AU2006207863B2 - Fall notifying apparatus - Google Patents

Description

S&F Ref: 772882 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address Michael John White, of Applicants: Australian Citizen, of 6 Tingha Close, Hinchinbrook, New South Wales, 2168, Australia David Burnard White, of 12 Collie Court, Wattle Grove, New South Wales, 2073, Australia Actual Inventor(s): Michael John White Address for Service: Spruson & Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 35 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Invention Title: Fall notifying apparatus Associated Provisional Application Details: [33] Country: [31] Appl'n No(s): [32] Application Date: AU 2006900842 21 Feb 2006 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- FALL NOTIFYING APPARATUS Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to lanyards for use in industrial and 5 recreational environments and more particularly to notification of other parties when an individual attached to a fixed point via a lanyard suffers a fall. Background Lanyards are safety straps or the like for attaching individuals such as workers 10 or recreational climbers to a fixed point. In many cases, the individual wears a safety harness to which the lanyard is attached. The safety harness may, for example, comprise a simple waist belt or a full body harness. Although produced in numerous different forms and materials, common lanyards comprise a flexible nylon strap having an attachment means, such as a shackle or carrabeener, at each end. Some is lanyards also comprise a shock absorber to absorb shock in the event of a fall. A significant percentage of workplace accidents are attributed to falls. Even when a fall is arrested by a lanyard and/or safety harness, suspension trauma death may still occur as a result of orthostatic intolerance. When a worker with immobile legs is suspended in an upright posture, gravity causes the blood to accumulate in the 20 lower legs, which have a large blood storage capacity. Eventually, sufficient blood accumulates in the legs to restrict blood flow to the right chamber of the heart. The heart responds by speeding up in an attempt to maintain sufficient blood flow to vital organs, including the brain. However, if blood flow to the heart is sufficiently restricted, the increased heart beat is ineffective, and the body abruptly slows the 25 heart. This causes fainting, which would normally result in slumping of the body to a horizontal posture in which the heart and brain are at approximately the same level. However, a suspended safety harness prevents the body attaining a horizontal posture, thus resulting in the heart rate falling below the critical level. In suspension trauma: (1) the individual is suspended in an upright posture with dangling legs, (2) the safety 30 harness straps exert pressure on the individual's leg veins, thus compressing the veins and further reducing blood flow to the heart, and (3) the safety harness maintains the -2 individual in an upright posture, in spite of a loss of consciousness. It is this third event that results in death. United States Patent No. 6,330,931 entitled "Fall Protection Method and System" issued to Baillargeon et al. on 18 December 2001. This document relates to a 5 machinery operator protection method and system, which inhibits the use of machinery unless the operator of the machinery is properly secured to the machinery with a lanyard and/or body harness. An optional audible or visual alarm advises the machinery operator if he or she attempts to use the machinery without proper safety lanyard attachment. 10 United States Patent No. 4,660,697 entitled "Safety Alarm Tripod" issued to Ostrobrod on 28 April 1987. This document relates to a fall protection device including a safety harness and a lanyard for suspending an individual from a support tripod. In the event of a fall, the weight of the individual pulls against the force of a spring and operates a limit switch to activate an alarm. The alarm activating means is is integrated in the support tripod. French Patent No. FR2755236 entitled "Tension or shock sensor with radio alarm for protection ofperson or in industry" issued to Brunet Henri Joachim Victor and was published on 30 April 1998. This document relates to a sensor that is connected between a safety harness and an anchoring point. 20 Japanese Patent No. JP10277172 was published on 20 October 1998. This document relates to a safety belt for holding a worker in a comfortable posture following a fall and incorporates a device for informing others of the fall. Existing fall alerting arrangements are generally either integrated into a support structure (such as the Safety Alarm Tripod of United States Patent No. 4,660,679) or 25 are disposed between an anchor point and a lanyard and/or safety harness. This disadvantageously requires that the fall alerting arrangements be capable of withstanding the full load associated with a fall. Accordingly, the structural and operational integrity of existing arrangements are of critical importance and may be subject to strict safety standards and legislation. 30 A need exists for an apparatus for detecting and notifying falls that is not required to be capable of withstanding the load associated with a fall.

