GB2443620A

GB2443620A - Shock absorbing and tensioning device for a safety cable for operatives working at height

Info

Publication number: GB2443620A
Application number: GB0622546A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Murten
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-05
Filing date: 2006-11-13
Publication date: 2008-05-14
Also published as: GB0622546D0

Abstract

A safety apparatus comprises a cable 16 that is fixed to a structure. The cable 16 is passed through a quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device 20 and quick release cable locking device 21 where it is terminated onto a winch 22 or alternative device. The device 20 comprises a shock-absorbing spring 20 and a clamping means to hold a set tension in the cable. An inertia reel 17 is connected to the safety line 16 and an operative 18. The operative can safely work at height. In the event of a fall the operative 18 can be safely, controllably and easily lowered to the ground 32 quickly.

Description

Quick release shock absorbing, safe connection, rescue, and cable

tensioning device with rescue and working methods for operatives working at height.

This invention relates to a shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device with rescue and working methods for operatives working at height.

-Safety apparatus for the erection of structures is disclosed in international patent publication numbers WO 01/2741 1,United Kingdom application No 02 13 030 & GB0508999.0 in the name of the present applicant, The safety apparatus has a first substantially vertical support, a second substantially vertical support and a supporting cable extending between the first and second supports.

The vertical supports are configured to be adjustable in length and each include a first fixing means and a second fixing means such that the length of the support may be adjusted by releasing the first fixing means and then re-fixing the first fixing means after the adjustment has been made. In this way, it is possible to adjust the height of the safety apparatus while erection is taking place such that work may be carried out in safety at substantially all times.

WO 01/33014 Al (Richards) GB 24001 33A (Withers & Rogers) EP 1 083273A3 (Zambeill) According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device with rescue and working methods for operatives working at height, comprising of a cable extending from a winch through a quick release cable locking device and a quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device positioned on a support member, the cable travels over a distance where it connects to a cable connection point fixed to another support member, operatives wearing harnesses, connect their lanyard from the harness to the cable, thus in the event of the operative falling, the fall is stopped within a short distance, with the cable absorbing some of the shock and the quick release shock absorbing safe connection and rescue device absorbing more of the shock by its cable clamping device compressing the shock absorber, thus very low loadings are put onto the operative or the end points of the cable, to retrieve the operative safely and quickly the connection point quick releases are controllably released thus allowing excess cable to pass from * the winch through the quick releases thus lowering the operative.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:-Figure 1 shows the quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device: Figure 2 shows the quick release shock absorbing cable connection, rescue and cable tensioning device internals: Figure 3 shows a top view of the quick release shock absorbing cable connection, rescue and cable tensioning device: Figure 4 shows a front view of the cable connection point that activates the spring: FIgure 5 shows a side view of the cable connection point that activates the spring: Figure 6 shows a top view of the cable connection point that activates the spring: Figure 7 shows a side view of the quick release cable locking device: Figure 8 shows a front view of the quick release cable locking device: Figure 9 shows a top view of the quick release cable locking device: Figure 10 shows an operative climbing a ladder connected to the system: Figurel I shows an operative using the system to safely work at height: Figurel 2 shows an operatives fall being stopped prior to the system being used to lower them to the ground: Referring to the drawing a structure (not shown) that may be a wall, column, upright or any type of building has a cable, wire or rope connection point 25 fitted at the required height on a structure (not shown) from which a cable, wire or rope 16 runs over a space or distance to a pulley 24 or similar device (not shown) or through the quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device 20 fitted also at the required height on a opposing structure (not shown) that may be a wall, column, upright or any type of building. The cable, wire or rope 16 may be diverted from the horizontal plain to the vertical plain if required. The cable is threaded through hole 36 of tensioning mechanism 37 or alternative mechanism (not shown) adjustment stud 35 that is length adjustable and through nut 34 fixed washer 14 adjustable washer 33 spring 8 and washer 13 it passes through cable guide 11 between cable protector 5 and tube 2 and washer 10. The cable then passes through and out of washer 9 of quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device 20 where it is then threaded between cable protector 27 and tube 29 of locking device 21 and on to winch 22 or cable drum (not shown) or alternative method (not shown). The cable 16 has the required tension put into it, thus lifting its span distance to the required height by using the winch 22 or alternative method (not shown) the cable 16 is then locked into place by locking studs 3 or alternative method (not shown) locking studs 3 pass through nuts 6 compressing cable, wire or rope protector 5 against cable, wire or rope 16. The cable, wire or rope 16 tensions are held against the spring 8 or alternative method (not shown). Adjustment to the tension in the cable, wire or rope 16 is made by tensioning the cable 16 and letting it rest against spring 8. Spring 8 can have added or less tension put into it by turning stud 35 thus moving washer 33 against spring 8 thus giving the required tension in the cable, wire or rope 16. A cable tension measuring device (not shown) can be fitted to tube 7 thus allowing accurate readings to be taken. There is an amount of slack cable 34 left between device and back up locking device 21 to allow for spring absorption and movement in the event of a fall. An inertia reel or lanyard 17 is connected to the safety line 16 with a pulley block or similar method (not shown). There is also a method provided for rescue and safe use of the equipment that consists of a tail line (not shown) being connected to the inertia reel 17 thus allowing the inertia reel lanyard 17 to be pulled down to the operative 18 without the need for the operative 18 leaving the ground 32.

