This invention relates to a fixing device for roof coverings, typically sheet roof coverings, having a plurality of ribbings in relief and parallel to each other, a respective fixing system and a respective fall prevention system. Known in the prior art are roof coverings for buildings, in particular factory sheds and warehouses, hangars or, more generally, any large-area buildings, these roof coverings consisting of a plurality of sheets, typically of metal, placed side by side and parallel to each other. These coverings have a plurality of ribbings in relief, running parallel to each other and whose function is to improve mechanical strength and to allow adjacent sheets to be joined to each other.

The right-angle cross section profile of the ribbings may be of any shape, from the most simple, such as triangular, rectangular or trapezoidal, to more complex shapes, depending on function.

More specifically, sheet roof coverings are known whose ribbings extend (at least but typically only) at the joints between one sheet and the two sheets adjacent to it and are the result of suitably forming the longitudinal peripheral portions of the sheets themselves. The peripheral portions are suitably shaped not only to allow two longitudinal peripheral portions which are adjacent to each other to be interlocked but also to enable them to be fastened to a plug underneath them, which is in turn rigidly and securely fastened to a fixed roof structure of the building. Advantageously, the fastening of the sheets to each other and to the plug is accomplished solely by mechanical interlocking (for example of the type commonly known as snap fastening) without using fastening elements such as bolts or nails and without making holes in the sheets. The ribbings preferably also have a water drainage function, thanks to runoff channels which are built into the ribbing itself and which allow water to be drained off along their longitudinal direction, thereby preventing infiltrations to the underlying roof portion. One purpose at the base of this invention, in one of its various aspects and/or embodiments (including the aspects defined by the claims) is to provide a fixing device for roof coverings, typically sheet roof coverings, having a plurality of ribbings in relief, running parallel to each other, a respective fixing system and a respective fall prevention system, which are capable of overcoming one or more of the disadvantages and/or needs of the prior art.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a fixing device for roof coverings (of sheet) having a plurality of ribbings in relief parallel to each other, the device comprising a first and a second body hinged to each other by means of a hinge for allowing the reciprocal rotation about an axis of rotation, at least one fixing element which reciprocally constrains the first and the second body, and at least one element for locking the rotation designed so that, when the first and the second body are pressed by the fixing element against the element for locking the rotation, the fixing device adopts a fixing operating configuration in which the first and the second body delimit from opposite sides a seat, located on the same side as the fixing element relative to the axis of rotation at the most distal position of the fixing element relative to the axis of rotation, the seat having a cross section at right angles to the axis of rotation substantially shaped to match the ribbing.

In one aspect, the fixing device has a midplane passing through (or more generally speaking, parallel to) the axis of rotation and cutting the device into two parts, equidistant from the plane, where the first and second bodies lie almost entirely in one of the two parts, respectively.

In one aspect, the fixing device has a transversal direction at right angles to the midplane and a direction in height (parallel to the midplane) at right angles both to the axis of rotation and to the transversal direction.

The applicant believes that a device made in this way, and in particular, the fact that the element for locking the rotation determines the configuration of the seat and the fact that the seat is located on the same side as the fixing element relative to the axis of rotation at the most distal position of the fixing element relative to the axis of rotation, allows the device to be held securely to the ribbings of the sheet coverings (in particular of the snap fastening type described above) when the device is subjected to tractive and/or torsional forces, while at the same time, under conditions where such forces are absent, avoiding the need to impair the structural integrity of the ribbing (for example, of the sheet constituting the ribbing), for example by not making holes in the ribbing.

In one aspect, in the fixing operating configuration, the device applies a moderate pressure on the ribbing (with moderate elastic deformation thereof) at the above mentioned seat, in such a way that a friction force is advantageously created between the device and the ribbing, so that the device can resist a tractive force having a component which is parallel to the direction of extension of the ribbing.

In this application, the terms "height", "lower" and "upper" are used with reference to the direction in height.

In on aspect, the element for locking the rotation is a spacer interposed between the first and the second body on the same side as the fixing element relative to the axis of rotation, wherein the length of the spacer is predetermined so that, when the first and the second body are abutted against the relative opposite parts of the spacer from the fixing element, the fixing device adopts the fixing operating configuration.

