Field of the Invention

[0001 ] This invention relates generally to a fall arrest roof mount anchor.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Fall arrest roof mount anchors are used for industry applications involving high fall risk, to secure harnessed construction and maintenance personnel working at heights on buildings and structures.

[0003] These height safety anchors may comprise a formed aluminium extrusion mounting plate which is permanently affixed to a roof profile surface, and which exposes a swivel eye anchor point for attachment of a carabiner, lanyard and other conventional harness hardware.

[0004] The present invention seeks to provide a fall arrest roof mount anchor which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or at least to provide an alternative.

[0005] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, either in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0006] There is provided herein a fall arrest roof mount anchor ideally suited to construction and maintenance personnel working at heights, utilising a harness and lanyard fall protection equipment.

[0007] The fall arrest roof mount anchor has a mounting plate having a uniform crosssection defining a raised central portion and side portions for roof attachment.

[0008] The raised central portion has a swivel eye anchor point.

[0009] The mounting plate further comprises channel wall portions projecting from an under surface of the raised central portion thereby defining an integrally formed channel therebetween, which runs longitudinally along the under surface of the raised central portion and coincides with the swivel eye anchor point. [0010] The uniform cross-section and the under channel enhance shear force resilience and flexural stiffness to lateral applied strain, especially when applied along a longitudinal axis of the channel. The under channel coincides with the swivel eye anchor point, thereby maximising the shear force resilience conferred by the under channel at the point of fall arrest loading.

[001 1 ] As such, the present roof mount anchor may be structurally resilient yet lightweight. For example, an aluminium extrusion embodiment of the present anchor may be rated to 15kN yet only weigh 800g.

[0012] The under channel may further be configured to conveniently capture a locknut of an anchor bolt whilst yet allowing a distal end of the anchor bolt to extend therebetween.

[0013] The roof attachment side portions may comprise a plurality of rivet fastener holes which collocate along a length of the horizontal axis and are spaced rows in across the horizontal axis. Spacing of the rivet fastener holes along the rows accommodate specific crest-to-crest dimensions of various roof profile surfaces, wherein the rivet fasteners are spaced apart in at least two intervals of 14 mm, 28 mm, 42 mm, 230 mm, 245 mm and 274 mm from an edge of each roof attachment side portion of the mounting plate.

[0014] As such, the connection of the side portions of the mounting plate across two roof profile ribs dissipates the load over a greater area and enhances fall arrest rated performance. Furthermore, installation across two ribs prevents or reduces potential for roof sheet delamination, which could occur when a roof mount is fixed with rivets to one roof sheet only.

[0015] The roof mount anchor may incorporate a unique energy absorbing swivel eye lanyard attachment point, eliminating carabiner out and providing uniform load distribution to the mounting plate in a fall arrest situation. The increased energy absorption properties and ability to be installed across two roof sheets allows fixture to lighter structures and roof decks.

[0016] Specifically, the mounting plate may comprise a matrix of elongate stress relief cut-outs surrounding the swivel eye anchor point. The stress relief cut-outs may arc concentrically around the swivel eye anchor point, and the ends of radially adjacent stress relief cut-outs may overlap.

[0017] This unique energy deforming matrix arrangement allows the mounting plate to flex around the swivel eye anchor point, thereby dissipating energy in a shock load situation without compromising the structural integrity of the remainder of the mounting plate.

[0018] The swivel eye anchor point may comprise a lanyard connector attached to the centre of the raised central portion arch apex. The lanyard connector may have an anchor connection aperture being elongate along a strain absorbing axis through proximal and distal ends of the lanyard connector, and wherein the anchor connection aperture has a curved frail web across the strain absorbing axis and wherein the frail web is orientated with an apex towards the anchor bolt.

[0019] The curved frail web and the inverse orientation thereof are designed to absorb energy and reduce shock impact on the user, whilst also providing a visual indicator of abnormal loading (such as in excess of 7 kN), which is useful when undertaking routine inspection of the fall arrest system. The inverse orientation in particular provides improved visual indication of gradual energy absorption deformation, as compared to the opposite orientation.

