ES2639164T3 - Low profile fall protection device - Google Patents

Abstract

A fall protection counterbalance apparatus for balancing a user, the apparatus having: an upper module (130) having a plurality of horizontal members supporting a plurality of upper leg couplers (320a-320d) and a coupler (305 ) of mast; a base module (140) having a plurality of horizontal members (345a-h), each of the horizontal members extending between a pair of base leg couplers (330a-330b); and, a plurality of legs (135); wherein in a fall protection mode adapted for operation, the upper module (130) is separated from the base module (140) by the plurality of legs (135), each of the legs (135) being coupled so which can be released at opposite ends to one of the upper leg couplers (320a) and one of the base leg couplers (330a); and characterized by a stowage module (145) coupled to the base module (140) and disposed within an interior region generally coplanar with the horizontal members (345a-h) of the base module; wherein in a low profile mode adapted for storage, the upper module (130) is directly coupled to the base module (140) by each of the base leg couplers (330a-330d) by coupling to one of the upper couplers corresponding (320a-320d) of base leg, each of the legs (135) arranged inside the stowage module.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Counterweight protection device against low profile falls TECHNICAL FIELD

Different embodiments generally refer to protection systems against coffee.

BACKGROUND

Coffee protection systems are used in industry where it is necessary for a worker to work at a height high enough to cause serious injury in the case of a coffee.

Utility Model number DE202008003019U1 describes a portable system for the arrest of coffee and protection against multi-part coffee and the use of multiple safety barriers to build a security system similar to a railing. The system has a counterbalance protection device against coffee from counterbalance to a user.

Patent document number WO94 / 17866A1 describes a portable basket system with a counterweight base- that can be filled configured to accommodate the component parts of the basketball system. The basketball system includes a base, a board, a basketball basket, a post, and means for attaching the board and the basket to the post. The base includes molded recesses to retain the board, the basketball basket, a plurality of pole sections, which are joined together to form the pole, and the means for fixing the board and the basket to the pole, such as threaded fasteners.

A counterbalance protection device against coffee (FPCWA). A protection system against coffee is deployed to protect a worker who uses a harness that is also attached to an arm. The worker has freedom of movement within arm's reach and the cable attached to the harness. The safety cable extends from the harness, along the arm, then over a pulley system and down to the base of the mast. The base of the mast is supported by a counterweight that serves to suspend the worker in case of a coffee. If the weight is inadequate, there may be a failure to stop the worker's coffee and he may suffer injuries in a coffee. The structure of these systems is generally quite large and voluminous, such that storage and transportation are limited and expensive.

SUMMARY

The present invention in its different aspects is as set forth in the appended claims.

The apparatus and associated methods may refer to coffee protection systems that have counterweight structures that incorporate a coffee protection mode and an operating storage mode. In an illustrative embodiment, a Cafda Protection Counterweight Set (FPCWA) provides a protection mode against coffee in which the FPCWA is fully assembled and deployed for operation. In an exemplary storage mode, the FPCWA can be disassembled by separating the upper part of the legs that separate it from the lower part. The legs can be stored, for example, in a storage module at the bottom. In some examples, the legs and / or auxiliary elements can be stored securely in the compression storage mode between the top and bottom.

A counterbalance protection device against weights to counterbalance a user includes an upper module with a plurality of horizontal members supporting a plurality of upper leg couplers and a mast coupler. The base module may include a plurality of horizontal members extending between a pair of base leg couplers, and may have a plurality of legs. A stowage module may be coupled to the base module and arranged, for example, within an interior region generally coplanar with the horizontal members of the base module. A protection mode against coffee can provide that the upper module is separated from the base module by the legs. Each leg can be coupled so that it can be released at opposite ends to one of the upper and lower leg couplers. In a low profile mode for storage in some examples, the upper module may be directly coupled to the base module by each of the base leg couplers. The legs can be arranged inside the stowage module.