Alternatively the lanyard can be accessed using another method (not shown).

Once connected to the inertia reel 17 the tail line is removed and operatives 18 can safely climb onto a structure 19 and move along the length of cable 16 safe in the knowledge that if they fell the fall would be brought to a safe and quick conclusion. In the event of a fall other operatives (not shown) that are on the ground 32 can quickly and safely lower the fallen operative 18 down to the ground 32. This is done by ground operatives (not shown) slowly and controllably undoing studs 3 on quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device 20 thus releasing the slack cable 34. Ground operative (not shown) then slowly and controllably undo studs 28 on the quick release cable locking device 21 thus releasing pressure between cable protector 27 and cable, wire or rope 16 thus lowering the operative 18. A winch 22 with winch arm 23 can be used to lower fallen operatives 18 if required. Holes 4 of fixing plate 1 and 31 of fixing plate 26 or alternative method (not shown) can be used to fix the quick release shock absorbing connection point 20 and quick release cable locking device 21 to a structure (not show)

Claims

Claims 1 A quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and

cable tensioning device with rescue and working methods for operatives working at height, comprising of a cable extending from a winch through a quick release cable locking device and a quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device positioned on a support member, the cable travels over a distance where it connects to a cable connection point fixed to another support member, operatives wearing harnesses, connect their lanyard from the harness to the cable, thus in the event of the operative falling, the fall is stopped within a short distance, with the cable absorbing some of the shock and the quick release shock absorbing safe connection and rescue device absorbing more of the shock by its cable clamping device compressing the shock absorber, thus very low loadings are put onto the operative or the end points of the cable, to retrieve the operative safely and quickly the connection point quick releases a controllably released thus allowing excess cable to pass from the winch through the quick releases thus lowering the operative.
2. A quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device with rescue and working methods for operatives working at height according to claim 1 wherein said winch is replaced by a cable drum or alternative method.
3. A quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device with rescue and working methods for operatives working at height according to claim 1 wherein said quick release cable locking device, quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device are installed in any plane.
4. A quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device with rescue and working methods for operatives working at height according to claim 1 wherein a tail line is connected to the inertia reel for safe ease of use.
5. A quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device with rescue and working methods for operatives working at height according to claim 1 wherein said cable is replaced by a rope, wire or alternative material.
6. A quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device with rescue and working methods for operatives working at height according to claim I wherein said support member is a wall, column, building or any structure.
7. A quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device with rescue and working methods for operatives working at height according to claim I wherein an operative can connect a lanyard, inertia reel or alternative device to said cable.
8. A quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device with rescue and working methods for operatives working at height according to claim I wherein the system can be used to lower the said operative.
9. A quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device with rescue and working methods for o3ératives working at height according to claim I wherein said cable to harness connection point is lower than the operatives head or closer to the working level.
10. A quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device with rescue and working methods for operatives working at height according to claim 1 wherein said pulley is replaced by cable diverters or similar method.
11. A quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device with rescue and working methods for operatives working at height according to claim I wherein the fixed support members are replaced by portable ones.
12. A quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device with rescue and working methods for operatives working at height wherein the quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device is a separate piece or equipment that can be used independently.
13. A quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device with rescue and working methods for operatives working at height according to claim 1 wherein said cable to harness connection point is higher than the operatives head. (0
14. A quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device with rescue and working methods for operatives working at height wherein cable tensioning components are part of or separate to the devices.
15. A quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device with rescue and working methods for operatives working at height according to claim I or claim 12 wherein cable tension indicators are fitted to enable accurate reading of the tension put into the cable.
16. A quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device with rescue and working methods for operatives working at height according to claim 1 or claim 12 wherein the devices are connected to the structure in many different ways.

17 A quick release shock absorbing safe connection, rescue and cable tensioning device with rescue and working methods for oeratives working at height according to claim I substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-12 of the accompanying drawings.