Beam anchor and method of use

A fall protection system, comprising:

• one or more beam anchors, each configured for clamping onto a beam having a web and a flange perpendicular to the web, each beam anchor comprising:
• a pair of braces, positionable in parallel relation to each other;
• a pair of arm assemblies, each comprising a torque arm having a jaw portion, and a slotted arm having a slotted portion containing an arm slot, and positionable between the braces such that:
• the jaw portions oppose each other;
• the slotted portions are side-by-side;
• the torque arm and the slotted arm of the pair of arm assemblies are coupled to the braces respectively at a pair of pivot joints on opposite sides of the beam anchor;
• at least one locking mechanism, movable between a locked position in which the torque arm of one of the arm assemblies is non-pivotably locked to the slotted arm of the same one of the arm assemblies, and an unlocked position in which the torque arm is freely pivotable;
• a connector pin, configured to extend into both of the arm slots;
• a safety net attached to the one or more beam anchors;
• and
• wherein each beam anchor is configured such that when mounted on a beam and with the locking mechanism in the locked position, a load on the safety net is transferred to the connector pin, causing the slotted arms to pivot away from each other as the connector pin slides along the arm slots, and causing the torque arms to pivot toward each other until the jaw portions engage the web of the beam.

A method of installing a beam anchor on a beam having a web and a flange perpendicular to the web, comprising:

• providing a beam anchor, comprising:
• a pair of braces parallel to each other;
• a first arm assembly and a second arm assembly, each comprising a torque arm having a jaw portion, and a slotted arm having a slotted portion containing an arm slot, the first and second arm assemblies are positioned between the braces such that:
• the jaw portions oppose each other;
• the slotted portions are side-by-side;
• the torque arm and the slotted arm of the first and second arm assemblies are coupled to the braces respectively at a pair of pivot joints on opposite sides of the beam anchor;
• a connector pin extending into both of the arm slots;
• pivoting the torque arm of the first arm assembly into an open position that provides a jaw gap between the jaw portions that is at least as wide as the flange of the beam;
• mounting the beam anchor on the beam by moving the beam anchor such that the flange passes through the jaw gap, and resting the jaw portion of the second arm assembly on the flange;
• pivoting the torque arm of the first arm assembly into a closed position that provides a jaw gap that is narrower that the flange of the beam;
• and
• locking the torque arm of the first arm assembly in the closed position.