Supporting element for safety lines

Abstract

 A supporting element (1) for a safety line, the element comprising a main body (2; 2a) and a coupling system (3) fastened to an end (4) of the main body and comprising a stationary element (7) welded to the end of the main body and a first (8) and a second moving element (9) turnably hinged, on opposite sides, to the stationary element (7) by means of a respective hinge (10), each hinge comprising a first portion (11) integrally fastened to the stationary element (7) and a second portion (14) integrally fastened to the respective moving element (8; 9), and a cylindrical pin (16) introduced into said first and second portion, wherein the pin is provided with at least one anti-disengagement device (17) which can be either introduced or screwed into or onto the pin when the latter is fitted into the hinge.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a a supporting element for safety lines, to the safety line comprising this element and to a method for manufacturing this element.

[0002] It is known about safety lines, such as those disclosed in document W02008/081375, designed to be mounted onto fixed structures typically located at a certain height from the ground, such as building roofs, walls or beams, as a safety system for operators working at this height from the ground. These safety lines, though not ensuring to prevent the operator from losing balance and from slipping down, do however prevent in this case the operator from colliding with underlying structures or with the ground, or do anyhow limit the violence thereof.

[0003] The safety line described in W02008/081375 comprises two supporting elements or stakes designed to be fastened at mutually distanced positions, typically along a line of ridge of a roof of a building structure, such as e.g. a house, a block of flats, an industrial building or the like. A connecting rope, preferably made of steel, is fastened between the supporting stakes, to which rope an operator can be hooked by suitable harnesses and spring catches or similar safety equipment, thus being able to shift between the supporting stakes. A first end of the connecting rope is hooked to a supporting stake by means of a tensioning element, and a second end of the connecting rope opposed to the first one is hooked to the other supporting stake by means of a shock absorbing element, apt to soften the shock which the operator is subjected to when falling down.

[0004] The safety line further comprises an intermediate retaining element, placed at a distance between the supporting stakes in order to counter any transversal shifts of the connecting rope according to predefined limits.

[0005] In order to enable the supporting elements and the intermediate retaining element to be fastened onto the fixed structures, each element is provided at its base with a fastening system having a fixed structure consisting of two plates angle-welded to the base of the main body of the supporting stake, and of two mobile plates each being hinged to the free edge of a respective fixed plate for adapting the fastening system to the shape of the target roof. Each mobile plate has a plurality of fastening holes for engaging corresponding fastening elements. In document W02008/081375 the coupling hinge between the fixed plate and the mobile plate is a pin hinge.

[0006] The Applicant has found that safety lines existing on the market, such as those described in W02008/081375, have some drawbacks. Among these, the supporting elements have the drawback of not being able to be subjected to galvanization. As a matter of fact, in these elements each coupling hinge between a fixed plate and the respective mobile plate consists of three hollow cylinders with the same inner (and outer) diameter and coaxially aligned in a row, so that the pin can get through. This pin is welded on its opposed longitudinal ends to the two outer cylinders, respectively, which are in their turn welded to the respective mobile plate. The central cylinder, conversely, is welded to the respective fixed plate, so that the rotation of the mobile plate is enabled by the rotation of the pin and of the two side cylinders with respect to the central cylinder and to the fixed plate. In order to carry out this hinge, first the central cylinder must be welded to the fixed plate, then the pin must be introduced and the two side cylinders must be introduced and welded to the pin and eventually to the mobile plate.

[0007] The Applicant has found that such a supporting element, when subjected to galvanization, in particular hot dip galvanizing, tends to lose its function since the hinge, due to the penetration of the zinc bath into the two gapes between the central cylinder and the two side cylinders, and from there into the gap between the pin and the central cylinder, and after drying, tends to seize up. The aforesaid hinge cannot be assembled after galvanization either, since the welding points would not be galvanized and would be subjected to rust in the long term. Moreover, welding on the galvanized components of the supporting element does not ensure in the long term the desired strength.

[0008] More to the point, the Applicant thinks that electrolytic galvanization could mitigate or eliminate the problem of hinge seizure, however, according to the Applicant, this type of galvanization does not ensure in the long term the desired rust prevention performance.

