Patent Publication Number: US-2021178195-A1

Title: Shuttle For A Climbing Protection System

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to rope grabs, fall arrestors or shuttles for a climbing protection system for preventing a user of a ladder, a platform or the like from falling. Such shuttles are guided along an elongate support member, typically a cable, and grip the cable if a user falls. These shuttles have a guiding mechanism for the cable and often have a rotatably mounted clamping lever which has a cam at a first end facing the cable and an anchor/connecting point at a second end protruding from the casing of the shuttle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Climbing protection systems usually consist of an elongate member, for example a wire cable, and a following fall arrester guided on the cable, which is hereafter called a rope grab or shuttle. The cable can be fastened to a structure or the like by means of cable and attachments, a cable tensioner and fastening devices. A user of the climbing protection system is connected by means of a full body harness to the shuttle which follows the user. The full body harness is usually connected to a clamping lever of the shuttle which, if a user falls, ensures that the shuttle grips the cable of the climbing protection system, in order to thus prevent the free fall of the user. 
     A shuttle of the type described above is generally known, to which it is also possible to fasten a carabineer which connects a user&#39;s full body harness to the shuttle. In order to attach the shuttle to, or separate it from, the cable, a closing lever is released and a clamping lever, to which the carabineer is fastened, is swiveled upwards to open a gap that allows the cable to be inserted into or removed from the shuttle. If the user falls, a clamping jaw of the clamping lever is pressed against the cable. Furthermore, when the shuttle is used, the clamping jaw closes the gap along the guiding mechanism of the shuttle to help prevent the cable from disengaging from the shuttle. 
     One example of such a shuttle was offered for sale under the product name S. K. C. by Antec, 35-37 rue de la Bidauderie, BP334, 18103 Vierzon, France. A carabineer, which connects a user&#39;s full body harness to the shuttle, is fastened in an eye at one end of a clamping lever. The clamping lever is rotatably mounted in the shuttle and is swiveled in the event of a fall by the pull exerted on it by the full body harness, with the result that the cam of the clamping lever presses against the cable guided in the guiding mechanism of the shuttle and the shuttle grips the cable. Furthermore, when the shuttle is used, the clamping lever closes a gap along the guiding mechanism, which must be opened to attach the shuttle to the cable. In addition, when the shuttle is used, the gap is closed by a plastic lever which has to be folded back first before the shuttle can be removed from the cable. In order to prevent inadvertent release of the shuttle from the cable, the carabineer must be separated from the shuttle, as otherwise the clamping lever cannot be swiveled far enough to free the gap. 
     A problem with shuttles for a climbing protection system of the types described above is that they are not always suitable for use in a climbing protection system having a cable that is secured to a structure or the like by intermediate supports or bracket, as the shuttle cannot be moved over such intermediate supports. The shuttle must be passed manually over such intermediate supports. 
     US 2007/0119653 A1 describes a climbing protection system consisting of a cable tensioned by several intermediate supports and a fall arrest device/shuttle that can be moved along the cable. The fall arrest device has a U-shaped member, which encloses the cable of the climbing protection device, and a holder cam, which is rotatably mounted. In the event of a fall, the cable is clamped between the holder cam and the U-shaped member, with the result that the fall arrest device is locked in place on the cable. The fall arrest device can be removed from or attached to the cable at any time. For this purpose two mechanisms which are independent of each other must be actuated. The two mechanisms are arranged so that they cannot be actuated with one hand. 
     AU 2008/300650 B2 shows another example of a climbing protection device similar to the above-described devices, but having a locking or blocking plate that is spring biased to a position that reduces a gap through which the cable can be inserted and/or removed into engagement with the shuttle, and provides a user actuated button that releases this plate so that a user can move the plate to a position that opens the gap, thereby allowing a cable to be removed from engagement with the shuttle or inserted into engagement with the shuttle. 
     International Appln. No. PCT/US14169906 discloses another example of a shuttle wherein a blocking plate is actuated between closed and open positions by a clamping lever as the clamping lever moves from a free position to an opening position, with a locking lever being provided to prevent movement of the clamping lever to the opening position. The blocking plate prevents removal of an elongate support member, such as a cable, from the shuttle when the blocking plate is in the closed position. 
