WO2020201852A1 - Dispositif d'urgence pour secourir des personnes à partir de structures suspendues - Google Patents

Dispositif d'urgence pour secourir des personnes à partir de structures suspendues Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020201852A1
WO2020201852A1 PCT/IB2020/051849 IB2020051849W WO2020201852A1 WO 2020201852 A1 WO2020201852 A1 WO 2020201852A1 IB 2020051849 W IB2020051849 W IB 2020051849W WO 2020201852 A1 WO2020201852 A1 WO 2020201852A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
weight
pilot line
ring
casing
line
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2020/051849
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Pietro Binda
Andrea Merello
Antonio TOPPI
Original Assignee
Harken Italy S.P.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Harken Italy S.P.A. filed Critical Harken Italy S.P.A.
Priority to EP20714279.5A priority Critical patent/EP3906097B1/fr
Publication of WO2020201852A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020201852A1/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B1/00—Devices for lowering persons from buildings or the like
    • A62B1/06—Devices for lowering persons from buildings or the like by making use of rope-lowering devices
    • A62B1/18—Other single parts for rope lowering-devices, e.g. take-up rollers for ropes, devices for shooting ropes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B35/00—Safety belts or body harnesses; Similar equipment for limiting displacement of the human body, especially in case of sudden changes of motion
    • A62B35/0043—Lifelines, lanyards, and anchors therefore
    • A62B35/0075—Details of ropes or similar equipment, e.g. between the secured person and the lifeline or anchor

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns a device mountable on suspended structures, for example the cabins of aerial lifts, walkways, bridges, cranes, nacelles of wind generators, or buildings, for allowing rescuers to rescue people in case of emergency.
  • CN-A-106390309 describes a release system of a rescue rope initially coiled on a spool, to which a person can anchor himself with a harness for lowering himself down.
  • the system is fastened to the structure of a building to allow the evacuation, in case of a fire for example, without using stairs or elevators.
  • EP 230965 describes a device worn by the single user, in the shape of a backpack or pouch for example, and containing a rescue rope, a harness and a mountaineering descender for lowering oneself along the rescue rope at a controlled speed.
  • GB 2525168 describes an emergency bag-shaped device, in which a rescue rope is arranged.
  • the accessible end of the rescue rope ends with a ring that can be fastened to the structure that needs to be evacuated. Once the ring has been fastened to the structure, the bag can be made to fall to completely deploy the rescue rope.
  • an aerial-lift cabin of the type used to transport skiers on top of a mountain, stops from time to time, with no possibility to operate it manually and to bring it back to the station downstream.
  • a guide will climb up the supporting pillar arranged upstream from the cabin and will then come down along the cable of the aerial- lift cabin until reaching the metal arm supporting the cabin and, therefore, the cabin itself.
  • the guide carries the rope that will have to be lowered from each cabin. Once the guide has reached the cabin, he will fasten the rescue rope and make it fall to the ground.
  • the rescue rope reaches the ground, allowing at least one other guide to hoist himself on board of the cabin, where he will harness the passengers, fasten them to the rescue rope and control their descent, one by one.
  • the rescuers on the ground generally use manual ascent devices for climbing up the rope, or a device of the type described in EP2482932, in the name of the Applicant.
  • the rescuers could however decide to carry out the rescue operations as previously described, using their own equipment, whose status and maintenance they know. In other words, rescuers want to use their own ropes and do not trust the ropes whose wear status they do not know; often, rescuers refuse to use third-party ropes.
  • the same dynamics can also be found on cranes with suspended control cabins: the rescue of the crane operator through the crane ladder may not be easy or possible, for example if the crane operator were to have a sudden health condition.
  • the same considerations can be made if the maintenance operator of a nacelle of a wind generator, or an occupant of a construction site or building, has to be rescued.
  • EP-A-0116102 describes a building evacuation assistance apparatus.
  • the apparatus comprises a carriage movable on tracks and an arm mounted on the carriage and flippable from a vertical position to a horizontal position.
  • a roller in which a rescue rope is twisted, is mounted on the arm.
  • a weight is hung up on the roller by means of the rescue rope. During use, the weight is released and falls by gravity, supported by the rescue rope unrolling from the roller: the fall of the weight is controlled and, in particular, is braked (page 2, paragraph 1 ).
  • US 4598793 describes a descent assistance device.
