Patent Application
20140060967
Various embodiments described herein may relate generally to apparatus or methods for protecting a user from falling from a shipping container.
Shipping containers have been in use for years. In some instances, shipping containers are standardized according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standards. The standardized shipping containers are comprised of reusable steel boxes used for the safe, efficient and secure storage and movement of materials and products within a global freight transport system. The shipping containers may also include corner castings for interlocking adjacent shipping containers.
Safety among companies and employees is becoming increasingly more important. Many organizations require employees to follow standardized safety practices to reduce the likelihood of being hurt on the jobsite.
Apparatus and associated methods relate to a fall protection system including a manually-operable locking assembly releasably coupled to a corner casting of an ISO Standard shipping container, a safety lanyard extending from the locking assembly and connected to a user-worn harness via a connecting device. In an illustrative example, multiple simultaneous points of connection may be established with one or more corner castings to provide securement when moving along or climbing shipping containers. In another illustrative example, the lanyard may be connected to a cable and trolley system for mobility along one or more shipping container surfaces. The cable may be oriented horizontally or vertically to permit horizontal or vertical travel of the user. In some implementations, the locking assembly may employ a twist-lock structure. In an illustrative example, the locking assembly may releasably couple to the corner casting without the use of additional tools or hardware.
Various embodiments may provide one or more advantages. For example, certain embodiments may provide an easy-to-use, non-cumbersome, and lightweight system that may be carried upon shipping containers and installed easily from various angles. For example, the locking assembly may not require any additional tools or hardware thus limiting the required pieces that the user must carry. Also for example, the user may install a first locking assembly while facing a respective vertically oriented opening of the corner casting located within a first region and may also reach around or over an edge of the shipping container to a second region of the shipping container having a horizontally oriented casting opening to install a second locking assembly. For example, when climbing the shipping container and while still located along the side vertical surface, the user may reach over the top edge of the shipping container to releasably couple the second locking assembly to a horizontally oriented opening of a corner casting prior to actually stepping foot upon the top horizontal surface of the shipping container.
In some examples, multiple locking assemblies may be connected to one or more corner castings locating within one or more regions of the shipping container prior to connection of the safety lanyard. The safety lanyard may then be connected to a desired locking assembly when the user approaches the respective corner having the locking assembly. For example, when the user desires to move to another location along the same or different shipping container, the user may connect a second lanyard to another locking assembly within a different region of the shipping container than the first locking assembly. The second lanyard may be connected to the second locking assembly before the first lanyard is disconnected from the first locking assembly to ensure that the user is always connected to the shipping container by at least one safety lanyard and locking assembly, for example.
In some implementations, certain embodiments may provide for increased mobility along one or more surfaces of the shipping container. For example, a cable and trolley system connected to two or more locking assemblies may permit the lanyard connected to the trolley to travel over an increased distance than would be accomplished by directly connecting the lanyard to the locking assembly. For example, the cable and trolley system may extend along a horizontal or vertical side of the shipping container from end-to-end lengthwise and/or laterally. In some examples, the cable and trolley system may extend from a first region on a first shipping container to a second region on a second shipping container. In some examples, the cable and trolley system may extend from a first region on a first shipping container, across a second shipping container, and to a second region on a third shipping container to permit a user to safely walk across three shipping containers without the need to disconnect and reconnect the locking assemblies. In some implementations, the cable may be displaced from a respective surface of the shipping container via a stanchion thus eliminating any entanglement of the trolley with the shipping container while the trolley travels along the cable.
In some examples, the locking assembly may include a safety adapter for permitting connection of the safety lanyard. In some examples, the safety adapter may provide for a fixed connection between the locking assembly and the safety lanyard. In some examples, the safety adapter may provide for a releasable connection between the locking assembly and the safety lanyard. In an illustrative example, the safety adapter may be a connecting ring.
The details of various embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
To aid understanding, this document is organized as follows. First, with reference to
The shipping container used with the fall protection system may be a standardized shipping container by ISO Standards. Each shipping container includes corner castings on each of the corners of the shipping container to total eight corner castings. Each corner casting includes three openings, including a first opening that parallels a horizontal side of the shipping container, a second opening that parallels a first vertical side of the shipping container, and a third opening that parallels a second vertical side of the shipping container, where the horizontal side, the first vertical side, and the second vertical side form the respective corner.