In one aspect, the fixing element (for example a screw or bolt) has a main direction of extension which is transversal (preferably at right angles) to the axis of rotation and skew relative to the axis of rotation, the fixing element passing loosely through a first through hole made in the first body (for example abutting with an enlarged head against a side surface of the first body) and being inserted into a second hole in the second body in such a way as to keep the first and second bodies pressed against each other along their direction of extension.

In one aspect, the fixing element passes through the spacer, the length of the spacer being measured along the line of extension of the fixing element.

In one aspect, the element for locking the rotation is distinct and separate from the fixing element and/or from the first body and/or from the second body.

In one alternative and preferred aspect, the element for locking the rotation is an integral part of the first and/or of the second body.

In one aspect, the fixing device comprises a further fixing element and/or a further spacer identical, respectively, to the at least one fixing element (in which case the first and second holes are also duplicated) and/or to the above mentioned further spacer. Preferably, the two fixing elements (and/or the two spacers) are parallel and at the same height.

In one aspect, the first body and the second body are (substantially) mirror symmetric about the midplane at least at the seat.

In one aspect, the first and second bodies each comprise a wall which (in one configuration of the fixing device, for example in the above mentioned operating configuration) extends in a direction substantially parallel to the midplane (that is to say, vertically).

In one aspect, the first and second bodies each comprise a plurality of protuberances projecting from the upper end of the respective wall towards the other body, extending preferably at right angles to the respective wall, the protuberances of the first body being interleaved with those of the second body. Preferably, all the protuberances have a through hole in them which are aligned with each other along the direction of the axis of rotation. The hinge preferably consists of these perforated protuberances and a pin passing through the holes, for example a threaded bolt and its nut.

In one aspect, the right-angle cross-section of the first and second body has at a respective vertical end opposite the hinge (with respect to the vertical direction) a protuberance projecting towards the seat and designed to engage a respective step on the side surface of the ribbing. In one aspect, the right-angle cross section of the seat is the same for all the cross sections along the axis of rotation.

In one aspect, the first and second bodies each have a respective upper surface, preferably flat, extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation, and a respective outer side surface, preferably flat, extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation. Preferably, in the fixing operating configuration, the two upper surfaces lie in the same plane and, more preferably, the two outer side surfaces lie in respective vertical parallel planes.

Preferably, the distance (in height) of the upper surface from the axis of rotation is less than or equal to 30 mm, preferably less than or equal to 15 mm (in order to reduce the lever arm of the tractive force).

In one aspect, the length of the spacer is greater than or equal to 8mm, preferably greater than or equal to 12 mm and/or less than or equal to 30mm, preferably less than or equal to 24mm.

In one aspect, the length of the fixing device along the direction of the axis of rotation is greater than or equal to 50mm, preferably greater than or equal to 75 mm and/or less than or equal to 300mm, preferably less than or equal to 200mm.

In one aspect, the height of the fixing device is greater than or equal to 40mm, preferably greater than or equal to 60 mm and/or less than or equal to 100mm, preferably less than or equal to 80mm.

In one aspect, the fixing device further comprises a first side body integrally mounted on the second body, preferably by means of the fixing element. Preferably, the fixing element (or each of the fixing elements, in the preferred case) passes loosely through the second hole in the second body, passes entirely through the second body, and is inserted with mechanical grip (for example, by threading) in a third hole in the first side body in such a way as to keep pressed against each other along its own direction of extension the first and the second body and the first side body (and possibly also the spacer). Alternatively, for example in the absence of the first side body, the fixing element is mechanically gripped in the second hole, for example by means of threading which engages matching threading in the second hole.

In one aspect, the fixing device further comprises a second side body integrally mounted, preferably by means of the fixing element itself, on the first body on a part of it opposite the second body and substantially at the same height as the first side body. Preferably, the fixing element (or each of the fixing elements, in the preferred case) passes loosely through a fourth hole in the second side body (for example, abutting with an enlarged head against a side surface of the second side body) and is inserted with mechanical grip in the third hole in the first side body in such a way as to keep pressed against each other along its own direction of extension the first and the second body and the first and the second side body (and possibly also the spacer).

