Abstract: A personal safety device comprising a harness, a positioning strap attached to spaced apart region on the harness by way of a transfer strap. The ends of the positioning straps disconnect from the harness on the application of a force exceeding a predetermined limiting value.

Abstract: A personal safety device for users, either workers or sportsmen, exposed, for example, to the risk of falling from a height, comprises a body harness (2) including a pair of shoulder straps (4), a pair of leg loops (6), and a positioning strap (22) attached to spaced apart regions of the harness (2) adjacent the waist thereof by way of transfer means (20, 28) reacting between the positioning strap (22) and the harness (2). The means of attachment of the ends of the positioning strap (22) to the harness (2) are disconnectable or displaceable from the harness (2) on the application thereto of a force exceeding a predetermined limiting value, and whereby the transfer means (20, 28) thereupon transmit said force between the positioning strap (22) and an upper region of the harness (2). Such a device provides a positioning system which converts to fulfil an arrest role in the event of an inadvertent fall, and may be used safely either independently of or in combination with other fall arrest systems.

Abstract: A speed-sensitive clutch device incorporates at least one drive-transmitting coupling element (17) which is connected to a safety line drum (1) so that it bodily rotates with the drum (1) about its axis of rotation and is displaceable from an inactive position (FIG. 1) into a drive-transmitting position (FIG. 2) in which it transmits drive. And the speed-sensitive clutch device also incorporates an inertia member (20) which is freely rotatable about the axis of drum rotation and yet is free to move in rotation relative to the drum itself. The inertia member (20) is formed and disposed so that on rapid acceleration of the drum (1) it exerts pressure, due to its inertia, against a said coupling element (17) thereby to cause or assist movement of the coupling element from its inactive position into its drive-transmitting position.

Abstract: A fall-arrest safety anchorage has a safety line drum (10) and braking components assembled to a spine plate (1). The braking components comprise a rotatable brake component (2) and fixed brake components (1,7) one of which is constituted by the spine plate. The rotatable brake component (2) constitutes the driven member of a centrifugal clutch comprising coupling elements (17) which are mounted on the drum and become centrifuged into engagement with abutments (16) on the rotatable brake element if the unwinding speed of the drum exceeds a predetermined value. The rotation of the brake component (2) takes place against a frictional resistance imparted by friction rings (5,6) which are sandwiched under pressure between the rotatable brake component and the fixed brake components (1,7).

Abstract: A fall-arrest safety anchorage has a safety line drum 10 and braking mechanism assembled to a spine plate (1). The braking mechanism comprises a rotatable brake component (2) and fixed brake components (1,7) which are relatively rotated against a frictional resistance on engagement of a centrifugal clutch if the unwinding speed of the drum exceeds a certain value. The clutch comprises coupling elements (17) and abutments (16) which lie within or extend into an aperture in the spine plate (1).

Abstract: A personnel fall-arrest system is disclosed in which there is a flexible safety track (1) which is supported in spaced relation to a fixture (2) by brackets (5), and a coupling component (7) for connecting a worker's safety harness to said track via a safety line (8), the coupling component (7) being freely displaceable along said track. The system is characterized in that each of the brackets (5) is formed so that it becomes permanently deformed if subjected to heavy loading due to a fall, thereby signalling that the system requires to be checked and re-certified before further use.

Abstract: A fall-arrest apparatus comprises a drum (1) which holds a cable (3) for attachment to a load and has a brake (7-11, 13-15) which automatically stops the drum if it exceeds a certain unwinding speed. The apparatus incorporates a winch mechanism (16-20) by which the drum (1) can be manually turned either to raise or to lower a suspended load. The winch mechanism is associated with a braking device (21) comprising permanently contacting friction braking elements (22,24,25) and a one-way torque coupling (22,28,31-33). That coupling functions between those friction braking elements and the winch handle shaft (17). When the winch mechanism is set for use the one-way torque coupling prevents unwinding motion of the drum (1) otherwise than against the resistance of the permanently contacting friction braking elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety apparatus comprising a safety track. A component with a lanyard attached thereto is slidable along the safety track. The sliding component comprising a tube with a longitudinal slot which allows the tube to travel past the track support.

Abstract: A personnel fall-arrest system including a flexible safety track (1) which is anchored in spaced relation to a fixture (2) by track anchors (4), and a coupling component (7) for connecting a worker's safety harness to the track via a safety line (8), the component (7) being freely displaceable along the track. Each of the track anchors (4) is formed so that it becomes permanently deformed if subjected to heavy loading due to a fall, thereby signalling that the system requires to be checked and re-certified before further use.