ES2579377T3 - Anchoring device for a lifeline - Google Patents

Abstract

An anchoring device (1) for a lifeline (100) having a prevalent development along a longitudinal direction (2) and comprising a first body (3) and a second body (4) different from the first body and firmly coupled to the first body, in which the first body comprises a fixing portion (5) intended to be firmly fixed to a construction structure and a connecting element (7) connected to the fixing portion, in which the second body comprises a hitch portion (10) intended to be hooked by a cable (50) of the lifeline on a first side (4 ') of the second body and, on a side longitudinally opposite to the hitch portion, a coupling portion (11), wherein one of the coupling portion (11) and the connecting element (7) comprises a side wall (12) that delimits a housing cavity (13) shaped to receive at least partially the other from the portion (11) of a coupling and the connecting element (7), and in which the side wall exhibits at least one weakened line (20) that has overall tear resistance less than the side wall portions adjacent to the line, characterized by the fact that the second body is fixed, preferably by means of a joint (15), to the first body pivotally about an axis of rotation (16) that is transverse to the longitudinal direction, and by the fact that said weakened line is structured so that the side wall opens along said weakened line, allowing rotation of the second body relative to the first around the axis of rotation, at a predetermined threshold value of a force applied on the hitch portion and directed so substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and axis of rotation.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Anchoring device for a life line

The present invention relates to an anchoring device for a life line and an associated life line.

Safety life lines are known to protect against coffees from a height, which comprise two anchoring devices fixedly and firmly attached to a construction structure at a certain redproca distance and a steel cable securely attached to the two devices and tensioned at a suitable operating voltage, for example 2 kN. During use, the operator fixes (for example, by means of a carabiner or other similar element) one end of the individual safety cable to the life line cable, the other end of the individual cable being fixed to the harness that the operator is wearing . In case the operator loses balance, the life line slows down or stops the operator's coffee from a height, preventing the latter's violent impact with the ground or an underlying structure.

Plastically deformable support devices are known in order to absorb the stresses derived from the operator's coffee.

For example, document EP2602403 describes an anchor terminal for life lines comprising anchoring means associated with a support, which have connection means, to which are rotatably linked, at least two lateral elements to rest on a roof, in which the two lateral elements and / or the support have a series of curves that, when a suitable load is applied on them, become plastic joints.

Document FR2966181 A1 describes an anchoring device according to the preamble of claim 1.

The present Applicant has observed that the known anchoring devices for life lines have various drawbacks and / or can be improved in one or more aspects.

The present Applicant has perceived the need to provide an anchoring device for life lines that is capable of guaranteeing greater resistance against tensions derived from a coffee (and / or adequate static and / or dynamic verification tests). In this way, it will be possible to guarantee high safety standards for operators. This Applicant has also perceived the need to develop a simple structure and manufacturing anchoring device, which also reduces the dimensions of all or part of the structure to fix it to the construction structure.

The present Applicant has also realized that it is desirable that at least a considerable part (for example, at least a preponderant part) of the anchoring device be removable from the building structure in a simple manner (for example, with manual operations simple and fast and with the use of simple tools) that is not destructive to the structural parts of the anchoring device.

The aim of the present invention is to provide an anchoring device for life lines that can remedy the drawbacks of known devices and / or improve them.

One or more of these objectives, and possibly others, even those that will be evident throughout the present description, are achieved by means of an anchoring device for life lines according to claim 1.

In one aspect, the invention relates to an anchoring device for a life line that extends mainly along a longitudinal direction and which comprises a first body and a second body other than the first body and firmly coupled to the first body.

The first body comprises a fixing portion intended to be fixed (for example, with suitable fixing means) firmly (and preferably nigidly) to a building structure and a connecting element connected (preferably nigidly, for example by welding ) with the fixing portion. Preferably the connecting element extends longitudinally and has a longitudinal end edge on the side longitudinally opposite the fixing portion.

The second body, which preferably extends predominantly longitudinally, comprises a hitch portion intended to be hooked by a cable of the life line, preferably on a first side of the second body, and, on the side longitudinally opposite the portion. of hitch, a coupling portion.

The anchoring device further comprises an articulation whereby the second body is fixed to the first body pivotally about a rotation axis that is transverse (more preferably, perpendicular) to the longitudinal direction. Preferably, said axis of rotation is also transverse (more preferably, perpendicular) to the direction along which the life line cable extends when

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The latter is mounted. Preferably, said axis of rotation passes through the coupling portion and the connecting element.

Preferably, any one between the coupling portion and the connection element comprises a side wall that delimits a housing cavity formed to receive (respectively) the other between the coupling portion and the connection element, preferably by longitudinal insertion. The side wall of the coupling portion has, preferably on the second side opposite the first side relative to said axis of rotation, at least one weakened line that has overall (ie, considering all the weakened line) a tear resistance ( that is, at the complete tear of the side wall in all its thickness along the weakened line) less than the tear resistance of the side wall portions adjacent to the line.

