ANTI-FALL INDIVIDUAL PROTECTION DEVICE AND PROCESS FOR SAFELY ACCESSING A RAISED SURFACE BY MEANS OF SAID DEVICE

Abstract

 Anti-fall individual protection device comprising a rocker body, provided with at least two first stopping portions spaced from each other and adapted to interfere with a safety cord, and a support body, mechanically connected to the rocker body by means of at least one hinge element and at least partially delimiting a slide channel, in which the safety cord is susceptible of sliding. The rocker body is provided with at least two second stopping portions, which are placed on opposite sides of the slide channel with respect to the hinge element and each of which substantially faces a first stopping portion of the support body. The rocker body is free to rotate around the hinge element and with respect to the support body between at least two opposite angular stop positions, and in each of which a first stopping portion and a corresponding second stopping portion are approached to each other in order to block the sliding of the safety cord in the slide channel, and at least one intermediate position, in which the first stopping portions and the second stopping portions are spaced from each other and at least partially free the sliding of the cord in the slide channel.

Description

Field of application

[0001] The present invention regards an anti-fall individual protection device and a process for safely accessing a raised surface by means of the aforesaid device according to the preamble of the respective independent claims.

[0002] The present device is intended to be advantageously associated with a safety cord and employed for protecting an individual against accidental falls.

[0003] More in detail, the device and the process, object of the present patent, are advantageously employable in all those settings where an individual must safely access surfaces placed at high height from the ground, in particular preferably more than two meters height, such as for example building roofs, roofing in general (also lacking floors and/or parapets) or also in the field of rock climbing.

[0004] The device, object of the present invention, is therefore inserted in the industrial field of production of individual protection devices, in particular anti-fall individual protection device for accessing surfaces placed at a high height from the ground, preferably placed at more than two meters from the ground, which can be generally found in the building field, such as for example roofing and/or roofs, in the maintenance field or also in the sport of rock climbing.

State of the art

[0005] Known on the market are anti-fall individual protection devices, also known as descent devices, which allow an individual to carry out a descent on cord in a controlled manner, preventing falls.

[0006] The aforesaid descent devices usually comprise a support body, which is intended to be fixed to an individual, for example by means of a carabiner connected to a harness worn by the individual, and which internally defines a sliding seat within which a safety cord is slidable. The descent devices of known type also comprise an oscillating body rotatably mounted on the support body and comprising a shaped body, placed inside the sliding seat of the support body and defining, with the latter, a slide channel for the safety cord.

[0007] More in detail, the aforesaid shaped body comprises a sliding portion and an interference portion, adapted to interfere with the safety cord in order to block the sliding thereof.

[0008] The shaped body is rotatable with respect to the support body between an intermediate position, in which it is oriented with its sliding portion to delimit the slide channel and therefore allows the free movement of the safety cord, and a stop position, in which the shaped body is oriented with its interference portion to delimit the slide channel in order to interfere with the safety cord, stopping the aforesaid free movement.

[0009] The oscillating body in particular comprises an actuation lever, placed outside the support body and fixed to the shaped body. The actuation lever can be gripped by a user in order to selectively rotate the shaped body between the intermediate position and the stop position, respectively in order to allow the free sliding of the safety cord and to stop the latter.

[0010] Several examples of personal protection devices of the abovementioned type are described in the documents US 2021101031, US 2021220680, EP 3496820, EP 3337573, EP 3013436.

[0011] The individual protection device of known type described above have in practice shown that they do not lack drawbacks.

[0012] The main drawback lies in the fact that such device has proven unsuitable for being employed for accessing roofing provided with multiple descent sides, such as for example double-pitch roofing and in particular the pitched roofs of commercial and/or residential buildings.

[0013] Such device is in fact designed for being employed usually in rock climbing, or for controlling the vertical descent of an individual from high positions. Hence, such device is configured for stopping its free movement along the safety cord in only one sliding direction. On the contrary, such device is not able to stop movement of the safety cord also in the opposite direction and hence cannot be employed in the case of activity where it is necessary to be protected from falls in multiple directions, and in particular in two directions that are opposite each other.

[0014] A further drawback lies in the fact that such device does not allow an easy and safe movement of the user along the sliding direction that the same device is configured for blocking. More in detail, the aforesaid device requires the user to use both hands in order to be able to slide along the aforesaid sliding direction, and in particular with one hand the user holds the safety cord and with other hand he/she actuates the actuation in order to free the movement of the cord itself, so to be able to move himself/herself therealong.

