Patent Application
20210016114
The invention generally pertains to fall avoiding devices, and more particularly to a fall prevention system that is used on a multi-level structure that is being constructed.
During construction of multi-level structures, including resident and commercial, there are many dangers the individuals performing the construction must content with by a frame made of wood or other material present a danger of falling. This fall danger is a result of a structure in a frame state having open sides, which require workers to maintain concentration and balance. A fall from even a second story height can cause major injury or death. In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for creating and enforcing a safe working environment at a construction site. One requirement is for a fall arrest device for people working at height. Some of the OSHA requirements are created for certain environments, others are not completely outlined for residential, commercial or other multiple story structures.
There have been attempts such a scaffolding to provide safety for workers constructing a multi-level building, especially one with a frame structure. While some of these attempts are effective they also have drawbacks such as increased time, effort and cost to assemble, and restricting access to certain areas.
There is definitely a need to provide prevention to individuals who are working on a multi-level frame structure, but the prevention should not interfere with the requirements of the construction. Optimally, a fall prevention system or device could provide effective prevention against a fall or from an injury resulting from a fall. The system would need to be un-obtrusive and not negatively impact an individual's ability to perform the necessary work. Also, the system would be adaptable for use with any frame structure, could be transported to a structure being constructed, and could be quickly and easily set up, and then removed when no longer required.
Another benefit would be to provide an individual with some control over their own personal prevention, thereby allowing the individual to ensure their fall prevention is securely in place.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any literature or patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention. However, the following U.S. patents are considered related:
Shuman Jr. et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,472 discloses a full protection system for bridge construction that includes T-shaped cable supports secured to the concrete support columns of a bridle or overpass during construction. Cables are attached between the supports and receive a number of sideable, safety belt attachments, A construction worker wearing the appropriate safety harnesses us protected from falls as the cable secures the harness and yet leaves sufficient room for normal activity of the worker.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,889 issued to Pearcy et al protects a climber from falling from a pole by utilizing a housing that fits over the top of the pole which includes a swing arm extending therefrom to which a fall protection device is attached. The swing arm may also include a cam follower assembly that includes a support component spaced apart from a closed end of the housing.
Westerweel in U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,507 discloses a fall protection system that includes a trolley that moves along anchoring lines. The anchoring lines are arranged in a parallel spaced position. The trolley has a running gear that makes contact with the lines inn a low noise and vibration manner, which enables easy passage without limiting the working space of the user.
Franke in U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,095 discloses a fall protection restraint apparatus that is utilized during building construction. The apparatus has a base that rests on the lowest floor surface of a building during construction. Poles are connected to the base sequentially, to form a column. Support cables are connected between the poles and the building. A retractable lanyard is attached to D-rings on an end cap on the uppermost pole, thereby allowing the lanyard to expand and retract freely until a sudden tug impedes and secures the lanyard's movement. A construction worker wears a fall arrest harness that is connected to the lanyard, thus providing protection.
For background purposes and indicative of the art to which the invention relates, reference may be made to the following remaining patents found in the patent search.
When building a multi-level structure, especially a structure that uses a frame design with open sides during much of the construction, construction individuals are susceptible to falling from the structure. Depending on the height from which an individual falls, the result could be minor injury, major injury or death. A fall prevention system (FPS) provides a solution to the danger of falling. The FPS is designed to prevent a fall from occurring and to lessen the likelihood of injury or death from a fall.
The FPS utilizes a tower structure that is assembled adjacent a building being constructed. The FPS can be sequentially heightened as levels are added to the building. The FPS has a small footprint and does not interfere with the construction in any way. The FPS has a lower anchor that is secured to a ground surface. The securing is accomplished by preferably inserting multiple bolts through the anchor and into the ground which is a strong material such as concrete. Extending upward from the anchor is a vertical member that typically has a height substantially equal to the height of one level of the structure. As additional levels are built, additional vertical members are added to the FPS. A connecting member is utilized to secure one vertical member to another vertical member. At the top of the FPS is an upper member which can include a horizontal section that creates a T-shape. A second vertical member can telescope upward from within a lower vertical member. A winch assembly is configured on the lower vertical member, with a cable extending from the winch and secured to the second vertical member, which rises and lowers as the winch is actuated.
Located on the vertical member, connecting member(s) and/or upper member is at least one cable securing means which is preferably a D-ring, but could also be other means such as a cotter pin assembly. An individual working on a structure wears a harness. A harness cable has a first end secured to the harness and a second end secured to the cable securing means. The individual wears the harness with the secured harness cable at all times when he/she is working at an elevated level. If the individual has an accident the FPS can either prevent the individual from falling from the structure, or if the individual does fall off the building, the FPS will prevent the individual from continuing down any distance.
To increase the functionality and safety of the FPS the following can be included: a cable ratchet that allows the securing cable attached to a structural location to be tightened and any slack removed. A retracting/extending device operates as the ratchet provides the same function for the harness cable that tethers the individual to the FPS. A fall indicator, in the form of a light or an alarm can notify other people that an individual has either fallen or almost fallen and shows, the location of the individual. And finally, a body winch can be utilized to lift or lower an individual who has fallen off a building.
In view of the above disclosure, the primary object of the invention is to provide a fall prevention system that will prevent an individual from falling from a multi-level structure being constructed, and prevents injury or death that would result from a fall.
In addition to the primary object of the invention it is also an object of the invention to provide a fall prevention system that:
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms that disclose a preferred embodiment of a fall prevention system (FPS) 10. When constructing a multi-level structure, especially a structure with frame that has open sides, there is a serious risk of construction workers falling from the structure, which can result in death or major injury. There have been apparatuses and devices produced that address the problems of falling. While some of these do perform the required function, they are often difficult to set up and use, expensive and can interfere with the normal workflow.
What is needed is a system that could be easily implemented to prevent a fall off a multi-level structure from occurring. The system would actually serve dual purposes: preventing a fall from occurring and mitigating an injury that would result from a fall. The FPS 10 accomplishes these purposes by providing a system that is easy to assemble (and disassemble) at a construction location, is robust and reliable, can perform a variety of fall prevention functions, and is economical to use. The FPS 10 meets all of the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements for fall arrest, and protects workers during all phases of a constructing framing process. The FPS is effective when installing exterior walls, setting roof trusses, sheathing a roof or installing fascia. Additionally, the FPS 10 is very cost effective since a construction company no longer must stock, repair and replace more than thirty different scaffolding parts. The FPS 10 only requires two people less than one hour to set up and tear down, as opposed to the full day required for scaffolding. There is also no exposure to significant fines resulting from incorrectly set-up scaffolding.
The FPS 10, as shown in
The lower anchor 12, as shown in
Also, the lower anchor 12 an be integrally attached to the anchor base 108, as shown in
As shown in
The connecting member 38, as shown in
As shown in
The winch assembly 140 can be permanently configured on the lower vertical member by means such as bolts, screws, welding or an adhesive. The winch assembly 140 can also be removably configured on the lower vertical member by means such as a securing band, gripping arms or at least one magnet. Additionally, the winch assembly 140 can comprise a motor that facilitates powered extension and retraction of the second vertical member from within a lower vertical member.
As shown in
As shown in
Secured to, and extending from the cable securing means 66 is a securing cable 76 with a first end 78 and a second end 80. The securing cable 76, as shown in
As shown in
To add to the safety features of the FPS 10, a fall indicator 106, as shown in
And finally, the FPS 10 can also include a body winch 116, as shown in
While the invention has been described in detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modification may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the claims.