     While each of the above-described devices are suitable for their intended purpose, there is always room for improvement. For example, there is a continuing desire to further simplify such shuttles with respect to assembly and parts. As another example, there is a continuing desire to simplify the operation of such shuttles. By way of further example, there is a desire to prevent such shuttles from being loaded onto an elongate support member in an inverted fashion by an unobservant or untrained user. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one feature of this disclosure, a shuttle for a climbing protection system is provided wherein the shuttle can be connected to a user and is guided along a cable, rope, or other elongate support member as the user climbs and that grips the elongate support member in response to the user falling. The shuttle includes a frame, a guide structure on the frame configured to receive an elongate support member and to guide the shuttle along the elongate support member as a user attached to the shuttle climbs. A clamping member is mounted on the frame for movement between a free position wherein the shuttle can move freely along the elongate support member received in the guide structure and a clamping position wherein the clamping member engages against the elongate support member in the guide structure to resist movement of the shuttle relative to the elongate support member, the clamping member configured to move from the free position to the clamping position in response to a downward movement by the user attached to the shuttle. An anti-inversion member is mounted on the frame for movement between a first closed position wherein the anti-inversion member blocks the elongate support member from being received into the guide structure with the shuttle in an non-desired orientation relative to gravity, and an open position wherein the anti-inversion member does not block the elongate support member from being received in the guide structure. The clamping member is movable to an opening position from the free position. The clamping member in the opening position engages the anti-inversion member to maintain the anti-inversion member in the open position with the shuttle in a desired orientation relative to gravity. The anti-inversion member is configured to move from the open position to the first closed position under the force of gravity in response to the shuttle being moved to the non-desired orientation relative to gravity after the clamping member has been moved to the opening position with the shuttle in the desired orientation relative to gravity. 
     As one feature, the anti-inversion member is mounted on the frame to pivot between the closed and open positions of the anti-inversion member. 
     In one feature, the anti-inversion member is mounted to move between the open position and a second closed position wherein the anti-inversion member blocks the elongate support member from being removed from the guide structure with the shuttle in the desired orientation relative to gravity. 
     According to one feature, the clamping member includes a surface that engages a surface on the anti-inversion member to move the anti-inversion member between the second closed position and open position as the clamping member moves between the free and opening positions. 
     As one feature, the anti-inversion member is configured to move from the open position to the second closed position by the force of gravity. 
     In one feature, the clamping member and the anti-inversion member engage each other to maintain the clamping member in the opening position. 
     As one feature, the clamping member and the anti-inversion member include interlocking features that engage each other to maintain the anti-inversion member in the first closed position and the clamping member in the opening position with the shuttle in the non-desired orientation relative to gravity. In a further feature, the interlocking features include a finger formed on one of the clamping member and the anti-inversion member and a finger receiving notch formed on the other of the clamping member and the anti-inversion member. 
     As one feature, a blocking member is mounted on the frame for movement between a closed position blocking removal of the elongate support member from the guide structure and an open position where the blocking member does not block removal of the elongate support member from the guide structure. 
     In one feature, the blocking member includes a wheel configured to engage against the elongate support member in the guide structure with the blocking member in the closed position and a carrier mounting the wheel for rotation, the carrier being pivot mounted to the frame. 
     According to one feature, the clamping member in the free position blocks removal of the elongate support member from the guide structure, the clamping member in the opening position does not block removal of the elongate support member, and the clamping member operably engages the blocking member to move the blocking member from the closed position to the open position as the clamping member is moved from the free position to the opening position. 
     As one feature, the clamping member includes a connection feature configured to receive a connector for attaching a user to the shuttle, and a clamping surface that engages the elongate support member received in the guide structure with the clamping member in the clamping position. The connection feature is spaced from the clamping surface. 
     According to one feature, the clamping member is pivot mounted to the frame at a location between the connection feature and the clamping surface. 
     In one feature, the frame includes two plate members located on opposite sides of the locking, clamping and blocking members. In a further feature, one of the two plate members is a single piece that defines the guide structure. 
     It should be understood that the shuttle disclosed herein can include any combination of the above features. 
