The disclosed embodiments generally relate to a fall restraint system, and in particular a fall restraint system that can be installed on the roof of an elevated structure at a bulk storage facility, such as a dome-shaped fuel storage tank.
Fuel storage facilities, commonly known as tank farms, contain large, cylindrical tanks of oil, gasoline, or other fuel products. Tanks containing volatile organic liquids such as gasoline often have roofs that are shaped as a geodesic dome. Such a shape provides strength to help the roof contain pressures that can build inside the tank as the volatile compound vaporizes.
When a dome-shaped roof on a liquid storage tank requires inspection or repair, a worker must climb onto the roof to perform the inspection or work. Because of the sloped shape of the roof, it is desirable to protect workers using a fall restraint system. However, many existing tanks are not equipped with such a system. In order to install and fasten a fall restraint system, the tank must be drained of liquid so that any welding equipment used to fasten the restraint's anchors to the tank does not create a risk of explosion. This is a labor-intensive and time consuming process, and it also requires the tank to be unavailable for storage operations while the work is performed.
Accordingly, the inventor has developed an improved fall restraint system that can be used with existing roofed structures, such as volatile organic liquid storage tanks having dome-shaped roofs.
In an embodiment, a storage tank fall restraint system has a central support that includes a base and a post. The base has a circular rim and a concave wall extending inward from the rim to define a cavity within the base to fit over an apex of a roof of a storage tank. The post is secured to the base and extends from the base. A set of cable receiving members arranged around the post, each of which receives a first connector of a structural support cable. Another connector of each structural support cable is secured to a support post that is positioned on the side of the tank. Support brackets, each of which includes a pole receiver and a securing structure, secure each support post to the side of the tank without welding. Each support pole includes a joint that secures the support pole one of the pole receivers. A tie-off structure including at least one human supporting cable receiver is rotatably connected to the post so that the human supporting cable receiver may rotate with respect to the post and the base. A human supporting cable is secured to the human supporting cable receiver at a first end and to a safety harness at a second end.
In some embodiments, the tie-off structure may be positioned at or near an end of central support member that is opposite the base, the support brackets may be positioned around the central support member at a location that is between the tie-off structure and the base, and the cable receiving members may be positioned around the central support member at a location that is between the tie-off structure and the support brackets. Optionally, each structural support cable may include a turnbuckle. Each support pole member may include two or more longitudinal members, each of which has a male portion or a female portion so that adjacent longitudinal members are connected together. A set of legs may be provided around the post, each of which includes a foot structure that secures the leg to the roof of the tank.
The central support member may include an outer sleeve and an inner post so that the inner sleeve may be extended from or retracted within the outer sleeve to adjust the length of the central support member. If so, the outer sleeve may be cylindrical and have a threaded interior wall so that it receives a cylindrical inner structure (which has a threaded outer wall) so that the threaded exterior wall of the inner structure conforms to the threaded interior wall of the sleeve in a screw-like fashion.
In an alternate embodiment, a fall restraint system for a container structure having a domed roof includes a base having a circular rim and a concave wall extending inward from the rim to define a cavity within the base. A central support member extends upward from the base. A tie-off structure having at least one first cable receiving structure is rotatably connected to the central support member so that each of the first cable receiving structures may rotate 360° with respect to the central support member and the base. Several second cable receiving structures are arranged around and connected to the central support member. Several outer support members, each having a third support cable receiving structure, are arranged around a wall of the container structure. A cable runs from each of the second cable receiving structures to a corresponding third cable receiving structure. Each of these cables may include a turnbuckle that connect that cable's corresponding first attachment structure to the first end of that cable.
In an alternate embodiment, a fall restraint system includes a central support member having a base that is positioned over a roof of a container structure. Two or more legs are positioned around the base to contact the roof. Two or more cable receiving members are connected to the central support member. Two or more outer support members are secured to a side of the container structure. A structural support cable is connected to each of the outer support members. Each structural support cable is also connected to the central support member. A tie-off structure including a cable and a harness is connected to the central support member so that the harness may move around the central support member. The system also may include support brackets that secure the outer support members to the side of the container structure. Each such support bracket may include a receptacle to receive one of the outer support members, and a connector to secure the bracket to the side of the container structure.
Aspects, features, benefits and advantages of the embodiments described in this document will be apparent with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Before the present methods and systems are described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular systems, methodologies or protocols described, as these may vary. The terminology used in this document is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and it is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
As used in this document and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.” Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
At or near the top of the post is a tie-off structure 100 that includes a one or more cable supports 102 arranged around the tie-off structure. Each cable support 102, also referred to in the document as a cable receiving structure, includes a receptacle, hole, hook, gripping member, or other structure 103 that receives and secures a human supporting cable 50 to the tie-off structure. The human supporting cable may include an eyelet, knot, hook or other member 52 that secures the cable 50 to the receiving structure 103. The cable 50 also may include a turnbuckle 51 positioned somewhere between the securing member 52 and the harness that secures a human to the cable. The tie-off structure 100 is rotatable, preferably allowing for full 360° rotation so that a human who is attached via the cable 50 may move freely about the roof 14.
The central support structure 20 also includes a set of cable receiving members 24 arranged around the post 22, preferably spaced approximately equal distances apart around the post. Each cable receiving member 24 includes a receptacle, hole, hook, gripping member, or other structure 105 that receives and secures a structural support cable 40 to the post 22. Each structural support cable 40 may include an eyelet, knot, hook or other member 42 that secures the cable 40 to the receiving structure 105. Each structural support cable 40 also may include a turnbuckle 41 positioned somewhere between the securing or receiving member 24 and the end of the cable that is secured to the outer support members (see element 60 in
The central support structure also includes several post support brackets 26 preferably spaced approximately equal distances apart around the post. Each post support bracket 26 includes a receptacle, hole, hook, gripping member, or other structure that receives and secures a support leg 30 to the post. Optionally, the post support brackets 26 may be provided on a collar 25 or other structure that allows the post support brackets 26 to be adjusted or rotated around or along the post 22.
As shown in
Each support leg 30 is preferably made of steel, aluminum, or another rigid or semi-rigid material to provide support and stability for the central support structure 20. Optionally, the support legs 30 may include joints that permit them to be bent, or they may include a telescoping structure that allows the lengths of the poles to be adjusted. If so, each joint or telescoping structure will include a locking structure that prevents movement of the joint when the support leg is in its operable position. Each support leg 30 also includes a foot member 32 which may be connected to the roof 14. The connection may be by friction, as in a case where the foot member 32 is covered with a rubber or other slip-resistant material. Alternatively, the connection may be by a mechanical connector such as bolt, hook, or other attachment member that secures the foot member to a hole, fin 19, or other structure on the roof. In some embodiments, both a friction mount and a mechanical connection may be provided.
The lowermost longitudinal member 63 has a pin 68 or similar member that fits into a pole receiver 82 of a support bracket 80. Although
The support bracket 80 also includes a connection bracket 84 to attach the support bracket to a side of the storage container. As shown in
With such a structure, the fall restraint system may be installed on an existing tank without any requirement for welding any portion of the system to the tank. Once support brackets for the pole receiver are installed on a tank, such as by bolting the support brackets to the wind ring or another structure on the side of the tank, all of the other parts of the system may be installed or removed without any drilling of holes. Optionally, holes may be drilled at one time to allow the support legs that extend from the central support member to be attached to fins or other structures on the roof.
The disclosure contained in this document is not intended to be limiting. The above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art and are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
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