GB2511280A

GB2511280A - Fall arrest device

Info

Publication number: GB2511280A
Application number: GB1221309.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Karl Jones
Original assignee: Latchways PLC
Current assignee: Latchways PLC
Priority date: 2012-11-27
Filing date: 2012-11-27
Publication date: 2014-09-03
Anticipated expiration: 2032-11-27
Also published as: GB201501261D0; GB2511280B; GB201221309D0; GB2519459B; GB2519459A

Abstract

Fall arrest lanyard 6 having first end 10 for connection to a secured element and second end 9 for connection to a user, lanyard 6 further comprising first connection point 17b for mounting an upper end of descent device 18 to the lanyard, and second connection point 17a for mounting a lower end of descent device 18 to lanyard 6, where second connection point 17a is intermediate first and second ends 10, 9 of lanyard 6. Lanyard 6 may be severed between first and second connection points 17b, 17a. Lanyard 6 may further comprise energy absorber 8. Also claimed is a method of arresting a users fall and safely lowering them to the ground comprising: attaching first end 10 of lanyard 6 to a secured element; attaching second end 9 of lanyard 6 to a user; connecting an upper end of descender 18 to the lanyard at first connection point 17b and the lower end of descender 18 to second connection point 17a; and severing lanyard 6 intermediate first and second connection points 17b, 17a so that the users descent is controlled by descender 18.

Description

Fall Arrest Device The present invention relates to personal fall arrest safety systems, and in particular a lanyard for use with a fall arrest safety system.

S

Personal fall atTest systems are used to safely stop the fall of personnel who arc working at height, thus preventing injuly or death which may otherwise be caused as a result of falling. Fall arrest systems are sometimes referred to as height safety systems or fall prevention systems.

Fall arrest systems typically comprise a lanyard (or line' or tether'). The lanyard is connected at one end to a harness worn by the user, the other end of the lanyard being secured or anchored to the structure on which the user is working. As a result of a fall, large forces may be applied to the worker and/or anchorage. This can harm the user and/or damage the anchorage. Therefore, known lanyards often comprise an energy absorber or deceleration device which dissipates the forces associated with a fall arrest event.

When a user falls, the energy absorber is deployed and the user's fall is ultimately broken by the lanyard which is anchored at one end to the building. The user is then suspended on the other end of the lanyard. The weight of the user causes the lanyard to deflect towards the building so that the user is suspended in a position against or adjacent the building.

Following an arrested fall, the user must be retrieved from the suspended position. This may be achieved by pulling him back up to the top of the structure or lowering him to the ground or other platform, Lowering of the fallen user is often achieved by means of a descent control device (also known as a descender') which is used to lower the person in a safe manner.

However, in order to attach a descent control device to the lanyard, rescue personnel positioned at the top of the building are required to lean out over the edge so as to attach the descender to the lanyard and the user, then unsecure the lanyard from the user which is diffi cult as the weight of the user is transferred through the lanyard to the building. This poses a risk to the rescue personnel who may themselves fall over the edge.

Therefore, a new and improved solution has been devised which eliminates or at least atleviates some or all of the problems associated with known fall arrest systems.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a fall arrest lanyard having a first end for connection to a secured element and a second end for connection to a user, the fall arrest lanyard further comprising a first connection point for mounting an upper end of a descent device thereto and a second connection point for mounting a lower end of a descent device thereto, the second connection point being intermediate the first end and second end of the fall arrest lanyard, Severance of the lanyard preferably divides the lanyard into two or more detached members or portions. The detached members may be physically independent from one another.

The first connection point for thounting an upper end of a descent device thereto is located at the first lanyard end for connection to a secured element. Alternatively, the first connection point for mounting an upper end of a descent device thereto is provided intermediate the first lanyard end and the second connection point.

At least a portion of the material between the first and second connection points may comprise a visual indicator means arranged to identifS' a zone or point for severance of the lanyard. It is beneficial to clearly identify to a rescuer the point at which the lanyard can be severed once a descent device has been secured to the first and second connection points.

