Patent Application
20230078073
The present invention relates to a person anchor unit for person fall safety and a method for testing connection strength between an anchor surface comprising magnetizable material and the person anchor unit.
Fall safety is important on many different sites including, but not limited to, offshore sites such as wind turbine generators, where there is a need for fall safety.
In many cases, the fall safety unit is a permanent installation forming part of a wall or celling or floor. Thereby, it is relatively easy to ensure the connection strength between the fall safety unit and the surface, since the fall safety unit is attached to the surface using one or more screws or bolts.
It is however more difficult to ensure the connection strength between a fall safety unit for person fall safety, where the fall safety unit is connected without using screws or bolts.
Temporary safety units exist for scaffolding or the like, however at the moment there exists no magnetic person anchor unit adapted for fall safety.
Thus, there is a need for a person anchor unit with sufficient strength which can be handled by one person while having a simple mechanical method for testing the connection strength.
It is an object of the invention to provide a person anchor unit for person fall safety and a method for testing connection strength between an anchor surface comprising magnetizable material and the person anchor unit.
An object of the invention is achieved by a person anchor unit for person fall safety. The person anchor unit comprises
The person anchor unit is a temporary fall safety unit for a single person. In theory, the person anchor unit could be used for several persons provided that the one or more permanent magnets can provide the necessary attraction force. However, in this case one could use several person anchor units instead with the same effect.
The person anchor unit is a single unit such that the person anchor unit can be handled by a single person, who only have to handle the person anchor unit using a tool adapted for engaging the tool connection point. Thus, the test unit is for example an integrated part of the person anchor unit.
The one or more permanent magnets are positioned at or near the connection surface. The one or more permanent magnets proximity to the connection surface determines the strength of the one or more permanent magnets attachment to the anchor surface. The one or more permanent magnets proximity to the connection surface is controlled by the at least one test unit.
The one or more permanent magnets may be fitted with a rubber surface or another material adapted to increase friction between the one or more permanent magnets and the anchor surface, when the one or more permanent magnets may form part of the connection surface. Thereby, the one or more permanent magnets will in part help prevent movement when experiencing forces with a force component parallel to the anchor surface.
The rubber of the rubber surface may be EPDM rubber or the like.
The connection surface may be further fitted with additional areas of rubber surface or another material adapted to increase friction between the person anchor unit and the anchor surface. The rubber of the rubber surface may be EPDM rubber or the like.
In another embodiment, the one or more permanent magnets are attached to the person anchor unit by means allowing the individual magnets to slightly pivot about an axis of the individual magnet, enabling the connection surface to curve, for better attachment of the person anchor unit to a curved anchor surface for instance on a wind turbine tower.
The magnetizable material of the anchor surface has, to the person installing the person anchor unit, an unknown thickness and the anchor surface may comprise one or more layers of paint of unknown thickness. Both the thickness of the paint and the magnetizable material may change across the anchor surface. Thus, it is not possible to know the connection strength between the person anchor unit and the anchor surface.
However, the person installing the person anchor unit can utilize the at least one test unit to test if the anchor surface has the necessary magnetic properties to be used as an anchor surface for person fall safety. Usually, the national law determines whether the connection strength is sufficient for the person anchor unit to be used as a fall safety unit.
Actuation of the tool connection point, displaces the first displacement member from a retracted position to an extended position, causing the first displacement member at the extended position to engage the anchor surface.
The connection strength is tested by actuation of the tool connection point with a threshold force to the displacement member by actuation of the tool connection point, where the threshold force corresponds to an approved connection strength. If the displacement member displaces the person anchor unit relative to the anchor surface, then the connection strength is below the approved connection strength and the person anchor unit cannot be used as fall safety. Thus, the person anchor unit must be relocated, and a new test initiated. If the displacement member does not displace the person anchor unit relative to the anchor surface, when the connection strength is above the approved connection strength and the person anchor unit can be used as fall safety.
The displacement member has an additional function, since the permanent magnets are so strong that a person will not be able to remove the person anchor unit from an anchor surface comprising magnetizable material by pulling, nor will the person be able to attach the person anchor unit to the anchor surface comprising magnetizable material since the magnetic attracting will cause the person anchor unit to be violently forced towards the anchor surface and the position will be random. However, when the displacement member is in the extended position then the person anchor unit can be handled by a person and the person anchor unit can be removed from the surface and/or repositioned.