  • the device comprises a bracket on which there is a roller, a weight that can be released and a rope twisted on the roller and connected to the weight. The release of the
  • WO 2007/004934 describes a building evacuation method that provides the use of ground vehicles, on the road, and of ropes constrained to the vehicles.
  • US 20015/136525 describes a method for hoisting people up buildings.
  • the method provides for the use of a carriage in which people are accommodated and for the raising of the carriage along the facade of the building by exploiting the thrust generated by a vehicle; the carriage is raised by the vehicle by means of a rope returned back to a drum arranged on the building, for example on the roof.
  • the vehicle is provided with a motorized roller and the rope, defining a ring, is twisted on the roller and on the drum.
  • the international patent application PCT/IB2018/057817 in the name of the Applicant, describes an emergency device activatable to help the rescuers on the ground rescue people from a suspended or elevated structure or building, without having rescuers climb up the structure and possibly by using a rescue rope of the same rescuers.
  • the device comprises a fairlead ring that can be fastened to the suspended or elevated structure, a weight releasable in free fall by a person to be evacuated, and a pilot line constrained to the weight.
  • the pilot line is relatively thin and flexible, and is used to allow to hoist a rope adapted for the rescue, i.e. a rope able to support the weight of an adult person.
  • the pilot line is constrained to the weight and is doubled through the fairlead ring, i.e. both ends of the line are constrained to the weight and the pilot line passes through the fairlead ring.
  • This aspect is important: making the pilot line pass through the fairlead ring and simultaneously making its ends accessible to rescuers, allows to use the pilot line for the object for which it is intended, i.e. as a line to hoist a certified rescue rope.
  • the fall of the weight to the ground determines the deployment of the pilot line, and the rescuers can use it to hoist a rescue rope adapted to support one or more persons, by using the fairlead ring as a return.
  • the Applicant has found the following drawback in the use of devices such as those described: it can happen that the rescue rope twists on itself, thus making the intervention of the rescuers difficult; the same drawback can also occur for the pilot line described in PCT/IB2018/057817.
  • the rescuers In order to be able to hoist the rescue rope, the rescuers must first deploy the twisted pilot line and, similarly, they must first deploy the rescue rope before hoisting themselves or the equipment on the rescue rope. This operation, which is carried out manually by spreading out the edges of the rope or line on the ground, requires time and can be uncomfortable if there is little space available.
  • Object of the present invention is therefore to provide an emergency device that allows to overcome the described drawback, i.e. that allows to quickly intervene for deploying the rescue rope or pilot line when they are twisted.
  • the present invention therefore concerns an emergency device according to claim 1.
  • the emergency device can be activated to help the rescuers on the ground to rescue people from a suspended or elevated structure, and comprises:
  • pilot line constrained to the weight and doubled through the fairlead ring, i.e. both ends of the pilot line are constrained to the weight, and the pilot line passes through the fairlead ring.
  • the fall of the weight determines the deployment of the pilot line, whose function is to allow rescuers to hoist a rescue rope.
  • the fairlead ring is mounted rotatable on itself, i.e. on a plane orthogonal to the extended pilot line, and this characteristic allows to disentangle the pilot line or rescue rope whenever they should be twisted on themselves. Thanks to the fact that the fairlead ring is rotatable on a vertical axis, the rescuers on the ground can disentangle the pilot line or rescue rope by simply moving the respective ends away and by causing the rotation of the fairlead ring.
  • the fairlead ring is rotatable on the axis of the pilot line, which means that when the pilot line is released and extends vertically, the fairlead ring rotates on a vertical axis and this allows, as specified above, to separate the two ends of the pilot line whenever, during the fall, they should have tangled.
  • the solution proposed intends to have a fairlead ring free to rotate on the axis of the pilot line, i.e. on a plane orthogonal to the axis of the pilot line, without obstacles and without being subjected to return forces.
  • the device comprises an anti-twist element functionally interposed between the suspended or elevated structure and the fairlead ring.
  • the fairlead ring is supported by the anti-twist element rotatable on a vertical axis (the axis of the extended pilot line) just to allow the rescuers to disentangle the pilot line, or rescue rope, possibly twisted on itself, by grabbing and moving the respective ends away.
  • the anti-twist element is configured like a swivel or fishing swivel.
  • the device comprises a rigid or flexible anchoring element for anchoring the fairlead ring to the suspended or elevated structure, for example a belt, a cable, or a rigid element.
