Patent Document

This application claims benefit of provisional application Serial No. 60/261,072 filed Jan. 11, 2001. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for anchoring an intermediate portion of a safety line relative to a support structure while accommodating passage of a coupling device that is movably mounted on the line. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Most people who engage in activities at dangerous heights recognize the desirability of anchoring themselves relative to a support structure to reduce the likelihood or magnitude of injury in the event of a fall. One widely accepted fall arrest system includes at least one horizontal safety line that is connected to the support structure at intermittent locations by means of brackets. At least one coupling device may be mounted on the line and movable both along the line and past the brackets without compromising the connection therebetween. As a result, a person may tether himself to the coupling device and travel along the safety line with relative freedom and safety. Examples of some known systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,975 to Riches et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,385 to Riches et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,427 to Riches et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,410 to Sharp et al. 
     The foregoing patents disclose horizontal safety line systems which are advantageous in many respects and/or situations. Among other things, the line supporting brackets are designed to deform in the event of a fall, thereby absorbing energy and/or indicating that the bracket has been subjected to a significant load. Also, a plurality of these brackets may be arranged to guide a safety line about corners and/or obstacles. Despite such advances, there is still room for additional options and/or improvements in the field of safety line anchorage systems and/or certain applications within the field. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an anchorage assembly that supports an intermediate portion of a safety line and accommodates passage of a slotted coupling device movably mounted on the safety line. The anchorage guides the safety line about a corner of a support structure and provides desirable energy absorbing characteristics, as well. On a preferred embodiment, multiple plates are interconnected in series between a support structure and support brackets for the safety line. Energy absorbing spacers are disposed between the support structure and the adjacent plate, as well as between two adjacent plates. The assembly is constructed so that the spacers are the first components to deform in the event of a fall. Many features and/or advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description which follows. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     With reference to the Figures of the Drawing, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, 
     FIG. 1 is a fragmented, perspective view of an anchorage assembly constructed according to the principles of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the anchorage assembly of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A preferred anchorage system constructed according to the principles of the present invention is designated as  100  in FIGS. 1-2. Generally speaking, the system  100  is connected to a support structure  90  and supports at least one safety line  160 ,  161 . Among other things, the system  100  is suitable for use as a component in horizontal safety line systems like those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,975 to Riches et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,385 to Riches et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,427 to Riches et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,410 to Sharp et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the system  100  includes a first curved plate  110  having an arcuate profile when viewed from below. The profile is preferably configured to match or conform to the exterior of the support structure, which is depicted as a cylindrical post  90 . Each end of the plate  110  is secured to the post  90  by means of a respective fastener designated as  180  (and including a mating nut and bolt). Each associated bolt extends through a respective hole in the plate  110  and through a respective member  190 , which preferably functions as both a spacer and an energy absorber. The respective holes in the plate  110  are offset vertically relative to one another to avoid interference between the respective bolts in the region of their intersection inside the post  90 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, a second curved plate  120  has a somewhat U-shaped profile when viewed from below. However, the opposite distal ends of the plate  120  extend in divergent fashion and preferably define an angle equal to the change in direction experienced by the safety line  160 ,  161  (approximately 110° on the depicted embodiment  100 ). Each distal end of the second plate  120  is secured to a respective end of the first plate  110  by means of a respective fastener  181  (including a mating nut and bolt). Each associated bolt extends through aligned holes in the plates  110  and  120 , and through a respective member  191  disposed between the plates  110  and  120 . An intermediate segment of the second plate  120  is similarly connected to an intermediate portion of the first plate  110 , with a relatively longer member  192  disposed therebetween, and a relatively longer fastener  182  (including a mating nut and bolt) inserted through the member  192  and interconnected between the plates  110  and  120 . Like the members  190 , the members  191  and  192  preferably function both as spacers and as energy absorbers. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, a third curved plate  140  has a profile comparable to that of the second plate  120 . Each distal end of the third plate  140  is secured to a respective end of the second plate  120  by means of a bowl-shaped bracket  130  disposed therebetween. At each end, fasteners  183  (including mating nuts and bolts) are interconnected between the second plate  120  and a rim portion of a respective bracket  130 , and a fastener  184  (including a mating nut and bolt) is interconnected between the third plate  140  and a base portion of a respective bracket  130 . 
     Each fastener  184  also secures a respective bracket  151  to the plate  140 . The plate  140  is relative taller than the plate  120 , in order to accommodate the second set of brackets  150 , which are secured in place by respective fasteners  185 . However, the present invention is not limited to any particular number of safety lines. The brackets  150  and  151  and the safety lines  160  and  161  are identical to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,975 to Riches et al., except that the brackets  150  and  151  are relatively more rigid and preferably made of stainless steel. Also, the system  100  is constructed so that the members  190 - 192  are the first, and ideally the only, components to deform in response to a fall or any comparable load on either line  160  or  161 . In this regard, the plates  110 ,  120 , and  140  are also preferably stainless steel, whereas the members  190 - 192  are comparable to #40 engine block mounts made by McKay Industries in Australia. As a result, replacement of the brackets  150  and  151  (and the associated hassles) is a less frequent concern. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that the system  100  may alternatively be constructed with brackets that are designed to deform. In other words, deformable brackets identical to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,975 to Riches et al. may be used in the system  100  to provide an alternative system where the line supporting brackets are the first components to deform. 
     In yet another alternative arrangement, otherwise deformable brackets, like those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,975 to Riches et al., may be modified or reinforced to resist deformation. For example, reinforcing plates may be interconnected between the brackets  150  and  151  and the plate  140 . The plates are preferably configured to match the profile of the brackets  150  and  151  (including the relatively thin neck portion but not the tubular line supporting portion). The plates  170  are preferably made of stainless steel and welded to both the brackets  150  or  151  and the plate  140 . With the addition of the plates, the members  190 - 192  would, once again, be the first components of the system to deform. 
     The present invention also provides various methods which may be performed in assembling and/or using the system  100 . This disclosure will enable others to realize various embodiments and/or applications. Therefore, although the present invention is described with reference to a preferred embodiment and a particular application, the scope of the present invention should be limited only to the extent of the following claims.

Technology Category: 1