[0009] The Applicant points out that the mere fact of posing the problem of hot dip galvanizing a supporting element for safety lines equipped with a hinge is inventive per se because it overcomes a prejudice based on the belief that the clearance existing between the pin and the rest of the hinge is extremely small, for ensuring the desired stiffness and strength. This induces to think that to galvanize this hinge is impossible or very difficult, in particular by a hot dip galvanizing process which lays onto the treated surfaces a thick layer whose uniformity cannot be adjusted below a given tolerance value.

[0010] Within this framework, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a supporting elements for safety lines, a safety line comprising at least this element and a method for manufacturing this element, which overcome one or more of the drawbacks of the prior art as referred to above.

[0011] One of the aims of the present invention in one or more of its various aspects is to provide a supporting elements for safety lines of the type having a fastening system with a pin hinge and apt to be wholly galvanized by hot dip galvanizing without losing its functions.

[0012] One of the aims of the present invention in one or more of its various aspects is to propose a supporting element for safety lines of the type having a fastening system with a pin hinge, which is simple and cheap to manufacture and/or store and/or install and/or use.

[0013] One or more of the technical tasks and/or of the aims referred to are basically achieved by a supporting elements for safety lines, a safety line comprising this element and a corresponding manufacturing method, comprising the technical features listed below.

[0014] In one aspect, the invention relates to a supporting element for a safety line comprising: a main body typically with an elongated development and a coupling system fastened to an end of the main body and comprising a stationary element stiffly fastened to said end of the main body and a first and a second moving element turnably hinged to the stationary element, on opposite sides, by means of a respective pin hinge, each hinge comprising a first portion integral with said stationary element and a second portion integral with said respective moving element, and a cylindrical pin introduced into said first and second portion, wherein the pin is provided with at least one anti-disengagement device.

[0015] In one aspect of the invention, said at least one anti-disengagement device can be either introduced or screwed into or onto the pin fitted into said first and second portion.

[0016] In one aspect of the invention, the pin of the aforesaid hinge is provided with another anti-disengagement device. Preferably, also the other anti-disengagement device can be either introduced or screwed into or onto the pin fitted into said first and second portion.

[0017] In one aspect of the invention, said at least one anti-disengagement device is placed on a first longitudinal end of the pin. Preferably, the other anti-disengagement device is placed on a second longitudinal end of the pin opposed to the first one.

[0018] In one aspect, at least one of said anti-disengagement devices, preferably both of them, can be removed for enabling the pin to be disengaged.

[0019] In one aspect, said at least one anti-disengagement device and/or said other anti-disengagement device comprises a hole transversally getting through the pin and a plug, typically made of iron or steel, e.g. galvanized steel, introduced into the hole from one end to the other. Preferably, this plug consists of a thread-like body folded onto itself, having on one end corresponding to the folding point a ring abutting onto an opening of the aforesaid hole and on the opposed end two free terminal ends mutually diverging from one another and abutting onto the opposed opening of the hole. In this aspect, said hole preferably lies on one longitudinal end of the pin in outer position with respect to the first and second hinge portion. In one aspect, at least the pin portion corresponding to said at least one anti-disengagement device has a smooth outer surface. Preferably, the whole outer surface of the pin is smooth.

[0020] In one aspect, the pin of the aforesaid hinge can freely rotate with respect to the first portion and/or to the second portion.

[0021] In one aspect, the first portion of the hinge comprises a tubular cylinder fastened, preferably welded, to said stationary element. Preferably, the first portion of the hinge comprises one tubular cylinder only.

[0022] In one aspect, the second portion of the hinge comprises at least one tubular cylinder fastened, preferably welded, to said respective moving element. Preferably, the second portion of the hinge comprises another tubular cylinder fastened, preferably welded, to said respective moving element. Preferably, the second portion of the hinge comprises two and not more than two tubular cylinders. In one aspect, the tubular cylinder fastened to the stationary element is placed between the two tubular cylinders fastened to the moving element.

[0023] In one aspect, the tubular cylinders of the first and second portion of the hinge are axially aligned in a row for enabling the pin to be fitted.

[0024] In one aspect, the supporting element is wholly galvanized, preferably hot dip galvanized.

[0025] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a safety line comprising at least a first supporting element according to any one of the preceding aspects and intended to be fastened to a structure. Typically, the safety line comprises at least a second supporting element according to any one of the preceding aspects and intended to be fastened to the structure at a distance from the first element, and a connecting cable between said first and second supporting element.