A lanyard severance means is beneficially provided intermediate the first connection point and the second connection point. The lanyard severance means may include an actuator for deploying the lanyard severance means and causing severance of the lanyard.

The lanyard severance means may be a portion of the body arranged and configured such that it may be cut, torn or otherwise separated. Thus, the severance means may be a portion of the longitudinal length of the lanyard between the first and second points which is composed of a different material or strength of material from the remainder of the lanyard body. It is essential, however, that the severable portion is strong enough to resist tearing or severance of the lanyard during a fall event. Thus, the lanyard must not sever until deployment of the severance means is intentionally executed, In one embodiment the lanyard may be severed by cutting or tearing the zone between the first and second connection point. I0

In an alternative embodiment, the severance means may be an actuator (such as a cutting or tearing device) attached to ormounted on (or in) the longitudinal length of the lanyard such that the lanyard is divided upon deployment of the actuator. The actuator may be configured to cause severance of the lanyard by culling or tearing. In such an embodiment, the entire length of the lanyard may be composed of the same material, or may include a severable portion as described above so as to facilitate severance, It is preferred that deployment of the severance means causes complete severance of the zone between the first and second connection point into a plurality of distinct or independent portions, The lanyard may be provided with one or more reinforced areas. The reinforced areas may he provided at either side or end of the lanyard severance means. The reinforcement means may he thickened body portions, or additional stitching, or a different material or any other fonn of reinforcement neans configured to prevent inadvertent tearing or severance of the lanyard during a fall event.

In one embodiment, connection of the first lanyard end to the structure is achieved by way of connecting the lanyard to a safety line, which is in turn connected to or supported by a fixed anchor provided on the structure. -4..

In one embodiment, the severance means is provided toward or adjacent the first end of the lanyard. Thus, the point at which the lanyard body severs upon deployment of the detachment means is easily accessible by rescue personnel positioned on the structure, S An eye or a hook or any other form of device may be suitable for attaching the second end of the lanyard to the user, or his harness, or other intermediate device.

In a preferred embodiment, an energy absorber may be provided on or along the lanyard.

Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a fall arrest system including a lanyard as claimed in any claim including a descender device. The descender device is beneficially releasably secured at an upper end to the first connection point and at a lower end to the second connection point. In one embodiment, the descender device is fixedly secured to the respective connection points, thus ensuring that accidental release is not possible.

There is also provided a method of arresting a user's fall and safely lowering a user to safety, the method comprising the steps of: attaching a first end of the lanyard to a secured element; attaching a second end of a lanyard to the user, the lanyard comprising a first connection point for mounting an upper end of a descent device thereto and a second connection point for mounting a lower end of a descent device thereto, the second connection point being intermediate the first end and second end of the fall arrest lanyard; connecting an upper end of a descender to the lanyard at the first connection point and the lower end of the descender to the second connection point, and securing the lanyard iniermediate the first and second connection points such that the user's descent is controlled by the descender.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from, and elucidated with reference to, the embodiment described herein, An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a known lanyard for use in a personal fall arrest system.

Figure 2 shows a lanyard for use in a personal fall arrest system and in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 3 shows the lanyard of figure 2 connected to a descent control device (descender) prior to severance of the lanyard.

Figure 4 shows the lanyard connected to a user in use, after a fall event has occurred.

1 5 Figure 5 shows the sante scenario as Figure 4 but after a descent control device (descender) has been connected to die lanyard.

Figure 6 shows the same scenario as Figure 5 after the lanyard has been severed and the user's load has been transferred to the descender.

Figure 1 shows a known lanyard 1 for use with a personal fall arrest system. The lanyard comprises a body 2, an energy absorber 3, connection means 4 for attaching an end of the lanyard I to a user 13 and connection means 5 for attaching another end of the lanyard 1 to a second clement providing an anchorage such as a safrty line or support 15.

