Abstract:
A fall arrest safety net assembly including a bag constructed from one or more wire strands which are turned back upon themselves to form loop members and a plurality of eyes. An elongate line extends through the eyes spaced about the mouth of the bag. The bag includes a slit that separates a first loop member from an adjacent second loop member. The second loop member includes a toggle that is sized to selectively prevent the toggle from exiting an accepting space opening.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This Application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/987,804, filed Sep. 4, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/460,245 filed Jul. 16, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,714,308, issued May 6, 2014, which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a safety net having an attachment device for securing to a construction element particularly for use as a fall arrest apparatus. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    When working at elevated positions, in order to protect anyone below the working position, a safety apparatus should be provided to arrest a fall of debris. Typically a safety net may be suspended just below the working height fastened, for example, to free standing columns or to fixtures mounted to a wall. 
         [0004]    However for permanent fall arrest protection, for instance in engineering facilities having overhead fittings, maintaining a suspended safety net to span the entire overhead area may not be appropriate due to the construction of the facility, the working height, the obstruction it would cause or its cost. There is therefore a need for an improved safety apparatus which addresses these drawbacks, is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and easy to install. It is an object of the present invention to address this need or, more generally, to provide an improved safety net. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In some embodiments a fall arrest safety net assembly includes a bag constructed from one or more wire strands which are turned back upon themselves to form loop members and a plurality of eyes. An elongate line extends through the eyes spaced about the mouth of the bag. The bag includes a slit that separates a first loop member from an adjacent second loop member. The second loop member includes a toggle that is sized to selectively prevent the toggle from exiting an accepting space opening. 
         [0006]    While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
       DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a safety net assembly comprising: a bag constructed of a wire mesh strand, the bag having an open mouth, the bag including a plurality of eyes integral with the wire mesh and spaced circumferentially about the mouth; an elongate line having a first end and a second end, a first line portion and a second line portion of the line being disposed adjacent the first end and the second end respectively, an portion of the line located between the first line portion and the second line portion, and a choker fitting having a spaced apart upper surface and lower surface through which a plurality of apertures or openings extend, and an end fixture on the choker fitting, wherein the first portion of the line is removably connected to the choker fitting, the first end of the line being removably connected to the end fixture of the choker fitting, the intermediate portion of the line extending through the eyes for drawing the mouth closed, and the second portion of the line extending through at least one of the apertures or openings in the choker fitting. 
         [0008]    The first portion of the line provides an elongate flexible member, and while the first portion of the line may be continuous, it may alternatively be interrupted by fasteners, links, or the like, connected to adjacent ends of the line and which can be separated so that the ring may be broken as needed in some installations of the net (which are discussed below). 
         [0009]    Preferably the intermediate portion extends through the plurality of apertures or openings in the choker fitting so that a loop in the line protrudes from each of the upper surface and lower surface of the choker fitting. It will be apparent that two apertures or openings will be sufficient for connection in this manner, however most preferably the plurality of apertures or openings include three apertures or openings through which the line passes sequentially. 
         [0010]    Preferably the line further comprises a terminal eye formed on each of the first end and the second end of the line. The assembly preferably further comprises a spring loaded hook type fastener received in the terminal eye at each of the first end and the second end of the line, the hook type fastener on the first end of the line providing the removable connection to the end fixture of the choker fitting. The spring loaded hook type fastener on the second end of the line may be utilized for connection to any desired structure. 
         [0011]    Preferably the upper surface and the lower surface of the choker fitting are bounded by a first pair of spaced apart side surfaces and a second pair of spaced apart side surfaces which define a region therebetween and the plurality of apertures or openings are within the region of the choker fitting. The choker fitting may be any desired geometric shape as desired for particular applications such as square, rectangular or the like. The end fixture on the choker comprises a end fitting aperture spaced extending through the choker fitting from the upper surface to the lower surface and the end fitting is spaced from the plurality of apertures The hook type fastener on the first end of the line is removably connectable to the first end fitting aperture. Thus, by pulling on one or both of the loops, the circumference of the mouth is decreased to allow a desired fitting configuration. 
