Abstract: A shock absorber comprises a tubular sleeve (46) and a load applying member (45) having a nut (47) normally in engagement with an end of the sleeve (46). Under loading the nut is drawn into the sleeve to cause permanent radial deformation of the sleeve wall thereby absorbing the loading.

Abstract: A load attachment system comprises an elongate element secured with respect to a supporting structure and a load attachment, traversing device engaged therewith for sliding movement therealong to traverse intermediate attachment points for the elongate element without detachment therefrom. The traversing device includes a pair of rotary members which cooperate to define a channel for receiving and locating the elongate element. The rotary members are supported on mounting structure adapted to allow relative movement of the rotary member to narrow, or increase, the width of the channel. A load attachment connection is provided on the mounting structure to cause loading of the rotary members, under loads applied in directions away from the elongate element, so as to firmly maintain them in relative positions in which the channel is narrowed thereby securing the elongate element in the channel and reducing the possibility of detachment of the load from the elongate element.

Abstract: A releasable gripping or locking device having a body part for sliding cooperation with a rope to be releasably gripped or locked with respect to the body part. A gripping or locking member is movably mounted on the body part for movement between a free condition and a gripping or locking condition in which loading applied to the device is borne by the gripping or looking member. A control member is provided for controlling movement of the gripping or locking position. The control member includes telescoping components having interengageable latching elements which are actuated by relative movement between the device and the rope.

Abstract: A plug-in connector device comprises a ring-like head portion and a hollow shank. The shank has locking balls which can be held to project outwardly of the shank in a locked condition of the device, and can also move to a retracted position under the control of an axially slidable probe, the movement of which is controlled by an actuator lever on the head portion which can only be moved to release the locking balls from their locked condition on a separate manipulation of a second lever, or in other embodiments a safety catch button, also mounted on the head portion.

Abstract: A releasable locking device comprises a tubular housing (180) having a pair of rotary pawls (182) mounted therein. The angular position of the pawls are controlled by spring-loaded balls (183). A line (179) passing through the housing has a collar (184) thereon which latches with the pawls when the collar is brought into engagement therewith, the pawls being rotated so that the balls then bear on adjoining surfaces of the pawls. When the line is subsequently slackened the balls (183) act on the pawls to rotate them further into the housing so that on subsequent engagement by the collar (184), they are free to rotate so as to allow the collar to pass through the housing. This system provides an automatic latching of the line (179) followed by automatic disengagement of the latch simply by releasing tension in the line followed by reapplying such tension. Therefore latching and unlatching can be effected simply from a position remote from the latching mechanism.

Abstract: The invention provides safety equipment to enable a person to work and move freely around on deck in all weathers while being securely attached to the boat and to enable recovery of a person overboard by other crew members. The equipment comprises a life-line secured along both sides of the boat. At the intermediate attachment points the life-line is secured by latchways which allow a lanyard hook clipped onto the life-line to traverse each such attachment point. When a person goes overboard, the drag force on the lanyard causes the lanyard hook to move to the aft-most stanchion from where the person overboard is towed and removed by other crew members. In another embodiment, the person overboard is towed by pendants at the stern of the boat. A hoist is provided to haul the pendant inboard for recovery of the person overboard.

Abstract: A load transfer device is disclosed which includesa rotatable wheel which is formed with several recesses in its periphery to receive a load bearing element. The load bearing element extends transversely to the plane of the wheel and cooperates in use with the load transfer device, the recesses being evenly spaced around the wheel and adjacent recesses being separated by a projecting part of the wheel.at least one guide member is supported at a peripheral part of the wheel, the wheel and guide member having cooperating relatively rotatable surfaces to allow the wheel to rotate about its axis relative to the guide member with the load bearing element being received, guided and passed in at least one of the recesses while being located with respect to the wheel by the guide member.