GB2496617A - Vehicle fall arrest system - Google Patents

Abstract

A fall arrest assembly for use with a vehicle or vehicle trailer having a platform or a floor 2 elevated from the ground such as to present a fall hazard. The fall arrest assembly comprising two primary tracks (12, Fig 3) mountable, in use, in parallel to one another along opposing sides 5,6 of the vehicle or vehicle trailer adjacent to the platform or floor 2. A secondary track 7 slideably retained at each end thereof by the primary tracks 12 thereby enabling such to be moved in a direction parallel to the primary tracks 12, and personal engaging means 10 slideably retained within the secondary track 7 thereby enabling such to be moved along the length of the secondary track 7.

Description

VEHICLE FALL ARREST SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fall arrest or restraint system and in particular a system for use in a goods vehicle, such as a lorry, box van, curtain-sided vehicle or the trailer of a heavy goods vehicle.

Background of the Invention

Fall arrest or restraint systems are used in environments where personnel are at risk of falling from an unsafe height. These systems prevent a person from falling from heights to the ground and thereby avert potentially serious accidents.

Vehicles that are used to transport goods are an example of an environment where personnel operate at a height that could result in serious injury if a person were to fall from the cargo hold of the goods vehicle. The cargo hold of these goods vehicles can either permanently fixed to a lorry or provided as a removable trailer.

One example of a fall arrest system devised for used on goods vehicles is disclosed in EP 2119591 Al. The fall arrest system provides a frame structure with at least one guard member that prevents a person from falling from the side or rear of a vehicle.

Another example of a vehicle fall arrest system is described in GB 2377914.

The fall arrest system provides a net that is positioned around the sides of the vehicle to catch any person who might accidentally fall from the vehicle.

GB 2429743 provides a fall arrest system which uses a number of impact absorbing units which can be set out in an array around the vehicle, so that any person falling from the vehicle is met with a cushioned landing, thereby minimising the risk of injury.

All of these systems are time consuming to operate, in particular when the operator of the vehicle wishes to load goods onto the vehicle from the side because in order to do so they are required to disengage or remove the fall arrest systems, which would otherwise be in the way.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides an improved fall arrest system that is suitable for use in goods vehicles and heavy goods vehicles, such as lorries but also box vans or curtain-sided vehicles. In addition it is envisaged that the system of the present invention could also be adopted in other vehicles such as trains.

The present invention provides a fall arrest assembly for use with a vehicle or vehicle trailer having a platform or a floor elevated from the ground such as to present a fall hazard, said fall arrest assembly comprising: two primary tracks mountable, in use, in parallel to one another along opposing sides of the vehicle or vehicle trailer adjacent to said platform or floor; a secondary track slideably retained at each end thereof by the primary tracks thereby enabling such to be moved in a direction parallel to the primary tracks; and personnel engaging means slideably retained within the secondary track thereby enabling such to be moved along the length of the secondary track.

The fall arrest assembly of the present invention enables a user to move freely about the plafform or floor of a goods vehicle (i.e. where the cargo is stored) without impediment from the safety system. In addition, and unlike the fall arrest systems of the prior art, the assembly of the present invention does not hinder the side loading of cargo on to the vehicle platform or floor.

Preferably the primary tracks may, in use, be mounted along the longest sides of the vehicle or vehicle trailer. It is envisaged that this arrangement will generally involve the movement of a shorter and thus less cumbersome secondary track.

However it is appreciated that an assembly having the primary tracks mounted at the front and back edges of the vehicle would also provide the main benefits of the present invention.

S Preferably the primary tracks may, in use, extend along the entire length of the sides of said platform or floor of the vehicle or trailer. In this way the user can access every part of the vehicle platform or floor whilst attached to the assembly.

Preferably the primary tracks may be mounted, in use, at or adjacent to the top of the vehicle or vehicle trailer sides. In this way the tracks are located well above the user's head, thereby reducing the distance the user can fall before the system arrests them.