-3 Summary Aspects of the present invention provide a fall notifying apparatus adapted for deployment across a shock absorbing portion of a lanyard. 5 In one aspect, the fall notifying apparatus comprises first and second base members adapted to move apart relative to one another when subjected to a tensile force resulting from a fall; at least one tensile member coupled to the first and second base members, the tensile member adapted to prevent the first and second base members from moving apart in the absence of the first and second base members 10 being subjected to a tensile force resulting from a fall; coupling means for coupling the fall notifying apparatus across the shock absorbing portion of the lanyard; a detector for detecting when the first and second base members have moved apart from one another; and notification means for notifying a fall in response to detection of separation of the first and second base members from one another. is In another aspect, the fall notifying apparatus comprises a base member adapted to separate into two or more portions when subjected to a tensile force resulting from a fall; coupling means for coupling the fall notifying apparatus across the shock absorbing portion of the lanyard; a detector adapted to detect when the base member has separated into two or more portions; and notifying means for notifying a fall in 20 response to detection of separation of the base member into two or more portions. Brief Description of the Drawings A small number of embodiments are described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 25 Fig. la is a top view of a fall notifying apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. l b is a bottom view of the fall notifying apparatus of Fig. Ia; Fig. Ic is a front view of the fall notifying apparatus of Figs. la and Ib; Fig. 2a is a top view of a fall notifying apparatus in accordance with another 30 embodiment of the present invention; -4 Fig. 2b is a front view of the fall notifying apparatus of Fig. 2a; Fig. 3 is a side view of a lanyard including a shock absorbing portion; Fig. 4 is a side view of another lanyard including a shock absorbing portion; Fig. 5 is a top view of a part of fall notifying apparatus in accordance with an 5 embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a system with which embodiments of the present invention may be practiced. Detailed Description 10 Embodiments of a fall notifying apparatus for deployment across a shock absorbing portion of a lanyard are described hereinafter. Figs. la, lb and Ic show a top view, a bottom view and a front view of a fall notifying apparatus 100, respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Like reference numerals in Figs. la, lb and Ic are intended to refer 15 to the same respective items. The fall notifying apparatus 100 comprises first and second base members 110 and 120, first and second tensile members 130 and 140, first and second coupling members 150 and 160, and detection and notification means 170. The first and second coupling members 150 and 160 are not shown in Fig. Ic. 20 The first and second base members 110 and 120 are adapted to move apart from one another when subjected to a tensile force (e.g., resulting from a fall). In the present embodiment, the first and second base members 110 and 120 comprise aluminium base plates. However, those skilled in the art would appreciate that numerous alternative materials may be practised, for example, plastic, perspex, 25 fiberglass, wood, etc. As the fall notifying apparatus 100 is not required to be capable of withstanding any substantial loading, even as a result of a fall, no particularly onerous materials strength requirements apply to the components thereof. The first and second base members 110 and 120 are coupled together by the tensile members 130 and 140, which act to prevent the first and second base members 30 110 and 120 from moving apart in the absence of the first and second base members 110 and 120 being subjected to a tensile force (i.e., a force that causes the first and -5 second base members 110 and 120 to move apart from each other). The tensile member 130 is attached to the first and second base members 110 and 120 by insertion through holes 112 and 122, respectively, and the tensile member 140 is attached to the first and second base members 110 and 120 by insertion through holes s 116 and 126, respectively. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate various other means of attaching the tensile members to the base members may alternatively be practised. For example, the tensile members may be screwed or welded to the base members. In the present embodiment, the tensile members 130 and 140 comprise springs. 10 However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various other kinds of tensile member may alternatively be practiced. For example, the tensile members 130 and 140 may comprise an elastic material. The first and second coupling members 150 and 160 are adapted to couple the first and second base members 110 and 120, respectively, to the ends of a shock 15 absorbing portion of a lanyard (not shown in Figs. la, lb and Ic, but shown hereinafter in Fig. 4). In other words, the fall notifying apparatus is deployed across, or in parallel with, a shock absorbing portion of a lanyard. The coupling members 150 and 160 may comprise readily available shackles, or carrabeeners that fit through holes 114 and 124 of the first and second base members 110 and 120, respectively. 