         [0012]    Preferably the wire mesh bag is formed from a length of wire strand with fastenings joining portions of the length of wire strand, the length of wire extending from the closed end toward the mouth and being turned back upon itself to form the eyes at the mouth and corresponding eyes at the closed end, each eye at the mouth being fixed by a respective one of said fastenings to the adjacent eye on either side thereof, and each eye at the closed end being fixed by a respective one of said fastenings to the adjacent eye on either side thereof to form the bag. 
         [0013]    The fastenings that join two portions of the length of wire and are preferably all of like type, most preferably being ferrules which are crimped or molded in place. 
         [0014]    Preferably the fastenings joining the eyes at the closed end are more closely spaced along the length of wire than the fastenings joining the eyes at the mouth. 
         [0015]    In another aspect the invention provides a method of securing apparatus mounted overhead upon a construction member, the method comprising: [0014] providing a safety net assembly substantially as described above; introducing the apparatus through the mouth so as to at least partially enclose the apparatus in the wire mesh bag; manipulating the choker fitting and line to close the mouth; looping the second portion about the construction member, and connecting the first portion and the second end by means of a hook fastener. 
         [0016]    The thickness or gauge of the wire mesh strand may be on the order of 0.5 to 1.0 millimeters and the thickness or gauge of the line may be on the order of 1.5 to 2.00 millimeters. 
         [0017]    The present invention also may also include one or more wire mesh extent adjustments. Each of the wire mesh adjustments comprise a short length of auxiliary wire having a first end and a second end and the first end and the second end are secured to the wire mesh strand at, for example, a first section thereof thereby leaving a wire mesh strand accepting space between the auxiliary wire and the wire mesh strand. A second section of the wire mesh strand is passed through the wire mesh strand accepting space and a toggle is coupled to the second section of the wire mesh strand. The toggle is sized so as to prevent the second section from exiting the wire mesh strand accepting space. Thus, the extent of the wire mesh may be reduced by pulling on the second section of the wire mesh strand so that more of the second section extends through the wire mesh strand accepting space thereby reducing the extent of the wire mesh. The auxiliary wire may be the same thickness or gauge as the wire mesh strand and the length thereof may be on the order of five to ten centimeter though heavier or lighter gauges and longer or shorter lengths of the auxiliary wire may be utilized as desired for particular applications. 
         [0018]    The present invention may also include a pair of spaced apart locator tabs. Each of the locator tabs comprises a disc coupled to the wire mesh strand preferably at opposite locations thereon. The locator discs provide a visual indication of the extent of the wire mash bag thereby allowing for proper installation of the wire mesh bag. 
         [0019]    Thus, this invention provides a safety net assembly which is effective and efficient in operational use, and which has an overall simple design which minimizes manufacturing costs and maximizes performance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters refer to similar elements and in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is pictorial view of a first exemplary embodiment of the safety net assembly of the invention in a collapsed state ready to receive an item of value; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of a web of mesh from which the safety net assembly  FIG. 1  is formed; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the safety net assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 4, 5 and 6  are orthogonal end, front and side views respectively of the choker fitting of the safety net assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is an exploded pictorial view of a second exemplary embodiment of the safety net assembly of the invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is an exploded pictorial view of a third exemplary embodiment of the safety net assembly of the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is schematic pictorial view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the safety net of the invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the safety net assembly of the invention installed in use; 
           [0029]      FIGS. 11, 12 and 13  illustrate the structure for forming a wire mesh extent adjustment; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 14 .  15  and  16  illustrate a toggle useful in the practice of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIGS. 17, 18, 19 and 20  illustrate a locator disc useful in the practice of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIGS. 21 and 22  illustrates a choker fitting connection useful in the practice of the present invention; and, 
           [0033]      FIGS. 23, 24 and 25  illustrate various applications of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the drawing, a first embodiment of a safety net assembly includes a wire mesh bag  1  comprised of a wire mesh strand having a narrow closed end  2  and a broader opposing open mouth  3  in which an opening  4  is provided for receiving an apparatus to be secured, such as a light fitting  50  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) mounted overhead on a construction member such as a beam  51 . A line  33  passes in a ring through the eyes  12  of the mouth  3  and cooperates with a choker fitting  52  to draw together the eyes  12  to close the opening  4 . A second end of the line  33  is secured to a structure such as the beam  51  to secure the assembly in place. 