Preferably the personnel engaging means may comprise a wearable harness.

In this way the user is securely held by the assembly. Further preferably the wearable harness may be provided with a 3600 rotating connector to prevent the harness becoming twisted. This once again provides the user with more freedom of movement.

Preferably the personnel engaging means may comprise an inertia reel device. This serves to bring the user to a stop more gradually.

The present invention also provides a vehicle or vehicle trailer comprising the fall arrest system of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described with reference to the figures, wherein: Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic view of the fall arrest system of the present invention in situ in a vehicle trailer or vehicle's cargo hold; Figure 2 shows the fall arrest system in more detail; Figure 3 shows a close up of interaction between fall arrest system and a vehicle trailer/vehicle storage hold.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The fall arrest system of the present invention is primarily intended to be used in the cargo hold of a road based goods vehicles or goods vehicle trailers.

However it is appreciated that the system may also be utilised in the cargo S holds of other transporters, such as trains.

The general operation of the fall arrest system of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figure 1. A vehicle cargo hold 1, which is represented here as a basic box shape for the sake of clarity, has a platform or floor 2 from which the framework of the side walls 3, 4 and the end walls extend.

The walls, some of which may formed by durable curtains held with said framework to enable ready access to the cargo hold via the sides thereof, support a roof structure. One or more doors may also be provided. The general construction of vehicle trailers and vehicle cargo holds is readily appreciated in the art and thus will not be addressed in detail here.

Typically the platform or floor 2 of the cargo hold 1 is elevated from the ground such as to present a hazard to anyone who might fall from the cargo hold 1. It is this potential hazard that the fall arrest system of the present invention seeks to address.

Along each of the top edges 5 and 6 of the two longest sides 3 and 4 of the cargo hold is provided a side track 12 (shown in Figure 3). The side tracks 12 are preferably made from metal, such as mild steel combined with stainless steel. The side tracks are mounted in parallel with one another on opposing sides 3 and 4 of the cargo hold 1. It is envisaged that each side track may be formed as a single length of track or as multiple lengths positioned in series along the side of the vehicle.

A main track 7 extends between the two longest sides 3 and 4. The main track 7, which is preferably made from metal (such as mild steel combined with stainless steel) is slideably retained with the side tracks 12 at each end of the main track 7. An appropriate mechanism for slideably retaining the ends of the main track will be described in more detail below with reference to Figure 3.

The slidable relationship between the main track 7 and the side tracks 12 S enables the main track 7 to travel along the length of the platform or floor 2 of the cargo hold 1 in any direction parallel to the side tracks 12. It is envisaged that preferably the side tracks 12 extend the full length of the cargo hold 1 so that a user has complete freedom to travel the entire length of the floor 2 whilst attached to the fall arrest system.

A main runner 9 is slideably retained by the main track 7. It is envisaged that the mechanism used to slideably retain the main runner 9 is similar to that used to slideably retain the main track 7 in the side tracks 12, which is described in more detail below.

The slidable relationship between the main track 7 and the main runner enables the main runner 9 to travel from one side 3 of the cargo hold 1 to the other 4. A mini fall arrest block is securely attached to the main runner 9 to enable a user to couple themselves (e.g. via rope or cable 10) to the main runner 9 and thus the fall arrest system.

It will be therefore be appreciated that the combined effect of the slidable relationship between the main track 7 and the side tracks 12 together with that of the main runner 9 and the main 7 provides a user who is attached to the main runner 9 with complete freedom of movement across the floor 4 within the cargo hold 1.

It is appreciated that the mechanism by which a user is coupled to the main runner 9 can be further improved by providing a standard inertia reel device to bring the user to a stop more gradually.

In addition, or alternatively, a 3600 rotating connector can be used to prevent the safety rope or cable becoming twisted by the movements of the user over time.