[0026] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a supporting elements according to any one of the aspects above, comprising the steps of fastening, typically by welding, the first portion of the hinge to the stationary element and the second portion of the hinge to the respective moving element, galvanizing, preferably by hot dip galvanizing, the whole supporting element and, after galvanization, introducing the pin into the first and second portion of the hinge. Preferably, after introducing the pin, at least one anti-disengagement device is applied to the pin. More preferably, after introducing the pin, two anti-disengagement devices are applied to the pin on opposite sides thereof.

[0027] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear better from the indicative, and therefore non-limiting, description of some exemplary though not exclusive embodiments of a supporting element for safety lines, of a safety line comprising this element and of the corresponding manufacturing method according to the present invention, thanks to the accompanying drawing, in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a supporting element for a safety line according to a preferred aspect of the present invention and shown in an installation configuration, in particular for roofs (not shown).

[0028] With reference to the accompanying figure, the numeral 1 globally refers to a supporting element for a safety line, in particular for roofs, according to an aspect of the present invention.

[0029] The safety line typically comprises at least a first element or supporting stake 1 and at least a second element or supporting stake (not shown), preferably basically identical one to the other, which can be placed at a suitable distance one from the other. During use, the supporting stakes are fastened with their basis to a building structure (not shown in the figure) such as a roof (preferably on top of it, i.e. on the ridge), a wall, a beam or other. The safety line comprises a connecting line (not shown) apt to physically and continuously connect the first and the second stake. The connecting line comprises at least one cable (not shown), preferably made of steel, and one or more devices connected in series to the cable, such as a tension device and/or a shock absorber and/or a dissipator, e.g. of known type. For instance, the cable can have a first end hooked (with or without other devices placed in-between) to a hooking ring of the first supporting stake, and a second end, opposed to the first one, hooked to a respective hooking ring of the second supporting stake so as to provide an elongated hooking structure for the aforesaid hooking and/or safety equipment, along which it can slide between the supporting stakes.

[0030] Advantageously, the safety line can further comprise at least one intermediate retaining element (not shown in the figure) interposed between the supporting stakes for contrasting any transversal shifts of the connecting line according to predefined limits. This intermediate element, as far as the retaining portion is concerned, is preferably of the type described in document W02008/081375 mentioned above, and for a detailed description thereof reference is made to the description contained therein. As far as the coupling system of the intermediate element is concerned, it is preferably of the type described below with reference to the supporting element 1.

[0031] More generally, in the present description and claims "supporting element for safety lines" refers to any element having at one end the fastening system to the fixed structure according to the present invention, and at another end any functional device for the safety line, such as by mere way of example a hooking ring as shown in Figure 1, or a retaining portion as described in W02008/081375, or even a device for creating an angle on the aforesaid connecting line.

[0032] With reference to the figure, the supporting element 1 for a safety line comprises a main body 2 typically having an elongated development (in the example a straight bar 2a with square or rectangular section) and a coupling system 3 fastened to a first end 4 of the main body 2. Preferably, on a longitudinally opposite side with respect to the first end 4, there is a second end 5 to which any functional device for the safety line is fastened (in the example a fastening ring or eyebolt 6).

[0033] The coupling system 3 comprises a stationary element 7 stiffly fastened, preferably by welding (not shown), to the first end 4 of the main body 2, and a first 8 and a second moving element 9 turnably hinged on opposite sides to the stationary element 7 by means of a respective hinge 10. Typically, the first 8 and second moving element 9 are hinged onto a respective free edge of the stationary element 7. Preferably, the stationary element 7 (which is advantageously made as one piece) comprises a first 7a and a second portion 7b arranged on opposite sides with respect to the longitudinal axis of the main body 2 for forming an angle which, on the opposite side to the main body 2, is an acute angle. Preferably, the stationary element 7 is a foil folded to form said angle. Preferably, the first and second moving element 8, 9 have each a flat foil-like shape. For further details on the stationary element 7 and on the angle it forms and on the first and second moving element 8, 9, see the description in W02008/081375.

[0034] Advantageously, each hinge 10 comprises a first portion 11 fastened, preferably by welding 12, to the stationary element 7, and a second portion 14 fastened, preferably by welding 15, to the respective moving element 8 or 9. By way of example, the figure shows schematically also a welding 13 between the first portion 11 and the main body 2. The first portion 11 is preferably fastened onto the corresponding free edge of the element 7. Advantageously, the first portion 11 is fastened onto the central portion of the free edge of the element 7.