[0020] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021 ] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a fall arrest roof mount anchor in accordance with an embodiment;

[0023] Figure 2 shows a uniform vertical cross-section view of the roof mount anchor; [0024] Figure 3 shows a top plan view of the roof mount anchor;

[0025] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a lanyard connector of the roof mount anchor; [0026] Figure 5 shows a detail view of an anchor connection aperture of the lanyard connector in accordance with an embodiment;

[0027] Figure 6 shows a top plan view of the lanyard connector having exemplary dimensions;

[0028] Figure 7 shows a symmetrical left and right side view of the lanyard connector having exemplary dimensions;

[0029] Figure 8 shows a raised distal end view of the lanyard connector having exemplary dimensions;

[0030] Figure 9 shows a uniform vertical cross-section view of a mounting plate of the roof mount anchor having exemplary dimensions;

[0031 ] Figure 10 shows a detail view of the anchor connection aperture of Figure 5 having exemplary dimensions;

[0032] Figure 1 1 shows a top plan view of the mounting plate of the roof mount anchor having exemplary dimensions; and

[0033] Figure 12 shows a lanyard connector according to a further embodiment.

Description of Embodiments

[0034] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a fall arrest roof mount anchor 100 has a mounting plate 101 having a uniform cross-section along a length of a horizontal axis 102 thereof. The cross-section defines a raised central portion 103 and roof attachment side portions 104.

[0035] The mounting plate 101 may preferably be metallic and further preferably aluminium and manufactured using an extrusion process.

[0036] The mounting plate preferably curves smoothly between the side portions 104 and the raised central portion 103, thereby eliminating sharp transitions and/or planar surfaces which could compromise flexural stiffness. The roof attachment side portions 104 are coplanar so as to lie flat on the roof surface or cross ribs thereof . Exemplary dimensions are given in Figure 9 wherein the mounting plate 101 may have a low profile height of less than 30 mm, such as approximately 25 mm which to maintain shear force resilience and flexural stiffness. [0037] The mounting plate 101 may comprise an integrally formed channel 105 running longitudinally along an under-surface of the raised central portion 103. The channel 105 confers flexural stiffness to the raised central portion 103. As further illustrated in Figure 1 , the channel 105 may capture a locknut 107 of an anchor bolt 108.

[0038] Specifically, the mounting plate 101 may further comprise channel wall portions 106 (which are independent of the raised central portion 103 and side portions 104) which define the channel 105. The channel wall portions 106 may be parallel thereby defining parallel inner surfaces, and spaced to accommodate a minimum diameter of the locknut 107 and thereby to non-rotatably capture the locknut

107 within the channel 105.

[0039] Furthermore, the channel 105 may accommodate a central anchor point connection hole 1 12 along the length thereof, allowing a distal end of the anchor bolt

108 to protrude therethrough as shown in Figure 2. Specifically, the channel 105 may further comprise inwardly projecting flange portions 109 from respective distal ends of the channel wall portions 106. The flange portions 109 may support the locknut 107 within the channel 105 whilst allowing a distal end of the anchor bolt 108 to extend therebetween.

[0040] The mounting plate 101 may be configured for installation along adjacent ribs of a roof profile surface, and/or wherein the horizontal axis 102 aligns along the pitch of the roof, or at least orientates towards an edge of the roof.

[0041 ] With reference to Figure 3, the roof attachment side portions 104 may comprise a plurality of rivet fastener holes 124. The rivet fastener holes 124 may run in spaced rows 125 across the horizontal axis 102. The rows 125 may have rivet fastener hole spacings suited for specific roof profile crest-to-crest widths. With reference to Figure 1 , the rivet fastener holes 124 in the rows 125 may be spaced apart in at least two intervals of 14 mm, 28 mm, 42 mm, 230 mm, 245 mm and 274 mm , from an edge of a roof attachment side 104 of the mounting plate 101.

[0042] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the mounting plate 101 comprises three rows 125, however in embodiments, a mounting plate 101 having a different number of rows 125 is contemplated, including an embodiment wherein the mounting plate

101 has four rows 125.