A second shipping container 125 is stacked adjacent to the first shipping container 105 such that the second shipping container 125 extends above the first shipping container 105. Like the first shipping container 105, the second shipping container 125 includes corner castings 130 with openings 135 along horizontal and vertical planes as is standard with ISO Standard containers. A ladder 140 is rested upon the top horizontal surface of the first shipping container 105 and against the side vertical surface of the second shipping container 125 to provide a structure for a user 145 to climb to access the top horizontal surface of the second shipping container 125. When moving across the top horizontal surface of the first shipping container 105, such as to position the ladder 140 against the side vertical surface of the second shipping container 125 for example, the user 145 may be secured to the fall protection assembly 120 which permits movement laterally across the first shipping container 105.
As shown in
In the example of
In an exemplary manner of use, the first locking assembly 165 and first lanyard 160, as well as the second locking assembly 175 and second lanyard 170 are first connected to the shipping container 125 along opposite corner castings 130 within the openings 135 along the side vertical surface of the shipping container 125. Next, the third locking assembly 185 and third lanyard 180 are connected to the corner casting 130 along the top horizontal surface of the shipping container 125 such that the first, second, and third locking assemblies 135, 175, 185 and lanyards 160, 170, 180 maintain a simultaneous connection. The user 145 also connects the third locking assembly 185 and third lanyard 180 prior to stepping onto the top horizontal surface of the shipping container 125. For example, the user 145 reaches over the upper edge of the shipping container 125 to releasably couple the third locking assembly 185 to the horizontal opening 135 of the respective corner casting 130.
Once the user 145 reaches steps onto the top horizontal surface of the shipping container 125, the user 145 may reach over the edge to release and remove the first and second locking assemblies 165, 175 from respective openings 135 of the corner castings 130. Thus, the user 145 is able to ensure at least one locking assembly and lanyard is connected to a corner casting 130 at all times to ensure safety for the user 145. For example, the third locking assembly 185 and lanyard 180 will remain connected to the shipping container 125 while the user 145 removes the first and second locking assemblies 165, 175 from the shipping container 125.
In some examples, the user 145 may simultaneously employ connection points with multiple different shipping containers using the fall protection assembly 150. For example, the user 145 may employ a connection point with the first shipping container 105 and the second shipping container 125 while climbing the ladder 140. Once the user 145 reaches the top of the second shipping container 125 another person below and upon the first shipping container 105 may release the connection point of the user 145 with the first shipping container 105, thus permitting the user 145 to proceed further. In other examples, such as in
To allow ease of portability and increase safety by requiring the user 145 to carry fewer items while climbing and working at elevated heights, the user 145 is able to easily connect and disconnect the locking assemblies 165, 175, 185 manually without the use of any tools or additional hardware. For example, the user 145 is able to connect and disconnect the locking assemblies 165, 175, 185 to the corner castings 130 solely with their hands on their own person using a twist-locking type of engagement.
The fall protection assembly 225 includes a first locking assembly 230 for being secured within the opening 215 of a corner casting 210 on one corner of the shipping container 205. The first locking assembly 230 is secured within the opening 215 of the respective corner casting 210 via a twist-locking manner. The first locking assembly 230 includes a stanchion 235 to displace or separate the movable portion of the fall protection assembly 225 from the shipping container 205 such as to prevent the movable portion from becoming entangled or restricted when travelling along the fall protection assembly 225. The first stanchion 235 may be of various lengths, such as 2, 3, 4, or 5 feet for example.
The fall protection assembly 225 also includes a second locking assembly 240 for being secured within the opening 215 of another corner casting 210 of the shipping container 205. The second locking assembly 240 is secured within the opening 215 of the respective corner casting 210 via a twist-locking manner. The second locking assembly 240 includes a stanchion 245 to displace or separate the movable portion of the fall protection assembly 225 from the shipping container 205 such as to prevent the movable portion from becoming entangled or restricted when travelling along the fall protection assembly 225. The second stanchion 245 may be of various lengths, such as 2, 3, 4, or 5 feet for example.
