FI ELD OF TH E I NVENTI ON

[0001] The present invention relates broadly to an anchor assembly and relates particularly, although not exclusively, to a grid mesh anchor assembly.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In various industries it is sometimes required for a worker to perform operations at great heights. Working at heights creates the obvious risk of falling and subsequent injury, possibly fatal, to the worker. Accordingly, many safety devices and methods must be in place and adhered to, to reduce the risk of injury to workers at heights.

[0003] It is common to require workers at heights to wear fall arrest equipment, such as a harness, to suspend from to perform work or to prevent them from falling large distances and sustaining significant injury. The harness worn by the worker clearly needs to be attached to a suitable anchor point capable of supporting a fall arrest load, either directly or indirectly through additional straps and various other devices, such as inertia reels. The fall arrest load rating requirements vary between different countries, however are a minimum of 15kN (approximately 1.5 tonne) and up to 22.2kN (approximately 2.2 tonne) in other locations, for a single person.

[0004] A commonly used point of attachment for fall arrest equipment on steel structures for maintenance is merely using a scaffold tube for an anchorage strap to pass over. The scaffold tube used is of a length allowing it to span two I-beams, with grid mesh above to provide adequate support. To prevent the scaffold tube being accidentally moved and thereby not safely anchoring a worker, scaffold fittings are placed at either end of the tube.

[0005] This method of anchoring a worker presents a significant trip hazard for those at the level of the scaffold tube. Further, it is not safety rated (or independently certified) and spanning the two I-beams is vital to ensure the load is being carried by the beams rather than merely the grid mesh.

SUM M ARY OF TH E I NVENTI ON

[0006] In accordance with the present invention there is provided an anchor assembly comprising:

a housing;

a suspension member located within the housing;

at least one opening provided in the housing whereby a coupling member is adapted to pass through the opening and engage the suspension member for suspension of the coupling member from the anchor assembly.

[0007] Preferably the housing is in the form of a substantially enclosed case comprising a base and a roof configured to enclose the suspension member. More preferably the enclosed case is elongated and also comprises a pair of each of side and end walls that taper from the roof downward and outward toward the base. Even more preferably the roof is openable for access to an interior of the elongated case.

[0008] Preferably said at least one opening is provided in the base of the enclosed case. More preferably the opening is in the form of an access slot in the base.

[0009] Preferably the suspension member is in the form of an elongated rod or tube. More preferably the suspension member occupies substantially the full length of the elongated case. Even more preferably the elongated case is generally rectangular in shape.

[0010] Preferably the anchor assembly also comprises a plurality of straps for releasably securing the suspension member within the housing.

[0011] Preferably the housing comprises one or more securement points adapted for securing the anchor assembly to an associated structure from which the coupling member is to be suspended. [0012] Preferably the anchor assembly is adapted to locate on an upper side of a grid mesh supported by one or more underlying structural members. More preferably the location of the anchor assembly ensures the suspension member spans at least two adjacent of the structural members.

[0013] Preferably the base includes one or more feet each located beneath the suspension member. More preferably the feet are adapted to rest upon the grid mesh above the underlying structural members to transfer forces from the suspension member to said structural members via the feet.

[0014] Preferably the coupling member is in the form of a sling through which the suspension member passes for engagement. Alternatively the coupling member is in the form of a flexible rope, wire or cable.

[0015] Preferably the coupling member attaches to a safety fall device such as an inertia reel. Alternatively the coupling member attaches to a device such as a chain block.

[0016] Preferably the anchor assembly is to be rated to 22.2kN (50001bs) as a personal fall arrest anchorage.

BRI EF DESCRI PTI ON OF DRAW I NGS

[0017] In order to achieve a better understanding of the nature of the present invention a preferred embodiment of an anchor assembly will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a grid mesh anchor assembly on top of a grid mesh platform showing a coupling member in engagement with the suspension member according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is an upper plan view of the anchor assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an upper plan view of the anchor assembly of the preceding Figures with the roof opened with the suspension member removed;

Figure 4 is an underneath view of the anchor assembly of Figure 1 showing the coupling member exiting the grid mesh platform; Figure 5 is a lower perspective view of an anchor assembly of an alternative embodiment located on a grid mesh platform, with a coupling member secured thereto.

