Abstract: A safety harness comprises a strap portion for extending over a portion of a person's body to retain the person within the safety harness. The strap portion is fabricated from a flexible material having an elastic extension in the range of approximately 3 to approximately 15% under a tensile load of approximately 10 pounds. The material of the strap portion also has a ultimate tensile load of at least approximately 5,000 lbs.

Abstract: A device for use with a climbing or scaling apparatus comprises generally a first elongated rail member and a second elongated rail member. The device further comprises a gate mechanism. The gate mechanism maintains a spaced connection between the first rail member and the second rail member, while allowing the rungs to pass between the first rail member and the second rail member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retractable lifeline safety device in which the side of the housing thereof comprises at least two extruded metal housing member which are connected to form the side of the housing. The present invention also provides a retractable lifeline safety device comprising a roller disposed in housing to reduce friction and abrasion. The present invention further provides a retractable lifeline safety device comprising a pawl clip means for maintaining the pawl adjacent the drum flange. The present invention also provides a ratchet brake assembly comprising abutment means extending radially outward therefrom to abut the housing and prevent rotation of the ratchet brake assembly relative to the housing. The present invention also provides retractable lifeline safety device comprising a drum assembly in which the drum flanges are removable from the drum hub to facilitate changes in the lifeline type.