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 self-retracting or retractable lanyard systems, to anchoring brackets for retractable lanyards and to methods of anchoring retractable lanyards, and, especially, to retractable lanyards, to anchoring brackets for retractable lanyards and to methods of anchoring retractable lanyards that facilitate movement of a user of a retractable lanyard to positions not directly vertically under the anchor point of the retractable lanyard. 
   Fall protection systems including safety harnesses and lanyards such as self-retracting or retractable lanyards are commonly used to protect persons subjected to the potential of a fall from a height. Often, a lifeline or lanyard is connected to an overhead anchorage point on a structure directly over the user. However, in many cases the anchor point and the worker&#39;s position result in a horizontal component to the vector corresponding to the line between the anchor point and point at which the lanyard is connected to the worker. 
   In one of many examples, in leading edge work and work on the highest completed deck of a construction project, a fall protection anchorage directly overhead of a worker or workers may not exist. Recently, an anchorage system has been developed to create an overhead anchorage point for such leading edge work as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/100,532, filed Mar. 18, 2002, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Even with use of such an anchorage system, the anchor point of a retractable lanyard may not be directly vertically above a worker to which the lanyard is attached. The horizontal component thereby created can lead to improper operation of the retractable lanyard. In that regard, binding of the lanyard can occur at the outlet of the retractable lanyard causing excessive wear to the line constituent of the retractable lanyard. 
   It is desirable, therefore, to develop devices, systems and methods that reduce or eliminate problems associated with the horizontal component of the lifeline vector. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one aspect, the present invention provides a retractable lanyard system including a bracket into which a retractable lanyard can be placed in operative connection. The retractable lanyard includes a housing and a lifeline exiting the housing. The bracket includes a frame member having attached thereto an anchor member adapted to be attached to an anchorage point. The frame is rotatable relative to the anchor member about a first axis. The bracket further includes a cradle member rotatably attached to the frame member about a second axis. The second axis is generally orthogonal to the first axis. The cradle is adapted to hold the retractable lanyard in operative connection with the bracket. 
   In one embodiment, the retractable lanyard is removable from the cradle. Preferably, the first axis and the second axis pass sufficiently close to the center of gravity of the retractable lanyard to allow the bracket to orient the retractable lanyard generally in the direction of the lifeline exiting the housing of the retractable lanyard under the force applied by the lifeline to the housing of the retractable lanyard. Given the typical size of retractable lanyard, the pivot point of the second axis is preferably within approximately one inch of the center of gravity of the retractable lanyard. In one embodiment, as used in connection with the MILLER MIGHTYLITE® self-retracting lifeline, available from Bacou-Dalloz Fall Protection of Franklin, Pa., for example, the second axis (or the pivot point of the bracket) was about 0.7 inches above the center of gravity of the retractable lanyard. Preferably, the pivot point lies slightly above the center of gravity so that the retractable lanyard remains upright when not in use, although this is a convenience and not a requirement. The retractable lanyard system can further comprising a retractable lanyard. 
   In another aspect, the present invention provides a retractable lanyard system, including a retractable lanyard, which includes a housing and a lifeline exiting the housing, and a bracket into which a retractable lanyard can be placed in operative connection. The bracket includes a frame member having attached thereto an anchor member adapted to be attached to an anchorage point. The frame is rotatable relative to the anchor member about a first axis. The bracket further includes a shaft attached to the frame member to pass through the housing of the retractable lanyard. The retractable lanyard is rotatable about a second axis defined by and collinear with the shaft. The second axis is generally orthogonal to the first axis. 
   As discussed above, the first axis and the second axis preferably pass sufficiently close to the center of gravity of the retractable lanyard to allow the bracket to orient the retractable lanyard generally in the direction of the lifeline exiting the housing of the retractable lanyard under the force applied by the lifeline to the housing of the retractable lanyard. 
   In still a further aspect, the present invention provides method of anchoring a retractable lanyard to an anchorage, comprising the step: placing a retractable lanyard in operative connection with bracket, the bracket comprising a frame member, the frame member having attached thereto an anchor member adapted to be attached to an anchorage point, the frame being rotatable relative to the anchor member about a first axis, the bracket further comprising a lanyard attachment attached to the frame member to which the retractable lanyard in operatively connected, the lanyard attachment being rotatable about a second axis defined by and collinear with the shaft, 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a retractable lanyard system of the present invention anchored to an elevated anchoring system. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the retractable lanyard system and anchoring system of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a front view of the support frame the retractable lanyard system of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates a side view of the support frame of the retractable lanyard system of  FIG. 3A . 
