Abstract: A harness (20) for suspending a rescuer (500) by a line (502) includes an upright attachment (22) so that the rescuer may be suspended in a substantially upright position, an inverted attachment (40) so that the rescuer (500) may be suspended in a substantially inverted position, a seated attachment (46) so that the rescuer (500) may be suspended in a substantially seated position, and a back attachment (50), so that the rescuer (500) may be suspended in an angled forward facing position. Harness (20) also includes a longitudinally adjustable back strap (52) so that the suspension angle of rescuer (500) may be altered, and two spaced longitudinally adjustable front straps (76) which limit the degree to which the rescuer (500) can lean backward when in the seated position.

Abstract: An escape device for escaping from a building or other high area in an emergency comprises a worm gear mechanism driven by an electric motor and operatively coupled to a reel having a length of high tensile line wound around it, arranged within a casing, and a belt connected to the casing for supporting a person's body. The worm gear mechanism rotates the reel, feeding out the line, and thereby lowering the user to a safe location below.

Abstract: A climbing harness for use with a belt worn around a user's waist for jointly supporting a load when climbing, and for compactly storing away when not in use. The climbing harness has a single-length strap configuration with a pair of strap ends and two slots located at a middle part of the harness. Each strap end is passed around one of the thighs of the user, and through one of the two slots, thereby creating two thigh loops. An interlaced portion, such as a knot, is formed at each slot for maintaining the size of the thigh loops, and each strap end is then preferably secured to the belt by a carabiner type clasp device.

Abstract: An automatically adjustable safety harness, intended to be sewn into a lining which is equipped with fasteners for integration of the lining into a pair of working trousers. The harness has a waist belt which, via two connecting straps with fixed loops and via two position straps, is connected with end loops on two leg straps. The position straps hold the respective leg straps separated from the genitals of the user, and the connecting straps are moveable a predetermined distance relative to the waist belt, whereby the leg straps are movable from a loose, rest position to a tight, working position around the leg of the user, through the corresponding connecting straps being stretched by a force acting on respective fixed loop. The stroke length ensures that the respective leg straps do not tighten too firmly around the legs of the user.

Abstract: A safety and support garment that is worn by a user to assist the user in climbing a tree and then maintaining either a standing or sitting position in the tree. The garment includes a girdle with leg holes through which the user extends his or her legs and pulls the garment up around the waist. A rigid seat is secured to the girdle and is positioned around the user's lower back while the user is on the ground to provide lumbar support, and then is positioned to serve as a seat when the user is in a tree. In addition, ropes of adjustable lengths are attached to the girdle as support and safety ropes for encircling the tree while allowing the user to freely move completely around the tree. Suspenders or an additional harness may also be attached to the girdle for additional support and comfort.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in controlling vertical movement of a first weight, comprises a first element rotatable in one direction about an axis and blocked against rotation in the opposite rotary direction; a second element acting as a guide; a control weight; and lines supporting the first weight and control weight by the elements, and including a first line wrapping about the first element and a second line entraining the second element, whereby changes in force exertion on the control weight determine alternative existence of a first mode of operation wherein line slippage relative to the first element allows the first weight to descend, and a second mode of operation wherein line non-slippage relative to the first element thereby blocks descending of the first weight. In addition, the control weight is usable to exert force acting to remove slack from the second line, which is important for safety reasons, where the apparatus is used for climbing.

Abstract: An escape device for escaping from a building or other high area in an emergency comprises a worm gear mechanism driven by an electric motor and operatively coupled to a reel having a length of high tensile line wound around it, arranged within a casing, and a belt connected to the casing for supporting a person's body. The worm gear mechanism rotates the reel, feeding out the line, and thereby lowering the user to a safe location below.