Preferably, said weakened line is structured so that the side wall is opened (breaking) along said weakened line, allowing rotation of the second body relative to the first around the axis of rotation, at a predetermined threshold value of a force applied to the hitch portion (or, more precisely, at the cable fixing point) and directed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the axis of rotation and preferably with a direction that goes from the second side to the first side ( during use, said applied force coincides with the tension and direction of the cable). Threshold value means, as usual, a value below which the weakened line will not open and above which it will open.

According to this Applicant, the weakened line ensures that the plastic deformation of the device is precisely controllable (in relation to both the stress entity at which the plastic deformation occurs and its location). As a consequence of the elastic deformation, the second body rotates, thanks to the articulation, and is brought to a condition in which its prevailing extension direction is aligned with the cable (and, therefore, with the tensile force). In this way, the anchoring device is able to effectively and in a controlled way reduce the stresses derived from the operator's coffee (or derived from a certification test of the mechanical strength of the anchoring device) and is able to resist safely the decoupling of the device itself from the construction structure. In more detail, starting from a condition of zero forces and increasing the force applied on the hitch portion (that is, increasing the tension of the cable) there is an increase in torque, which tends to rotate the second body relative to the first around said axis of rotation. This rotation, at low torque values, is prevented by mechanical interference between the side wall and said one between the coupling portion and the connecting element. At low torque values, the anchoring device (in particular, the second body) does not deform substantially, but may possibly undergo slight deformations (plastic and / or elastic). The tension of the cable also generates a torque that tends to cause the entire anchoring device to rotate around an additional axis of rotation that extends along the fixing portion of the first body. This rotation is counteracted by the fixing means of the fixing portion to the construction structure, which typically undergoes a traction along its main extension direction (this traction tending to extract the fixing means from its seat). At higher torque values (and tensile) values, equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the side wall opens in a controlled manner along the weakened line, thus allowing, thanks to its plastic deformation, the controlled rotation of the second body around said axis of rotation. As a result of the rotation, the hitch portion approaches the other anchoring device of the life line, thus decreasing the distance between the two anchoring devices and, thus, also the tension of the cable (due to the increased cable deviation perpendicular to its operating line). Also, as a result of the rotation, the distance along the longitudinal direction between the hitch portion and the fixing portion decreases, thus also decreasing the force lever that generates the torque indicated above that tends to make the entire anchoring device rotate around the axis of additional rotation that extends along the fixing portion. In this way, the extraction force generated on the fixing means decreases. Also, as a result of the rotation, the distance along the longitudinal direction between the hitch portion and the axis of rotation decreases, thereby decreasing the force lever that generates the torque indicated above which tends to do that the second body rotates around said axis of rotation. The more the second body rotates (as a result of a progressive increase in the tension of the cable), the greater the decrease in the rotation torque lever (both around the axis of rotation and around the axis of additional rotation indicated above that they extend along the fixing portion). When the second body is fully rotated, that is to say arranged with its main extension direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the distance along the longitudinal direction between the hitch portion and the axis of rotation of the joint will become zero; as a result, no torque will act on the second body to rotate it around said axis of rotation (in which the second body is subjected only to a tensile force counteracted by the joint). In addition, the force lever that generates the torque indicated above tends to cause the entire anchoring device (or rather, the first body in this condition) to rotate around the additional axis of rotation that extends along of the fixing portion is reduced to a minimum (depending on the longitudinal distance between the axis of rotation of the joint and the fixing portion), thereby relieving the tensile force acting on the fixing means (at very high values low of the lever indicated above, the means of

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fixation they experience a traction that is mainly transverse to their main extension direction, that is, they experience more shear than traction). Finally, in the configuration indicated above, the device guarantees a solid anchorage to the construction structure and a high resistance to structural breakage.

Breaking along the weakened line and the consequent progressive plastic deformation of the side wall may also result in the absorption of part of the stresses (although the present Applicant considers that the effects described above are the most important of the present invention) .

The present Applicant has observed that the present solution allows reducing the dimensions of all or part of the fixing structure to the construction structure, for example the base of the anchoring device, which can be made smaller (and / or less thick) , with a consequent redproco approach to the fixing means and the structure (for example, screws or bolts in suitable anchors).

Preferably, the coupling portion comprises said side wall. Preferably, a portion of said end edge of the connecting element, corresponding to a second side of the coupling portion opposite said first side, is located in the housing cavity in a predetermined longitudinal position.

