[0001] The present invention relates to the field of safety equipment suitable for assuring the safety of an operator in the performance of activities carried out in an elevated position above the ground. In particular, the invention relates to an electronic fall arrest safety system.

[0002] The invention relates in particular to an electronic system having the same function as a retractable safety reeling drum equipped with a hooking device for the harness, which advantageously also allows the hook of an overhead crane, or of a similar device, to be used as an anchoring point to which said system may be attached.

[0003] As is known, a retractable reeling drum is a fall arrest safety device suitable for being attached to a support structure, such as a ceiling or a beam, on which a cable is wound provided with a hooking member for attaching to the operator' s harness . The reeling drum is equipped with a self-locking function that is activated if the operator falls and an automatic cable tensioning and return system.

[0004] These safety devices are very effective and help improve working conditions from an accident risk perspective .

[0005] As mentioned above, the reeling drum, in order to be used, must be properly anchored to a support structure, such as a ceiling or beam. A typical drawback of the known reeling drum is the necessity to prepare, inside the same room (for example a warehouse) several anchoring points and as many reeling drums in order to adequately cover the working area .

[0006] It is the object of the present invention to provide an electronic safety system (i . e . , fall arrest system) having the same function as a retractable reeling drum equipped with a hooking member for attaching to the harness, capable of using as an anchoring point (and therefore as a support structure) an "overhead crane type" of hook, inhibiting the overhead crane and allowing the operator to work safely .

[0007] A further object of the present invention is to provide an electronic safety system that is easily installable in pre-existing environments and is easy for the operator to use .

[0008] Said object is achieved with an electronic safety system according to claim 1, with an anchoring method according to claim 8, and with a safety kit according to claim 9. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention .

[0009] The features and advantages of the electronic safety system and the anchoring method according to the invention will become apparent from the description below of its preferred embodiment s , given by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the attached figures, wherein :

[0010] - Fig . 1 depicts, in a schematic way, an anchoring point in the form of an overhead crane, which is not inhibited;

[0011] - Fig . 2 depicts an electronic safety system according to the invention, with an operator in the process of hooking the safety device to the hook of an overhead crane, which is not yet inhibited;

[0012] - Fig . 3 depicts the electronic safety system in the rest position, with the operator in the process of inhibiting the overhead crane;

[0013] - Fig . 4 depicts the electronic safety system in the position of use with the overhead crane inhibited;

[0014] - Fig . 5 and 6 depict a component of the electronic safety system according to the invention, in particular the safety device containing the retractable reeling drum;

[0015] - Fig . 7 depicts a component of the electronic safety system according to the invention, in particular, a control that allows the input of a single electronic key to activate/deactivate the retractable reeling drum inhibitor lock and the possibility of inhibiting the overhead crane .

[0016] The idea behind the present invention is to use a machine intended for lifting and moving materials as an anchoring point for the electronic safety system.

[0017] In said drawings, 1 indicates collectively an electronic safety system according to the present invention, capable of using as a support structure a machine, intended for lifting and moving materials, inhibiting its movement , and allowing the operator to work safely .

[0018] As a purely illustrative and non-limiting example, it has been decided to illustrate the operation of the electronic safety system 1 in association with an overhead crane, indicated by the reference numeral 2 . It should be noted, however, that the operation of the electronic safety system 1 remains the same also with other similar machines, i . e . , machines intended for lifting and moving materials .

[0019] An overhead crane 2 comprises a bridge 23, sliding on rails and comprising a beam, a trolley 22 sliding along the bridge 23, and a hoist 21 installed on the trolley 22 . Typical movements of the overhead crane 2 are the longitudinal movement of the bridge 23 along the rails, the transverse movement of the trolley 22 along the bridge, and the vertical movement (raising and lowering) of the hoist 21 .

[0020] The hoist 21 thus moves at a certain height above the ground along two perpendicular directions : in effect, it travels along a straight rail, represented by the bridge 23, which in turn may rigidly translate in a direction perpendicular to its length . Thus, it is apparent that the hoist 21 may be positioned almost anywhere within the area where the overhead crane 2 is present .

[0021] The overhead crane further comprises controls for switching the whole machine on and off, as well as managing the movement and safe locking of all the moving parts (bridge 23, trolley 22, hoist 21 ) .