Abstract: Adjustable upper straps extend from the four corners of a collapsible seat assembly and terminate at a central O-ring. A groin strap extends from the central ring to a portion of the seat assembly. A tree ascender strap is also connected to the central ring, and has a latchable hook which can be used to encircle the trunk of a tree and secure the climber as he climbs. A back strap and shoulder strap extend from the central ring and help to restrain a hunter within the assembly both while climbing and while in an elevated position in the tree. A main lead securing strap extends from an extension strap connected to the central ring and has a buckle which allows it to be secured around a tree above the head of the hunter. The main lead securing strap is looped through itself in such a way that the strap chokes the tree trunk within itself to prevent slipping on trees with smooth bark.

Abstract: A collapsible fire escape ladder with an anti-tip restraint seat. The anti-tip restraint seat is attached tD the bottom end of the collapsible ladder and is used to safely lower a person from the upper floor of a building to eliminate the need for carrying the person while descending the collapsible ladder.

Abstract: A pulley system particularly useful for lifting or lowering an injured worker includes an upper pulley assembly adapted to be secured to a fixed structure and a lower pulley assembly adapted to be secured to the worker being lifted or lowered and further includes a rope having one end secured to one of the pulley assemblies. The rope is arranged in a substantially conventional manner around the pulleys whereby when a force is exerted on the free end of the rope, the worker can be raised and when a force is removed from the free end of the rope, the worker can be lowered. A pulley wheel forming part of one of the pulley assemblies has outwardly flared internal side walls. The lifting rope passes around the pulley wheel for only approximately 180.degree.. The dimensions of the rope and the pulley wheel are such that the rope engages the side walls of the pulley wheel.

Abstract: A safety harness includes an endless main belt hung on a suspension cable, a saddle fastened to the endless main belt at a bottom side remote from the suspension cable, a stretcher transversely fastened to two parallel sections of the endless main belt and vertically spaced between the suspension cable and the saddle to impart a space within the endless main belt for movement of the user's head, two supplementary belts fastened to the main belt and defining with it three vertically spaced pairs of insertion holes, a chest strap and a waist strap and two thigh straps respectively inserted through the insertion holes and fastened to the user's chest, waist and thighs by respective buckles for securing the user to the saddle.

Abstract: A fire escape device for lowering people from a high-rise, including a casing having a hanger for hanging on a support in a high-rise from which the user is going to escape, a driving pulley mounted inside the casing, a cable wound round the driving pulley and having an outer end extended out of the casing, a harness adapted for securing the user to the outer end of the cable, a friction disk having a corrugated track, a chain transmission turned by the driving pulley to rotate the friction disk, and spring-supported damping means installed in the casing and pressed on the corrugated track of the friction disk to impart a damping resistance to the driving pulley through the friction disk when the user goes down from the high-rise.

Abstract: A self-belaying descending apparatus (10) comprising a descending control device (12), a safety line (30) and a body support (50) that can consist of a waist belt (74). The apparatus (10) functions by securing the upper end (32) of the line (30) to a fixed elevated structure (90). The lower end (34) of the line (30) is then wrapped around a pair of upper and lower line controls (24,26) attached to the device (12), and the device (12) is secured to the waist belt (74). The apparatus (10) is disclosed in two designs. In the first design, a single person is able to descend from the elevated structure (90). In the second design, the device (12) and safety line (30) function in combination with a modified device (12) and the body support (50) consist of a safety cage (100) that allows at least two persons to descend. In both designs, the descent rate is controlled by applying hand pressure to the safety line (30) wrapped around the upper and lower line controls (24,26).

Abstract: A fire evacuation kit including a housing securable within a residence beneath a window thereof. A rope ladder is secured to an inner surface of the housing so that the housing can be opened to allow the ladder to be extended out through the window to a position where a lower end of the ladder is adjacent to a ground area.

Abstract: A climbing harness includes a waistband and a pair of leg loops. The leg loops have an adjustable girth for fitting about the user's thigh. The leg loops are joined to the waist band. An adjustment mechanism is provided which allows the user to adjust the rise of the leg loops relative to the waist band and also to adjust the girth of the leg loop.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for suspending a load from a rotary winged aircraft such as a helicopter by two releasable connections, wherein the load is adapted to be detached from the rotary winged aircraft upon both connections being released. Further safety features are also claimed.