This Applicant declares that the scope of protection of the present application should be considered to include an anchoring device (not illustrated or described further hereinafter, but within the scope of the person with knowledge in the field of light). of the present teaching) in which it is the connecting element of the first body, instead of the coupling portion of the second body, which must be provided with the side wall indicated above that delimits a housing cavity shaped to receive the portion of coupling (ie the connecting element is external, instead of internal, to the coupling portion), the weakened line having the side wall of the connecting element having the weakened line indicated above. The solution in which the coupling portion is external to the connection element is preferred in the sense that in the case of operator's coffee or a life line resistance test, it will be sufficient to replace only the second body to recover the It is a sign of life, since the first body will not be deformed or damaged.

Preferably, the weakened line extends with at least one longitudinal component (ie, the extent of the weakened line along the longitudinal direction has a length other than zero).

Preferably, the weakened line extends at least partially in at least one of said coupling portion and said connection element (respectively).

Preferably, said predetermined threshold value of said force applied on the engagement portion is greater than 3 kN, more preferably greater than or equal to 5 kN, and / or less than or equal to 12 kN, more preferably less than or equal to 10 kN. The preferred values indicated above of the threshold voltage make it possible advantageously, on the one hand, to tension the cable to the typical operating voltage (2 kN), or to carry out static tests on the life line up to 5-6 kN, without produce a plastic deformation of the device and, on the other hand, allow plastic deformations or breaks to the typical tensions induced by a coffee.

Preferably, the side wall has, preferably on the second side opposite the first side relative to said axis of rotation, (at least) two weakened lines (in other words, the two weakened lines are both on the same side relative to said axis of rotation) each with the features described herein for the weakened line indicated above. Advantageously, the two lines allow a portion of the wall interposed between the two lines to be elevated, in a controlled manner, relative to the remaining side wall.

It should be noted that the person skilled in the art knows how to design the entire coupling portion and the connection element, including the weakened line or lines, so that the predetermined threshold values indicated above of the cable tension are respected. In particular, the weakened line or lines will be designed based on, among other things, the longitudinal distance between the cable anchor point and the axis of rotation, the distance between the predetermined longitudinal position and the axis of rotation, the thickness of the side wall, etc.

Preferably, the axis of rotation passes in a longitudinal position interposed between said predetermined longitudinal position (or said end edge portion of the connecting element) and said fixing portion. Preferably, each weakened line extends on both sides of said predetermined longitudinal position (in other words the weakened line or lines straddle between said predetermined longitudinal position). Thus, advantageously, a particularly strong mechanical interference zone is generated between the side wall of the coupling portion and the connection element, at the end edge portion indicated above of the connection element and / or at the portion of the end edge of the coupling portion on the first side. This location of the tensions facilitates the positioning of the line or weakened lines and their calibration in order to obtain the predetermined threshold tension values indicated above.

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Preferably, said articulation comprises a bolt which, in the coupled configuration, passes completely through the coupling portion and the connecting element and extends along said rotation axis, in which the bolt is longitudinally interposed between said predetermined longitudinal position and at least a portion of a longitudinal end edge of the coupling portion on the side longitudinally opposite the engagement portion. It should be noted that the main function of the bolt is to fix the redproca longitudinal position of the first and second bodies and restrict the rotation of the second body relative to the first around said axis of rotation (therefore, it can be free in relation to the holes interns in which it is inserted).

Preferably, the weakened line or each weakened line extends from a point on, or in the vicinity of, the longitudinal end edge of the coupling portion.

Preferably, the weakened lines are redprocally adjacent in relation to a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (for example, in relation to the axis of rotation), more preferably they are aligned along the perpendicular direction.

Preferably, the direction of extension of said weakened line or each weakened line (obtained by interpolation of the weakened line with a straight line) forms, with the longitudinal direction, an angle between + 20 ° and -20 °, preferably between + 10 ° and -10 °.

Preferably, the extension directions of the weakened lines are redprocally convergent in the direction from a longitudinal end of the coupling portion to the engagement portion.

Preferably, the weakened lines are redprocally arranged in a specular manner in relation to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the bolt and passing in a middle position of the anchoring device.

Preferably, said weakened line or each weakened line comprises one or more segments, aligned along the weakened line, in which the side wall has less material, or a less resistant material, than adjacent side wall portions.

Preferably, said weakened line or each weakened line comprises one or more segments, aligned along the weakened line, in which the side wall is smaller than the adjacent side wall portions. Preferably, each segment is a groove made in the side wall, more preferably a groove (or cut) that spans the entire thickness of the wall.

Preferably, said weakened line or each weakened line and / or its segments is obtained by removing material compared to adjacent side wall portions, more preferably by cutting (eg, with laser) across the entire thickness.

