Abstract: A shock absorbing lanyard having an integral fall arrest energy absorber formed in a one-piece woven, knitted or braided construction wherein partially oriented yarn (“POY”) fibers and high modulus yarn fibers are combined integrally in one section and are separate in another section in which the high modulus yarn fibers preferably form a sheath around a core of POY fibers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for temporarily anchoring a horizontal lifeline to existing rebar extending from concrete. Preferably, two triangular frames are temporarily secured to vertically extending rebar by eight sets of J-bolts and speed nuts. The frames are preferably made of tubular steel, and may be attached to the vertically extending rebar by one workman. Two or more rebar lifeline anchors may be used in combination to secure the ends of a horizontal lifeline. Three or more anchors can be used to secure two or more lifeline that are perpendicular to each other, such as along the outer, leading edges of a construction site.

Abstract: A fall arrest system for a worker connected to a horizontal lifeline supported by at least one intermediate support having a pair of rotatable star wheels for supporting the lifeline. A glider connector connects a worker to the lifeline so that the glider connector slides along the lifeline as the worker walks parallel thereto. The glider connector which is supported by rails as it passes near the intermediate support rotates the star wheels as it passes through spaces between their projections to allow the glider connector to pass through the intermediate support without having to disconnect it from the lifeline.

Abstract: A device to be secured to the end of a rope to provide a formed eye to which a carabiner or the like may be attached. The device comprises an elongated planar bar having a plurality of spaced, rope-receiving apertures along its length, the apertures each having a diameter which is similar to that of the rope and being spaced, so that the rope may be flushly received in the apertures and threaded through them in sequence. The apertures have beveled edges so as not to cut the rope when threaded therethrough. A further aperture is provided in the bar to constitute the formed eye through which the carabiner or the like may be releasably attached. When an end of the rope is threaded through the rope receiving openings and passed through a last loop formed thereby and tightened, the friction the rope develops with it secures the device in place at the rope end.

Abstract: The present invention provides a full body harness which utilizes a reduced number of components thereby simplifying construction and reducing manufacturing costs. The harness has only four pieces of webbing, two identical shoulder straps and two identical leg straps. These shoulder straps and leg straps are connected to two uniquely designed, multi-functional hip plates. The harness also has a standard back pad and a standard shoulder strap retainer.

Abstract: Clamping apparatus for providing a fixed support on a fixed beam or other similar structures wherein outer and inner elongated members are mounted for relative sliding telescoping movement therebetween and are moved by a rotatable threaded bolt and each of the outer and inner elongated members have an inclined surface so that when the inclined surface of the jaws contact the opposite side edges of the fixed beam the facing surfaces of the fixed beam and the outer and inner elongated members are moved into intimate contact.

Abstract: A method of forming blind hole rivets by displacing metal from a relatively thick base metal includes positioning a die against one side of the base metal having a cavity mating with the projection. A tool having a reduced diameter forward portion is pressed into the base metal from the side opposite the die to forward extrude metal into the die cavity during an initial portion of tool penetration. The end portion has a diameter substantially less than the diameter of the die cavity. Rearwardly of the end portion, the tool provides a cylindrical rearward portion having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the die cavity. After the forward portion penetrates into the base metal, the rearward portion penetrates the base metal and completes the displacement of material into the die cavity. The height of the rivet or projection can be at least about equal to the original thickness of the base metal without producing cracks or fractures.

Abstract: Apparatus for limiting the amount of force applied to a cable of a hoist by applying a force on clutch plates which are operatively joined to rotatable plates so that there is relative rotation between the clutch plates and the rotatable place when a force, equivalent to that placed on the clutch plates, is placed on the load supporting end of the cable. A fall arresting device is also provided having arresting apparatus for applying a force to rotate a shaft in a clockwise direction and for permitting controlled rotation of the shaft in a counter-clockwise direction but arresting uncontrolled rotation of the shaft in a counter-clockwise direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving personnel or materials through an opening in a sidewall of a vessel and down into the vessel wherein a lower support and an upper support are mounted on the portion of the sidewall defining the opening and have a tripod supported thereon and located within the vessel. A hoist and a fall arresting device are mounted on the upper support and the cables thereof are passed over pulleys mounted on the tripod so that personnel or materials may be attached to the snaphook on the end of the cable and moved through the opening and lowered into the vessel.