Abstract: A descender system includes an elongated strap of sufficient length to lower a person from a danger area to a safe area. The descender system includes a harness adapted to support a person connected to a compact descender mechanism having a channel through which the strap passes. First, second and third parallel cylindrical pins supported in side-by-side alignment in the channel, the strap passing through a first end of the passage around portions of the first, second, and third pins and through a second end of the passage. The first pin is held stationary, allowing movement of the second and third pins toward the first pin. A camming surface adjustment moves a camming surface in sliding, leveraged engagement with the third pin to force it toward the second pin, incrementing frictional drag of the first, second, and third pins on the strap.

Abstract: A belt strap (1) for safety belts which is to have outer surfaces of as low friction as possible so that it can run through the safety belt system with as little friction as possible. The warp threads (3), which are woven into the belt strap, have filaments (5) of at least 15 dtex, particularly 17 dtex. The warp threads (3) are, in one embodiment, untwined and tangled at certain points with compressed air, whereby the tangled points (7) can be spaced from one another by 5 to 15 cm. In another embodiment the warp threads are twined only slightly, namely with 30 to 50 twists per meter thread length.

Abstract: A combination vest or upper torso section and attached seat combination to enable the user to position himself at any vertical location along a tree trunk or other vertical support which permits the user to be in an at rest, seated position or active, standing position. The seat section of the unit is shiftable with respect to the torso section for seated use or travel, walking use and similarly may be detached from the upper torso section such that the upper section may be utilized as a vest. The unit includes flexible support cords for support of the seat and to provide at least partial back support for the user when he is in a seated position. In order to position himself in the tree, tree steps are described but these climbing aids do not form a portion of the invention.

Abstract: A safety system comprising a seat board assembly and an associated harness to be worn by a person located at an elevated position for releasable securement to a holding device to protect the person from falling. The harness is formed of interconnected webs of flexible, e.g., nylon, material. The seat board assembly includes a generally planar panel which is arranged to be releasably secured to the harness for supporting the person's buttocks thereon so that he or she may move about relatively unencumbered by the system. The system also includes a pair of extendable, flexible, repelling straps for connection to a lowering device mounting on an adjacent safety line to enable the person to repel down the line. The seat board panel has a pair of flexible connecting straps projecting from opposed sides thereof for releasable securment, e.g., via VELCRO fasteners, to respective buckles on the harness to suspend the seat board panel below the harness.

Abstract: A descent controller (30) for lowering a load along a rope (32). Controller is a friction cylinder or capstan (31) of a length adapted to receive a plurality of turns of rope (32) between top and bottom end plates (34, 35) adjacent the upper and lower ends of said cylinder which overhang the cylinder (31) and define radial slots (40, 41) sized to loosely receive the rope. An upwardly narrowing tapered slot (44) defined diametrically through the capstan (31) receives and releasably grips the rope. An annular clamp ring (48) is slidably mounted on the cylinder (31) and defines a radial aperture (49) which loosely receives the rope as it exits from the tapered slot (44). A spring (41) biases the ring (48) upwardly along the said friction cylinder (31) for releasably wedging the rope (32) in the tapered slot.

Abstract: An egress and evacuation harness consisting of a single piece of strong, flexible material cut to a generally sector-shaped T-shaped pattern, the ends of which are secured together to form a seat. A shoulder strap secures a wearer in the seat.

