Abstract: A safety device comprises vacuum anchors for attachment to a surface. The anchors are interconnected by a rigid track along which a carriage runs. The carriage includes means for connection to a safety line and harness. Such an arrangement provides enhanced freedom of movement and increased resistance against shearing forces when arresting a fall.

Abstract: A safety device is secured a person to a surface so that the person can safely move about the surface without falling. The device has an anchor which incorporates an attachment arrangement for a safety line. The anchor has a rigid element or plate which has a sealing element extending from one side of the plate to define a working volume. The working volume becomes a working chamber when the anchor is attached to a surface. A valve is provided for selectively connecting the working chamber to a vacuum source or to vent the working chamber to the atmosphere. The vacuum source is situated remotely from the anchor and is attached to the anchor by a vacuum supply line and a one way valve.

Abstract: A brake mechanism for a device for hauling up/down by rope, in particular one for the safe hauling up and down by rope of persons and loads. The device has a pulley which preferably has a back stop that prevents the pulley from turning during the roping down. The rope brake mechanism has a rope speed measuring device that cooperate with a rope brake, which acts upon the rope to exert a braking force onto the rope when the rope speed increases above a maximum predetermined speed.

Abstract: In order to increase the operational safety and to reduce the rope wear, hoisting/lowering apparatus comprise one or a combination of novel features: an adaptor (3) is provided in order to allow the attachment of accessories (50), preferably by insertion. Possible accessories are e.g. holders having a loop for the attachment of hooks, and single or multiple blocks for the formation of lifting blocks. Substantially, the adaptor is formed of a number of slot-shaped recesses which are transversely traversed by rod-shaped retaining elements (11, 9). One of said retaining elements (9) is displaceably mounted in order to allow the attachment resp. detachment of an accessory (50). Another measure is to provide a rope stop (102) on the traction side. The rope (103) runs through the rope stop (102) and drives a knurled wheel (110). At a given rope speed, the wheel is coupled to a pivotable brake appendix (118) by means of a centrifugal coupling (113, 115).