Device for deceleration and application thereof

The present invention relates to a device for retardation. Furthermore, defines relates to application thereof on a roof or in a system for prevention of falling down from the roof.

Several systems exist for presenting also falling off a roof. Such a system comprises for example fixed rings that are attached on a roof and to which a lifeline can be fastened that may be fastened to the clothing, belt or trapeze of a roofer. An advantage of such systems is that these may prevent that the roofer falls towards the earth when a falling incident takes place. However, such a system has an important disadvantage that a falling person maybe stopped abruptly during falling towards the earth. This after breaking off the fall leads to high G. forces and therefore to injuries to the body.

A solution that has been thought of in the past is the application of a vertically resilient mast that is placed on top of the roof and that may absorb a part of the shock. Several of such devices would be required on a roof, for one reason while most times several people are working on a roof simultaneously and for another reason while the lines should not be too long or should not get entangled with other objects on the roof of the furthermore, such devices are large objects that are costly to provide and that require additional preparations, such as fastening means on the roof.

In order to provide a solution without being known prior art problems, the present invention provides a device for deceleration for securing of a person against injuries caused by falling, the device comprising:

- a house comprising a deceleration channel,

- a lead through opening that is arranged at one end of the deceleration channel for leading deceleration member through it,

-a deceleration member that is of an elongate shape and that is arranged in the deceleration channel, in which the deceleration member is subject to friction in the deceleration channel.

An advantage of such a deceleration device is that a deceleration of a fall may result by means of the fric- tion caused by the deceleration channel to the deceleration member that is present in the house while the deceleration member is pulled through and wherein the fall deceleration results in a substantial diminishing of the potential G. forces. Because of this, injuries to the body will be diminished. A further advantage of the internal deceleration channel is that the deceleration defined may be embodied in a compact fashion and death because of this no additional facilities are needed on the roof.

In a first preferred embodiment, the deceleration channel of the deceleration device has at least partially a substantially spiralled shape. This spiralled shape provides for the possibility of creating a compact deceleration channel while a sufficient deceleration is achieved. Furthermore, the deceleration device may be built in a compact manner and fit on a roof in a simple manner.

An advantageous way of further improving the deceleration is achieved in a preferred embodiment in which the deceleration channel comprises narrow parts or indentations at least as seen in a cross-section. Such features allow for a device that is easy to produce and that provides a reliable deceleration to the deceleration member of the

in a further preferred embodiment, in the decel ^¬ eration device, the deceleration member comprises a, in cross-section, protruding element for providing a further retardation. In contact with the wall of the channel, friction is provided which strengthens the retardation. The forcefulness of the deceleration may be set in a predictable manner.

A practically important advantage of these embodiments is that an initial threshold setting may be pro- vided. Because of this, it may be prevented that the deceleration member would be pulled out of the channel without a real fall happening, which would diminish the effectiveness of the device. Such a threshold setting may be provided by means of e.g. a narrowing of the channel with a protrusion of the deceleration member or a combination thereof.

A coupling device that may be arranged to the deceleration member for coupling thereto to a belt or a trapeze for coupling of a person to the deceleration device in a safe manner is an advantageous way to practically use the device while at the same time a high level of user friendliness is provided.

Preferably, the house comprises at least an upper plate stop in a further preference, the house comprises at least a bottom plate. Possibly in combination therewith, the deceleration channel may be shaped in the upper plate and/or the bottom plate. It is possible to create such a device with only one of these plates. Furthermore, the device may be produced this way in a simple and advantageous fashion.

At least a part of the deceleration channel may e.g. be shaped by means of a shape treatment of a part of the house, such as deep drawing, molding, injection mold-

ing, rolling etc. Such a ways off creation provide an advantageous creation and it is possible to predict the degree of deceleration with a high accuracy.

In a special preferred embodiment, the decelera- tion channel around the lead through opening is shaped in such a manner that the deceleration channel moves away from the heat through the opening relatively quickly in a radial fashion as compared to the spiral shape of the deceleration channel relatively far away from the lead . An advantage of this feature is that the deceleration member may be guided in such a manner that the deceleration member may be guided in a predictable manner and by means of a wide curve. Such a feature helps preventing a nod which allows for a hide reliability, even when the device re- sides on the roof for a long time.