Preferably, the first and second side bodies each have a respective upper surface, preferably flat, extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation, and preferably provided with at least one hole (preferably two holes) transversal (for example at right angles) to the axis of rotation in order to fix a further element. Preferably, in the fixing operating configuration, the respective upper surface lies in a plane parallel to, and at a height below, the plane in which the upper surfaces of the first and second bodies lie, the difference in height between the two planes being less than or equal to 5 mm, preferably less than or equal to 4 mm. Preferably, the difference in height is equal to the thickness of the further element (for example, the assembly bar).

In one aspect, the first and/or the second side body have the shape of a right-angle prism, preferably with a square or rectangular base, preferably with the larger dimension parallel to the axis of rotation. Preferably, the first and/or the second side body each have a pair of respective opposite front surfaces, preferably flat, extending substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation. Preferably, each of the respective opposite side surfaces is provided with a hole, parallel to the axis of rotation, in order to fix the further element.

In one aspect, the length of the first and/or the second side body along the direction of the axis of rotation is slightly less than the respective length of the first and second bodies, the difference in length being, on each side, less than or equal to 5 mm, preferably less than or equal to 4 mm. Preferably, the difference is equal to the thickness of the further element (for example, the assembly bar).

In one aspect, the first and/or the second side body are identical in their outer form.

The applicant believes that the device of this invention lends itself to fixing a further element (for example, an assembly bar) in such a way as to limit the positioning height of the further element relative to the lowermost point of the device, thereby limiting the lever arm of the force applied to the further element (and hence the resulting torque). For example, the tractive force on the further element may be at substantially the same height as the ribbing, thus improving the overall strength.

It should be noted that to arrive at the solution provided by the fixing device of this invention, the applicant conducted traction strength tests on a large number of different, sheet-mounted prototypes of the device.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a fixing system for roof coverings (for example, sheet roof coverings) having a plurality of ribbings in relief, parallel to each other, comprising a pair of fixing devices, each device having a main longitudinal direction of extension (parallel to the longitudinal direction of extension of the ribbings when the device is installed) and comprising a first and a second body having a longitudinal extension and at least one fixing element which reciprocally constrains the first and the second body, the fixing device being capable of adopting a fixing operating configuration in which the first and the second body delimit from opposite sides a seat, having a mainly longitudinal extension and a cross section at right angles to the longitudinal direction substantially shaped to match the ribbing, and an assembly bar substantially plate- shaped and comprising an upper wall, preferably flat, and at least one first side wall delimited from the upper wall by a fold extending along a main longitudinal direction of extension of the assembly bar, the bar being solidly and rigidly fixed at its two longitudinal ends respectively to the two fixing devices.

Preferably, each of the fixing devices is made according to any of the respective aspects of this invention.

In one aspect, the fixing devices are positioned in such a way that their main direction of extension, for example the direction of the axis of rotation, are mutually parallel and transversal (for example, at right angles) to the main longitudinal direction of extension of the bar. Advantageously, this reduces the torque moments which might act on each fixing device and which derive from a tractive force having a component that is parallel to the longitudinal direction.

In one aspect, the length of the assembly bar along the longitudinal direction is greater than or equal to 20cm, preferably greater than or equal to 30 cm and/or less than or equal to 100cm, preferably less than or equal to 75cm.

In one aspect, the longitudinal ends of the upper wall engage (and are fastened to, for example by screws) a respective upper wall of the pair of devices, preferably the upper surface of the respective first and/or second side body.

In one aspect, the longitudinal ends of the first side wall engage (and are fastened to, for example by screws) a respective front surface of the pair of devices, preferably the above mentioned front surface of the respective first and/or the second side body.

According to the applicant, a fixing system according to this invention, once the two fixing devices have been mounted on two respective ribbings of the roof covering (preferably aligned along the direction at right angles to the axis of rotation) confers the necessary stiffness along the longitudinal extension of the assembly bar and the necessary strength of the fastening to the roof covering when subjected to tractive force.

