FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multi-part anchor assembly, and in particular to a multipart anchor assembly with on or more stop means for anchoring a person when elevated for improved safety. The present invention is subject of Australian provisional patent application number 2022902406, lodged 23 August 2022, the contents of which is incorporated herein in full, by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Safety when working elevated from the ground is essential. One way to improve safety when working at height, such as on a roof, is to use a roof anchor. Roof anchors are known to provide a secure attachment to the roof in case of a fall, or to any elevated structure. These roof anchors are an improvement to merely tying the person to a fixed structure, but rather secure the person and in the case of a fall act to absorb some of the fall force under gravity. The use of a roof anchor has become standard in the industry for people working on construction and on a roof, for example. If the person was only tied on, the significant fall force as the force of the person falling could cause a serious injury as the body would need to absorb all the sudden fall force. Potentially limbs may be broken, or internal injuries incurred. Instead, modern roof anchors include absorption members to reduce the impact to the person attached to the roof anchor, so the person is held and prevented from falling but also the impact and fall force passed on to the body is reduced, reducing the chance of injury.

Prior art roof anchors include deformable holes and fixings and as the fall force is applied the fixings pull the holes, and this force absorbs some of the fall force deforming the roof anchor. The deformation and fall force absorption may quickly be used up in a significant fall when using the prior art assembly. Therefore, the inventor has gone on to develop a clever new and improved safety anchor that includes at least one stopper or washer to improve the action of the energy absorption parts.

Further, the subject invention differs from the prior art in that it includes an angled part, to attach the person away from the deforming parts, but also for the angled part to be pulled towards the energy absorbing stopper, in use, and to act thereupon, assisting further to absorb energy. The greater energy absorption enables greater fall force absorption than the prior art. As a multidirectional, multi-part safety anchor the subject invention has significant functional advantages, and when mounted in an inverted orientation acts as a physical stopper. Mostly the invention will be mounted as shown in the drawings, as is most advantageous. Use of additional stoppers, either the same or different to one another, can increase the stopping and energy absorbing element of the invention, as suitable for particular uses. In fact numerous washer devices may be used to each improve the overall energy absorption of the anchor assembly and reduce the force which is passed on to the falling person. This new and clever design is convenient to use and is likely to be very well received by the industry, once known about.

The inventor is an expert in the field, and inventor on numerous previous patent applications around the world. The inventor has developed this new further invention to better solve the problem of safely working at height in case of a fall which can clearly be distinguished from all his previous forms of invention.

The following describes non-limiting examples of the invention being used with reference to anchoring to a roof structure, as a particularly useful application of the invention. However, it is not intended to limit the invention to use for roof anchors, and it can be used for any suitable anchoring including any anchoring at elevation. Further the invention is described to attach to a structure, as would be the usual use to attach the person to the roof or building. However, the attachment can to be anything, a vehicle, another part of the construction equipment, anything that is suitable to stay in place and prevent the person attached from falling. It is intended that the term “structure” in the document should be interpreted broadly, to include anything that can function as a structure.

The invention is directed to us as a multi-part anchor assembly for use at elevation in case of a fall event. However, the invention has also been found to be suitable to resist static forces due the clever combination of parts. Throughout the document (except as defined in the claims) where a fall force is described this may be applicable to a static force. The invention is a significant improvement for acting against fall forces or static pull forces so that the attached person remains protected therefrom.

For clarity, any prior art referred to herein, does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-part anchoring assembly that at least ameliorates one or more of the aforementioned problems of the prior art. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of use of a multi-part anchoring assembly that at least ameliorates one or more of the aforementioned problems of the prior art.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a multi-part anchor assembly for use by a person at elevation, the multi-part anchoring assembly including: an anchor body including; an attachment means to attach the multi-part anchor assembly anchor body to a structure; an attachment point, for removeable attachment of a person to the anchor body; an energy absorbing portion; and one or more stop means adapted to act with the multi-part anchor during a fall event, wherein the anchor body is strongly attached to the structure by the attachment means and the person is attached to the attachment point, and in the case of a fall if the fall force is sufficient the energy absorbing portion of the anchor body deforms to absorb fall force, and the deforming of the anchor body and the stop means together act to reduce the fall force transferred to the anchored person.

Accordingly, the present invention provides in a variant a multi-part anchor assembly for use by a person at elevation, the multi-part anchoring assembly including: an anchor body including; an attachment means to attach the multi-part anchor assembly anchor body to a structure; an attachment point, for removeable attachment of a person to the anchor body; an energy absorbing portion; and one or more stop means adapted to act with the energy absorbing portion to increase the energy absorption of the multi-part anchor during a fall event, wherein the anchor body is strongly attached to the structure by the attachment means and the person is attached to the attachment point, and in the case of a fall if the fall force is sufficient the energy absorbing portion of the anchor body deforms to absorb fall force, and the deforming of the anchor body and the stop means together act to reduce the fall force transferred to the anchored person.

Preferably, the anchor assembly is formed of at least two parts. There may be three or more parts to the multi-part anchor assembly. The multi-part anchor assembly may include a multi-part body constructed of two or more parts. Optionally, the anchor body includes multiple parts and is used with the separate stoppers, eg includes at least three parts constructed during manufacture and then assembled with the stoppers for use. The anchor body may be constructed of any number of suitable parts.

The multi-part anchor assembly may be used in any suitable manner, orientated to suit the particular application. Preferably, the arrangement may be used in any suitable orientation. The orientations may be vertical and or inverted. The orientation may include horizontal.

