GB2404218A

GB2404218A - Extendable vertical support for attachment of safety line

Info

Publication number: GB2404218A
Application number: GB0416340A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Murten
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-07-23
Filing date: 2004-07-22
Publication date: 2005-01-26
Anticipated expiration: 2024-07-22
Also published as: GB0317205D0; GB2404218B; GB0416340D0

Abstract

An extendable vertical support for attachment of a safety line, e.g. during erection of scaffolding, comprises a lower support section 602 and an upper support section 610 received within section 602 and telescopically adjustable, the lower section defining an aperture 606 configured to receive an internal support section 605, 612, through said aperture. The internal support section may be attached to upper section 610 by a screw thread (Fig 5, not shown) and further sections may be screwed thereto; as shown in fig 6a the upper section may consist entirely of joined internal supports 605. Alternatively, the upper section 610 may simply stand upon a pile of internal support sections 612. The arrangement allows the attachment point of the safety line (the eye at the top of the column) to be raised whilst the workman remains attached.

Description

24042 1 8 Safety Apparatus Safety apparatus for use in a fall arrest

system is disclosed in international patent publication number WO 01/27411, in the name of the present applicant. The safety apparatus has a substantially vertical support that is configured to be adjustable in length. The support comprises a lower support section and an upper support section received within the lower support section. The apparatus includes a first fixing means and a second fixing means for fixing the upper and lower support sections to a structure.

The length of the support may be adjusted by releasing the first fixing means and then re-fixing the first fixing means after the length adjustment has been made. In this way, it is possible for an operative to adjust the height of the safety apparatus whilst working above ground in safety at substantially all times.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided safety apparatus for use within a fall arrest system comprising a substantially vertical support, said substantially vertical support comprising a lower support section and an upper support section received within said lower support section and movable with respect to said lower support section such that said substantially vertical support is adjustable in length, wherein said lower support section defines an aperture and is configured to receive an internal support section through said aperture.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided safety apparatus further comprising an internal support section.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided safety apparatus wherein the internal support section and upper support section are configured to be coupled together.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided safety apparatus for use within a fall arrest system comprising a substantially vertical support, said substantially vertical support comprising a lower support section defining an aperture and configured to receive an internal support section through said aperture, and manually adjustable internal support section positioning means configured to allow an operative to position an internal support section received within said lower support section with respect to said lower support section.

According to a fifth aspect of the present irivention, there is provided to safety apparatus further comprising a plurality of internal support sections configured to be coupled together to form an upper support section.

The invention will now be described by way of example, with I reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 shows operatives connected to safety apparatus whilst erecting a scaffold structure; Figure 2 illustrates adjustment of a substantially vertical support; Figures 3A and 3B illustrate the maximum extension of a substantially vertical support; Figure 4 illustrates an arrangement of safety apparatus; Figure 5 illustrates a lower support section of a substantially vertical support and an internal support section; Figures 6A and 6B illustrate different arrangements of internal support sections used with safety apparatus.

Figure 1 A scaffold structure 101 is shown in Figure 1, having vertical poles 102, horizontal poles 103, transversal poles 104 and flat sections 105, in addition the scaffold structure may also include diagonal strengthening poles.

A typical erection procedure firstly requires the erections of the vertical poles 102 followed by the fitting of horizontal poles 103. Transversal poles 104 are then implemented to confer additional stability and integrity to the scaffold before the flat sections 105 are put into place.

As described in the present applicant's published international patent specification, erection of the scaffold is being performed using safety apparatus consisting of a first substantially vertical support 111, a second substantially vertical support 112 and one or more supporting cables 113, 114 extending between the first support 111 and the second support 112.

The supports 111, 112 are configured to be adjustable in length and each includes a first fixing means 115 and a second fixing means 116 such that the length of the support may be adjusted by releasing the first fixing means 115 and then re-fixing the first fixing means 115 after the adjustment has been made. While this adjustment takes place, the second fixing means 116 remains in place thereby ensuring that operatives are supported at all times in case of a fall.

The first substantially vertical support 111 consists of a lower support section 121 and an upper support section 122. The lower support section 121 has a larger diameter than the upper support section 122, such that the upper support section may slide within the lower support section 121. The lower support section 121 is attached to transversal poles 104 and 123 by way of lower fixing members 124, 125. The upper support section 122 is attached in a similar way as further sections to the scaffold structure are added, as described in the earlier referenced international patent application. In this way, as additional platform levels are added, the upper support section 122 may be held in place while the lower fixing members 124, 125 are released allowing the lower support section 121 to be raised and reconnected at a higher height. Thus, in this way, the safety apparatus ascends the rising scaffold by extending its upper section and then contracting its lower section.