In one aspect, the assembly bar comprises a second side wall located on the side opposite to the first side wall with respect to the upper wall and delimited from the upper wall by a second fold extending preferably parallel to the first fold, the longitudinal ends of the second side wall engaging (and being fastened to) a respective front surface (preferably the above mentioned front surface of the respective first and/or second side body) of the pair of devices, the latter being interposed between the first and the second side wall. Preferably, the first and second side walls are mutually opposite, and preferably parallel, to each other.

In one aspect, the upper wall, and preferably the first (and more preferably also the second) side wall, is fixed at its longitudinal ends (for example, by means of screws passing through respective holes in the wall and inserted into respective threaded holes in the first and/or the second side body) to respective first and/or second side bodies of the pair of fixing devices. In one aspect, at least one of the two fixing devices does not have the second side body.

In one aspect, this invention relates to a fall prevention system comprising a pair of fixing systems according to any of the respective aspects of this invention, the fixing systems being positioned with the assembly bars extending longitudinally parallel to each other and with the fixing devices arranged in twos aligned along their main direction of extension (for example, the axis of rotation), and further comprising a fall prevention device comprising a plate which is fixed rigidly and securely to, and interposed between, the two assembly bars, the fall prevention device comprising an element for mechanical coupling to a fall prevention cable fixed rigidly and securely to a portion (preferably a central portion) of the plate.

In one aspect, the mechanical coupling element is an element for fastening the fall prevention cable and the above mentioned plate portion is located at a height below the height of the upper walls of the two assembly bars, the difference between the two heights being greater than or equal to 10mm, preferably greater than or equal to 20mm. According to the applicant, this solution reduces the lever arm of the tractive force applied to the mechanical coupling element by the fall prevention cable, this lever arm being correlated with the difference (in height) between the cable fastening point and the lower base of the fixing device. The applicant has found that this feature gives the fall prevention system the required strength.

In one aspect, the plate is shaped in such a way that it has two opposed end portions, which are preferably substantially flat and fixed to the upper wall of the respective assembly bars, two intermediate portions, which are preferably substantially flat and which are respectively contiguous with the end portions and delimited therefrom by respective first folds (and make therewith an angle preferably greater than or equal to 90°), where the central portion, which is preferably substantially flat and parallel to the end portions, is interposed uninterruptedly between the two intermediate portions and is delimited therefrom by respective second folds.

In one aspect, the fall prevention system comprises a pair of further fixing devices, each aligned with a respective pair of fixing devices in such a way as to form a set of three fixing devices (preferably equidistant), and a pair of further assembly bars, each of which is solidly and rigidly fixed at two longitudinal ends of it, respectively, to a respective further fixing device of the above mentioned set and to the fixing device occupying the central position in that set.

In one aspect, the fixing device occupying the central position comprises the first and the second side body, the further assembly bar being fixed to the second side body of the fixing device occupying the central position and to the first side body of the further fixing device.

In one aspect, the central portion of the plate extends at at least one portion of the first pair of assembly bars and of the further pair of assembly bars. Preferably, the two end portions of the plate are fixed to the upper wall of the first pair of assembly bars and of the further pair of assembly bars, typically surmounting the fixing device which occupies the central position.

In one aspect, the fall prevention device is a lifeline end device, where the fastening element is substantially plate-shaped and has one end which is integrally fastened to the central portion of the plate and another end, opposite the fastened end, which is free and used for securing to the fall prevention cable of a lifeline (which typically is in turn fastened to an individual fall prevention cable by means, for example, of a snap link which can slide along the lifeline). Preferably, the fastening element has a set of fold lines (at least five in number, preferably at least seven) interposed between the free and fastened ends, each pair of adjacent fold lines delimiting a respective sub-portion of the fastening element in such a way as to define a set of sub-portions, each lying in a plane which is oblique relative to the planes which the adjacent sub-portions lie in; where the fastening element is structured to be deformed at least at the fold lines by effect of the tractive force applied to the free end in such a way that the free end changes its position relative to the fastened end.