  • the anchoring element is adapted to support the weight of one or more persons.
  • the fairlead ring is mounted rotatably with respect to the anchoring element, on a vertical axis, to allow to disentangle the pilot line or rescue rope.
  • the device comprises a pin element constrained to the suspended or elevated structure, directly or by means of a rigid or flexible anchoring element, such as the one described above.
  • the fairlead ring is rotatably supported by the pin element, so that to be free to rotate in two rotation directions on the pin element.
  • the pin element is oriented vertically with respect to the ground.
  • the emergency device can be activated to help the rescuers on the ground rescue people from a suspended or elevated structure or building, without having rescuers climb up the structure and possibly by using a rescue rope of the same rescuers.
  • the pilot line is not adapted to support the weight of an adult, as it is not certified, for example, according to the existing rescue standards, but it is relatively thin and flexible and, in fact, its function is to allow the hoisting of a rescue rope, i.e. a rope adapted for supporting the weight of an adult, a rope certified for this purpose.
  • the pilot line is thin compared to the rescue rope. The fact that the pilot line is thin and flexible allows to have a considerable length of the pilot line in a narrow place, which would not be possible with a rescue rope adapted to support the weight of one or more adults, given that, precisely by virtue of this difference, a rescue rope of the same length would be considerably bigger in size and more rigid compared to the pilot line.
  • the pilot line is constrained to the weight and is doubled through the fairlead ring, i.e. both ends of the line are constrained to the weight and the pilot line passes through the fairlead ring.
  • This aspect is important: making the pilot line pass through the fairlead ring and, simultaneously, making its ends accessible to rescuers, allows to use the pilot line for the purpose for which it is intended, i.e. as a line to hoist a certified rescue rope.
  • the fall of the weight to the ground determines the deployment of the pilot line, and the rescuers can use it to hoist a rescue rope adapted to support one or more persons, by using the fairlead ring as a return.
  • the rescuers connect one end of the pilot line to a certified rescue rope suitable to support one or more persons and pull the other end of the pilot line to hoist the rescue rope and to make it pass through the fairlead ring until it stops at a stop prearranged on the rope, such as a knot or a plate greater in diameter than the fairlead ring for example.
  • the rescuers make the rescue rope slide through the fairlead ring until completely replacing the pilot line, which carried out its function and which must not be used for the rescue, and use the fairlead ring as a return to hoist a rescuer or equipment secured to an end of the rescue rope, by pulling the other end from the ground.
  • the length of the pilot line is equal to at least twice the height to be covered, i.e. the height between the fairlead ring and the lower level (or ground) to which people must be brought.
  • pilot line makes it possible to have a considerable length of the line inside a small volume, a container for example, or inside the weight itself whenever it should also serve as a container. This makes it possible to cover considerable heights and to avoid storing many meters of very thick rescue ropes in the structure. Ultimately, it is possible to cover a height of 20-30 meters inside a volume of the size of a cup.
  • the rescuers can use their own rescue rope, which they know, including its preservation and maintenance status.
  • the device can be activated manually by making the weight fall, or, as will be described hereinafter, the device may be provided with an actuator, which can simply be activated in situ or remotely.
  • the occupants of the cabin can activate themselves the device by making the weight fall to the ground, therefore allowing rescuers to reach the cabin, as described above, without having to reach it by both climbing up the pillar upstream and going down the line of the aerial lift.
  • the device further comprises an anchoring element to anchor to the suspended/elevated structure, selected between a belt, an anchoring cable or a rigid anchoring element, such as a bracket or shaft for example, as described above.
  • the anchoring element is adapted to support the weight of one or more persons and supports the fairlead ring if it isn't directly provided on the suspended/elevated structure.
  • the weight also works as a container: the pilot line is housed in the weight-container and deploys during its fall to the ground.
  • the assembly formed by the belt, or cable, and by the fairlead ring is certified according to the national or international standards on mountain rescue activities, i.e. rescue.
  • the assembly is certified to ensure the support of at least one adult with equipment, i.e. at least 110 kg, even though it is preferably certified for at least 1000 kg or more preferably for at least 2000 kg.
  • the ropes used by rescuers are also certified. Therefore, once the device was activated, the pilot line was replaced by the rescuers who hoisted the rescue rope, which remains hanging from the fairlead ring, the entire assembly only comprising certified elements, a circumstance that simplifies the use of the device, even from a regulatory and insurance point of view.