         [0035]    In the first embodiment illustrated the mesh is made from a length of wire strand  5  which may be continuous (i.e. a single length) or discontinuous (for instance, including end-to-end joints) and which provides a degree of flexibility and resilience to the bag  1 , allowing it to be expanded in the transverse direction to accommodate apparatus of varying size, while being readily collapsible. The bag  1  is made from a planar mesh  10 , shown in  FIG. 2 , which is curved or folded about a longitudinal axis  8 ; the transversely opposing edges  6 ,  7  of the mesh  10  are then joined to produce the substantially tapered bag-like form (shown in  FIG. 1  in its collapsed or relaxed state). 
         [0036]    The wire mesh  10  is a non-woven strand type in which portions of the length of wire  5  are joined by fastenings in the form of ferrules  9   a.    9   b,    9   c,    9   d  at nodes of the mesh. The length of wire  5  extends generally longitudinally and is turned back upon itself and joined by ferrules  9   c  to form eyes  11  at the first edge  23  of the mesh  10 , and by ferrules  9   d  to form eyes  12  at the longitudinally opposing second edge  22  of the mesh  10 . Fastenings in the form of ferrules  9   b  join the adjacent eyes  12  along the second edge  22  and ferrules  9   a  join the adjacent eyes  11  along the along the first edge  23 . 
         [0037]    The mesh  10  may be conveniently manufactured by winding the length of wire  5  between pegs  27  spaced apart in two parallel lines, the lines being spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (relative to the mesh  10 ). The length of wire  5  is wound about the pegs in a zigzag pattern, alternating in direction when it is turned back upon itself around each peg  27 . To then form the bag  1  from the mesh  10  of  FIG. 2 , the mesh  10  is removed from the pegs  27  curved about the longitudinal axis  8 . Portions  14  and  15  of the outermost first edge eyes  11  are then joined by a ferrule (not shown) such that each eye  11  is fixed by a ferrule to the adjacent eye on either side thereof. In like manner the ends  16 ,  17  of the length of wire  5  are joined by a ferrule (not shown) such that each eye  12  along the second edge  22  is fixed by a ferrule to the adjacent eye on either side thereof. In addition a further ferrule (not shown) joins portions  18  and  19  on opposing transverse edges of the mesh  10  to form the substantially axisymetrical bag  1 . As best seen in  FIG. 3 , all the eyes  11  are joined in a first ring  29  to form a closed end of the bag  1 . All the eyes  12  are joined in a second ring  30  which forms the opening  4 . 
         [0038]    To produce a bag  1  shaped to taper outwardly from the closed end  2  toward the open mouth  3 , the transverse dimension of the second edge  22  exceeds that of the first edge  23 . To achieve this, the eyes  12  are larger than the eyes  11  and the ferrules  9   a  joining the eyes  11  are spaced more closely apart (by dimension  24  measured along the length of wire  5 ) than the ferrules  9   b  joining the eyes  12  on the second edge  22  (which are spaced by dimension  25  measured along the length of wire  5 ). 
