Ratcheting anchorage device

1 . A ratcheting anchorage device for use with a lifeline when performing tasks on a surface, comprising:

a) an anchorage member proximate the surface;

b) a support member configured and arranged to be supported by the surface proximate said anchorage member;

c) a ratcheting device operatively connected to said support member;

d) an elongate member having a first end and a second end, said first end being operatively connected to said ratcheting device; and

e) a connecting member operatively connected to said second end of said elongate member, said connecting member being configured and arranged to engage said anchorage member, and said ratcheting device being configured and arranged to ratchet said elongate member so that said elongate member becomes taut when said connecting member engages said anchorage member thereby securing said support member to said anchorage member.

2 . The ratcheting anchorage device of claim 1 , wherein said support member is a tripod.

3 . The ratcheting anchorage device of claim 1 , wherein said ratcheting device is a load binder.

4 . The ratcheting anchorage device of claim 1 , wherein said elongate member is a strap made of webbing.

5 . The ratcheting anchorage device of claim 1 , wherein said connecting member is a loop in said elongate member.

6 . The ratcheting anchorage device of claim 1 , wherein said connecting member is a hook.

7 . The ratcheting anchorage device of claim 1 , wherein said anchorage member is a loop in the surface.

8 . The ratcheting anchorage device of claim 1 , wherein said anchorage member is a beam below the surface.

9 . A ratcheting anchorage device for use with a lifeline when performing tasks on a planar surface, an anchorage member being proximate the planar surface, comprising:

a) a tripod having three legs configured and arranged to be supported by the planar surface;

b) a ratcheting load binder operatively connected to said tripod;

c) an elongate member having a first end and a second end, said first end being operatively connected to said ratcheting load binder; and

d) a connecting member operatively connected to said second end of said elongate member, said connecting member being configured and arranged to engage the anchorage member, said elongate member being a single point of connection between said tripod and the anchorage member, said ratcheting load binder ratcheting said elongate member so that said elongate member becomes taut when said connecting member engages the anchorage member, wherein ratcheting said elongate member exerts an upward force on the anchorage member with said connecting member and a downward force on said tripod thereby securing said tripod to the anchorage member.

10 . The ratcheting anchorage device of claim 9 , wherein said elongate member is a strap made of webbing.

11 . The ratcheting anchorage device of claim 10 , wherein said connecting member is a loop in said strap.

12 . The ratcheting anchorage device of claim 10 , wherein said connecting member is a hook.

13 . A method of securing an anchorage device to an anchorage member proximate a surface, comprising:

a) placing a support member on the surface;

b) engaging the anchorage member with a connecting member operatively connected to a first end of an elongate member; and

c) ratcheting said elongate member proximate a second end of said elongate member thereby tightening said elongate member, said elongate member being a single point of connection between said support member and the anchorage member, said second end of said elongate member being operatively connected to said support member, wherein ratcheting said elongate member exerts an upward force on the anchorage member with said connecting member and a downward force on said support member thereby securing said support member to the anchorage member, said tightened elongate member securing said support member to the anchorage member.

14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising operatively connecting a lifeline to said support member.

15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising inserting said connecting member and said elongate member through an aperture in the surface, the anchorage member being below the surface and accessible through the aperture, and engaging the anchorage member with said connecting member.

16 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

a) releasing said elongate member;

b) disengaging said connecting member from the anchorage member; and

c) relocating said support member.

17 . A ratcheting anchorage device for use with a lifeline when performing tasks on a planar surface, an anchorage member being proximate the planar surface, comprising:

a) a tripod having three legs configured and arranged to be supported by the planar surface and to accommodate the anchorage member between said three legs;

b) a ratcheting device operatively connected to said tripod;

c) an elongate member having a first end and a second end, said first end being operatively connected to said ratcheting device; and

d) a connecting member operatively connected to said second end of said elongate member, said connecting member being configured and arranged to engage the anchorage member, said elongate member being operatively connected to said tripod directly above the anchorage member thereby extending perpendicular to the planar surface, said elongate member being a single point of connection between said tripod and the anchorage member, said ratcheting device ratcheting said elongate member so that said elongate member becomes taut when said connecting member engages the anchorage member, wherein ratcheting said elongate member exerts an upward force on the anchorage member with said connecting member and a downward force on said tripod thereby securing said tripod to the anchorage member.

18 . The ratcheting anchorage device of claim 17 , further comprising a pivotable foot operatively connected to each of said three legs of said tripod, said pivotable foot providing stability on the planar surface.

19 . The ratcheting anchorage device of claim 17 , wherein said ratcheting device is a load binder.

20 . The ratcheting anchorage device of claim 17 , wherein said elongate member is a strap made of webbing.

21 . The ratcheting anchorage device of claim 20 , wherein said connecting member is a loop in said strap.

22 . The ratcheting anchorage device of claim 20 , wherein said connecting member is a hook.