In the preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the vertical supports 111, 112 are circular in cross-section to facilitate their operation in a telescopic manner so as to facilitate adjustment. In addition, cables and pulleys are provided to facilitate the movement of the telescoping devices vertically as the system ascends up the scaffold.

Figure 2 A single substantially vertical support may be used to provide fall protection.

In the example shown in Figure 2, a single substantially vertical support 201 is used in a fall arrest system for an operative 202 working whilst on a ladder 203. The lower support section 204 is attached to a structure 205 by means of fixing members 206, 207 and the upper support section 208 is unattached. A safety cable 209 extends from a connection point 210 at the upper end of the upper support section 208.

In this example, connection point 210 is provided by an eye welded to the upper support section 208. Alternatively, the connection point 210 may be provided by an aperture defined in a rotating connection plate, as described in United Kingdom patent publication number GO 2 377 964, in the name of the present applicant. The safety cable may be a lanyard or inertia reel to which an operative can connect to by means of a shunt.

in use, the safety cable 209 should extend from a point above the operative 202. The upper support section 208 can be raised to raise the height from which the safety cable 209 extends.

The extension and contraction of the substantially vertical support 201 is effected by manual operation of a positioning mechanism. In this example the positioning system is a pulley and rope system, as described in United Kingdom patent publication number GB 2 377 966, in the name of the present applicant. Alternatively, a winch mechanism or a hydraulic mechanism may be used. I Figure 2 shows operative 202 adjusting the length of the support 201 to raise the height of the safety cable 209. Whilst the lower support section 204 is firmly held in place, operative 202 pulls pulley rope 211 in an upwards direction, resulting in the upper support section 208 ascending upwards with respect to the restrained lower support section 211.

Thereafter, once extended to a required position, the upper support section 208 may be secured to a structure, for example a roof.

In some applications, the lower support section 204 of the substantially vertical support 201 may have to remain in position on the ground. In this scenario, the safety cable connection point 210 cannot be raised beyond the height corresponding to the maximum extension of the substantially vertical support 201.

Figures 3A and 3B Figures 3A and 3B show a substantially vertical support 301, having a similar construction to that of substantially vertical support 201. The lower support section 302 defines an aperture 303 and is configured to receive an internal support section 304 through the aperture 302.

A schematic of the position of the upper support section 305 of the substantially vertical support 301 relative to the lower support section 302, when the substantially vertical support 301 is at the maximum extension, is shown in Figure 3A at 306.

The maximum extension of the substantially vertical support may be increased by the addition of an internal support section.

To increase the length of the upper support section 305, the lower end of the upper support section 305 is positioned just above the aperture 303 1 defined in the lower support section 302. Positioning of the upper support section 305 relative to the lower support section 302 is achieved by means of manual adjustment of the positioning means of the substantially vertical support 301, in this example a pulley and rope system. Internal support section 304 is then inserted through the aperture 303 and is received within the lower support section 302. The internal support section 304 is thereafter connected to the lower end of the upper support section 305. Following connection, the upper support section 305 may be raised higher, also by adjustment of the positioning means.

Figure 3B shows the substantially vertical support 301 at the maximum extension following the addition of internal support section 304. A schematic of the position of the upper support section 305 and internal support section 304 relative to the lower support section 302 of the substantially vertical support 301 is shown at 308.

To increase the available reach of the substantially vertical support 301, a second internal support section (not shown) may be connected to the lower end of the first internal support section 304, allowing the height of connection point 307 to be raised further. Further additional internal support sections may be connected to the upper support section 305 to incrementally increase the maximum extension of the substantially vertical support 301.

Substantially vertical support 301 comprises position locking means to releasably lock the position of the upper support section 305 relative to the lower support section 302. For example, with a pulley and rope system, once the required extension of the substantially vertical support has been achieved, transfer of pulley rope between pulleys may be prevented by a pulley rope locking mechanism. Alternatively, or additionally, the substantially I vertical support may define a series of apertures along the length thereof, through which locking pins may be inserted underneath a support section to prevent the support section from falling down from the desired position. Other position locking means may be provided; for example a ratchet mechanism.