[0035] Advantageously, each hinge 10 comprises a cylindrical pin 16 fitted into the first 11 and second portion 14.

[0036] By way of example, the first portion 11 of the hinge 10 comprises a tubular cylinder 30 (i.e. provided with a longitudinal through hole) fastened, preferably by welding 12, to the stationary element 7. Preferably, the first portion 11 of the hinge comprises one and only one tubular cylinder.

[0037] By way of example, the second portion 14 of the hinge 10 comprises at least a tubular cylinder 31 fastened, preferably by welding 15, to the respective moving element 8 or 9. Preferably the second portion 14 comprise a further tubular cylinder 31 connected, preferably by welding 15, to the respective moving element. Preferably, the second portion 14 of the hinge 10 comprises two and not more than two tubular cylinders 31. Preferably, the tubular cylinder 30 fastened to the stationary element 7 is placed between the two tubular cylinders 31 fastened to the respective moving element.

[0038] Advantageously, the tubular cylinders 30, 31 of the first and second portion 11, 14 of the hinge 10 are axially aligned in a row for enabling the pin 16 to be fitted.

[0039] Advantageously, the cylindrical pin 16 is provided with a first anti-disengagement device 17. Preferably, the pin 16 is also provided with a second anti-disengagement device 18.

[0040] Advantageously, at least the aforesaid first anti-disengagement device 17 can be either introduced or screwed into or onto the pin already fitted into the first and second portion 11, 14.

[0041] Preferably, also the second anti-disengagement device 18 can be either introduced or screwed into or onto the pin fitted into the first and second hinge portion. Still more preferably, the first and second anti-disengagement device 17, 18 are wholly identical to one another, as in the example shown.

[0042] Preferably, the first anti-disengagement device is placed on a first longitudinal end of the pin and, if present, the second anti-disengagement device is placed on a second longitudinal end of the pin opposed to the first one.

[0043] In the preferred embodiment, shown in the figure, the first anti-disengagement device and/or the second anti-disengagement device comprise each a hole transversally getting through the pin and a plug 19, typically made of iron or steel, e.g. galvanized steel, introduced into the hole from side to side. Preferably, the hole has smooth walls. Preferably, this plug 19 (in this case known in the field as split pin) consists of a thread-like body folded onto itself, having on one end corresponding to the folding point a ring abutting onto an opening of the aforesaid hole (since the ring is sized larger than the hole) and on the opposed end two free terminal ends mutually diverging from one another and abutting onto the opposed opening of the hole. In the preferred embodiment, the hole preferably lies on one longitudinal end of the pin in outer position with respect to the first and second hinge portion 11, 14. In an embodiment, not shown, the hole can lie on the first and/or second portion 11, 14. In this case also the first 11 and/or the second portion 14 will have a corresponding through hole. In this case one anti-disengagement device only is sufficient in principle. In another embodiment, not shown, the hole (or holes) can lie between the first and second hinge portion 11, 14. Preferably, at least the portion of the pin 16 corresponding to the first anti-disengagement device 17 has a smooth outer surface. It is thus possible, by introducing first the smooth portion, to press the pin into the cavity of the first and second hinge portion 11, 14 even if a larger amount than expected of material is laid into the first and/or second portion during hot dip galvanization (such an amount as to reduce the free section inside the first and/or second portion below the pin section), without damaging anyhow the pin or any moldings on the outer surface thereof, such as e.g. threadings. Preferably, the whole outer surface of the pin 16 is smooth.

[0044] By way of example, the pin 16, thanks to the particular anti-disengagement device, can freely rotate with respect to the second portion 14 (and also to the first portion 11).

[0045] By way of example, at least one of the first 17 and the second 18 anti-disengagement device, preferably both of them, can be removed so as to enable the pin to be disengaged.

[0046] In another embodiment, not shown, the hole transversally getting through the pin is threaded inside and the plug has an outer threaded for being screwed into the hole.

[0047] In another embodiment, not shown, the first anti-disengagement device 17 (and/or the second anti-disengagement device 18, if present) comprises a threaded hole arranged in a longitudinal end of the pin and longitudinally to the pin, and further comprises a threaded bolt for being screwed into the longitudinal hole. The bolt has a head whose cross size is larger than the cross size of the pin, for preventing the latter from getting disengaged.

