Abstract:
An anchoring system includes an anchor member to anchor the lifeline and at least one extending unit to extend the anchor member out to a working position beyond (horizontally) and above (vertically) an edge to provide for an overhead anchoring point. The anchoring system preferably further includes a support to which the extending unit is attached. The support immobilizes the overhead anchoring system so that the anchor member remains at the working position (even in the case of a fall by the worker). A method of anchoring a fall protection lifeline for use by a worker working at or beyond an edge includes the steps: elevating an anchor member to position the lifeline above the head of a worker and supporting the anchor member at the working position. The method can also include the step of extending the anchor member to a working position horizontally beyond and above the edge.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to anchor point devices, systems and methods for use in fall protection, and, especially, to mobile, overhead anchoring devices, systems and methods for use by personnel working at an edge, for example, the leading edge of a construction project or other structure. 
   Fall protection systems including safety harnesses and lanyards are commonly used to protect persons subjected to the potential of a fall from a height. Typically, a lifeline or lanyard is connected to an overhead anchorage point on a structure. However, in many cases (for example, leading edge work and work on the highest completed deck of a construction project), suitable overhead fall protection anchorage may not exist. 
   For example,  FIG. 1  illustrates a worker  10  positioned at the leading edge of a portion of a deck of a construction project. In general, in extending the deck in a horizontal direction, lateral I-beams  20  (for example, aluminum I-beams) or other lateral support structures are placed at a predetermined spacing (for example, 16 inches) on beams  30  extending from a more formed or completed section or portion  40  of the decking, and supported by some structure extending to the floor below. 
   Under current practice, workers such as worker  10  are not anchored via a lifeline when working at a leading edge of a construction project as illustrated in  FIG. 1  because there is no suitable anchorage point available. In that regard, as the deck under construction is typically the highest deck of the construction project, there is no suitable overhead anchorage point. 
   It is possible to “horizontally” anchor worker  10  to an anchorage point A positioned generally horizontally or laterally from worker  10  on a completed portion of the decking via a generally horizontally extending lifeline or lanyard  50  which can be part of a retractable lanyard system  60  (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,771,993, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference). An example of a commercially available, retractable lanyard is the MILLER MIGHTYLITE self-retracting lifeline, available from Dalloz Fall Protection of Franklin, Pa. Retractable lanyard systems such as retractable lanyard system  60  typically include a breaking mechanism (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) to arrest the fall of a mass or person attached thereto once an internal, tensioned drum (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) reaches a predetermine angular velocity (corresponding to a certain rate of fall). The drum of self-retractable lanyard system  60  is preferably is under adequate rotational tension (provided, for example, by a spring) to reel up excess extended lifeline  50  without hindering the mobility of the user  10 . Lanyard  50  can, for example, be connected to a D-ring  70  of a safety harness  80  worn by worker  10 . 
   Although a lifeline anchorage as illustrated in  FIG. 1  may provide some level of protection for construction workers working on the leading edge of deck placement or working on the highest completed deck of a construction project, workers falling from the edge of a deck who are tied off to such a lifeline anchorage can suffer injuries if, for example, they swing during or after the fall or if they strike a lower deck or structure extending to the floor below. For example, the worker can be in free fall until at least that time when lanyard  50  falls a distance X to contact the edge of forward beam  20 . In general, only after lanyard  50  contacts beam  20  will the drum of retractable lanyard system experience an angular velocity corresponding to the rate of fall. The fall of worker  10  may not, therefore, be arrested before worker  10  strikes something below. In that regard, lower decks are often only approximately eight to twelve feet below an upper deck under construction. Moreover, with or without use of retractable lanyard system  60 , worker  10  can swing into an obstruction during the fall or after the fall has been arrested. The worker could also strike the support structure for beams  30 . Non-retracting lanyards can be substituted for retractable lanyards, but non-retracting lanyards tend to either limit the mobility of the worker, or allow excessive free fall that is more likely to cause a strike on structure below the work surface. 
   It is desirable, therefore, to develop devices, systems and methods that reduce or eliminate the above problems. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one aspect, the present invention provides an anchoring system including an anchor member to anchor a lifeline and at least one extending unit to extend the anchor member out to a working position beyond (horizontally) and above (vertically) an edge to provide for an overhead anchoring point. The anchoring system preferably further includes a support to which the extending unit is attached. The support immobilizes the overhead anchoring system so that the anchor member remains at the working position (even in the case of a fall by the worker). 