Preferably, the multi-part anchor assembly reduces the fall force felt by the person. Preferably, the fall force felt by the person does not result in injury when the multi-part anchor assembly is used. Preferably, the fall force applied to the person is reduced further by use of the or each stop means. Preferably, the or each stop means assists to resist the fall force and increase absorption by the assembly, thereby reducing the fall force felt by the person. Preferably, the multi-part anchor assembly is used with a safety harness and use of the roof anchor and safety harness together substantially prevents the person from falling to the ground but also the force transferred to the person is significantly reduced.

The person may be any person, but would usually be a person who is working at elevation. The person may be roofer or construction worker, for example. The elevation may be working on the roof of a building. The elevation may be working at any elevation above the ground where for safety an anchor is advisable. The elevation could be one floor height, or the elevation may be many floors, depending on what is permissible under the national safety regulations.

Preferably, the multi-part anchoring assembly is suitable to anchor a person to a structure such as a building so that in the event of a fall the person is prevented from falling from the roof, or impacting the ground. The invention is particularly designed for roof anchoring and safe working during construction to anchor a person to prevent falling to the ground. However, it is also possible that the person may be replaced by any animal or thing where the improved anchoring is of value.

Preferably, the multi-part anchor assembly is used where there is a risk of falling. A person may be wearing a line and harness so that when attached to the anchor assembly, in the event of a fall the person is held up in the harness and prevented from impacting the ground. Use of any suitable rope and harness arrangement will mean when attached to the attachment point the person will be prevent from falling longer than the length of the rope. The rope or cable may be any suitable safety cable.

Preferably, in one use of the invention, a plurality of multi-part anchoring assemblies are used, to enable working across an area such as a roof. Where multiple anchor assemblies are used, there may be a primary anchor to which the person is attached and there may be further anchors used along the rope to provide additional support. In which case the attachment may be replaced with connection for these additional anchors and the rope threaded through the attachment point. Use of additional anchors allows for a shorter safety rope distance to the anchor, minimising the possible fall distance. Any suitable number of multi-part anchor assemblies may be used. Other forms of anchor and equipment may also be used with one or more multi-part anchor assembly.

Preferably, where a worker is working on a roof or similar, a series of multi-part anchor assemblies will be used, attached at a point, and the person attached thereto, and where the distance from the primary anchor assembly is beyond a predetermined distance a further anchor assembly is used. In this case the person can attach again or can thread through the rope attached to the primary anchor assembly, to provide an extended protection against accidental fall and the fall force created.

The anchor body may take any suitable shape. The anchor body may be formed of any suitable number of parts constructed to form the anchor body ready for use. The anchor body may be as shown in the attached illustrated Figures of the examples. Preferably, the body includes an angled part. The angled part may be angled at any suitable angle generally away from the plane of the rest of the body. Preferably, the angled part is angled at substantially 90 degrees away from the anchor body. Preferably, the angled part improves energy absorption, in use. Preferably, the attachment to the structure is through use of the anchor body and there is a substantially angled part and the attachment of the person is through use of the substantially angled part. Preferably, the angled part extends the attachment point for the person to be spaced from the attachment of the anchor assembly to the structure.

Preferably, the anchor body includes an upper tongue part. Preferably, a lower tongue part is also included in the anchor body. Preferably, the anchor body includes an upper and lower tongue part which together form the centre of the anchor body. Most preferably, the body includes an upper and lower tongue part joined or constructed together with a pair of arms generally extending away from the upper tongue part towards the lower tongue part. In other words similar to the arrangement as shown in the drawings with the shoulders of the arms seen somewhat centrally. These parts may be reversed in other forms of the invention. The upper and lower tongue parts may be any suitable shape. The tongue shapes may be an elongate piece with a generally curved end. The upper and lower tongue parts may be mirror images of one another to form a long shape. The main part of the body may be any suitable long shape suitable to have the other features of the invention.

Preferably, the anchor body is constructed during manufacture. Preferably, during manufacture the anchor body is formed or constructed ready for use. The construction of the anchor may include forming from more than one piece to form the anchor body. The tongues may be separate parts, for example, constructed during manufacture. The multipart anchor body includes the body and the stop means, and the body may itself be constructed from any suitable number of parts before being used with the stopper.

Preferably, the anchor body includes one or more curved or smooth edges. Preferably, most of the edges of the anchor assembly are smooth or curved to prevent accidental damage on contact. Where there is a fall incident it is important that the safety equipment itself does not contribute to the potential for injury to the person. Preferably, the ends of the anchor body include a curved shaped edge. These ends may be the curved ends to the tongue shaped parts of either end of the anchor body. The shape may be curved and the edge itself of the anchor body may be flat such as where the anchor will be attached to the structure as the risk of contact damage is less from the edge itself. Any of the edges of the assembly may instead by configured to be smooth or curved to provided maximum prevention of accidental damage on contact. Preferably, all the edges of the shape of the anchor body are curved for improved safety to resist accidentally damaging any attached safety ropes. The shaping is also advantageous for comfortable handling of the article, and ready installation. Preferably, the multi-part anchor assembly is fully designed to resist accidental cutting or damage to ropes through use of smooth surfaces or curved edges which will not add to potential damage during a fall event. Preferably, the stopper means is likewise designed to act in such a way as to reduce the risk of damage or cutting due to its curved edge, not just around but the edge itself as described in further detail below.