A preferred embodiment of a slidable retaining mechanism that may be used by the fall arrest system of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 shows a close up view of one end of the main S track 7 and its slidable relationship with one of the side tracks 12. It will be appreciated that the arrangement at the other end of the main track 7 is generally the same as that shown in Figure 7.

The side track 12 is securely mounted to the vehicle/trailer structure, represented here by beam 6, using bracket 13 which is bolted to the beam 6 using bolts 14. Although it is appreciated that alternative means of fixing may be employed provided they can withstand the stresses to which the side track is subjected during use.

The side track 12 is welded to bracket 13 preferably along the entire length thereof to ensure a secure attachment Once again suitable alternative means for fixing the track 12 to the bracket 13 will be appreciated.

It is envisaged that alternatively the bracket and track may integrally formed from a single extrusion. It is also envisaged that the bracket, and possibly even the track, may be integrally formed with the vehicle during its manufacture.

At each end of the main track 7 is provided a track connector 15. The track connector 15 is secured to the end of the main track 7 by multiple bolts 16.

Although, once again, it is envisaged that alternative suitable fixings may be used to form the secure attachment.

The track connector 15 is provided with a bracket 1 Sa upon the end of which rollers 17 and 18 are ratatably mounted on axles. Preferably the bracket 15a is welded onto the track connector 15, but suitable alternative fixing means will be appreciated.

Rollers 17 rotate about horizontal axles located at the end of the bracket 1 5a, whereas roller 18 rotates about a vertical axle located the end of the bracket 15a. Preferably the rollers may be made from nylon to ensure a smooth movement along the track.

S

In order to retain the rollers within the side track 12 lips are provided along the underside of the track 12. The bracket 15a extends through a channel provided between the track lips. Preferably the size of the lips is sufficient to carry the full width of each roller 17 on it.

The radius of the larger roller 18 is such that roller 18 maintains contact with the inner sides of the track 12, thereby ensuring that the smaller rollers 17 maintain a substantially straight path within the track 12.

Although only three rollers are visible in arrangement of Figure 3 it is envisaged that multiple pairs of rollers 17 and multiple top rollers 18 may be provided to spread the load of the main track 7 and ensure it travels smoothly along the side tracks 12.

Although not shown it should be appreciated that a similar track/roller assembly to that described here would preferably be adopted to slideably retain the main runner 9 on the main track 7.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>Claims 1. A fall arrest assembly for use with a vehicle or vehicle trailer having a platform or a floor elevated from the ground such as to present a fall hazard, said fall arrest assembly comprising: s two primary tracks mountable, in use, in parallel to one another along opposing sides of the vehicle or vehicle trailer adjacent to said platform or floor; a secondary track slideably retained at each end thereof by the primary tracks thereby enabling such to be moved in a direction parallel to the primary tracks; and personnel engaging means slideably retained within the secondary track thereby enabling such to be moved along the length of the secondary track.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein, in use, the primary tracks are mounted along the longest sides of the vehicle or vehicle trailer.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. The assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein, in use, the primary tracks extend along the entire length of the sides of said platform or floor of the vehicle or trailer.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. The assembly of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the primary tracks are mounted, in use, at or adjacent to the top of the vehicle or vehicle trailer sides.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. The assembly of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the retaining means that enable the personnel engaging means to slide along the secondary track also enables the personnel engaging means to pivot at right angles to the secondary track.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. The assembly of any of claims I to 5, wherein the personnel engaging means comprises a wearable harness.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the wearable harness is provided with a 360° rotating connector to prevent the harness becoming twisted.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. The assembly of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the personnel engaging means comprises an inertia reel device.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A vehicle or vehicle trailer comprising the fall arrest system of any of claims ito 8.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A fall arrest assembly for use with a vehicle or vehicle trailer having a platform or a floor elevated from the ground such as to present a fall hazard substantially as described, with reference to the drawings, hereinbefore.</claim-text>