Different embodiments can achieve one or more advantages. For example, in some embodiments different accessories, such as legs and tie systems, can be stowed in a stowage module integrated in the base part of the FPCWA. Different embodiments can be converted without tools between the storage mode and the coffee protection mode. In the storage mode, the FPCWA packages all the elements of the set in a compact, low profile, stackable form factor. The stackable form factor can dramatically reduce the volume required to transport a large number of units, such as in a transport container. Consequently, transportation costs and manufacturing options far from the workplace can be dramatically improved.

The details of the different embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and in the following description. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 represents an exemplary coffee protection system that incorporates a counter protection device for coffee protection (FPCWA).

Fig. 2 represents multiple FPCWA in a stackable form factor for storage or transport.

Fig. 3 represents an exemplary FPCWA in storage mode that has all independent set elements.

Fig. 4 represents an exemplary upper rack of an FPCWA in storage mode.

10 Fig. 5 represents an exemplary leveling foot coupled to a base module.

Fig. 6 represents an exemplary leveling foot coupled to a base module.

Fig. 7 represents a partially cut view of an exemplary neck collar.

Fig. 8 represents a partially cut view of an exemplary neck collar having a mast contained therein. Figs. 9A and 9B represent exemplary embodiments of the support structure for the mast collar.

15 Figs. 10A and 10B represent exemplary embodiments of the counterweight forms for the FPCWA.

Similar reference symbols in the different drawings indicate similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 represents an exemplary protection system against coffee incorporating a counterbalance protection device against coffee (FPCWA). In the figure shown, a protection system 100 against coffee is deployed to protect a worker 105 using a harness 110 attached to an arm 115. The arm 115 is supported by a vertical mast 120, which is also coupled to an FPCWA 125 which provides a counterweight for the weight in the case of worker's coffee 105. The FPCWA 125 includes an upper frame 130, legs 135, and a base module 140. In different embodiments, the FPCWA 125 also includes a stowage module. 145 in the base module 140 for storing or transporting the legs 135. The legs 135 are coupled so that they can be released to the upper frame 130 and to the base module 140. The FPCWA 125 can be converted without tools between a storage mode and a protection mode against coffee. In storage mode, the FPCWA 125 packages all elements of the assembly in a stackable, compact, and low profile form factor.

Fig. 2 represents multiple FPCWA in a stackable form factor for storage or transport. In the figure shown, a stack 200 of FPCWA 205a-e systems in storage mode has been illustrated. In the 30 storage mode, FPCWA systems 205a-e package all elements of the assembly in a compact, low profile, stackable form factor. The stackable form factor can dramatically reduce the volume required to package a large number of systems in a transport container 210 for storage. In other embodiments, multiple FPCWA systems can be placed on a transport device such as a ship 215 to transport a large number of systems. Therefore, the transport costs and manufacturing options far from the workplace can be dramatically improved.

Fig. 3 represents an exemplary FPCWA in storage mode that has all independent set elements. In the figure shown, a stowed FPCWA 300 is illustrated. In different embodiments, an FPCWA can be converted without tools between a protection mode against coffee (for example, the FPCWA 125, shown in Fig. 1) and a mode of storage (for example, the FPCWA stowed 300). The upper frame 130 40 includes a neck collar coupler 305 and mast stabilizers 310a-d extending from the neck collar coupler 305 to the upper frame couplers 315a-d. The upper frame 130 also includes stacking 320a-d cranes adjacent to the upper frame couplers 315-d that provide a stack for stacking and maintaining a straight vertical structure of FPCWA systems such as those represented by stacking 200 in FIG. 2. Bottom frame 140 includes four base beams 325a-d (only 325a-c are visible in this view) supported by 45 feet 330a-d of bottom frame (only 330a and 330b are visible in this view). The lower frame 140 also includes a stowage module 145 which includes a neck collar 335, legs 135, beads 340a-h in shape and studs 345a-h in shape. In different embodiments, the bottom surface of the neck collar coupler 305 rests along the upper part of the surface of the legs 135, in a stowed position, and the bottom surface of the mast stabilizers 310a-d rests as along the upper surface of the 345a-h shaped asparagus and the 50 neck 335 of mast. In different embodiments, the position of the upper frame 130 in relation to the

lower frame 140, which has a locking or retention mechanism without tools (not shown). In different

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embodiments, the material used to construct the upper frame 130, the lower frame 140 and the legs 135 may include heavy gauge steel, aluminum alloy or other composite, lightweight materials that can support the weight necessary for a particular application.

