WEARABLE INFLATING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY ARRESTING FALLS THROUGH GAPS IN STRUCTURES, AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

An inflatable fall arrest and fall protection safety system generally having one or more inflatable apparatus attached to a belt or other suitable wearable support structure that can be worn by a user. When the user falls, one or more directional inertia activated inflation devices trigger one or more inflators to inflate the one or more inflatable apparatus such that they protect the falling user in the given situation. The inflatable fall arrest and fall protection safety system can be used for work that is performed at dangerous heights, for example pipe rack or scaffolding construction, as well as to protect people who are prone to falling, or any situation in which protection from falling could be desired.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] The present nonprovisional application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/683485 filed Aug. 15, 2012, and U.S. Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/968,141, filed Aug. 15, 2013, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to fall arrest and fall protection systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] According to the United States Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), an estimated 2.3 million construction workers, or 65 percent of the construction industry, work on scaffolds. Additionally, many jobs include elevated worksites other than scaffolds. Protecting these workers from elevated work site-related accidents may prevent some of the 4,500 injuries and over 60 deaths every year in the United States.

[0004] For this reason, Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations requires fall arrest systems for workers that work on scaffolding or at certain heights. Fall arrest systems are meant to aid in safely stopping a person that is already falling and can come in the form of general fall arrest or personal fall arrest. Fall arrest does not necessarily translate into fall protection.

[0005] Several different fall arrest systems exist, such as railings, safety nets, and various forms of lifelines, for example, a full body harness and lanyards.

[0006] When someone attached to one of these lifelines falls, the lifeline stops the person at a certain distance. This distance can be controlled by the length of the lanyards to prevent the person from hitting the ground. Lifelines require an anchor, and/or an extensive array of overhead safety wires to provide for the attachment of full body harness lanyards above a work site, and workers have to work around the lanyards as they move. By its intrinsic nature, the full body harness with lanyards actually applies a horizontal component to the restraining force in most circumstances, which pulls the worker toward pipes or structure as it arrests his fall. Additionally, once taut, a lanyard must extend about six feet in arresting the workers fall, allowing his torso and head to pass between the pipes or structural elements that he is working on as his fall is arrested, so often times a worker that is saved by the fall arrest system will still suffer injuries, particularly head injuries, as a result of hitting obstacles during the fall. Some of these injuries may be fatal. While effectively arresting the fall, this type of fall arrest system does not provide effective fall protection.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The disclosed subject matter relates to an inflatable fall arrest and fall protection safety apparatus that use an inflatable apparatus, to prevent a user's upper body and head from passing between pipes or structural elements, thereby preventing injuries. How the system is worn, the trigger mechanism is activated, how the system deploys, and the size and shape of the inflatable apparatus vary in different embodiments. The inflatable apparatus may be inflated by any inflation device, for example, a pressurized inflator, which may be triggered in response to information from a sensor, such as a directional accelerometer.

[0008] It should be understood when reading this disclosure that different embodiments may be tailored to different applications, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0009] These and other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, as well as additional novel features, will be apparent from the description provided herein. The intent of this summary is not to be a comprehensive description of the subject matter, but rather to provide a short overview of some of the subject matter's functionality. Other systems, methods, features, and advantages here provided will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following FIGs and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] In the FIGs, like elements should be understood to represent like elements, even though reference labels are omitted on some instances of a repeated element, for simplicity.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a personal protection apparatus being worn by a person while working on structures having a gap, through which the person has a risk of falling.

[0012] FIG. 2 shows the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus arresting a fall of a person as by physical interaction between the personal protection apparatus, in its inflated condition, and the structures.

[0013] FIG. 3 shows a front view an exemplary personal protection apparatus being worn by a person in its uninflated condition with a wearable support structure comprising shoulder straps and crotch straps.

[0014] FIG. 4 shows a front view an exemplary inflatable personal fall protection apparatus being worn by a person in its inflated condition.

[0015] FIG. 5 shows a partial cut-through top view of an exemplary inflatable personal fall protection apparatus in the uninflated condition as worn around the waist, and details the structures inside of the outer containment.

[0016] FIG. 6 shows a detailed x-ray top view of an exemplary inflatable personal fall protection apparatus it its inflated condition as worn around the waist.

[0017] FIG. 7 depicts a partially see-through rear view of the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus laid out flat, with exposed interior detailing mechanical and electrical systems of the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus and the back staves.

[0018] FIG. 8 shows a partial cut-through top view of an exemplary inflatable personal fall protection apparatus laid out flat, detailing the structures inside of the outer containment.

