Fall protection compliance system and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11745035-B2
Application number	US-202016742381-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 14, 2020
Priority date	Jan 14, 2019
Publication date	Sep 5, 2023
Grant date	Sep 5, 2023

Abstract

A connector for a fall protection compliance system includes a frame having an opening and a connection area configured for receiving a connection structure therein and a connection sensor assembly associated with the frame. The connection sensor assembly includes at least one permanent magnet configured for generating a magnetic field within at least a portion of the connection area, at least one magnetometer configured for detecting a presence or an absence of a disturbance in the magnetic field, and a control device having at least one processor programmed or configured to receive connection data from the at least one magnetometer, determine a connection status of the connector based on detecting the presence or the absence of the disturbance in the magnetic field, and perform at least one action based on the connection status. A method for detecting connection of a connector to a connection structure is also disclosed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A computer-implemented method for detecting connection of a connector to a connection structure, the connection structure having a connection loop, a connection anchor, and a passive identification element laterally disposed on a crossbar between the connection loop and the connection anchor so as to spatially separate the connection loop from the connection anchor, the connector comprising a frame having an opening and a connection area configured for receiving the connection structure therein and a connection sensor assembly associated with the frame, the connection sensor assembly comprising at least one short-range wireless communication antenna configured for gathering connection data based on detecting a presence or an absence of the passive identification element on the connection structure when the connection structure is received within the connection area of the frame, the method comprising:
receiving, with a control device comprising at least one processor, the connection data gathered by the connection sensor assembly;
determining, with the control device, a connection status of the connector based on the connection data; and
performing, with the control device, at least one action based on the connection status.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein performing the at least one action includes providing at least one of a visual indication, an audio indication, and a tactile indication based on the connection status.

3. A connector for a fall protection compliance system, the connector comprising:
a frame having an opening and a connection area configured for receiving a connection structure therein, the connection structure having a connection loop, a connection anchor, and a passive identification element laterally disposed on a crossbar between the connection loop and the connection anchor so as to spatially separate the connection loop from the connection anchor; and
a connection sensor assembly associated with the frame, the connection sensor assembly comprising:
at least one short-range wireless communication antenna configured for gathering connection data based on detecting a presence or an absence of the passive identification element on the connection structure when the connection structure is received within the connection area of the frame; and
a control device comprising at least one processor programmed or configured to:
receive the connection data from the at least one short-range wireless communication antenna;
determine a connection status of the connector based on the connection data; and
perform at least one action based on the connection status.

4. The connector according to claim 3 , wherein detecting the presence of the passive identification element is indicative of a presence of an approved connection structure, and wherein detecting the absence of the passive identification element is indicative of an absence of the approved connection structure.

5. The connector according to claim 3 , wherein the connection status comprises a connected status indicative of a presence of an approved connection structure, and a disconnected status indicative of an absence of the approved connection structure.

6. The connector according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one action includes providing at least one of a visual indication, an audio indication, and a tactile indication based on the connection status.

7. The connector according to claim 3 , wherein the connection sensor assembly further comprises a communication interface, and wherein the at least one action includes transmitting the connection status to a remote device using the communication interface.

8. A fall protection compliance system comprising:
a connection structure having a connection loop, a connection anchor, and an identification element disposed on a deflectable element in the connection loop;
a frame having an opening and a connection area configured for receiving a connection structure therein; and
a connection sensor assembly associated with the frame, the connection sensor assembly comprising:
at least one short-range wireless communication antenna configured for gathering connection data based on detecting a presence or an absence of the identification element on the connection structure when the connection structure is received within the connection area of the frame; and
a control device comprising at least one processor programmed or configured to:
receive the connection data from the at least one short-range wireless communication antenna;
determine a connection status of the connector based on the connection data; and
perform at least one action based on the connection status.

9. The system according to claim 8 , wherein detecting the presence of the passive identification element is indicative of a presence of an approved connection structure, and wherein detecting the absence of the passive identification element is indicative of an absence of the approved connection structure.

10. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one action includes providing at least one of a visual indication, an audio indication, and a tactile indication based on the connection status.

11. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the connection status comprises a connected status indicative of a presence of an approved connection structure, and a disconnected status indicative of an absence of the approved connection structure.

12. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the deflectable element is paddle-shaped.

13. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the deflectable element is configured to pivot around an axis between an undeflected, or closed position and a deflected, or open position.

14. The system according to claim 13 , wherein the deflectable element is biased into the closed position by a biasing mechanism.

15. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the deflectable element is configured to interact with a switch which is used to determine whether the connection structure is connected to the frame.

Assignees

• Msa Technology Llc

Inventors

• Sepe Benjamin T
• Harding Jeffrey F
• Tuell Mitcham C
• Campbell Robert Craig
• Stygar Christopher M
• Rutkowski Peter I

Classifications

• F16B45/023

  the closing member pivoting about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the hook · CPC title

• F16B45/028

  the position-locking means being pivotally connected · CPC title

• A62B35/0075 Primary

  Details of ropes or similar equipment, e.g. between the secured person and the lifeline or anchor · CPC title

• A62B35/0037

  Attachments for lifelines and lanyards (lifelines, lanyards A62B35/0043) · CPC title

• A62B35/0056

  Horizontal lifelines · CPC title