Abstract: A fall arrest system includes a line retraction device having a safety line, an energy absorber configured for connecting to a terminal end of the safety line, and a harness configured for connecting to the energy absorber such that the energy absorber is disposed between the terminal end of the safety line and the harness. The safety line is selected to have a predetermined mean breaking force with a first standard deviation, and the energy absorber is selected to have a predetermined mean deployment force with a second standard deviation. The mean breaking force of the safety line and the mean deployment force of the energy absorber overlap over an overlapping region of the first and second standard deviation. A ratio of an overlap mean force of the overlapping region to an overlap standard deviation of the overlapping region is less than or equal to 6.

Abstract: A fall arrest device includes a braking device, a frame, and a rotating member connected to the frame. The rotating member includes a main body and a plurality of pawls which are pivotally connected to a mounting portion of the main body. Each of the pawls has an abutting portion, a pivot, and a body portion. The braking device has a plurality of abutted portions. When a rotation speed of the rotating member is greater than or equal to a predetermined rotation speed, the abutting portions abut against the abutted portions to stop a rotation of the rotating member. When the rotation speed of the rotating member is smaller than the predetermined rotation speed, the body portion of each of the pawls touches a periphery of the abutted portions and swings as an outer diameter of the abutted portions of the braking device changes.

Abstract: A safety monitoring harness system for the protection of a climber comprising: said safety monitoring harness system comprising a base, a one or more tether assemblies, a retraction assembly, an alarm system, a strap length sensor assembly, and a power system. Said one or more tether assemblies comprising at least a first tether assembly and a second tether assembly. Said one or more tether assemblies each comprising a strap, and an anchoring hook. Said safety monitoring harness system is configured to selectively attach to said climber by: attaching a harness assembly to said climber, and securing said base to said harness assembly. A portion of said retraction assembly is enclosed within said base. Said retraction assembly are configured to selectively retract and release portions of said strap from within said base.

Abstract: A fall arrest device having a rotatable drum with a safety line thereon, the fall arrest device comprising at least one energy absorber ring configured to absorb energy in the event of a fall and positioned to a side of the drum and between a first component configured to rotate with the drum and a second component configured to activate based upon the speed of rotation of the drum.

Abstract: A fall protection device includes a frame, a rotation unit, a safety belt, and a braking unit. The rotation unit is rotatably disposed in the frame; the safety belt is wound up on the rotation unit, and adapted to be pulled to drive a rotation of the rotation unit. The braking unit includes a braking plate, a braking block, and a stopper. The braking plate is connected to the rotation unit, rotates with the rotation unit coaxially. The braking block is pivotally connected to the braking plate, and includes a stopping part. The stopping part of the braking block can be spun out by a centrifugal force produced by a rotation of the braking plate, and abuts against the stopper to limit the rotation of the rotation unit. The braking block includes an abutted part. The stopper is disposed in a movement path of the abutted part.

Abstract: A securing device for securing a person has an axle element attached torque-proofly to a rope drum and rotatably to a support structure, such that, by the axle element, the rope drum is supported rotatably at the support structure. A lever is attached pivotably to the support structure at a deflection point. In a blocking position of the lever, a blocking section is coupled to the rope drum in order to disable a rotation of the rope drum, and in a releasing position of the lever, the blocking section is decoupled from the rope drum and the rope drum is rotatable. A thread section of the lever is coupled to a further thread section of the axle element, such that, upon rotation of the axial element, due to the rotation of the rope drum, the thread section is shifted along the axle element, such that, due to the shifting of the thread section, a rotation of the lever around the deflection point and an adjustment between the blocking position and the releasing position of the lever are effected.

Abstract: A clutch lock mechanism for a retractable lanyard includes a pivotal pawl with an engagement end and a sperrad or sperrad ring having teeth which face toward the engagement end of the pawl. One of the sperrad and the pawls are circumferentially fixed, and the other moves relative to the former. The pawl is pivotal movable between an engagement position in which the pawl engagement end within an annular ring defined on one side by the tips of the sperrad teeth and on the other side by the roots of the sperrad teeth and a non-engagement position in which the pawl engagement end is not within the engagement zone. The sperrad and the pawl are in contact with each other, such that, as one moves relative to the other, the engagement end of the pawl is positively moved into the engagement zone without the need to rely on centrifugal forces.

