sections (1.3), thereby keeping their separation constant and facilitating the possibility that the device may be held by a single person, freeing the other for different tasks. To assist in mounting the telescopic bar (5), close to the junction of the handle section (1.3) with the "T"-shaped end (1.4), a piece of strap (9) or rope may hang, with the sole function that, when stepped on by the person handling the "Z" pole, the weight of the device is transferred to the foot, thus freeing one hand.
Between the support sections (1.1) of the "Z" poles there is a flexible sheet (4) which may be substantially flat, but preferably has a concave shape, generally made of canvas or netting, sufficiently resistant so that it does not tear due to the fall of the person or by friction with sharp elements. The flexible sheet (4) has along its perimeter a rope (3), strap, or cable that passes through holes, mesh openings, eyelets, etc., in such a way that it alternates between both faces of the flexible sheet (4). The rope (3) is free to slide along the perimeter of the flexible sheet (4), so that when intercepting a body in free fall, the sheet (4) slides along the rope (3) and becomes constricted by it at its upper part. The flexible sheet (4) may have a concave shape, preferably with greater depth at the end furthest from the anchoring point. Additionally, it may be padded.
On the other hand, the rope (3) must be fixed to a resistant point that will bear the impact force when stopping the fall, but this connection will be made through an energy-absorbing element (6), either by damping or by seam rupture, in order to protect the person intercepted by the device. The preferred resistant point will be the sill of a window or the railing of a balcony. For the connection of the rope (3) with the resistant point, an anchoring element will be used, preferably in the form of a hook (7) with sufficient width so that its throat embraces the sill of a conventional window. It will include a ring (7.1), preferably elongated in shape, for anchoring the rope (3) of the flexible sheet (4) by means of a connector and an intermediate energy absorber (6) or shock absorber. Additionally, it may include a connection point (7.5) for a cord (7.2) that reaches the ground and fulfils a dual function once tied to a fixed point located a few metres away from the façade (for example, a tree): a) preventing the hook-shaped anchoring element (7) from being released from the fixed point (sill), and b) serving as a guide for the trajectory of the sheet once it has intercepted the body in free fall, separating it slightly from the façade and preventing the victim from striking the façade due to pendulum effect. For this purpose, a point of the sheet (4) must be connected to the cord (7.2) by means of a connector (7.3) that slides freely along said cord (7.2). Additionally, the hook-shaped anchoring element (7) may include another resistant ring (7.4) for re-securing the anchoring element to another resistant element inside the building by means of a rope (for example, the stairwell railing).
In use, the device is positioned at the point to be protected, one or several storeys below the potential jumper or risk situation. As the assembly is handled folded, pre-assembled, and transported in a dedicated bag, it can be easily managed and passed through doors or windows. Once at the location, two trained persons adjust both the angle between the sections of the "Z" pole (1) and their correct length depending on the characteristics of the area to be protected and, by gravity, deploy the support sections (1.1) and the flexible sheet (4) almost instantaneously, while placing the hook (7) on the window sill or resistant railing. Once deployed, and by stepping on the strap (9) (thus freeing one hand by transferring the weight of the device to the foot), the two "Z" poles (1) can be joined by means of a telescopic bar (5) inserted into the "T"-shaped ends (1.4) of both poles, and another telescopic bar (5.1) that connects two intermediate points of both handle sections and keeps them at a constant distance, thereby facilitating the possibility that the device may be held by a single person, leaving the other available for different tasks. If a person falls, they are intercepted by the flexible sheet (4) and pushed downward. This downward force disengages the frangible rings (2) that joined the support section (1.1) with the sheet (4), causing the sheet (4) to close as it slides along the rope (3), which is connected to a resistant point (the window sill) through an energy absorber (6) connected to the hook-shaped anchoring element (7). Once the sheet (4) is closed, the person is prevented from falling again into the void. Everything remains hanging from the rope and separated from the wall, since the trajectory of the fall has been guided by the cord (7.2) (previously tensioned and tied to an element on the ground such as a tree or lamppost), which, being connected to the sheet (4) by means of a connector (7.3), prevents the person from striking the wall due to pendulum effect, which could otherwise cause injuries of varying severity. As the device is installed at height, away from the ground but close to the person, the victim does not reach excessive speed, and the protection is more effective than with inflatable cushions deployed on the ground. Furthermore, there is no limitation with regard to the height of the building.