Figure 2 shows a lanyard 6 iii accordance with the present invention. The lanyard 6 comprises a body 7a, an optional energy absorber 8, a user connection means 9 for connecting a first end of the lanyard 6 to a user, and a structure connection means 10 for connection of the second end of the lanyard 6 to a safety line or other device attached to a structure 11 (shown in Figure 4).

The connection means 9, 10 are apertures or eye formations configured to receive a device such as a karabiner 12a, 12b. Figures 4 to 6 show the lanyard 6 in use. Karabiner 12a connects user connection means 9 to the harness (not shown) of a user 13. Another karabiner 12b connects the structure connection means 10 of the lanyard 6 to the building or structure 11 either by way of passing a safety line 14 through the karabiner 12b as shown, or by connecting the karabiner 1 2b directly to a support or anchor point 15.

The body 7 of the lanyard 6 comprises a severance means 16 configured to enable or facilitate severance of the lanyard. The severance means shown in Figure 2 to 6 is in the fonn of a cutable or tearable portion 16 provided in the body 7 of the lanyard 6, although other methods and means of achieving the severance may be used. Reinforcement means are provided on either side of the descender connection points 17a, 17b so as to prevent inadvertent tearing or severance of the lanyard at potentially weak points during a fall event.

Descender connection points ha and 17b are provided at either side or ends of the severable portion 16 so as to enable the lanyard to be attached to a descender 18 as shown in Figures 3, 5 and 6. The descender 18 is connected to the lanyard body on either side of the severable means 16 so as to maintain a connection between the severed lanyard portions 7a, 7b once the severable means 16 has been severed. Thus, the descender 18 forms a bridge or connection between the severed lanyard body members 7a, 7b during use.

The descender connection points 17 a and l7b are shown as eye formations or apertures, although any suitable type of connection means may be utiliscd. Thc descender 18 is provided with corresponding lanyard connection elements 19a, 19b configured to mate or engage with respective descender connection points l7a and 17b.

The lanyard connection elements 19a and 19b arc provided on opposing ends of the descender 18. A first lanyard connection elements 19a is connected to the lanyard at the end of the severable means 16 which is closest to the user, This connection means is arranged and configured such that it can extend as the fallen user is lowered to safety during a rescue. The first lanyard connection element 1 9a is attached to one end of a tether 21, the other end of the tether 21 bcing attached to a spool within the descender 18.

Until deployment the tether 21 is wound onto a spool or reel within the descender 18.

The second lanyard connection element 19b is fixedly connected to the descender such that it cannot extend or distort during a rescue, and does not move away from the descender 18.

This is most clearly shown in Figure 6, which depicts the user being lowered to safety, the first lanyard connection element 19a having been spooled out from the descender by means of a tether 21.

In use, the user connection means 9 is attached to the user, and the structure connection means 10 is connected to the anchorage 15 or safety line 14. The severance means 16 is positioned on the lanyard towards the structure connection means 10 and is, therefore, easily accessible to a rescue worker working on the top of the building.

When a fall event has occurred, the energy absorber 8 is deployed so as to dissipate the forces generated by the event. The user is suspended at one end of the extended lanyard, the other end being anchored to the structure. The weight of the suspended user causes the lanyard to deflect towards the roof edge.

I

As the severance means 16 (i.e. cutable portion) is positioned towards the anchor 15 rather than the user, it is easily accessible to a safety worker working on the top of the building.

The rescue worker then attaches the control descent device 18 (i.e. the descender 18) to the lanyard body on either side of the eutable portion 16. The cutable portion is then cut or tom so as to sever the lanyard into a two body parts. It will be appreciated that an actuator such as a tab may be provided. The actuator may, for example, be a tab or loop that when pulled causes severance of the zone of the lanyard between the descender connection points 17a, 17b.