Abstract: A motor brake device includes an armature base, an armature plate, a fixing plate and at least one brake lining. The armature plate is disposed on the armature base. The armature plate is vertically movable relative to the armature base. The fixing plate is fixed on the armature base. The fixing plate and the armature base are located at two opposite sides of the armature plate. The braking assembly is arranged between the armature plate and the fixing plate, and includes a two-winged rotor hub plate, a brake friction plate and at least two elastic elements. The at least one brake lining is arranged between the armature plate and the braking assembly and/or between the fixing plate and the braking assembly.

Abstract: A speed responsive engagement device having a rotating wheel having a plurality of outwardly projecting spaced apart teeth with each pair of adjacent teeth being separated by a circumferential surface with a constant radius and a pawl arranged for pivotal movement between an unengaged position and an engaged position in which the pawl engages one of the teeth and a circumferential surface and a resilient means arranged to urge the pawl towards the engaged position when the pawl is not in contact with the circumferential surface. When the wheel rotates each tooth contacts the pawl, generating an oscillating movement of the pawl with an amplitude dependent on the speed of the rotation. When the speed of rotation reaches a predetermined value the oscillating movement brings the pawl into the engaged position, preventing further rotation of the wheel in the first direction.

Abstract: A retractable fall arrest device comprises a unit housing, a spring sub-assembly, a brake/clutch sub-assembly, and a drum assembly. The spring and brake/clutch sub-assemblies each include shaft portions which extend into the housing and are removably connected together or to the drum assembly, and support the drum assembly in the housing. The spring and brake/clutch assembly are themselves removably connected to the unit housing. Finally, the unit housing comprises two wall members (i.e., clam shells) which are removably connected together. This fall arrest device allows for replacement of any of the four constituent components of the device in the field, thus reducing the down time between repairs or recertification of a particular fall arrest device.

Abstract: A fall arrester (100) for reducing injuries of a user (108) thereon when falling comprising a rotatable spool (314) with webbing (200) wound thereon, the webbing (200) being protracted from and retracted back upon the spool (314), a torsion bar (310) operationally connected to the webbing (200) through the spool (314) to generate a generally constant reaction force on the spool (314) as the torsion and bar and spool (314) rotate to absorb kinetic energy of the fall; the fall arrester (100) according to claim 1 further including a counting mechanism (500) to maintain a reserve amount of webbing (200) on the spool (314) to enable the torsion bar (310) to twist through its operational range without encountering an end-of-webbing condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a crash safety device having a safety rope (105) wound onto a drum, a recuperating spring tensioned by the drum during the winding of the rope, and a locking device for blocking the drum from rotation in the rope unwinding direction during the crash of a person secured by the rope. A rope drive mechanism is provided in order to unwind the rope (105) from the drum and to slowly move the rope end having a hook (290) attached thereto toward such that a person can hook onto the safety rope (105). The drive mechanism has a motor (140) driving a rope drive wheel (210) via a freewheel (200) for lowering the rope end having the hook (290). In order to rewind the rope, the motor (140) is operated in a reverse direction of rotation at a controlled rotational speed in order to limit the speed at which the rope (105) is pulled up by the tensioned recuperating spring.

Abstract: Herein are disclosed fall-protection safety devices comprising a load-bearing housing comprised of a composite polymeric material, and also comprising a load-bearing anchorage plate connected to the load-bearing housing by at least one load-bearing connector.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a preassembled and pretorqued friction brake comprising at least a pressure plate, a ratchet ring, a friction ring, and a backing plate. Further disclosed is a centrifugally-operated safety device comprising the preassembled and pretorqued friction brake, and methods of making.

Abstract: A windage brake for a fan descender comprises a rotatable spool connected by drive belts to a fan comprising a radial flow air impeller. A line is wound helically upon the spool. A user of the fan descender puts on a harness (not shown) at the free end of the line and jumps from an elevated position. The line is thereby drawn off the spool and rotates it. The rotating spool drives the fan and also winds a power spring formed by a resilient strip. The windage of the fan regulates the descent of the jumper, the fan being accelerated to a speed at which the braking force is such that the jumper descends at a rate safe for landing on the ground. When the jumper is on the ground, he removes the harness and releases the free end of the line. The line is then automatically retrieved by the power spring and rewound on the spool.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retractable lifeline safety device in which the side of the housing thereof comprises at least two extruded metal housing member which are connected to form the side of the housing. The present invention also provides a retractable lifeline safety device comprising a roller disposed in housing to reduce friction and abrasion. The present invention further provides a retractable lifeline safety device comprising a pawl clip means for maintaining the pawl adjacent the drum flange. The present invention also provides a ratchet brake assembly comprising abutment means extending radially outward therefrom to abut the housing and prevent rotation of the ratchet brake assembly relative to the housing. The present invention also provides retractable lifeline safety device comprising a drum assembly in which the drum flanges are removable from the drum hub to facilitate changes in the lifeline type.