In one aspect, the central portion of the plate (and the plate itself) forms with the fastening element a single, substantially plate-shaped part. In one aspect, the fall prevention device is an intermediate containment device for a lifeline, where the element for mechanical coupling to a fall prevention cable is a means for containing the cable in order to limit the deflection of the cable in a transversal direction, and comprising, for example, two pairs of opposed, offset hooks (of a per se known type).

In one aspect, the fall prevention device is an individual fastening device, where the fastening element is substantially plate-shaped and is provided with a first and a second end which are both rigidly and securely fixed to the central portion of the plate, and with a fastening portion interposed between the first and second ends and structured for fastening to an individual fall prevention cable, the fastening device having a first set of fold lines (at least three in number, preferably at least five) interposed between the first end and the fastening portion, and a second set of fold lines (at least three in number, preferably at least five) interposed between the second end and the fastening portion, each pair of adjacent fold lines in each set delimiting a respective sub-portion of the fastening device in such a way as to define a set of sub-portions, each lying in a plane which is oblique relative to the planes which the adjacent sub-portions lie in, the device being structured to be deformed, in use, at least at the fold lines by effect of the tractive force applied to the fastening portion in such a way that the fastening portion changes its position relative to the first and second ends.

In one aspect, this invention relates to a lifeline comprising a pair of the above mentioned end devices and a tensioned cable connecting the two devices and fastened to the respective fastening element.

Further features and advantages are more apparent in the detailed description of non-limiting example embodiments of a fixing device for roof coverings, typically sheet roof coverings, having a plurality of ribbings in relief, parallel to each other, a respective fixing system and a respective fall prevention system according to this invention. The description is set out below with reference to the accompanying drawings (schematic and not to scale) which are provided purely by way of non-limiting example and in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fixing device according to this invention, installed on a roof covering;

- Figure 2 is another perspective view of the device of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 is an exploded view of the fixing device of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 4 is a perspective view of a fall prevention system according to the invention, comprising a lifeline end device and installed on a roof covering;

- Figure 5 is a partly exploded view of the fall prevention system of Figure 4;

- Figure 6 is a partly exploded view of a fall prevention system according to the invention, comprising an intermediate containment device for a lifeline;

- Figure 7 is a perspective view of a fall prevention system according to the invention, comprising an individual fastening device.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, a fixing device according to this invention is denoted in its entirety by the reference numeral 1 , a fixing system according to this invention is denoted in its entirety by the reference numeral 50 and a fall prevention system according to this invention is denoted in its entirety by the reference numeral 100. Generally speaking, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same elements in different variant embodiments, if any.

The fixing device 1 is particularly suitable for fixing itself and other elements (for example the assembly bars and the fall prevention devices) to sheet roof coverings 200 having a plurality of ribbings 201 in relief and parallel to each other. Although the drawings show, by way of example, roof coverings of a mechanically interlocking snap type known to experts in the trade, the invention is applicable to ribbings of any shape and size, preferably provided with the step 202, described below.

The device 1 preferably comprises a first body 2 and a second body 3 hinged to each other by means of a hinge 4 for allowing the reciprocal rotation about an axis of rotation 5, at least one fixing element 6 (for example a screw 6a) which reciprocally constrains the first and the second body, and at least one spacer 7 (serving the function of the element for locking the rotation) interposed between the first and the second body on the same side of the fixing element relative to the axis of rotation, where the length of the spacer is predetermined so that, when the first and the second body are abutted against the relative opposite parts of the spacer from the fixing element, the fixing device adopts a fixing operating configuration (shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings) in which the first and the second body delimit from opposite sides a seat 8, located on the same side as the fixing element relative to the axis of rotation (for example, in the same half space as the fixing element, relative to a plane passing through the axis of rotation and at right angles to the midplane) and at the most distal position of the fixing element relative to the axis of rotation, the seat having a cross section at right angles to the axis of rotation substantially shaped to match the ribbing. Typically, the fixing device has a midplane 9 passing through (or more generally speaking, parallel to) the axis of rotation 5 and cutting the device into two parts, equidistant from the plane, where the first and second bodies lie almost entirely in one of the two parts, respectively.