[0022] In order to be able to use the machine intended for lifting and moving materials (e . g . , overhead crane 2 ) , the electronic safety system 1 is able to act on the controls, inhibiting the movement of all the moving parts of the machine and allowing the operator to work safely .

[0023] The electronic safety system 1 comprises a safety device 3 that is attachable to a support structure . In particular, the safety device 3 is attachable to the machine, i . e . , the overhead crane 2 . For example, the safety device 3 is attachable to the hoist 21 of the overhead crane 2 via anchoring means 4 .

[0024] The anchoring means 3 are, for example, an anchoring webbing made of sewn textile tape .

[0025] The anchoring means 4 thus form a real type B anchoring point according to UNI 795 : 2012 .

[0026] The safety device 3 comprises a reeling drum 31 on which a safety cable 33 is wound ending in a hooking member 32, such as a carabiner, adapted to be connected to the harness I of an operator 0.

[0027] The reeling drum 31 is of the retractable type, i . e . , having an automatic system for tensioning and/or returning the cable .

[0028] The reeling drum 31 also has a self-locking function that is activated if the operator falls .

[0029] In an example embodiment, the reeling drum 31 is a

UNI EN 360 retractable device .

[0030] The safety device 3 further comprises locking means 37 for the safety cable 33 and/or operator signaling means 36.

[0031] The locking means 37 are adapted to lock the reeling drum 31 by impeding the unwinding of the safety cable 33 and the descent of the hooking member 32 until the overhead crane has been inhibited and all moving parts of the machine have been locked. [0032] The signaling means 36 are adapted to signal the activity status of the device (active, inactive, etc . ) .

[0033] The signal means 36 comprise, for example, a sensor adapted to produce a light signal (e . g . , a red light, e . g . , intermittent ) and/or an audible signal (e . g . , a siren or whistle) for warning .

[0034] The signaling means 36 and the locking means 37 may be used alternatively or in combination in the electronic safety system 1 .

[0035] The safety device 3 is equipped with an on/of f button 34 .

[0036] The safety device 3 is equipped with a rechargeable battery 38 .

[0037] The safety device 3 has a protective casing 39 for all the components inserted therein (as shown in Fig . 6) .

[0038] The electronic safety system 1 comprises an electronic inhibitor lock 25 for the anchoring point and an electronic drive lock 25 for the safety device 3, said electronic locks 25, 35 being both associated with a single electronic key .

[0039] The electronic locks 25, 35 are transmitters /receivers acting respectively on the overhead crane controls 2 for the inhibitor lock 25 and on signaling means 36 and/or locking means 37 of the reeling drum 31 for the drive lock 35 . [0040] The electronic inhibitor lock 25 of the anchoring point is connected/ connectable to the controls of the machine intended for lifting and moving materials (i . e . , the controls 24 of the overhead crane 2 ) to inhibit the movement of all the moving parts of the machine (i . e . , bridge 23, trolley 22, hoist 21 ) and to allow the operator to work safely .

[0041] The electronic inhibitor lock 25 of the anchoring point may be actuated by a single electronic key .

[0042] The electronic drive lock 35 is installed within the safety device 3 and is connected to signaling means 36 and/or to locking means 37 of the reeling drum 31 .

[0043] The electronic drive lock 35 may be activated by the same single electronic key .

[0044] The electronic safety system 1 comprises a remote control 5 that accompanies an operator intending to use the electronic safety system 1 .

[0045] The control 5 is provided with a transmitter adapted to communicate with the electronic drive lock 35 within the safety device 3 and with the electronic inhibitor lock 25 installed on the controls of the overhead crane 2 .

[0046] The transmitter is capable of transmitting remote signals to the electronic drive lock 35 and to the electronic inhibitor lock 25 by emitting electrical signals or electromagnetic waves, or ultrasound, or infrared light, or fiber optics, or any other transmission means .

[0047] The single electronic key is known only to the

Prevention and Protection Service Manager (RSPP) or to the operator in charge of the work .

[0048] The single electronic key may be of different types, such as a numeric and/or alphanumeric password or a biometric password (fingerprint, iris or retina, hand geometry, face geometry, voice timbre) .