DESCRI PTI ON OF PREFERRED EM BODI M ENTS

[0018] Referring to the Figures, there is shown an anchor assembly 10, for providing a secure point of attachment, preferably at a grid mesh platforml2. The secure point of attachment may be used for connection with a harness worn by a user working at heights, or supporting materials handling equipment such as chain blocks, gin wheels, or other hauling or lifting devices.

[0019] With specific reference to Figure 1, the anchor assembly 10 comprises a housing in the form of an elongated case 14 with a central hollow channel 30, generally rectangular in shape with a flat base 16 and roof 18. The base 16 is provided with feet 19 at each end of the elongated case 14. The remaining four walls, being the two side walls 20 and two end walls 22 are sloped to create walls that taper downward and outward from the roof 18 to the base 16. All outer surfaces of the case 14 are preferably provided with ridges or other similar means for providing enhanced grip between the case 14 and abutting surfaces. Also, the outer surfaces of the case 14 are preferably coloured to provide enhanced visibility for safety of use, for example, brightly coloured stripes.

[0020] The roof 18 is in connection with one side wall 20 through a hinge 26. Accordingly, the roof 18 is able to be rotated about the hinge 26 so that access to the interior of the anchor assembly 10 is enabled. On the same side wall 20 as the hinge 26 is provided a handle 28 for providing a means for carrying the anchor assembly 10. Preferably, the handle 28 is provided as a rectangular aperture and is disposed near a lower edge of the side wall 20 at the centre of the anchor assembly 10. On the side wall 20 opposite the hinge 26 may be provided a means for releasably securing the roof 18 in its closed orientation. In this embodiment this securing means includes holes 29 in the casing 14 arranged to line up with nipples 31 or another detent- style mechanism to assist in securing the roof 18 closed. The roof 18 may also include two small holes 33 provided for finger access and opening of the roof 18.

[0021] A lower edge of each end wall 22 is provided with securement points in the form of eyelets 32. The eyelet 32 comprises an aperture and provides a point of attachment of an additional means (including but not limited to the use of cable ties) for securing the anchor assembly 10 in place at the grid mesh 12. The eyelets are sufficiently large in diameter for a karabiner to fit through should the anchor assembly 10 need to be raised by rope or other device.

[0022] Figure 3 shows the roof 18 rotated about the hinge 26 and in an opened orientation. Running a majority of the central length of the anchor assembly 10 is the channel 30. In this example, the channel 30 is dimensioned about 1300mm in length, 70mm in width and 80mm in height although it will be appreciated that the dimensions may vary depending on the application.

[0023] The base 16 of the anchor assembly 10 is in this embodiment provided with openings in the form of four access slots 34 (see figure 3). The access slots 34 are provided as cut-outs in the base 16 of the anchor assembly 10 providing access from the channel 30 to the exterior of the base 16 of the anchor assembly 10. It is preferred that the access slots 34 are generally rectangular in shape with a pair of slots 34 located proximal each end of the anchor assembly 10. In this example one of each of the pair of slots 34 is oriented lengthways in alignment with the channel 30 whereas the other of the pair of slots 34 is substantially perpendicular to the length of the channel 30. It is preferred that all of the slots 34 are generally central with respect to the width of the channel 30.

[0024] Provided in the channel 30 are a plurality of straps 36 for temporarily securing a suspension member (as seen in Figure 2) in the form of a suspension tube 38 in place within the channel 30. The straps 36 may be constructed from hook and eye fabric for easy securing and releasing of the suspension member 38. The straps are securely fastened to the inside base 16 of the anchor assembly 10. [0025] The anchor assembly 10 comprises the suspension member 38 disposed within the channel 30 as best seen in Figure 1. Preferably, the suspension member 38 is provided as a custom tube rated to withstand predetermined forces depending on the application and typically as prescribed by the relevant statutory safety standard. The suspension member may also be of a commonly available size and depending on the mechanical design requirements be solid in the form of rod. As provided above, the suspension member 38 is securely held in place within the channel 30 by the straps 36. The suspension member 38 of this embodiment occupies substantially the full length of the channel 30.