The fixing device has a transversal direction 10 at right angles to the midplane and a direction in height 1 1 (parallel to the midplane) at right angles both to the axis of rotation and to the transversal direction.

Preferably, the fixing device comprises a further fixing element 6 and a further spacer 7 identical, respectively, to the above mentioned at least one fixing element and to the above mentioned further spacer. Preferably, the two fixing elements are parallel and at the same height. The device is fitted to the ribbing for example as follows: once the hinge 4 of the device 1 has been assembled, the fixing element (or elements) 6 (and the spacer/spacers 7) is (or are) left slack, in such a way that the first and second bodies can rotate relative to each other to an angular position which is more open than the fixing operating configuration. Next, the fixing device is placed in such a way that the seat 8 receives the ribbing 201 and the fixing element (or elements) 6 can then be tightened until the device adopts the fixing operating configuration.

Preferably, each spacer 7, hollow and cylindrical in shape, has a fixing element passing through it.

As shown by way of example in the drawings, each spacer 7 may be distinct and separate from the respective fixing element and/or from the first body and/or from the second body, although it may also be connected to the first body and/or to the second body, or even made as a single part with the first body and/or the second body.

Preferably, the first body 2 and the second body 3 each comprise a wall 12 which (for example, in the above mentioned operating configuration) extends in a direction substantially parallel to the midplane (that is to say, vertically).

Preferably, the first and second bodies each comprise a plurality of protuberances 13 projecting from the upper end of the respective wall towards the other body, extending preferably at right angles to the respective wall, the protuberances of the first body being interleaved with those of the second body. Preferably, all the protuberances have a through hole 14 in them which are aligned with each other along the direction of the axis of rotation. The hinge 4 preferably consists of these perforated protuberances and a pin 15 passing through the holes, for example a threaded bolt 16 and its nut 17.

Preferably, the right-angle cross-section of each first and second body has at a respective vertical end opposite the hinge, with respect to the vertical direction, a protuberance 20 projecting towards the seat 8 and designed to engage a respective step 202 on the side surface of the ribbing.

Preferably, the first and second bodies each have a respective upper surface 22, preferably flat, extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation, and a respective outer side surface 23, preferably flat, extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation. Preferably, in the fixing operating configuration, the two upper surfaces lie in the same plane and, more preferably, the two outer side surfaces lie in respective vertical parallel planes.

For example, the length of the spacer is 18.5mm, the length of the fixing device along the direction of the axis of rotation is 100mm, the height of the fixing device is 70mm and the distance of the upper surface 22 from the axis of rotation is approximately 9mm.

Preferably, the fixing device 1 further comprises a first side body 25 integrally mounted on the second body 3, preferably by means of the fixing element 6.

Preferably, the fixing device 1 further comprises a second side body 26 integrally mounted, preferably by means of the fixing element itself, on the first body 2 on a part of it opposite the second body 3 and substantially at the same height as the first side body 25.

If both the first and the second side body are present (as shown by way of example in Figure 1 ), preferably the fixing element/elements (for example a screw with a large head 6b) passes loosely (that is, without mechanical grip between the fixing element and the second side body, for example because the diameter of the hole is greater than the outside diameter of the screw) through a fourth hole 27 in the second side body (for example, abutting with its large head 6b against an outer side surface 30 of the second side body), passes loosely through a first hole 21 going right through the first body 2, passes loosely through a second hole 28, going right through the second body 3, and is inserted with mechanical grip (for example, by mechanical interaction between the threading of the screw 6a and the hole) in a third hole 29 in the first side body 25 in such a way as to keep pressed against each other along the direction of extension of the element 6 the first and second bodies, the spacer and the first and second side bodies. Alternatively (not illustrated), the fixing element might pass loosely also through the third hole 29 in the first side body 25, going right through the first side body, and be locked, for example by a nut, at the end of it protruding from the side surface 23.