   The extending unit can, for example, include at least two extending members and the anchor member can extend between the two extending members. The anchor member can be of sufficient length to accommodate the lifelines of a plurality of workers. The support can, for example, include an attachment member (for example, a clamp) to fix the anchoring system in a desired position. At least one counterweight can be in operative connection with the support to, for example, prevent tipping of the anchoring system. 
   The support can, for example, include wheels for transport of the anchoring system. Preferably, such a mobile systems includes an immobilizer to fix the anchoring system in a desired position. The immobilizer can, for example, includes at least one jack in operative connection with the support to remove at least part of the weight of the support from at least one of the wheels of the support. In one embodiment, the support rests on a pallet jack to move the anchoring system and to fix the position of the anchoring system. The immobilizer can also include at least one abutment member that abuts a surface of the structure. Alternatively, the immobilizer can include at least one braking unit on at least one of the wheels. 
   In one embodiment, the extending unit includes at least one horizontally extending member to extend the anchor member out to the working position and at least one generally vertically extending member to which the horizontally extending member is attached to elevate the anchor member to the working position. 
   At least one handle can be attached to a mobile support to accommodate manual movement of the anchoring system. The anchoring system can also include lifting attachments to lift the system to a location. The anchoring system can be made to be disassembled for storage or transport. In case of disassembly, each component of the anchoring system can include lifting attachments to facilitate lifting of the system to a location. 
   The system can further include a lifeline and a harness to be worn by the worker. The harness is connectible to the lifeline (via, for example, a D-ring as known in the art). The system can further include a self-retractable lanyard system in which the lifeline is in operative connection. 
   In another aspect, the present invention provides an anchoring system for use in fall protection including an anchor member to anchor a lifeline and at least one extending unit to extend the anchor member to a working position vertically above an edge of a work area to provide for an anchoring point vertically higher than a worker&#39;s head. The anchoring system also includes a support to which the extending unit is attached. The support immobilizes the overhead anchoring system so that the anchor member remains at the working position. 
   In still a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of anchoring a fall protection lifeline for use by a worker working at or beyond an edge. The method includes the steps of elevating an anchor member to position the lifeline above the head of a worker and supporting the anchor member at the working position. The method can also include the step of extending the anchor member to a working position horizontally beyond and above the edge. 
   The present invention thus provides devices, systems and methods for anchoring a lifeline for use in fall protection to an overhead anchor member in situations in which an overhead anchorage is not otherwise available. The anchoring devices and systems of the present invention can, for example, be positioned at the leading edge of a roof or a deck construction, or any unguarded edge, to provide overhead support. 
   The systems and methods of the present invention greatly increase the fall protection for a worker at the leading edge or the top deck of a structure by providing an overhead anchorage for the worker&#39;s lifeline. In general, the present invention is preferably mobile so that it can be positioned in the most favorable location on, for example, a roof or a deck to give a worker an optimal overhead anchorage point. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of worker on the leading edge of a portion of a deck under construction in which the worker is connected to a generally horizontal lifeline anchorage. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of an overhead anchoring system of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the anchoring system of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of the anchoring system of  FIG. 2  showing one configuration of an anchor member that can accommodate two lifelines. 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates a side view of the support of the anchoring system of  FIG. 2  disconnected from the other components thereof. 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates a top view of the support of  FIG. 5A . 
       FIG. 5C  illustrates a side view the generally horizontal extending member of the anchoring system of  FIG. 2  disconnected from the other components thereof. 
       FIG. 5D  illustrates a top view of the generally horizontal extending member of  FIG. 5C . 
       FIG. 5E  illustrates a side view of the generally vertical extending member of the anchoring system of  FIG. 2  disconnected from the other components thereof. 
       FIG. 5F  illustrates a top view of the generally vertical extending member of the anchoring system of  FIG. 5E . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of an anchoring system of the present invention including a support having a pallet jack to mobilize the anchoring system and to immobilize or fix the anchoring system in place. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of an anchoring system of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of the anchoring system of  FIG. 7  in which a breaking system is engaged to fix the anchoring system in place. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of the anchoring system of  FIG. 7  in which the breading system is disengaged to mobilize the anchoring system. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of an anchoring system of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2 through 5F , the present invention provides an overhead anchoring device or system  100  that includes an anchor member  105  attached to one end of a generally horizontally extending member  110 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 2–5F , horizontal extending member  110  includes a first generally horizontal member  112  to which two extending member  114   a  and  114   b  are attached at generally opposing angles in the form of a “Y”. Anchor member  105 , in this embodiment, is a transverse bar extending between the forward end of extending members  114   a  and  114   b . Anchor member  105  can, alternatively, be attached directly to a horizontal extending member such as generally horizontal member  112  in the general form of a “T”. 