20 However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various alternative coupling members may be practised. In one particular embodiment, for example, common key rings are practiced as the coupling members 150 and 160. The detection and notification means 170, 180 detects when the first and second base members 110 and 120 move apart from one another in response to a tensile force 25 resulting from a fall and provides notification of the fall to other parties. In the present embodiment, the detection and notification means 170, 180 comprises a commonly available two-part magnetic or switch and audible alarm. The two parts are mounted in close proximity to each other on the first and second base members 110 and 120 such that the two parts are magnetically coupled. When the first and second base 30 members 110 and 120 move apart from one another, the magnetic coupling is broken and the audible alarm is triggered. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that -6 numerous alternatives may be practiced in place of the detection and notification means 170, 180 described above. Separate detection means and notification means may be practiced. For the detection means, electrical, electromechanical or optical coupling between the base members 110 and 120 may be practiced in place of 5 magnetic coupling. In this case, an electrical (e.g., electromechanical switch) or optical (e.g., opto-coupler) connection rather than a magnetic coupling is broken when the first and second base members 110 and 120 move apart from one another. For the notification means, a visual alarm may be practiced in place of, or in addition to, an audible alarm. The audible alarm may comprise a compressed gas "screamer" 10 mounted on the fall notifying apparatus 100. In another embodiment, a wireless transmitter may be practiced in addition or alternatively to a visual and/or an audible alarm. In embodiments employing a wireless transmitter, detected falls can be notified to other individuals (e.g., co workers) or a central point such as an operations base. is The notification means may be activated via a relay or an electronic switching circuit. Fig. lb shows guide rails 190, 193 and 196 mounted to the bottom surface of the first and second base members 110 and 120 to restrict motion of the first and second 20 base members 110 and 120 relative to each other in a single plane. The guide rails 190 and 193 are mounted to the bottom surface of the base member 110 using rivets 191, 192 and 194, 195, respectively. The guide rail 196, which is adapted to slide between the guide rails 190 and 190, as either or both of the first and second base members 110 and 120 move relative to one another, is mounted to the bottom surface of the base 25 member 120 using rivets 197 and 198. However, the skilled reader will appreciate that various alternative attachment means may be practised in place of rivets, including screws, bolts, glue and welding. Figs. 2a and 2b show a top view and a front view, respectively, of a fall 30 notifying apparatus 200 in accordance with another embodiment of the present -7 invention. Like reference numerals in Figs. 2a and 2b are intended to refer to the same respective items. The fall notifying apparatus 200 comprises a first base member 210 having a raised u-shaped portion 220 mounted thereon, a second base member 230 adapted to 5 slide within the raised u-shaped portion 220 of the first base member 210 and a single tensile member 240 coupled to the first and second base members 210 and 230. The first and second base members 210 and 230 are adapted to move apart from one another when subjected to a tensile force (i.e., resulting from a fall). In the present embodiment, the first and second base members 210 and 230 comprise aluminium io base plates. However, those skilled in the art would appreciate that numerous alternative materials may be practised, for example, plastic, perspex, fiberglass, wood, etc. As the fall notifying apparatus 200 is not required to be capable of withstanding any substantial loading, even as a result of a fall, no particularly onerous materials strength requirements apply to the components thereof. is The tensile member 240 is attached to the first and second base members 210 and 230 by insertion through holes 220 and 234, respectively, and acts to prevent the first and second base members 210 and 230 from moving apart in the absence of the first and second base members 210 and 230 being subjected to a tensile force (i.e., a force that causes the first and second base members 210 and 230 to move apart from 20 each other). In the present embodiment, the tensile member 240 comprises a spring. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various other kinds of tensile member may alternatively be practiced. For example, the tensile member 240 may comprise an elastic material. In other respects, the fall notifying apparatus 200 of Fig. 2 is similar or 25 equivalent to the fall notifying apparatus of Fig. 1. For example, the holes 212 and 232 in the first and second base members 210 and 230, respectively, are for key rings, shackles or carrabeeners (not shown in Fig. 2) that couple the first and second base members 210 and 230, to respective ends of a shock absorbing portion of a lanyard (not shown in Fig. 2), as described with reference to the embodiment of Fig. 1. 30 Furthermore, the fall notifying apparatus 200 comprises a detection and notification means (not shown in Fig. 2) that is similar or equivalent to the detection and -8 notification means 170, 180 described hereinbefore with reference to the embodiment of Fig. 1. The detection and notification means, which detects when the first and second base members 210 and 230 move apart from one another in response to a tensile force resulting from a fall and provides notification of the fall to other parties, 5 is mounted on the first and second base members 210 and 230 as described hereinbefore with reference to the embodiment of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side view of a lanyard 310 including a shock absorbing portion 320 and a fall notifying apparatus 360 in accordance with an embodiment of the present 1o invention deployed across the shock absorbing portion 320. The shock absorbing portion 320 comprises lengths of