As the tearable or cutable portion of the lanyard is provided at or near the anchorage point, rescue workers do not need to lean out (or at least lean out very far) over the edge of the structure to deploy the severance means 16. In addition, the descender 18 may be attached to the lanyard at or toward the anchorage point, again reducing or elinilnating the need for the rescue worker to lean out over the edge of the building. This provides a significant improvement in respect of the rescue worker's safety.

After the lanyard has been severed, a first portion 7b remains connected to the anchorage point whilst the second portion La remains connected to the user. The weight of the user causes the second portion 7a to move away from the first portion 7b such that a gap forms and widens between the separated lanyard body parts (See Figure 6).

The descender 18, however, remains connected to each lanyard portion 7a, 7b such that as the lanyard portions move away from each other the descender [8 bridges the gap, The load of the fallen user is transferred through the descender, and the user is lowered safely to the ground or other platform in a controlled manner.

This eliminates or reduces the need for the rescue personnel to lean out over the edge of the structure to access the lanyard body in order to attach a descent control device (such as a rappel device or other descender).

The present invention has been described by way of example only and it will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A fail arrest lanyard having a first end for connection to a secured element and a second end for connection to a user, the fall arrest lanyard further comprising a first S connection point for mounting an tipper end of a descent device thereto and a second connection point for mounting a lower end of a descent device thereto, the second connection point being intermediate the first end and second end of the fall arrest lanyard.
2. A fall arrest lanyard according to claim 1 wherein the first connection point for mounting an upper end of a descent device thereto is located at the first lanyard end for connection to a secured element.
3. A fall arrest lanyard according to claim 1 wherein the first connection point for mounting an upper end of a descent device thereto is provided intermediate the first lanyard end and the second connection point.
4. A fall arrest lanyard according to any preceding claim wherein at least a portion of the material belween the first and second connection points comprises an unusual indicator means arranged to identify a zone or point for severance of the lanyard.
5. A fall arrest lanyard according to any preceding claim comprising a lanyard severance means intermediate the first connection point and the second connection point.
6. A fall arrest lanyard according to claim Swherein the lanyard severance means includes an actuator for deploying the lanyard severance means and causing severance of the lanyard.
7. A fall arrest lanyard according to any of claims 5-6 wherein the severance means is provided adjacent or towards the first end of the lanyard.
8. A fall arrest lanyard according to any of claims 5-7, wherein the severance means is a cutable or tearable portion provided on or along the length or width of the lanyard.
9. A fall an'est lanyard according to any preceding claims wherein the first and/or second connection point comprises an element projecting from the lanyard.
10. A fall arrest lanyard according to claim 9 wherein the element is a closed loop.
11. A fall arrest lanyard according to any preceding claim further comprising strengthening means adjacent one or both of the first and second connection points.
12, A fall arrest lanyard according to any preceding claim further comprising an energy absorber.
13. A fall arrest lanyard according to claim 4 wherein the first connection point for mounting an upper end of a descent device thereto is provided adjacent the first lanyard end.
14. A method of arresting a user's fall and safely lowering a user to safety, the method comprising the steps: attaching a first end of the lanyard to a secured element; attaching a second end of a lanyard to the user, the lanyard comprising a first connection point for mounting an upper end of a descent device thereto and a second connection point for mounting a lower end of a descent device thereto, the second connection point being intermediate the first end and second end of the fall arrest lanyard; connecting an upper end of a descender to the lanyard at the first connection point and the lower end of the descender to the second connection point, severing the lanyard intermediate the first and second connection points such that the user's descent is controlled by the descender.
15. A fall arrest system including a lanyard according to any preceding claim and a descent device.
16. A fall arrest system according to claim 15 wherein the descender device is releasably secured at an upper end to the first connection point and at a lower end to the second connection point.
17. A fall arrest system according to claim 15 wherein the descender device is fixedly secured at an upper end to the first connection point and at a lower end to the second connection point.
18. A fall arrest lanyard and/or system as hcreinbeforc described with reference to the accompanying drawings.