Preferably, said weakened line or each weakened line and / or its segments is a substantially straight line (apart from the possible curvature of the side wall, for example when the wall is cylindrical and the extension directions are not parallel to the longitudinal direction) .

Preferably, said weakened line or each weakened line comprises a first section (interposed between, and at a distance from, the two ends of the weakened line) that extends in the vicinity of said predetermined longitudinal position that it has locally (or precisely along of said section) a tear resistance greater than the local tear resistance of adjacent weakened line portions (eg, of adjacent segments), more preferably having locally a tear resistance equal to the local tear resistance of the Side wall portions adjacent to the weakened line. Advantageously, the first section, located in the vicinity of a maximum tension point, makes it possible to easily calibrate the predetermined threshold voltage of the cable at which the opening of the weakened line will occur, for example, by varying the length of the first section. along the weakened line, in which said calibration is performed based on the material of the coupling portion, its thickness, the longitudinal height of the second body, etc.

Preferably, the minimum longitudinal distance taken between all the points of said first section and said predetermined longitudinal position is less than or equal to 4mm, more preferably less than or equal to 3mm (even equal to zero in the case where the first section straddles the predetermined longitudinal position). The minimum distance is preferably greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, more preferably greater than or equal to 1 mm.

Preferably, said first section extends entirely on the side of said predetermined longitudinal position oriented towards the axis of rotation.

Preferably, said weakened line or each weakened line comprises (more preferably consists of) a first continuous segment and a second continuous segment, the two continuous segments being cuts that pass through the wall and being separated by said first section.

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Preferably, said weakened line or each weakened line (more preferably, said first continuous segment) is separated from the longitudinal end edge of the coupling portion by a second section that locally has a tear strength greater than the local tear resistance of the portion of adjacent weakened line (eg, of the first segment), more preferably having locally a tear strength equal to the local tear resistance of the side wall portions adjacent to the weakened line. Advantageously, it is possible to easily calibrate the threshold tension of the cable at which the opening of the weakened line will occur, also varying the resistance (for example, the length) of the second section along the weakened line.

Preferably, the side wall has a structural continuity (ie, it has no groove or cut) in said first section and / or said second section.

Preferably, the overall length (taken along the extension line thereof) of said weakened line or each weakened line is greater than or equal to 5 cm, more preferably greater than or equal to 6 cm, and / or less of or equal to 12 cm, more preferably less than or equal to 10 cm.

Preferably, the length (taken along the extension line of the weakened line) of said first section is greater than or equal to 3 mm, more preferably greater than or equal to 4 mm, and / or less than or equal to 20 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 15 mm.

Preferably, the length (taken along the extension line of the weakened line) of said second section is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, more preferably greater than or equal to 1 mm, and / or less than or equal to 6 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 5 mm.

Preferably, the length (taken along the extension line of the weakened line) of said first segment is greater than or equal to 3 cm, more preferably greater than or equal to 4 cm, and / or less than or equal to 10 cm, more preferably less than or equal to 9 cm.

Preferably, the length (taken along the extension line of the weakened line) of said second segment is greater than or equal to 1 cm, more preferably greater than or equal to 1.5 cm, and / or less than or equal to 5 cm, more preferably less than or equal to 4 cm.

Preferably, the side wall (of the coupling portion) has two additional weakened lines (both of the two additional weakened lines being on the same side relative to said axis of rotation) on its first side, each having globally (i.e. , considering the entire line) a tear resistance less than the tear resistance of the side wall portions adjacent to the additional line and extending, with at least one longitudinal component, in the vicinity of the longitudinal end edge of the coupling portion .

Preferably, the additional weakened lines have the same structural features as the weakened lines indicated above. It should be noted that the default threshold values indicated above for cable tension do not apply to additional weakened lines.

Advantageously, the additional weakened lines facilitate the rotation indicated above of the second body relative to the first around the axis of rotation, by virtue of the controlled plastic deformation of the side wall in the vicinity thereof.

Preferably, the additional weakened lines are symmetrical to the weakened lines in relation to a plane that passes along the axis of the bolt and which comprises the longitudinal direction. Advantageously, in this way, the device can be oriented on either side.

Preferably, the longitudinal end edge portion of the coupling portion that is on the first side of the second body in an opposite position (relative to the axis of rotation) to the weakened line or lines (more preferably, in an interposed position between the two additional weakened lines) it has a curvature (with an outwardly oriented concavity) complementary to the curvature of the outer surface of the side wall of the adjacent coupling portion.

Preferably, said longitudinal end edge portion is in the longitudinal position in which the axis of rotation is located.

Advantageously, said a longitudinal end edge conformation makes it possible to control the deformation of the coupling portion on the first side during the rotation indicated above of the second body with respect to the first.