     Other features and advantages will become apparent from a review of the entire specification, including the appended claims and drawings. In this regard, it should be understood that a shuttle according to this disclosure may include any of the above-described features, including any combination of the above-described features. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a fall protection system including a shuttle according to this disclosure, with a clamping member/lever of the shuttle shown in a “free” position wherein the shuttle can be moved along an elongate support member, with a frame component shown in phantom for purposes of illustration; 
         FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1 , but showing the clamping member in a clamping or gripping position wherein the elongate member is gripped by the clamping member to prevent downward movement of the shuttle along the elongate support member; 
         FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2 , but showing the clamping member in an opening position; 
         FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3 , but showing the shuttle in an inverted condition wherein the shuttle is inverted relative to gravity in comparison to its desired orientation shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ; and 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the shuttle in the inverted condition of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a fall protection system  10  is shown and includes an elongate support member  12  in the form of a wire cable  12  being anchored to a support structure, such as a wall or structural beam (not shown), by a support bracket (not shown), and a rope grab or shuttle  20  that can be connected to a user so as to protect the user in the event of a fall. The shuttle  20  can be connected to a user by any suitable connector, such as for example a carabineer  21 , and is guided along the cable  12  as the user connected to the shuttle  20  climbs in the upward direction, such as indicated by the arrow “A” in  FIG. 1 , which is generally opposite the direction of the force of gravity in the environment in which the fall protection system  10  is being employed. It should be appreciated that there are many forms of elongate members  12  and support brackets that are known in the art and are suitable within the scope of this disclosure for use with a shuttle  20  according to this disclosure. Accordingly, the details of the elongate member  12  and the support bracket are not critical to an understanding of the shuttle  20  as disclosed herein and will not be described in further detail. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 1-5 , the shuttle  20  includes a frame, shown generally at  22 , a guide structure  24  on the frame, a clamping member  26  mounted on the frame  22 , a blocking member  28  mounted on the frame  22 , and an anti-inversion member  30  mounted on the frame  22 . The guide structure  24  is configured to receive the elongate support member  12  and to guide the shuttle  20  along the elongate support member  12  as a user attached to the shuttle  20  climbs. In this regard, in the illustrated embodiment, the guide structure  24  has an elongate, semi-cylindrical channel  31  that conforms to the outer surface shape of the elongate member  12 , which is cylindrical for the illustrated cable  12 . 
     The clamping member  26  is mounted to the frame  22  for movement between a free position shown in  FIG. 1  wherein the shuttle  20  can move freely along the length of the elongate support member  12  and a clamping position shown in  FIG. 2  wherein the clamping member  26  engages against the elongate support member  12  in the guide structure  24  to resist or prevent movement of the shuttle  20  relative to the elongate support member  12 , thereby arresting the fall of a user. In this regard, the clamping member  26  is configured to move from the free position shown in  FIG. 1  to the clamping position shown in  FIG. 2  in response to a downward fall (as indicated by arrow “B” in  FIG. 2 ) by a user attached to the shuttle  20 . 
     The blocking member  28  is mounted on the frame  22  for movement between a closed position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  blocking removal of the elongate support member  12  from the guide structure  24  and an open position shown in  FIGS. 3, 4, and 5  where the blocking member  28  does not block removal of the elongate member  12  from the guide structure  22 . In this regard, with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in the illustrated embodiment, the blocking member  28  includes a grooved wheel  32  that can engage against the elongate support member  12  for rolling contact therewith with the blocking member  28  in the closed position. In this regard, it may be desirable for the groove of the wheel  32  to have a shape that conforms to the outer surface shape of the elongate member  12 , which is cylindrical for the illustrated cable  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the blocking member  28  is biased toward the closed position by a spring  33 . In the open position shown in  FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 , the wheel  32  is disengaged from the elongate support member  12  and spaced therefrom by a sufficient distance to allow the removal of the elongate member  12  from the guide structure  24 . 
     The anti-inversion member  30  is mounted on the frame  22  for movement between a first closed position shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  wherein the anti-inversion member  30  prevents the elongate support member  12  from being loaded into the guide structure  24  and the shuttle  20 , and an open position shown in  FIG. 3  wherein the anti-inversion member  30  does not block the elongate support member  12  from being received in the guide structure  24  and the shuttle  20 . 
