GB2163625A - A communication arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

A communication arrangement for use by a confined space worker 10 linked to a worker 20 outside the confined space by a safety rope 16 incorporating a transmission wire connecting vocal/audio facilities provided for both workers to a surface (non-confined space) terminal which incorporates a tape recorder 24 operatively associated with the surface terminal by an electrical lead having a suction type connection with the terminal which incorporates a pick-up coil and a jack plug for connection with the tape recorder. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A communication arrangement The invention relates to a communication arrangement for use by persons working in confined spaces, for example sewers, storage tanks, silos, tunnels, etc. For convenience such a person is hereinafter called a "confined space worker".

The purpose of the communication arrangement is not only to provide the confined space worker with voice contact with one or more other confined space workers and/or a person or persons outside the confined space with whom such a link is required but also to provide a physical link via a rope between confined space workers and the other person or persons. This rope provides a rescue facility for the confined space worker(s).

The rope is a climbing rope into which has been spirally coiled a water-proofed pair of transmission wires thus providing both the audio contact and the physical connection between the confined space worker(s) and possibly a person or persons outside the confined space.

The purpose of the spiral winding of the wires is to permit the stretching of the rope under stress by knotting or shock-loading without severing of the wires.

The communication arrangement generally comprises a helmet with a built-in headset which incorporates a battery powered microphone and earphones. The microphone may be either of the boom or throat type.

The confined space worker has the headset connected electrically either directly to the rope or via a junction box which is fixed to a body harness worn by the confined space worker. In either case the rope is fixed independently to the confined space worker's body harness.

The rope or ropes (if a junction box is used) are similarly linked both electrically and physically to others operatives who may-accord- ing to the requirements of the work being carried out-be either inside or outside the confined space. Each will be equipped with similar headsets with independently powered speakers and receivers.

Electrical connections between both headsets and the rope and the rope and the junction box and also between rope and rope are provided by water-proof (when closed) screw connectors both male (for the rope) and female (for the headsets).

This communication arrangement permits any required numbers of confined space worker and other operatives to maintain continual voice contact with each other. At the same time, it provides a means of rescue should this be required where an operative may fall, be injured or suffer asphyxia, i.e. the rope is used as a means of lifting or dragging the injured confined space worker to safety.

The confined space worker(s) in the confined space may require instruction from outside or above ground and at the same time the information they have collected may need to be heard by one or more outside controller operatives and, on occasions, recorded for use in the preparation, for example, of surveys.

The communication arrangement includes a surface (or external to the confined space) terminal powered by separate batteries which comprises a junction box incorporating a socket for the use of either a two-way handset or a loudspeaker with built-in microphone.

A communication arrangement has hereinbefore specified in hereafter and in the claims referred to as "a communication arrangement of the kind specified." According to the present invention the surface terminal of the communication arrangement of the kind specified additionally incorporates the use of a tape recorder operatively associated with the surface terminal by an electrical lead having a suction type connection with the terminal which incorporates pickup coil and a jack plug for connection with the tape recorder.

The power of the coil is preferably provided by the aforesaid separate batteries.

The purpose of the suction connection on the surface terminal in preference to a standard electrical socket and plug is completely to isolate the communication arrangement of all the ropes, headsets, junction boxes and surface terminal from any outside power source that could otherwise be fed into the communication arrangement and thus into the confined space.

This is of particular importance for the acceptance and use of the communication arrangement where it may be used in possible explosive atmospheres, since the equipment employed in the communication arrangement is wholly powered by low voltage batteries and is so designed as to be approved by the appropriate British Standard Organisation as intrinsically safe in such conditions.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a confined space worker with the communication/safety arrangement fitted thereon; Figure 2 is a detail view showing the communication/safety arrangement in operation; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the surface controller's terminal.

A confined space worker 10 has a body harness 11 to which is connected a junction box 12. He wears a safety helmet 13 to which is fitted a battery-powered headset comprising earphones 14 and a throat micro phone 15 or alternatively a boom microphone 15a. To the body harness 11 is connected a climber's rope 16 which is also connected to the junction box 12 by engaging male couplings 1 7a and female couplings 17b. The rope 16 incorporates internal coiled waterproofed transmission wires, as aforesaid, to place a surface controller in audio/aural communication with the confined space worker.If desired, the confined space worker 10 can be connected via the junction box 12 and two other ropes 18, 19 and couplings 17a and 17b, to two other confined space workers (not shown) all of whom are connected by the rope of confined space worker 10 to the surface controller.

The surface controller 20 may be outfitted similarly to the confined space worker 10, i.e.

body harness with a junction box 12 attached, the rope 16 being attached to the junction box as is the controller's battery powered headset 22.

As previously stated where co-ordination of a group of operatives (both in and out of the confined space) is required a surface terminal 21 is provided in the form of a junction box including, in addition to two sockets 1 7b for rope connection and a socket 17a for a headset connection, a socket 23a for a handset 23 or a loudspeaker 28 and an on/off switch 21a.

As shown in Fig. 2 the surface terminal 21 is linked by a separate rope to the controller via his junction box 12 and operated by a supervisor 29 through the use of the handset 23, loudspeaker 28 or headset 22.

Where a record of the operative is required for survey work or other purposes a tape recorder 24 is connected to the surface termi nal 21 is previously described. The suction type connector 26 is attached to the point on the surface of the terminal opposite and inside of which the pick-up coil is located. The connection is then made by a standard lead fitted with a jack plug to suit the socket on the tape recorder 24.

This form of connection between surface terminal 21 and tape recorder 24 ensures complete electrical isolation of the terminal and the communication system from any outside power source.

Approval of the system for use in potentially explosive atmospheres by BASEEFA (British Approvals Service for Electrical Equipment in Flamable Atmospheres) is dependent on this combination of safety factors.

Claims (3)

1. A communication arrangement of the kind specified has a surface terminal incorporating the use of a tape recorder operatively associated with the surface terminal by an electrical lead having a suction type connection with the terminal which incorporates pickup coil and a jack plug for connection with the tape recorder.

2. A communication arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the power of the coil is provided the separate batteries.

3. A communication arrangement of the kind specified, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.