Preferably, the anchor body includes a shaped part surrounding the tongue parts. Preferably, the shaped part is an arm shaped part surrounding the tongue parts. Preferably, the shaped part is a pair of arms generally surrounding the tongue parts. The arms may take any suitable shape. The arm shaped part may include rounded shoulder and armpit below, and one or more arms extend from the shoulders. Preferably, there are spaces, gaps or apertures under the arms, in the armpits. Preferably, the apertures are substantially teardrop shaped apertures. These teardrop shaped apertures or widenings assist to direct the forces in the case of a fall. For example, the direction of the force may be dictated by the underarm/armpit shaping, spacing or width. The width of the spacing, the width of the arms from the rest of the anchor body, or the width of the body itself containing the energy absorbing portions may all be configured and adapted Preferably, the apparatus is adapted to share the fall force between more than one area of the energy absorbing portion. The multi-part anchor assembly may be configured with arms spaced with shaped spaces at the arm-pits The direction of the force may be to direct the force to the energy absorbing portion. The direction of the force may be to spread the fall force across more of the energy absorbing portion. Preferably, the shape of the underarm areas is carefully designed to assist to spread the fall force. Preferably, the shape of the underarm areas is to spread the fall force to more than one rivet holes of the energy absorbing portion, designed to deform on application of the fall force. The spreading of the force increases the effectiveness of the energy absorption, enabling more than one rivet hole to take the force and a great fall force to be absorbed.

The shaped arms may include angles to raise the arms from the body, creating space. Preferably, the angles are generally V-shaped extensions from body of each arm. Any suitable bends may be included in the arms. Preferably, where a space or angle is included in the arms a stopper is used substantially associated with the angle. A stopper may be associated with the angled attachment point and separately, a second stopper is associated with the angled arms, in one form of the invention.

Preferably, a pair of shaped arms are included that extend from shaped apertures and the ends of the arms are joined. The joined portion may be the attachment point for the person. The joined portion is preferably angled at substantially 90 degrees to the body and or arms. The angled attachment point is useful to extend the reach as well as assist the functionality in the event of a fall.

Preferably, the anchor body includes an angled part. The angled part is advantageous to introduce a right-angle or extension to the apparatus, away from the attachment to the structure. The angled part may be any angle away from the body, not limited to generally 90 degrees. The angled part may include bends. The angled part may end in a straight line, curve or a loop.

Preferably, the angled part works with a stopper means. In some forms of the invention the stopper means may work with the angled part to improve energy absorption by the anchor body. Preferably, the angled part includes the attachment point. Preferably, the angled part is both the attachment point and works with the stopper in the case of a fall force. Most preferably, the angled part is a part extending from the anchor body to create space therebetween. Preferably, the angled part introduces a spaced apart connection point for the person. In other forms of the invention the angled part may take any suitable form. The angled part may be omitted in some forms of the invention and replaced with an extension means. The extension means may include the attachment point and in this way provide attachment for the person extended from the main body of the anchor. The extension means may take any suitable shape. The extension means may be U-shaped, circular or any form for loop attachment. Preferably, a pair of arms are included and these join at a substantially U-shaped attachment point, at substantially 90 degrees to the anchor body/structure attachment. Preferably, the person may be attached to the attachment point in the usual manner and the pair of arms absorb energy and deform significantly in the case of a fall event to reduce fall force transferred to the falling person.

Preferably, the attachment means secures the anchor body to the structure, and thereby the whole assembly is secured to the structure for use. Preferably, the attachment means secures the anchor body generally to and parallel with the surface of the structure, eg riveted or bolted to a roof structure. Preferably, the attachment means includes one or more holes formed in the anchor body for receipt of fixings. The attachment means may be strongly attached to the structure in any suitable form. Preferably, the attachment means includes riveting the anchor body to the structure. Most preferably, one or more holes are formed in the anchor body and rivetted to the structure during installation to secure the anchor body. Bolts or other fixings may be used instead. A bolt arrangement may be used in some forms of the invention to bolt the anchor body to the structure. A strong rivet or bolt is useful and a combination may be used. Most preferably, there are 7 or 8 holes along the length of the anchor body from the end of one tongue to the end of the other tongue, and rivets are used to secure the assembly to the structure.

Preferably, the attachment means includes a plurality of holes preformed in the anchor body and suitable fixings are applied through holes drilled or otherwise formed in the structure at corresponding locations. Any suitable strong fixings may be used, including those that do not need preformed holes. Any suitable number of holes may be included. There may be 7 or 8 holes in the anchor body as found to be a useful configuration. Any suitable number of holes may be used, chosen from the group: 1 ; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10 or more than 10. Preferably, the holes are pre-formed in the anchor body to match the size of preferred fixings, such as a rivet gun. Preferably, the attachment is through use of rivets through the holes. Where 7 or 8 holes are included 7 or 8 rivets can be used to attach the anchor body strongly to the structure. Use of multiple rivets increases the action against fall force as in a fall event all of the rivets will need to be pulled from the structure for the anchor to fail. Each rivet and the pull force thereon will absorb and dissipate some of the energy and so will reduce the energy passed on to the person. A single attachment point would not have the same fall resisting benefits. Increasing the number of rivets will increase this energy absorbing aspect of the invention. The clever configuration of the subject invention anchor and the teardrop shaping under the arms assists to spread the fall force over more than one rivet. As the force is spread, there is greater possible energy absorption

The structure part to which the anchor body is attached may be a metal or wooden beam or strut as appropriate. The anchor body may be attached to anything to suitable to support in the case of a fall. Most preferably, the attachment means strongly attaches the anchor assembly to the structure such that in the event of a fall the person attached will be maintained at the length of the safety rope, and so will not fall from the structure or impact the ground. Most preferably, the attachment is suitably strong such that the anchor body is maintained close to the structure in the event of a fall force being applied.