  • the breaking load of the pilot line is of a maximum of 30 kg.
  • the belt is made of polyester and the cable is a metal cable.
  • the device is provided with a rigid anchoring element, it is, for example, a bracket or a metal shaft.
  • the device comprises a casing in which the weight or weight-container is hermetically inserted to remain protected from the air or atmospheric agents. This makes it possible to protect the pilot line from humidity, water, ice and oxidation, therefore making it possible to also mount the device outdoors, for example on the cabin of an aerial lift, which is notably subjected to extreme meteorological conditions.
  • the weight or weight- container can be manually extracted from the casing, by means of the pressure exerted by a hand for example.
  • the device comprises an actuator prearranged for ejecting the weight or weight-container from the casing in response to a manual command given by the user, by means of a lever, wire, button, chain, etc. for example, or in response to a remote command, by means of a radio command for example.
  • the same actuator is included in the casing, protected against atmospheric agents and selected from the group comprising the mechanical, pneumatic and electric actuators.
  • the actuator is provided with a manual activation system and/or interface to receive a wireless remote activation signal, suitably supplied by the power provided by batteries, by an electric line or, given the reduced power needed, by a dynamo generator activated by the people to be rescued.
  • the actuator comprises a canister of a compressed gas, CO2 for example, and a shut-off valve at the outlet of the canister.
  • the shut-off valve can be operated by the user, for example by means of a button or chain that reaches the inside of the cabin, or remotely, for example by means of a radio signal, for releasing the gas into the casing and for causing the ejection of the weight or weight-container and the deploying of the pilot line.
  • the shut-off valve can be replaced by a device for perforating a membrane constituting the canister itself, therefore allowing the gas to escape.
  • the weight-container is glass-shaped, or cup-shaped, and comprises a retaining ring projecting inwardly.
  • the ends of the pilot line are knotted at the retaining ring and the knot can be untied by a rescuer on the ground to ensure the availability of the two ends. If necessary, as described above, the rescuer manually moves the two ends away to cause the rotation of the fairlead ring on itself, and to disentangle the pilot line. The rescuer therefore ties the rescue rope to an end of the disentangled pilot line and pulls on the other end of the pilot line to hoist the rescue rope, exploiting the fairlead ring of the device, placed at the structure to be evacuated, as a return point.
  • the rescuers can manually move the ends of the rescue rope away to cause the rotation of the fairlead ring and therefore to achieve the correct configuration of use, devoid of twisting.
  • the device comprises a plug fastened to the belt or to the anchoring cable of the structure.
  • the plug hermetically seals the casing when the weight or weight-container is contained therein and is ejected, remaining anchored to the belt or cable, when the device is activated.
  • the pilot line is made of a material selected among the most suitable ones adapted to resist to different climatic conditions, low or high temperatures for example, such as polyester or other synthetic fibers, and its diameter is in the range 1 -5 mm.
  • the rescue rope to be used must comply with the applicable national or international standards. The pilot line could break if subjected to the tractive force exerted by the weight of an adult, whereas the rescue rope is specifically made to support the weight of the equipment and one or more persons.
  • the weight also functions as a container of the pilot line, which deploys during the fall of the weight-container.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an aerial-lift cabin provided with an emergency device according to the present invention, in a no use and standby configuration;
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the cabin shown in figure 1 , with the emergency device according to the present invention activated to open;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the cabin shown in figure 1 , with the emergency device according to the present invention completely open;
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the cabin shown in figure 1 , with the emergency device according to the present invention completely open and used by a rescuer to hoist a rescue cable;
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the cabin shown in figure 1 , with the emergency device according to the present invention completely open and a rescue cable hoisted at the level of the cabin;
  • FIG. 5A is a schematic perspective view of a detail of the emergency device according to the present invention, during use;
  • figure 6 is a schematic and sectional view of the emergency device according to the present invention shown in figure 1 ;
  • figure 7 is a schematic and sectional view of the emergency device according to the present invention shown in the configuration of figure 3;
  • - figure 8 is a schematic and sectional view of the emergency device according to the present invention shown in the configuration of figure 5; - figure 9 is an elevation view of a crane provided with an emergency device according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is an elevation view of a wind generator provided with an emergency device according to the present invention.
  • Figure 1 shows an aerial-lift cabin 1 of the type used for transporting passengers from a downstream station to an upstream station along the line of the aerial lift.