If the first side body 25 is present, but the second isn't (as shown by way of example in Figure 5 or 6), the fixing element/elements preferably abuts/abut directly against the side surface 23 of the first body, in such a way as to keep pressed against each other along its/their own direction of extension the first body 2 and the second body 3, the spacer 7 and the first side body 25.

In one embodiment contemplated by this invention, although not illustrated, the fixing device 1 does not have either the first or the second side body. In that case, the fixing element/elements preferably abuts/abut directly against the side surface 23 of the first body and is mechanically gripped in the second hole 28 of the second body 3, for example because its threading engages the threading of the second hole (or alternatively passes loosely also through the second body 3 and is locked by a nut at the side surface 23), in such a way as to the first and second bodies and the spacer 7 pressed against each other along its/their direction of extension.

In an embodiment not illustrated, the upper surface 22 of each of the bodies 2 and 3 is preferably provided (especially when the fixing device 1 is without the first and the second side body) with at least one hole (preferably two holes) transversal (for example at right angles) to the axis of rotation of a further element.

Preferably, the first side body 25 and the second side body 26 each have a respective upper surface 31 , preferably flat, extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation, and preferably provided with at least one hole (preferably two holes) 32 transversal (for example at right angles) to the axis of rotation in order to fix a further element. Preferably, in the fixing operating configuration, the respective upper surface 32 lies in a plane parallel to, and at a height below, the plane in which the upper surfaces 22 of the first and second bodies lie, the difference in height between the two planes being, for example, 3mm (equal to the thickness of the further element, such as the assembly bar, described below).

Preferably, as shown by way of example in the drawing, the first and the second side body are identical in outer form and have the shape of a right- angle prism, with a rectangular base, whose larger dimension is parallel to the axis of rotation. Preferably, the first and the second side body each have a pair of respective opposite front surfaces 33, preferably flat, extending substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation. Preferably, each of the respective opposite front surfaces is provided with a hole 34, parallel to the axis of rotation, in order to fix the further element.

Preferably, the length of the first and/or the second side body along the direction of the axis of rotation is slightly less than the respective length of the first and second bodies, the difference in length being, for example 3mm on each side, equal to the thickness of the further element (for example, the assembly bar).

The fixing system 50 comprises a pair of fixing devices 1 and an assembly bar 51 , substantially plate-shaped and comprising an upper wall 52, preferably flat, and at least one first side wall 53 delimited from the upper wall by a first fold 54 extending along a main longitudinal direction of extension of the assembly bar, the bar being solidly and rigidly fixed at its two longitudinal ends respectively to the two fixing devices.

Preferably, the fixing devices are positioned in such a way that the directions of the axis of rotation are mutually parallel and transversal (for example, at right angles) to the main longitudinal direction of extension of the bar.

For example, the length of the assembly bar along the longitudinal direction is approximately 50cm.

Preferably, the longitudinal ends of the upper wall engage, and are fastened to (for example by screws 55 which pass through respective holes in the upper wall), a respective upper wall (22 or 31 ) of the pair of devices, preferably the upper surface 31 of the respective first and/or second side body (thanks to the above mentioned holes 32).

Preferably, the longitudinal ends of the first side wall 53 engage, and are fastened to (for example by a screw/screws 56 which pass through respective holes in the upper wall), a respective front surface of the pair of devices, preferably the above mentioned front surface 33 of the respective first and/or second side body.

Preferably, the assembly bar 51 comprises a second side wall 57 located on the side opposite to the first side wall with respect to the upper wall and delimited from the upper wall by a second fold 58 extending preferably parallel to the first fold, the longitudinal ends of the second side wall engaging, and being fastened to (for example, by a screw/screws 59 which passes/pass through a respective hole/holes in the side wall 57), a respective front surface (preferably the front surface of the respective first and/or second side body opposite to the front surface) of the pair of devices, the latter being interposed between the first and the second side wall. Preferably, the first and second side walls are mutually opposite, and preferably parallel, to each other.