Abstract: A personal portable life-saving device includes a housing, a reel set, at least a guide roller, a control disk, a braking unit, a metal strap and a body fastening means. In case a fire accident happens in a high building, the user may fasten the metal strap to any fixed object in the building, tie the body fastening means about his/her body and jump off the building by holding the housing. The user may adjust the dropping speed and land safely.

Abstract: A system for transporting a person on a stretcher between upper and lower platforms connected by a stairway includes a retractable cable source located at the upper level whereby with one end of stretcher attached to the cable, an assistant to grasp the other end of the stretcher and transport the individual up or down the stairway with the cable providing tension to stabilize movement. Multiple stretchers may be located at either or both levels, in which case the retractable cable source provides sufficient tension to assist in pulling the stretcher up the stairway. In the preferred embodiment the retractable cable source includes a housing into which the cable retracts and a loaded spring disposed within the housing. Also in the preferred embodiment, the stretcher is sufficiently flexible to permit turning of the stretcher during transport.

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 safety device for preventing injuries to a worker as a result of a fall includes a housing which is intended to be mounted at an elevated position where the worker is working and a cable which is adapted to be connected to a harness or belt worn by the worker. The housing includes a spring driven drum therein which normally keeps the cable wound thereon but which allows the same to be withdrawn slowly from the housing as more cable is needed by the worker. A centrifugally operated brake senses an initial quick withdrawal of the cable from the housing which results from the worker falling and stops further withdrawal therefrom to thereby prevent the worker from falling further. A manually operated crank mechanism carried by the housing allows a fellow worker to raise or lower the fallen worker to safety.

Abstract: A housing is mounted between structural support studs in adjacency to a window sill to permit opening of the housing for access to a rope wound about an associated axle structure. The lid is arranged for ease of removal or alternatively, employed as a step relative to the window sill for access to the window sill in emergency escape situations.

Abstract: A safety device for restraining a person who works at great heights. The device comprises a housing, a drum rotatably mounted and contained within the housing, and a lifeline having a first end attached to the drum, and a second end extending outside the housing and adapted to be connected to a restraint. The lifeline is wound around the drum in response to the drum being rotated in a restraining direction, and the lifeline is unwound from around the drum in response to the drum being rotated in an opposite extending direction. The device also includes a spring for biasing the drum to rotate in the retracting direction, and a brake for braking extending rotation of the drum at an angular velocity in excess of some predetermined speed. When the person wears a body harness having crossed safety straps on one of the person's chest or back, the device further includes an attaching plate for slidably connecting the crossed straps to the housing.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a fire escape for the lowering of a plurality of escapees to the ground. Included in the present structure is a shaft, a spool journalled upon the shaft, a cable having a first and second end, the first end secured to the journal of the spool, in which the cable has a length generally equal to the distance of the spool above the ground. Also provided are body securement means affixed to the second end of the cable for use by the escapee. Further provided is a flywheel which is rotationally coupled to the spool; the flywheel constitutes a means for acquiring and storing angular momentum developed therein during descent of the cable to the ground. Also included in the present inventive fire escape are means for rotationally transferring the angular momentum from the flywheel back to the spool to thereby effectuate the rewinding of the cable so that the body securement means can thereby be used by the next escapee. Further provided are descent and ascent angular velocity limit means.

Abstract: A full length and protected body harness attached by cable wire to an apparatus with a controlled pay out for use in escaping mortal danger in high-rise buildings.

Abstract: A compact, self-contained device for use in safely lowering filled beer kegs from the bed of a delivery truck to the ground. The device includes a hollow drum rotatably carried within a sealed housing which can be removably interconnected to a rigid support in the load bay of the truck. A length of cable is wound about the drum and the free end thereof is connected to the keg chimes by means of a unique harness assembly. When the keg is pushed from the truck the cable is uniformly paid out from the drum against the urging of a rewind spring. The rate of descent of the keg to the ground is precisely controlled through a speed increaser housed within the drum which drives a novel centrifugal brake at high speeds producing a predetermined amount of drag on the drum. Upon disconnecting the harness assembly the cable is automatically rewound on the drum by the rewind spring.