  • An emergency device 2 according to the present invention is arranged on the roof of the cabin.
  • the emergency device 2 comprises a casing 3, of cylindrical shape for example, constrained to the roof of the cabin 1.
  • the components that will be described hereinafter are housed inside the casing.
  • the casing 3 protects the inner components against atmospheric agents; in particular, the casing 3 is closed with a plug 3'.
  • a belt 4 comes out of the casing 3 through a slot obtained in the plug 3', extends to an anchoring point 5 of the cabin 1 and is particularly constrained to a metal ring 5', which is in turn integral with the anchoring point 5.
  • the belt 4 is preferably made of a material selected among synthetic fibers and is adapted to support a tensile load of more than 220 kg, and preferably of more than 1000 kg or 2000 kg.
  • a metal cable ensuring the same tensile strength can be used in alternative to the belt 4.
  • a metal cable, a rigid bracket, a rigid shaft or equivalent elements can be used in alternative to the belt 4.
  • the emergency device 2 is shown in an inactive, unopened, configuration.
  • the aerial lift could stop without a possibility to bring the cabin 1 back to the station downstream.
  • the figures show the cabin 1 locked and suspended with respect to the ground; in this circumstance, the occupants of the cabin 1 must be saved by rescuers, typically mountain guides. In order to allow the rescuers to reach the cabin 1 from the ground, without
  • the emergency device 2 is activated.
  • the device 2 is opening, i.e. it was just activated.
  • the activation can be carried out by an occupant of the cabin 1 or remotely, such as from the control station of the aerial lift for example.
  • the activation of the emergency device 2 causes the ejection of the plug 3' and weight 6 from inside of the casing 3, where they were initially housed, towards the outside.
  • the plug 3' does not free fall, but remains fitted on the belt 4 given a fairlead ring 7, opposite of the anchoring point 5, is present on the belt 4 and the plug 3' is therefore restrained by the fairlead ring 7.
  • the length of the belt 4 is so that, when the emergency device 2 is activated, the fairlead ring 7 is at the cabin 1 , preferably at the height of the windows or the door.
  • the fairlead ring 7 is constrained to it (by interposing an anti-twist element 70).
  • the fairlead ring 7 is directly constrainable to the cabin 1 , for example at its outer surface, on the roof or side walls for example, by taking care to mount the fairlead ring 7 rotatable on itself, on a vertical axis X, for the reasons that will be described hereunder.
  • the weight 6 is free to fall by the effects of gravity.
  • the weight 6 also works to contain a pilot line, or line, 8 and is therefore glass-shaped, or cup-shaped, and defined as a weight- container 6.
  • Figure 3 shows the emergency device 2 activated and completely open.
  • the two insets show blow-ups of the corresponding parts circled with the dotted line in the same figure.
  • the weight-container 6 fell to the ground; the line 8 initially contained in the weight-container 6 deployed and is extending from the fairlead ring 7 up to the weight-container 6 on the ground.
  • the line 8 passes through the fairlead ring 7, through which it slides, and both of its ends 8', 8" are knotted to the weight-container 6, as denoted by the reference number 10.
  • the weight-container 6 in turn comprises a retaining ring 11 and the ends of the line 8 are knotted to this retaining ring 11.
  • the ends of the line 8 can also be fastened to the weight-container 6 in another way, they can be passed through a hole and knotted to prevent them from slipping for example, or they can be glued, fastened with adhesive tape, a pipe clamp, etc.
  • Figure 4 shows a rescuer 12 on the ground.
  • the rescuer frees the line 8 from the weight-container 6, by untying the knot 10, so that to make available the ends 8' and 8" of the line 8.
  • One of the two ends of the line 8, the end 8" for example, is tied to an end 13' of a rescue rope 13.
  • the rescuer 12 hoists the rescue rope 13 by using the fairlead ring 7 as a return.
  • Figure 5 shows the situation in which the rescuer 12 completely hoisted the rescue rope 13: the stop 15 reached the fairlead ring 7 and, having a greater diameter than the latter, does not allow the rescue rope 13 to slip out, i.e. it does not allow the end 13" to slip through the fairlead ring 7.
  • the rescue rope 13 can be used for the vertical ascent, i.e. to allow a rescuer to go up 12 to the cabin 1 and to possibly also bring up the rescue equipment.
