Patent Application
20220348442
The embodiments relate to fall protection confined space tripods, and in particular to fall protection confined space tripod systems and pulley improvements for different types of cables.
Workers that work in elevated environments may employ fall protection gear in certain confined spaces, such as a tripod system that may be employed as a portable anchor point for confined space uses when connected with winches and retractable equipment (e.g., to raise and lower various items and for rescue purposes).
Some embodiments relate to fall protection confined space tripod systems and pulley improvements for switching between different types of cables. One embodiment of the invention provides a pulley system for a confined space tripod includes a pulley including a pulley cavity having a first width and a second width. A pulley safety bracket is attached with the pulley. The pulley safety bracket includes a removable detent pin configured for placement above the pulley that prevents a pulley cable from dislodging from the pulley.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention.
The embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the Figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
The following description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts claimed herein. Further, particular features described herein can be used in combination with other described features in each of the various possible combinations and permutations. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be given their broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied from the specification as well as meanings understood by those skilled in the art and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc.
The description may disclose several preferred embodiments of fall protection tripod pulley improvements for different types of cables, as well as operation and/or component parts thereof While the following description will be described in terms of tripod pulley improvements for different types of cables, systems and devices for clarity and to place the invention in context, it should be kept in mind that the teachings herein may have broad application to all types of systems, devices and applications.
Some embodiments relate to fall protection equipment including tripod pulley improvements for different types of cables. One embodiment of the invention provides A pulley system for a confined space tripod includes a pulley including a pulley cavity having a first width and a second width. A pulley safety bracket is attached with the pulley. The pulley safety bracket includes a removable detent pin configured for placement above the pulley that prevents a pulley cable from dislodging from the pulley.
Each device attached to the tripod anchor system 100 has a certain functional configuration. The personnel winch is a manually operated raising and lowering device that must be cranked in both directions. The 3-way device is a fall protection SRD with a rescue function. Confined space operations may be described and planned for according to how the entry/egress will be accomplished using what equipment. Confined space entry uses the tripod anchor system 100 with only a single winch. A ladder is the primary method of entry and egress, and the winch is a backup device, for emergency retrieval and fall protection device. Since the winch lacks an energy absorber, it requires an attendant at all times to keep the device lifeline tensioned, to prevent fall protection loads from impacting it. A 3-way SRL-R (an SRL with rescue capability) is not intended as an everyday raising and lowering winch and must not be used as a primary entry and egress device. When used with a fall protection device, the tripod anchor system 100 is rated for one worker weighing a maximum of 310 lbs. (140 kg) (including all clothing, tools, and equipment). For emergency retrieval applications, more than one person may be attached to the tripod anchor system 100. For rescue purposes, devices may be mounted in any manner and place that would facilitate the rescue.
The tripod anchor system 100 is primarily for those entering and working in confined spaces, both Permit and Non-Permit. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines a confined space as any space with limited openings for entry or exit, is large enough for a worker to enter bodily and perform work, and is not designed for continuous worker occupancy. Confined spaces include but are not limited to, tanks, storage bins, manholes, pits, silos, underground utility vaults and pipelines. Permit-required confined spaces are confined spaces that, in addition to having limited entry/egress, also contain some type of hazard, either environmental or atmospheric, unguarded machinery, exposed electrical components, engulfment hazards, or a downward sloping tapered shape.
The tripod anchor system 100 provides the support structure for entry and egress for rescue/evacuation systems, and is the anchorage for fall protection, work positioning, and personnel riding systems. The tripod anchor system 100 is composed of a cast aluminum head assembly, equipped with integrated aluminum pulleys (first pulley 110 and second pulley 111) and pulley guards for rescue and retrieval device cables and two eyebolts for attaching at least one personal fall arrester system (PFAS). The legs of the tripod anchor system 100 are 2-part telescoping square aluminum tube, secured to specified length by pins. Brackets to facilitate the use of entry/egress, lower/hoist personnel winches, and 3-Way SRL-R fall protection devices are installed on the legs. The feet are auto-leveling and are equipped with a spiked edge for soft ground and rubber pads for hard surfaces. Eyebolts in the lower leg portions facilitate the use of a safety chain to prevent the tripod legs from splaying out under loads when the tripod is in use.
In one embodiment, the pulley 400 receives a metal or metal alloy cable (e.g., 3/64 in. diameter, 7×7 galvanized wire rope, etc.) or may be fitted with a material rope 615 (
In some embodiments, the pulley 400 has a distance 515 of about 67 mm., a distance 520 of about 26 mm., a typical cylinder shape 525 of the bracket connecting portions 625 (
In some embodiments, when the pulley 400 cable is made of wire rope, the detent pin 220 may be removed or may be left in place if desired for added safety. When the cable is replaced with a rope (e.g., made of a polymer, nylon, manila, polyester, polypropylene, Kevlar, etc.), the detent pin 220 is placed into the pulley bracket 200 to ensure that the rope cable does not spin out of the pulley 400 when in use as an additional safety precaution. The height of the detent pin 220 over the cable retaining walls of the pulley 400 is such that the detent pin 220 does not come into contact with the upper surface of the cable retaining walls of the pulley 400. The width of the cable guard portion 214 provides enough space to overhang the first portion 210 and the second portion 211 a distance outside the cable retaining walls of the pulley 400 so as not to interfere with the operation of the pulley 400.
In the description above, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known equivalent components and elements may be substituted in place of those described herein, and similarly, well-known equivalent techniques may be substituted in place of the particular techniques disclosed. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid obscuring the understanding of this description.
Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments. The various appearances of “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” or “some embodiments” are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. If the specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional elements.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.
