The present invention relates to a device for retardation. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for application of such a retardation device.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to an application of the retardation device.

It is known to use a retardation device for preventing or slow down of fall of a person. From the Dutch patent application NL 1034006, a retardation device is known with a number of disadvantages that will be obviated by means of the present invention. One of the disadvantages that provides better use of the new device in relation to the known device is that the known device was handicapped with limitations with respect to extraction of the retardation cable.

In order to obviate such disadvantages, the present invention provides a retardation device for safeguarding a person against injuries for falling, compris- ing:

- A house comprising a retardation channel,

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

- A moisture barrier member, comprising at least a cover member for preventing access of water through the lead through opening. One advantage of the present retardation device is that by means of the moisture barrier member, it is prevented that water enters through the moisture barrier member, and more specifically into the retardation channel. Therefore, the durability of the retardation device is improved and more importantly improved in a reliable manner, such that years long use is possible, preferably without maintenance requirement. In a first preferred embodiment, in the retardation channel, the elongated retardation member preferably has a variable length in the longitudinal direction, and is preferably stretchable; with a further preference has elastic stretch properties. An advantage of such a vari- able length of retardation member is that fall forces the absorbed during stretching of the retardation device, because of this, it is achieved that the deceleration is gradually spread out over the length of stretch ability. In an advantages manner, this prevents abrupt shock forces. Because of this, injuries that would otherwise be inflicted by shock forces to a person, can be prevented.

A further advantage of such a preferred embodiment is that a stretchable cable can be applied, with can be fully fitted in the house and therefore is protected against the elements to with the house is exposed. Also because of this, long-term use over years of the device can be achieved.

In a further preferred embodiment, the retardation device comprises a fastening member for fastening one end of the retardation member to the inside of the retardation device. Application of such a fastening member provides as an advantage that a fixed fastening of retardation device can be provided.

In further preference, the retardation device com- prises a rotation member for rotatably leading through of the retardation device, in with the housing preferably comprises a seat for receiving the rotation member. Application of such a rotation member provides amongst others as an advantage that the fixation for a trapeze with a safety catch can co rotate with the movements of the person using the device. This example enhances the convenience for the user. More specifically, it is advantageous when the rotation member comprises a substantially cylindrical element with a leap through channel for the retardation member. Such an element provides a very robust construction for a part of the moisture barrier member. By further preference, cover member is arrange able over the rotation member. The combination of the cylindrical element with the cover member being rotatably arrange able on top of that, provides a stable and reliable construction. A further preferred application of preferably ring shaped moisture barrier means, that are preferably arrange able in the rotation direction orientation, preferably in the combination with positioning grooves that are arranged on the outside of the cylinder shaped element or on the inside of the cover member, provides a reliable watertight seal with the mutually rotatable arrangement of the rotation member and the cover member.

In a further preferred embodiment, the water barrier member comprises a weakening for allowing breach thereof in case of a fall for retardation by the retardation device. An advantage of the weakening that the functioning of the retardation device as described in the above, remains as optimal as possible, even when the cover member remains attached to the rotation member. According to a further preferred embodiment, in the retardation device, the retardation channel has at least partly a spiral shape. Because of this, it is possible to provide a compact retardation channel with a rela- tively large length while a good retardation is provided. Furthermore the retardation device may be produced compactly and may be conveniently applied on a roof.

The retardation device preferably comprises a ro- tatable fastening device for an external coupling member, in which the fastening member is preferably rotatable around a substantially horizontal rotation access. Because of this, a further freedom of movement is provided for allowing freedom of movement of the person using retardation device. According to a further preference, the fastening device may be attached in a watertight manner with regard to the cover member, by means of preferably flattened fastening openings .

With regard to a further desirable objective that a firm connection is provided between the retardation member and the fastening member, a further preferred embodiment provides a coupling member for coupling of the retardation member with the external coupling member in which the coupling members and the moisture barrier member mutu- ally provide a watertight coupling. Because of this, in a simple manner this desirable connection is provided. A simple manner of embodying this is by means of a cover enclosed by a bus, preferably also by means of seal rings for providing a further seal for example rainwater. By further preference the house comprises at least a top plate, by further preference, the house comprises at least a bottom plate. Separately or in combination thereof, the retardation channel may be shaped in the bottom plate and or in the top plate. The device may be pro- vided either one of these plates. Furthermore, with such a construction, the device may be produced in a straightforward and economical manner. It is for example possible that at least a part of the retardation channel may be shaped by means of a shape treatment of a part of the house, such as embossing, moulding, injection moulding, rolling, etc. Such ways of producing provided in advantage production and is possible to predict the deceleration with a high level of accuracy.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to an application of a retardation device according to the invention as part of a roof security system for preventing of a fall from a roof. This aspect provides similar advantages as those that are described in the above in relation to the device .