A further feature for providing a high lifetime is the application of a filler means in the channel, such as a foam, preferably comprising, those cells, and or a water repellent component. The closedness of the cells provides for a good resistance against intruding humidity. Water repellent properties provide for the possibility of maintaining the circumstances at the inside of the channel and/or the house during a long period of time such that the durability of the deceleration device will be high. In order to provide a high firmness for prevention of the deceleration member to completely leave the channel, the deceleration device preferably comprises a reinforcement member around the lead through opening. Such a provision furthermore provides the ultimate guarantee that while having a long lifetime it may be prevented that the deceleration member leaves the channel, even in case other parts are subject to aging.

A further feature for increasing the friction is the provision of a gradually smaller cross section of the cross-sectional surface of the deceleration channel seen in the direction of the lead through opening. In order to provide the deceleration function at the side of the deceleration member, the deceleration member preferably comprises an end plug, that is preferably embodied by means of a so-called thimbled talurit eye, or a clamped cable sleeve comprising a suitable base mate- rial, such as a metal or alloy or plastic material. An advantage thereof is that use can be made of a method for providing of a sickening of a cable for use as deceleration member, which the method is in itself known and reliable . The coupling member preferably comprises a loop or eye. By means of such a loop, in a simple manner, a coupling can be made with for example a hook, such as a clos- able hook.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to the application of a deceleration device according to the present invention as part of a roof security system for prevention of a fall from a roof. This aspects provide at least similar advantages as are described in the above referring to the device. In a further preferred embodiment, in a similar application, the deceleration device is arrange able on or below one or more layers of roof covering. Because of this, it becomes possible to install the device in an easy- manner when a new roof covering is applied to the roof. Furthermore, the device is easily mountable with existing roof coverings, e.g. in case of bituminous roof coverings, the device may be arranged both over as under several layers wherein the waterproofness may be repaired in a fash-

ion that is known in itself by melting some of the bitumi ^¬ nous mass.

In a further preferred embodiment, the deceleration device is arrange able in their a reinforced roofing layer comprising what the resistance material and a reinforcement comprising wires.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a covering member for covering of a raised surface, such as a roof for cooperation with a device according to the present invention, comprising:

-weather and water resistance material, such as bitumen,

-at least a reinforcement member comprising wires or fiber material for providing a pool resistance to the covering member for robustly restraining the engaging member, and

-at least an opening for leading through of the connecting member in order to come next and fastening member with the engaging member. Such a covering member will during practical use being relatively often embodied as a role of bitumen mate ^¬ rial that is known in itself for providing weather resistance to roofs. An advantage of providing an opening therein is that because of this, the securing device may be mounted in a straightforward manner. It is to be noticed, that irregularities in itself and especially openings in such bitumen material are absolutely undesired and need to be prevented. Because of this, a covering member according to the present invention may be recognized in a straightforward manner.

A further advantage of such a covering member is that by means of the reinforcement member and a relatively high pull resistance is obtained as compared to in itself

known bitumen material which enables a secure anchoring of the engaging member of the securing device at the under side of the reinforced bitumen roll.

In a further preferred embodiment, the reinforce- ment member is shaped in such a manner that the reinforcement member is arranged in a predetermined arrangement of wires or the fiber material suitable for neutralizing pull forces around the opening. Because of this, a relatively efficient arrangement of the wires may be obtained thereby providing that the amount of strengthening wires may be significantly reduced compared to a random arrangement pattern.

By applying wires or fibers from materials of artificial fibers, such as glass fibers, carbon fibers, Dyneema or Aramide, a relatively high firmness with a relative low weight or use of materials may be obtained.

A further aspect according to the present inven ^¬ tion relates to a method for applying a securing device according to the above, comprising steps for: -locating the covering member on a raised surface,

-locating or mounting an engaging member under an opening,

-locating a fastening member over an opening,

-coupling of the engaging member with the fasten- ing member by means of the connecting member, and

-providing a watertight closure of the securing device in cooperation with the cover member. Such a method has found is just as are described in the above. The watertight closure may be provided in a conventional manner by e.g. heating of bitumen when bitumen are applied in the covering member. The method is however relatively simplified when a closure member is being used as is described in the above .

Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be described hereinbelow in greater detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Fig. 1 shows a first preferred embodiment according to the present invention in top view.

Fig. 2 shows the embodiment of Fig. 1 in cross- section in side elevation of view.

Fig. 3 shows a detail of Fig. 2 in side elevation of view.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic of view of a further preferred embodiment .

Fig. 5 shows an example of a roof covering material for application with earlier embodiments. Fig. 6 shows a further example of a roof covering material for application with your embodiments.