Preferably, two opposite portions of the longitudinal end edge of the coupling portion that is on the first side of the second body and on the opposite sides of the longitudinal end edge portion indicated above are rounded, with an outwardly oriented convexity. In this way,

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advantageously, the edge portions will not come into contact with the fixing portion during the rotation indicated above of the second body.

Preferably, the first body and the second body are removably removable (ie, in a simple manner, for example, with simple and rapid manual operations and with the use of simple tools, and one that is not destructive to the structural parts of the body anchoring device).

Preferably, there is a slight clearance between an inner surface of the side wall and an outer surface of the connecting element (such as to allow easy connection and at the same time provide some stability to the coupling).

Preferably, the connecting element and at least the coupling portion (more preferably, the second body) have a cross-sectional profile perpendicular to the longitudinal direction which has a circular shape, more preferably they have a substantially cylindrical conformation.

Preferably the connecting element is internally hollow.

Preferably, the fixing portion is a plate, more preferably flat and extending over a transverse plane (for example perpendicular) to the longitudinal direction, provided with a plurality of through openings for engaging fixing means, such as bolts or rivets. Preferably, one or more of the through openings are grooves whose main extension directions converge at a midpoint of the fixing portion (about a middle axis of the device).

Preferably, the anchoring device is symmetrical in relation to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the bolt and passing through an average position of the anchoring device.

Preferably, the anchoring device is symmetrical in relation to a plane that passes through the axis of the bolt and which comprises the longitudinal direction.

Preferably, the hitch portion comprises a hitch element, different from the rest of the second body and configured to be hooked by the life line cable.

Preferably, the second body comprises a post, which comprises the coupling portion indicated above, and the hooking element fixed to a longitudinal end of the post opposite the coupling portion.

Preferably, the coupling element is a single plate-shaped body (for example, obtained by cutting and folding from a sheet) comprising, at its two opposite ends, two through openings for fixing it to the rest of the second body (by for example, by means of a bolt) and fix the cable, respectively, in which the two ends extend over two planes at a predetermined redproca longitudinal distance (for example, between 2 and 10 cm). Advantageously, the coupling element structured in this way is subjected to a plastic deformation after reaching a sufficient tension of the cable, which tends to reduce the longitudinal distance indicated above and increase the overall length of the coupling element along the length of the cable address.

Preferably, the thickness of the side wall of the coupling portion and / or of the connecting element and / or of the plate and / or of the coupling element is greater than or equal to 2 mm and / or less than or equal to 4 mm

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a life line comprising a pair of anchoring devices according to the present invention and a cable attached to the respective and tensioning engagement portions.

The additional features and advantages will be more apparent from the detailed description of some exemplary, non-exclusive embodiments of an anchoring device and an associated life line according to the present invention.

The description will be described below with reference to the attached figures, provided by way of illustration only and, therefore, not limiting, which show:

- Figure 1: a partial perspective view of a life line according to the present invention;

- Figure 2: a perspective view at scale of an anchoring device according to the present invention in the coupled configuration;

- Figure 3: an exploded perspective view, in exploded view, of the anchoring device of Figure 2 (which also corresponds to an uncoupled configuration of the device);

- Figure 4: a perspective view on an additional scale of the anchoring device of Figure 2;

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- Figure 5: a side view at scale of a detail of the anchoring device of Figure 2, with some visible non-visible elements represented with dashed lines.

With reference to the figures, the reference number 1 indicated in general an anchoring device for a life line according to the present invention and the reference number 100 indicates an associated life line. In general, the same reference number is used for similar elements, also in embodiments that are variations thereof.

The life line 100 comprises a pair of anchoring devices 1 ('head devices') fixed to a construction structure 200 at a redprocal distance and a cable 50 attached to the respective engagement portions under tension between the two anchoring devices head

Optionally, an additional anchoring device 1 ('intermediate device') is fixed to the construction structure in an interposed position between the two head anchoring devices indicated above and comprises a respective hitch portion structured to prevent lateral cable deviations . In this regard, it should be noted that the terms anchoring and coupling also comprise, as can be inferred from the example provided here, a simple cable content (which can slide longitudinally inside the coupling portion of the intermediate device) in relation to to its lateral deviations, as is the case of the intermediate device.

The anchoring device 1 (regardless of whether it is an end or intermediate device) extends predominantly along a longitudinal direction 2 and comprises a first body 3 and a second body 4 that is different from the first and firmly attachable ( and preferably detachably, for example thanks to the bolt) to the first body.

During use, typically, but not necessarily, the longitudinal direction 2 coincides with the geographical vertical direction.

The first body 3 comprises a fixing portion 5 intended to be firmly and firmly attached to a construction structure 200 (for example, by means of fixing means 6, such as bolts, which are engaged with suitable anchors inserted in the structure of construction) and a connection element 7 connected neatly (for example, by means of welding 8) with the fixing portion. The connection element has a prevalent longitudinal extension and a longitudinal end edge 9 on the side longitudinally opposite the fixing portion 5.