It is a further preference that during such use, the retardation device is arrange able on top of or be- neath one or several layers of roof covering. Because of this, it is possible to place the device on the roof when a new roof covering is applied. Furthermore the device can be easily installed in situations with an existing roof covering, for example in case of bituminous roof cover- ings, the device can be arranged or below several layers, whereby the device may be rendered waterproof by means of melting the bituminous mass, with melting is known in itself.

In the following the invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to the attached drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a side view cut-away of a first preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows two cut-away side views of a assembled variant of the preferred embodiment of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an exploded top view according to the preferred embodiment of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a similar view as Fig. 1 of a further preferred embodiment according the present invention. Fig. 5 is a similar view as Fig. 2 of the preferred embodiment of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a similar view as Fig. 1 of a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention. Fig. 7 is a further preferred embodiment in exploded top view and details.

Fig. 8 is an alternative representation of a preferred embodiment similar to Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a similar view as Fig. 7 of a further preferred embodiment.

A first preferred embodiment (Fig. 1) according to the present invention is a full decelerator in for application on a roof. The purpose is that a roofer secures himself to the device in other to prevent the he would be inflexed seriously in case of a fall. The fall decelerator furthermore functions as a fall protection as the roofer will remain hanging for the device.

The fall decelerator 1 comprises a housing 2 that is shaped by means of a top plate 4 and a bottom plate 3. The top plate is a circular plate that in top view is substantially circular with a substantially circular shaped opening in the middle that is formed by an upwardly directed flange 14. Near the perimeter, in the radial direction, the plate slopes downwardly, because of which the central part of the plate is somewhat raised. Because of this raised middle part, the top plate can be arranged relative to the bottom plate in such a way that the lowered perimeter of the top plate 4 is adjacent to the pe- rimeter of the bottom plate 3 while the raised parts 12 that are created in the bottom plate can be fitted in the recess that is formed by plate 4.

The bottom plate is also a substantially round plate. In top view, this plate is provided with a substan- tially spiral shaped profile, at least a profile that can hold a cable that subsequently is arranged in a spiral arrangement .

Furthermore, the bottom plate comprises a fixation member 18 for a loop of a retardation cable. With this loop, the end of a retardation cable can be attached in a safe manner. In a similar fashion as the spiral, the fixation member 18 can be created by means of embossing the bottom plate, but the fixation member can also be created by means of a bus or slug of for example metal or a suitable plastic. It is also possible to fill a created form that is for example created by means of embossing with a solid material in order to increase the firmness.

The elevated parts 12 that form the spiral shape of the channel comprise an arch locking in the retardation cable. This arch 14 provides extra firmness around this important area of the bottom plate. In the vicinity of the centre of the bottom plate, also a reinforcing arch is defined. In the described preferred embodiment, the eleva- tions 12 are defined in the bottom plate. Within the understanding of the present invention, it is also possible to define these elevations in the top plate or to define such elevations in both the top plate and the bottom plate . A rotation member 5 is arrangeable within the space defined by the upwardly directed edge 14 of the top plate 4. The rotation member 5 serves the purpose of ro- tatably receiving of the cover 8 on top of it. The rotation member and the upwardly directed edge 14 provide a firm fixture and a moisture proof seal. On the inside of the rotation member, a channel is arranged for passing through of the retardation cable. The definition of channel comprises the shown curved walls of this channel. Such curved walls are advantageous when guiding the fall retardation cable. At the bottom side, the fall retardation cable enters the channel from a substantially horizontal path. At the top side, when emergency beckons, the retar- dation cable is pulled in the direction of the edge of the roof, because of which a guiding that facilitates this direction is advantageous. This shape furthermore prevents wear to the cable.

