Fall protection system and method

• US 6,265,983 B1
• Filed: 09/30/1999
• Issued: 07/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paul D. Baillargeon
• Original Assignee: Paul D. Baillargeon
• Inventors: Baillargeon, Paul D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HUNG T
• Application Number:
  US09/408,798
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 340/687, 340/679, 340/673, 340/685, 340/680, 340/457.1, 182/3, 182/46, 187/222, 187/231, 187/240, 187/244
• US Class Current: 340/687
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 35/0037 Attachments for lifelines and lanyards lifelines, lanyards A62B35/0043
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 35/0068 Anchors
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 11/044 Working platforms suspended from booms
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 17/006 for working platforms

Abstract

Disclosed is a machinery operator protection system and method, which inhibits the use of machinery unless the operator of the machinery is properly secured with a lanyard and/or body harness to the machinery. The disclosed system includes a lanyard connection detector for detecting proper attachment of at least one lanyard to a machinery operator and a lanyard interlock control for controlling a switch to selectively enable activation of the machinery when the lanyard connection detector indicates that the operator is properly attached to the machinery with the lanyard. The disclosed method includes the steps of: detecting when at least one safety lanyard is properly attached to a between a machinery operator and a piece of machinery; and inhibiting operation of the machinery unless proper operator safety lanyard attachment is detected. Optionally, the method may also include providing an audible or visual warning alarm to advise the machinery operator if he or she attempts to use the machinery without proper safety lanyard attachment.

Claims

1. An operator protection system for preventing the use of machinery unless an operator of said machinery is secured to said machinery with at least one lanyard to prevent said operator from falling to the ground from at least a portion of said machinery capable of being elevated with respect to the ground, said system comprising:

a lanyard connection detector for detecting proper attachment of said at least one lanyard intermediate said operator and said machinery; and

a lanyard interlock control for controlling a switch to selectively enable activation of said machinery when said at least one lanyard connection detector indicates that said at least one lanyard is properly attached intermediate said operator and said machinery.

2. The operator protection system of claim 1, wherein said machinery comprises an aerialift system.

3. The operator protection system of claim 2, wherein said aerialift system comprises a boom/basket system, including an operator basket suspended from a boom, said boom activated by a boom motor.

4. The operator protection system of claim 1 further comprising an audio warning controller, an audio generator, and a speaker for providing audio alarm signals to said operator if said operator attempts to operate said machinery without a proper lanyard attachment.

5. The operator protection system of claim 4, further comprising an alarm selection activator for selecting one of a plurality of warning messages to broadcast to said operator.

6. An operator protection system for preventing the operation of an aerialift system unless an operator of said aerialift system is secured to said aerialift system with at least one lanyard to prevent said operator from falling to the ground from at least a portion of said aerialift system capable of being elevated with respect to the ground, said system comprising:

a lanyard connection detector for detecting proper attachment of said at least one lanyard intermediate said operator and said aerialift system; and

a lanyard interlock control for controlling a switch to selectively enable activation of said aerialift system when said at least one lanyard connection detector indicates that said at least one lanyard is properly attached intermediate said operator and said aerialift system.

7. A method of protecting a machinery operator from falling to the ground from at least a portion of said machinery that is capable of being elevated by preventing the use of said machinery unless said machinery operator is secured to said machinery with at least one safety lanyard, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting when said at least one safety lanyard is properly attached intermediate said machinery operator and said machinery; and

inhibiting operation of said machinery unless proper operator safety lanyard attachment is detected.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of providing an audible warning alarm if said operator attempts to use said machinery without proper safety lanyard attachment.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said step of inhibiting operation of said machinery comprises interrupting power to said machinery.