     The clamping member  26  is mounted so that it is also movable to an opening position shown in  FIG. 3  from the free position shown in  FIG. 1 . As the clamping member  26  moves from the free position shown in  FIG. 1  to the opening position shown in  FIG. 3 , the clamping member  26  is operably engaged with the blocking member  28  to move the blocking member  28  from the closed position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  to the open position shown in  FIG. 3 . In this regard, a surface  34  of the clamping member  26  engages a surface  35  of the blocking member  28 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , to move the blocking member  28  to the open position shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Having broadly described the structure and operational features of the shuttle  20 , each of the specific components  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  and  30  of the illustrated embodiment will be described in more detail below. However, it should be understood that the illustrated embodiment and associated details describe only one of many contemplated configurations capable of meeting the structural and operational features described above. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the frame  24  is composed of two plate structures  36  and  37  that are joined together with suitable fasteners  38  that pass through corresponding cylindrical posts or spacers  40  of the frame  24 . The plate structure  36  is a one-piece structure and defines the guide structure  24  and its channel  31 . Such frames are known and are shown, for example, in International Appln. No. PCT/US14/69906, filed Dec. 12, 2014. It should be appreciated that the frame plates  36  and  37  can be formed using any suitable means and material, such as being formed metal plate or a suitable molded structural material. It should be further appreciated that there are many possible alternate constructions for the frame  24  that are contemplated within the scope of this disclosure and may be desirable depending on the particular environment for the fall protection system  10 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the clamping member  26  of the illustrated embodiment is a clamping lever  41  and includes a cam end  42  having a clamping surface  44  that engages the elongate support member  12  and an anchor or connection feature in the form of a circular eye  46  that is spaced from the clamping surface  44  and configured for connection to a user using any suitable means, such as for example, the carabineer  21  that is inserted through an opening  47  of the connection feature  46 . In the illustrated embodiment, the clamping member  26  includes an optional damping feature, shown generally at  48 , which allows the connection feature  46  to move relative to the remainder of the clamping member  26  and the shuttle  20  via permanent deformation of the damping feature  48 . Such damping features are known and are described in more detail in WO 2008/046446 A1. Intermediate the clamping surface  44  and the connection feature  46 , the clamping member  26  is pivot mounted to the frame  22  using any suitable means, such as a cylindrical journal feature on the post  40 A that passes through a bearing bore formed in the clamping member  26 . This allows the clamping member  26  to pivot relative to the frame  22  between the clamping position, the free position, and the opening position. 
     The blocking member  28  includes a carrier  50  that mounts the wheel  32  for rotation and defines the surface  35 . The carrier  50  is mounted on the frame  22  to pivot between the closed and open positions. In this regard in the illustrated embodiment, a cylindrical journal feature on the post  40 B extends through a bore formed in the carrier  50 . The carrier includes a grooved portion  54  that extends on both sides of the wheel  32 , with an axle  56  extending through the wheel  32  to mount the wheel  32  for rotation. Optionally, a cross pin  57  can be fixed in the carrier  50  and received in an arcuate groove  58  provided in one or both of the plate structures  36  and  37 , with the pin  57  extending outward from the groove  58  to allow manual manipulation of the blocking member  28 . 
