GB2339633A

GB2339633A - Detachable permanent magnet holding device

Info

Publication number: GB2339633A
Application number: GB9814991A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christos Sotirious Haritou; Alan Fada; Ian Fada
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-07-13
Filing date: 1998-07-13
Publication date: 2000-02-02
Anticipated expiration: 2018-07-13
Also published as: GB9814991D0; GB2339633B

Description

POSITIONING AID 2339633 This invention relates to a positioning aid, which

could have many uses. The invention device would include a permanent magnet with a unique arrangement of attachments. This device would hold a worker into a position and offer stabilisation for the operator to conduct a work activity. A dual cam release handle operating system will enable the operator to release the positioning aid by hand. Springs positioned under the cams will protect the original surface coating when releasing the device. The invention is not designed to effect a life supporting anchor and therefore classified as a positioning aid only. Permanent magnets are a well known unit source and can vary in strength and size. This invention relates specifically to the permanent magnet attachments only.

Rope access techniques for maintenance operations are becoming more and more frequently used in today's shipping and oil & gas industry. The costs involved with scaffolding are normally far in excess of the rope access costs, obviously the most cost effective method is the more favourable to the owners. There is an existing problem within the maintenance of sea going vessels when re-painting the external shell. Port and starboard sides of a ship is completed utilising normal rope access techniques but the bow and aft ends of a vessel do not allow this due to the curvature of the shell. Utilising safe rope access techniques to work over any edge, concludes with a vertical drop (as gravity will only allow), therefore the bow and aft ends of vessels require scaffolding to complete the work activity. Also to be considered is that the original protective coating is not to be damaged if attachments are used.

An object of this invention is to provide a positioning aid utilising a permanent magnet with a unique arrangement of attachments. The device would be light enough to man handle, to stabilise a worker into a position for him/her to conduct work around a steel structure and protect the original surface condition on release. The invention would also have other uses, such as a plate lifter, fabrication or installation aid and could be used outwith the use of rope access techniques.

Accordingly, this invention allows a rope access operator (or other) to be strapped into a position giving stabilisation, enabling work to be carried out. The dual cam with protector spring releasing method is unique to this invention and with the small size and weight of the device, the operator could easily release and move the device into another position. The dual cam release method has been designed to require very little resistance on the initial release function. This would allow the weakest of workers to release the magnet comfortably and as the cam rotates to the highest position, the magnet can still be effective but easily removed from the steelwork by hand.

With the inclusion of a spring bolted to the bracket and protruding underneath the cam, this would alleviate any possibility of damage occurring to the original protective coating whilst releasing the positioning aid from the structure. The weight of all attachments will be reduced to give the minimum weight possible to assist the operator during manoeuvrability operations.

2.

POSITIONING AID The preferred essential features of this invention is that of the magnet base attachments. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to accompanying drawings. The arrangement of all attachments to the magnet are in essence the most preferred option. Material type, Item size and location of attachments could vary in any way and still offer the same qualities of this 'the invention'.

Drawings enclosed are as follows: (Drawings are 'Not to Scale') Figure I Positioning Aid (Shaded View).

Figure 2 Positioning Aid (Wire Frame with Item Numbers) Figure -3) Plan View Figure 4 Side View Figure 5 End View ITEM IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS Item Number Description

01 Permanent Magnet 02 Release Mechanism - Hinge Bracket 03 Handle Bracket 04 Handle Protecting Spring Bracket 06 Spring Protector 07 Attachment Eyes 08 Release Handle 09 Release Handle Axis Cam As shown on FIGURE 2, all items are identified with a number. Protection to the original paint coating or surface is provided by Item 6 the spring protector. The spring connector is bolted to the spring bracket (Item 5) and extends undemeath of the cam (Item 10). When operating the release handle (Item 8) the cam will rotate on top of the spring protector which will prevent the surface being scratched or damaged in any way. When the cam release handle (Item 8) is in the position shown, the positioning aid is in the fully released state but the present magnetic field will still hold the device in place but able to be released by hand. When the release handle is lifted and turned 180 degrees on the axis (Item 2), both cams (Items 10) will rotate and slowly lower the pen-nanent magnet down into the full power position. The handle (Items 3) and 4) are conveniently placed to allow the operator to hold while positioning or releasing the device. Attachment eyes (Item 7) are provided to attach rope to the operator and available for additional safety lines if required.

POSITIONING AID

Claims

1. This invention relates to a positioning aid, which could have many uses. The invention device would include a permanent magnet with a unique arrangement of attachments.

2. This device would hold a worker into a position and offer stabilisation for the operator to conduct a work activity.

3. A dual cam release handle operating system will enable the operator to release the positioning aid by hand. The dual cam with protector spring releasing method is unique to this invention and with the small size and weight of the device, the operator could easily release and move the device into another position. The dual cam release method has been designed to require very little resistance on the initial release function. This would allow the weakest of workers to release the magnet comfortably and as the cam rotates to the highest position, the magnet can still be effective but easily removed from the steelwork by hand. With the inclusion of a spring bolted to the bracket and protruding underneath the cam, this would alleviate any possibility of damage occurring to the original protective coating whilst releasing the positioning aid from the structure. The weight of all attachments will be reduced to give the minimum weight possible to assist the operator during manoeuvrability operations.

4. Springs positioned under the cams will protect the original surface coating when releasing the device.

Z:-

5. The invention is not designed to effect a lifesupporting anchor and therefore classified as a positioning aid only. Permanent magnets are a well known unit source and can vary in strength and size. This invention relates specifically to the permanent maanet attachments only.

0 4- POSITIONING AID

6. There is an existing problem within the maintenance of sea going vessels when re-painting the external shell. Port and starboard sides of a ship is completed utilising normal rope access techniques but the bow and aft ends of a vessel do not allow this due to the curvature of the shell. Utilising safe rope access techniques to work over any edge, concludes with a vertical drop (as gravity will only allow), therefore the bow and aft ends of vessels require scaffolding to complete the work activity.

7. Also to be considered is that the original protective coating is not to be damaged if attachments are used on ferrous metals for repairs or maintenance.

8. An object of this invention is to provide a positioning aid utilising a pen-nanent magnet with a unique arrangement of attachments. The device would be light enough to man handle, to stabilise a worker into a position for him/her to conduct work around a steel structure and protect the original surface condition on release.

9. The invention would also have other uses, such as a plate lifter, fabrication or installation aid and could be used outwith the use of rope access techniques.

10. Accordingly, this invention allows a rope access operator (or other) to be strapped into a position giving stabilisation, enabling work to be carried out.

0 C

11. The preferred essential features of this invention are that of the magnet base attachments.

Cl

12. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to accompanying drawings. The arrangement of all attachments to the magnet is in essence the most preferred option. Material type, Item size and location of attachments could vary in any way and still offer the same qualities of this 'the invention'.