         [0039]    The choker fitting  52  shown in detail in  FIGS. 4-6 , is formed from a substantially rectangular stainless steel sheet having an upper surface  53  and a lower surface  54 . On one side of the choker fitting  52  is an end fixture  55 , while on the opposite side are three circular apertures or openings  56 ,  57 ,  58  extending through the choker fitting  52  from the upper surface  53  to the lower surface  54 . The choker fitting  52  is bounded by a first pair of spaced apart edge surfaces  59   a  and  59   b  and a second pair of edge surfaces  60   a  and  60   b  which define a choker fitting region  52 ′ therebetween. The apertures or openings  56 ,  57  and  58  are sized to receive the line  33 . A first line end fixture  55  is provided on the choker fitting  52  and the first line end fixture  55  in the preferred embodiment is first line end receiving aperture  65  extending through the choker fitting  52  from the upper surface  53  to the lower surface  54  and the first line receiving aperture is spaced from the apertures  56 ,  57  and  58 . 
         [0040]    If desired, on the front face  53  are textual indicia  80  including an “Expiry date” marking  81  located adjacent a blank area  82  where a date can be permanently marked, by engraving, etching, stamping of the like, to notify users of the end of the working life of the product. 
         [0041]    The line  33  has a first end  70  which is removably connected to the choker fitting  52  by a end hook fastener  70 ′ mounted on a terminal eye  73  and the hook fastener  70 ′ is coupled to the line receiving aperture  65 . A second end  72  of the line  33  opposite the first end  70  includes a terminal eye  73 ′ similar to the terminal eye  73  and a second end hook fastener  70 ″ connected to the terminal eye  73 ′. The first end hook fastener  70 ′ and the second end hook fastener  70 ″ may D ring type fasteners as shown on  FIGS. 7 and 8  or may be carabineer type fasteners as shown on  FIGS. 21 and 22  though other types of fasteners suitable for the purpose may be utilized in particular applications as desired. 
         [0042]    A first portion  74  of the line  33  adjacent the first end  70  extends from the end fixture  55  in a ring through the eyes  12  for drawing the mouth  3  closed. A second portion  78  of the line  33  extends from the choker fitting  52  to the second end  72 . An intermediate portion  75  of the line  33  is located between the first line portion  74  and second line portion  78 , and passes sequentially through the openings  56 ,  57 ,  58  in the choker fitting. As shown in dashed outline in  FIG. 6 , a first loop  76  of the line extends through the openings  57 ,  58  to protrude from of the upper surface  53 , while a second loop  77  extending between openings  56  and  57  protrudes from the lower surface  54 . 
         [0043]    The line  33  and the length of the wire strand of the mesh bag  1  are preferably twisted stainless steel wire cables for corrosion resistance. The wire mesh may be formed of wire strand having a gage or thickness in the range of 0.5 millimeters to 1.0 millimeters and wire  33  may be formed of a wire having a gage or thickness of 1.5 millimeters to 2.0 millimeters though larger or smaller gauges may be selected for the wire mesh strand and the wire  33  as desired for particular applications. The other components, such as the ferrules  9   a ,  9   b,    9   c,    9   d  and the hook fasteners  70 ′ and  70 ″ are also formed of stainless steel. 
         [0044]      FIG. 7  shows an exploded view of a second embodiment of the safety net assembly employing the line  33  and choker  52  of the first embodiment, but wherein the bag  101  is assembled from a folded main panel  90  and two like end panels  91 . The panels  90 ,  91  are each formed of a flexible wire mesh, and may each be formed initially as a planar mesh from a single of wire joined at nodes of the mesh by ferrules, or molded beads etc. The main panel  90  is a rectangular panel folded in a curve and includes rows of eyes  92 ,  93  along longitudinally opposite transverse edges which, when the panel  90  is folded in a curve as shown are brought together to form opposing sides of the mouth  4 , the curved central section of panel  90  forming the closed end  2 . The panels  91  have a row of eyes  94  along one edge and are shaped with an arcuate opposing edge complementary to the form of the panel  90 . Each end panels  90  is fixed about its peripheral edge, as by ferules or the like, to a long edge of the panel  91 , such that the rows of eyes  92 ,  93 ,  94  are generally coplanar, the eyes being spaced about the periphery of the mouth  4 . In like manner to the first embodiment, the line  33  passes from the choker fitting  52  through the eyes  92 ,  93 ,  94  and back to the choker fitting  52 , for drawing the mouth  3  of the bag  101  closed. 
