Abstract: A pulley block is disclosed. The pulley block comprises: first and second plates and a pulley sheave disposed between the plates for rotation on bearings upon a sheave axle that extends between the plates along a sheave axis. The plates are connected to the sheave axle so as to permit rotation of one plate with respect to the other about the sheave axis between a closed position of the pulley block and an open position of the pulley block. Each plate has, at a position remote from the sheave axis, a respective bollard formation, which bollard formations are disposed such that, when the plates are in the closed position, the respective bollard formations are in contact with or in close proximity to one another to form a bollard that extends between the plates. When the plates are in the open position, the respective bollard formations are spaced apart. The pulley sheave rotates on bearings upon a sheave axle assembly that extends between the plates along a sheave axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pulley assembly in a roped access system including first and second plates and a sheave carried for rotation about an axis normal to the plates. An aperture passes through each plate parallel to the axis. The plates have a closed condition when the apertures are coaxial with one another and the plates are in contact near the apertures, forming a rope passage extending between the plates adjacent the sheave, having an upper part smaller than parts of the passage below that upper part. A roped access system includes a climbing rope passing through the rope passage and a tether connected to the climbing rope above the pulley assembly by a friction hitch and an aperture of the pulley assembly, the hitch. The hitch grips the rope upon downward force to the tether, releasing its grip upon upward force to the friction hitch by pulley assembly plates.

Abstract: A carabiner for carrying equipment is disclosed. The carabiner includes a hook assembly including a generally C-shaped body having an opening which is closed by an openable gate. It further includes a mounting assembly, which includes a mounting boss to which the body is releasably connected, and one or more fasteners to connect the mounting boss to a base component. The mounting boss may include a bore through which the body passes, the body being a close fit in the bore, such that the body can pivot respect to the boss about an axis of the bore. Control components may be provided that serve to resist movement of the body within the bore. The carabiner may be installed in a harness, by connecting the base to a component of the harness for example by passing a fastener through a hole in the component.

Abstract: Harnesses for supporting a person working at height are disclosed. They include a back, leg loops, two forward connection arrangements and a flexible load-bearing member that extends between the connection arrangements, the forward connection arrangements serving to transferring load from the back and the leg loops to the load-bearing member. Each forward connection arrangement includes: a base that is permanently connected to the harness and retention components that can be removably and rigidly connected to the base to removably secure the flexible load-bearing member to the body.

Abstract: A swivel comprises a first body component and a second body component with an interconnection assembly for interconnecting the first and second body components and to allow mutual rotation of the first and second components about a swivel axis. The swivel further includes a rotation limiting arrangement which, in a release condition, allows free mutual rotation of the first and second body components and in a first or a second locking condition restricts mutual rotation of the first and second body components. A user control is operable to selectively cause the rotation limiting arrangement to adopt one of a locking condition and the release condition. In the first locking condition, the rotation limiting arrangement prevents mutual rotation of the first and the second body components and in the second locking condition, the rotation limiting arrangement, allows limited mutual rotation of the first and second body components by less than 360°.

Abstract: In the disclosed devices formed from interconnected components, each includes a yoke component, a boss component and an axle bolt. The yoke component includes: a carabiner body with a back, an opening, and a yoke formation. The yoke formation includes a U-shaped section open to the outside of the body, defining a space between two legs, the legs having bearing surfaces through each of which a respective axle bore is formed. The back extends from the yoke formation. A spur extends from the yoke formation. A gate on the body pivots between closed and open positions. The boss component has flat, parallel external bearing surfaces, an axle bore extending through the boss component, the axle bore opening at each bearing surface. The axle bolt passes through the axle bores in the yoke and boss component.

Abstract: A throwing hook including with particular, but not exclusive, use in arborism is disclosed. The hook includes a body that extends in a plane to form a bight profile and a shackle. The shackle includes a loop through which a line can be secured. The shackle is secured to the body such that the shackle and the body can pivot freely with respect to one another about an axis that lies within the plane. Embodiments may further include release elements operable by a user to facilitate release of the hook from an anchorage.

Abstract: A swivel assembly is disclosed that allows first and second sub-assemblies to swivel with respect to one another. The assembly comprises a first component and a second component, at least one having a connection formation for connection to another object. An interconnection assembly interconnects the components such that they are free to rotate about an axis. The interconnection assembly comprises an axle secured for free rotation about the axis within a recess of the second component. The axle is retained within the recess by a bearing secured within the recess by a cap located in an opening of the recess that is directed towards the first component, the axle extending through the cap along the axis for connection with the first component.