Preferably, the attachment point is configured to be convenient to connect to a safety rope and or safety harness. Preferably, the attachment point is convenient to attach a D- clip, lanyard or hook attachment for ready hooking on but securely once in place. Preferably, the attachment point includes an opening or loop arrangement through which a hook or other attachment can be secured. The opening may take any suitable shape. The opening or loop may be formed in any part of the anchor body. Most preferably, there is a loop form integrally with the anchor body forming a strong attachment point. Preferably, the attachment point has no openings to the loop so that once attached the safety rope cannot be released without the deliberate action of release of the D-clip or similar. Preferably, the attachment point includes a closed loop. Preferably, the closed loop is formed with the rest of the anchor body. Most preferably, the closed loop is extends away from the rest of the anchor body to enable ready attachment of a person due to the extended loop.

Where multiple anchors are used and a rope is threaded through the attachment point instead, this can be readily achieved through the opening. Preferably, the attachment point is in the form of a substantially closed loop or U-shaped whereby an attached clip or hook is maintained thereon until manually removed. The shape of the closed loop may be any suitable shape. Preferably, the loop projects substantially at right-angles to the rest of the anchor body. Preferably, the attachment point for the body extends somewhat from the rest of the body for easy attachment. Preferably, the attachment point is substantially curved to enable easy movement through 180 degrees vertically and horizontally. Use of a pair of anchor assemblies back-to-back would enable 360 degrees range of movement by simply switching between one and the other. The anchor assembly may be used in combination, in multiple sets, and in any suitable arrangement to achieve the necessary scope of movement for working at elevation.

Preferably, the attachment point has a suitable thickness to provide a secure attachment. Preferably, 316 grade stainless steel is used for the whole assembly including the body and the energy absorbing stopper as a strong suitable material. Other materials or combinations of materials may be used instead. Preferably, the thickness of the body and stopper is substantially 3 millimetres thick. This thickness may be varied somewhat to suit particular applications. Preferably, the attachment point has a flat surface uppermost. Preferably the attachment point has a flat surface lowermost. Preferably, the attachment point has a curved outer surface, so as not to catch on things or damage the attachment rope in use. Most preferably, the attachment point is a substantially U-shaped projection at substantially 180 degrees from the rest of the anchor body and substantially continuous therewith. Preferably, the body includes arms and the arms of the anchor body extend to form the attachment point. Preferably, the arms extend to form a closed loop with the arms extending out from the anchor body. It is most advantageous to have the loop extended out for clear and easy attachment by the person but also to be integral with the anchor body and secured thereto. Most preferably, the loop is at the uppermost part of the anchor body when mounted to a roof and in a fall the loop where the person is anchored is pulled toward the other end of the anchor. Energy absorption through the whole anchor body form the loop to the other end enables maximised energy absorption through use of the arms, stopper and deforming parts to reduce fall force passed on to the person attached.

In alternative forms of the invention the removable attachment may occur at the other end, the safety ropes may be permanently attached to the attachment point and the removable attachment may occur to the end of the safety rope. The removable attachment is the removable attachment of the person to the safety equipment. The safety rope and or harness may be included in the invention in some forms and the person is then removable attached to the safety rope or harness rather than to the attachment point itself as the safety rope is already attached. Preferably, the energy absorbing portion is suitable to absorb at least some of the fall force, whereby the fall force passed on to the person is reduced at least to some extent. The energy absorption may occur in any suitable manner. Preferably, the energy absorption is through deforming to extend towards the fall force, absorbing some of the fall force energy as it does so. The energy absorbing portion may be one or more area of the assembly. Any suitable number of energy absorption parts or components of the multipart anchor assembly may be included. Preferably, the anchor body includes one or more energy absorbing portion. Energy absorption may occur at any of the body, at the attachment means and fixings points, at the attachment point or stopper location. Energy absorption may occur at any one or more of the other parts of assembly in some forms of the apparatus. The anchor body may include holes for receipt of fixings, and use of these multiple holes may to some extent absorb energy in the case of a fall, but as there are multiple holes and fixings these resist removal of the anchor from the structure. Preferably, numerous holes and fixings are used and these form part of the energy absorption in the case of a fall force. Preferably, 7 or 8 rivet holes are included in the anchor body to affix the anchor body to the structure but also resist the fall force when applied in a fall event. Most preferably, the energy absorbing occurs in the pair of arms as the fall force is applied to the attachment point/loop or join of the pair of arms and this energy absorption is to some extent assisted by the one or more stopper means, reducing the pressure applied to the rivets holding the assembly to the structure. However, in the case of an extreme fall event the energy absorption of the arms, loop and stoppers may be used up and in this case the use of the numerous fixings in holes can take some fall force. Therefore, additional fall force can be taken by multiple rivets or bolts through holes attached to the roof or other structure. The use of the multiple rivets or bolts increases the fall force resistance of the assembly, for improved safety. Preferably, the energy absorbing portion is in communication with the attachment point so that as fall force is applied from the person, the energy absorbing portion deforms to absorb at least some of the fall force. The energy absorption portion may include deforming members to deform on fall force over a threshold to absorb some of the energy. There may be multiple deforming members.

Preferably, the body includes one or more arms and the arms are adapted to deform on a fall force being applied over a threshold, to extend and absorb some of the fall force and deform towards the roof attachment part of the anchor. Preferably, the arms deform on a fall force towards the other end of the anchor. Preferably, the fall force pulls on the loop formed by the joined arms and pulls down and away towards the other end of the anchor, and both the arms and the energy absorbing stop means absorb energy reducing fall force passed on to the attached person.

