GB2444022A

GB2444022A - Safety apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2444022A
Application number: GB0614482A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Attwood
Original assignee: SAFELINE UK Ltd
Current assignee: SAFELINE UK Ltd
Priority date: 2006-07-21
Filing date: 2006-07-21
Publication date: 2008-05-28
Anticipated expiration: 2026-07-21
Also published as: GB2444022B; GB0614482D0

Abstract

Safety apparatus comprises a belt 10, having straps 14 and 15 one secured near each end of the belt, and the belts are each looped through a common buckle 18. The free ends of the belts at 21, 24 are attached by connector 22 to a tether 11 which 5 comprises a pulley block 30 with a line 32 anchored at each end thereto, and reeved over a pulley 31 in the block and about respective remote pulleys 36,39 connected by cords 41, 42 to connectors 44, 45 for attachment to safety lines 46, 47.

Description

SAFETY APPARATUS

This invention relates to improvements in safety apparatus.

The invention is intended to be used in the field of walkways on the tops of road and rail tankers, and other elevated walk-ways without raised safety fences.

In EP-A-0,989,887 a fall prevention system for use for the above purpose comprises the provision of a pair of wires extending one to each side of parallel to, and at about the level of the walk way. Lanyards are provided, each connected at one end to a respective one of the wires, and at the other to a clip which can be attached to a running ring which is freely movable along at least one runner strap carried on a padded belt worn by the user. The lanyards may be joined to form a continuous line which can move through the clip to a limited extent defined by stops provided on the line.

The free movement of the running ring along the runner strap means that if the user should stumble and fall, there is no resistance to the fall until the ring reaches the end of the strap, leading to a sudden arrest of the fall, experienced as a jerk, and which may in itself cause injury to the user and possibly cause failure of the connections of the end of the strap to the belt which would allow the ring to come off the strap, leading to a possible further more serious fall.

An object of the invention is to provide a safety apparatus wherein the connection of the tether to the belt has a degree of retardation provided by its structure.

Another aspect concerns the lanyards or tethers which secure the belt to the wires. The above disclosure suggests that these are adjustable, but does not disclose any means for effecting such adjustment.

From this other aspect, an object of the invention is to provide tethering means for a safety apparatus with improved adjustability and control.

From a first aspect of the invention a safety apparatus comprises a tether for attachment to a belt or harness for wear by a user, and to one or more safety lines, wherein the belt comprises a pair of straps or a single continuous strap secured to the belt, and looped through a buckle so as to be interactive, the ends of the straps being adapted for connection to the tether.

The straps may be connected to the ether by a karabiner clip.

From a second aspect of the invention, a safety apparatus comprises a tether for attachment to a belt or harness for wear by a user and to one or more safety lines, wherein the tether comprises a connector member and two lanyard assemblies connected to said member each lanyard member having means for engaging with a respective safety line, and the lanyard members being at least partially comprised by a cord member, each end of the cord member being attached to the connector member, and a connecting portion extending through the connector member to connect the two lanyard members.

The connecting portion of the cord is preferably guided over a pulley in the connector member, which may be formed as a pulley block. (The term "cord" herein includes wire and other ropes and cables as well as natural or artificial fibre cords).

In a first embodiment of the tether, the tether may comprise two limbs, each comprised partialiy of the respective lanyard member comprising a double pass of the cord, and a leg part of wire rope, steel tube or the like, connected to the cord by means of the cord being reeved about a pulley which is in turn connected to the leg part. The ends of the leg parts are each equipped with pulley or runners to fit over and run along respective safety lines or rods. The latter are preferably securely mounted on the vehicle or container or the like.

In a second embodiment of the tether, each limb of the tether may be comprised of a plurality of support tubes which form a loosely articulated sectional sheath in which the two passes of the cord forming the lanyard is guided, from the end fixed to the connector member, to a pulley at the outer end of the limb, back to the connection member to be continuous with the cord in the other limb of the tether. In this case, the end of each leg may have a double pulley block, with one pulley for the cord and the other for the safety line or rod.