Fig. 4 represents an exemplary upper rack of an FPCWA in storage mode. In the figure shown, an upper frame 130 is further illustrated to show details regarding the structure of the upper frame couplers 315a-b. In different embodiments, the upper frame couplers 315a-b extend vertically from the mast stabilizers 310a-b to the lower frame feet 330a-b, when positioned in the storage mode. In different embodiments, the base of one or more of the upper frame couplers 315a-b has a narrowed characteristic 415a-b to allow ease of alignment during assembly of the FPCWA. The couplers 315a-b further include insert stops 405a-b to adjust the depth of the upper frame couplers 315a-b of the upper frame 130 within the feet 330a-b of the lower frame of the lower frame 140. It is also shown in this illustration a keyway 420a-b that can be used to engage with a leveling foot and to use as a drain hole to drain water that can accumulate when exposed to outdoor weather conditions.

Fig. 5 represents an exemplary leveling foot coupled to a base module. In the figure shown, the leveling foot 500 of an FpCWA system in a protection mode against coffee is illustrated. In different applications, the soil surface where the FPCWA is placed may include irregular terrain that can make the FPCWA system unstable and capable of overturning during operation. This can lead to unsafe conditions that can lead to equipment damage or injury to people. In different embodiments, the leveling feet can be added to the FPCWA system in a toolless manner during assembly in the coffee protection mode. As shown in this illustration, a leveling foot 500 includes a height collarm 505 having a standing coupler 510, to engage with the bottom frame feet 330, and an alignment wheel 515 to maintain the alignment of the foot 500 of leveling in parallel with the feet 330 of lower frame. The standing coupler 510 also includes a holding opening 520 for engaging with a similar opening in the lower frame feet 330 (not shown) to receive a coupler 525 without tools. The toolless coupler 525 may include a bolt 530 having a groove for a cotter pin 535. The leveling foot 500 also includes a height 540 grind having threads that engage with a height adjustment wing 545 and an adjustment stop 550 to prevent excessive adjustment beyond a safe height to maintain the structural integrity of the foot 500 leveling above the 555 foot plate. In different embodiments, the height of the FPCWA system can be adjusted in a toolless manner by adjusting the height adjustment wing 545 to reach the desired resting position. In different embodiments a leveling foot 500 may be fixed to the FPCWA system by means of a keyway groove mechanism 560. The possibility of deploying the multiple leveling feet has also been contemplated.

Fig. 6 represents an exemplary leveling foot coupled to a base module. In the figure shown, a leveling foot 500, similar to that illustrated in fig. 5, has been shown at a different angle to illustrate that the leveling foot 500 can be positioned differently. More than one surface of the standing coupler 510 may include an additional clamping opening 605 to make use of a different orientation in the event that the location where the system is used may prevent access to install or adjust the height of the system.

Fig. 7 represents a partially cut view of an exemplary neck collar. In the figure shown, a neck collar 335 includes a top cover 705 having an insertion opening 710 to receive the vertical mast 120 (not shown). The inside of the mast collar 335 includes a mast 715 having a top surface 720 narrowed toward a bottom surface 725 to align the mast 120 within the mast collar 335. In different embodiments, the bottom surface 725 includes four surface contact points with the vertical mast 120. The orientations of the four surface contact points have been further illustrated in fig. 8.

