FALL RESTRAINT EQUIPMENT COMPONENT AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME

• US 20100031456A1
• Filed: 05/19/2009
• Published: 02/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Safe Rack LLC
• Original Assignee: Safe Rack LLC
• Inventors: Honeycutt, Robert W., Mefferd, Thomas A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,261,393 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 14/71.100
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 39/06 of tubes in openings, e.g. rolling-in
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 27/14 of ramps, gangways or outboard ladders ; Pilot lifts
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 11/00 Stairways, ramps, or like structures mounting or marking-off stairways E04F21/26; of temporary use during building construction E04G27/00; means for facilitating access to swimming pools E04H4/144; means for facilitating access to swimming pools E04H4/144; appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk A61H3/00; Balustrades; Handrails ladders permanently attached to fixed structures E06C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 11/112 of metal or with an upper layer of metal
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 11/181 Balustrades
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49936 Surface interlocking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49996 Successive distinct removal operations

Abstract

A post to be used in conjunction with a gangway or other fall restraint equipment where the post defines an aperture having an upper portion and a lower portion such that the upper portion is configured to allow a link of a chain to pass there through while the lower portion allows the link to pass through in one orientation but prevents the link from passing through in a second orientation traverse to the first orientation.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a gangway having at least one upright post for securing a proximate end of a chain comprising a plurality of links, wherein a distal end of the chain is connected to the gangway, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a first continuous piece of tubular metal of a predetermined length, the first continuous piece of tubular metal having a front surface;

cutting the front surface of the first continuous piece of tubular metal to define a first aperture having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is configured to allow any of the plurality of links to pass through the first portion and the second portion is configured to allow a link to pass through the second portion in a first orientation but prevent the link from passing through the second portion in a second orientation traverse to the first orientation; and

connecting the first upright post to a base tread of the gangway.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising cutting a rear surface of the first continuous piece of tubular metal to define a second aperture opposite the first aperture.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the second aperture is elliptical.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing a second continuous piece of tubular metal of the predetermined length, the second continuous piece of tubular metal having a front surface;

cutting the front surface of the second continuous piece of tubular metal to define a first aperture having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is configured to allow any of the plurality of links to pass through the first portion and the second portion is configured to allow a link to pass through the second portion in a first orientation but prevent the link from passing through the second portion in a second orientation traverse to the first orientation; and

connecting the second upright post to the base tread of the gangway.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising cutting a rear surface of the second continuous piece of tubular metal to define a second aperture opposite the first aperture.

6. A gangway comprising:

a base tread; and

a first upright post connected to the base tread, wherein the first upright post is formed from a first continuous piece of metal defining a first aperture having a first aperture first portion configured to receive two adjacent links of a plurality of chain links and having a first aperture second portion configured to receive one of the two adjacent links.

7. The gangway of claim 6 further comprising a second upright post connected to the base tread, wherein the second upright post is formed from a second continuous piece of tubular metal defining a second aperture first portion configured to receive two adjacent links and having a second aperture second portion configured to receive one of the two adjacent links.

8. A base tread upright for a gangway comprising a tubular piece of metal having at least three surfaces including a front surface, wherein the front surface defines a front surface aperture having an upper area and a lower area, a diameter of the upper area is configured to allow a link of a chain to pass through the upper area in either a horizontal or vertical orientation, and a diameter of the lower area is configured to prevent the link from passing through the lower area in a horizontal orientation.

9. The base tread upright of claim 8 wherein the tubular piece of metal has four surfaces including a rear surface opposite the front surface, and the rear surface defines a rear surface aperture configured to allow the link to pass through the rear surface aperture in any orientation.

10. The base tread upright of claim 8 wherein a front surface upper area of the front surface is configured to receive a first portion of a handrail of the gangway.

11. The base tread upright of claim 9 wherein a front surface upper area of the front surface is configured to receive a first portion of a handrail of the gangway, and a rear surface upper area of the rear surface is configured to receive a second portion of the handrail.

12. The base tread upright of claim 8 wherein the front surface aperture is defined by cutting the front surface.

13. The base tread upright of claim 12 wherein the cutting is performed by a tube laser.

14. The base tread upright of claim 12 wherein the cutting is performed by a cutting drill.