In an embodiment shown by way of example in Figures 6 (intermediate) and 7 (individual), both of the fixing devices of the fixing system 50 are without the second side body, and the assembly bar is fixed at its longitudinal ends to the two first side bodies 25 respectively.

The fall prevention system 100 comprises at least one pair of fixing systems 50 positioned with the assembly bars extending longitudinally parallel to each other and with the fixing devices arranged in twos aligned along their main direction of extension (for example, the axis of rotation), and further comprising a fall prevention device 101 comprising a plate 102 which is fixed rigidly and securely to, and interposed between, the two assembly bars, and an element 103 for mechanical coupling to a fall prevention cable fixed rigidly and securely to a portion 104 (preferably a central portion) of the plate 102.

In one embodiment, shown by way of example in Figures 4, 5 and 7, the mechanical coupling element 103 is an element 105 for fastening the fall prevention cable and the above mentioned plate portion 104 is located at a height below the height of the upper walls 52 of the two assembly bars, the difference between the two heights being, for example, 25mm.

Preferably, the plate 102 is shaped in such a way that it has two opposed end portions 106, which are preferably substantially flat and fixed to the upper wall of the respective assembly bars, two intermediate portions 107, which are preferably substantially flat and which are respectively contiguous with the end portions and delimited therefrom by respective first folds (and make therewith an angle preferably greater than or equal to 90°, Figure 7, or 120°, Figure 4), where the central portion, which is preferably substantially flat and parallel to the end portions, is interposed uninterruptedly between the two intermediate portions and is delimited therefrom by respective second folds.

In one embodiment, as shown by way of example in Figures 4 and 5, the fall prevention system 100 comprises a pair of further fixing devices 1 , each aligned with a respective pair of fixing devices in such a way as to form a set of three fixing devices (preferably equidistant), and a pair of further assembly bars 51 , each of which is solidly and rigidly fixed at two longitudinal ends of it, respectively, to a respective further fixing device of the above mentioned set and to the fixing device occupying the central position in that set.

Preferably, the fixing device occupying the central position comprises the first and the second side body, the further assembly bar being fixed to the second side body of the fixing device occupying the central position and to the first side body of the further fixing device.

Preferably, the central portion 104 of the plate 102 extends at at least one portion of the first pair of assembly bars and of the further pair of assembly bars and at an adjacent portion of the further pair of assembly bars. Preferably, the two end portions 106 of the plate 102 are fixed to the upper wall of the first pair of assembly bars and of the further pair of assembly bars, typically surmounting the fixing device which occupies the central position. Preferably, the end portions 106 have through holes 108 for loosely receiving the heads of the screws 55.

In one embodiment, as shown by way of example in Figures 4 and 5, the fall prevention device is a lifeline end device, where the fastening element 105 is substantially plate-shaped and has one end which is integrally fastened to the central portion of the plate and another end, opposite the fastened end, which is free and used for securing to the fall prevention cable of a lifeline. Preferably, the fastening element has a set of fold lines (for example, thirteen in number) interposed between the free and fastened ends, where the fastening element is structured to be deformed at least at the fold lines by effect of a tractive force applied to the free end. In one embodiment, as shown by way of example in Figure 6, the fall prevention device is an intermediate containment device of a lifeline, where the element for mechanical coupling to a fall prevention cable is a means for containing the cable in order to limit the deflection of the cable in a transversal direction, comprising, for example, two pairs of opposed, offset hooks (of a per se known type).

In one embodiment, as shown by way of example in Figure 7, the fall prevention device is an individual fastening device, where the fastening element 105 is substantially plate-shaped and is provided with a first end 130 and a second end 131 which are both rigidly and securely fixed (for example by welding) to the central portion 104 of the plate, and with a fastening portion 132 interposed between the first and second ends and structured for fastening to an individual fall prevention cable, the fastening device having a first set of fold lines (for example, six in number) interposed between the first end and the fastening portion, and a second set of fold lines (for example, mirror-symmetric to the first set) interposed between the second end and the fastening portion, the device being structured to be deformed, in use, at least at the fold lines by effect of a tractive force applied to the fastening portion in such a way that the fastening portion changes its position relative to the first and second ends.