[0049] The control 5 allows the operator to enter the single electronic key by means of a password input tool, which depends on the type of password used .

[0050] In the case of a numeric and/or alphanumeric password, the input means are numeric and/or alphanumeric buttons 51, and the operator may verify the correct entry via a display 52 .

[0051] In the case of a biometric password, the input means are biometric parameter scanning means .

[0052] In the case of fingerprints, the means may be optical, capacitive, or ultrasonic scanners .

[0053] In the case of the iris or retina, the means may be a camera that scans the eye through an infrared beam of light .

[0054] In the case of voice timbre, the means are voice scanning means .

[0055] Preferably, the control 5 further comprises control buttons 53 that are used to select one of the available overhead cranes for maintenance operations .

[0056] Preferably, the control 5 further comprises safety buttons 54 for managing electronic locks .

[0057] Preferably, the control 5 further comprises an on/off button 55.

[0058] When the single electronic key is entered via the control 5, it is possible to act on the electronic locks 25, 35. In particular, when beginning the task, it is possible to activate the electronic inhibitor lock 25 installed on the controls 24 of the overhead crane 2 to inhibit them and to activate the electronic drive lock 35 within the safety device 3 to activate said safety device; at the end of the task, it is possible to deactivate the electronic inhibitor lock 25 installed on the controls 24 of the overhead crane 2 to reactivate them and to deactivate the electronic drive lock 35 inside the safety device 3 to deactivate said safety device .

[0059] Preferably, as mentioned above, the electronic drive lock 35 of the safety device 3 is connected to deterrent means 36 which also act as confirmation means to inform the operator that the overhead crane has been correctly inhibited and the reeling drum 31 is usable .

[0060] Fig . 1 through 4 show the steps of using the electronic safety system 1, as well as a method for setting up an anchoring point .

[0061] Fig . 1 shows a machine intended for lifting and moving materials, and in particular an overhead crane 2 .

[0062] As shown in Fig . 2, when the electronic inhibitor lock 25 of the anchoring point is connected to the controls 24 of the overhead crane 2 and the single electronic key has not yet been input by the operator via the control 5, the overhead crane is up and running, i . e . , all the moving parts of the machine may be moved.

[0063] By means of special controls, the hoist 21 of the overhead crane is brought close to the point of use and lowered (e . g . , to a height of about 1 m) to reach the operator, as in Fig . 2 .

[0064] The operator then secures the safety device 3 to the hoist 21, for example via anchoring means 4 . The operator further activates the safety device 3 by pressing the power button 34 .

[0065] By means of special controls, the hoist 21 of the overhead crane is raised to the desired height, as in

Fig . 3.

[0066] In order to use the machine (i . e . , the overhead crane 2 ) as an anchoring point for the electronic safety system 1 and to allow the operator to work safely, it is first necessary to inhibit the movement of all moving parts .

[0067] In effect, since the single electronic key has not yet been entered, the signaling means 36 are activated to deter the operator from using the reeling drum 31, and/or the locking means 37 are activated to prevent the unwinding of the safety cable 33. Thus, the electronic safety system 1 is not yet capable of safe operation : if the operator attempts to unwind the safety cable 33, the deterrent means 36 will produce a warning signal and/or the locking means 37 will prevent unwinding of the cable .

[0068] As shown in Fig . 3, the operator activates the control 5 by pressing the power button 55.

[0069] At this point, the operator proceeds to input the single electronic key via the control 5 in order to act simultaneously on both electronic locks 25, 35.

[0070] The operator, using the safety buttons 54 for managing the electronic locks, selects and activates the electronic inhibitor lock 25 installed on the controls 24 of the overhead crane 2 to inhibit said controls .

[0071] Automatically, once the electronic inhibitor lock 25 is selected and inhibited, the electronic drive lock 35 within the safety device 3 is activated to make it operational and usable . Therefore, inhibiting the overhead crane automatically activates the safety device 3 and the control 5 is automatically positioned on the controls of the safety device 3 .

[0072] In this configuration, the overhead crane 2 is inhibited and the safety device 3 is operational . In effect, the signaling means 36 and/or the locking means 37 are deactivated and it is possible to use the reeling drum 31 to lower the hooking member 32, as shown in Fig . 4 .