       FIG. 3C  illustrates an exploded front view of the support frame of the retractable lanyard system of  FIG. 3A . 
       FIG. 3D  illustrates a front view of the retractable lanyard system of  FIG. 1A  showing several of the internal components of the retractable lanyard in dotted lines in a schematic manner. 
       FIG. 3E  illustrates a side view of the retractable lanyard system of  FIG. 3D . 
       FIG. 3F  illustrates a perspective view of the retractable lanyard system of  FIG. 3D . 
       FIG. 3G  illustrates a perspective view of the support frame of  FIG. 3A . 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates a front view of another embodiment of a support frame for use with a retractable lanyard of a smaller size than the retractable lanyard of  FIGS. 1A through 3G . 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates a side view of the support frame of  FIG. 4A . 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates a front view of another embodiment of a retractable lanyard system of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates a side view of the retractable lanyard system of  FIG. 5A . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In general, the retractable lanyard systems of the present invention can incorporate commercially available retractable lanyards therein. In several embodiments of the present invention, such commercially available lanyards need not be retrofitted or changed in any manner for use in the systems of the present invention. An example of a commercially available, retractable lanyard suitable for use in the present invention is the MILLER MIGHTYLITE® self-retracting lifeline, available from Bacou-Dalloz Fall Protection of Franklin, Pa. See also, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,771,993, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, for an example of a retractable lanyard system. 
   As described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,771,993, retractable lanyards such as retractable lanyard  60  typically include a housing  61  incorporating a breaking mechanism  62  (see, for example,  FIG. 3D ) to arrest the fall of a mass or person attached thereto once an internal, tensioned drum  64  (see, for example,  FIG. 3D ) reaches a predetermine angular velocity (corresponding to a certain rate of fall). The drum of self-retractable lanyard  60  is preferably under adequate rotational tension (provided, for example, by a spring  66 ) to reel up excess extended lifeline  50  without hindering the mobility of the user  10 . Lifeline  50  exits housing  61  via opening  68 . Lanyard  50  can, for example, be connected to a D-ring  70  of a safety harness  80  worn by worker  10 . 
   In the representative embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , retractable lanyard system  200  of the present invention is illustrated anchored to a mobile overhead anchoring device or system  100 . The mobile anchoring system  100  includes an anchor member  105  attached to one end of a generally horizontally extending member  110 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 2–5B , 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 mobile support  130 . Weighted members  160  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. 2 ). 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. 
   Mobile overhead lifeline anchorage  100  provides substantially improved protection for construction workers working on the leading edge of deck placement or working on the highest completed deck of a construction project as compared to prior practices as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/100,532, filed Mar. 18, 2002, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Like other overhead overage anchorages, however, a worker is often not directly under retractable lanyard  60  attached to the anchorage. This, for example, gives rise to a “horizontal components” in the vector representative of the line between the anchor point and the attachment point (D-ring  70 ) of lifeline  50 . Such horizontal components can be in the plane of the illustration of, for example,  FIG. 2  (represented by arrow “x”) or perpendicular to that plane (that is, in the “z” axis, not shown). As discussed above, the horizontal component(s) thereby created can lead to improper operation of the retractable lanyard (for example, binding of the lifeline at the outlet of the retractable lanyard). 
   Retractable lanyard system  200  of the present invention, substantially prevents such malfunction of retractable lanyard  60  (or other retractable lanyards) by allowing retractable  50  (and, thereby, outlet  68 ) to be oriented in the general direction of the line or vector between the anchoring point of retractable lanyard system  200  and D-ring  70 . Currently available retractable lanyards such as retractable lanyard  60  typically include an attachment member  69  on an end of housing  61  opposite of outlet  68  allowing rotation of retractable lanyard  60  around axis A (see  FIG. 3E ). Attachment member  69  may also provide for limited swiveling of rotation of retractable lanyard  60  about axis A′ (see  FIG. 3E ). However, because axis A′ is so far removed from the center of gravity of retractable lanyard  60 , a substantial amount of force, when applied, for example, at outlet  68 , is required to cause such swiveling. 