the lanyard 310 folded in a zig-zag fashion and typically held together by a shrink-wrap plastic sleeve (not shown in Fig. 3) applied around the shock absorbing portion 320. The loops or rings 330 and 350 provide a convenient means for attaching or coupling the lanyard 310 to other items (e.g., a is safety harness and a fixed point). The loops or rings 330 and 340 provide a convenient means for attaching or coupling a fall notifying apparatus 360 to the lanyard 310. More specifically, a fall notifying apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention (e.g., the fall notifying apparatuses 100 and 200, as described hereinbefore with reference to Figs. I and 2, respectively) may be deployed across the 20 shock absorbing portion 320 of the lanyard 310 by coupling the first and second base members of the fall notifying apparatus to the loops or rings 330 and 340. In operation, when a tensile force is applied to the ends of the lanyard 310, the shock absorbing portion 320 is extended, thus causing the loops or rings 330 and 340 to move apart from one another. This would result in a tensile force being applied to a 25 fall notifying apparatus 360 for a limited duration, thus enabling activation of the notifying means of the fall notifying apparatus 360. Fig. 4 is a side view of another lanyard 410, including a shock absorbing portion 420, but without a fall notifying apparatus. The lanyard 410 of Fig. 4 is similar to the 30 lanyard 310 of Fig. 3, except that the lanyard 410 has no equivalent loop or ring to the -9 loop or ring 340 of the lanyard 310. A different means for coupling or attachment of a fall notifying apparatus to the lanyard 410 is thus required. Fig. 5 is a top view of a portion of a fall notifying apparatus in accordance with 5 an embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, Fig. 5 shows a base member 520, which is similar to the base member 120 of Figs. la, lb and lc, except for the slot 528 cut in the base member 520. The embodiment of Fig. 5 is useful for situations in which the lanyard comprises a flat strap, similar to a seatbelt typically used in cars and other vehicles and in which the lanyard does not have loops or rings 10 on both sides of a shock absorbing portion (such as described hereinbefore with reference to the lanyard 410 of Fig. 4). Threading of the lanyard through the slot 528 provides a means of coupling the base member 520, and thus the fall notifying apparatus, to a lanyard. The slot 528 thus replaces the hole 124 in the base member 120 and the associated coupling member 160, as shown in the embodiment of Fig. 1. 15 The holes 522 and 526 are for coupling of tensile members as described hereinbefore with reference to the embodiment of Fig. 1 and correspond to the holes 122 and 126 in Fig. 1. As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, either or both base members of a fall notifying apparatus may slotted as described hereinbefore for coupling with a seatbelt-type lanyard. 20 Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a system with which embodiments of the present invention may be practiced. Referring to Fig. 6, a safety wire 630 is strung between two poles 610 and 620. However, as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the safety wire 630 may 25 be attached to various other fixed points, as dictated by prevailing circumstances. A person 640 (e.g., a worker) is coupled to the safety wire 630 by a lanyard 650. The lanyard 650 is typically attached to a harness worn by the person 640. In other embodiments, the lanyard 650 may be coupled directly to a fixed point without the need for a safety wire. 30 The lanyard 650 comprises a shock absorbing portion 660, having loops or other connection points 662 and 664 on either side of the shock absorbing portion 660. A -10 fall notifying apparatus 670 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown coupled to the loops or other connection points 662 and 664 on either side of the shock absorbing portion 660 of the lanyard 650 (i.e., across the shock absorbing portion 660). The fall notifying apparatuses 100 and 200 as described s hereinbefore may be practiced as the fall notifying apparatus 670. The embodiments described hereinbefore generally comprise two independent base members that are adapted to move apart from one another when subjected to a tensile force (e.g., resulting from a fall). However, a fall notifying apparatus according 10 to the present invention may comprise a single base member that is adapted to separate into one or more portions when subjected to a tensile force (e.g., resulting from a fall). Such an apparatus may require reassembly for reuse. Alternatively, such an apparatus may not be reusable (i.e., disposable) as the single base member may break or fracture when the apparatus is subjected to a tensile force (e.g., resulting from 15 a fall). The foregoing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configurations of the present invention. Rather, the description of the exemplary embodiments provides those skilled in the art 20 with enabling descriptions for implementing an embodiment of the invention. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims hereinafter. Where specific features, elements and steps referred to herein have known 25 equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. Furthermore, features, elements and steps referred to in respect of particular embodiments may optionally form part of any of the other embodiments unless stated to the contrary. The term "comprising", as used herein, is intended to have an open-ended, non 30 exclusive meaning. For example, the term is intended to mean: "including principally, but not necessarily solely" and not to mean "consisting essentially of' or "consisting - 11 only of'. Variations of the term "comprising", such as "comprise", "comprises" and "is comprised of', have corresponding meanings.