[0015] First of all this involves poor safety for the fixed individual, since he/she is obliged to walk on the raised surface in precarious conditions and with the hands engaged. This condition is particularly dangerous in the case of tilted or irregular roofing, such as for example the pitched roofs of buildings.

[0016] In addition, this involves a high level of inconvenience for the user, who must continuously execute an actuation of the lever and a simultaneous pulling of the cord in order to allow a quick movement along the safety cord.

[0017] A further drawback lies in the fact that such protection device has proven complicated to produce and not very easy to mount, in particular in the case of non-expert users, who must give particular attention to the correct mounting of the device and to its correct orientation.

[0018] Further safety devices of known type are described in the documents US 2017113072 and US 2007119653. Even if such devices allow blocking the fall in both sliding directions along the safety cord, they have very complex structure and can be subject to jamming or to delays in the user stop actuation.

Presentation of the invention

[0019] In this situation, the problem underlying the present invention is to provide an anti-fall individual protection device and a process for accessing a raised surface which allow protecting an individual against falls, in particular in the case of raised surfaces provided with two fall slopes.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is to provide an anti-fall individual protection device which is capable of stopping the movement thereof along a safety cord in both sliding directions.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-fall individual protection device which allows a safe and easy movement of the individual along the safety cord without requiring the use of the hands.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-fall individual protection device which is structurally simple and inexpensive to attain, and which also is simple to apply and mount.

Brief description of the drawings

[0023] The technical characteristics of the invention, according to the aforesaid objects, can be clearly seen in the contents of the below-reported claims and the advantages thereof will be more evident in the following detailed description, made with reference to the enclosed drawings, which represent a merely exemplifying and non-limiting embodiment of the invention, in which:

• figure 1 shows a perspective view of the anti-fall individual protection device according to the invention, with the latter mounted on a safety cord;
• figure 2 shows a front view of the device of figure 1;
• figure 3 shows a detail of the device of figure 1, relative to a rocker body;
• figure 4 shows a detail of the device of figure 1, relative to a support body;
• figure 5 shows a bottom perspective view of the rocker body of figure 3;
• figure 6 shows a side view of the support body of figure 4;
• figure 7 shows a front view of the device of figure 1, with a safety element placed to block a hinging pin;
• figure 8 shows the device of figure 7, not assembled;
• figures 9A and 9B show a front view of the device of figure 2, with the rocker body rotated with respect to the support body and respectively in a first and in a second angular coupling position A;
• figure 10 shows a detail of the rocker body of figure 3, relative to teeth of a stopping portion;
• figure 11 shows a raised surface view with the safety cord placed astride in order to attain the process of safely accessing the raised surface, in accordance with the invention.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

[0024] With reference to the enclosed drawings, reference number 1 overall indicates the anti-fall individual safety device, object of the present invention.

[0025] The safety device 1 is operatively employable for fixing an individual and preventing the fall thereof from positions placed at high heights from the ground. In particular the aforesaid device is associable with a safety cord and is couplable to an individual, e.g. by means of a carabiner to a harness worn by the same individual, in order to allow the movement of the latter along the aforesaid safety cord, simultaneously allowing the stoppage of the movement along the safety cord in case of falls.

[0026] The safety device 1, object of the present invention, is advantageously employable for professional applications, in particular in order to allow safe access to surfaces placed at high height from the ground.

[0027] For example, in a non-limiting manner, the safety device 1 is advantageously employable for safely accessing the roof of a building, e.g. a pitched roof, hence provided with two fall sides.

[0028] Of course, without departing from the protective scope of the present patent the safety device 1 is also employable for safely accessing a flat raised surface, i.e. any one element to climb or to traverse, for example also a surface lacking floors, parapets and preliminary anchorage hooks.

[0029] In accordance with the invention, the safety device 1, object of the present invention, comprises a rocker body 2, which comprises a central stem 2', which is extended along a main extension direction X between a first end provided with a coupling hole for coupling a user, and a second end opposite the first end. The rocker body 2 also comprises two arms 2", which are extended in a single body with the central stem 2', starting from the second end of the central stem 2' and moving away from the same central stem 2'. In particular, the two arms 2" are extended from the second end of the central stem 2' in opposite direction with respect to the first end of the latter. In particular, the central stem 2' is placed outside the angle (smaller than 180°) defined between the two arms 2".