Preferably, the body includes a pair of arms extending from the shoulders, adapted to deform on application of the fall force over a predetermined strength. The relative distance of the arms from the holes and fixings to the structure may be varied to suit the application. The material of the energy absorbing members will determine the force need to cause extension and as illustrated is 316 grade stainless steel. The energy absorption will be measurable depending on the grade of steel or other materials used. A stainless steel of 3 millimetre thickness has been found to be suitable. Any suitable metal may be used instead. The metal may be of any suitable thickness. The arms may take any suitable shape. The arms may include shaping. The shaping may include bends away from the body. The bends may be an inverted V-shaped. The raised arms may create a space for one or more stoppers to be installed. Most preferably, the anchor body forms shoulders and a pair of arms extends from the shoulders. The shoulders may be round, thickened. Most preferably the pair of arms extending form the shoulders are continuous to form the attachment point. Most preferably, the arms join to form the attachment point spaced from the body. Preferably, the loop of the attachment point is formed from the arms and is capable of energy absorption. Preferably, the attachment point is configured so that when the fall force over a threshold is applied the loop is pulled away and deforms the arms towards the roof attachment of the anchor.

Preferably, spaces or apertures are formed under the shoulders by the arms. The apertures may be teardrop apertures. The shaping may assist energy absorption. Preferably, the teardrop shaped apertures assist the arms to be separate from the anchor body.

Preferably, one or more stopper is included to increase the force that can be absorbed. The stopper may absorb energy in some forms of the invention. In other forms the stopper acts with the deforming arms to assist in energy absorption. Used alone only the body would deform and absorb energy but with the stopper the energy is better absorbed and so dramatically reduces the fall force passed on to the person. Preferably, a stopper is included in contact with at least part of the energy absorbing portion and on a fall force the deforming of the energy absorption portion is increased at least to some extent by the stopper means. Preferably, the deforming parts deform and the stopper acts to together to increase the overall energy absorption. This may be, in particular, when there are numerous stoppers used, which can increase many times the possible energy absorption. The stopper means may take any suitable shape. Preferably, the stopper means extends out across one or more arm of the energy absorbing means. Preferably, the stopper means extends across a pair of arms of the energy absorbing portion to act against their deforming on application of a fall force to increase the energy absorption. Preferably, as the arms (joined to form the loop where a person is attached) receives a fall force the energy absorbing stopper is impacted by the deforming arms pulled towards the other end of the anchor and also deforms, together slowing the fall. Most preferably, the energy absorption of the invention includes both an angled part and arms which with the stopper part that together work to absorb fall energy and reduce the fall energy passed on to the falling person.

Preferably, the stopper shape is substantially oval in shape. Any curved suitable shape may be used, such as round, oval or lozenge shaped. The energy absorbing stopper shape may be round. The stopper may include thick walls to resist damage. Preferably, the material is a thick stainless steel. The stopper may be made of 316 grade stainless steel. Preferably, the stoppers and body may be cut from the same panel of material to reduce production costs. The walls may be very thick walls. The stopper may act to resist the movement of the arms of the energy absorbing portion towards the fall force, to increase resistance. Most preferably, as the arms are pulled upon and deform, so do the stoppers and together they absorb more energy than the arms alone. With the angled part acting on and deforming against the stopper the energy absorption of the anchor is increased as the fall force pulls the attached person toward the other end.

An energy absorbing stopper or stoppers means may be included, to surround attachment of the anchor body to the structure. The stopper means, may surround and support attachment to the structure to resist removal of the anchor body from the structure when a fall force is applied. Preferably, the stopper means is sufficiently thick to resist damage. Preferably, the stopper means can resist a fall force in substantially 360 degrees on aperture and attachment means. The thickness of the stopper is useful to deform and absorb greater force in the case of a fall. The thickness from the hole enables deformation without total destruction or damage.

A stopper may be used at any suitable location of the anchor assembly. Preferably, a stopper is used associated with the attachment point for the person to support in the case of a force being applied thereon. The stopper may be located below the loop in the direction of a fall force to provide support in the event of a fall. A stopper may be located about any part of the attachment means. There may be a plurality of stoppers and should a fall force be applied both stoppers act against deformation of the deforming parts of the assembly. The stoppers may act together if under extreme force to resist deformation of the assembly. An oval and a round stopper may be included in some forms of the invention. In some forms of the invention a stopper may be in place under the arms/armpits where the arms are somewhat spaced up from the body to provide additional support against applied forces. Any suitable stopper may be used between part of energy deforming arms and the body/attachment means.

Preferably, a pair of energy absorbing arms are included and these are associated with one or more stopper and energy absorbing arms deform on application of a fall force and the stopper resists the fall action/acts with the arms to improve energy absorption and reduce fall force passed on the falling person. Preferably, the arms include attachment points designed to distribute applied fall force. For example, to distribute to 2 rivet attachment points to better absorb fall force. The arm attachment join may be shaped to spread the force applied. The arms preferably have rounded shoulders and the shape of the rounded shoulders assists to distribute the applied fall force. The rounded shoulders of the pair or arms with the teardrop insert/cutouts provide energy absorption better than the prior art in the event of a fall.

Multiple stoppers may be included. For example, one associated with the attachment point and one associated with the energy absorbing portion. Each stopper may be associated with an aperture. The energy absorbing stoppers may all assist to resist deformation and increase energy absorption. The stoppers may have different purposes. Preferably, the cumulative effect of the absorbing stoppers increases the energy absorption effect of the assembly. The more stoppers the more absorption.

Accordingly, the present invention provides in a variant, an anchor assembly for use by a person at elevation, the anchoring assembly including: an anchor body including; an attachment means to attach the anchor body to a structure, an attachment point, for removeable attachment of a person to the anchor body, an energy absorbing portion; and one or more energy absorbing stop means adapted to act with energy absorbing portion increasing the energy absorption of the anchor during the fall event, wherein the anchor body is attached to the structure and a person is attached to the attachment point and in the case of a fall, if the fall force is sufficient the energy absorbing portion tries to deform to absorb the fall force and the energy absorbing stop means also absorbs energy and reduces the fall force of the person.