Fig. 8 represents a partially cut view of an exemplary neck collar having a mast 120 contained therein. In the figure shown, the four contact points 805a-d are oriented with respect to the mast 120 to allow minimal contact with the mast 120. In different embodiments, the mast 120 can be sized such that a circular perfometer surface of That mast will make contact with only one or two of the contact points at a given time and allows the mast 120 to rotate around its vertical axis with substantially minimal friction. It has also been shown a masthead clip 810 which can stop the mast 120 after insertion of the mast 120 into the neck collar 335. A neck collar fastener 815 is further illustrated to secure the neck collar 335 into the neck collar coupler 305 as part of the assembly in the coffee protection mode. Similar to coupler 525 without tools, shown in fig. 5, the mast clip 810 and the collar collar 815 can have a tool-free coupling feature for ease of assembly or disassembly.

Figs. 9A and 9B represent exemplary embodiments of the support structure for the mast collar. Fig. 9A represents the neck collar 935 having a base plate 905 and support flanges 910a-c extending from the base plate 905 to an outer surface of the neck collar 935 to additionally support the mast 120 in a substantially vertical position while the FPCWA is in the coffee protection mode. The structure of the neck collar 935 shown in fig. 9A allows the collar 935 of the mast to pass through the frame

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upper (not shown) so that the base plate 905 can be mounted directly either on the upper surface or on the lower surface of the lower frame (not shown) of the FPCWA. This configuration adds additional support to the vertical mast 120 (not shown) in the event that the mast height is quite long or that a considerable weight is needed as part of the counterweight. In different embodiments, the weight (for example, sand, rock, concrete) used as part of the counterweight can be placed directly on the upper surface of the base plate 905 after the base plate 905 is mounted on the bottom frame.

9B represents the neck collar 935 of the neck having adjustable straps 915a-d having a sliding folding structure similar to that of an umbrella. In different embodiments, the adjustable straps 915a-d further include a slide 920 in sliding contact with the neck collar 935, a rib 925a-d extending from the slide 920 to the base straps 930a-d, and attached through of a 940a-d hinge coupler. In different embodiments, the adjustable straps 915 can be additionally adjustable in length in order to accommodate loads of different sizes or to additionally support mast collars of varying size. The exterior of the base braces can also include fastening openings for mounting the base 930a-d braces on the top or bottom of the lower frame.

Figs. 10A and 10B represent exemplary embodiments of the counterweight forms for the FPCWA. Fig. 10A represents a protection system 100 against coffee in a protection mode against coffee having braces 1005 in shape (braces 1005a-d shown) that extend between legs 135a-d adjacent and parallel to the base beams 325. In different embodiments, a shape structure 1015 can be incorporated to create support for the counterweight material 1010 of different materials that can be formed within the shape structure such as concrete, sand, gravel, etc. In different embodiments, the shape braces 1005a-d may be mounted on the legs 135a-d using fasteners that are readily available in the workplace as replacement screws. Alternatively, the 1005a-d shape braces can be configured for fastening solutions without tools. Walls 1020 in a tight manner between the legs 135 have been further illustrated to create a box-shaped ford within the FPCWA and which have 1025 asparagus forms vertically adjusted between adjacent struts 1005. Asparagus forms 1025 can be held between form walls 1020 and braces 1005a-d so that they use fasteners such as wood screws, sheet metal screws or nails that are commonly found in the vicinity of a workplace.

Fig. 10B represents a protection system 100 against coffee, similar to the one depicted in 10A, absent from asparagus forms 1025. In different embodiments, more total volume may be preferred when the counterweight is constructed. In different embodiments, it has been anticipated that less structure may be necessary in such a way that materials in the workplace, such as rocks and dirt, can be deposited inside the box-shaped ford that is to be used to counterbalance the FPCWA, which may not require the same structure as the pouring concrete and may be more easily removed after use. It has been anticipated that the embodiments of figs. 9A and 9B may be suitable for the application illustrated in figs. 10A and 10B.

Although different embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, other embodiments are possible. For example, fasteners without tools for attaching the upper module to the base module can be a variety of fasteners such as a bolt with a nut (i.e., manually adjusted), an unthreaded bolt having a cotter pin such as a fastener, and an independent locking spring mechanism to eliminate the need for separate parts. Additionally it has been contemplated that there is sufficient space within the stowage module for leveling feet. In some exemplary embodiments, the adjustable feet may be stored at the top of the corner posts and formwork support beams.