[0030] The arms 2" are extended moving away from the central stem, symmetrically with respect to the main extension direction X and between them define an angle smaller than 180°, preferably smaller than or equal to about 150° (e.g. between 60° and 150°). Each of the arms 2" is extended up to free ends thereof provided with respective first stopping portions 21, 22, spaced from each other and adapted to interfere with a safety cord 10, as better described hereinbelow.

[0031] The safety device 1 also comprises a support body 3, provided with two lateral walls 33, 34 opposite each other and joined together in a single body by a connection bottom 35. The lateral walls 33, 34 and the connection bottom 35 at least partially delimit a slide channel 30, in which the safety cord is susceptible of sliding 10 and which is extended preferably along a sliding direction S.

[0032] The slide channel 30 is advantageously delimited on the lower part by a sliding surface of the support body 3, coinciding with the connection bottom 35, and is extended between a first opening 30' and an opposite second opening 30".

[0033] Preferably the slide channel 30 is also at least partially delimited on the upper part by the first stopping portions 21, 22 of the rocker body 2, which are preferably placed at the opposite openings 30', 30" of the slide channel 30.

[0034] Advantageously the rocker body 2 and the support body 3 are made of metallic material, preferably of steel, e.g. stainless steel, or of aluminum or aluminum alloys.

[0035] The rocker body 2 is mechanically connected to the support body 3, in particular at the aforesaid lateral walls 33, 34, by means of at least one hinge element 4.

[0036] More in detail, the arms 2" of the rocker body 2 are placed across from the connection bottom 35 of the support body 3, closing the slide channel 30 on an opposite side with respect to the connection bottom 35 itself, in a manner such that the safety cord 10 is adapted to pass between the arms 2" and the connection bottom 35 of the support body 3.

[0037] The hinge element 4 has a rotation axis R orthogonal to the main extension direction X of the central stem 2" of the rocker body 2 and passing through the main extension direction X, and the rocker body 2 is free to rotate around the aforesaid rotation axis R with respect to the support body 3 between at least two opposite angular stop positions A, and in each of which a corresponding first stopping portion 21, 22 compresses the safety cord 10 against the connection bottom of the support body 3, preventing the sliding of the safety cord 10 in the slide channel.

[0038] More in detail, in such angular stop positions A, one of the two stopping portions 21, 22 is placed closer to the connection bottom 35 of the support body 3 with respect to the distance of the other stopping portion 21, 22 from the same connection bottom 35.

[0039] In addition, the rocker body 2 rotates around the aforesaid rotation axis R in at least one intermediate position B, in which the first stopping portions 21, 22 free the sliding of the safety cord 10 in the slide channel 30.

[0040] In particular, in the aforesaid intermediate position B, each stopping portion 21, 22 is further from the connection bottom 35 with respect to when such stopping portion 21, 22 is situated in the corresponding angular stop position A. Preferably, in the intermediate position B, the two stopping portions 21, 22 are substantially equidistant from the connection bottom 35 of the support body 3.

[0041] In particular, as mentioned above, the central stem 2' and the two arms 2" of the rocker body 2 are made of a single body. Hence the arms 2" are rigidly integral with the central stem 2', in a manner such that, in particular, a rotation of the central stem 2' involves an instantaneous and simultaneous rotation of the arms 2" in order to bring them immediately into the corresponding angular stop positions A, with a consequent quick blocking of the fall.

[0042] Advantageously, the support body 3 is provided with at least two second stopping portions 31, 32, preferably concave, which are placed on opposite sides of the slide channel 30 with respect to the hinge element 4 and each of which substantially faces a first stopping portion 21, 22 of the support body 2.

[0043] Advantageously, one of the first stopping portions 21, 22 is approached to the respective second stopping portion 31, 32 when the rocker 2 is in the corresponding angular stop position A, in order to block the sliding of the safety cord 10 in the slide channel 30, and the first stopping portions 21, 22 are both spaced from the respective second stopping portions 31, 32 when the rocker 2 is situated in the intermediate positions B, in order to at least partially free the sliding of the safety cord 10 in the slide channel 30. More in detail, in the intermediate position B the first stopping portions 21, 22 and the second stopping portions 31, 32 are spaced from each other and delimit a passage section of the slide channel 30, orthogonal to the sliding direction S, which is preferably greater than the external diameter of the safety cord 10.