  • the rescuer 12 can completely slip out the line 8 and completely replace it with the rescue rope 13, therefore obtaining a complete ground-fairlead ring-ground return for hoisting a rescuer or equipment while operating from the ground.
  • the fairlead ring 7 is rotatable on itself, in particular on a plane orthogonal to the line 8 (extended), i.e. on the axis of the same line 8, so that to allow the rescuer to deploy the line 8 or the rescue rope 13 whenever it is twisted on itself, i.e. exactly when it is twisted as shown in figure 5A on the left, which shows the example of the pilot line 8 with the two halves defining the ends 8' and 8" twisted one on the other.
  • the fairlead ring 7 is connected to the belt 4 by interposing an anti-twist device 70, comprising a second ring 71 and a pin element 72 mounted on the second ring 71 , slidingly for example.
  • the pin element 72 can be directly constrained to the belt 4.
  • the fairlead ring 7 is constrained to the pin element 72 so that to be rotatable with respect to it on the rotation axis X, as shown by the arrows, in both rotation directions.
  • the rescuer grabs the two ends 8' and 8" of the pilot line 8 available on the ground and, by moving away one end 8' with respect to the other end 8", causes the rotation of the fairlead ring 7 on the rotation axis X with respect to the pin element 72, which is substantially vertical, with the consequence that the coils initially present on the pilot line 8 disentangle, thus achieving the correct configuration for hoisting the rescue rope 13, devoid of twisting, as shown on the right.
  • the substantial difference between the line 8 and the rescue rope 13 lies in the fact that the line 8 is thin and flexible and not adapted to support the weight of a person; for example, the line 8 supports a maximum weight of 30 kg.
  • the rescue rope 13 is thick and able to support the weight of one or more persons, and possibly also that of the equipment; for example, the rescue rope 13 is characterized by a breaking load equal to at least 110 kg or more.
  • the line 8, by virtue of the fact that it is thin, occupies little space compared to the rescue rope 13. Therefore, the line 8 can easily be housed in the weight-container 6, i.e.
  • the line 8 is preferably made of a material selected among the most suitable ones adapted to resist to different climatic conditions, low or high temperatures for example, such as polyester or other synthetic fibers, and its diameter is between 1 mm and 5 mm.
  • the length of the line 8 must be sufficient so that to cover twice (up to the fairlead ring 7 and return) the maximum distance of the cabin 1 from the ground, which is known a priori.
  • the rescue rope 13 is a rope of the type typically used by rescuers, by mountain guides for example.
  • the diameter is greater than 8 mm and, also in this case, it is usually made in polyester or other synthetic fibers.
  • the line 8 does not provide a way of ascent per se, but is configured as a pilot line to allow the hoisting of a real rescue rope.
  • a single rescuer 12 on the ground can hoist the rescue rope 13 in a few seconds to create a way of ascent on which a motorized or manual ascent device can be used.
  • the rescuer 12 Upon reaching the cabin 1 , the rescuer 12 prepares himself to safely lower the occupants along the rescue rope 13 or along another rope he brought with him on the cabin 1.
  • the emergency device 2 is connected to the cabin 1 so that the fall of the weight-container 6 occurs longitudinally with respect to the line 9 of the aerial lift, so that the weight-container 6 probably falls in a zone without trees.
  • the emergency device 2 can be mounted on new cabins 1 , but can also easily be mounted on already existing ones, in retrofit.
  • Figures 6-8 show schematic sectional views of the emergency device 2 and help to better understand the operation, also as far as the usable activation means are concerned.
  • Figure 6 shows the device 2 on standby.
  • the line 8 is housed in the weight-container 6, which is in turn inserted into the casing 3, preferably not coiled, but in a progressive way.
  • the activation of the device 2 can be manual, without an actuator, such as with a simple push of a user, for example, to make the weight- container 6 fall down; this way, the device 2 is prearranged in an accessible position for the user, at a window or specific opening of the cabin 1 for example.
  • the device 2 comprises an actuator 16 selected among a mechanic actuator, a pneumatic actuator and an electric or magnetic actuator, and a corresponding activation system.
  • the actuator 14 is pneumatic and comprises a canister 17 containing a compressed gas, air or CO2 for example, and a shut-off valve or a perforation device 18 that shuts off the outlet.
  • the shut-off valve or perforation device 18 can be activated by the user to open the canister 17, therefore releasing the gas inside the casing 3, to cause the ejection of the weight-container 6 as described above and as shown in figure 7.