The exterior of the rotation member comprises three groups for keeping therein positioned the O rings 6 that serve the purpose of a water barrier for preventing entrance of water between the rotation member and the cover. In FIG. 2, these parts are shown in an assembled arrangement . The retardation cable 7 is provided with an eye 11 at the end that is arranged on the exterior of the house. This eye is connected with an external fixation member 9. This external fixation member 9 serves the purpose of fixing thereto of a security device, such as a trapeze, of a person to be protected. This connection between the eye 11 and the fixation member 9 is provided by means of a bolt 22, nut 23 connection by means of a spacer 21 through the openings 17. In order to provide a watertight connection, four rings 13 are applied. In case of an emergency, it may be that the pull forces are predominantly directed horizontally at the fixation member 9. In this case, it may occur that the cover remains positioned on the rotation member, instead it is pulled along and releases from the rotation member. In or- der to obviate possible negative effects of such a situation, the cover is provided with a groove 33 in order to provide a weakening of the material and in order to tear of the topside of the cover. The groove is shown in FIG. 1. This groove is preferably arranged below the level of the nut 22 and in further preference below the top edge of the rotation member 5.

The predominant difference between the embodiments of the drawings 1 and 3 is the shape of the fixation member 9 and 19. The fixation member of FIG. 1 is suitable for holding a permanent cable that has an elongated shape and that extends along the roof. By means of such a cable a person can affix himself at any point along the cable to the fall retardation device. In the figure, it is shown how the top side of the fixation member 9 has a shape that is suitable for receiving an elongated cable. The fixation member of Fig. 4 is suitable for temporary affixing thereto a connection cable by means of a snap hook. In both embodiments, the fixation member is pivo- table in the direction of the arrow A such as is shown in drawing 2. Furthermore, in both embodiments the cover is rotatable in the direction of the arrows B that are shown in drawing 3. In the embodiment of drawing 6, the working is substantially similar as in previous preferred embodiments. The differences are at least as follows. The fixation member 49 that is comparable with the fixation number 19 is embodied as a classic harp. The top part of the cov- er 48 is embodied in a narrower fashion. The member of seal rings 6 is limited to one.

The preferred embodiment of drawing 7 relates to a bottom plate 3 of a retardation device 70. In a similar manner as the bottom plate 3 of the embodiment of FIG. 3, the bottom plate has a profile in a substantially spiral shape for holding a cable therein. The bottom plate 3 is however provided with openings 71 around a perimeter thereof. Furthermore, such openings 73 are present near the centre of the bottom plate. The openings provide several functions . When mounting the bottom plate on a bituminous roof covering that is heated, the heated bituminous roof covering will partly penetrate through the openings 71, 72 when applying pressure to the plate. The use of this, part of the bituminous material migrates through the openings and will be shaped in a widened form that is comparable to the shape of a mushroom and or will flow in such a way that the topside of the plate is covered with a continuous layer of bituminous material.

The roof covering materials that have migrated through the openings 71, 72 provide an additional fixation in addition to the primary adhesion of the material. This material will harden after fixation of the bottom plate of the roof covering material. This additional fixation provides both a vertical drawing power and a central fixation power against lateral movement. This is especially advantageous when a person falls off a roof and applies heavy pulling forces laterally with respect to the bottom plate. A similar function is provided by the radially extending grooves 72 that are arranged around the perimeter of the plate. Also through these grooves, material can migrate and harden when widened on the top side.

In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 9, an alterna- tive bottom plate 3 is shown with a larger number of radial slots and provided with screw holes 31. Within the understanding of the present invention, it is possible to combine such screw holes 31, slots 72 and openings 71 in a preferred embodiment. A further advantage of an embodiment according to the present invention is that by means of the mutual distance between the bottom plate and the top plate, a temperature gradient is possible by the internal workings thereof. Furthermore, an isolation material 37 is envisaged between the bottom plate and the top plate. This insulation material provides a further elevation of the potential temperature difference between the bottom plate and the top plate. One of the advantageous of a temperature difference between the top plate and the bottom plate is that with a relatively high ambient temperature the bottom plate can have a relatively low temperature with the adhesion temperature by means of the bitumen, by means of this, the safety is furthermore increased.

The present invention is described in the foregoing on the basis of several preferred embodiments. Different aspects of different embodiments are deemed as described in combination with each other, wherein all combi- nations which can be made by a skilled person on the basis of this document should be included. These preferred embodiments are not limitative for the scope of protection of this text. The rights sought are defined in the appended claims . *****