     The anti-inversion member  30  is mounted to pivot between the first closed position and open position using any suitable pivot mount, such as a cylindrical journal feature on the post  40 C of the frame  22  received within a bearing bore formed in the anti-inversion member  30 . As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the anti-inversion member  30  includes a surface  60  that engages with the surface  62  of the clamping member  26  to move the anti-inversion member  30  from a second closed position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  to the open position shown in  FIG. 3  wherein it will not block removal of the elongate member  12  from the guide structure  24 . As best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the anti-inversion member  30  is configured to pivot from the open position to the first closed position under the force of gravity whenever the shuttle  20  is inverted so it is in a non-desired orientation relative to gravity, including after the clamping member  26  has been moved to the opening position shown in  FIG. 3  with the shuttle  20  in the desired orientation relative to gravity. In this regard, the surfaces  60 ,  62 , and  64  are shaped to allow the anti-inversion member  30  to pivot from the open position to the first closed position in response to the shuttle being inverted with the clamping member  26  in the opening position, with the surface  60  being pivoted away from contact with the surface  62  of the clamping member  26  when the shuttle  20  is inverted relative to gravity (i.e., positioned upside-down in a non-desired orientation relative to gravity). The anti-inversion member  30  in the first closed position blocks the insertion of the elongate member  12  into the shuttle  20  and the guide structure  24 . In this regard, it should be understood that the center of mass of the anti-inversion member  30  is located relative to the pivot mount location of the post  40 C so that the force of gravity causes the anti-inversion member  30  to assume the orientations shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  when the shuttle  20  is in its desired position relative to gravity, and then to assume the opposite orientation when the shuttle  20  is positioned upside-down (inverted) as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  in a non-desired orientation relative to gravity. The same is true for the clamping member  26 , which has its center of mass positioned relative to the pivot mount location of the post  40 A so that gravity forces the clamping member  26  to the position shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . As seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the clamping member  26  and the anti-inversion member  30  engage each other to maintain the clamping member  26  in the opening position with the shuttle in the inverted condition (non-desired orientation relative to gravity). In this regard, in the illustrated embodiment, the clamping member  26  and the anti-version member  30  include interlocking features  70  and  72  that engage each other to maintain the clamping member  26  in the opening position with the shuttle  20  in the inverted orientation. In the illustrated embodiment, the interlocking feature  70  is provided in the form of a finger  70  formed on the clamping member  26 , and the interlocking feature  72  is provided in the form of a finger receiving notch  72  formed in the anti-inversion member  30 . The finger  70  has a surface  74  that engages a surface  76  of the notch  72  to retain the clamping member  26  in the opening position with the shuttle  20  in the inverted orientation. It should be appreciated that while an advantageous form of the interlocking features  70 ,  72  has been shown in the illustrated embodiment, this disclosure contemplates that other interlocking features may be utilized and may be desirable depending upon the particulars of each application. 
     It should further be appreciated that cooperation of the anti-inversion member  30  with the clamping member  26  again provides a simplified user experience by placing the shuttle  20  in a condition wherein the shuttle  20  cannot be loaded onto the elongate support member  12  when the shuttle  20  is in the inverted (upside-down) orientation. It should further be appreciated in this regard that the geometry of the anti-inversion member  30  and the clamping member  26  allows the anti-inversion member  30  to rotate from the open position shown in  FIG. 3  to the first closed position shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  under the force of gravity if the shuttle  20  is inverted after first being placed in the configuration shown in  FIG. 3  while in the desired orientation. Further, it should be appreciated that the interlocking features  70  and  72  prevent the clamping member  26  from moving to its free and clamping positions while the shuttle  20  remains inverted. It should also be appreciated that by providing the shuttle  20  with a clamping member  26  and a blocking member  28  at opposite ends of the guide structure  24  to prevent removal of the elongate support member  12  from the guide structure  24 , the connection of the shuttle  20  to the elongate support structure  12  is very secure, especially since both entries of the elongate support member  12  into the shuttle  20  are secured. It should further be appreciated that the operation of the shuttle  20  is simplified by allowing simple removal of the shuttle  20  from the elongate support member  12  with a simple pivot motion of the clamping member  26  to the opening position, thereby locating the clamping member  26 , the blocking member  28  and the anti-inversion member  30  so that they allow removal of the elongate support member  12  from the shuttle  20  and the support structure  24 . Last, it should be appreciated that the disclosed shuttle  20  provides a simplified assembly with a minimum of moving parts and components. 
     It should be understood that any embodiments described herein are illustrative of the structure and operational features of the shuttle  20  and this disclosure contemplates that the shuttle  20  can be provided in other forms and configurations. By way of example, while the clamping, blocking and anti-inversion members  26 ,  28  and  30  have been shown as being mounted for pivoting movement between their operating positions, other mountings and movements are possible. By way of further example, while the illustrated embodiment shows a particular configuration for the pivot mounting of each of the clamping, blocking and anti-inversion members  26 ,  28  and  30 , any suitable pivot mounting can be utilized. As yet a further example, while the frame  22  has been shown as being constructed from two plate structures  36  and  37 , it is possible for the frame to be composed of something other than plate structures, or more than or fewer than the illustrated plate structures. As yet a further example, while the illustrated embodiment shows certain specific shapes for each of the components  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  and  30 , it should be understood that other shapes are possible and can provide the above-described features for the shuttle  20 . Accordingly, it should be understood that no limitations are intended unless they are expressly recited in one of the appended claims.