Figure 4 An external strengthener may be used to increase the strength of the upper support section of the substantially vertical support 301. In Figure 4, external strengthener 401 is an external strengthening arm, as described in United Kingdom patent publication number GB 2 377 965, in the name of the present applicant. Alternatively, an external strengthening cable may be used, as described in international patent publication number WO 01/27411, in the name of the present applicant.

One end of external strengthening arm 401 is supported by a carriage 402 that extends from the lower end of the upper support section 305 of the substantially vertical support 301 outwardly through a slot defined by the lower support section 302. The slot allows the carriage to be moveable along the length of the lower support section 302.

As shown, substantially vertical support 301 is provided with a connection point 403 that allows an operative to connect directly to the upper support section 305. However, external strengthening arm 401 is provided with a cable direction tube 404 through which a safety cable 405 may be threaded. The safety cable 405 is then secured to the carriage 402 by a cable securing mechanism; in this example the cable is wedged between a tightening screw and a rigid member.

Carriage 402 is releasably connected to the upper support section I 305. Once internal support section 304 has been connected to the upper support section 305, the carriage 402 can be detached from the original position on the upper support section 305 and reattached at a lower position to the internal support section 304. If a second internal support section is added to the upper support section 305, the carriage 402 can be detached from the first internal support section 304 and reattached to the second internal support section. This can be repeated as necessary as further internal support sections are utilised, to locate the carriage 402 at the lower end of the upper support section 305.

If, as shown, rigid external strengthening arm 401 is being used, an extension member (not shown) can be added to extend the length of the strengthening arm 401. Thus, once internal support section 304 has been connected to the upper support section 305, an extension member (not shown) may be added to the strengthening arm 401 to bridge the extra distance between the strengthening arm 401 and the carriage 402 introduced by the addition of the internal support section 304. Further extension members can be added to the external strengthening arm as further internal support sections are added to the upper support section.

If an external strengthening cable is used, a supply of the strengthening cable can be made available such that the length of strengthening cable extending between the lower securing point on the carriage and the upper securing point can be extended as further internal I support sections are added to the upper support section. For example, if the strengthening cable is wedged between a tightening screw and a rigid member at the lower securing point, a coil of additional length of the cable can be located nearby. As internal support sections are added, the 0 tightening screw can be loosened to allow an extra length of strengthening cable to be unwound from the coil and drawn to the other side of the strengthening cable securing mechanism.

If, as shown, the safety cable 405 is threaded through a cable connection tube 404 on the strengthening arm 401 and secured to the carriage 402, a supply of the safety cable 405 can be made available such that the length of safety cable 405 extending along the substantially vertical support 301 can be extended as internal support sections are added to the upper support section 305. This is effected by the transfer of safety cable 405 from one side of the cable securing mechanism to the other, for example as described above in connection with an external strengthening cable.

Figure 5 Figure 5 shows a schematic front view of lower support section 302 of substantially vertical support 301. It can be seen that the lower support section 302 defines a carriage slot 501 that extends from the internal section support aperture 304.

A schematic view of an internal support section 502, configured to be received in the lower support section 302, is also shown. Internal support section 502 is provided with connecting means, in this example first connecting means 503 at one end thereof and second connecting means 504 at the other end thereof. According to the shown example, first connecting means 503 is a male threaded connector and second connecting means 504 is female threaded connector respectively. With this arrangement, the internal support section may be screw fitted to an upper support section of a substantially vertical support or another internal support section correspondingly configured to allow an internal support section to be coupled thereto. Alternatively, the internal support section may be provided with connecting means corresponding to a bayonet fitting.

Other types of connecting means may be provided, for example enabling a push fiVpull release fitting.

An internal support section may optionally be provided with connection facilitating means, to facilitate the connection of the internal support section to another support section. For example, internal support section 502 may define one or more apertures, such as aperture 505, to enable a tool (not shown) to be inserted therethrough to provide an operative with a grip on the internal support section. This feature facilitates the rotation and or raising of the internal support section 502 during the connection procedure.

In this example, the internal support section 502 is substantially hollow to reduce additional weight being added to the upper support section 305 of the substantially vertical support 301 to, in turn, reduce additional strain on the manually adjustable positioning means.

Figures 6A and 6B Figure 6A illustrates a substantially vertical support 601 that is similar in construction to substantially vertical support 301. However, a difference between substantially vertical support 301 and substantially vertical support 601 exists in the construction of the upper support member.