The use of this tool is conceived in the context of a firefighter intervention: the firefighters install it. In the event that a victim is intercepted by the device, the firefighters can lower the entire assembly using other tools already at their disposal, or even descend along the façade to the victim in order to carry out the rescue.
In one embodiment, the sheet (4) has the shape of a prism, but with non-parallel bases. The lower base would be oblique, with the greater height at the end opposite the hook-shaped anchoring element (7) (Figure 1). This allows the person to be intercepted more quickly and reduces the distance required for braking.

Claims

Fall-protection device, deployable on an elevated structure, characterized in that it comprises a support (1) for a flexible sheet (4) having a rope loop (3) along its perimeter, said rope passing alternately over both faces of the flexible sheet (4), with freedom of movement, and configured such that, through the relative movement between the flexible sheet (4) and the rope (3), the flexible sheet (4) gathers and is constricted at its upper part by the rope (3), the rope (3) being fixable to a fixed point of the structure.
Fall-protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support (1) is composed of two "Z"-shaped poles positioned opposite one another in a symmetrical manner and at a variable distance.
Fall-protection device according to claim 2, characterized in that each "Z"-shaped pole (1) comprises three sections: support section (1.1), intermediate section (1.2), and handle section (1.3), all arranged in the same plane, the sections being articulated to one another and provided with mechanisms to fix them at a 90° angle between adjoining sections or at any other angle.
Fall-protection device according to claim 3, characterized in that each section of the "Z"-shaped pole is telescopic, the support section (1.1) being telescopic by gravity (extending or retracting depending on its inclination), and the other two sections (1.2 and 1.3) being telescopic with locking capability at a determined length, such that, once their length has been selected, it is fixed and remains unchanged.
Fall-protection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: a) the end of the handle section (1.3) terminates in a "T"-shaped end (1.4) to manually counteract the force or rotational moment produced by the weight of the device; and b) the end of the support section (1.1) includes a stop (8) to prevent the frangible rings (2) from sliding off said support section (1.1).
Fall-protection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, once deployed, the two "Z"-shaped poles (1) can be joined by a telescopic bar (5) inserted into the "T"-shaped ends (1.4), and by another telescopic bar (5.1) connecting two intermediate points of the handle sections (1.3) while maintaining a constant separation, in order to facilitate holding the device by a single person.
Fall-protection device according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connection between the support (1) and the flexible sheet (4) is by means of a series of frangible rings attached to the lateral edges of the sheet (4), which surround the support section (1.1) and slide freely along it, with the exception of the frangible ring (2.1) closest to the intermediate section (1.2), which is immobile.
Fall-protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible sheet (4) is concave in shape, with greater depth on the side opposite the anchoring element (7).
Fall-protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection of the rope (3) to the fixed point (the window sill) is made by an anchoring element in the form of a hook (7).
Fall-protection device according to claim 9, characterized in that the hook (7) comprises:
a) a point (7.5) for connection of a cord (7.2) and a point (7.1), preferably elongated, for connection of the rope (3); and b) a point (7.4) for re-securing the anchoring element.
Fall-protection device according to claims 1, 9 and 10, characterized in that the connection between the rope (3) and the hook (7) is made through an energy absorption system (6).
Fall-protection device according to claims 1, 8 and 10, characterized in that the sheet (4) is connected to the cord (7.2) by means of a connector (7.3) that slides freely along the cord (7.2).
Fall-protection device according to claim 3, characterized in that a point close to the junction between the support section (1.1) and the intermediate section (1.2) is a fracture point, with sufficient strength to withstand the weight of the device and the forces generated in its most common use, but such that if a body in free fall impacts directly against the support section (1.1), it will break without detaching from the pole (1), thereby avoiding becoming a free-falling object.
Fall-protection device according to claim 5, characterized in that, from a point near the junction between the handle section (1.3) and the "T"-shaped end (1.4), a piece of strap (9) or rope hangs, such that when stepped on, the weight of the device is transferred to the foot.