[0019] FIG. 9 presents a magnified view of the circled portion of FIG. 8, including one inflator, and one interior bladder, as well as the outer containment, wherein the bladder and the outer containment are in an uninflated and folded condition.

[0020] FIG. 10A-D depict an exemplary inflatable personal fall protection apparatus as it transitions between its uninflated condition as shown in FIG. 10A, through its inflation process FIGS. 10B, 10C, to its inflated condition shown in FIG. 10D.

[0021] FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary circuit diagram for the electrical activation circuit system of the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus.

[0022] FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary apparatus function sequence for a inflatable personal fall protection apparatus arresting the fall of a wearer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Reference now should be made to the FIGURES, in which the same reference numbers are used throughout the different figures to designate the same components. The novel features believed characteristic of the disclosed subject matter will be set forth in the claims. The disclosed subject matter itself, however, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description section when read in conjunction with the accompanying FIGs.

[0024] The disclosure, as described herein, may be utilized in protecting a user, including preventing a user from falling through gaps 106 between pipes on pipe racks, scaffolding, or other physical structures 104 during construction, cleaning, blasting, scraping, painting, or other activities. When worn with a conventional full body harness and/or lanyards, the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 may further protect the wearer 108 when it inflates.

[0025] In reference to the FIGs, depicting embodiments of the system, the outer containment 112 may be inflatable to a substantially fixed interior volume 134. A plurality of elastic bladders 114 may be retained inside of the substantially fixed interior volume 134 of the outer containment 112. An inflator 116, or plurality of inflators 116 may be connected to one or more of the elastic bladders 114, and may be configured to inflate one or more of the elastic bladders 114 with a volume of pressurized gas. An inflation activation circuit system 118 may sense conditions related to the system, including accelerations, angular velocities, or a combination of aspects of motion, and in response to aspects of motion exceeding predetermined thresholds for a predetermined period of time, the activation circuit system 118 may then, via electrical connection 156, activate the inflator(s) 116 to generate a volume of pressurized gas into one or more of the elastic bladders 114, which may expand to the substantially fixed interior volume 134 of the outer containment 112.

[0026] The volume of pressurized gas may be delivered to one or more of the elastic bladders 114 via tubing or another suitable structure that provides a flowpath for the gas into the elastic bladders 114. The gas may be sealed into the elastic bladders 114, such as through the use of a one way valve positioned between the elastic bladder 114 and the inflator 116. The combined volume of the gas sealed inside of the one or more elastic bladders 114 being substantially fixed by the substantially fixed interior volume 138 of the outer containment 112 may cause an increase in the internal pressure of the one or more of the bladders 114.

[0027] When the outer containment 112 expands to its substantially fixed interior volume 134, any increase in pressure would not result in a substantial increase in the substantially fixed interior volume 134 of the outer containment 112 until a yield point of the low-elasticity flexible outer containment 112 material is reached.

[0028] In some embodiments, the wearable support structure 128 may be arranged to provide a wearer 108 with unobstructed freedom of movement. The wearable support structure 128 may be configured with one or more elastic portion(s) 124, a plurality of back support staves 138 for providing lumbar back support to minimize back fatigue for the wearer 108, shoulder straps 130, and/or crotch straps 132.

[0029] The inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 may be configured for a variety of different sizes for accommodating various waist sizes of the wearer 108. Some embodiments may be prepared for fixed waist sizes at various intervals, whereas other embodiments may be adjustable. An exemplary adjustment arrangement includes a inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 having an adjustable support structure 128 made of a comfortable flexible material which may taper in width from its back to its front and may be releasibly securable, and may comprises elastic portions 124 for comfort, allowing the wearer 108 to comfortably bend over while wearing the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102.

[0030] One embodiment of the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 may include one or more wearable support structures 128, for example a belt, which may be any width, for example five inches wide, seven inches wide, nine inches wide, etc. Some embodiment may employ a belt constructed of a sturdy material, for example Dacron, canvas, polyethylene, terephthalate, polyester, synthetic material, leather, cotton, nylon, aramids, carbon, a combination of materials, etc. Embodiments may secure the belt by different methods, for example a hook 146 and loop 144 fastener, clamp, clasp, hook and eye, latch, buckle, etc. In one embodiment, the belt is secured by an approximately six-inch wide hook 146 and loop 144 fastener in the front of the belt, with an overlap of at least approximately three inches. Alternative embodiments may utilize different widths of fastener, for example nine inches, and different lengths of overlap. In some embodiments, the wearable support structure 128 may be worn in a manner similar to the industry-standard back brace belt for store room workers or the buoyancy compensation device (BCD) belt that is used by scuba divers. Some embodiments may use additional methods to secure the belt, for example, one or more shoulder straps 130, one or more crotch straps 132, etc.

[0031] In different embodiments the belt may come in different sizes, for example, small, medium, large, extra-large etc. In some embodiments the belt may come in any number of different lengths to accommodate the waist size of the user and the need of the application, for example, approximately 40 inches, approximately 44 inches, approximately 50 inches, approximately 56 inches, etc. In some embodiments the fastener may vary in type and size depending on the size of the user and the need of the application, for example, if using a hook 146 and loop 144 fastener, the fastener may vary in length, for example 8 inches, 10 inches, etc. In some embodiments the belt is fully adjustable. While some embodiments may utilize a belt, other wearable support structures 128 may be used, for example a pack, a harness, etc.

[0032] In some embodiments, one or more inflatable apparatuses are attached to the wearable support structure 128, and the inflatable apparatuses may be constructed of a tough, heavy duty, puncture resistant material. In some embodiments, the outer containment 112 may be made of polyethylene, terephthalate, polyester, synthetic material, leather, cotton, nylon, aramids, carbon, a combination of materials, etc. In some embodiments, the inflatable apparatuses are deployed by one or more inflators 116 which may be housed anywhere on the wearable support structure 128. For example, FIG. 8 details inflator(s) 116 positioned symmetrically around the middle of the wearable support structure 128. In constract, there may be an alternative embodiment wherein an inflator 116 is positioned at the center of the back of the user when worn. The inflatable apparatus in some embodiments may include a directional inertia activated detection device, such as but not limited to a directional accelerometer. Further embodiments may include multiple directional inertia activated detection devices. Other embodiments may comprise additional sensors for detecting aspects of motion. The signal from the sensor(s) 152 may initiate an inflation activation circuit system 118, initiate inflators 116, and may be housed anywhere on the wearable support structure 128, for example, symmetrically about the middle. In some embodiments, the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 can be worn over a conventional full body harness and lanyards, or other fall arrest systems and tools, as needed. These embodiments of the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 will not interfere with the function of conventional full body harness and lanyards or other fall arrest systems and can be worn simultaneously providing an additional, independent, protection system.

[0033] In some embodiments, the sensors 152 are designed such that a threshold acceleration in an area and/or in a particular direction will initiate deployment of the inflatable apparatus. In an alternative embodiment, the sensors 152 may monitor multiple aspects of motion so that the processor 154 may make a determination whether or not to trigger the activation circuit system 118 and inflate the apparatus.

[0034] In reference to FIG. 11, which displays one embodiment of the activation circuit system 118, the processors 154 may be operably connected to the battery 150, the sensor(s) 152, a transponder 160, and the inflator(s) 116. The system may provide for a switch 158 for selectively providing electricity from the battery 150 to the other electrical components of the system, such as the sensor 152, the processor 154, and the inflator(s) 116. Electrical signals may be sent from the processor 154 to the inflator(s) 116 via electrical connections 156.

[0035] In some embodiments the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 inflates to encircle the user in a torroid, similar to an inner tube with a discontinuous section 136 (see FIG. 4), while in other embodiments the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 inflates to form different shapes and cover different aspects of the user as is necessary to perform a given function based on the application. In the embodiments in which the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 inflates to encircle the user, when the user falls and the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 is compressed between pipes, structures 104 or other obstacles (see FIG. 2), to support and protect the wearer 108 preventing the fall from completing. In these embodiments, the size of the potential gap 106 that the user is prevented from falling through will determine the necessary diameter of the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102.

[0036] An inflated inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 having a diameter of 18 inches attached to belt type wearable support structure 128 may bring an average user's minimum compressed dimension in the inflated condition to about 44 inches (varies with the size and weight of the individual) and would prevent a user from falling through pipes or structure 104 with a spacing or gap 106 of less than 36 inches, which is larger than the largest gap 106 discovered on pipe racks in the field (32 inches). Some embodiments use different inflated inflatable apparatus diameters for different sized gaps 106 and/or different size users and/or different applications.

[0037] The inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 alone, provides fall arrest and protection where there are regularly spaced gaps 106, like on pipe racks and when building regular structures 104, like wooden floor or ceiling joists, or concrete construction 104 with consistent gaps 106 and when a standard safety railing system surrounds that work area. With a safety railing system surrounding the work area, the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 provides superior untethered access to these worksites, and protection that intrinsically prevents the fall from completing and centers the wearer 108 between dangerous structures 104 in the event of a fall.

[0038] In some embodiments, the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 stops the user before the user's head and upper body falls through the gap 106 between pipes or structures 104 and tends to center the user's head and body, thus preventing potential head injuries. It further protects the user from other bodily injury by minimizing potential body contact with other obstacles or structural hazards by preventing the fall from completing. The inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 also allows the user unlimited mobility and access when it is worn in the folded and uninflated condition. A standard, secure scaffold tube safety railing system may be built around the pipe rack or other structural work area to allow the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 to provide superior fall protection with untethered access to the entire work area.

[0039] This provides construction supervisors or other management another effective fall arrest and fall protection alternative that provides superior protection in certain circumstances and improves protection in circumstances where it is worn in combination with other fall arrest systems, for example, a full body harness and lanyard.

[0040] Some embodiments include a discontinuous section 136 in the inflatable apparatus that is positioned at the front and center of the user after the deployment of the inflatable apparatus. In such embodiments the containment 112 may actually be shaped like an elongate body, which is wrapped around the wearer 108 such that the ends 142 of the containment 112 define the discontinuous section 136.

[0041] In some embodiments, the inflation begins at the center of the back and inflates from the back to the front of the person in a forward moving inflation sequence that will ergonomically push the arms forward and upwards toward the chest. Some embodiments may accomplish this staged inflation through a variety of mechanisms. Different embodiments of the system may inflate their bladders 114 in various configurations. One embodiment may inflate all of the bladders 114 simultaneously. An alternative embodiment may inflate the bladders 114 in a specific sequence. Such a specific sequence may be achieved either through the processor 154, digital or manual control of one or more of the inflators 116, or the flow-path of inflation. An alternative embodiment may have additional bladders 114 that are only inflated if one of the primary bladders fails.

[0042] Embodiments of the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 may include an element configured to prevent the egress of gas from the inflated bladders 114 after their inflation. Such an element may comprise a one-way valve positioned between the inner volume of the bladders 114 and the tubing or structures that provides flowpaths for gas from the inflator(s) 116 to the bladders 114. The one-way valve being configured to allow for gas to travel into the bladders 114 while preventing gas from traveling out from the inflated bladder 114. Alternative embodiments may provide for alternative elements to achieve this same functionality.

[0043] Embodiments of the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 may comprise tubing to enable direct fluid communication between the inflator(s) 116 and the inner volume of the bladders 114. The tubing may be one or more of collapsible and flexible to facilitate movement, increasing flexibility and compressibility of the system, and allowing for the distribution and redistribution of the inflated bladders 114 responsive to their inflating, failure to inflate, and/or mechanical loading exerted on the system by a user and other external structures.

[0044] In embodiments the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 may be configured such that, the bladders 114 may distribute and redistribute within the outer containment 112 responsive to a number of factors. In the event of one or more bladder's failure to inflate, or deflate, the remaining inflated bladders may redistribute within the outer containment 112. This may be facilitated in part by the elasticity of the bladders 114, or by the flexibility of the tubing that may be used to connect the inflator(s) 116 to the bladders 114. Such distribution and redistribution may also occur due to mechanical forces acting on the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 by external structures, including but not limited to, the user and the structures 104 forming the gap 106. Plastic deformation of the bladders 114 and/or outer containment 112 may assist in the initial positioning and any reconfiguration of the inflatable apparatus, including the arrangement of bladders within the outer containment 112.

[0045] Embodiments of the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 may comprise a flowpath for the gasses contained therein to travel from the inflator(s) 116 to the bladders 114 in parallel or in series, whether directly from the inflator(s) 116 to the bladders 114, or from the inflator(s) 116 to the bladders 114 via tubing or structures that provide flowpath. Alternatively, or in addition, embodiments may provide for the flowpath of gasses to be from the inflator(s) 116 to the bladders 114 in sequence, whereby the gas may travel from the inflator(s) 116 to at least one first bladder before traveling from the at least one first bladder to one or more additional bladders 114. Embodiments that utilize such sequential inflation of bladders 114 may additionally incorporate an element configured to allow for the sequential progression of inflation, whereby gasses travel from a first bladder to a second bladder, etc, but prevent the travel of gasses in the reverse direction, eg. from the second bladder to the first bladder, thereby reducing the likelihood that the failure, including puncture of a single bladder causing a release of pressure, may be imputed into additional bladders.

[0046] In embodiments, the bladders 114 may be configured such that they distribute in a manner such that they are approximately equally geometrically distributed within the outer containment 112. Additionally, embodiments may provide for a configuration of bladders 114 that will, upon the failure of one or more of said bladders, redistribute within the outer containment 112 so as to remain approximately equally geometrically distributed. Such redistribution may be responsive to free, or relatively free, movement of the bladders 114 within the outer containment 112 responsive to the forces acting thereon.

[0047] Multiple staves 138 may be built into the back of the support structure 128 to support the lumbar spine for relieving stress on the lower back. Embodiments may be configured with a support structure 128 similar to the back braces worn by workers when heavy lifting is part of their job. An advantage of this configuration would be that wearing the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 during the working day would result in less back fatigue, leaving workers more refreshed after a days work while helping to avoid back injuries that could prevent the workers from doing their jobs.

[0048] The inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 may be fitted with crotch straps 132 and shoulder straps 130 that are adjustable. The straps secure the wearer 108 to the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 to ensure that the system remains positioned to provide maximum protection for the wearer 108 when it stops a fall.

[0049] A support structure 128 may provide a comfortable foundation for an inflatable toroid shaped (doughnut shaped), fall preventor that may be worn folded and un-inflated. The inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 inflates, using inflatable apparatus technology, if a wearer 108 begins to fall. An embodiment comprises eight individual bladders 114 inflated inside of a tough outer containment cover. The inflated apparatus may be sized to prevent any wearer 108 from falling between regularly spaced structures like pipes on pipe racks, industrial support structures, floor or roofing joists in residential construction, scaffolds, rebar in high rise concrete construction or any other elevated structures that have regular gaps up to approximately 36 inches and which are purposefully provided with a railing system or walls surrounding the work area.

[0050] Attached to the wearable support structure 128 may be a folded, dimensionally stable, tough outer containment sheath made of Dacron and ballistic Nylon to prevent puncture and configured to provide an inflatable fall arresting structure in the event of a fall. The containment fabric may be puncture resistant to prevent puncturing of any of the contained bladders 114 by possibly sharp or protruding items such as welding rods or rebar that might be encountered as the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 may arrest a fall on an industrial site in the event of a fall. One embodiment forms a toroid around the wearer 108 with a discontinuous section 136 located at the front of the toroid, forming the two ends where the belt attaches when you put it on.

[0051] The inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 may inflate to an approximate diameter of 18 inches and encircle the wearer 108, similar to an inner tube contained in an inelastic cover similar to the recreational tubes, designed to be towed behind a ski boat, but with a discontinuous section 136 at the front. When the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 is compressed between pipes or structure, it may envelop the wearer 108, leaving a section 136 at the front as the inflatable apparatus protecting the wearer 108. When inflated, the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 may bring its minimum compressed dimension in the inflated condition to about 44 inches (varies with the size and weight of the individual). The containment fabric may be dimensionally stable providing firm inelastic support when inflated, ensuring that the wearer 108 is supported safely, for as long as it takes for assistance to arrive to get him up and on his feet again. The inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 thereby confidently prevents a wearer 108 from falling through pipes or structure 104 with a spacing or gap 106 of less than 36 inches. The largest gap 106 observed on pipe racks in the field is typically 32 inches. Special orders could possibly be made for larger spaces or gaps 106 if required.

[0052] In some embodiments, inflation is provided by 8 individual, electronically activated, inflators 116; filling 8 individual, equally sized, approximately 50 liter, custom molded elastic bladders 114, all attached to the wearable support structure 128 inside of the dimensionally stable toroidal outer containment. The eight bladders 114 are evenly distributed along the belt, centered on the mid point at the back of the belt. The eight evenly distributed bladders 114 provide redundancy in the event that any one of the bladders 114 is punctured or fails to fill for any reason, providing fall prevention for gaps 106 up to 36'' with only 7 of the 8 bladders 114 inflated within the outer containment 112, ensuring the safety of the wearer 108. The elastic gas bladders 114 are each inflated by an individual, electronically activated, inflator 116.

[0053] In some embodiments, the activation circuit system 118 may include directional accelerometers or other sensor(s) 152, electrical connections 156 to each of the inflators 116, a transponder 160 to communicate the location of the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 when it is activated and a battery 150 to power the system. The activation circuit system 118 may be programmed to generate specifically sequenced electronic signals, triggered by exceeding threshold aspects of motion including acceleration and time, to activate the inflators 116, designed and programmed to provide true fall prevention. The sensor(s) 152 may be located in the center of the back of the belt, at the small of the wearer's 108 back, at the approximate center of gravity of a person. The trigger mechanism may be oriented by gravity and programmed with threshold aspects of motion chosen to prevent unintended deployment. The activation circuit system 118 may be programmed for threshold aspects of motion to the approximate center of gravity of the wearer 108 (small of the back). These thresholds initiate the inflation sequence to inflate the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102. Inflation may begin at the threshold point with the four bladders located at the back of the belt and be followed with sequential inflations of left and right pairs of two bladders progressing forward toward the ends 142 of the toriodal outer containment 112. The initiation sequence and inflation time may be designed to result in total inflation being completed before the wearer 108 has fallen more that 32 inches.

[0054] In some embodiments, talcum powder, cornstarch, or another such material may be applied inside and outside of the bladders 114 to minimize sticking during inflation, contributing to redistribution of bladders 114 within the outer containment 112 in the event that there are only 7 inflated. The bladders 114 may be molded with necks that fit snuggly over the inflators 116 and are approximately, evenly, spaced around the belt, inside of the toroidal outer containment cover. Each of the 8 bladders 114 may be evacuated of all gas, folded in a zig zag pattern, and secured to its inflator 116 to minimize the space that they take up. The folded bladders 114 may be held in position with light adhesive or film for a reliable, consistent deployment arrangement when expanding the outer containment 112 toroid.

[0055] In some embodiments, the outer containment 112 toroid fabric is folded in a very specific (origami style) pattern, over the directional accelerometers or other sensor(s) 152, inflators 116, and elastic bladders 114 to assure reliably smooth, consistent deployment by the internal elastic inflating bladders 114. When folded onto the belt in the normal, un-inflated condition, the belt may have a thickness of approximately 1 inch.

[0056] In some embodiments, the folded outer containment 112 is covered by a cosmetic, breakaway, fabric cover 122, providing a sleek appearance, keeping the belt from interfering with any work activities, preventing abrasion to the containment fabric and keeping dirt out of the internal components of the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102.

[0057] The critical advantage of the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 is that it provides a inflatable apparatus that centers the body while it stops a wearer's 108 fall before his head and upper body go through the gap 106 between pipes or structure 104, thus preventing potential head injuries and minimizing injuries to the body.

[0058] Conventional full body harness and lanyards systems do not do this. The lanyards typically extends about 6 feet in arresting the wearers 108 fall, allowing the torso and head to pass between the pipes or structure as the fall is arrested. The full body harness with lanyards actually applies a horizontal component to the restraining force, which pulls the wearer 108 toward the pipe or structure as it arrests the fall. The lanyard system requires retracing steps, back to the overhead attachment point, and reattachment to the next overhead lanyards attachment point. The inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 may also eliminate the need for installing an extensive array of overhead safety wires to provide for the attachment of full body harness lanyards above a work site.

[0059] Because the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 provides a gas filled protective torroid that centers the wearer 108 as he falls, while preventing his head and upper body from passing between the pipes or structure 104, it further protects the wearer 108 from other bodily injury by minimizing potential body contact with structural hazards. The inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 may also allow the wearer 108 unlimited mobility and unteathered access to his entire work site when it is worn within a secure scaffold tube safety railing system around the pipe rack or work area. This creates a "safety pen", allowing the personal protection apparatus 102 to provide superior fall prevention with un-tethered access to the "safety pen" entire work area.

[0060] The inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 may be easily worn where there are regularly spaced gaps 106, like on pipe racks, joist systems or other regular structures 104 when surrounded by a simple safety railing system around the work area. It may provide un-tethered access to these worksites and protection that intrinsically centers the wearer 108 between dangerous structures in the event of a fall and allows the wearer to go back to work after the incident.

[0061] In other embodiments, the inflatable fall arrest and fall protection safety device may be attached via the wearable support structure 128, straps, hooks, or otherwise to an object, rather than a user, to protect the object.

[0062] In some embodiments, the inflatable fall arrest and fall protection safety device may be designed to deploy in an ergonomic manner that causes the orientation of a user's limbs or posture to provide for the best protection possible for the application.

[0063] Some embodiments include a discontinuous section 136 in the inflatable apparatus that is positioned at the front and center of the person to provide an unobstructed source of air for breathing after the deployment of the inflatable apparatus.

[0064] Some embodiments may use dependable, easily adjusted fastening systems that allow for comfortable fit for different body types, for example, hook 146 and loop 144 fastener. The material of the inflatable fall arrest and fall protection safety device may vary in different embodiments depending on the requirements of a given application.

[0065] FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary activation circuit system 118 for the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102, the activation circuit system 118 for the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 comprising a power source 150 configured to provide electrical power to the other components of the activation circuit system 118, one or more sensor(s) 152 for detecting aspects of motion, a processor 154 configured to receive information from the sensor(s) 152 and to send signals to the transponder 160 and the inflator(s) 116 responsive to predetermined threshold signals from the sensor(s). Transponder 160 may transmit information to remote receiving devices or cell phones, and may initiate inflation by one or more inflator(s) 116 configured to inflate the inner bladders 114 responsive to a signal provided by the processor 154. All connections between the electrical components of the activation circuit system 118 may be provided for by electrical connections 156.

[0066] In embodiments the activation circuit system 118 may be wired such that the processor 154 may provide discrete electrical signals to inflators 116 independently of one another.

[0067] In embodiments a switch 158 may be provided in order to allow for selective operation of the activation circuit system 118.

[0068] In reference to FIG. 12, method 600 depicts a flow chart detailing an exemplary method of using the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 disclosed herein. The activation circuit system 118, continuously monitors 610 aspects of motion of the wearer 108, via the sensor(s) 152 sending signals to the processor 154. When processor 154 detects 620 pre-determined threshold signals of aspects of motion from sensors 152, using an algorithm processing a number of predetermined parameters, the processor 154 sends activation 630 signals to activate 630 the transponder 160 and the inflators 116, initiating inflation 640 of the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102. When the inflators 116 release gas into the interior bladders 114 thereby inflating 640 the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 this causes the wedging 650 of the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102 in-between structures 104 in the environment, thereby suspending 660 the wearer 108 of the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus 102, in place, thus arresting the wearer's 108 fall. While the fall is arrested by the inflation 640 and resulting wedging 650 and suspending 660 of the wearer 108, the transponder 160 transmits 670 the location of the suspended wearer 108, to a remote devices or cell phones, ensuring that responders can promptly assist the suspended 660 wearer 108 can be safely removed from the hazardous situation and put back to his feet so that he can be checked to see if he is ready to go back to work.

[0069] While the disclosed subject matter has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, the specific features of one embodiment should not be attributed to other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. No single embodiment is representative of all aspects of the disclosed subject matter. Moreover, variations and modifications therefrom exist. For example, the disclosed subject matter described herein may comprise other components. Various additives may also be used to further enhance one or more properties. In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter is substantially free of any additive not specifically enumerated herein. Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter described herein consist of or consist essentially of the enumerated components. In addition, some embodiments of the methods described herein consist of or consist essentially of the enumerated steps. The claims to be appended later intend to cover all such variations and modifications as falling within the scope of the disclosed subject matter.

Claims

1. An inflatable personal fall protection apparatus for arresting downward motion during a fall by wedging a wearer of the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus between elevated structures, said inflatable personal fall protection apparatus comprising: a harness comprising: at least one shoulder strap, at least one crotch strap, or a combination thereof; a support structure mechanically engaged with the harness, said support structure comprising: an elongate member comprising two ends and an elastic portion; an inflatable apparatus comprising: an outer containment comprising a low-elasticity flexible material defining an undivided inner space and a tubular shape, said outer containment being transitionable from a first unexpanded configuration to a second expanded configuration, in the second expanded configuration the outer containment being expanded from the first unexpanded configuration to a dimensionally stable configuration having substantially fixed interior volume defined by the undivided inner space, the outer containment forming a toroidal shape when expanded to said substantially fixed interior volume; a plurality of bladders comprising an elastic material configured to receive a volume of pressurized gas, said plurality of bladders being transitionable from a first un-inflated configuration to a second inflated configuration, and wherein said plurality of bladders are distributed throughout the undivided inner space, whereby transition of the plurality of bladders to the second inflated configuration causes the outer containment to transition to the second expanded configuration; an activation circuit system comprising: at least one inflator in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of bladders, wherein said at least one inflator is configured to transfer a volume of pressurized gas to at least one of the plurality of bladders; an accelerometer for detecting aspects of motion; a processor for evaluating said aspects of motion and for controlling the inflation activation mechanism system; a power source for providing electrical power to the activation circuit system; and an electrical connection between at least the accelerometer, the processor, the power source, the at least one inflator, and combinations thereof, wherein the electrical connection is configured to cause the at least one inflator to transfer said volume of pressurized gas into at least one of the plurality of bladders in response to a signal from the processor; wherein the outer containment is caused to expand to the dimensionally stable configuration upon inflation of the plurality of bladders by the inflation system.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein after the outer containment expands to said substantially fixed interior volume increased pressure does not substantially increase said substantially fixed interior volume of the outer containment until a yield point of the low-elasticity flexible material is reached.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said low-elasticity flexible material is puncture-resistant.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outer containment, the plurality of bladders, and combinations thereof is in a rolled condition, a folded condition, and combinations thereof when the plurality of bladders are in the first un-inflated configuration and the outer containment is in the first unexpanded configuration.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a valve positioned between at least one of the plurality of bladders and the at least one inflator, said valve configured to prevent the pressurized gas from returning to the at least one inflator after being transferred to at least one of the plurality of bladders.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a transponder connected to at least a portion of the activation circuit system, wherein the transponder is configured to communicate information from the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus to a remote location.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one inflator comprises at least one inflator selected from the group consisting of: a compressed gas inflator; an inflator comprising a plurality of compounds, wherein said plurality of compounds, when mixed, generate gas; or a solid-propellant inflator.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cover removably securable to the support structure at at least one point along the length of the support structure, whereby the cover may envelop a portion of the outer containment, wherein the cover detaches from the support structure upon transition of the outer containment from the first unexpanded configuration to the second expanded configuration.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the at least one inflator configured to cause inflation of the plurality of bladders first from a predetermined rear position in progression to at last a predetermined front position.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein hosing defining a flowpath between at least one of the at least one inflator and at least one of the plurality of bladders enables at least one of the plurality of bladders to move within the undivided inner space.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein inflation of a plurality of remaining inflated bladders is sufficient to maintain the outer containment in the dimensionally stable configuration in the event of the failure of one or more of the plurality of bladders.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outer containment comprises a toroid with an outer diameter of between 12 inches and 60 inches, inclusive, when the outer containment is in the second expanded configuration.

13. An inflatable personal fall protection apparatus for arresting downward motion during a fall by wedging a wearer of the apparatus between elevated structures, said inflatable personal fall protection apparatus comprising: a harness comprising: at least one shoulder strap, at least one crotch strap, or a combination thereof; an elongate member mechanically engaging the harness, said elongate member having a length, said elongate member comprising: an elastic portion extending along the length of the elongate member; two ends; and an attachment located at the two ends, said attachment configured to allow the two ends to be releasably coupled together; an inflatable apparatus comprising: an outer containment mechanically engaged with the elongate member along the length of the elongate member, said outer containment comprising a low-elasticity, flexible material defining an undivided inner space, said outer containment expandable to a dimensionally stable configuration having substantially fixed interior volume, wherein when expanded to said substantially fixed interior volume the outer containment comprises a toroidal shape; and at least one bladder comprising an elastic material configured to receive a volume of pressurized gas, said at least one bladder retained inside of said undivided inner space, and whereby receipt of the volume of pressurized gas causes the at least one bladder to inflate, thereby causing the outer containment to expand to the substantially fixed interior volume ; and an activation circuit system comprising: at least one inflator in fluid communication with at least one of the at least one bladder; an accelerometer for detecting aspects of motion; a processor for evaluating said aspects of motion and for controlling the activation circuit system; a power source for providing electrical power to the activation circuit system; and an electrical connection between at least the accelerometer, the processor, the power source, the at least one inflator and combinations thereof, wherein said electrical connection is configured to cause at the at least one inflator to transfer a volume of pressurized gas to the at least one bladder in response to a signal from the processor; wherein the outer containment is caused to expand to the dimensionally stable configuration upon inflation of the plurality of bladders by the inflation system.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the outer containment, the at least one bladder, and combinations thereof is in a rolled condition, a folded condition and combinations thereof when the at least one bladder is in an un-inflated configuration and the outer containment is in an unexpanded configuration.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein after the outer containment expands to said substantially fixed interior volume increased pressure does not substantially increase said substantially fixed interior volume of said outer containment until a yield point of said low-elasticity flexible material is reached.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a cover removably securable to the elongate member at at least one point along the length of the elongate member, wherein said cover detaches from the elongate member when the outer containment is expanded to said substantially fixed interior volume.

17. A method for arresting a fall of a person using an inflatable personal fall protection apparatus, the method comprising: monitoring, via at least one sensor, aspects of motion of the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus; transmitting information signals corresponding to the aspects of motion from the at least one sensor to a processor; determining, via the processor, if the information signals corresponding to the aspects of motion represent aspects of motion exceeding predetermined thresholds; transmitting an activation signal, from the processor to at least one inflator and a transponder responsive to a positive determining, activating the at least one inflator responsive to receipt of the activation signal; activating the transponder responsive to receipt of the activation signal; inflating a plurality of bladders with a volume of pressurized gas responsive to the activation of the at least one inflator; expanding an outer containment responsive to the inflating of a plurality of bladders; wedging the expanded outer containment into a gap between structures; suspending the apparatus above an unarrested falling point due to the wedging of the expanded outer containment; and transmitting, via the transponder, a broadcast signal to a remote device.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the broadcast signal comprises information related to the location of the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of activating the at least one inflator responsive to the receipt of the activation signal comprises the activating a plurality of inflators, and wherein the activating a plurality of inflators occurs in stages according to a predetermined inflation sequence.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of: receiving the broadcast signal at a remote device; and assisting the person using the inflatable personal fall protection apparatus from their suspended position.

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