   As used herein, the term “forward” refers to a direction toward the anchor member of the anchoring devices or systems of the present invention. The term “rearward”: refers to an opposite direction, away from the anchor member. 
   Generally horizontal extending member  110  is attached at its rearward end to the elevated end of generally vertically extending member  120 . The opposite and lower end of vertically extending member  120  is attached to the front end of a support  130 . Weighted members  140  are preferably positioned at the rear end of support  130  to provide a counterweight to prevent overhead anchoring system  100  from tipping forward when a load (for example a person suspended by a lifeline) is applied to anchor member  105  through, for example, a lifeline  50  attached to D-ring  70  of safety harness  80  as worn by a worker  10  (see  FIG. 3 ). An example of a safety harness suitable for use in connection with the anchoring systems of the present invention is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,700, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
   As further illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a plurality of wheels  150   a–f  (six in this embodiment), can be mounted to the bottom of support  130  to make overhead anchoring system  100  mobile. In that regard, support  130  includes a generally longitudinal base  132  (for example, a steel beam) to which front wheel support members  134   a  and  134   b  are attached. Wheel brackets  136  extend downward from support members  134   a  and  134   b  to attach wheels  150   a  and  150   b.    
   Support  130  also includes a rear platform  138 . Wheel brackets  136  extend downward from platform  138  to attach wheels  150   c–f . A swivel caster  154  (see  FIG. 2 ) can be provided at approximately the center of base  132  so that, for example, if wheels  150   a  and  150   b  move over a hole or edge in a surface over which anchoring system  100  is being transported, wheels  150   a  and  150   b  will not fall into that hole. 
   Platform  138  can, for example, support one or more containers  160  in which counter weights  140  (for example, steel plates or concrete) are positioned. 
   Containers  160  can, for example, be fabricated from plastic and can be removable from platform  138 . In  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5 A and  5 B, containers  160  have been removed. Containers  160 , can, for example, be replaced with steel plates or other counterweights  140  placed on, bolted on or welded to platform  138 . Containers  160  can be open on the top thereof to provide for removal of or addition of weighted members  140 . 
   Attached to and extending up from support  130  of the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2 through 5F  is a rearward handle  170  to facilitate manual movement of overhead anchoring system  100 . A second, forward handle  174  can, for example, be provided on vertical extending member  120  to facilitate maneuvering of the front of anchoring system  100 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , overhead anchoring system  100  preferably can also be moved or lifted by, for example, a crane by rigging overhead anchoring system  100  through one or more lifting attachments  180  mounted on overhead anchoring system  100 . A plurality of lifting attachments  180  (for example, I-bolts) can be provided for a balanced lift of entire system  100  or of individual components thereof. If, for example, positioned at the center of gravity, a single lifting attachment can be used. 
   As illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 5A through 5F , each of horizontal extending member  110 , vertical extending member  120  and support  130  preferably can be disassembled to facilitate lifting or other transporting thereof into position on, for example, an upper deck of a construction project. Each disassembled component (for example, horizontal extending member  110 , vertical extending member  120  and support  130 ) of an anchoring system of the present invention can include one or more lifting attachments  180  (see  FIG. 2 ). Although multiple lifting attachments  180  are illustrated on each of horizontal extending member  110 , vertical extending member  120  and support  130 , a single lifting attachment  180  can provide a balanced lift for each such disassembled component if positioned at or near the center of gravity thereof. 
   Once positioned on a desired deck, horizontal extending member  110 , vertical extending member  120  and support  130  can be assembled using, for example, connectors such a bolts as known in the art. Wheels  150   a  through  150   f  then facilitate movement of assembled anchor system  100  to the leading edge of, for example, deck  40  so that horizontal member  110  extends over the leading edge of the construction (see, for example,  FIG. 3 ). 