Connected between the first stanchion 235 and the second stanchion 245 is an elongate cable 250 for permitting a trolley 255 to move back and forth thereon. The cable 250 may include a tensioning device to reduce or increase an amount of slack or sag in the cable 250 to a preferred level. Also shown is a safety lanyard 260 having a first end and a second end, with the first end being connected to the trolley 255. The safety lanyard 260 may be of various lengths, such as 2, 4, 6, or 8 feet for example. In some examples, the safety lanyard 260 has a length to permit the user 220 to access the entire respective shipping container 205 while connected to the fall protection assembly 225. The safety lanyard 260 may also be adjustable in length, for example.
The safety lanyard 260 may include a shock absorber to dampen shock impulse and dissipate kinetic energy in the instance that the user 220 would fall off of the shipping container 205 or ladder while connected thereto via the fall protection assembly 225. The safety lanyard 260 may be permanently connected to the trolley 255 in some examples. In other examples, the safety lanyard 260 may be removable from the trolley 255, such as by employing a ring or connector having an openable clasp, for example.
The second end of the safety lanyard 260 is connected to a harness 265 wearable by the user 220. As previously discussed, the harness 265 may include multiple straps for a secure and comfortable attachment to the user 220, for example. The harness 265 may also include adjustment devices for permitting the safety harness 265 to accommodate multiple body types, for example. The second end of the safety lanyard 260 may be permanently connected to the harness 265 in some examples. In other examples, the safety lanyard 260 may be removable from the harness 265, such as by employing a connector or ring having an openable clasp, for example.
As shown, the cable 250 extends along a lengthwise side of the shipping container 205 in
For example, a first cable and trolley system may be located along a lengthwise edge of the shipping container 205 and a second cable and trolley system may be located along an edge of the shipping container 205 traverse to the lengthwise edge. In another illustrative example, a first cable and trolley system may be located along a first lengthwise edge of the shipping container 205 and a second cable and trolley system may be located along a second lengthwise edge of the shipping container 205 which parallels the first lengthwise edge. In another illustrative example, a first cable and trolley system may be oriented horizontally along a horizontal surface of the shipping container 205 and a second cable and trolley system may be oriented vertically along a vertical surface of the shipping container 205.
As also shown in
Also shown in
The fall protection assembly 325 includes a locking assembly 330 which is inserted within an opening 315 of a respective corner casting 310 and secured therein. In some examples, the locking assembly 330 is secured to the corner casting 310 in a twist-lock manner. In some examples, the locking assembly 330 is secured to the corner casting 310 without the need for any tools other than the hands of the user 320. Also, no additional hardware or removable hardware is required to connect or disconnect the locking assembly 330.
Also shown is a safety lanyard 335 having a first end and a second end, with the first end being fixedly or releasably connected to the locking assembly 330. The safety lanyard 335 may be of various lengths, such as 2, 4, 6, or 8 feet for example. In some examples, the safety lanyard 335 has a length to permit the user 320 to access the entire respective shipping container 305 while connected to the fall protection assembly 325. The safety lanyard 335 may also be adjustable in length, for example. The second end of the safety lanyard 335 is connected to a harness 340 wearable by the user 320.
The locking assembly 400 includes a body 405 having a movable lower portion 410 and a lever 415 to engage and rotate the movable lower portion 410. When the lever 415 is moved to a first position, the movable lower portion 410 rotates to a locked position thus restricting removal of the locking assembly 400 from the opening of the corner casting. When the lever 415 is moved to a second position, the movable lower portion 410 rotates to an unlocked position thus permitting the locking assembly 400 to be released and freely removed from the opening of the corner casting. In some examples, the lever 415 is completely operable by hand and thus does not require the use of any tools for installation.
Extending upwards from the body 405 is a fixed upper portion 420 having an aperture 425 for permitting connection of a safety lanyard 430. In some examples, the safety lanyard 430 may be directly connected to the upper portion 420 of the locking assembly 400. In
Although various embodiments have been described with reference to the Figures, other embodiments are possible. For example, the fall protection assembly may be used on various types of elevated platforms rather than a shipping container, such as deck of a ship, for example. In other examples, the fall protection assembly may be used upon a sloped or flat roof. In further examples, the fall protection assembly may be used on a non-elevated surface such as to restrict travel a certain distance, such as for example with pets or children.
