Abstract:
An anchor assembly for preventing a user from falling from an object, comprising: a strap; a mechanism for retaining the strap on the object; and at least one anchor point on the strap to which the user can secure. A fall restraint device for preventing a user from falling from an object, comprising: an anchor assembly for tightening around the object and for keeping the strap tight around the object; a safety harness for securing to a user; and a lanyard securable to the anchor assembly and to the safety harness for preventing the user from falling from the object.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to a fall restraint device. Specifically, the invention relates to a portable fall restraint device useable in a variety of situations.  
         [0002]     The prevention of falls while working at height has received increased awareness of late. Falls from working at heights can cause serious injury or death, even from a relatively low height. These injuries obviously incur medical costs and can cause organizational disruption due to lost work.  
         [0003]     While current fall prevention solutions exist, these devices have drawbacks. For example, one fall prevention solution is the use of metal-framed platform work stands. These work stands unfortunately have a limited work area. In addition, the stands can damage the object being worked on if improperly move. Finally, these work stands can be relatively expensive.  
         [0004]     Another solution is the use of fixed anchor points on roof trusses within a building such as a hangar. The use of such fixed anchor points, however, requires placement of the object being worked on within the building. This may not prove adequate. Often, hangar space is at a premium and some work must be performed outside of the hangar, such as on the tarmac.  
         [0005]     Another solution is an attachment point removably secured to the aircraft using a vacuum anchor system. The system includes suction cups that attach to the skin of the aircraft. Since the metallic skin of the aircraft is thin, these systems can damage the skin or paint on the skin. In addition, these systems are expensive and require continued maintenance. Facilities using such systems also need a negative pressure source to draw and to retain a vacuum between the suction cups and the metallic skin of the aircraft.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved fall restraint device.  
         [0007]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive fall restraint device.  
         [0008]     These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in one aspect by an anchor assembly for preventing a user from falling from an object. The assembly includes: a strap; a means for retaining the strap on the object; and at least one anchor point on the strap to which the user can secure.  
         [0009]     These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in another aspect by a fall restraint device for preventing a user from falling from an object. The device includes: an anchor assembly for tightening around the object and for keeping the strap tight around the object; a safety harness for securing to a user; and a lanyard securable to the anchor assembly and to the safety harness for preventing the user from falling from the object.  
         [0010]     These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in another aspect by a method of preventing a user from falling from an object. The method includes the steps of: securing an anchor assembly to the object; securing a safety harness to the user; and securing a lanyard to the strap and to the safety harness. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     Other uses and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the specification and the drawings, in which:  
         [0012]     FIGS.  1 A-C are elevational views of the various components of one embodiment of a fall restraint device of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the component shown in  FIG. 1C  secured to a pylon of an aircraft;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is an elevational view, in partial cut-away, of the fall restraint device of FIGS.  1 A-C in use on an aircraft by a technician;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another component of one embodiment of a fall restraint device of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5A  is a plan view of a pylon of an aircraft with the component of  FIG. 4  secured thereto; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 5B  is a plan view of a pylon of an aircraft with the components of  FIGS. 1C and 4  secured thereto. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]     FIGS.  1 A-C show various components of one embodiment of a fall restraint device of the present invention. The device is typically used on objects that do not have suitable points to which a technician can secure. The device includes a safety harness  11 , a lanyard  13  and an anchor assembly  15 . Each component will now be described in more detail.  
         [0019]     The safety harness  11  could be any suitable body harness, such as Model Number 552/UYKU available from the Miller company of Franklin, Pa. The safety harness  11  could include leg straps  17 , shoulder straps  19  and a chest strap  21 . The safety harness could include one or more attachment points  23 , such as D-rings, to which the lanyard  13  can secure. If needed, the safety harness  11  could have adjustable straps so as to fit different sized technicians.  
         [0020]     The lanyard  13  could be any suitable lanyard, such as Model Number 1220007 available from DBI/SALA of Red Wing, Minn. The lanyard  13  could include a chord  25  with attachment points  27 , such as snap hooks, to secure the lanyard  13  to the D-rings on the safety harness  11 . Rather than being discrete as shown in the Figures, the lanyard  13  could be integral with the safety harness  11 .  
