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 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 releasable locking device comprises a tubular housing (180) having a pair of rotary pawls (182) mounted therein. The angular position of the pawls are controlled by spring-loaded balls (183). A line (179) passing through the housing has a collar (184) thereon which latches with the pawls when the collar is brought into engagement therewith, the pawls being rotated so that the balls then bear on adjoining surfaces of the pawls. When the line is subsequently slackened the balls (183) act on the pawls to rotate them further into the housing so that on subsequent engagement by the collar (184), they are free to rotate so as to allow the collar to pass through the housing. This system provides an automatic latching of the line (179) followed by automatic disengagement of the latch simply by releasing tension in the line followed by reapplying such tension. Therefore latching and unlatching can be effected simply from a position remote from the latching mechanism.

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.

Abstract: A load-transfer device comprises a pair of rotary members each having an annular series of projecting peg-like elements, and a location member having arcuate tracks in its opposite sides to receive tip portions of the elements respectively. A wire or other elongate element extends beneath the location member and the upright parts of U-shaped clips supporting the wire are received in the spaces between the elements when the device encounters such clips, whereupon the members rotate relative to the location member to permit the clips to pass through the device.

Abstract: A load-transfer device comprising at least one rotatable wheel having a series of equally spaced peripheral recesses, a guide element mounted at a peripheral part of the wheel, and a load connection element for attachment of a load to the device. The wheel and guide member have cooperating portions allowing rotation of the wheel about its axis relative to the guide member to allow transversely extending support elements, which the device encounters in use, to pass through the device in one of said recesses as the wheel rotates relative to the guide member. In order to enable the device to withstand relatively heavy loading, interengaging plug and socket portions are provided between the connection element and an adjacent face of the wheel.

Abstract: A track is provided by a series of rigid or semi-rigid members supported solely or principally at their ends to extend across the track at spaced locations along the track. A load-transfer device is provided to engage with the track for movement along the track. The device comprises at least one rotary wheel having several equally spaced recesses provided in its periphery and a guide member mounted on the wheel, the wheel and guide member having cooperating relatively rotatable surfaces to allow rotation of the wheel relative to the guide member. The rigid or semi-rigid members are received in respective recesses in the wheel when the device moves along the track and the wheel rotates relative to the guide member to allow such members to pass through the device with at least one of those members being located with respect to the wheel by the guide member at any one time.

Abstract: Sail handling apparatus comprises an elongate guide element, e.g. a rod or a cable, located along a path along which a tie locating an edge portion of a sail is required to move during sail handling operations. The tie is attached to the guide element by a load-transfer device comprising a pair of rotatable recessed wheels having a guide member located between them at the periphery of the wheels. When the tie is moved along the guide element it can pass intermediate attachment members supporting the guide element with such members being received in the recesses in the wheels which then rotate with respect to the guide element to pass the attachment members through the load-transfer device. In other embodiments, the load-transfer device forms part of the intermediate attachments for the guide element to enable the sail securing ties to pass such attachment points.

Abstract: To provide an apparatus for suspending, moving or fastening a load or locating a member which is loaded in use and where in each case the load or loaded member may be required to be movable in use, the invention provides a mesh for location in a desired position for suspending or locating the load. An attachment device for the load comprises a wheel having a number of spaced recesses and a co-operating location member mounted on a peripheral part of the wheel with relatively rotatable bearing members therebetween to allow the wheel to rotate relative to the location member. The wheel is engaged with the mesh with its plane generally perpendicular to the mesh such that elements of the mesh are received, guided and passed in the recesses on the wheel as the wheel moves through the mesh while being located with respect to the mesh by the location member.

Abstract: The invention provides safety equipment to enable a person to work and move freely around on deck in all weathers while being securely attached to the boat and to enable recovery of a person overboard by other crew members. The equipment comprises a life-line secured along both sides of the boat. At the intermediate attachment points the life-line is secured by latchways which allow a lanyard hook clipped onto the life-line to traverse each such attachment point. When a person goes overboard, the drag force on the lanyard causes the lanyard hook to move to the aft-most stanchion from where the person overboard is towed and removed by other crew members. In another embodiment, the person overboard is towed by pendants at the stern of the boat. A hoist is provided to haul the pendant inboard for recovery of the person overboard.

Abstract: A load transfer device is disclosed which includesa rotatable wheel which is formed with several recesses in its periphery to receive a load bearing element. The load bearing element extends transversely to the plane of the wheel and cooperates in use with the load transfer device, the recesses being evenly spaced around the wheel and adjacent recesses being separated by a projecting part of the wheel.at least one guide member is supported at a peripheral part of the wheel, the wheel and guide member having cooperating relatively rotatable surfaces to allow the wheel to rotate about its axis relative to the guide member with the load bearing element being received, guided and passed in at least one of the recesses while being located with respect to the wheel by the guide member.