[0048] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a supporting element 1 for a safety line according to any one of the aspects of the present invention (comprising e.g. a main body 2 and a coupling system 3 fastened to an end 4 of the main body and comprising a stationary element 7 stiffly fastened to the end of the main body and a first and a second moving element 8, 9 turnably hinged, on opposite sides, to the stationary element by means of a respective hinge 10, each hinge comprising a first portion 11 integral with the stationary element 7 and a second portion integral with the respective moving element 8, 9, and a cylindrical pin 16 introduced into the first and second hinge portion, wherein the pin 16 is provided with at least one anti-disengagement device 17) comprising the steps of fastening, typically by welding, the first portion 11 of the hinge 10 to the stationary element 7 and the second portion 14 of the hinge 10 to the respective moving element 8, 9, galvanizing, preferably by hot dip galvanizing, the whole supporting element 1 and, after galvanization, introducing the pin 16 into the first and second portion 11, 14 of the hinge 10. Preferably, after introducing the pin 16, at least one anti-disengagement device 17 is applied to the pin. More preferably, after introducing the pin, two anti-disengagement devices 17 and 18 are applied to the pin on opposite sides thereof. Preferably, hot dip galvanization takes place on the whole supporting element 1 in disassembled configuration, the pin 16 and the first 8 and second 9 moving element being separated from the rest of the element 1.

[0049] Advantageously, the hot dip galvanization of the whole supporting element 1 comprises one or more of the following steps: preliminary degreasing step, step of acid pickling step, step of rinsing in water, fluxing step with water and zinc chlorides, step of pre-heating to about 100°C (e.g. in an oven), step of dipping for some minutes (typically 3-4 min) the supporting element 1 thus pre-heated in a zinc bath heated to a temperature of about 435°C and, once taken out of the bath, step of drying the supporting element coated with a thin layer of zinc (typically penetrating the material for about 60 microns).

Claims

1. A supporting element (1) for a safety line, the element comprising a main body (2; 2a) and a coupling system (3) fastened to an end (4) of the main body and comprising a stationary element (7) stiffly fastened to said end of the main body and a first (8) and a second moving element (9) turnably hinged on opposite sides to the stationary element (7) by means of a corresponding hinge (10), each hinge comprising a first portion (11) stiffly fastened to said stationary element (7) and a second portion (14) stiffly fastened to the respective moving element (8; 9) and a pin (16) fitted into said first and second portion, wherein the pin is provided with at least a first anti-disengagement device (17) which can be either introduced, or screwed, into or onto the pin when the latter is fitted into said first and second portion.

2. The element according to claim 1, wherein the pin (16) is provided with a second anti-disengagement device (18) which can be either introduced, or screwed, into or onto the pin when the latter is fitted into said first and second portion.

3. The element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first anti-disengagement device and/or said second anti-disengagement device comprises a hole transversally getting through the pin and a plug (19) introduced into the hole.

4. The element according to the preceding claim, wherein said plug consists of a thread-like body folded on itself, having on one end corresponding to the folding point a ring abutting against an opening of the aforesaid hole and on the opposite end two free ends reciprocally diverging from one another and abutting against the opposite opening of the hole.

5. The element according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said hole lies on a longitudinal end of the pin outside the first (11) and second portion (14) of the hinge (10).

6. The element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one portion of the pin lying in correspondence of said first anti-disengagement device (17) has a smooth outer surface.

7. The element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion (11) of the hinge comprises a tubular cylinder (30) fastened to said stationary element (7), and the second portion (14) of the hinge comprises a tubular cylinder (31) and another tubular cylinder (31) both fastened to said corresponding moving element, wherein the tubular cylinder (30) fastened to the stationary element lies between the two tubular cylinders (31) fastened to the moving element.

8. The element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting element (1) is hot galvanized.

9. A safety line comprising at least one supporting element according to any one of the preceding claims and intended to be fastened to a structure.

10. A method for producing a supporting element according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of fastening, typically by welding, the first portion (11) of the hinge (10) to the stationary element (7) and the second portion (14) of the hinge to the corresponding moving element (8, 9); galvanizing, preferably by hot galvanizing, the supporting element (1) thus obtained and, after the galvanization process, introducing the pin (16) into the first and second portion of the hinge.

Drawing