[0073] Since the electronic safety system 1 is equipped with two electronic locks 25, 35, both associated with a single electronic key, it is possible to activate both locks 25, 35 simultaneously : activating the inhibiting electronic lock 25 installed on the controls 24 of the overhead crane 2 to inhibit said controls simultaneously activates the electronic drive lock 35 inside the safety device 3 to activate said safety device; deactivating the electronic inhibitor lock 25 installed on the controls 24 of the overhead crane 2 to reactivate said controls simultaneously deactivates the electronic drive lock 35 inside the safety device 3 to deactivate said safety device .

[0074] Therefore, it is not possible to activate the overhead crane 2 and the safety device 3 simultaneously : the operator always works safely as the safety device 3 works only when the overhead crane 2 is inhibited.

[0075] In addition, in the case of the presence of confirmation means, a green light will light up, and trying to unwind the safety cable 33 will not indicate any prohibition .

[0076] The operator may then bring the hooking member 32 integrated with the safety cable 33 down to the ground and attach it to said operator allowing him to work safely, as in Fig . 4 .

[0077] As mentioned above, the safety device 3 is battery- operated and in the event that this battery 38 should become discharged during use, it is envisaged that the signaling means 36 will emit the same uninhibited overhead crane signal, indicating to the operator to stop operations and replace the battery .

[0078] The present invention also refers to a method for anchoring an electronic safety system 1, comprising the steps of :

[0079] - providing a machine intended for lifting and moving materials, equipped with actuation controls 24 to actuate a lifting member 21 ;

[0080] - connecting the electronic inhibitor lock 25 to the controls 24 of the machine;

[0081] - attaching the safety device 3 to the lifting member of the machine, switching it on using the power button 37 and lifting it to the desired height;

[0082] - turning on the control 5 and entering the single electronic key to activate simultaneously the electronic inhibitor lock 25 of the machine controls and the electronic drive lock 35 of the safety device 3 ;

[0083] - unwinding the safety cable 33 and lowering the hooking member 32 to the desired height;

[0084] - attaching the hooking member 32 to the operator' s harness .

[0085] The present invention also refers to a kit for an electronic fall arrest safety system 1 .

[0086] The safety kit comprises :

[0087] - a safety device 3 attachable to a machine intended for lifting and moving materials as an anchoring point, equipped with an electronic drive lock 35;

[0088] - an electronic inhibitor lock 25 for the anchoring point, which may be connected to the controls of the machine to inhibit its movement;

[0089] - a single electronic key capable of simultaneously actuating the electronic inhibitor lock 25 and the electronic drive lock 35;

[0090] - anchoring means 4 adapted to secure the safety device 3 to the machine .

[0091] Advantageously, the kit also comprises a case that may contain all the functional elements 3, 4 , 25 and that allows and facilitates their transport to the place of use .

[0092] Innovatively, an electronic fall arrest safety system 1 according to the present invention does not require having to provide several anchoring points and indeed may be positioned almost anywhere within the work area as it allows the machine intended for lifting and moving materials (in particular the hoist 21 of the overhead crane 2 ) to be used as an anchoring point, always ensuring that the operator may work safely (with a fall factor equal to zero) due to the electronic inhibitor lock 25 capable of inhibiting the movement of all the moving parts of the machine .

[0093] Advantageously, since the electronic safety system 1 is equipped with two electronic locks 25, 35, both associated with a single electronic key, it is possible to activate both electronic locks 25, 35 at the same time in a quick, simple, and safe way . The operator always works safely because the safety device 3 works only when the overhead crane 2 is inhibited.

[0094] Advantageously, due to the single electronic key for both electronic locks and which acts simultaneously on both of said locks, working times are minimized while ensuring maximum safety for the operator .

[0095] It should be noted that the electronic safety system has been described here in association with an overhead crane . It is obvious that the system according to the invention may be used in association with other machines intended for lifting and moving materials equipped with a hoist or otherwise a movable hook along a bridge or rail structure .

[0096] To the embodiments of the system and the method according to the invention, a person skilled in the art may, in order to meet contingent needs, make changes, adaptations, and replacements of elements with functionally equivalent ones, without departing from the scope of the following claims . Each of the features described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be obtained independent ly of the other described embodiments .