   For example, a retractable lanyard  60 ′ (identical to retractable lanyard  60 ) is illustrated in  FIG. 1  attached to anchor member  105 . Lifeline  50 ′ of retractable lanyard  60 ′ is oriented in a direction dictated by the position of the user/worker (not illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) and represented by vector V 2 . The limited mobility of retractable lanyard  60 ′, once anchored, does not allow retractable lanyard to orient in the general direction of lifeline  50 ′ (that is, in the general direction of vector V 2 ) under the force applied by lifeline  50 ′. In that regard, the force applied to retractable lanyard  60 ′ at outlet  68 ′ thereof by lifeline  50 ′ is insufficient to cause retractable lanyard  60 ′ to orient in the direction of vector V 2 . The angle at which lifeline  50  exits the housing of retractable lanyard  60 ′ with respect to that housing can lead to malfunction of retractable lanyard  60 ′ as discussed above. 
   On the other hand, as also illustrated in, for example,  FIG. 1 , retractable lanyard system  200 , which includes retractable lanyard  60 , readily orients in substantially the direction of lifeline  50  or vector V 1  (defined by the position of the user/worker) under the force applied by lifeline  50 . In that regard, retractable lanyard system  200  provides for rotational motion of a bracket or support member  210  for retractable lanyard  60  about two generally orthogonal axes A 1  and A 2  as illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 3G . Each of these orthogonal axes preferably pass through or in close proximity to the center of gravity of retractable lanyard  60  when retractable lanyard  60  is within bracket  210 . Rotation of bracket  210  about each of axis A 1  and axis A 2  to orient retractable lanyard  60  thus occurs readily under minimal force. Retractable lanyard system  200  of the present invention, substantially prevents malfunction of retractable lanyard  60  (or other retractable lanyards) by allowing retractable lanyard  60  (and, thereby, outlet  68 ) to be substantially oriented in the general direction of the line or vector between the anchoring point of retractable lanyard system  200  and D-ring  70 . 
   In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 through 3G , bracket or support member  210  includes an anchorage attachment member or ring  220  for attachment of bracket  210  to an anchorage point. Attachment ring  220  is rotatably (about Axis A 1 ) attached to central member  232  of a frame  230 . Frame  230  also includes two lateral members  234  and  236  with extend downward from central member  232 . A cradle  240  is rotatably attached to frame  230  via bolts  238  or other generally cylindrical members about which cradle  240  can rotate. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 through 3G , cradle  240  includes two generally x-shaped lateral members  242  and  244  connected by cross members  246   a  through  246   d . One or more of cross members  246   a  through  246   d  can be removable to facilitate insertion and removal of retractable lanyard  60 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 through 3G , for example, cross member  246   d  includes a bolt  248  that passes through a sleeve  249  and is removably assembled via a removable pin  250 . 
   Bracket  210  of system  200  is readily adapted (for example dimensioned) for use with generally any retractable lanyard. For example,  FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate another embodiment of a retractable lanyard system  200 ′ for use with a retractable lanyard  60   a  that is smaller than retractable lanyard  60 . In general, retractable lanyard system  200 ′ operates in the same manner as retractable lanyard system  200  and like components are numbered similarly to components of retractable lanyard system with the addition of the designation “′”. 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate another embodiment of retractable lanyard system  300  including a bracket or support member  310  for use with a retractable lanyard  400 . Retractable lanyard  400  is rotatably attached to a frame  330  of bracket  310 . An anchorage connector such as an anchor ring  320  is rotatably attached to a central, bridging member  332  of frame  330 . Frame  330  is preferably rotatable relative to anchor ring  320  about axis A 3  as illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 5A . Frame  330  also includes generally downward extending lateral members  334  and  336 . A generally cylindrical shaft  338  (for example, a bolt) connected between lateral member  334  and  336 . Shaft  338  passes through the body of retractable lanyard  400  so that retractable lanyard  400  is rotatable around an axis A 4  defined by shaft  338 . Axis A 4  preferably passes through or in vicinity to the center of gravity of retractable lanyard  400  to facilitate rotation of retractable lanyard  400  therearound upon application of minimal force. Unlike the embodiment of retractable lanyard systems  200  and  200 ′ of the present invention, retractable lanyard system  300  may require slight modification or retrofitting of retractable lanyard  400 . Moreover, retractable lanyard systems  200  and  200 ′ can be more easily assembled (that is, the retractable lanyard placed into the bracket thereof) in the field than is the case with retractable lanyard system  300 . 
   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.