The second body 4 has a prevalent longitudinal extension and comprises a hitch portion 10 intended to be hooked by a cable 50 of the life line on a first side 4 'of the second body and, on a side longitudinally opposite to the hitch portion , a coupling portion 11.

The coupling portion comprises a side wall 12 that delimits a housing cavity 13 shaped so that it can receive said connection element by longitudinal insertion, preferably so that in the configuration used, a portion 9 'of said end edge 9, corresponding to a second side 4 '' of the coupling portion opposite said first side 4 ', will be located inside the housing cavity in a predetermined longitudinal position 14 (marked with a broken line in Figure 5) a along the coupling portion.

The anchoring device further comprises an articulation 15, whereby the second body is fixed to the first body pivotally about an axis 16 of transverse rotation (preferably perpendicular) to the longitudinal direction and the direction of extension of the life line .

Preferably, the joint comprises a bolt 15 '(for example a bolt locked by a nut, such as in the figures) that completely crosses the coupling portion 11 and the connection element 7 along the rotation axis 16, the bolt longitudinally interposed between the predetermined longitudinal position 14 and at least a portion of a longitudinal end edge 17 of the coupling portion on the side longitudinally opposite the engagement portion. Preferably, between the inner surface of the side wall 12 and the outer surface of the connecting element 7 there is a slight clearance, for example, of about half a millimeter.

Preferably, the side wall 12 of the coupling portion 11 has, on the second side 4 '' of the second body, opposite the first side 4 'relative to the axis of rotation, two weakened lines 20, each with a global resistance to tear less than the tear resistance of the side wall portions adjacent to the line.

Each weakened line 20 extends with at least one longitudinal component and partially in a portion of the connecting element. Advantageously, each weakened line 20 extends in a longitudinal direction on both sides of the predetermined longitudinal position 14. Preferably, each weakened line has an extension direction (for example, in Figure 5 the straight line that passes through the weakened line 20) that forms, with the longitudinal direction 2, an angle 21 equal for example to 6 °.

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Preferably, the weakened lines 20 are redprocally aligned relative to the direction parallel to the axis of the bolt (in other words, they are in the same longitudinal position).

Preferably, the extension directions of the weakened lines (Figure 5) are redprocally convergent in the direction from a longitudinal end 17 of the coupling portion to the engagement portion 10.

Preferably, the weakened lines are arranged redprocally in a specular manner in relation to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation 16 and passing in an average position of the anchoring device 1 (or bolt 15 ').

By way of example, as shown in the illustrated examples, each weakened line 20 consists of a first continuous segment 22 and a second continuous segment 23 aligned along the weakened line, the two continuous segments being cut (for example, obtained by laser cutting and approximately 0.05 millimeters wide) that pass through the entire thickness of the side wall and redprocally separated by a first section 24 (indicated by a broken line in Figure 5) without cuts or grooves .

However, any alternative number and / or realization and / or positioning of the weakened lines is within the scope of the present invention. As an example (not shown), it is possible to make only a weakened line, for example in the form of an inverted 'U'. For example, each weakened line may comprise any number of segments aligned with each other, including a single continuous segment. In addition, instead of a through cut, each segment may consist of a groove in which the wall thickness is smaller compared to adjacent side wall portions, for example by partial removal of material. In addition, instead of a continuous cut or groove, each segment may consist of a closed succession of holes that pass through the thickness. Regardless of how such segments are made, they advantageously have a lower local mechanical strength (zero resistance in the examples) than adjacent side wall portions. In addition, the first section (as well as the second section, see below) may consist, as an alternative to the section without cuts or grooves, in a groove or in a closed succession of cuts or through holes that have, in any case, a local mechanical resistance comprised between the highest of the adjacent side wall portions and the lowest of the segments 22, 23.

By way of example, the first section 24 extends entirely on the side of said predetermined longitudinal position 14 oriented towards the axis of rotation (in other words, with reference to Figure 5, the first section 24 is completely below position 14 ), the distance 'e' being between the predetermined longitudinal position 14 and the proximal end of the first section, for example, equal to approximately 1.5 mm. However, the present invention also contemplates the case (not shown) in which the first section straddles, or extends completely over, position 14.

Preferably, each weakened line 20 (in particular, the first continuous segment 22) is separated from the longitudinal end edge 17 of the coupling portion by a second section 25 without grooves or cuts.