[0044] Otherwise, in the aforesaid angular stop positions A, one of the first stopping portions 21, 22 is advantageously approached to the corresponding second stopping portion 31, 32, narrowing the through section of the slide channel 30 and preventing the sliding of the safety cord 10.

[0045] Advantageously the rocker body 2 is intended to be fixed to an individual, for example by means of a harness worn by the same individual.

[0046] In accordance with the preferred embodiment illustrated in figure 3, the rocker body 2 is advantageously provided with a grip portion 20, which is extended along the aforesaid main extension direction X, is preferably provided with a coupling hole, susceptible of being gripped by a coupling element, such as for example a carabiner, in order to fix the safety device 1 to an individual. In particular, the grip portion 20 is placed on the central stem 2' of the rocker body 2.

[0047] Advantageously, the central stem 2' of the rocker body 2 projects outside the support body 3 and preferably the grip portion 20 projects above the support body 3, so as to be easily grippable by a user. In particular, the central stem 2' is for the most part outside the support body 3, at most its second end being placed between the lateral walls 33,34 of the support body 3.

[0048] The rocker body 2 also advantageously comprises a hinging portion 23, interposed between the grip portion 20 and the first stopping portions 21, 22, which is preferably attained in a single body with the latter.

[0049] In particular, in a non-limiting manner, the rocker body 2 is obtained by means of an operation of molding metallic material or, alternatively, by means of a material removal operation. The rocker body 2 is advantageously extended between a first wall 25 and a second wall 26, preferably substantially flat and parallel to each other.

[0050] The hinging portion 23 is advantageously provided with a first hinging hole 230, extended along a hinging direction Y preferably substantially orthogonal to the main extension direction X. The first hinging hole 230 preferably passes through between the first wall 25 and the second wall 26 of the rocker body 2 and is susceptible of at least partially housing the hinge element 4.

[0051] As described above, the support body 3 comprises at least two lateral walls 33, 34, substantially parallel to each other, which are projectingly extended from the slide channel 30 to laterally delimit the latter.

[0052] More in detail, the two lateral walls 33, 34 of the support body 3 are extended from opposite sides of the slide channel 30 and are therefore spaced by a distance substantially equal to the width of the aforesaid slide channel 30.

[0053] The rocker body 2 is housed, preferably substantially to size, at least partially between the lateral walls 33, 34 of said support body 3, preferably with the first wall 25 facing a lateral wall 33 and with the second wall 26 facing the other lateral wall 34. In this manner, therefore, the first and the second wall 25, 26 of the rocker body 2 are susceptible of collaborating with the lateral walls 33, 34 of the support body 3 in order to prevent the relative rotation between the rocker body 2 and the support body 3 along a direction parallel to the sliding direction S.

[0054] Preferably, the stopping portions 21, 22 of the rocker body 2 are housed between the lateral walls 33, 34 of the support body 3 both when the rocker body 2 is in stop position A and when the rocker body 2 is in the intermediate position B. Advantageously each of the lateral walls 33, 34 of the support body 3 is provided with a second hinging hole 300, preferably passing through the corresponding lateral wall 33, 34, and such second hinging holes 300 are aligned with each other and with the first hinging hole 230.

[0055] Advantageously the hinge element 4 comprises a hinging pin 40, which engages the first hinging hole 230 and the second hinging holes 300 in order to hinge together the support body 3 and the rocker body 2.

[0056] More in detail, the hinging pin 40 is extended between a first end 40' and an opposite second end 40", at which said hinging pin 40 is provided with a transverse engagement hole 400.

[0057] In particular the hinging pin 40 comprises a step portion 41, extended along a longitudinal direction parallel to the hinging direction Y, and an enlarged head portion 42, made at the first end 40', which is provided with a diameter greater than the diameter of the step portion 41 and is susceptible of cooperating with one of the lateral walls 33, 34 of the support body 3 in order to prevent the removal of the hinging pin 4.

[0058] The protection device 1 also advantageously comprises a safety element 5, which is placed to engage the transverse engagement hole 400 of the hinging pin 40 in order to prevent the exit of the hinging pin 40 from the first hinging hole 230 and from the second hinging holes 300.

[0059] More in detail, the safety element 5 advantageously comprises an insertion portion, provided with a pin 50, which engages the transverse engagement hole 400, and a blocking portion, connected to the pin 50 of the insertion portion and configured in order to prevent the removal of the pin 50 from the aforesaid transverse engagement hole 400.

[0060] The blocking portion of the safety element 5 advantageously comprises a ring 51, which is rotatably connected to the insertion portion and is movable between a release position, in which it allows the removal of the pin 50 from the transverse engagement hole 400, and a coupling position, in which it prevents the removal of the pin 50 from the transverse engagement hole 400 itself.

[0061] More in detail, when the ring 51 is placed in the coupling position, it is bent, preferably in contact, towards the pin 50 and is susceptible of cooperating with the hinging pin 40, in particular against the portion of hinging pin 40 extended between the transverse engagement hole 400 and the second end 40" of the same hinging pin 40.

[0062] Of course, without departing from the protective scope of the present invention, the safety element 5 can comprise a blocking portion provided with an element equivalent to the ring 51, such as for example a hook-like pin or other elements suitable for such purpose.

[0063] Advantageously the first stopping portions 21, 22 of the rocker body 2 are at least partially concave, preferably advantageously made in a depression on said rocker body 2 and at least partially delimit the slide channel 30 on the upper part. In this manner, the slide channel 30 is substantially a cylindrical slide channel, at least at the first stopping portions 21, 22.

[0064] More in detail, the first stopping portions 21, 22 are provided with a concavity substantially counter-shaped with respect to an external surface of the safety cord 10 intended to be employed with the individual protection device 1. In this manner it is possible to increase the surface of interference between the first stopping portions 21, 22 and the safety cord 10, increasing the safety of the same device 1.

[0065] Advantageously the first stopping portions 21, 22 of the rocker body 2 are provided with a plurality of teeth 27, projecting towards the connection bottom 35, and in particular towards the second stopping portions 31, 32 of the support body 3, and such teeth 27 are susceptible of interfering with the safety cord 10, preventing the sliding thereof when the rocker body 2 is situated in one of the two angular stop positions A. Preferably the teeth 27 are extended along the entire longitudinal extension of the first stopping portions 21, 22 and still more preferably the teeth 27 are extended for the entire width of the first stopping portions 21, 22, in order to increase the interference with the safety cord 10.

[0066] Advantageously the teeth 27 are placed tilted towards a vertical axis Z passing through the center of rotation of the hinge element 4. In this manner, the teeth 27 do not intercept the safety cord 10 orthogonally but with an angle, preferably close to 45°. Such configuration allows an improved retention of the safety cord 10 when the rocker body 2 is placed in one of the two angular stop positions A.

[0067] Advantageously at least one between the rocker body 2 and the support body 3 is provided with a projecting portion 6, which is placed to at least partially delimit the slide channel 30, and the other between the rocker body 2 and the support body 3 is provided with a depression portion 7, counter-shaped with respect to the projecting portion 6 in order to delimit, with the latter, a tensioning section 8 of the slide channel 30.

[0068] Advantageously the projecting portion 6 is provided with a convexity and the depression portion 7 is provided with a concavity, preferably substantially counter-shaped with respect to the convexity of the projecting portion 6.

[0069] In particular, in accordance with the preferred embodiment illustrated in figures 5 and 6, the support body 3 is provided with the projecting portion 6 while the rocker body 2 is provided with the depression portion 7.

[0070] The projecting portion 6 is preferably placed in an intermediate position between the two second stopping portions 31, 32 of the support body 3 and defines a peak 60 preferably placed on the vertical axis Z.

[0071] Advantageously the peak 60 is placed at a first height Q1 comprised between 2 mm and 10 mm from the second stopping portions 31, 32.

[0072] The depression portion 7 is preferably placed in an intermediate position between the two first stopping portions 21, 22 of the rocker body 2 and defines a valley 70 which is preferably placed on the vertical axis Z and is substantially aligned with the peak 60 of the projecting portion 6.

[0073] Advantageously the valley 70 is placed at a second height Q2 comprised between 2 mm and 10 mm from the first stopping portions 21, 22, preferably equal to the first height Q1.

[0074] In particular, the projecting portion 6 and the depression portion are preferably counter-shaped with respect to each other and still more preferably the peak 60 of the projecting portion 6 is placed at a first distance from the valley 70 of the depression portion 7 substantially equal to the distance D1 between the first stopping portions 21, 22 and the corresponding second stopping portions 31, 32 when the rocker body 2 is situated in the intermediate position B.

[0075] In a non-limiting manner, the aforesaid distance D1 is preferably comprised between 10 mm and 20 mm so as to allow an optimal operation with a safety cord 10 having an external diameter comprised between 8 mm and 10 mm.

[0076] The arrangement of the projecting portion 6 and of the depression portion 7 allows increasing the contact surface between the first stopping portions 21, 22 and the second stopping portions 31, 32.

[0077] In addition, as mentioned above the projecting portion 6 and the depression portion 7 delimit a tensioning section 8 of the slide channel 30, and such tensioning section 8 is a section of the slide channel 30 in which the safety cord 10 is advantageously tensioned. This allows ensuring a tensioned sliding of the safety cord within the slide channel 30, improving the slidability thereof.

[0078] In addition, the arrangement of the projecting portion 6 on the support body 3 allows the portions of safety cord 10 placed at the second stopping portions 31, 32, and hence placed at a lower height, to be forced to be lifted towards the first stopping portions 21, 22. This first of all allows the first stopping portions 21, 22 to increase the interference with the aforesaid portions of safety cord 10 and also allows preventing a sudden and uncontrolled sliding of the safety cord 10 as soon as the first stopping portions 21, 22 are spaced from the corresponding second stopping portions 31, 32 during the movement between an angular stop position A and the intermediate position B.

[0079] Also forming the object of the present invention is a process for safely accessing a raised surface 100 by means of the above-described individual protection device 1. More in detail, the process comprises a first step of fixing a first end 10' of the safety cord 10 to a first fixing element. Advantageously the first fixing element is outside the raised surface 100, and is preferably constituted by the facade of a building or, alternatively, the ground.

[0080] The process also comprises an arranging step, in which the safety cord 10 is placed astride the raised surface 100, preferably taut, and in which preferably a second end 10" of the safety cord 10 freely falls from the raised surface 100.

[0081] The process also comprises a second fixing step, in which the second end 10" of the safety cord 10 is fixed to a second fixing element, placed on a side opposite the raised surface 100 with respect to the first fixing element.

[0082] Advantageously the second fixing element is outside the raised surface 100, and is preferably constituted by the facade of a building or, alternatively, the ground. In this manner the safety cord is placed astride the raised surface 100 and fixed to two fixing points that are opposite with respect to the same raised surface 100.

[0083] For example, in the case of a pitched roof, the two end points 10', 10" will be fixed on the side of the pitches such that the safety cord 10 placed astride the roof will be provided with two opposite ascending sections, one for each pitch, which are connected at the top of the building roof.

[0084] The process also comprises a safety step, in which the individual protection device 1 is fixed to a harness, not represented, worn by an individual, and a step of connecting the protection device 1 to the safety cord, in which the safety cord 10 is placed in the slide channel and the rocker body 2 is connected to the support body 2 by means of the hinge element 4 and the relative safety element 5, with the safety cord 10 interposed between the rocker body 2 and the support body 3.

[0085] The aforesaid safety step and the aforesaid connection step can be made in the desired order and were not described in the execution time order.

[0086] In addition, it is also possible that the aforesaid steps be executed before the steps of fixing the safety cord to the fixing elements or alternatively between the first fixing step and the second fixing step.

[0087] The process finally comprises an access step, in which the individual safely accesses the raised surface 100 and is preferably free to be moved along the two pitches of the roof, being protected against falls on both faces of the roof itself.

[0088] The individual protection device 1 and the process thus conceived therefore reach the pre-established objects.

Claims

1. Anti-fall individual protection device, intended to be fixed to an individual, said safety device comprising:

- a rocker body (2), comprising:

- a central stem (2'), which is extended along a main extension direction (X) between a first end provided with a coupling hole for coupling a user, and a second end opposite said first end;

- two arms (2"), which are extended in a single body with said central stem (2'), starting from the second end of said central stem (2') moving away from said central stem (2'), symmetrically with respect to said main extension direction (X) and defining, between them, an angle smaller than 180°;
each of said arms (2") extended up to free ends thereof provided with respective first stopping portions (21, 22), adapted to interfere with a safety cord (10);

- a support body (3), provided with lateral walls (33, 34) opposite each other and joined together in a single body by a connection bottom (35); said lateral walls (33, 34) and said connection bottom (35) at least partially delimiting a slide channel (30), in which said safety cord (10) is susceptible of sliding;
the lateral walls (33, 34) of said support body (3) being mechanically connected to said rocker body (2) by means of at least one hinge element (4) with rotation axis (R) orthogonal to said main extension direction (X) of the central stem (2') of said rocker body (2) and passing through said main extension direction (X), and said rocker body (2) being free to rotate around said rotation axis (R) with respect to said support body (3) between:

- at least two opposite angular stop positions (A), and in each of which a corresponding said first stopping portion (21, 22) compresses the safety cord (10) against the connection bottom (35) of said support body (3), preventing the sliding of said safety cord (10); and

- at least one intermediate position (B), in which said first stopping portions (21, 22) free the sliding of said safety cord (10) in said slide channel (30).

