Abstract: A fall restraint system comprises a webbing and a restraint mechanism. The restraint mechanism comprises a first end and a second end. A cam is located at the first end. A plurality of washers is positioned in series from the second end with at least one of the washers located adjacent to the cam. The webbing is inserted into the restraint mechanism from the second end and wrapped in a serpentine path around the plurality of washers, around the cam, and out of the restraint mechanism through the first end such that the webbing is interposed between the cam and the washer located adjacent the cam. When the webbing is pulled through the restraint mechanism, the cam is rotated and presses the webbing against the washer located adjacent to the cam creating drag friction on the webbing and slowing the rate of movement of the webbing through the restraint mechanism.

Abstract: A force-limiting device, especially for a seat belt system (10) in a vehicle, has a force transducer (20) interacting with webbing (14) for which a normal webbing path is provided. The force transducer (20) includes a webbing track (30) that in a non-force-limiting position extends in parallel to the normal webbing path and in a force-limiting position extends inclined relative to the normal webbing path so that the force transducer (20) in the force-limiting position sets a predetermined extension force (F) required to move the webbing (14) vis-à-vis the force transducer (20) in a direction of belt extension (R).

Abstract: Disclosed is a hinged, two-wheeled device for improving the safety of an individual or object descending along a rope from an elevated position. The device includes a two-piece hinged framed held open by a torsion spring. Each part of the frame contains a wheel with a cut out/channel with a knurled surface to increase the friction between the rope and the device and to prevent the device from disengaging during use. The rope is placed between the two wheels and the handle is pulled down, clamping the device around the rope. The two wheels are connected to viscous rotary dampers that slow the speed of the wheels during descent, preventing the user/object from accelerating in a free-fall and controlling the descent rate to a relatively constant, safer speed.

Abstract: An emergency arrest device for a zip line is disclosed. The emergency arrest device is designed to tension and control a slide-and-grip knot, such as a Prusik knot, that is tied on the zip line. The device includes a mirror-image set of sidewalls, a front endwall connected between the pair of sidewalls at a front end of the device, and a rear endwall connected at a rear end of the device. The front and rear endwalls have openings sized to permit passage of the zip line therethrough. A tail fixation assembly including a clamp is mounted in the rear of the device. A knot-body control assembly is mounted in the front of the device. The knot-body control assembly includes arms that are resiliently biased to push the body of the slide-and-grip knot rearwardly when the device is impacted.

Abstract: There is provided a safety device for climbing activities usable with a rope. The device comprises a first pulley mounted to a base plate, the first pulley being configured to engage a first portion of the rope; a second pulley mounted to the base plate, the second pulley being configured to engage a second portion of the rope, the second portion of the rope being downstream of the first portion; and a third pulley mounted to the base plate, the third pulley being configured to guide a third portion of the rope, the third portion being between the first portion and the second portion. It is advantageous that a position of at least one of the first, the second and the third pulley at the base plate can be varied. A corresponding method is also provided.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone anchor including a housing and a bone screw. A bottom surface of the housing includes an aperture that defines an angulation limit of the bone screw for each azimuthal angle around a longitudinal axis of the housing. The aperture is V-shaped, with the V-shape having converging side walls that define a low-angulation direction near their intersection and a high-angulation direction opposite the low-angulation direction. In some cases, the angulation limit of the bone screw is generally constant over a range of azimuthal angles centered around the high-angulation direction. The housing may be modular, including tabs on one component that are plastically deformed to engage a lip on another component. During assembly, a mandrel advances longitudinally along a bore in the housing, and forces the tabs radially outward toward the lip to a radially outward plastically deformed state.

Abstract: A personal fall arrest system including a safety harness with a tie-off point low at the back and elastomeric bands at the leg apertures to protect the femoral arteries of a wearer in the event of a fall. The system also includes an energy-absorbing lanyard contained within a cover and connected on opposing ends to a pair of non-conductive self-closing and self-locking hooks.

Abstract: The trolley is used in a fall arrest system and comprises a frame, a channel formed within the frame for engagement therein of a lifeline, and a self-blocking mechanism carried by the frame. The self-blocking mechanism comprises a brake movable between a braking position wherein the brake extends within the channel for frictionally engaging the lifeline; and an enabling position wherein the brake clears the channel for clearing the lifeline. The self-blocking mechanism also comprises a manually operable enabling actuator connected to the brake and capable of forcing the brake towards the enabling position.