The following table provides some examples of dimensional values (in millimeters) for three different anchoring devices according to the present invention, in which device # 1 is represented in the attached figures, while devices # 2 and 3 have a first body equal to that of device # 1 and a second body with a different longitudinal height (and, thus, different weakened lines). In all three devices, the first body has a thickness of 3 mm, the internal and external diameters of the connection element are 64 and 70 mm, the total longitudinal height (h1) of the connection element is 110 mm, the distance (h2) longitudinal between the axis of rotation and the base plate is 40 mm, the longitudinal height of the coupling element (h3) is approximately 70 mm, the internal and external diameters of the coupling portion are 71 and 76 mm and the thickness of the side wall of the second body is 2.5 mm. All three devices are made of steel. The weakened lines are designed so that the respective coupling portion is opened along at least a portion of the weakened lines after reaching a threshold value of the cable tension equal to approximately 8-9 kN.

Table 1

 No 1 No 2 No 3

 Total longitudinal height (H)

 350 500 750

 Length of the first segment (l1)

 62.5 59 53

 Length of the second segment (l2)

 20 20 20

 Distance between the first segment-edge (d)

 1.5 3 4

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 No 1 No 2 No 3

 Length of the first section (D)

 5 7 12

 Total length of the weakened line (L)

 89 89 89

As can be seen in table 1, with an increase in the height of the second body (and, in this way, of the rotational torque, the tension of the cable being the same) it is advisable to increase the length D of the first section and the distance d between the first segment and the end edge 17 (and, therefore, the local tear resistance associated) in order to obtain a threshold value of the cable tension of approximately 8-9 kN. In addition, as an exemplary design rule, the distance 'e' remained constant for all three devices and equal to approximately 1.5mm.

It should be noted that a predetermined threshold value means not an exact value of the cable tension, but rather a range of values, as wide as 2 kN, within which the weakened line deforms. If, for example, a predetermined threshold value equal to approximately 9 kN is set, in practical terms, the deformation of the weakened line may occur at a value between 8 and 10 kN (or between 8.5 and 9.5 kN) , due to the variability introduced by manufacturing tolerances, materials, test conditions, etc.

Preferably, the side wall of the coupling portion also has (see Figure 4), on the first side 4 ', two additional weakened lines 30, by way of example specularly symmetrical to the weakened lines 20 relative to a passing plane along the axis 16 of the bolt and comprising the longitudinal direction 2. In this way, the device, symmetrical in relation to the plane indicated above, can be mounted with the cable facing either side 4 'and 4' '. However, for the purposes of the present invention, this symmetry of the weakened lines 20 and 30 is not necessary, since the additional weakened lines 30, during use, are active especially in the portion thereof near the edge 17 of longitudinal end. In particular (although not shown), weakened lines 30 may lack the respective second segment and the respective first section.

Preferably, as can be seen in particular in Figure 5, all end points of segments 22 and 23 and / or corner points of end edge 17 are rounded, by way of example, with radii greater than or equal to 0.4 mm and less than or equal to 1 mm. In this way, advantageously, the risk of formation of cracks and / or unwanted tears is reduced.

Preferably, the portion 26 of the longitudinal end edge 17 of the coupling portion that is located on the first side 4 'of the second body in an interposed position between the two additional weakened lines 30 has a curvature complementary to the curvature of the outer surface of the side wall of the adjacent coupling portion. Preferably, the portion 26 of the longitudinal end edge is in the longitudinal position in which the rotation axis 16 is located.

Preferably, two opposite portions 27 of the longitudinal end edge 17 of the coupling portion that are located on the first side 4 'of the second body and on the opposite sides of the portion 26 indicated above of the longitudinal end edge are rounded, with a outward-facing convexity

By way of example, the connecting element 7 and the second body 4 have a substantially tubular and cylindrical shape, however, the present invention contemplates any conformation of the two elements, such as ones with a square or rectangular section.

Preferably, the fixing portion is a flat plate 28 extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and having a plurality of through grooves 29 engaging the fixing means 6. Preferably, the slots have main extension directions that converge at a midpoint of the fixing portion.

Preferably, the second body 4 comprises a post 45 (for example, tubular in shape) comprising the coupling portion 11 and a hooking element 40 (belonging to the hooking portion) fixed to a longitudinal end of the post opposite to the coupling portion and configured to be hooked by the life line cable.

Preferably, the coupling element is a single plate-shaped body comprising, at its two ends 41, two through openings for fixing to the post 45 (for example, by means of a bolt) and fixing the cable, respectively, in which the two ends extend on two planes at a determined redproca longitudinal distance h3.

