Abstract: A fall-arrest safety anchorage has a safety line drum (10) and braking components assembled to a spine plate (1). The braking components comprise a rotatable brake component (2) and fixed brake components (1,7) one of which is constituted by the spine plate. The rotatable brake component (2) constitutes the driven member of a centrifugal clutch comprising coupling elements (17) which are mounted on the drum and become centrifuged into engagement with abutments (16) on the rotatable brake element if the unwinding speed of the drum exceeds a predetermined value. The rotation of the brake component (2) takes place against a frictional resistance imparted by friction rings (5,6) which are sandwiched under pressure between the rotatable brake component and the fixed brake components (1,7).

Abstract: A fall-arrest safety anchorage has a safety line drum 10 and braking mechanism assembled to a spine plate (1). The braking mechanism comprises a rotatable brake component (2) and fixed brake components (1,7) which are relatively rotated against a frictional resistance on engagement of a centrifugal clutch if the unwinding speed of the drum exceeds a certain value. The clutch comprises coupling elements (17) and abutments (16) which lie within or extend into an aperture in the spine plate (1).

Abstract: A personnel fall-arrest system is disclosed in which there is a flexible safety track (1) which is supported in spaced relation to a fixture (2) by brackets (5), and a coupling component (7) for connecting a worker's safety harness to said track via a safety line (8), the coupling component (7) being freely displaceable along said track. The system is characterized in that each of the brackets (5) is formed so that it becomes permanently deformed if subjected to heavy loading due to a fall, thereby signalling that the system requires to be checked and re-certified before further use.

Abstract: A fall-arrest apparatus comprises a drum (1) which holds a cable (3) for attachment to a load and has a brake (7-11, 13-15) which automatically stops the drum if it exceeds a certain unwinding speed. The apparatus incorporates a winch mechanism (16-20) by which the drum (1) can be manually turned either to raise or to lower a suspended load. The winch mechanism is associated with a braking device (21) comprising permanently contacting friction braking elements (22,24,25) and a one-way torque coupling (22,28,31-33). That coupling functions between those friction braking elements and the winch handle shaft (17). When the winch mechanism is set for use the one-way torque coupling prevents unwinding motion of the drum (1) otherwise than against the resistance of the permanently contacting friction braking elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety apparatus comprising a safety track. A component with a lanyard attached thereto is slidable along the safety track. The sliding component comprising a tube with a longitudinal slot which allows the tube to travel past the track support.

Abstract: A personnel fall-arrest system including a flexible safety track (1) which is anchored in spaced relation to a fixture (2) by track anchors (4), and a coupling component (7) for connecting a worker's safety harness to the track via a safety line (8), the component (7) being freely displaceable along the track. Each of the track anchors (4) is formed so that it becomes permanently deformed if subjected to heavy loading due to a fall, thereby signalling that the system requires to be checked and re-certified before further use.

Abstract: In a demand valve for breathing apparatus gas flow is controlled by a main valve disc in accordance with the pressure in a control chamber. Gas vents from the control chamber through a bleed orifice at a rate dependent upon the deflection of a diaphragm sensitive to respiration and which controls the spacing of a spring arm from the bleed orifice. The arm has a set spacing from the orifice such as to provide "positive pressure" operation of the valve when the valve is connected into the inlet of an associated breathing mask. A lever on the valve contacts the mask inlet and acts through a pin to bias the arm to its "positive pressure" setting through a second spring arm. When the valve is disconnected the lever drops to allow the two arms to relax so that the first arm moves closer to the control chamber bleed orifice and thereby shuts off gas flow past the main valve disc.

Abstract: An assembly for connecting together fluid-conducting spigot and socket members employs a U-shaped locking clip with parallel legs sliding in chordwise passages of the socket member. The spigot member has an external groove which is engaged by the legs of the locking clip intruding into the socket when the spigot is inserted into the socket and the clip is slid into its operational position. The clip can be retained in this position by the "snap" engagement of the base portion of the U-shape with a transverse groove in the face of the socket member. The assembly is particularly useful for connecting a demand valve into the facemask of a breathing apparatus.

Abstract: A breathing apparatus comprises a cylinder assembly supported by a harness through a mounting bracket. The bracket has a leg with an open-ended slot into which a grooved portion of the cylinder assembly is passed. The assembly is secured by screwing a pressure-reducing valve onto the shut-off valve of the cylinder assembly, in so doing a knurled ring on the pressure-reducing valve coming into position adjacent to an edge of the bracket to prevent subsequent withdrawal of the cylinder assembly from the slot.

Abstract: A tilt valve incorporated in a demand regulator for breathing apparatus has a head which seats over an opening through which the valve stem extends for operation by a pressure-responsive diaphragm. This opening defines the outlet port of a chamber wherein the valve head is disposed, the inlet port of the chamber opening to the same side of the valve head as the outlet port. Gas flowing from the inlet port to the outlet port therefore need not pass between the periphery of the valve head and the surrounding wall of the chamber, so that the head can be a close fit in the chamber to ensure a consistent seating of the head over the valved port.

Abstract: A back-carrying harness assembly, e.g. for supporting a gas cylinder for breathing apparatus on the back of the user, comprises a carrier for the cylinder or other load which is hinged in the region of the user's shoulder blades to a back plate. The back plate extends down the back of the user and is hinged at the lumbar region to the frame of a pelvic girdle. The combined effect of the upper and lower hinging with the location of the girdle, which supports the greater part of the loading of the carrier, low down on the user's anatomy, allows a considerable degree of freedom of movement to the user.