Posts for use in fall protection

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10569111-B2
Application number	US-201214128427-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 20, 2012
Priority date	Jun 23, 2011
Publication date	Feb 25, 2020
Grant date	Feb 25, 2020

Abstract

A post system for use in fall protection includes a connector to connect to a structure and a support in operative connection with a lifeline to maintain the lifeline at a first height above the structure. When a first threshold force is experienced on the lifeline, the support is operable to lower the lifeline to a second height which is lower than the first height. The ratio of a change in effective length of the lifeline resulting from the lowering of the lifeline to a change in height resulting from lowering of the lifeline (or the ΔL/ΔH ratio) is less than 1. The ratio of the change in effective length of the lifeline resulting from the lowering of the lifeline to the change in height resulting from lowering of the lifeline may also be less than 0.5 or less than 0.4.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A post system for use in fall protection, comprising:
a connector to connect to a structure, a support in operative connection with a lifeline to maintain the lifeline at a first height above the structure until a first threshold force is experienced on the lifeline, upon experiencing the threshold force the support being operable to lower the lifeline to a second height which is lower than the first height, a ratio of a change in effective length of the lifeline resulting from the lowering of the lifeline to a change in height resulting from lowering of the lifeline being less than 1, and an energy absorber connected to the lifeline;
wherein the support comprises a moveable member to which the lifeline is connected, the movable member moving relative to the structure upon the lifeline experiencing the first threshold force to lower the lifeline to the second height;
wherein the moveable member pivots from a first position to a second position upon the lifeline experiencing the threshold force to lower the lifeline to the second height;
wherein the moveable member is maintained in the first position by at least one breakable connector which breaks upon the lifeline experiencing the first threshold force to enable the moveable member to pivot to the second position,
wherein the energy absorber comprises a metal strap comprising a first end section, a second end section, and an intermediate section between the first end section and the second end section, the strap comprising a generally U-shaped slot passing through the strap in the first end section that separates the first end section into a first connector section and a second connector section, the first connector section and the second connector section being deformed to extend in different directions away from one another, a portion of the intermediate section of the strap being coiled in a spiral fashion inside a remainder of the intermediate section of the strap;
wherein the first connector section is connected to the lifeline and the second connector section is in operative connection with the structure;
wherein at least a portion of the energy absorber is positioned on the movable member, further comprising a post member connected to the structure via the connector and extending from the structure, the support comprising a stationary member attached to the post member, wherein the moveable member is pivotably connected to the stationary member;
wherein the first connector section of the energy absorber extends over a first end of the movable member to connect to the lifeline and a second end of the movable member is pivotably connected to the stationary member; and
wherein the second connector section extends around the second end of the movable member and between the stationary member and the post member, the second connector section and stationary member being connected to the post member via a connector passing through a passage in the second connector section and through a passage in the stationary member.

2. The post system of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate section of the energy absorber comprises a first path of relatively reduced strength beginning at a first end of the U-shaped slot and a second path of relatively reduced strength beginning at a second end of the U-shaped slot so that tearing occurs along the first path and the second path upon deformation of the energy absorber.

3. The post system of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion begins to tear or uncoil at a second threshold force that is greater than the first threshold force.

4. The post system of claim 2 , wherein the intermediate portion begins to tear or uncoil at a second threshold force that is greater than the first threshold force.

5. The post system of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate post system is positioned along the lifeline at a position wherein the lifeline forms an angle of less than a predetermined angle.

6. The post system of claim 5 , wherein the intermediate post system comprises a tilting post member.

Assignees

• Montgomery Brian C
• Patton Justin Shane
• Anderson Preston L
• Honeywell Int Inc

Inventors

• Montgomery Brian C
• Patton Justin Shane
• Anderson Preston L

Classifications

• A62B35/0068

  Anchors · CPC title

• A62B35/04 Primary

  incorporating energy absorbing means · CPC title

• A62B35/0093

  Fall arrest reel devices · CPC title

• E04G21/329

  with measures for dampening the fall · CPC title