Claims (23)

1. A fall notifying apparatus adapted for deployment across a shock absorbing portion of a lanyard, said fall notifying apparatus comprising: 5 first and second base members adapted to move apart relative to one another when subjected to a tensile force resulting from a fall; at least one tensile member coupled to said first and second base members, said tensile member adapted to prevent said first and second base members from moving apart in the absence of said first and second base members being subjected to a tensile 10 force resulting from a fall; coupling means for coupling said fall notifying apparatus across said shock absorbing portion of said lanyard; a detector for detecting when said first and second base members have moved apart from one another; and is notification means for notifying a fall in response to detection of separation of said first and second base members from one another.

2. The fall notifying apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second base members are constrained to move apart relative to one another in a single plane. 20

3. The fall notifying apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of guide rails for constraining movement of said first and second base members relative to one another to a single plane. 25

4. The fall notifying apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one tensile member comprises a spring.

5. The fall notifying apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fall notifying apparatus comprises two tensile members. 30 -13

6. The fall notifying apparatus of claim 5, wherein said tensile members comprise springs.

7. The fall notifying apparatus of claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises 5 first and second coupling members adapted to couple said first and second base members, respectively, to each side of said shock absorbing portion of said lanyard.

8. The fall notifying apparatus of claim 7, wherein said coupling members comprise coupling members selected from the group of coupling members consisting 10 of: shackles; carrabeeners; and key rings. is

9. The fall notifying apparatus of claim 1, wherein said notification means comprises a notification means selected from the group of notification means consisting of: an audible alarm; a visual alarm; and 20 a radio transmitter.

10. The fall notifying apparatus of claim 1, wherein said detector comprises a magnetic switch device disposed on one or both of said first and second base members. 25

11. The fall notifying apparatus of claim 1, wherein said detector comprises an electrical switch device disposed on one or both of said first and second base members. 30

12. The fall notifying apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fall notifying apparatus is reusable after detection and notification of a fall. -14

13. The fall notifying apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fall notifying apparatus is not reusable after detection and notification of a fall. 5

14. The fall notifying apparatus of claim 13, wherein said fall notifying apparatus is disposable.

15. The fall notifying apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fall notifying apparatus is incapable of withstanding a tensile force of magnitude associated with a fall and 10 wherein said tensile force is absorbed by said shock absorbing portion of said lanyard.

16. A fall notifying apparatus adapted for deployment across a shock absorbing portion of a lanyard, said fall notifying apparatus comprising: a base member adapted to separate into two or more portions when subjected to is a tensile force resulting from a fall; coupling means for coupling said fall notifying apparatus across said shock absorbing portion of said lanyard; a detector adapted to detect when said base member has separated into two or more portions; and 20 notifying means for notifying a fall in response to detection of separation of said base member into two or more portions.

17. The fall notifying apparatus of claim 16, wherein said wherein said coupling means comprises first and second coupling members adapted to couple opposite ends 25 of said base member across said shock absorbing portion of said lanyard.

18. The fall notifying apparatus of claim 17, wherein said coupling members comprise coupling members selected from the group of coupling members consisting of: 30 shackles; carrabeeners; and -15 key rings.

19. The fall notifying apparatus of claim 16, wherein said notification means comprises a notification means selected from the group of notification means 5 consisting of: an audible alarm; a visual alarm; and a radio transmitter. io

20. The fall notifying apparatus of claim 16, wherein said fall notifying apparatus is reusable after detection and notification of a fall.

21. The fall notifying apparatus of claim 16, wherein said fall notifying apparatus is disposable. 15

22. The fall notifying apparatus of claim 16, wherein said fall notifying apparatus is incapable of withstanding a tensile force of magnitude associated with a fall and wherein said tensile force is absorbed by said shock absorbing portion of said lanyard. 20

23. A fall notifying apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to an embodiment shown in any one of more of the accompanying drawings. Dated 6 September, 2006 Michael John White and David Burnard White 25 Patent Attorneys for the Applicants/Nominated Persons SPRUSON & FERGUSON