Abstract: A safety apparatus to be worn by a person located at an elevated position for releasable securement to a holding device, e.g., a rope grab, etc., to protect the person from falling. The apparatus also enables the person to move about relatively unencumbered when supported by it, while also enabling the person to repel down a safety line located adjacent the holding device. The apparatus comprises a first belt, a second belt, and a pair of extendable connecting straps. The first belt is releasably secured about the waist of the person and includes at least one connector, e.g., a D-ring, for releasable securement to the holding device. The second belt comprises an elongated web-like member having a pair of ends, each of which is fixedly secured to the first belt. The second belt is disposed in a stowed position interposed betweeen the first belt and the lower portion of the back of the person but is arranged to be pulled out and down from the first belt to form a seat for the buttocks of the person.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dual purpose device which can be used as a swing type seat and as a harness which can be worn by sportsmen and used to assist the wearer in towing materials.The harness can also be worn by children. In which case the device can be used to prevent a child from straying from a parent.The device has a pair of elongated pads which serve as a set for a swing type seat when the device is employed as a seat and as shoulder pads when the device is employed as a harness. The elongated pads are connected to a series of straps and strap segments which complete the sling and the harness configurations.

Abstract: An iron worker's seat protector and gripping device includes an elongated flexible sheet member having an upper and lower end, and a belt secured adjacent to the upper end. The belt is secured to the worker's waist such that the sheet member hangs downwardly adjacent the worker's rump. The flexible sheet member is positioned between the worker and a beam by grasping the lower edge and pulling it upwardly and forwardly to between the legs to position the sheet member on the beam. An elongated strap is secured to the lower edge of the sheet member to assist the worker in positioning and movement of the sheet member. A chain is selectively attachable to a ring on the strap, and extends to a clamp which is selectively attached to a beam so as to hold the sheet member in the desired location on the beam.

Abstract: A tree climbing device which includes a rope clamp that can be locked to a rope having a tree trunk-encircling loop, and which is connected to a user harness so that a climber can be suspended from the tree trunk by the device during the climbing process. The clamp comprises rope-gripping member with adjacent opposing ends spaced from each other, that together with link plates pivotally attached to the members on either side thereof define a space through which the rope is passed. The end of each of the members opposite the space is pivotally attached to one end of different support legs, the other end of the legs being attached to a support bar. Spring means are provided which urge the support bar from one of the link plates, reducing the space, and locking the rope therein. When pressure is applied opposite to such urging, the space is increased, unlocking the device so that the rope can be moved through the clamp for rope adjustment purposes required to facilitate the climbing process.

Abstract: A hand operated apparatus is disclosed for controlling, hauling in, paying out or securing a line. The apparatus includes rope engaging cammed surfaces eccentrically mounted for rotation that permit the line to move in one direction but prevents it from moving in the other direction unless lever means, acting against a spring bias, rotate the cam surfaces away from contact with the line permitting the line to run freely through the apparatus.A fail safe position is provided in that if the lever is clutched too tightly, it will over-travel the line releasing position and engage the line on a second surface of the cam.As an added feature a mechanism is provided for automatically engaging and disengaging the device from the bite of a line.

Abstract: A portable elevating device constructed according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown as including a winch frame for mounting a winch and a harness assembly secured to the winch frame for supporting an operator. In the preferred embodiment, the free end of the cable of the winch is releasably secured at a vertical position by a C-shaped anchor. The anchor may be positioned at the vertical position by a telescoping pole releasably secured thereto. After the free end of the cable is secured to the vertical position, the operator located in the harness assembly can elevate or lower himself by rolling or unrolling the cable on the winch. The winch frame in its most preferred form includes a rope gripping member for gripping a rope secured to a vertical position and moveable between a non-engaging position and an engaging position to thus operate as a safety line if the winch, cable, or anchor should fail.

Abstract: A portable elevating device constructed according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown as including a winch frame for mounting a winch and a harness assembly secured to the winch frame for supporting an operator. In the preferred embodiment, the free end of the cable of the winch is releasably secured at a vertical position by a C-shaped anchor. The anchor may be positioned at the vertical position by a telescoping pole releasably secured thereto. After the free end of the cable is secured to the vertical position, the operator located in the harness assembly can elevate or lower himself by rolling or unrolling the cable on the winch. The winch frame in its most preferred form includes a rope gripping member for gripping a rope secured to a vertical position and moveable between a non-engaging position and an engaging position to thus operate as a safety line if the winch, cable, or anchor should fail.