[0043] The roof mount anchor 100 may comprise mounting pads 126 preferably of rubber material, which engage under each roof attachment side 104 of the mounting plate 101. The mounting pads 126 may comprise a plurality of fastener holes 127 which collocate with the rivet fastener holes 124 of the mounting plate 101 .

[0044] As shown in Figure 3, the mounting plate 101 may further splay longitudinally along the horizontal axis 102 towards both ends thereof.

[0045] The roof mount anchor 100 may further comprise a lanyard connector 1 10 attached to an apex of the raised central portion 103. With reference to Figure 4, the lanyard connector 1 10 may define an anchor connection aperture 1 1 1 for swivel engagement by the anchor bolt 108 at a proximal end 1 13 thereof. The mounting plate 101 may accordingly comprise a central anchor point connection hole 1 12 for the anchor bolt 108.

[0046] The lanyard connector 1 10 may define an eyelet 1 14 towards a distal end 1 15 thereof, through which a carabiner or the like may attach a lanyard for tethering a user thereto.

[0047] The lanyard connector 1 10 may comprise a swivel eye anchor plate 1 16 which bends upwardly towards the distal end 1 15. The eyelet 1 14 may transition across the upwardly bent distal end 1 15.

[0048] With reference to Figure 5, the anchor connection aperture 1 1 1 may be elongate along a strain absorbing axis 1 17 through the proximal end 1 13 and distal end 1 15 of the lanyard connector 1 10. The lanyard connector 1 10 may have an integrally formed primary frail web 1 18 across the strain absorbing axis 1 17. When strain is applied to the eyelet 1 14 of the lanyard connector 1 10, a resultant dynamic force is applied by the anchor bolt 108 against the primary frail web 1 18.

[0049] The anchor connection aperture 1 1 1 may define a profile open an anchor bolt accommodation portion 1 19 which accommodates the anchor bolt 108 therethrough. The primary frail web 1 18 is preferably curved across the anchor connection aperture 1 1 1. The primary frail web 1 18 is further preferably inversely orientated so that an apex 120 thereof bears oppositely against the anchor bolt 108. This arrangement is designed both to absorb energy and reduce shock impact on the user, whilst also providing visual indication of abnormal loading (such as in excess of 7 kN), which is useful when undertaking routine inspection of the fall arrest system

[0050] The primary frail web 1 18 may have an integral seating profile 121 which supports the anchor bolt 108 centrally against the primary frail web apex 120. The seating profile 121 may have an opposite curvature to that of the primary frail web 1 18.

[0051 ] Figure 12 shows an embodiment wherein the seating profile 121 , extends right to the edges of the anchor bolt cut-out 1 19 of the anchor connection aperture 1 1 1 , thereby not only seating the anchor bolt 108 centrally but also reinforcing the primary frail web 1 18. As such, according to this embodiment, the seating profile 121 may itself deform or fracture when the primary frail web 1 18 deforms under excessive load. [0052] The primary frail web 1 18 may have a thickness so as to visibly deform when a dynamic force of approximately 7 kN is applied to the lanyard connector 1 10. In this regard, with reference to Figures 7 and 10, the lanyard connector 1 10 may be stainless steel comprising a thickness of approximately 3 mm, and the primary frail web 1 18 width be approximately 1 .5 mm. The primary frail web 1 18 may further absorb dynamic shock forces when deforming.

[0053] The anchor connection aperture 1 1 1 may further comprise an integrally formed secondary frail web 122 across the strain absorbing axis 1 17. The secondary frail web 122 width may be narrower than the primary frail web 1 18 width, such as being approximately 1 mm as shown in Figure 10.

[0054] With reference to Figures 1 and 3, the mounting plate 101 may comprise a matrix 130 of elongate stress relief cut-outs 123 surrounding the swivel eye anchor point. Each stress relief cut-out 123 may arc concentrically around the swivel eye anchor point.

[0055] Single and pairs of stress relief cut-outs 123 may locate symmetrically opposite the swivel eye anchor point connection hole 1 12, and may be arranged at different radial offsets. Furthermore, the stress relief cut-outs 123 arranged at different radial offsets from the swivel eye anchor point may overlap concentrically.

[0056] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilise the invention and various embodiments, with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.