Accordingly, the present invention provides in a further variant a multi-part anchor assembly for use by a person at elevation, the multi-part anchoring assembly including: an anchor body including; an attachment means to attach the multi-part anchor assembly anchor body to a structure including a plurality of rivet holes to rivet the anchor to the structure; an attachment point, for removeable attachment of a person to the anchor body, the attachment point being angled from the body at substantialy 90 degrees; an energy absorbing portion including a pair of arms with shaped “armpits” to spread the fall force when applied to be shared by more than one rivet in a rivet hole; and a pair of stop means adapted to act with the energy absorbing portion to increase the energy absorption of the multi-part anchor during a fall event, one stop means configured to be positioned towards the attachment point, and one stop means configured to lie under the arms on a tongue of the body containing rivet holes, wherein the anchor body is strongly attached to the structure by the attachment means and the person is attached to the attachment point, and in the case of a fall if the fall force is sufficient the energy absorbing portion of the anchor body deforms to absorb fall force, and the deforming of the anchor body and the stop means together act to reduce the fall force transferred to the anchored person.

Accordingly, the present invention provides in another variant a multi-part anchor assembly for use by a person at elevation, the multi-part anchoring assembly including: an anchor body including; an attachment means to attach the multi-part anchor assembly anchor body to a structure with 7 or more attachment points for fixings to strongly attach to a roof structure; an attachment point, for removeable attachment of a person to the anchor body; an energy absorbing portion including a pair of arms terminating in the attachment point; and two or more stopper means adapted to act with the multi-part anchor during a fall event, a first stopper associated with the attachment point and configured to act against force directly applied, and a second stopper associated with the attachment means and the energy absorbing arms to act to increase the energy absorbing, wherein the anchor body is strongly attached to the structure by the attachment means and the person is attached to the attachment point, and in the case of a fall if the fall force is sufficient the energy absorbing portion of the anchor body deforms to absorb fall force, and the deforming of the anchor body and the stop means together act to reduce the fall force transferred to the anchored person.

Accordingly, the invention provides a method of use of an anchor assembly, the anchor assembly including an anchor body including, an attachment means to attach the anchor body to a structure, an attachment point, for removeable attachment of a person to the anchor body, an energy absorbing portion, and one or more stopper means adapted to act with energy absorbing portion increasing the energy absorption of the anchor during the fall event, the method including of use including the following steps: a) attaching a person to the attachment point of an anchor secured to a structure; b) in the case of a fall, whereby force over a predetermined threshold is applied to the anchor, energy absorption occurs; whereby energy absorption in the case of a fall is increased by use of the energy absorbing stopper means.

The anchor assembly of the method may be the anchor assembly of the invention in any of its forms or variants.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The multi-part anchor assembly may be produced industrially and supplied to wholesalers, retailers or customers directly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in connection with non-limiting preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front of a multi-part anchoring assembly including angled body and stopper, according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrating the multi-part anchoring assembly before installation, with the roof, roof attachment and attachment of the person omitted for ease of illustration;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the stopper of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a multi-part anchoring assembly according to a second most preferred embodiment of the invention including 2 stoppers, as used in the inverted position, illustrated before installation, with the roof, rivets and attached person omitted for ease of illustration;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the first stopper of the anchoring assembly of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the second stopper of the anchoring assembly of Figure 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION INCLUDING A BEST MODE

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a first preferred embodiment of the invention will be described, where multi-part anchor assembly 1 , has body 10 and stopper 12, stopper 12 including aperture 13. Multi-part anchor assembly 1 will be used bolted and riveted to a structure such as a roof (fixings and roof not shown) for a very strong anchoring so that a person is secured in case of a fall. A person using a standard strong securing line or cable (neither shown) will attach themselves when working elevated to part of anchor assembly 1 , separate from the roof attachment. Deforming parts, stopper and angled parts of multi-part anchor assembly 1 are configured between the attachment to the roof and the attachment to the person, to substantially absorb the pulling falling force, in the case of a fall event. The fall force could be a static force applied instead. These new and inventive features individually and in combination provide significantly improved force absorption over the prior art as will be illustrated through the illustrated examples.

Through use of the inventive assembly the fall force of a fall event may be substantially absorbed by multi-part anchor assembly 1 so as not to be passed on to the attached person which could cause injury. Likewise, the force is not passed on to pull at the bolts attaching anchor assembly 1 to the structure which could loosen them or to stress or damage any other parts of the arrangement. Stress damage to safety equipment is a serious concern as stress damage following a fall is often not visible by the naked eye. It may be that more than one fall even to a prior art assembly has saved the person from falling, and absorbed some of the fall force, but in doing so the cable, or anchor has been damaged. If this is invisible stress damage, it will not be until the equipment is individually examined that this may be determined and possibly the equipment may fail due to prior fall forces stresses and the next fall will lead to damage, and possibly falling and injury of the person. Clearly, there would be an advantage therefore to absorb more of the fall force and to minimise potential stresses and invisible damage to the equipment.

Each component of multi-part anchor assembly 1 must be made of a strong material as would be expected for safety equipment to use on a roof or construction site. The strong material must be suitable to resist damage and breaking when under the fall force but also to absorb the fall force by deformation of the apertures, as described in further detail below. As illustrated, strong stainless steel namely 316 grade stainless steel of a 3 millimetres thickness is used for all the components of anchor assembly 1 , but other strong materials could be used instead, suitable to deform at an appropriate force. Stopper 12 is also made of 316 grade stainless steel of 3 millimetres thickness. However, the stoppers could be made of a different material, perhaps with different deforming and energy absorbing characteristics, to further act against the fall force. Stopper 12 is to acts to slow the fall force when the fall force is being applied. Stopper 12 acts in a multitude of ways to improve anchor assembly 1 over the prior art by strongly surrounding the fixing and aperture, and resisting force in all directions, able to deform in any direction that it is pulled. The inventive shape, the oval form with a thinner or shaped edge has been designed so that there may be some flexibility in the outer shape, whereas the central portion, surrounding the fixing is very strong and resist pulling in all directions.