The pulley block may comprise two parts which are articulated for flexibility.

The belt or harness may be either a fastenable girdle, with appropriate snap or buckle connectors, or be a step-in tubular assembly and may include shoulder strap, as a harness.

The belt or harness is preferably provided with guide-means for guiding and retaining the straps, and in a preferred embodiment this may comprise a fabric tunnel extending over a substantial segment of the girth of the belt, and within which the buckle is disposed to be movable by traction on the free end of either of the straps.

Alternatively, the guide-means may comprise simple belt-loops.

Examples of embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-Figure 1 is a general schematic view of an embodiment of safety apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a diagram of a first embodiment of tether device forming part of the safety apparatus; Figure 3 is a diagram similar to Figure 2 of a second embodiment of tether device; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of belt forming part of the safety apparatus; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of belt forming part of the safety apparatus.

Referring to Figure 1, a safety apparatus according to the invention comprises a belt 10, intended to be worn about the body of a user, and a tether device 11, for connecting the belt to a pair to parallel safety lines 45, 46 which may be provided at foot level so as not to increase the headroom of a tanker vehicle to which they are permanently mounted. Such lines may of course be provided at a higher level, up to waist height if temporarily rigged, or provided as a permanent feature in a drive-in bay.

The belt comprises a main girdle part 10 of woven synthetic yarn canvas-type webbing and padding. In Figures 1 and 4 this is shown as being fastenable by means of interlockable buckle parts 12, 13 on the respective ends of the belt. In an alternative embodiment (Figure 5) the belt is a step-in annular member with an adjustable or elasticated strap. The belt is fitted with two straps 14, 15 which are secured by stitching, belt loops, staples, or rivets at 16, 17 to the belt 10 near the respective ends of the belt. The strap 14 extends along the belt from the left hand end as shown to a buckle or square ring 18, within a fabric tunnel 19, which is shown in broken lines, and is passed around the nearer side member of the buckle. The free end passes back along the tunnel and a variable length of the strap 14 is exposed. This iI -5.

terminates in a D-ring 21 and adjuster device which can be connected to a clip or carbiner 22 of the tester device 11.

Similarly, the strap 15 extends along the belt from the right hand end as shown to the buckle 18, and is passed around the other side member of the buckle. The free end 23 passes back along the tunnel and a variable length of the strap 15 is exposed.

This terminates in a D-ring 24 and adjuster device which can be connected to the clip or carabiner 22 of the tether device 11.

Only one, or both of the D-rings may be attached at the same time to the clip 22.

The arrangement operates so that if a tractive load is exerted on one strap free end, say 20, the buckle 18 will be pulled towards the respective end of the fabric tunnel 19 (to the left in Figure 1). At the same time, the untensioned strap 15 will be extended by movement of the buckle, and the free end 23 drawn into the tunnel 19 to compensate for displacement of the buckle. Correspondingly if the free end 23 is loaded, the buckle 18 will be drawn to the right in Figure 1, and the free end 20 shortened by being drawn into the tunnel 19. This permits 2700 rotation around the wearer.

In Figure 5, the buckles 12, 13 are replaced by an elasticated band 25, or single piece webbing with belt loops. Otherwise the belt has the same parts, which work in the same way as the belt shown in Figures 1 and 4. The band 25 enables the belt to be worn as a step in' girdle. Clearly the elasticated band 25 could be replaced by a length-adjustable webbing band. Also, in both versions, the fabric tunnel 19 could be replaced by spaced strap retaining loops. 0 -6-

Turning to Figures 2 and 3, two different versions of the tether device 11 are also shown.

The clip or carabiner 22 is, in each embodiment, connected to a diamond shaped pulley-block 30. The lower corner of the block carries an idler pulley 31, whilst the respective ends of a cable or lanyard 32 are secured to the remaining corners of the block, by connectors 33, 34. These act as straps or limiters restricting sideways movement depending upon the length between the connectors 33, 34 or pulleys 36, 39 (shown in Figure 2).