A schematic of the upper support section 602 of substantially vertical support 601 relative to the lower support section 603 is shown at 604. It can be seen that according to the arrangement of substantially vertical support 601, the upper support section 602 is formed from a series of coupled internal support sections only, such as internal support section 605. This is in contrast with the arrangement of substantially vertical support 301, which is configured for use in the absence of an internal support section.

To prepare substantially vertical support 601 for use, an internal support section is partially received within the lower support section 603 through the upper open end thereof. Thereafter the internal support section is connected to manually adjustable internal support section positioning means, arranged to allow an operative to position an internal support section with respect to the lower support section.

The first internal support section is then positioned to allow a second internal support section, received within the lower support section 603 through aperture 606, to be connected thereto. Following connection of the second internal support section to the first, the coupled internal support sections are positioned to allow a third internal support section to be connected to the second internal support section. These steps may be repeated until the required reach is achieved.

Industrial regulations exist dictating the weight of apparatus that an operative may manually transport. Substantially vertical support 301 is configured to be transported by a single operative whilst the upper support section 305 is received within the lower support section 302.

According to the arrangement shown in Figure 6A, the lower support section 603 of substantially vertical support 601 may be positioned for use prior to the formation of an upper support section 602 from internal support sections. Thus, the length of the lower support section 603 may be extended and the weight of the apparatus being transported at any one time by an operative still fall within applicable industrial regulations. Since the maximum safe reach of a substantially vertical support depends on the length of the lower support section, an extended lower support section provides for a substantially vertical support having a greater maximum safe reach than substantially vertical support 301.

Figure 6B illustrates an application in which internal support sections are used to extend the reach of a substantially vertical support but are not connected to the substantially vertical support.

In the shown example, the upper support section 610 of substantially vertical support 611, similar in arrangement to substantially vertical support 301, is resting on stacked internal support sections, such as internal support section 612. In this example, the internal support sections are not connected to each other, but in other arrangements the internal support sections are coupled together to form a connected stack. A schematic of the position of the upper support section 610 and internal support sections relative to the lower support section 613 of the substantially vertical support 610 is shown at 614.

The shown arrangement may be used in the event that the position locking means of the substantially vertical support fails on site; the internal support sections then function to extend the reach of the upper support section from beneath, which would otherwise fall to ground under gravity.

According to the arrangement shown in Figure 3B, the upper support section 305 of substantially vertical support 301 and internal support section 304 are configured to be coupled together. However, this feature is 3 not required to provide the arrangement shown in Figure 6B.

Thus, as described, safety apparatus is provided in which internal support sections are receivable within the lower support section of a 0 substantially vertical support to extend the maximum reach of the upper support section of the substantially vertical support.

Claims

Claims 1. Safety apparatus for use within a fall arrest system comprising:

a substantially vertical support, said substantially vertical support comprising a lower support section and an upper support section received within said lower support section and movable with respect to said lower support section such that said substantially vertical support is adjustable in length, wherein said lower support section defines an aperture and is configured to receive an internal support section through said aperture.
2. Safety apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an internal support section.
3. Safety apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said internal support section and said upper support section are configured to be coupled together.
4. Safety apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said internal support section is substantially hollow.
5. Safety apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4 wherein said internal support section and said upper support section are configured to be screw fitted together.
6. Safety apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 5 wherein said internal support section is provided with connection facilitating means.
7. Safety apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said with connection facilitating means comprises an aperture.
8. Safety apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising manually adjustable positioning means configured to allow an operative to position said upper support section with respect to said lower support section.
9. Safety apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said manually adjustable positioning means comprises a pulley and rope system.
10. Safety apparatus according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein said manually adjustable positioning means comprises releasable position locking means.
11. Safety apparatus for use within a fall arrest system comprising: a substantially vertical support, said substantially vertical support comprising a lower support section defining an aperture and configured to receive an internal support section through said aperture, and manually adjustable internal support section positioning means configured to allow an operative to position an internal support section received within said lower support section with respect to said lower support section.
12. Safety apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising a plurality of internal support sections configured to be coupled together to form an upper support section.
13. Safety apparatus according to claim 11 or claim 12 wherein said manually adjustable internal support section positioning means comprises a pulley and rope system.
14. Safety apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 13 wherein said manually adjustable internal support section positioning means comprises releasable position locking means.
15. Safety apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.