Body 10 has part 14, a lower tongue shaped part, widening to rounded shoulders 16, with part 18, an upper tongue shaped part, lying between shoulders 16, as can be seen in particular in Figure 1. Each of shoulders 16 is rounded and broader than the rest for improved force direction and handling in the case of a force being applied. The wider parts of the body at the shoulder assist to spread and direct the applied force to more than one rivet, improving the absorption of the fall forces. Under each shoulder 16 forms tear-dropped shaped apertures 20 and 22 with arms 24 and 26 extending from shoulders 16 on either side of upper tongue shaped part 18. Arms 24 and 26 are narrower than shoulders 16, and the arms form angled part 28, a U-shaped part extending at rightangles from arms 24 and 26 where arms 24 and 26 join.

When a fall occurs there will be a strong, usually sudden pull on the U-shaped loop part where the person is attached and this pulling will lead to pulling the attached parts. The fall force pulls the U-shaped arms towards the rest of the anchor below. The deforming parts are designed to deform when a force of a predetermined level pulls on U-shaped part where the person is attached, such as in the case of a fall. If the fall force is sufficient the shaped angled part with arms and shoulders will all extend and deform to take and absorb the force rather than it be passed on to the attachment of anchor assembly 1 to the wall. Further the force of the taut rope attached will be less, reducing the pull force on the person where they are attached to the safety harness on the person. In this way possible injury is minimised. After a fall the shape of parts 16, 20, 22, 24, 26 and through 28 may all be straightened out somewhat but certainly there will be a visible cue that a fall event has occurred and that the safety equipment should be checked before reuse.

The angled part, arms and shoulders are a particularly convenient shape and form of the invention, not only for the use to act against fall forces but also for manufacturing. The compact nature of the assembly allows for efficient manufacturing, it is anticipated, and minimal waste during production. The shape is compact but the assembly is also packed with features to provide a significantly improved action against fall forces.

Apertures 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 and 42 can be seen to be formed from end 14, in a generally straight line through to the other end (end not labelled). Each of these apertures, with bolts and rivets attached therethrough (none of the fixings being shown) act against the pull of the attached cable away from the roof in case of a fall, and resist the fall force. Should the fall force be over the threshold where protection of the person is required aperture 30 with installed rivet to secure to a roof, will be pulled towards aperture 32, and likewise the rivet in aperture 32 will start to move toward aperture 34. The damage to the apertures on action of the rivets during the fall event act against the fall force and as such absorb some of this force. By absorbing force in the anchor assembly this fall force is not passed on to the falling person, and so prevents damage. Further, the multiple rivets, used to attach the assembly to the roof spreads the weight or load of the falling person, reducing the likelihood of the anchor simply pulling out where the force is very great which could lead to the person no longer being secured.

Aperture 40 is the aperture protected by stopper means 12, to deformation in any direction, to strongly act against the installed strong bolt pulling out. While the rivets may deform and pull out to some extent to assist to resist against the fall force, the new inventive inclusion of a stopper is something completely new in the art. The cleverly designed shape including thick sides to resist multi-directional forces and deform accordingly. Stopper 12 also includes a curved edge which prevents the action of stopper 12 itself causing damage to body 10. Together inclusion of energy absorbing stopper 12 and deforming arms provides a significant improvement over the art to resist the pull force in all directions while absorbing further force.

Should the force be sufficient to damage aperture 40, use of stopper 12 and part 28 will actually help and work together to resist the pulling action as stopper 12 is configured to lie slightly away from the angle of part 28 but one can act on the other if pulled in that direction. Further energy absorbing stopper 12 is sized to be generally the same or slightly wider than part 28 so these parts can engage and act as a further combined deforming to absorb energy.

Angled part 28 at 90 degrees to the plane is likewise a new form of the invention to deform when stressed to absorb fall force without minimal damage to the roof structure attachment or the person who fell. Angled part 28 is most preferred when used with stopper 12 as the deforming and stopping actions together are able to absorb more fall force than the prior art arrangements. However, either part, angled body or stopper can both be used as independent inventions successful, as improvements in their own right over the prior art anchor assemblies, and exemplary when used together.

To achieve the strong support of aperture 40, stopper 12 as shown is an oval shape so that aperture 13 can strongly resist damage when pulled in any direction. In particular to the left and right as shown in Figure 1 in can be seen that there is a significant thickness of steel on either side that is unlikely to be ripped through by a fall force of person. To the top and bottom, there is also a good thickness to resist damage and this assist to support the rivet in aperture 40 and to maintain in place. It is important that anchor assembly 1 remains bolted and rivetted to the roof at all times during the fall event or the person will no longer be prevented from falling naturally under gravity. Stopper 12 is shown as a convenient and functional oval shape but other shapes may be used instead. The curved shape is useful to avoid sharp corners that could lead to damage in an accidental circumstances. Edge 50 of the oval disc of stopper 12 itself is further curved to resist any sharp edge that may damage body 10 during the fall event. The combination of clever features of the improved anchor assembly provides a surprisingly dramatic improvement over the art, and it is anticipated will be very well received by the relevant industries to improve safety.