   Preferably, anchoring system  100  is immobilized or fixed in position once placed at the leading edge of the construction as illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 3 . Anchoring system  100 , for example, includes one or more jacks  190   a  and  190   b . The base of each of jacks  190   a  and  190   b  can be lowered to remove at least part of the weight of anchoring system  100  from one or more of wheels  150   a–f . In  FIG. 3 , the base of forward jack  190   a  has been lowered to contact formed decking  40 , while the base of rearward jack  190   b  remains elevated above deck  40 . The weight of anchoring system  100  and friction between the bases of jacks  190   a  and  190   b  and deck  40  prevent movement of anchoring system  100  when one or more workers  10  is anchored to anchor member  105 , or experience a fall. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of overhead anchoring system  100 ′ similar in operation to anchoring system  100 . In the case of anchoring system  100 ′, however,  130 ′ is designed and sized to rest upon the forks of a fork lift or upon a pallet jack  200  as known in the art to mobilize anchoring system  100  and to immobilize or fix anchoring system  100 ′ at a desired position. Like components of anchoring system  100 ′ are numbered similarly to corresponding components of anchoring system  100  with the addition of a “′” designation. However, rear transverse member or platform  138  can include, for example, weighted members such a steel beams that act as counterweight(s), thereby removing the need for a container  160 ′ (illustrated in dashed lines in  FIG. 6 ) for holding such counterweights. One or more such containers can be included, however, to facilitate increasing the amount of counterweight. The mobility of overhead anchoring system  100  or anchoring system  200  can be automated or facilitated by adding a powered device or drive to one or more of the wheels thereof. 
   To facilitate the assembly and disassembly of overhead anchoring system  100  for storage and transport, the attachment of horizontally extending member  110  to the elevated end of vertically extending member  120  and the attachment of the opposite and lower end of vertically extending member  120  to support  130  can be made with bolts or other attachment devices as described above that can be taken apart by workers using traditional and readily available construction tools such as wrenches. Alternatively, attachment points can be loosened so that, for example, horizontally extended member  110  can fold back on vertically extended member  120 , which in turn can fold back on support  130 . 
   A pivoting joint can be incorporated between horizontally extending member  110  and vertically extending member  120  and/or between vertically extending member  120  and support  130  to allow a worker to turn anchor member  105  up to, for example, 360 degrees. Horizontally extending member  110  can also be made extendible (for example, by allowing member  112  and/or members  114   a  and  114   b  to telescope) to increase or decrease the reach of overhead anchoring system  100 . Base  132  of support  130  can also be extendible, for example, by telescoping steel member. In cases that horizontal extending member  110  is extended forward, it may be desirable to extend base  132  in a rearward direction to increase the lever arm associated with counterweight(s)  140 . Vertically extending member  120  can also be made extendible to adjust the height of anchor member  105 , for example, via telescoping as known in the art. 
   Another embodiment of an anchoring system  300  is illustrated in  FIGS. 7 through 9 . In anchoring system  300 , an anchor member  305  is supported beyond the leading edge of, for example, formed decking  40  and above a worker by a plurality of angled extending members  310   a ,  320   a ,  310   b  and  320   b . Extending members  310   a  and  320   a  from a first angled A-frame, while extending members  310   b  and  320   b  form a second angled A-frame. 
   Each of angled extending members  310   a ,  320   a ,  310   b  and  320   b  is attached to a support  330 , which rests upon a surface such as deck  40 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 7 through 9 , support  330  of anchoring system  300  includes a first longitudinal member  332   a  and a second longitudinal member  332   b  in spaced connection via a forward transverse member  334  and a rear transverse member  336 . Two counterweight systems or units  340   a  and  340   b  are provided upon a rearward end of support  330 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 7 through 9 , counterweight units  340   a  and  340   b  include a plurality of steel plates. Support  330  also includes wheels  350   a–d  as described above in connection with anchoring system  300 . In this embodiment, wheels  350   c  and  350   d  are double-wheel sets. Support  330  further includes handles  370   a  and  370   b  to facilitate maneuvering of anchoring system  300  during transport thereof. 
   Like anchoring systems  100  and  100 ′, anchoring system  300  includes an immobilizer to fix anchoring system  300  in a desired position and to prevent movement thereof. In that regard, anchoring system  300  includes braking arms  380   a  and  380   b  on each of the assemblies of wheel sets  350   c  and  350   d . In  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the outside wheel of back wheel set or pair  350   c  has been removed to show braking arms  380   a , and  380   b . As clear to one skilled in the art, positioning the breaking mechanism so that it rotates with the wheels as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , facilitates braking operation by ensuring that the maximum braking force is generally aligned with the wheels. 