A number of implementations have been described. However, it will be understood that different modifications can be made. For example, advantageous results can be achieved if the operations of the described techniques were performed in a different sequence, or if the components of the described systems were combined in a different way, or if the components were supplemented with other components. Accordingly, other implementations have been contemplated or may reside within the framework of the following claims.

Claims (15)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five 1. A counterbalance protection device against falls to balance a user, the apparatus having: an upper module (130) having a plurality of horizontal members supporting a plurality of upper leg couplers (320a-320d) and a mast coupler (305); a base module (140) having a plurality of horizontal members (345a-h), each of the horizontal members extending between a pair of base leg couplers (330a-330b); Y, a plurality of legs (135); wherein in a mode of protection against coffees adapted for operation, the upper module (130) is separated from the base module (140) by the plurality of legs (135), each of the legs (135) being coupled so which can be released at opposite ends to one of the upper leg couplers (320a) and one of the base leg couplers (330a); and characterized by a stowage module (145) coupled to the base module (140) and disposed within an interior region generally coplanar with the horizontal members (345a-h) of the base module; wherein in a low profile mode adapted for storage, the upper module (130) is directly coupled to the base module (140) by each of the base leg couplers (330a-330d) by coupling to one of the upper couplers corresponding (320a-320d) of base leg, each of the legs (135) arranged inside the stowage module. 2. The counterbalance protection device against coffee of claim 1, wherein in the mode of protection against coffee, the upper module (130) includes a mast collarm (335) coupled to the mast coupler (305) and in The low profile mode has the collarm (335) of the mast arranged inside the stowage module (145). 3. The counterbalance protection device against coffee beans of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of legs (135) are coupled so that they can be released to the base module (140) having fasteners without tools. 4. The counterbalance protection device against coffee beans of claim 1, wherein one or more of said plurality of legs (135) includes a narrowed lower surface. 5. The counterbalance protection device against coffees of claim 1, wherein one or more of the base leg couplers (330a-330d) include a profile hole opening (420a-420d) on a surface Bottom sized to favor drainage. 6. The counterbalance protection device against coffee beans of claim 5, further comprising leveling feet having a key profile on an upper surface of a standing coupler (510) for coupling to a lock hole profile on a lower surface of one or more base leg couplers and the leveling feet being coupled so that they can be released to the base module (140) having fasteners without tools. 7. The counterbalance protection device against coffee beans of claim 6, wherein one or more of the leveling feet includes a height adjustment mechanism (545) without tools. 8. The counterbalance protection device against coffee beans of claim 6, wherein one or more of the leveling feet includes a stop adjustment (405a-b). 9. The counterbalance protection device against coffees of claim 1, wherein one or more of the upper frame couplers (315a-b) include a stacking crane on an upper surface. 10. The counterbalance protection device against coffee beans of claim 2, wherein the mast collarm (335) includes an insertion opening (710) on an upper surface and a mast crane (715) coupled to an inner surface , the masthead (715) having one or more narrow surfaces for contact with a mast (120) inserted therein. 11. The counterbalance protection device against coffee beans of claim 2, wherein the neck collar (335) is coupled so that it can be released to the mast coupler using fasteners without tools. 12. The counterbalance protection device against coffee beans of claim 10, wherein the mast contacts less than three narrowed surfaces of the mast crane (715) at the same time. 13. The counterbalance protection device against coffee beans of claim 10, wherein the mast grille (715) includes a masthead feature (810) on a lower surface. 14. The counterbalance protection device against coffee beans of claim 2, wherein the neck collar (335) also comprises a base plate (905) and support braces (910a-c) extending between the plate base (905) and an outer surface of the collarm (335) of mast. 15. The counterbalance protection device against coffee beans of claim 2, wherein the neck collarm (335) 5 also includes adjustable support braces (915a-c) coupled to a slide (920) and the support braces (915a-c) slidably coupled to an exterior vertical surface of the mast collar (335).