  • shut-off valve 18 An example of shut-off valve 18 adapted for the purpose is the valve model Micro Manual Inflator manufactured by the Company UML and displayed on the website https://www.uml.co.uk/products.html.
  • Figure 7 shows a device 2 activated and corresponding to the configuration shown in figure 3.
  • the arrows leaving the casing 3 indicate the escape of gas in the atmosphere.
  • the activation system of the actuator comprises a command element 19 that can, in turn, be manual, an electric chain for example, a mechanical button for example, a lever or electronic device for example, a radio command sent from remote for example.
  • the command element 19 can easily be a chain extending from the device 2 into the cabin 1.
  • Figure 8 shows the configuration also shown in figure 5.
  • the canister 17 of the actuator 16 can be replaced with a new and full canister 17.
  • another advantage of the device 2 lies in the fact that, after use, the initial configuration can be reset, i.e. it can be prearranged for a new use in an extremely easy way, by arranging the line 8 in the weight-container 6 and by reinserting the latter in the casing (possibly after having reset the actuator 16).
  • the emergency device 2 can be mounted on suspended or elevated structures, or also on the buildings for which an external access way is desirable.
  • Figure 9 shows an application on a construction crane 20: the device 2 is mounted on the cabin 21 of the crane 20, therefore allowing the operator or maintenance technician to be rescued in case of a sudden health condition.
  • the device 2 can also be mounted on port cranes.
  • Figure 10 shows an application on a wind generator 22: the device 2 is mounted on the nacelle 23 of the wind generator 22, therefore allowing the rescue of the maintenance technician in case of a sudden health condition or to easily hoist equipment on the nacelle, without using the stairs on the pillar of the wind generator 22.

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  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Lowering Means (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif (2) qui peut être disposé dans des structures suspendues ou élevées (1) et qui peut être activé, également à distance, en cas d'urgence pour permettre à un sauveteur (12) de fixer de manière rapide et sûre une corde de sauvetage (13) à la structure (1), et pour permettre la descente contrôlée des personnes à secourir. Le dispositif (2) comprend un boîtier (3) contenant un poids (6) et un anneau (7), ce dernier étant fixé à la structure suspendue (1) au moyen d'un câble en acier, d'une corde, d'une chaîne ou d'une courroie. Le poids (6) est logé dans le boîtier (3) conjointement avec la ligne pilote (8), qui est doublée dans l'anneau (7) et nouée au poids (6) lui-même. La ligne (8) est mince et flexible et n'est pas prévue pour supporter le poids d'une personne; c'est pourquoi une longue section de la ligne (8) est facilement logée dans le boîtier (3). L'activation du dispositif (2) provoque l'éjection du poids (6) du boîtier (3) et l'extension qui s'ensuit de la ligne (8) jusqu'à atteindre le sol; un sauveteur (12) utilise donc la ligne (8) comme ligne pilote (8) pour hisser une corde de sauvetage (13) jusqu'à l'anneau (7). Avantageusement, l'anneau (7) est rotatif sur l'axe de la ligne pilote (8), est par exemple monté sur un élément anti-torsion (70), pour permettre le déploiement de la ligne pilote (8) ou de la corde de sauvetage (13) lorsqu'elles sont torsadées sur elles-mêmes.
PCT/IB2020/051849 2019-04-02 2020-03-04 Dispositif d'urgence pour secourir des personnes à partir de structures suspendues WO2020201852A1 (fr)

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Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0116102A2 (fr) * 1982-12-31 1984-08-22 Gebr. Wahlefeld GmbH & Co. KG Appareil pour l'assistance aux travaux de sauvetage spécialement dans des bâtiments dits gratte-ciels
WO2019111068A1 (fr) * 2017-12-05 2019-06-13 Harken Italy S.P.A. Dispositif d'urgence pour secourir des personnes à partir de structures suspendues

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0116102A2 (fr) * 1982-12-31 1984-08-22 Gebr. Wahlefeld GmbH & Co. KG Appareil pour l'assistance aux travaux de sauvetage spécialement dans des bâtiments dits gratte-ciels
WO2019111068A1 (fr) * 2017-12-05 2019-06-13 Harken Italy S.P.A. Dispositif d'urgence pour secourir des personnes à partir de structures suspendues

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EP3906097A1 (fr) 2021-11-10

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