         [0021]     The anchor assembly  15  could include a strap  29  and one or more anchor points  31 , such as safety rings, to which the lanyard  13  can secure. Although shown as D-rings, the safety rings could have any suitable shape such as round or square. The D-rings can secure to the strap  29  in any known manner, such as by stitching a loop in the strap  29  or by stitching a small section of webbing to the strap  29 .  
         [0022]     The strap  29  can be made from any suitable material, such as nylon webbing. In order to tighten the strap  29  around an object and to keep the strap  29  in such configuration (i.e. tension), the strap  29  could include a ratchet  33 . Since ratchets  33  are commonly used on tie down straps, only a brief summary follows. After inserting the free end (not shown) of the strap  29  through the reel of the ratchet  33 , the technician pulls the strap  29  taught. The technician then actuates the handle of the ratchet. Actuation of the handle rotates the reel, wrapping the strap  29  around the wheel and pulling the strap taught. The technician places the handle flat against the remainder of the ratchet  33  to lock the ratchet in this condition (i.e. the strap  29  in tension).  
         [0023]     To release the strap  29 , the technician actuates a release mechanism and rotates the handles away from the rest of the ratchet. This permits free rotation of the reel, allowing the unwinding of the strap  29  from the reel and the eventual removal of the strap  29  from around the object. The strap  29  and ratchet  33  could be any suitable ratchet strap-type tie down, such as an endless-type ratchet strap like model number 05512 available from Keeper Corporation of North Windham, Conn.  
         [0024]     Although  FIG. 1C  shows a ratchet  33 , the strap  29  could use any other suitable retention device. For example, the strap assembly  29  could use buckles, rings, cam buckles and/or patches of hook and loop fasteners secured to the strap  29  as the retention device to tighten the strap  29  around the object and to keep the strap  29  in such configuration.  
         [0025]      FIGS. 2 and 3  display the fall restraint device in use.  FIG. 2  displays an object  35 , namely an aircraft, which requires fall protection measures when a technician performs maintenance thereon. While the Figures show the fall restraint device used when the technician desires to perform maintenance on a pylon  37  extending from the fuselage, the fall restraint device could be mounted to any other suitable feature of the aircraft  35 . Also, while  FIG. 2  shows the pylon  37  supporting a gas turbine engine  39 , the pylon  37  could also extend from the wing of the aircraft (e.g. for wing-mounted engines). If desired, the technician can place a mat (not shown) or other protective barrier between the aircraft and the anchor assembly  15 , for example to prevent scratches on the aircraft surface.  
         [0026]     The technician places the strap  29  along the pylon  37 , and inserts the free end (not shown) of the strap  29  into the ratchet  33 . The technician actuates the ratchet  33  (located on the underside of the pylon  37 —see  FIG. 3 ) to tighten the strap  29  around the pylon  37 . Once suitably secured to the pylon  37 , the anchor assembly  15  is ready for use.  
         [0027]     The technician then dons the safety harness  11  and attaches the lanyard  13  to safety harness  11 . Next, the technician mounts the pylon  37 . The technician then secures the lanyard  13  to one of the anchor points  31  on the anchor assembly  15 .  FIG. 3  shows the technician tethered to the anchor assembly  15 . The technician can now safely perform work on the pylon  37 . If necessary, the technician can move to a different location on the pylon  37  by attaching the lanyard  13  to a different anchor point  31 .  
         [0028]     In instances where the pylon  37  has a tapered trailing edge, tightening of the strap  29  may cause the strap  29  to move from its original position (e.g. midspan of the pylon  37 —see  FIG. 2 ).  FIG. 4  provides a block  41  to prevent such movement of the strap  29  while tightening. The block  41  is made from any suitable material, such as solid nylon or polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE). The block  41  has a first groove  43  along one face. The first groove corresponds to the shape of the tapered trailing edge of the pylon  37 .  
         [0029]     As seen in  FIG. 5A , the first groove  43  accepts the tapered trailing edge of the pylon  37 . The block  41  also has a second groove  45  along an opposite face. As seen in  FIG. 5B , the second groove  45  accepts the strap  29 . Even when tightened, the block  41  prevents movement of the strap  29  along the tapered trailing edge of the pylon  37 . The block  41  also helps prevent damage to the tapered trailing edge of the pylon  37  due to over tightening of the strap  29 .  
         [0030]     The present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments of the various figures. It is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function of the present invention without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the recitation of the appended claims.