         [0045]    A third embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 8  and includes panels  90 ,  91 ,  111  each formed from a flexible wire mesh. The panels  111 , like the panels  91  the second embodiment, have a row of eyes  94  along one edge and are shaped with an arcuate opposing edge complementary to the form of the panel  90 . The panel  111  further includes a slit  112  in the fabric of the mesh (where adjacent wire loops are disconnected). The slit  112  extends longitudinally down from the row of eyes  94  to an intermediate position in the panel. The end panel  111  is otherwise of like construction to the panels  91  and is fixed about its peripheral edge to a long edge of the panel  91 , in like manner to the second embodiment. The ring-shaped first portion  74  has a fastener  110  connected in the line  33 , allowing the ring to be opened and closed. As shown, the fastener  110  may be a carabineer joining permanent eyes formed in the first portion. 
         [0046]    In  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the first end hook fastener  70 ′ is shown disconnected from the aperture  65  in the choke  52  for clarity and is shown connected to the aperture  65  in choke  52  in  FIGS. 21 and 22 . In  FIG. 22 , the intermediate portion  78  of the wire  33  is shown wrapped and around the  51  and the second end hook fastener such as the carabineer  70 ″ is connected to the wire  33  as indicated at  77  in  FIG. 22 . and in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0047]    In a fourth embodiment the net of the invention, shown in  FIG. 9 , is formed from a single generally rectangular panel of flexible wire mesh. Like the second and third embodiments, a folded central part of the panel forms the closed end  2  and the opposing short edges of the panel bound the periphery of the open mouth  3 , the line  33  passing from the choker fitting  52  through the eyes  92 ,  93  and back to the choker fitting  52 , for drawing the mouth  3  closed. The two halves of the long edge on one side of the panel are connected by joining line  115 . The two halves  116 , 117  of the opposing long edge of the panel are not joined, and define a slit  112  extending from the mouth  3  down one side of the bag toward the closed end  2 , in like manner to the third embodiment of  FIG. 8 . 
         [0048]    In use, as best seen in  FIG. 10 , the components of the light fitting  50  are first introduced through the open mouth  3  thereby substantially enclosing the light fitting in the bag  1 . By then manipulating the choker fitting to draw the line through the openings  56 ,  57 ,  58  the ring-shaped first line portion  74  is reduced in size to close the mouth  3 . The second portion  78  of the line  33  is then looped about the construction member  51 . A hook fastener  88  (such as a carabineer having a hinged gate and screw closure) is inserted through the terminal eye  73 ′ and through the ring-shaped first line portion  74  to secure the assembly. When the third embodiment is used a member  113  (such as the power cable shown in phantom in  FIGS. 9 and 10 ) which protrudes through the bag may be received in the slit  112 , while still closing the mouth  3 . The fastener  110  is positioned proximate the slit  112  and opened to break open the ring and allow entry of the member  113  into the slit  112 . By reconnecting the fastener  110 , the mouth can then be drawn closed, to the same degree as the second embodiment, substantially enclosing the light fitting  50 . 