Abstract: Apparatus for limiting the amount of force applied to a cable of a hoist by applying a force on clutch plates which are operatively joined to rotatable plates so that there is relative rotation between the clutch plates and the rotatable place when a force, equivalent to that placed on the clutch plates, is placed on the load supporting end of the cable. Also, two fall arresting devices are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a disc structure. The disc provides a radially extending annular wall formed by pressing a workpiece against a contoured tool with a pressure roll. The contoured tool and workpiece move relative to the pressure roll about a first axis while the tool and pressure roll move toward each other in the direction of the first axis. The pressure roll rotates about a second axis perpendicularly intersecting the first axis and provides a cylindrical working surface. The tooling is arranged to radially confine the workpiece. In one embodiment, the tool is formed with a plurality of ribs extending in the direction of the first axis. These ribs cooperate to produce annular grooves in the workpiece along the surface thereof remote from the pressure roll. One embodiment provides a disc particularly suited for use in electromagnetic clutches. The other embodiment may be used to produce wheels, pulleys, and the like.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying a counteracting force which is generated by pulling superposed sections of webbing, which are secured together, through a separating means so that the separation of the secured together superposed sections generates a counteracting force. A frictional force may also be generated so as to provide an additional counteracting force.

Abstract: A fall arrester and emergency retrieval apparatus and a support tripod therefor, wherein an emergency retrieval assembly is operably associated with a clutch-brake type cable drum to enable cable dispensed from the cable drum and supporting a worker, subsequent to a fall to be selectively drawn in or extended from the assembly. The invention may comprise actuation assembly designed to hamper disengagement of the emergency retrieval assembly from the cable drum by unauthorized personnel subsequent to engagement and use of the emergency retrieval assembly. A specially adapted tripod assembly is described for anchoring the fall arrester and emergency retrieval apparatus which allows the apparatus to be mounted on a leg portion thereof or suspended from a central portion thereof, for facilitating use of the fall arrester and emergency retrieval apparatus in confined entry applications.

Abstract: A locking and latching snap hook, including an open hook body portion which is opened and closed to receive and discharge a to-be-connected item by movement of a normally closed, resiliently biased, latch member pivotally connected to the body. The hook body and latch member each generally carry a portion of one or more locking mechanisms which allows them to be releasably locked together to provide, along with the resilient bias latching, a locking capability to avoid inadvertent disengagement of the latch member from the hook body. The resiliently biased latch member extends beyond the body of the hook on the side opposite to the open hook end, and is capable of being selectively moved in a direction away from the hook end portion about the pivot to open the hook end portion of the body, when the locking mechanism is unlocked, and while simultaneously exerting pivoting force on the resiliently biased normally closed latch member.

Abstract: A latching and locking snap hook utilizing a conventionly shaped snap hook body having a normally open hook end portion which is opened and closed to receive and discharge a connector, line or other fixture by movement of a spring biased latch member pivotally connected to the snap hook body at a position remote from the open hook portion, the spring biased latch member extending beyond the body of the snap hook on the side opposite to the open hook end and capable of being moved in a direction away from the hook end portion about the pivot to open the snap hook end portion when a locking member received between the snap hook body and the spring biased latch is moved from a position where it interferes with the movement of the latch to a position where it does not interfere with that movement.

Abstract: A positively locking snap utilizing a conventionally shaped snap hook having a normally open hook end portion which is opened and closed to receive and discharge a line or other fixture by movement of a U-shaped spring biased closure pivotally connected to the snap body at a position remote from the open hook portion, the U-shaped spring biased closure extending beyond the body of the snap hook on the side opposite to the open hook end and capable of being moved in a direction away from the hook end portion about the pivot to open the snap hook end portion when a locking member received between the snap hook body and the spring biased closure on the hook side of the snap hook body is moved from a position where it interferes with the movement of the spring closure to a position where is does not interfere with that movement, the movement of the locking member being facilitated by the provision of an exposed lateral extension of the member extending beyond the spring biased closure toward the end of the snap h

Abstract: The invention is a two component, shock-absorbing cable connector to secure a workman to a vertically-suspended safety cable; the first component, a U-shaped shoe, is placed upon the cable with the cable at the crotch of the shoe; the second component, a head combining a slide bar, cams and a handle, is fitted and latched between the sides of the shoe with the slide bar bearing against the cable; the cams include a face engaging the slide bar and outward arms connecting with the handle; these cams operate in unison to press the slide bar against the cable responsive to downward movement of the handle; the handle is attached by a lanyard or other connector to a safety belt or harness worn by the workman; thus, a fall of the workman will be checked by the connector as the weight of the workman pulls the handle downwardly to shift the cams, forcing the slide bar against the cable and squeezing the cable between the shoe crotch and the slide bar.