Fall protection restraint apparatus

• US 6,695,095 B1
• Filed: 09/27/2002
• Issued: 02/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gary J. Franke
• Original Assignee: Gary J. Franke
• Inventors: Franke, Gary J.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEV, BRUCE ALLEN
• Application Number:
  US10/256,473
• Time in Patent Office: 515 Days
• Field of Search: 182/3, 182/5, 182/7, 182/9, 182/36, 182/45, 182/113, 182/133, 104/95, 104/112, 256/1, 256/59
• US Class Current: 182/3
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 35/0068 Anchors
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 21/3261 Safety-nets; Safety mattresses; Arrangements on buildings for connecting safety-lines jumping-sheets, jumping-mattresses A62B1/22
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 21/3276 Arrangements on buildings for connecting safety-lines fastening devices for devices for lowering persons from buildings A62B1/04

Abstract

A fall protection restraint apparatus that is utilized during building construction comprising a base (20) that rests on the lowest floor surface of a building during construction. A number of poles (36) are connected to the base sequentially, as construction height requires, to form a structurally sound column. Support cables (40) are connected between the poles and the building under construction to horizontally support the column by forming a guyed matrix. A retractable lifeline lanyard (48) is attached to D-rings on the end cap (54) on the uppermost pole (36b), thereby allowing the lanyard to expand and retract freely until a sudden tug impedes and secures the lanyard'"'"'s movement. A construction worker (50) wears a fall arrest harness (52) that is connected to the lanyard, thus providing protection. In the event of a fall, the lanyard limits and maintains the minimal distance between the worker and the column, thereby precluding a fall to the surface below.

Claims

1. A fall protection restraint apparatus adapted to be secured to a building during construction comprising,

a) a base resting on a floor surface of a building during construction,

b) a plurality of poles with a first pole connected to the base and subsequent poles nested together sequentially, as construction height requires, thus forming a structurally sound column, wherein each pole having a distal socket on one end, wherein said distal socket on an uppermost pole is defined as a tee-shaped end cap having a plurality of lanyard hooks,

c) a plurality of support cables connected between the poles and a building under construction to horizontally support the column by forming a guyed matrix,

d) at least one retractable lifeline lanyard attached to the column, thereby allowing the lanyard to expand and retract freely until a sudden tug impedes and secures the lanyard'"'"'s movement, and

e) at least one fall arrest harness connected to the lanyard such that securement is provided to a construction worker wearing the harness, in the event of a fall the lanyard limits and maintains the minimal distance between the worker and the column, thus precluding a fall to the surface below.

2. The fall protection restraint apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said base further comprises a floor plate having an upright pole attached to the floor plate at right angles thereunto, a socket attached to an upward-extending portion of the upright pole, and a plurality of gussets permanently attached between the socket and plate, thereby forming a structurally sound integral element.

3. The fall protection restraint apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said floor surface is defined as a concrete floor and said base having attachment means to secure the base to the concrete floor.

4. The fall protection restraint apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said attaching means to secure the base to the concrete floor further comprise said base having a plurality of mounting holes therein with a plurality of wedging anchor bolts disposed within the mounting holes to penetrate into the concrete floor.

5. The fall protection restraint apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said each pole having a distal socket on one end.

6. The fall protection restraint apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said lanyard hooks further comprises a plurality of D-rings attached securely to the end cap.

7. The fall protection restraint apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said tee-shaped end cap further comprising a vertical socket having a horizontal top member attached at right angles to the socket and a plurality of gussets attached between the vertical socket and the horizontal top member reinforcing the end cap structure.

8. The fall protection restraint apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said poles having a plurality of lanyard hooks and cable anchors attached thereupon.

9. The fall protection restraint apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one pole having lanyard hooks and cable anchors positioned above a floor line of a building under construction when the poles are nested together to form the column.

10. The fall protection restraint apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein the above said floor line of a building under construction is at least 8 feet (2.5 m) from a building under construction floor surface.

11. The fall protection restraint apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said support cables further comprise ratchet cable pullers which include an integral aircraft cable, attaching hooks, interlocking drive and stop levers.

12. The fall protection restraint apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said support cables further comprise a safety pole anchor having a pivoting ring and a bracket configured to rest upon a floor and partially enclose a structural floor plate for removable attachment thereof.

13. The fall protection restraint apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said retractable lifeline lanyard further comprises an anchorage connector and an integral cable with a swivel snap hook on the cable for connection to the harness.

14. The fall protection restraint apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said fall arrest harness further comprises at least a body belt.

15. A fall protection restraint apparatus adapted to be secured to a residential or a multiple building during construction comprising,

a base resting on a floor surface of a building during construction,

a plurality of poles with a first pole connected to the base and subsequent poles nested together sequentially, as construction height requires, thus forming a structurally sound rigid columns, wherein each pole having a distal socket on one end, wherein said distal socket on an uppermost pole is defined as a tee-shaped end can having a plurality of lanyard hooks,

a plurality of support cables connected between the poles and the building under construction to horizontally support the column by forming a guyed matrix,

at least one lanyard attached to the column, and

a fall arrest harness connected to the lanyard such that securement is provided to a construction worker wearing the harness, in the event of a fall the lanyard limits and maintains the minimal distance between the worker and the column, thus precluding a fall to the surface below.

16. A fall protection restraint apparatus adapted to be secured to a residential or a multiple building during construction comprising,

a base resting on a floor surface of a building during construction,

a pole connected to the base having a height, as construction requires to form a rigid column, said pole having a distal socket defined as a tee-shaped end cap having a plurality of lanyard hooks,

a plurality of support cables connected between the poles and the building under construction to horizontally support the column,

at least one lanyard attached to the column, and

a harness connected to the lanyard such that securement is provided to a construction worker wearing the harness, in the event of a fall the lanyard maintains the distance between the worker and the column.