The tool connection point may be a bolt with a head shaped substantially hexagonal, square, or similar and may include a flange extending substantially parallel an axis defined by the connection surface. (T-bolt, hex bolt, square bolt). In another embodiment, the tool connection point may be connected to a hydraulic system.
The anchor point comprises a mean of attaching a shock absorber or a safety line. The safety line may comprise a shock absorber to reduce the energy created by gravity during a fall of the person attached to the anchor point.
In some embodiments, the anchor point may comprise a shock absorber.
The first displacement member may comprise a foot adapted to engage the anchor surface wherein the foot is fitted with a rubber cap or the like to prevent scratches in the anchor surface and to stabilize the person anchor unit when the first displacement member is in the extended position.
The rubber cap may be made of EPDM rubber.
In an aspect, the person anchor unit may comprise two or more test units.
The two or more test units may be evenly distributed across the person anchor unit, allowing the one or more permanent magnets to uniformly attach to the anchor surface by an even distribution of displacement members.
The person anchor unit may comprise two test units and the one or more permanent magnets may be positioned between the two test units.
Thus, additional test units will increase the usability of the person anchor unit and increase the safety as several points can be tested.
In an aspect, the at least one test unit may comprise a tool gear and a first displacement gear being interconnected. The tool gear is connected to the tool connection point. The first displacement member is displaceable connected to the first displacement gear and rotation of the first displacement gear causes displacement of the first displacement member.
Thereby, the displacement of the first displacement member can actuated by simple rotation of the tool connection point such as using a torque wrench which is readably available.
In an aspect, the first displacement gear may comprise a first central bore and the first displacement member extend through the first central bore. The first central bore and the first displacement member may be complementarily threaded and wherein the at least one test unit comprises means for preventing rotation of the displacement member.
Means for preventing rotation of the displacement member may comprise of the displacement member having a head comprising at least two sides such as three, four, five, six, seven or eight sides with the displacement chamber being mutually shaped.
In another embodiment, the means for preventing rotation of the displacement member may comprise of the displacement member having a substantially toothed wheel shaped head with the displacement chamber being mutually shaped.
In a further embodiment, the means for preventing rotation of the displacement member may comprise the displacement member having an oval-shaped head with the displacement chamber being mutually shaped.
The means for preventing rotation may be a rod extending through an elongated channel in the displacement member.
In an aspect, the at least one test unit may comprise a second displacement gear connected to the tool gear and a second displacement member being displaceably connected to the second displacement gear and wherein rotation of the second displacement gear causes displacement of the second displacement member between the retracted position and the extended position, wherein the second displacement member at the extended position engage the anchor surface.
Thereby, the actuation of the tool gear will cause simultaneous displacement of both the first and second displacement members and the two displacement members will make the procedure of testing, installing and positioning even more easy.
The use of first and second in the application is used to differentiate parts of the person anchor unit and thus the first is not more preferred than the second. Furthermore, the second displacement member or displacement gear may have the same features as presented for the first displacement member or the first displacement gear. The same goes for any other part denoted first or second in the description or in the claims. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to only a first or second as the person anchor unit may comprise a third or more parts.
In an aspect, the at least one test unit may comprise a first displacement chamber, wherein part of the first displacement member is displaceable and positioned within the first displacement chamber. The first displacement chamber and the first displacement member may be complementarily shaped to prevent rotation of the first displacement member.
Thereby, the displacement of the first displacement member is stabilized by the complementary first displacement chamber.
In an embodiment, the at least one test unit may comprise a second displacement chamber, wherein part of the second displacement member is displaceable and positioned within the second displacement chamber. The second displacement chamber and the second displacement member may be complementarily shaped to prevent rotation of the second displacement member.
Thereby, the displacement of the second displacement member is stabilized by the complementary second displacement chamber.
In an aspect, the first displacement member may comprise a first flange extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the displacement member, wherein the first flange may be adapted to engage the first displacement chamber to prevent rotation of the displacement member.
The first flange may be positioned at the top of the displacement member.
In another embodiment, the first flange may be placed at the top of the displacement member.
The first flange may comprise between 2 and 8 sides with the displacement chamber being mutually shaped.
In another embodiment, the first flange may comprise one or more cogs with the displacement chamber being mutually shaped.
In a further embodiment, the first flange may comprise a plurality of cogs with the displacement chamber being mutually shaped.
In a still further embodiment, the first flange may comprise the shape of an oval with the displacement chamber being mutually shaped.
In an aspect, the person anchor unit may comprise a shock absorber connected to the anchor point. The shock absorber will further increase the fall safety.
In an aspect, at least one of the at least one test unit may comprise a hydraulic system actuated through the tool connection point for displacement of the first displacement member.
The hydraulic system may be actuated through the tool connection point for displacement of the first displacement member by applying a force via a hydraulic cylinder.
The tool engaging at the tool connection point might be a pump handle.
The hydraulic system may be hydraulic jack, where the tool is the pump handle and pumping will cause displacement of the first displacement member.
In an aspect, the first displacement member may comprise a first head with a color, wherein the first head is visible in the retracted position.
The second displacement member may comprise a second head with a color, wherein the second head is visible in the retracted position
The first and/or second displacement member should be at the extended position when attaching the person anchor unit to the anchor surface. The first and/or second displacement member are at the extended position when attaching the person anchor unit to the anchor surface, such that the magnetic attraction force is reduced significantly allowing the person anchor unit to be handled by a person. The head and color are not visible when the first and/or the second displacement member are at the extended position. Thus, the color can act as an indicator of whether the person anchor unit may be used as fall safety. If the color is not visible, then it may not be used as fall safety.
When the first displacement member is in the retracted position, the first head with a color is visible when looking at the at least one test unit comprising the first displacement member, signaling that the person anchor unit is ready to be attached to the anchor surface.
In an embodiment, the test unit may comprise a top plate with at least a first aperture wherein the first head extent into the aperture in the retracted position thereby making the color visible to the person using the person anchor point.
An object of the invention is achieved by a kit comprising a person anchor unit according to one or more of the previous described embodiments and a tool adapted to connect to the tool connection point.
The kit may include a shock absorber.
In an aspect, the tool is a torque wrench.
The torque wrench may be manually actuated and operated by the skilled person.
The torque wrench may comprise only mechanical elements interacting with each other actuated by the skilled person using a handle to apply torque to a head engaging the tool connection point.
The torque wrench may be an electric torque wrench, also known as electric torque tool.
The torque wrench may be a hydraulic torque wrench, also known as a hydraulic torque tool.
The torque wrench may be a pneumatic torque wrench, also known as pneumatic torque tool, or be a tool with similar outputs as the above mentioned.
An object of the invention is achieved by a method for testing connection strength between an anchor surface comprising magnetizable material and a person anchor unit comprising one or more permanent magnets and a displacement member.
The method comprises steps of
The skilled person is thereby able to attach the person anchor unit to the anchor surface, and test if applying a threshold force equal to an approved connection strength to the displacement member by actuation of the tool connection point causes displacement of the displacement member relative to the anchor surface, thus testing the connection strength between the anchor surface and the person anchor unit.
The person anchor unit may comprise two or more displacement members.
The step of attaching the person anchor unit may include displacing the displacement member to the extended position before placing the person anchor unit against the anchor surface followed by displacing the displacement member to the retracted position.
The threshold force may be applied using a torque wrench.
In an aspect, when the displacement force is below a threshold force, the method comprises further steps of
The skilled person would know that if an applied threshold force equal to an approved connection strength to the displacement member by actuation of the tool connection point does cause displacement of the displacement member relative to the anchor surface, then the person anchor unit must be removed from the anchor surface and be reattached to a different position on the anchor surface, causing a repetition and evaluation of the steps of displacing, applying, and testing the connection strength between the person anchor unit and the anchor surface.
The step of removing may include displacing the displacement member to the extended position such that the person anchor unit can be removed by a person.
In an aspect, the person anchor unit used in the method may be according to one or more of the previous described embodiments.
Embodiments of the invention will be described in the figures, whereon:
The person anchor unit 10 comprises a connection side 12 comprising a connection surface 14 adapted for facing an anchor surface 90 comprising magnetizable material. The anchor surface 90 is shown as having an uneven surface which may be due to a paint layer.
The person anchor unit 10 comprises an anchor point 20 for attaching a safety line 80 such that the person anchor unit 10 can be used for fall safety.
The person anchor unit 10 shown schematically, comprises a permanent magnet 30 positioned at the connection surface 14. The connection surface 14 is preferably designed to increased friction with the anchor surface.
The person anchor unit 10 comprises a test unit 40 for testing the connection strength between the permanent magnet 30 and the anchor surface.
The test unit 40 comprises a displacement member 42 being displaceable between a retracted position 44 (see
The test unit 40 further comprises a tool connection point 50 mechanically linked to the displacement member 42, wherein actuation of the tool connection point 50 causes displacement of the first displacement member 42 between the retracted position 44 and the extended position 46. If the person who actuates the tool connection point 50 knows the actuation force, then the connection strength can be calculated. If the connection strength is above a threshold connection strength, then the person anchor unit 10 can be used for fall safety.
The person anchor unit 10 comprises a connection side 12 comprising a connection surface 14 adapted for facing an anchor surface 90 comprising magnetizable material.
The person anchor unit 10 comprises an anchor point 20 including a shock absorber 22 for attaching a safety line 80 such that the person anchor unit 10 can be used for fall safety.
The person anchor unit 10 comprises one or more (not shown) permanent magnets 30 positioned at the connection surface 14. The connection surface 14 is preferably designed to increase friction with the anchor surface.
The person anchor unit 10 comprises two test units 40A, 40B for testing the connection strength between the permanent magnet 30 and the anchor surface 90. The one or more permanent magnets are placed between the two test units 40A, 40B, thereby handling of the person anchor unit 10 becomes easier. Each test unit 50A, 50B comprises a tool connection point 50A, 50B.
The test unit 50A, 50B does not need to be similar nor identical, however in most cases they will be at least similar.
The test unit 50A will be described in detail, however the second test unit 50B has the same features.
The test unit 50A comprises a first displacement member 42I and a second displacement member 42II displaceable between a retracted position 44 and an extended position 46, wherein the first displacement member 42I and the second displacement member 42II at the extended position 46 engage the anchor surface 90 during use.
The connection point 50 is mechanically linked to the first displacement member 42I and the second displacement member 42II, wherein actuation of the tool connection point 50 causes displacement of both the first displacement member 42 and the second displacement member 42II between the retracted position 44 and the extended position 46.
The test unit 50A comprises a tool gear 52, a first displacement gear 54I, and a second displacement gear 54II being interconnected with the tool gear 52 at a center. The tool gear 52 is connected to the tool connection point 50, wherein the first displacement member 42I and the second displacement member 42II is displaceable connected to respectively the first displacement gear 52I and the second displacement gear 54II.
Rotation of the first displacement gear 54I and the second displacement gear 54II causes displacement of the first displacement member 42I and the second displacement member 42II.
The test unit 40A further comprises a first displacement chamber 58I, wherein part of the first displacement member 52I is displaceable and positioned within the first displacement chamber 58I, and a second displacement chamber 58II, wherein part of the second displacement member 52II is displaceable and positioned within the second displacement chamber 58I.
The first displacement chamber 58I and the first displacement member 42I are complementarily shaped to prevent rotation of the first displacement member 42I. Likewise, the second displacement chamber 58II and the second displacement member 42II are complementarily shaped to prevent rotation of the second displacement member 42II.
The first displacement member 42I comprises a first flange 43I extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the displacement member 42I, wherein the first flange 43I is adapted to engage the first displacement chamber 58I to prevent rotation of the displacement member 42I. In this case the first flange 43I is hexagonal and the first displacement chamber 58I has a complementary shape.
Likewise, the second displacement member 42II comprises a second flange 43II extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the second displacement member 42II, wherein the second flange 43II is adapted to engage the second displacement chamber 58II to prevent rotation of the second displacement member 42II. In this case the second flange 43II is hexagonal and the second displacement chamber 58II has a complementary shape.
The test unit 40A comprises a top 60A with a first aperture 62I and a second aperture 62II.
Both the first displacement member 42I and the second displacement member 42II respectfully comprises a first head 48I and a second head 48II with a color, wherein the first head 48I and the second head 48II are visible in the retracted position 44 as the first head 48I and the second head 48II extend into the first aperture 62I and the second aperture 62II.
The color may be any color such as green.
The first displacement member 42I and the second displacement member 42II are fitted with a first and second cap 70I, 70II for engaging the anchor surface 90 without scratching.
In
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21196058.8 | Sep 2021 | EP | regional |
