Abstract: A vertical fall arrest device that combines, in a single unit, a fall arrest function, the capability to automatically traverse intermediate supports provided along a safety line and ease of attachment and detachment from the safety line at any point throughout the length of the safety line with dismantling the device. When the device is attached to the safety line, the safety line is captured in a retaining recess and is always in a ready state to lock-on to the safety line in the event of a fall condition. The device can be removed from the safety line easily and without disassembly by depressing a release catch while at the same time pulling a rotatable member a limited distance in a direction away from the main body. The rotatable member moves away from the main body against a spring bias and creates an opening for the withdrawal of the safety line from its captured position. When the pulling force is relaxed, the spring bias causes the rotatable member to relax to the fully locked position.

Abstract: A load transfer device comprising a pair of spaced-apart rotary members, each having at least one recess formed in its periphery and sharing a common axis of rotation. A slipper member is located between the spaced-apart rotary members and defines therewith a space adapted to receive an elongate support element along which the device travels in use. A positive locking mechanism is also provided for attaching a load to the device in order to prevent accidental release of the load from the device. The spaced-apart rotary members are rotatably mounted in relation to the slipper member and their recesses are adapted to traverse intermediate brackets provided for the elongate support element without user intervention. The limbs of the intermediate brackets are successively received, guided and passed by the recesses automatically.

Abstract: A fall arrest device for use on an elongate safety line or track. The device contains a body part having retaining means to retain the safety line or track; locking cam means and biasing means for urging the locking cam means into locking engagement with the safety line or track in response to a sudden change in load experienced by the device; attaching means for attaching personnel safety means to the device; and cover means to receive loading applied to the device in a direction generally towards the safety line or track. The cover means are pivotally or rockably connected to the body part and are in a force transmitting relationship with the locking cam means thereby urging the locking cam means into locking engagement with the safety line or track.

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 linkage mechanism for a safety attachment system in which a pair of traversing devices are engaged with an elongate safety line for sliding movement therealong past intermediate securing devices for the safety line. The traversing devices are coupled to the mechanism, and a lanyard connected to the mechanism applies a force thereto, when the lanyard is under tension, in a direction generally away from the safety line. The mechanism is adapted to cause relative movement of the traversing devices along the safety line when the force is applied thereto by the lanyard. An actuator, preferably using a spring, is provided in the mechanism to cause opposite relative movement of the traversing devices when the force is reduced.

Abstract: A load attachment device attaching a person to a safety line to provide a fall-arrest facility, comprises a slipper member for engaging an elongate member for sliding movement therealong, and load sensitive locking member having an unlocked condition perimitting free sliding movement of the device and a locked condition in which a grip portion of the locking member engages and grips an elongate member slidably engaged, in use, with the slipper member, the locking member including biassing member to cause the locking member to be brought automatically into its locked condition when an applied loading, which is required to maintain the locking member in its unlocked condition on an inclined, or a vertical or near vertical elongate member, or portions of an elongate member, is removed.

Abstract: A threading device comprises a star wheel formed of two half sections secured together and rotatably mounted in a casing to project therefrom. The confronting surfaces of the radial projections of the mating star wheel parts near the tip thereof are formed with arcuate grooves in which an arcuate central portion of a rod-like threading member is slidably located but trapped therebetween. The threading member has elongate end portions projecting one on each side of the star wheel and one such portion is adapted for connection thereto of a flexible elongate line to be threaded by the device. The leading elongate end portion of the threading member is passed through, or beneath, an element with which the line is to be threaded to effect a threading operation.

Abstract: A system for securing a life-line around the outside of a structure, e.g., the wheelhouse of a boat, includes attachment devices for the life-line at intermediate positions therealong (particularly at corner parts of the structure) which allow a hook of a safety line attached for sliding movement to the life-line, to pass those attachment points. In one embodiment each attachment device comprises a recessed wheel and a slipper member located to embrace tip portions of the wheel projections to be held thereby while allowing rotation of the wheel relative to the slipper member. In this way the slipper member guides the line in an arcuate path around a peripheral part of the wheelhouse to allow a hook engaged for sliding movement along the life-line to traverse the attachment point by engaging in a recess in the wheel which then rotates relative to the slipper member to pass the hook through the attachment device.

Abstract: A device for threading a line with, or through, an annular member, or other endless or apertured member, from a remote position, comprises a body for location at the end of a pole, a rotor having a recess therein, and a threading member to which a line is connected. The rotor comprises a pair of spaced discs having arcuate recesses on their facing surfaces which engage corresponding arcuate flanges on the body and threading member to allow the rotor to rotate with respect thereto. The rotor is biassed to maintain the recess therein open to a space between a threading portion of the threading member and a confronting portion of the body to receive a ring or other similar element in which the threading portion is engaged. On further movement, the rotor rotates relative to the threading member to allow the ring to pass onto a line attached to the threading member.