         [0049]    In some applications of the present invention it may be desirable to provide indicator tabs on the wire mesh. One or more such indicator tabs may be incorporated in each of the present invention described herein or any other variation of the structure of the present invention as desired for particular applications. Two such locator tabs  130  are shown on  FIG. 1  at locations indicated at  132  and  134  which are, preferably 180.degree. apart and are applied to the wire mesh bag  1  where two nodes of the wire mesh bag are adjacent to each other and may be utilized thereat in place of the ferules such as ferules  9   a,    9   b,    9   c  and/or  9   d.  so as to indicate the extent of the wire mesh bag  1  to allow for careful installation thereof.  FIGS. 17, 18 and 19  illustrate the structural details of the locator disc  130  and  FIG. 20  illustrates the assembly of the locator tab  130  on two adjacent nodes  150  and  152  of the wire mesh strand. As shown thereon, each locator tab  130  has a generally circular, disc like body member  134  though other geometric shapes may be provided for particular applications. A clamping member  139  is comprised of a pair of legs  140  and  142  which are coupled to the upper surface  136  of the body member  134 . Each of the legs  140  and  142  have a curved upper end  140 ′ and  142 ′. After installation on the adjacent nodes of the wire strands of the bag  1 , a force indicated by the narrow F is applied to the legs  140  and  142  bending them down towards the upper surface  136  of the disc like body member  134  to clamp the adjacent nodes  150  and  152  of the wire mesh strand of the bag  1  to the upper surface  136 . 
         [0050]    The present invention may also include structure for increasing or decreasing the size of the bag  1  in order to accommodate various sized apparatus such as the light fitting  50  ( FIG. 10 ) to provide a close or loose fit with respect thereto.  FIGS. 11, 12 and 13  illustrate a preferred form of the structure  160  for varying the extent of the wire mesh bag  1  and may be installed, for example, in place of one or more of the ferules  9   d  between ferules  9   c  and  9   b  shown on  FIG. 2  and may be incorporated in any of the embodiments described herein. As shown in  FIGS. 11, 12 and 13  a short length of an auxiliary wire  162  having a first end  162 ′ and a second end  162 ″. The auxiliary  162 ′ is coupled at the first end  162 ′ and second end  162 ″ to a first strand section  164  of the wire mesh of bag  1  by, for example, tape indicated at  166  to define a wire mesh strand accepting space opening indicated a L therebetween. A second strand section  168  of the wire mesh of bag  1  which is adjacent the first strands section  164  is pulled through the opening L. A toggle  170  is fixed to the second strand section  168  as indicated at  173  to lie over and across the opening L and is sized to prevent the toggle  170  from being pulled through the opening L.  FIG. 12  shows the second strand section pulled through the space L a desired amount and any amount of the wire strand of the mesh may be so pulled through thereby decreasing the extent of the bag  1 .  FIG. 13  shows the structure  160  where the second strand  168  is pulled down so the toggle  170  is bearing against the auxiliary wire  162  and the first strand section  164  across the opening L to provide the maximum extent to the bag  1 . 
         [0051]      FIGS. 14, 15   16  illustrate the toggle  170  of the structure  160 . The toggle  170  is a generally solid cylinder having an axis  175  and an axial length B with rounded ends  170 ′ and  170 ″. A wire strand accepting aperture  172  is provided to extend through the toggle  170  and the second strand  168  is positioned in the aperture  172  and is fixed, for example by crimping to provide a permanent attachment therebetween. As noted above, the axial length B is selected so that the toggle  170  cannot fit through the opening L. 
         [0052]    The mesh bag of the present invention is adaptable to accommodate a wide variety of fixtures other than the generally rectangular prism shape of the electrical fitting  50  shown in  FIG. 10 .  FIGS. 23, 24 and 25  illustrate a few of the shapes of fixtures that may be safely enclosed by the mesh bag of the present invention.  FIG. 23  shows the bag  1  enclosing a closed circuit TV camera  190 .  FIG. 24  shows the bag  1  enclosing a navigation/strobe warning light  192  and  FIG. 25  shows the bag  1  enclosing a speaker/horn  194 . 
         [0053]    While particular embodiments and applications of the present invention have been above described and illustrated, the present invention is not limited to the precise construction and arrangements disclosed. Those persons knowledgeable in the art may conceive of certain modifications, changes and variations in the detailed embodiments disclosed above as illustrative, to suit particular circumstances or products to be formed. The invention is therefore not intended to be limited to the preferred embodiments depicted, but only by the scope of the appended claims and the reasonably equivalent apparatus and methods to those defined therein.