An apparatus has a first portion of a magnetic braking system with a first element disposed thereon. The first portion rotates about an axis. The position of the first element is a fixed distance from the axis. A second portion of the magnetic braking system has a second element disposed thereon. A spring biases the rotatable first portion a first distance from the second portion. Upon application of a force to one of the portions, the relative position of the rotatable first portion to the second portion is reduced to a second distance less than the first distance.

A self-retracting lanyard including a main body and a retractable line. The retractable line is coupled to the main body so as to be extendible and retractable relative to the main body and to be restricted from extending relative to the main body in response to a user of the self-retracting lanyard falling. The self-retracting lanyard further includes a manual control operable by the user to initiate controlled descent of the retractable line relative to the main body.

A self-retracting lanyard including a main body and a retractable line. The retractable line is coupled to the main body so as to be extendible and retractable relative to the main body and to be restricted from extending relative to the main body in response to a user of the self-retracting lanyard falling. The self-retracting lanyard further includes a manual control operable by the user to initiate controlled descent of the retractable line relative to the main body.

Described herein is a transmission mechanism and an associated method of use for braking relative movement between members, movement and braking of the members being directed through one or more transmission elements.

Described herein is a transmission mechanism and an associated method of use for braking relative movement between members, movement and braking of the members being directed through one or more transmission elements.

An eddy-current mechanism including a rotor rotatable about a rotor axis at least one electrically conductive material coupled to the rotor for rotation therewith, at least one magnet configured to apply a magnetic field extending at least partially orthogonal to the plane of rotation of the conductive member, and characterised in that upon rotation of the rotor, the conductive member is configured to move at least partially radially from the rotor axis into the applied magnetic field.

An eddy-current mechanism including a rotor rotatable about a rotor axis at least one electrically conductive material coupled to the rotor for rotation therewith, at least one magnet configured to apply a magnetic field extending at least partially orthogonal to the plane of rotation of the conductive member, and characterised in that upon rotation of the rotor, the conductive member is configured to move at least partially radially from the rotor axis into the applied magnetic field.

The present invention is directed to a climbing wall comprising a climbing surface and a climbing assistance assembly that provides a disabled child with an opportunity to utilize the climbing wall. The climbing assistance assembly comprises a track mounted above at least a portion of the climbing surface and spanning at least a portion of the length of the climbing surface. A trolley, from which a rope is suspended, is configured to travel along the track. The rope is coupled both to the trolley and to a harness. The climbing assistance assembly may further include a fall arrest device configured to lower an end of the rope coupled to the harness from an elevated position to a rest position in a controlled manner. Because the trolley is configured to travel with a user wearing the harness as the user traverses a length of the climbing surface, the fall arrest device is positioned substantially directly above the user throughout the user's climbing experience, ensuring that if the user falls, the descent will occur in a safe and controlled manner.

The present invention is directed to a climbing wall comprising a climbing surface and a climbing assistance assembly that provides a disabled child with an opportunity to utilize the climbing wall. The climbing assistance assembly comprises a track mounted above at least a portion of the climbing surface and spanning at least a portion of the length of the climbing surface. A trolley, from which a rope is suspended, is configured to travel along the track. The rope is coupled both to the trolley and to a harness. The climbing assistance assembly may further include a fall arrest device configured to lower an end of the rope coupled to the harness from an elevated position to a rest position in a controlled manner. Because the trolley is configured to travel with a user wearing the harness as the user traverses a length of the climbing surface, the fall arrest device is positioned substantially directly above the user throughout the user's climbing experience, ensuring that if the user falls, the descent will occur in a safe and controlled manner.

Described herein is a device comprising members in a kinematic relationship. The kinematic relationship is at least partially governed by at least one magnetic flux interaction that, in effect, may provide a tunable resistance to movement, changing the rate of relative movement between the members. In one embodiment, the device comprises a first member in a kinematic relationship with at least one further member to form a system. The system moves within a limited range of motion and the system interacts when an external energizing force is imposed on the system causing the members to respond due to their kinematic and dynamic characteristics and thereby creating relative motion between the members. The trigger member is coupled to the at least the first member and moves in response to a pre-determined system movement. When the trigger member moves, the trigger member imposes a braking action on the system or a member or members thereof. The speed and/or intensity of the braking action imposed by the trigger member on the system or a member or members thereof is controlled by the trigger member rate of movement. This rate of movement is in turn governed by a magnetic flux interaction between the trigger member and the at least one first member causing formation of a magnetically induced eddy current force between the parts.