A first preferred embodiment (figure 1) according to the present invention is a fall deceleration device 1 for application on a roof. The purpose is that a roofer secures himself thereto in order to prevent that he will be severely wounded in case of a fall. The fall deceleration device moreover functions as a fall security device as the roofer will be hanging there from.

In the figures 1-3, the full deceleration device is and what needs with a round shape with a spiral shaped deceleration channel 4 the fall deceleration device is built up from two metal plates arranged on top of each other, the top plate 2 and the bottom plate 3. These are e.g. welded together. Other fastening methods are also suitable, such as use of an adhesive or screwing by means of bolts.

The deceleration channel is applied by means of deep drawing of the spiral shaped in the plates 2, 3. Al-

ternatively, this may be performed by means of deep drawing of the whole depth of the channel in one of these both plates. In a further alternative manner, I plates may be applied on merely the top side in case the same is at- tached to a bottom surface.

In the channel, a cable 6 is inserted that it will be slowed down by friction with the walls of the channel during pulling out of the channel because of this, it becomes possible to slow down the fall of a roofer. Alterna- tively, the device is applicable in a different application for slowing down of a fast movement or an accelerating movement .

Indeed channel ends at an opening 5 at the top side such that the cable may pass through there. The cable is provided with an eye 11 for fastening thereto of a hook or in between cable of a trapeze in simple manner. The trapeze may be any suitable or desired security belt that is suitable for holding a body.

Close to the opening 5, the plate 2 and extends somewhat upwardly by means of a slope 9 for providing of a flesh guiding of the cable. In an alternative fashion, this is possible by means of an additionally mounted part. Around the openings 5, a caller 8 is provided for closure and against water influx. This is shown in greater detail in figure 3. On top of the plates a roof covering 15 is present in this case. This roof covering is preferably reinforced by means of a number of wires of a very strong fiber such as is shown in the figures 4 and 5. The rein ^¬ forcement thereof is very well suited for restraining of the full deceleration device when firm pull forces are applied thereto.

These both plates are attached to each other by means of welding between the several windings of the chan-

nel. For this and in itself known welding procedure may be applied, such as sports welding, laser welding etc. in the embodiment of figure 4, these plates are square goods the spiral is still shaped into a substantially ^λ round' shape. At least three wide spirals are extending e.g. along the outer rim for providing the retardation, yet the inner spiral extends more directly towards the opening 5. Because of this, a smooth bend of the spiral towards the opening is obtained. This and has an advantage that the forming of cracks in the cable may be present at. Especially after a long stay of the device on a roof this is advantageous. In the surface around the opening, a number of extra welds are provided for providing extra firmness. In figure 5, an example is shown of a stretch of bitumen 40 that is taken from a roll. In these layer of bitumen, a reinforcement for these 3 is arranged by means of a grid of wires and or fibers. This reinforcement serves the purpose of enforcing the bitumen, especially around the openings 41, 42 that are intended for placement of the bolt 6. Preferably, the fibers or the wires of the reinforcement are arranged such that high forces may be withstood by means of a relatively small area around the opening in which the forces are spread over a relatively large area of the stretch of bitumen. An example thereof is a wave shaped pattern of wires that widens in the area of the stretch between the openings, in which the distinct wires approached each other closer to the openings, and in which the wires e.g. approach each other such that the pulling forces on both sides are directed in the direction of the opening.

An example thereof is shown- in figure 6 in which the wire 46 extends along the upper side of the hole 41 after which it widely extends until close to the underside

of the stretch 40 and subsequently returns to above the height of the hole 42 after which it returns down ward again. With respect to the wire 46, the wire 49 shows a mirrored pattern that extends along the underside of the hole 41 until close to the upper side of the stretch 40 and back along the underside of hole 42. Because of this pattern of wires, a relatively large amount of reinforcing is arranged near the openings, which arrangement of reinforcement and has a further advantage a number of cross- ings for combination of pulling forces, and in which the forces are spread out between the openings over a relatively large surface of the bitumen stretch. Of course a similar effect may be achieved with a hand intends pattern of wires, such as straight wires, close to the openings crossing lines or otherwise.

The present invention is described in the foregoing on the basis of several preferred embodiments which are not limitative for the understanding of the present invention and the scope of protection of the rights sought. Several aspects of several embodiments are to be understood in possible combination with in the understanding of this text and accompanying figures the rights sought are defined by the appended claims.