RIGGING SYSTEM SAFETY DEVICE

• US 20130048424A1
• Filed: 08/26/2011
• Published: 02/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lebesgue Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Lebesgue Holdings, LLC
• Inventors: Bemis, Christopher Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 8,770,347 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 182/18
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 35/0068 Anchors
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 2003/283 mobile horizontally
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 3/32 Hoisting devices; Safety devices

Abstract

Disclosed herein, amongst other things, is a system for providing added safety for workers using rigging systems. In an embodiment, the invention includes a safety device for a roof rigging system including a rigger arm having a proximal end and a distal end; an attachment member disposed on the distal end of the rigger arm, the attachment member defining an aperture, the attachment member configured to engage a rigging line with the aperture; and a blocking member disposed on the distal end of the rigger arm, the blocking member configured to interface with the attachment member to prevent engagement of the attachment member with the rigging line by occluding the aperture when a counterweight is not attached to the roof rigging system.

Claims

1. A safety device for a roof rigging system comprising:

a rigger arm having a proximal end and a distal end;

an attachment member disposed on the distal end of the rigger arm, the attachment member defining an aperture, the attachment member configured to engage a rigging line with the aperture; and

a blocking member disposed on the distal end of the rigger arm, the blocking member configured to interface with the attachment member to prevent engagement of the attachment member with the rigging line by occluding the aperture when a counterweight is not attached to the roof rigging system.

2. The safety device of claim 1, wherein the blocking member is movable between a closed position wherein the blocking member occludes the aperture and an open position wherein the blocking member does not occlude the aperture.

3. The safety device of claim 2, further comprising a spring configured to bias the blocking member to the closed position.

4. The safety device of claim 1, further comprising a counterweight holder, wherein the counterweight holder is operably connected to the blocking member.

5. The safety device of claim 4, wherein the counterweight holder is operably connected to the blocking member with a cable.

6. The safety device of claim 5, wherein the blocking member is movable between a closed position wherein the blocking member occludes the aperture and an open position wherein the blocking member does not occlude the aperture.

7. The safety device of claim 6, the counterweight holder configured to compress when a counterweight is attached to the roof rigging system.

8. The safety device of claim 6, the counterweight holder further comprising a spring member configured to cause movement of the blocking member to the open position when a counterweight is attached to the roof rigging system.

9. The safety device of claim 1, wherein the blocking member is configured to move relative to the attachment member.

10. The safety device of claim 1, wherein the attachment member is configured to move relative to the blocking member.

11. The safety device of claim 1, the counterweight having a weight of greater than 200 pounds.

12. The safety device of claim 1, the attachment member comprising a structure selected from the group consisting of a loop, a hook, and an eyelet.

13. A method for increasing the safety of using a roof rigging system comprising:

providing a rigger arm having a proximal end and a distal end;

providing an attachment member disposed on the distal end of the rigger arm, the attachment member defining an aperture, the attachment member configured to engage a rigging line with the aperture; and

preventing engagement of the attachment member if a counterweight is not attached to the roof rigging system.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein preventing engagement of the attachment member comprises providing a blocking member disposed on the distal end of the rigger arm, the blocking member configured to prevent engagement of the attachment member with the rigging line by occluding the aperture when a counterweight is not attached to the roof rigging system.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the blocking member is movable between a closed position wherein the blocking member occludes the aperture and an open position wherein the blocking member does not occlude the aperture.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a spring configured to bias the blocking member to the closed position.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising a counterweight, wherein the counterweight is operably connected to the blocking member.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the blocking member is movable between a closed position wherein the blocking member occludes the aperture and an open position wherein the blocking member does not occlude the aperture.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing a counterweight configured to move the blocking member to an open position wherein the blocking member does not occlude the aperture.

20. The method of claim 14, comprising further providing a spring member configured to cause movement of the blocking member to the open position when a counterweight is attached to the roof rigging system.