Energy absorber assembly and components thereof

• US 9,174,073 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Issued: 11/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DB Industries LLC (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: DB Industries LLC (3M Company)
• Inventors: Casebolt, Scott C., Schlangen, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): CAHN, DANIEL P
• Application Number:
  US13/826,876
• Publication Number:
  US 20140224580A1
• Time in Patent Office: 964 Days
• Field of Search: 182/3, 182/5, 182/231
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 35/0025 Details and accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 35/0037 Attachments for lifelines and lanyards lifelines, lanyards A62B35/0043
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 35/0075 Details of ropes or similar equipment, e.g. between the secured person and the lifeline or anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 35/04 incorporating energy absorbing means
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 11/04 Pivotal connections hinges for doors, windows or wings E05D
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 7/006 using textile means safety belts or body harnesses incorporating energy absorbing means A62B35/04
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32041 Universal

Abstract

An energy absorber assembly for use with a safety harness comprises a connector, a bracket assembly, a fastener, and an energy absorber. The connector is configured and arranged to operatively connect to the safety harness. The fastener operatively connects the bracket assembly and the connector, and the fastener releases the bracket assembly from the connector when subjected to a predetermined load. The energy absorber operatively connects the bracket assembly and the connector, and the energy absorber includes a first portion and a second portion that separate to absorb shock after the bracket assembly is released from the connector.

Claims

1. An energy absorber assembly for use with a safety harness, the energy absorber assembly comprising:

a connector configured and arranged to operatively connect directly to the safety harness;

a bracket assembly operatively connected to a lifeline, the bracket assembly including a circular base, the base having a crescent shaped slot, a tab portion with a base aperture and a lifeline connector configured and arranged to engage the lifeline, the lifeline connector having a lifeline aperture and two prongs configured to pivot with respect to a stationary portion directly connected to the tab portion of the base, a rivet passes through the two prongs and the stationary portion;

a fastener directly connected to the connector and directly connected to the base, the fastener passing through the base aperture and a first connector aperture of the connector, the base pivotable about the fastener relative to the connector, the fastener configured to release the bracket assembly from the connector when subjected to a predetermined load;

an energy absorber passing through the slot of the base and a second aperture of the connector, the energy absorber directly connected to a bar of the connector and operatively connecting the bracket assembly with the connector, the energy absorber including a first portion and a second portion configured to separate to absorb shock between the bracket assembly and the connector as a result of said release of the bracket assembly from the connector; and

a cover configured to interconnect the energy absorber and the safety harness, the cover having a top portion, a first leg configured and arranged to releasably engage a first strap of the safety harness and contain a first section of the energy absorber, and a second leg configured and arranged to releasably engage a second strap of the safety harness and contain a second section of the energy absorber.

2. The energy absorber assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one protrusion extending outward from the connector acting as a stop to limit rotation of the bracket assembly relative to the connector.

3. The energy absorber assembly of claim 1, wherein the energy absorber has an upside down V-shaped configuration.

4. An energy absorber assembly in combination with a safety harness, a first lifeline and a second lifeline, the energy absorber assembly comprising:

a connector configured and arranged to operatively connect directly to the safety harness;

a bracket assembly configured and arranged to be operatively connected to the first lifeline and the second lifeline, the bracket assembly including a first base, a second base, and a base connector, the first base having a first base aperture and a first lifeline connector, the first lifeline connector being configured and arranged to engage the first lifeline, the second base having a second base aperture and a second lifeline connector, the second lifeline connector being configured and arranged to engage the second lifeline, the base connector having a plate portion with a base connector aperture and a flange, the base connector being configured and arranged to extend through the first and second base apertures, the base connector aperture receives a fastener, the flange and the connector preventing the first and second bases from sliding off the base connector, the first and second bases being configured and arranged to be engaged by an energy absorber;

the fastener directly connected to the base connector and the connector in order to operatively connect the bracket assembly to the connector, the fastener configured to release the bracket assembly from the connector and the first and second bases from each other when subjected to a predetermined load; and

the energy absorber passing through the first base, the second base and the connector, the energy absorber directly connected to the connector and operatively connecting the bracket assembly with the connector, the energy absorber including a first portion and a second portion configured to separate to absorb shock between the bracket assembly and the connector as a result of said release of the bracket assembly from the connector.

5. The energy absorber assembly of claim 4, wherein the bracket assembly is pivotable about the fastener relative to the connector during use.

6. An energy absorber assembly for use with a safety harness, the energy absorber assembly comprising:

a connector configured and arranged to operatively connect directly to the safety harness;

a bracket assembly configured and arranged to be operatively connected to a first lifeline and a second lifeline, the bracket assembly including a first base, a second base, and a base connector, the first base having a first base aperture and a first lifeline connector, the first lifeline connector being configured and arranged to engage the first lifeline, the second base having a second base aperture and a second lifeline connector, the second lifeline connector being configured and arranged to engage the second lifeline, the base connector having a plate portion with a base connector aperture and a flange, the base connector being configured and arranged to extend through the first and second base apertures, the base connector aperture receives a fastener, the flange and the connector preventing the first and second bases from sliding off the base connector, the first and second bases being configured and arranged to be engaged by an energy absorber;

the fastener directly connected to the base connector and the connector in order to operatively connect the bracket assembly to the connector, the fastener configured to release the bracket assembly from the connector and the first and second bases from each other when subjected to a predetermined load; and

the energy absorber passing through the first base, the second base and the connector, the energy absorber directly connected to the connector and operatively connecting the bracket assembly with the connector, the energy absorber including a first portion and a second portion configured to separate to absorb shock between the bracket assembly and the connector as a result of said release of the bracket assembly from the connector.

7. The energy absorber assembly of claim 6, further comprising at least one protrusion extending outward from the connector acting as a stop to limit rotation of the bracket assembly relative to the connector.

8. The energy absorber assembly of claim 6, wherein the energy absorber has an upside down V-shaped configuration.

9. The energy absorber assembly of claim 6, further comprising a cover interconnecting the energy absorber and the safety harness.

10. The energy absorber assembly of claim 9, wherein the cover has a top portion configured and arranged to releasably engage the bracket assembly, a first leg configured and arranged to releasably engage a first strap of the safety harness, and a second leg configured and arranged to releasably engage a second strap of the safety harness.

11. The energy absorber assembly of claim 6, wherein the bracket assembly is pivotable about the fastener relative to the connector during use.