Abstract: A U-shaped frame supporting three bars of circular cross section movable along the arms of the rod, enlarged abutments on the free ends of the rod preventing removal of the bars, and the first bar being attached to a handle so that the bar may be moved up/down the arms by holding/releasing the handle.

Abstract: An ascender device for a double rope is composed of two identical ascenders, the flanges of which are reversed by pivoting through 180° with respect to one another along a vertical axis extending parallel to the two troughs. The two grips are symmetrical with respect to the vertical axis so as to be able to be held at the same time by the user's right hand and left hand.

Abstract: A continuous assist braking and control system (10) operable to control the movement, speed and acceleration of a zipline rider (32) traversing a zipline (12). A brake line (40) is entrained around first and second reels (50, 52), and suspended above the zipline (12). The rider (32) is tethered to the brake line (40). A brake (56) is coupled to at least one of the reels (50, 52). When the brake (56) is disengaged, the brake line (40) is pulled along with the rider (32) as the rider (32) traverses the zipline 12). When the brake (56) is engaged, the reels' rate of rotation is slowed, thereby slowing the brake line (40) and the rider (32). When the brake (56) is engaged to stop the reels' rotation, the brake line (40) is brought to a stop, thereby arresting the motion of rider (32).

Abstract: The invention relates to an abseiling device for braking a load (16, 34) guided on a rope (14), the rope (14) running through the abseiling device (10) over a distance (22) in a friction guided manner, at least one section of the distance (22) being guided via a part (25) which can be moved from a load free starting position relative to a housing of the abseiling device (10), said part creating a force on the rope (14) dependent on the weight of the load (16) when a load is suspended, characterized in that a manually actuable adjustment unit (29) is provided, with which the moveable part (25) can be moved into the starting position in which the movable part (25) can apply no or only a small force from the moveable part (25) to the rope (14).

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch having a rotor and a clutch component, with at least one centrifugal weight movable in the radial direction relative to the rotor. When the rotational speed of the rotor is below a predefined value, the centrifugal weight is arranged in a first position and at a distance from the clutch component so that the rotor can freely rotate relative to the clutch component and, when the rotational speed of the rotor is above the predefined value, the centrifugal weight executes a radial movement relative to the rotor under a centripetal force into a second position so that the centrifugal weight bears against a clutch wall of the clutch component and establishes a mechanical force fit between the rotor and the clutch component.

Abstract: The braking device is provided a set of shape memory alloy activators positioned, in an agonistic-antagonistic configuration on each side of a brake lever. Braking and releasing phases are dictated by the austenitic transformation of the shape memory alloy activators. During brake activation, shrinking of the braking activator brings the friction pad in contact with a rotating drum creating a braking friction torque. Once the brake has been activated, deformation of a flexible fiberglass component prevents brake releasing by applying sufficient normal force between the drum and the friction pad. Conversely, upon heating of the releasing activator, the pad looses its grip and the drum is free to rotate.

Abstract: A system comprising a cable held in suspension and a trolley traveling along the cable relies on a brake to control velocity and net downhill acceleration of the trolley. The trolley may include a brake pad positioned to contact the cable. At the downhill end of the ride, the lever actuating the brake is caught and lifted by a capture ring, thus relieving the braking load on the trolley. Also, the trolley engages a comparatively modest, second resistance mechanism, such as, for example, a system of springs, that gradually increases in resistance with distance of motion of the trolley thereagainst, bringing the trolley to a gradual halt.

Abstract: A system comprising a cable held in suspension and a trolley traveling along the cable. The trolley may include a brake pad positioned to contact the cable. The brake pad may include a plurality of segments contacting the cable. A first such segment may be formed from a first material. A second such segment may be formed from a second material, distinct from the first material. The sequence, composition, gaps, and the like of the plurality of segments may be selected to provide a desired resistance to wear, frictional coefficient, all-weather braking, and the like.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a simple and convenient way to ascend and descend a rope without using a belayer. Embodiments of the invention can smoothly transition from a rope clamping position to a rope unclamping position, conveniently providing an effective rope control device.

