Safety line anchorage methods and apparatus

• US 6,802,390 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2003
• Issued: 10/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Capital Safety Group (Australia) Pty Limited (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: Capital Safety Group (Australia) Pty Limited (3M Company)
• Inventors: Peterson, Gregory K., Vong, Paul, Moy, Russell I.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHIN SHUE, ALVIN C
• Application Number:
  US10/453,352
• Publication Number:
  US 20030192739A1
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 182/36, 182/3, 104/111, 104/112, 104/115, 104/89, 104/93, 248/218.4, 248/219.4
• US Class Current: 182/36
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 35/0056 Horizontal lifelines
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 35/0068 Anchors
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 35/0087 Arrangements for bypassing lifeline supports without lanyard disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 35/04 incorporating energy absorbing means

Abstract

An anchorage assembly (100) is interconnected between a support structure (90) and a safety line (160, 161). The anchorage assembly (100) routes the safety line (160, 161) about a corner and accommodates passage of a slotted coupling device movably mounted on the safety line (160, 161).

Claims

1. In combination, a support structure having a corner, a horizontal safety line supported by at least three brackets, and an anchorage assembly interconnected between the brackets and the support structure, the anchorage assembly comprising:

at least one plate configured to curve about the corner of the support structure with a first end of the plate extending in a first direction and a second end of the plate extending in a discrete and non-parallel, second direction, wherein a first one of the brackets is supported proximate the first end of the plate, and a second one of the brackets is supported proximate the second end of the plate, and a third one of the brackets is supported proximate an intermediate portion of the plate; and

a first energy absorber secured between the support structure and the first end of the plate, and a second energy absorber secured between the support structure and the second end of the plate, wherein the at least one plate includes a first curved plate and a second curved plate, and additional energy absorbers are secured therebetween.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein at least one said curved plate is a continuously arcuate segment, and at least one other said curved plate is comprised of multiple flat segments.

3. In combination, a support structure having a corner, a horizontal safety line supported by at least three brackets, and an anchorage assembly interconnected between the brackets and the support structure, the anchorage assembly comprising:

a first curved plate, a second curved plate, and a third curved plate, wherein the second curved plate is secured between the first curved plate and the third curved plate, and each said curved plate is configured to curve about the corner of the support structure with a first end extending in a first direction and a second end extending in a discrete, second direction, wherein a first one of the brackets is secured to the third curved plate proximate the first end, and a second one of the brackets is secured to the third curved plate proximate the second end, and a third one of the brackets is secured to an intermediate portion of the curved plate;

a first energy absorber secured between the support structure and the first end of the first curved plate, and a second energy absorber secured between the support structure and the second end of the first curved plate; and

additional energy absorbers secured between the first curved plate and the second curved plate.

4. The combination of claim 3, further comprising isolation brackets secured between the second curved plate and the third curved plate.

5. The combination of claim 3, wherein at least one said curved plate is arcuate, and at least one said curved plate is comprised of flat segments.