[0026] In use, the anchor assembly 10 may be manually carried to a preferred location using the handle 28. If the suspension member 38 is already provided within the anchor assembly 10, the straps 36 are fastened over the suspension member 38 to ensure it remains in position while the anchor assembly 10 is transported. Once in place, the anchor assembly 10 is positioned flat on its base 16 above a grid mesh 12 at a suitable location so as to provide an optimal anchor point for a user of the anchor assembly 10 for working at height. Ideally, the anchor assembly 10 is positioned such that the feet 19 contact the grid mesh 12 directly over the underlying beams 24. The anchor assembly 10 thus spans the two beams 24 and the weight imposed by a user, for example in the event of a fall, is distributed evenly to the beams 24 below via the feet 19. The suspension member 38 is located above the feet 19 so that any load imparted on the member 38 via a coupling member (such as a sling attached to a user via an inertia reel) is transferred to the feet 19.

[0027] Figure 5 is another embodiment of the anchor assembly 10 oriented at a different angle to the underlying mesh 12. For ease of reference the corresponding components of this and the earlier embodiment have been designated with the same reference numerals. The anchor assembly 10 in this alternative example includes only three longitudinal slots 34 in its base 16 including the slot 34 located midway along the housing or casing 14 and engaging the suspension member 38 midway along its length. [0028] The roof 18 is rotated about the hinge 26 so that the channel 30 at the interior of the case 14 may be easily accessed. If already positioned, the suspension member 38 is temporarily removed from the channel 30 after unfastening the straps 36 to allow for said removal. To provide additional securing of the anchor assembly 10 in its desired location, the eyelet/s 32 are utilised. Additional attachment means, for example cable ties, are passed through the eyelet 32 and the grid mesh 12 so as to reduce the risk of major unwanted movement of the anchor 10 from its desired position.

[0029] With the roof 18 remaining in its opened orientation, a rope (not shown) is lowered from above through a slot 34 and through the grid mesh 12 to where a coupling member in the form of a sling 40 (with an attached inertia reel, not shown) is ready. An end loop of the sling 40 is attached to the rope by any suitable means so that when the rope is raised, the sling 40 follows. Accordingly, with the raising of the rope, the sling is raised through the grid mesh 12 from its underside and through the slot 34 into the channel 30 and the rope removed from the sling 40.

[0030] An end of the suspension member 38 is passed through the end loop of the sling 40 and the suspension member 38 is returned to the channel 30. The straps 36 may be fastened over the suspension member 38, and the roof 18 returned to its closed orientation, if desired. Accordingly, the sling 40 is suspended from the suspension member 38 and an opposite end of the sling 40 (to that end in connection with the anchor assembly 10) is attachable to a worker wearing a harness, for example. With the sling 40 secured to the anchor assembly 10, working at heights, lifting, etc. may proceed safely.

[0031] Once work is completed and the anchor assembly 10 is no longer required at the location, the webbing anchorage device 40 or other coupling member is removed from the anchor assembly 10 by merely reversing the installation process. That is, the roof 18 is moved to its opened orientation, the straps 36 are unfastened if required and the suspension member 38 is removed from the channel 30 and the sling 40 slipped off an end of the suspension member 38. The additional attachment means, e.g. cable ties, are cut and removed from the eyelet/s 32 and the handle 28 is utilised to move the anchor assembly 10 to another location as required.

[0032] Now that several preferred embodiments of the anchor assembly have been described it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the anchor assembly of these embodiments has at least the following advantages:

1. the anchor assembly including the housing in the form of the elongated case is designed to minimise the risk of a trip hazard;

2. installation of the anchor assembly is relatively quick and easy;

3. installation of the anchor assembly can be performed upon for example the grid mesh platform without exposing the user to dangers associated with working at heights;

4. the anchor assembly can be safely installed directly above a work area enabling personnel to work in full restraint as soon as they leave the ground;

5. the anchor assembly in its application as a safety fall device is designed to be rated as a personal fall arrest anchorage complying with the requisite standards in Australia and overseas.

[0033] Other embodiment anchor assemblies 10 are also contemplated in accordance with the present invention. For example, the straps 36 may be provided as any suitable securing means, for example buckled belts or cable ties, providing a means for securing the suspension member 38 within the channel 30. Alternatively the straps may be omitted from the anchor assembly. The openings in the housing of the anchor assembly are not limited to slots which are of a convenient shape when using webbing slings but may extend to other opening shapes. The coupling member is not limited to slings fabricated in webbing but extend to wire, cable, rope or other flexible members of sufficient weight-bearing capacity. Further, while the anchor assembly 10 is preferably used upon a grid mesh 12, anywhere an anchor assembly 10 is required for safety in working at heights, for example on scaffolding, or alternatively for materials handling, the present invention may be utilised.

[0034] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.