Abstract: In an elevator emergency braking apparatus, a braking device main body has a main body braking surface facing a main rope and positioned at a first side of a main rope array, and a tapered surface facing the main body braking surface on an opposite side of the main rope array. An intermediate braking piece is disposed between mutually-adjacent main ropes inside the braking device main body. The intermediate braking piece is displaceable in a direction to be placed separably in contact with the main body braking surface. A wedge member is disposed between the tapered surface and the main rope array. The wedge member is separated from the main ropes during normal operation, and wedged between the tapered surface and the main ropes during braking.

Abstract: The Escape-Right is an emergency escape system comprising: a passenger harness, a cable, a reel, a shaft fixed to the reel permitting rotation of the reel as the cable is unrolled, a reduction gear assembly, a centrifugal brake assembly, a housing enclosing the brake assembly, and a mounting mechanism. The escape right is a mechanism to escape or descend from the upper floors of a building when the usual exits are unavailable. The Escape-Right may be anchored to prepared points, heavy objects within the building, or a ladder placed near the exit portal. The braking mechanism may be attached to the anchor point or the user. In some configurations of the Escape-Right multiple descents may be accomplished without rewinding the cable.

Abstract: A rappel device is used in rapidly descending from a height using a rope and then quickly disengaging from the rope. The rappel device comprises a body having a rim which defines a rope opening therein. The body is further adapted to be affixed to a harness. A lock extends across the rope opening. The lock frictionally engages a rope extending through the rope opening. A retracting mechanism manually releases the lock from engagement with the rope. The retracting mechanism is biased to a secured position whereby the lock is engaged with the rope. The retracting mechanism, when actuated, manually releases the lock to an open position whereby the rope is quickly released from the lock.

Abstract: A safety device (100) includes a base (110), a handle (120) pivotally mounted on the base, a cleat (130) pivotally mounted on the base, and a cover (140) pivotally mounted on the base. A rope (99) is routed between the cleat and a bearing surface on the base, then between the cleat and a hub on the handle, then around the hub and between the hub and another bearing surface on the base, then between the cleat and the hub again. The handle may be squeezed against the base to control or limit descent along the rope, and in the event of excessively rapid descent, the device is urged toward a locked position relative to the rope.

Abstract: A descent controller for lowering a workman or other person along a vertically extending rope from an elevated position to a relatively lower position includes a friction device that may be in the form of a cylinder having a plurality of turns of rope wrapped therearound or a plurality of spaced apart horizontal bars with the rope woven between the bars. The friction device interacts with said rope to retard the movement of the controller along the rope. A lever operated pawl is mounted beneath the friction device and is used by the workman to applying an adjustable force on said rope in order to control his descent down the rope. A centrifugal brake is mounted below the lever centrifugal brake. The centrifugal brake includes a wheel mounted for rotation and has the rope passing around at least a portion of said wheel. Included within the brake is a pawl brake mounted for rotation with the wheel and a fixed stop member.

Abstract: A bidirectionally locking safety brake apparatus is rotatably connected to a climber's safety harness and slidingly installed approximately centrally on an overlength tree-encircling climbing lanyard line to effectively divide the line into two independently operable tree-encircling climbing line sections extending in opposite directions from the safety brake apparatus in order to permit climbing using one tree-encircling line section until a branch or other obstruction to continued climbing is encountered whereupon the other lanyard line section may be extended around the tree above the obstruction, connected to the safety harness and adjusted for use for continued climbing beyond the obstruction prior to disconnection of the one obstructed lanyard line section, thereby assuring that the climber is continuously and securely tethered to the tree by the tree-encircling climbing lanyard even when passing obstructions.

Abstract: An adjustable lifting sling including a stationary support with hanger means, one or more cam surfaces pivotally mounted to the support, a ratable locking arm having one or more corresponding complementary shaped surfaces to allow a tensile lifting member to be controllably locked between the cam and complementary shaped surfaces.

Abstract: The tension of catch selvage yarns reeling off a yarn supply spool is kept constant by applying a braking force to the supply spool by a disk brake. The brake has a brake disk (12) rotating with the yarn supply spool (1′) and a position variable brake component (20) which is responsive in its instantaneous position to the instantaneous diameter of a yarn supply on the supply spool (1′) as sensed by a yarn follower (8) such as a roller that contacts the yarn on the spool, preferably under a spring bias.