In Figure 2, the lanyard 32 has a first length 35 extending from the connector 33 to a pulley 36, about which the lanyard is reeved, then a second length 37 from pulley 36 to the idler pulley 31 in the pulleyblock 30. The lanyard is reeved over the pulley 31 and comprises a third length 38 from the idler pulley 31 to a pulley 39, about which the lanyard is reeved, and a final section 40 extends from the pulley 39 to the connector 34 by which the end of lanyard is connected to the pulley block.

In the Figure 2 embodiment, the pulleys 36, 39 are connected to cords 41, 42 respectively, which are sheathed in short sections of tube 42 for protection. These cords 41, 42 are connected by pulleys 44, 45 to safety lines 46, 47 extending parallel to and either side of a walk way (not shown).

In the Figure 3 embodiment, the pulleys 36, 39 are connected directly to the pulleys 44, 45 which engage the safety lines 46, 47 and the lengths 32, 37 of the lanyard 32 are encased for the lower part of their length in unconnected tubular sheath sections 48, forming one leg of the tether, as are the lengths 38, 40. Straps 37a, 38a are provided on the lengths 37,38 to limit travel through the pulley 31.

In both versions, traction, such as caused by a user leaning or stumbling to one side or the other can be compensated.

Further, in Figure 3, straps 49, 50 are provided on the respective lengths 37, 38 of the lanyard to limit the travel of the lanyard over the pulley 31.

In addition, the fabric of the straps 14, 15 of the belt 10, particularly within the tunnel 19, introduce friction to resist movement of the belt and so tend to retard any tumbling, enabling possible recovery by the user.

The safety apparatus may comprise a harness, equipped with shoulder straps, and have a body part fitted with the straps 14, 15. CkimQ

Claims

1. Safety apparatus comprising a tether for attachment to a belt or

harness for wear by a user, and to one or more safety lines, wherein the belt comprises one or a pair of straps secured to the belt and looped through a buckle so as to be interactive, the ends of the straps being adapted for connection to the tether.

2. Safety apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tether comprises a connector member and two lanyard assemblies connected to said member, each lanyard member having means for engaging with a respective safety line and the lanyard members being at least partially comprised by a cord member, each end of the cord member being attached to the connector member, and a connecting portion extending through the connector member to connect the two lanyard members.

3. Safety apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the connecting portion of the cord is guided over a pulley in the connector member.

4. Safety apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the connector member is formed as a pulley block.

5. Safety apparatus according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the tether comprises two limbs, each comprised partially of the respective lanyard member comprising a double pass of the cord, and a leg part of wire rope, steel tube, or the like, connected to the cord by means of the cord; being reeved about a pulley which is in turn connected to the leg part.

6. Safety apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the ends of the leg parts are each equipped with a pulley or runners to fit over and run along the respective safety lines or rods.

7. Safety apparatus according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein each limb of the tether is comprised of a plurality of support tubes which form a loosely articulated sectional sheath in which two passes of the cord forming the lanyard is guided, from the end fixed to the connector member, to a pulley at the outer end of the limb, back to the connection member to be continuous with the cord in the other limb of the tether.

8. Safety apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the end of each leg has a double pulley block with one pulley for the cord and the other for the safety line or rod.

9. Safety apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the belt or harness is a fastenable girdle, with snap or buckle connectors.

10. Safety apparatus according to any one of claims I to 9, wherein the belt or harness is a step-in tubular assembly.

11. Safety apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the belt or harness is provided with guide-means for guiding and retaining the straps.

12. Safety apparatus according to claim ii, wherein the guide means comprises a fabric tunnel extending over a substantial segment of the girth of the belt, and within which a buckle is disposed to be movable by fraction on the free end of either of the straps.

13. Safety apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings.