Stanchion for a horizontal lifeline system

Abstract

One aspect of the present invention provides an anchorage assembly for a horizontal lifeline system including a stanchion having a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, and a third connecting portion. The first connecting portion is configured and arranged to be operatively connected to an end of a cable. The second connecting portion is configured and arranged to be operatively connected to an intermediate bracket for supporting an intermediate portion of the cable. The third connecting portion is configured and arranged to be operatively connected to any one of several bases supporting the stanchion on a support structure.

1 . An anchorage assembly for a horizontal lifeline system, comprising: 
 a) a stanchion having a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, and a third connecting portion;    b) the first connecting portion being configured and arranged to be operatively connected to an end of a cable;    c) the second connecting portion being configured and arranged to be operatively connected to an intermediate bracket for supporting an intermediate portion of the cable; and    d) the third connecting portion being configured and arranged to be operatively connected to a base supporting the stanchion on a support structure, the stanchion and the base being separate components, the stanchion being configured and arranged to be operatively connected to any one of a number of bases.    
   
   
       2 . The anchorage assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first connecting portion is a flange extending outward from at least one side of the stanchion proximate a top portion of the stanchion, the flange being configured and arranged to provide an anchorage point for the end of the cable.  
   
   
       3 . The anchorage assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising an aperture in the flange configured and arranged to provide an anchorage point for the end of the cable.  
   
   
       4 . The anchorage assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first connecting portion is a flange extending outward from at least two opposing sides of the stanchion proximate a top portion of the stanchion, the flange being configured and arranged to provide an anchorage point for either end of the cable.  
   
   
       5 . The anchorage assembly of  claim 4 , further comprising an aperture in the flange on each side of the stanchion configured and arranged to provide an anchorage point for either end of the cable.  
   
   
       6 . The anchorage assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate bracket includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being operatively connected to the stanchion proximate the second connecting portion and one side of the stanchion, the second portion being operatively connected to the stanchion proximate the second connecting portion and an opposing side of the stanchion, the first portion and the second portion extending toward one another and beyond a center portion of the stanchion, the first portion and the second portion being offset from one another thereby forming a gap therebetween and forming a pass-through area in the intermediate bracket.  
   
   
       7 . The anchorage assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the third connecting portion includes at least two apertures aligned with at least two apertures in the base, the base having a cavity within which the third connecting portion is configured and arranged to be inserted and operatively connected thereto, the third connecting portion being operatively connected to the base with fasteners inserted through the apertures of the third connecting portion and the base and secured thereto.  
   
   
       8 . An anchorage assembly for a horizontal lifeline system including a cable having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, comprising: 
 a) at least three stanchions, each stanchion having a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion proximate a top portion of the stanchion, each stanchion having a third connecting portion proximate a bottom portion of the stanchion, the first connecting portion being configured and arranged to be operatively connected to an end of the cable, the second connecting portion being configured and arranged to be operatively connected to an intermediate bracket for supporting the intermediate portion of the cable, the third connecting portion being configured and arranged to be operatively connected to a base supporting the stanchion on a support structure, the base having a cavity within which the third connecting portion is configured and arranged to be inserted and operatively connected thereto, the third connecting portion being configured and arranged to be operatively connected to any one of a number of bases;    b) the first stanchion and the second stanchion being end terminations for the first end and the second end of the cable, the first end being operatively connected to the first connecting portion of the first stanchion and the second end being operatively connected to the first connecting portion of the second stanchion, the third connecting portions of the first stanchion and the second stanchion each being operatively connected to any one of a number of bases; and    c) the third stanchion including the intermediate bracket operatively connected to the second connecting portion of the third stanchion for supporting the intermediate portion of the cable between the first stanchion and the second stanchion, the third connecting portion of the third stanchion being operatively connected to any one of a number of bases.    
   
   
       9 . The anchorage assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first connecting portion is a flange extending outward from at least two opposing sides of each stanchion proximate a top portion of each stanchion, the flange including an aperture on each of the at least two opposing sides of each stanchion configured and arranged to provide an anchorage point for either end of the cable.  
   
   
       10 . The anchorage assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the intermediate bracket includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being operatively connected to the third stanchion proximate the second connecting portion and one side of the third stanchion, the second portion being operatively connected to the third stanchion proximate the second connecting portion and an opposing side of the third stanchion, the first portion and the second portion extending toward one another and beyond a center portion of the third stanchion, the first portion and the second portion being offset from one another thereby forming a gap therebetween and forming a pass-through area in the intermediate bracket.  
   
   
       11 . The anchorage assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the third connecting portion includes at least two apertures aligned with at least two apertures in the base, the third connecting portion being operatively connected to the base with fasteners inserted through the apertures of the third connecting portion and the base and secured thereto.  
   
   
       12 . An anchorage assembly for a horizontal lifeline system, comprising: 
 a) at least two bases configured and arranged to be operatively connected to a support surface; and    b) at least two stanchions, each stanchion having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion being configured and arranged to support a cable, the bottom portion being configured and arranged to be operatively connected to any one of the at least two bases.    
   
   
       13 . The anchorage assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the top portion of each of the at least two stanchions is configured and arranged to be operatively connected to an end of the cable and to an intermediate bracket for supporting an intermediate portion of the cable.  
   
   
       14 . The anchorage assembly of  claim 13 , wherein two stanchions are used to secure each end of the cable and a third stanchion operatively connected to the intermediate bracket is used to support the intermediate portion of the cable between the two stanchions.  
   
   
       15 . The anchorage assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the intermediate bracket is an intermediate pass-through bracket.  
   
   
       16 . The anchorage assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the support surface is a flange of an I-beam.  
   
   
       17 . The anchorage assembly of  claim 12 , wherein each of the at least two bases has a cavity within which the third connecting portion of each respective stanchion is configured and arranged to be inserted and operatively connected thereto.  
   
   
       18 . The anchorage assembly of  claim 12 , the support surface being an I-beam with a top flange, wherein each base has a first side and a second side interconnected by a back forming a cavity therebetween and a front portion interconnecting the first side and the second side proximate a bottom portion of the first side and the second side, the front portion including an aperture and a fastener extending through the aperture and having mating threads with the aperture, the first side and the second side each having a notch proximate the front portion and a middle portion, the notch being configured and arranged to receive the top flange of the I-beam, the fastener of the front portion being adjustable to secure the base to the I-beam within the notches between the first and second sides and the fastener.  
   
   
       19 . The anchorage assembly of  claim 18 , further comprising a clamp assembly having a threaded shaft with an engaging portion and a securing member, the threaded shaft extending through an aperture in the back of the base proximate the front portion, the engaging portion engaging an opposite side of the flange of the I-beam, the securing member securing the clamp assembly to further secure the base to the I-beam between the first and second sides and the engaging member.