Fire escape – ladder – or scaffold – Torso harness
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-01
2001-08-28
Chin-Shue, Alvin (Department: 3634)
Fire escape, ladder, or scaffold
Torso harness
C182S018000, C188S371000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279680
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing an energy absorbing connection between two members, such as a safety line and a support structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Energy absorbing connectors come in a variety of forms and are useful in a variety of applications. One type of energy absorbing connector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,106,989 to Fuchs; U.S. Pat. No. 3,694,028 to Andres et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,377 to Sugiki et al. These prior art arrangements connect a strip of metal between two members in a manner which causes the metal to tear when subject to force in excess of a threshold force. The shearing of the metal absorbs a significant amount of energy and reduces the likelihood of damage to the members and/or people in proximity to the members. This type of energy absorbing connector has been used on automobiles and in fall arrest systems.
With regard to the latter application, various occupations place people in precarious positions at relatively dangerous heights, thereby creating a need for fall-arresting safety apparatus. Such apparatus typically require a reliable safety line and reliable connections to the support structure and the person working in proximity to the support structure. One type of known fall arrest system connects a horizontal line to a support structure to support individual worker safety lines and minimally interfere with the worker's movements.
Examples of horizontal safety line systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,975 to Riches et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,385 to Riches et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,427 to Riches et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,410 to Sharp et al. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved energy absorbing connector for use at the ends of safety lines used in this type of system. Another object of the present invention is to provide an energy absorbing connector which strikes a good balance between energy absorbing capacity and cost effectiveness.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for absorbing energy at a point of connection between two members. On a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a first end of a metal strip is separated into first and second tabs. At least one tear line is provided along an intermediate portion of the strip, from a point of separation between the tabs to a point proximate an opposite, second end. The second end of the strip is coiled inside the intermediate portion of the strip. The resulting connector absorbs energy both by tearing along the tear line and by uncoiling. Additional features and/or advantages of the present invention may become more apparent from the detailed description which follows.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3106989 (1963-10-01), Fuchs
patent: 3462191 (1969-08-01), Ememan et al.
patent: 3694028 (1972-09-01), Andres
patent: 3973650 (1976-08-01), Nagazumi
patent: 4060278 (1977-11-01), Maeyerspeer
patent: 4358136 (1982-11-01), Tsuge et al.
patent: 4791243 (1988-12-01), Ibanez et al.
patent: 4904023 (1990-02-01), Fohl
patent: 4919403 (1990-04-01), Bartholomew
patent: 5143187 (1992-09-01), McQuarrie et al.
patent: 5211694 (1993-05-01), Sakakida et al.
patent: 5343975 (1994-09-01), Riches et al.
patent: 5458221 (1995-10-01), Flux et al.
patent: 5738377 (1998-04-01), Sugiki
patent: 5799760 (1998-09-01), Small
patent: 4005563 (1991-08-01), None
patent: 1060974 (1967-03-01), None
Chin-Shue Alvin
D B Industries, Inc.
Mau & Krull, P.A.
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