In an illustrative example, two lanyards may be simultaneously connected to two separated connection points, and to a harness via a connecting device. Upon disconnection of either one harness from the corresponding connection point, the distal end of the disconnected lanyard may be relocated and connected to a third connection point. During the transition, the other lanyard may remain connected to provide improved safety for the person wearing the harness.
An exemplary locking assembly for providing the quick, manual insertion within the opening of the corner casting without the use of tools may be provided by the DOUBLE CONE TWO POSITION TWISTLOC, part number AE100000A-1GA commercially available from TANDEMLOC in the state of North Carolina. Another exemplary locking assembly for providing the quick, manual insertion within the opening of the corner casting without the use of tools may be provided by the TWISTLOCK LEFT BLOCKING, part number AD54000A commercially available from TANDEMLOC in the state of North Carolina. Yet another exemplary locking assembly for providing the quick, manual insertion within the opening of the corner casting without the use of tools and also including a tie down assembly may be provided by VERY SHALLOW COMBO TWISTLOCK & TIEDOWN SET, part number T42000C commercially available from TANDEMLOC in the state of North Carolina.
In some examples the locking assembly may be secured to the corner castings by employing a different type of operation than the twist-lock operation. For example, the locking assembly may be secured to the corner casting by using a cotter pin and aperture. In another example, the locking assembly may be secured to the corner casting by using a pivotal retaining lever or bar that pivots over and on top of a portion of the locking assembly thus sandwiching the locking assembly between the lever and the corner casting or shipping container. In other examples, the locking assembly may be releasably secured to other locations on the shipping container rather than the corners. For example, the locking assembly may be secured to the center of the shipping container. In still other examples, the locking assembly may be fixedly mounted to the shipping container.
In various examples, the stanchions shown in reference to
In some examples, multiple shock absorbers may be utilized to reduce impact felt by the user if the user were to fall. For example, a shock absorber located along the lanyard may be used in combination with a shock absorber upon the harness.
An exemplary trolley for providing smooth travel of the safety lanyard from one end of the cable to the next may be provided by XENON SHUTTLE, part number 1005709, manufactured by MILLER of HONEYWELL in the state of RHODE ISLAND. Other exemplary trolleys may include wheels or rollers to enhance smooth travel along the cable. Alternately, the trolley may not include any movable parts in some examples to reduce a likelihood of part malfunction.
In some examples, the safety lanyard may include a retracting mechanism to retrieve excess lengths of the lanyard and to provide additional lengths of lanyard depending upon a required amount. For example, the retracting mechanism may an overabundance of excess lanyard between the locking assembly and the user to reduce the likelihood of the user tripping over the excess lanyard. In some examples, the retracting mechanism may include an electric motor to automatically retract and dispense lanyard. In other examples, the retracting mechanism may include a wound spring for retracting and dispensing the lanyard.
In some examples, the lanyard may be a flexible rope or strap. In some examples, the lanyard may be a more rigid cable.
In some examples, each shipping container may include multiple defined or undefined regions. The regions may be located upon the same corner casting, where a first region is defined as a horizontally oriented opening of the corner casting and a second region is defined as a vertically oriented opening of the corner casting. The regions may also include different corner castings, where a first region has one or more openings of a first corner casting and a second region has one or more openings of a second corner casting. The regions may also be located upon different shipping containers, for example. Each locking assembly may attach within a specific region dependent upon where the user desires to be secured.
Multiple regions may employ a locking assembly simultaneously in some examples. For example, a first locking assembly may be connected to a shipping container within a first region and a second locking assembly may be connected to the same or different shipping container in a second region, with both locking assemblies being in a connected arrangement to a harness worn by a user.
A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modification may be made. For example, advantageous results may be achieved if the steps of the disclosed techniques were performed in a different sequence, or if components of the disclosed systems were combined in a different manner, or if the components were supplemented with other components. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.