   Breaking arms  380   a  and  380   b  move in the manner of scissor arms to be brought into fixed abutment with a surface such a deck  40  (see  FIG. 8 ) to immobilize anchoring system  300  and to be removed from contact with a surface such as deck  40  (see  FIG. 9 ) to allow movement of anchoring system  300  thereover via wheels  350   a–d . As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , each of breaking arms  380   a  and  380   b  can include a serrated section  382   a  and  382   b , respectively, to improve the braking aspect thereof. Such serrated sections can, for example, dig into a wooden or other deformable or roughened surface. 
   The open nature of support  330  allows a worker to walk therethrough (between weighting units  340   a  and  340   b  and over transverse member  336  and  334 ) to reach the leading edges of deck  40  to, for example, facilitate the transfer of materials to the work area. 
     FIG. 10  illustrates another embodiment of an anchoring system  400  of the present invention. Unlike anchoring systems  100 ,  100 ′ and  300 , anchor member  405  of anchoring system  400  is not extended beyond the edge of the work area. In that regard, anchoring system  400  includes two generally vertically extending supports  410   a  and  410   b . Anchor member  405  (for example, a steel bar) extends between vertically extending supports  410   a  and  410   b  at or near the elevated end thereof. In the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , vertically extending supports  410   a  and  410   b  include extending members  412   a  and  420   a  and extending members  412   b  and  420   b , respectively, connected generally in the form of A-frames. Anchoring system  400  can also include a support or base  430 , which can include generally longitudinal member  432   a  and  432   b  connected between extending members  412   a  and  420   a  and extending members  412   b  and  420   b , respectively. Base  430  can also include generally latitudinal or transverse members  434  and  436  connected between generally longitudinal member  432   a  and  432   b.    
   Although it is desirable that an anchor point be located above the head of worker  10  as well as generally in line vertically with worker  10 , the present inventors have discovered that it is beneficial to have an effective anchor point positioned in the vicinity of an edge of a work area as high as possible (preferably above the head of worker  10 ) even if that anchor point is not generally vertically aligned with worker  10 . As used herein, the term “effective anchor point” refers generally to the anchor point experienced by worker  10 , which need not be the same point to which a lanyard or lifeline  60  supporting worker  10  is attached. In  FIG. 10 , for example, self-retractable lanyard  60  is connected to anchor A, which can be any stable anchor member such as a column or heavy weight. As discussed in connection with  FIG. 1 , anchor A is positioned generally laterally or horizontally with respect to D-ring  70  of harness  80  worn by worker  10 . However, in the system of  FIG. 10 , lanyard  50  passes over anchor member  405 , creating an effective anchor point or height A′. Self-retractable lanyard  60  or other lifeline system can also be anchored directly to anchor member  405 . 
   Should worker  10  fall, the drum of self-retractable lanyard  60  will much more quickly experience an angular velocity corresponding to the rate of fall of worker  10  than is the case with the system of  FIG. 1 , thereby stopping the fall of worker  10  more quickly. Although, worker  10  can still swing during or after a fall, the rate of descent and the vertical length of the fall will be decreased as compared to the system of  FIG. 1 , thereby reducing the risk of injury. Preferably, anchoring system  400  is placed as close to worker  10  (that is, as close to the edge of deck  40  as possible. Moreover, the higher anchor member  10  is above the head of worker  10 , the greater the protection afforded. Preferably, for example, anchor member  405  is 6 to 12 feet above the head of worker  10 . 
   Anchoring system  400  can be fabricated to be fairly light and readily and manually movable, for example, by two workers. Support  430  can also include wheels and an immobilizing or breaking system as described above for anchoring systems  100 ,  100 ′ and  300 . Similar to anchoring system  300 , the open nature of anchoring system  400  allows a worker to walk therethrough (between weighting supports  410   a  and  410   b  and over transverse member  434  and  436 ) to reach the edge of a work area (for example, the leading edge of deck  40 ) to, for example, facilitate the transfer of materials to the work area. 
   Although the present invention has been described in detail in connection with the above examples, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that variations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention except as it may be limited by the following claims.