When the life line is installed (without the intermediate device) and, for example, it is subjected to a tensile strength test which consists in applying a tensile force in the direction of the axis of rotation at the midpoint of the cable and progressively increasing, this force generates a tension in the cable that represents a tensile force at the location of the coupling element 40, which in turn generates the two pairs of 5 rotation twist on the device 1, as it has been previously described. At values below the threshold voltage (for example, up to about 8 kN), the anchoring device 1 experiences only slight deformations and the fixing means a progressively increasing relative extraction force. When the threshold tension is reached (which corresponds to the maximum extraction force to which the fixing means are subjected), the first sections 24 of the weakened lines 20 are broken in a controlled manner 10 (tearing along the weakened line ), allowing the opening of the weakened lines 20 (and the elevation of the side wall portion interposed between the two lines in relation to the adjacent side wall portion) and the consequent rotation of the second body relative to the first. As a result of the rotation, the cable coupling point 42 approaches the other anchoring device of the life line, thereby reducing the instantaneous tension of the cable. This rotation also determines a progressive plastic deformation 15 of the coupling portion in the vicinity of the portions 26 and 27 indicated above of the longitudinal end edge on the first side 4 '(the side wall portion interposed between the two additional lines 30 is ripples progressively). As the tensile force increases at the midpoint of the cable, the tension of the cable increases once again until reaching a value (for example between 7 and 10 kN) that the second sections 25 also break, allowing the second body rotate 20 additionally, until the complete rotation of the second body (ie, it has its main extension direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction).

Claims (10)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 55 1. An anchoring device (1) for a life line (100) having a prevalent development along a longitudinal direction (2) and comprising a first body (3) and a second body (4) other than first body and firmly coupled to the first body, in which the first body comprises a fixing portion (5) intended to be firmly fixed to a construction structure and a connection element (7) connected to the fixing portion, in the that the second body comprises a hitch portion (10) intended to be hooked by a cable (50) of the life line on a first side (4 ') of the second body and, on a side longitudinally opposite to the hitch portion , a coupling portion (11), in which one of the coupling portion (11) and the connection element (7) comprises a side wall (12) that delimits a housing cavity (13) formed to receive the less partially the other between the coupling portion (11) and the connecting element (7), and in which the side wall exhibits at least one weakened line (20) that overall has a tear resistance less than the side wall portions adjacent to the line, characterized by the fact that the second body is fixed, preferably by means of an articulation (15), to the first body pivotally about an axis of rotation (16) that is transverse to the longitudinal direction, and by the fact that said weakened line is structured in so that the side wall opens along said weakened line, allowing the second body to rotate with respect to the first around the axis of rotation, at a predetermined threshold value of a force applied on the hitch portion and directed substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction and to the axis of rotation. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined threshold value is greater than 3 kN, and / or less than, or equal to, 12 kN. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coupling portion (11) comprises said side wall (12) and wherein the connecting element (7) has a longitudinal end edge (9) on one side longitudinally opposite the fixing portion (5), in which a portion (9 ') of said end edge of the connecting element, corresponding to a second side (4' ') of the coupling portion opposite to said first side (4 ''), is located in the housing cavity in a predetermined longitudinal position (14), in which the rotation axis (16) passes to a longitudinal position interposed between said predetermined longitudinal position and said fixing portion and in that the weakened line (20) develops on said second side and on both sides of said predetermined longitudinal position (14). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said weakened line (20) develops from a point on, or in the vicinity of, a longitudinal end edge (17) of the coupling portion. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said weakened line (20) is developed with at least one longitudinal component and in which the direction of development of said weakened line (20) forms, with the direction (2 ) longitudinal, an angle between + 20 ° and -20 °. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the lateral wall (12) exhibits, on the second side (4 '') opposite the first side with respect to said axis of rotation, two weakened lines (20), in that the first line coincides with said weakened line and in which the second line has the same characteristics claimed for said weakened line, and in which the directions of development of the two weakened lines (20) are redprocally convergent in a direction that It goes from a longitudinal end (17) of the coupling portion to the coupling portion (10). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said or each weakened line (10) comprises one or more segments (22, 23), aligned along the weakened line, in which each segment is a groove. made on the side wall or a cut that passes through the entire thickness of the wall. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said or each weakened line (20) comprises a first section (24) that develops in the vicinity of said predetermined longitudinal position (14) that locally has a tear resistance greater than the local tear strength of the adjacent weakened line portions and in which the length of said first section is greater than or equal to 3 mm, and / or less than or equal to 20 mm. 9. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the minimum longitudinal distance taken from all points of said first section and said predetermined longitudinal position is less than or equal to 4 mm, and / or greater than or equal to 0.5 mm , and wherein said first section is developed entirely on the side of said predetermined longitudinal position oriented towards the axis of rotation (16). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said or each weakened line (20) is separated from a longitudinal end edge (17) of the coupling portion by a second section (25) having a resistance locally. to the tear greater than the local tear resistance of the portion of the adjacent weakened line, and in which the length of said second section is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, and / or less than or equal to 6 mm.