Abstract: A descent vehicle for persons to lower themselves in a controlled manner by gravity from a high place or building on the outside. The unit rides on a rope secured to the building or high place and allows riders of different weights sitting on the seat of the vehicle holding on to handles to ride one at a time safely down from any height at about walking speed. Two main parts inside housing, pre-adjusted by the rider, bend and squeeze the rope to produce the desired safe descent speed. A hand brake on the unit is an additional safety feature.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved apparatus for one person to use in effecting an escape from a tall building or the like under emergency conditions, such apparatus including a novel load-lowering device in the form of a small cylindrical drum having generally teardrop-shaped apertured endplates on both ends thereof and an eye projecting therebeneath for attachment of a load-carrying sling. The elongate portions of the teardrop-shaped endplates are vertically aligned and project beyond the surface of the drum, such projections containing the apertures. A rope is threaded onto the load-lowering device by first being passed up and in through the aperture in the lower endplate, then wrapped three or four turns around the drum before finally being passed up and out through the aperture in the upper one or vice versa.

Abstract: Tree climbing apparatus includes a seat, a rope supporting the seat and a cleat. One end of the rope supports the seat, a standing portion of the rope extends upwardly from the seat; the rope passes over a branch, and a running portion extends downwardly and through a uni-directional cleat; a a link supports the seat from the cleat. The cleat is laterally removable from the running portion, for replacement by a latching rope extending from the seat to the suspension rope running portion.

Abstract: A sailing harness adapted to be worn by a sailor and fastened to the sail assembly of a sailboard, for supporting the sailor during sailing and reducing fatigue. The harness includes a buttock-engaging member adapted to surround the sailor's buttocks, a coupling member connected to the buttock-engaging member at the front of the sailor, and adapted to be fastened to the sail assembly, and an elastic retaining member attached to the coupling member and adapted to be fastened to the upper torso of the sailor. The elastic retaining member keeps the coupling member close to the sailor's torso when no load is applied to the coupling member, and stretches to permit the coupling member to move away from the sailor's torso when load is applied during sailing. Substantially all of the load transmitted through the coupling member is therefore transferred to the sailor's hips.

Abstract: A lowering device for lowering a person or other load comprises a line for lowering the load and a support structure through which the line runs during lowering. In some modes of operation a free end of the line is secured to a fixed point, and the support structure is secured to the person and travels with the person down the line. In other modes the support structure is secured to a fixed point, and the load is secured to a free end of the line and is lowered downwardly away from the support structure. Pivotably mounted on the support structure is a transverse guide member carrying a fixed guide element at each end thereof and a rotatable guide element at the center thereof. The line passes around the guide elements and under the effect of load tension the transverse member pivots to bring the guide elements on the member into a pinching effect with guide elements which are fixed on the support structure.

Abstract: A self-contained safety device for self-lowering a person comprises an elongated high-strength safety webbing to support a person and a reel for releasably housing said webbing. The device comprises a generally figure 8 shaped member having two aligned apertures, a seat comprising a non-slip buckle means and two elongated seat webbings to form a big hole and one-half of waste hole. A friction knot is formed by passing the safety webbing through one aperture of the figure 8 member, said friction knot being manipulatable to extend the webbing at a controlled rate, and means at the free end of the safety webbing for anchoring the webb during lowering of the person.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fire escape for high rise buildings. Cables are automatically lowered from the roof of the building, and once they have descended, brake apparatus is slipped over each cable to be used from various levels of the building. A person is suspended from each brake apparatus, and is controllably lowered to the ground. Since the brake apparatus can be attached anywhere along the cable without prethreading, a plurality of persons can be lowered at the same time, and the same cable can be used repeatedly by many people.

