Mobile mount for attachment of a fall arrest system

• US 7,828,116 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2006
• Issued: 11/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DB Industries LLC (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: D B Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Vetesnik, Jan
• Primary Examiner(s): Mitchell; Katherine W
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAVCHAVADZE, COLLEEN MARGARET
• Application Number:
  US11/509,084
• Publication Number:
  US 20070205047A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,538 Days
• Field of Search: 182/3, 182/4, 182/8, 182/18, 182/63.1, 182/115, 182/116, 182/127, 116/200, 116/212, 116/DIG.34, 212/276
• US Class Current: 182/18
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 1/04 Single parts, e.g. fastening devices
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 35/0056 Horizontal lifelines
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 35/0068 Anchors
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 1/39 Ladders having platforms; Ladders changeable into platforms platforms for use on ladders E06C7/16
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 5/02 with rigid longitudinal members
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/18 Devices for preventing persons from falling life-saving belts A62B1/16 ; safety devices for window-cleaners A47L3/00

Abstract

A mobile mount for attachment of a fall arrest system is provided for example for aircraft and includes a base carried on ground wheels and a support which is adjustable in height upstanding from the base and an arm cantilevered over the base. At least one receptacle is mounted on the arm of the support at a position located over the base for attachment to a personal fall arrest system including a harness for one or more persons, with the receptacle, base and support being designed and arranged to receive a loading from the personal fall arrest system sufficient to accommodate a fall of the person from the elevated structure.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a base carried on ground wheels for movement over a ground surface to an elevated structure on which one or more persons is intended to work;

a ladder upstanding from the base to an elevated position above the base;

the upstanding ladder being adjustable in height relative to the base;

the upstanding ladder including two side rails and transverse rungs such that said one or more persons can climb the ladder to the elevated structure;

at least one of the side rails of the ladder having mounted thereon a tubular receptacle;

a post member mounted in the tubular receptacle and shaped and arranged so as to extend upwardly from the receptacle, wherein the tubular receptacle is vertical and the post member includes a vertical post portion and an arm extending from the post portion;

a deformable link between the post portion and the arm, the deformable link comprising a longitudinal member having opposite ends spaced apart by a first distance along a longitudinal axis, said deformable link comprising at least one slot transverse to the longitudinal axis, said deformable link extending between a first connection point on the post portion and a second connection point on the arm thereby supporting the atm on the post portion, the deformable link being adapted to bend if the load exceeds the load limit of the apparatus thereby visually indicating overloading of the apparatus, the arm being arranged to move during bending of the deformable link such that the distance between the ends of the deformable link is decreased; and

at least one support member at an end of the arm remote from the tubular receptacle for attachment to and loading from a personal fall arrest system for attachment to said one or more persons.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of the side rails includes a respective tubular receptacle and a respective post member and wherein there are at least two support members one each carried on a respective one of the post members and each for receiving the personal fall arrest system of a respective one of two separate persons.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a platform at a top of the ladder extending from the top of the ladder outwardly over the base.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the post member and the support member are arranged such that the support member is cantilevered generally over a mid line of the base.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each support member comprises a loop for receiving a hook of the personal fall arrest system.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a platform between rails at the top of the ladder for the person to step onto the elevated structure.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tubular receptacle allows adjustment of the post member relative to the side rail of the ladder.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tubular receptacle allows height adjustment of the post member relative to the side rail of the ladder.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the load is supported on the arm at a loading point distally spaced from the post.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the deformable link further comprises a plurality of slots spaced along the deformable link between the opposite ends thereof, said slots extending into said deformable link from a first side thereof.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the deformable link comprises a U-shaped cross section defining a central portion separating two spaced apart side portions, said side portions extending from the central portion toward the first side of the deformable link such that the plurality of slots are spaced along and extend into each of said side portions.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the slots in the side portions of the longitudinal member do not extend to the central section thereof.

13. A fall arrest system comprising:

a movable base;

a vertical post portion coupled to the base;

an arm extending from the post portion;

a deformable link extending between a first connection point on the post portion and a second connection point on the arm such that the deformable link supports the arm on the post portion, the deformable link configured to bend if the load exceeds the load limit of the fall arrest system thereby visually indicating overloading of the apparatus;

wherein the deformable link comprises a longitudinal axis and at least one slot transverse to the longitudinal axis and configured and arranged to provide desired characteristics of the deformable link; and

at least one support member coupled at an end of the arm for attachment to and loading from a personal fall arrest system for attachment to said one or more persons.

14. The fall arrest system of claim 13, wherein the deformable link further comprises:

a U-shaped cross section elongated member having a central portion that separates two spaced apart side portions, each side portion including a plurality of spaced slots that are configured and arranged to provide desired characteristics of the deformable link.