2. Individual protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that said support body (3) is provided with at least two second stopping portions (31, 32), which are placed on opposite sides of said slide channel (30) with respect to said hinge element (4) and each of which substantially faces a first stopping portion (21, 22) of said rocker body (2); one of said first stopping portions (21, 22) being approached to the respective said second stopping portion (31, 32) with said rocker body (2) in said corresponding stop position (A), in order to block the sliding of said safety cord (10) in said slide channel (30), and said first stopping portions (21, 22) both being spaced from the respective said second stopping portions (31, 32) with said rocker (2) in said intermediate positions (B), in order to at least partially free the sliding of said safety cord (10) in said slide channel (30).

3. Individual protection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said rocker body (2) is at least partially housed between the lateral walls (33, 34) of said support body (3).

4. Individual protection device according to claim 3, characterized in that the stopping portions (21, 22) of said rocker body (2) are housed between the lateral walls (33, 34) of said support body (3) both when said rocker body (2) is in said stop position (A) and when said rocker body (2) is in said intermediate position (B).

5. Individual protection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central stem (2') of said rocker body (2) projects outside said support body (3).

6. Individual protection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rocker body (2) is provided with a first hinging hole (230) and each of the lateral walls (33, 34) of said support body (3) is provided with a second hinging hole (300), and said second hinging holes (300) being aligned with each other and aligned with the first hinging hole (230) of said rocker body (2);
said hinge element (4) comprising a hinging pin (40), which engages said first hinging hole (230) and said second hinging holes (300) in order to hinge together said support body (3) and said rocker body (2).

7. Individual protection device according to claim 6, characterized in that said hinging pin (40) is extended between a first end (40') and an opposite second end (40"), at which said hinging pin (40) is provided with a transverse engagement hole (400);
said individual safety device (1) comprising a safety element (5), which is placed to engage the transverse engagement hole (400) of said hinging pin (40) in order to prevent the exit of said hinging pin (40) from said first hinging hole (230) and from said second hinging hole (300).

8. Individual protection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first stopping portions (21, 22) of said rocker body (2) are at least partially concave and at least partially delimit said slide channel (30) at the upper part.

9. Individual protection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first stopping portions (21, 22) of said rocker body (2) are provided with a plurality of teeth (27), projecting towards said connection bottom (35) and susceptible of interfering with said safety cord (10), preventing it from the sliding with said rocker body (2) in one of said two angular stop positions (A).

10. Individual protection device according to claim 9, characterized in that the teeth (27) of said plurality of teeth are placed tilted towards a vertical axis (Z) passing through the center of rotation of said hinge element (4).

11. Individual protection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one between said rocker body (2) and said support body (3) is provided with a projecting portion (6), which is placed to at least partially delimit said slide channel (30), and the other between said rocker body (2) and said support body (3) is provided with a depression portion (7), counter-shaped with respect to said projecting portion (6) in order to delimit, with the latter, a tensioning section (8) of said slide channel (30).

12. Process for safely accessing a raised surface by means of the individual protection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises:

- a first step of fixing a first end (10') of a safety cord (10) to a first fixing element;

- an arranging step, in which said safety cord (10) is placed astride a raised surface (100);

- a second step of fixing a second end (10") of said safety cord (10) to a second fixing element, placed on an opposite side of said raised surface (100) with respect to said first fixing element;

- a step of connecting said individual safety device (1) to said safety cord (10) in which the safety cord (10) is placed in said slide channel (30), the rocker body (2) is connected to the support body (3) by means of the hinge element (4) and the relative safety element (5);
said safety cord (10) being interposed between the rocker body (2) and the support body (3);

- a safety step, in which said individual protection device (1) is fixed to a harness worn by an individual;

- an access step, in which said individual safely accesses said raised surface (100).

Drawing