Abstract: An emergency escape apparatus includes a gear track mounted vertically on an exterior surface of a building. A carriage is provided with guide rollers which engage a guide track oriented adjacent and parallel to the gear track. A gear wheel is rotatably mounted on the carriage and is maintained in positive engagement with the gear track by the guide rollers. The carriage includes automatic brakes which serve to limit the maximum downward velocity of the carriage, and a boatswain's chair is attached to the carriage to secure one or more persons to the carriage for transport down the outside of the building.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a lightweight portable "tree stand" or hunting sling which is utilized to hoist a hunter appreciably above ground level and support the hunter thereat, the "tree stand" including a seat rest and a back rest of fabric material, the seat rest having a medial seat portion and opposite end portions to the latter of which are connected a foot rest in the form of a rope, means for adjustably connecting the seat portion of the seat rest to the back rest, the back rest having two upwardly directed spaced arms connected by ropes to a hoist while additional ropes connect the hoist to the arms of the seat rest, and another rope passing through openings of the back rest for manipulating the "tree stand" through 360 degrees.

Abstract: A supportive body harness, having a plurality of straps or strips, with load-sharing and thus high comfort effect by a means which co-ordinate the different support particulars, achieving full and comfortable body-support without any straps passing between the wearer's legs. Particularly useful in conjunction with semi-invalid safety-walker installations which provide for a person's walking support from a supportive trackway mounted on the ceiling.

Abstract: A descending manually controllable apparatus slidable on a suspended support rope. Operator sits on supporting structure, controlling the rate of descent.

Abstract: A belt assembly capable of functioning as both a safety belt and a support for a tool carrier, and which includes a first belt adapted to extend about the back of a user's waist and carrying two connecting rings at opposite sides of the user's body, and a second belt which also extends across the back of the user's waist and is attached to the first belt at a predetermined location but not at a second location at which the belts are separable to allow a tool carrier to be slipped onto and be suspended by that portion of the second belt. The first belt is preferably shaped to have two portions one of which is received behind and supports the user's waist, and the other of which can extend downwardly between the rings to support the user's body in a sitting position.

Abstract: A controlled-speed device for lowering passengers and materials on a cable or rope from an elevated structure, using paired banks of alternatively opposed arms, pivotably anchored to a rigid frame, for controllably inducing friction in a cable zigzagging between the tips of the arms by varying both pressure upon and length of arcuate contact with the cable or rope. The device is selectively attached to an elevated structure or descends with the load. The arms are inclined upwardly or downwardly but generally are always inclined toward the incoming portion of the cable. The cable is selectively a single length, a double length, or endless. The tips of the arms have a groove, through which the cable passes, which is covered with a frictional composition or alternatively the cable passes over a roller attached to a brake assembly on each arm. The arms are selectively solid or have a resiliency device for absorbing shocks and minimizing binding forces upon the cable that could cause jerkiness in movement.

Abstract: A ladderless safety escape device includes a cable drum upon which a cable is wound having means secured to the free end thereof for the support of a person. A braking mechanism is operatively connected to the cable drum for controlling the rate of descent of the person. A brake control mechanism is provided for operatively disconnecting the brake mechanism from the cable drum during rewinding of the cable and insures operative connection of the brake mechanism and cable drum during unwinding of the cable.

Abstract: A portable descent mechanism is disclosed which allows the use of a conventional window as an avenue of escape in emergency situations such as fires and comprising a passenger chair, spools with cable wound thereon, a brake, and window attachment apparatus designed for simple engagement with a conventional windowsill and utilizes a pair of hooks that fit over the windowsill.

Abstract: An elongated flexible tension member is provided including a first end attachable to an upper floor portion of a building and a free end portion which may depend downwardly to ground level. A slide member is engaged with the tension member for guided movement therealong and defines a handgrip to be held by a user moving downwardly along the tension member with the slide. The slide further supports a seat portion therebelow upon which the user may be seated while grasping the handgrip defining slide and moving downwardly therewith. Also, the slide includes readily actuatable and deactuatable friction brake and clamping structure for selectively and variably braking the descent of the slide and seat portion supported therefrom along the tension member.