Referring to Figures 3 to 5, a second preferred embodiment of the invention will be described, similar to the first but using two stoppers acting in different parts of the assembly. Illustrated anchor assembly 301 , stopper 312 with aperture 313, are as described for the first embodiment and used in the same way. Different in the second embodiment is use of a second stopper, advantageously to increase the functionality of the assembly. Anchor assembly 301 will be used bolted and riveted to a structure such as a roof (fixings and roof not shown) for a very strong anchoring, and as shown in Figure 1 . A person using a standard strong securing line or cable (neither shown) will attach themselves when working elevated to part of anchor assembly 301 , separate from the roof attachment. Deforming parts, the stoppers and angled parts of anchor assembly 301 are configured between the attachment to the roof and the attachment to the person, to substantially absorb the pulling falling force, in the case of a fall event. These new and inventive features individually and in combination provide significantly improved force absorption over the prior art as will be illustrated through the illustrated examples.

Each component of anchor assembly 301 must be made of a strong material as would be expected for safety equipment to use on a roof or construction site. The strong material must be suitable to resist damage and breaking when under the fall force but also to absorb the fall force by deformation of the apertures, as described in further detail below. As illustrated, strong stainless steel 316 grade of 3 millimetres thickness is used for all the components of anchor assembly 1 , but other strong materials including tempered steel or other metals may be used as appropriate for a particular application. It is anticipated that stopper 312 could be made of a different, perhaps stronger material to further act against deformation of the final apertures. Stopper 312 acts to deform, to slow the fall force when the fall force is being applied to the fixings through aperture 313. Stopper 312 acts in a multitude of ways to improve anchor assembly 301 over the prior art by strongly surrounding the fixing and aperture, and resisting force in all directions. The inventive shape, the oval form with a thinner or shaped edge has been designed so that there may be some flexibility in the outer shape, whereas the central portion, surrounding the fixing is very strong and resist pulling in all directions, as described in further detail below.

As described for the first embodiment, anchor assembly 301 also has body 310 has part 314, a lower tongue shaped part, widening to shoulders 316, with part 318, a upper tongue shaped part, lying between shoulders 316, as can be seen in particular in Figure 1. Each of rounded shoulders 316 forms tear-dropped shaped apertures 320 and 322 with arms 324 and 326 extending from shoulders 316 on either side of upper tongue shaped part 318. Arms 324 and 326 form angled part 328, a U-shaped part extending at right-angles from arms 324 and 326 where arms 324 and 326 join. When a fall occurs there will be a strong, usually sudden pull on the U-shaped part where the person is attached and this pulling will lead to pulling the attached parts. The deforming parts are designed to deform when a force of a predetermined level pulls on U-shaped part where the person is attached, for example in the case of a fall. If the fall force is sufficient the shaped angled part with arms and shoulders will all extend and deform to take and absorb the force rather than it be passed on to the attachment of anchor assembly 301 to the wall. Further the force of the taut rope attached will be less, reducing the pull force on the person where they are attached to the safety harness on the person. In this way possible injury is minimised. After a fall the shape of parts 316, 320, 322, 324, 326 and through 328 may all be straightened out somewhat but certainly there will be a visible cue that a fall event has occurred and that the safety equipment should be checked before reuse.

The angled part, arms and shoulders are a particularly convenient shape and form of the invention, not only for the use to act against fall forces but also for manufacturing. The compact nature of the assembly allows for efficient manufacturing, it is anticipated, and minimal waste during production. The shape is compact but the assembly is also packed with features to provide a significantly improved action against fall forces.

Apertures 330, 332, 334, 336, 338, 340 and 342 can be seen to be formed from the top, end 14, in a generally straight line through to the other end (end not labelled). Each of these apertures, with bolts and rivets attached therethrough (none of the fixings being shown) act against the pull of the attached cable away from the roof in case of a fall, and resist the fall force.

Stopper 344 is different to the other described embodiments and is a second stopper, similar to the first that is substantially round in shape. Stopper 344 has aperture 346 and a curved edge 350, with curved edge 352 of stopper 312 likewise shown. The curved edge of the stoppers is designed so that if the fall forces causes contact of the stopper with other parts of the assembly the curved edge resists further damage. The use of the two stoppers together both deform and so increase the energy absorption and together resist the fall force.

In an alternative form of the invention, arms 324 and 326 include an angled part, each lifting the arm away from body 10. The angles are inverted V-shapes so that second stopper 344 is riveted under arms 324 and 326 for increased functionality. Use of the second stopper here, under the inverted V-shaped arms lying on the body instead of the arms as for the described forms, improves the force handling. Again with the teardrop shaping to the armpits allows for a form of invention that spreads the fall force across more than one rivet holds to the roof, increasing the energy absorption fo the entire assembly.

The multi-part anchoring assembly may be used in a range or orientations and configurations with different numbers of stop means to provide a wide range of configurations for use. The multi-part anchor assembly may be used with the attachment point orientated at the top, with the fall force being resisted by the stopper means, energy absorbed by the energy absorbing means and the fall force translated to the person being significantly reduced. The multi-part anchor assembly may be used with the attachment point orientated at the bottom, with the fall force being absorbed to at least some extent by the energy absorbing arms, resisted by the stopper means, energy absorbed by the energy absorbing means and the fall force translated to the person being significantly reduced. The particular configuration of the anchor assembly can be manipulated to suit particular applications.

It is likely that when a person skilled in the art sees the new invention they will understand that the new invention is a significant improvement in safety and functionality. While it may appear that the changes are small, each of these functional changes over the art provides an improved functioning and safer use when compared to the prior art. The clearest of these is the use of a stopper, and multi-part rather than a single piece anchor. However, each of the angled attachment point, shoulders, tear-drop apertures and arms extending to the loop may well be inventions in their own right building to a significant invention with multiple new features. Use of the combination of novel and inventive features of the invention is most beneficial and together provides a significant move forward step forward in safety anchor technology.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that changes may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its various aspects.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST: