A62B35/005

Shuttle for a Climbing Protection System
20190099625 · 2019-04-04 ·

A shuttle (20) for a climbing protection system (10) is provided and includes a clamping member (26) mounted on a frame (22) for movement between a an opening position, a free position wherein the shuttle (20) can move freely along an elongate support member (12), and a clamping position wherein the clamping member (26) resists movement of the shuttle (20) relative to the elongate support member (12), and an anti-inversion member (30) mounted on the frame (22) for movement between a first closed position blocking insertion of the elongate support member (12) and an open position where the anti-inversion member (30) does not block insertion of the elongate support member (12). The anti-inversion member movable from the open position to the closed position when the shuttle (20) is moved from a desired orientation to a non-desired orientation relative to gravity with the clamping member (26) in the opening position and wherein the clamping member (26) and the anti-inversion member (30) are engaged to maintain the clamping member (26) in the opening position when the shuttle (20) is in the non-desired orientation.

RETRACTABLE LIFELINE APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME

Various embodiments are directed to a lifeline apparatus and method of using the same. In various embodiments, the lifeline apparatus comprises a spool lock assembly selectively configurable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration to facilitate selective deployment of a lifeline from within a housing, the spool lock assembly comprising: a latch plate configurable between a nominal position and an actuated position; a lock arm engaged with the latch plate and configured for arrangement between engaged and disengaged positions based on a latch plate position, wherein the engaged position of the lock arm is defined the lock arm being positioned to prevent the selective deployment of the lifeline by restricting rotation of one or more components operatively connected to the lifeline; wherein the configuration of the spool lock assembly between the locked and unlocked configurations is defined by the latch plate position between the nominal and actuated positions.

FALL RESTRAINT SYSTEM

The present system for fall restraint includes a mounting frame connected to a trigger mechanism and firing blocks, with a trigger cable extending through apertures in the mounting frame and trigger mechanism. Sudden movement by a user, such as a fall, actuates the trigger mechanism to trigger the firing blocks. The firing blocks are loaded with anchors and firing cartridges. Triggering the firing blocks causes the cartridges to fire, propelling the anchors into an anchoring surface, such as a roof. Because the user is connected to the trigger cable, once the anchors deploy the user is anchored to the roof and their fall arrested.

HIGH LOAD DESCENDER WITH ADAPTIVE RELEASE LINKAGE
20190030376 · 2019-01-31 · ·

A high load descender for rope access and rescue has a ratcheting sheave mounted to a pivoting arm, which translate with rope tension against a fixed shoe. The ratcheting sheave has a groove that grips rope during descent while allowing free rotation for ascent and progress capture. An adaptive release linkage enhances ease of operation and control while maintaining convenient handle position in a variety of conditions.

CLIMB ASSIST VELOCITY CONTROL
20190017325 · 2019-01-17 ·

A climb assist system dynamically adjusts a rate and a level of load assist that the system provides to a climber during traverse of a structure. The system includes a load sensor system configured to detect the state of the climber, such as the load applied by the climber to an assist rope, to provide an upward support force on the climber to compensate the climber's weight. Additionally, the system includes a sender configured to transmit data to a receiver of the system. The system includes a controller configured to interpret the received data and thereafter provide control through a controlled motor and drive system to provide load assist to the climber. A safety function of the system is configured to receive data indicative of a rate of descent of the climber, and slow or stop the descent if one or more conditions are met.

Fall protection and buffering device
10159859 · 2018-12-25 ·

A fall protection and buffering device includes a retaining strip, and a buffer strip having a length shorter than the retaining strip. The buffer strip has first and second strip sections between two ends and includes first and second textile layers overlappedly affixed with each other. The first and second textile layers are separated at one end of the buffer strip at the first strip section thereof and are affixed to top and bottom ends of the retaining strip respectively. The first and second textile layers are torn from each other sequentially along the first and second strip sections of the buffer strip in response to a falling force applied to the retaining strip. A tensile strength of tearing the first and second textile layers at the first strip section is different from a tensile strength of tearing the first and second textile layers at the second strip section.

Fall restraint system

The present system for fall restraint includes a mounting frame connected to a trigger mechanism and firing blocks, with a trigger cable extending through apertures in the mounting frame and trigger mechanism. Sudden movement by a user, such as a fall, actuates the trigger mechanism to trigger the firing blocks. The firing blocks are loaded with anchors and firing cartridges. Triggering the firing blocks causes the cartridges to fire, propelling the anchors into an anchoring surface, such as a roof. Because the user is connected to the trigger cable, once the anchors deploy the user is anchored to the roof and their fall arrested.

High load descender with adaptive release linkage
10092781 · 2018-10-09 · ·

A high load descender for rope access and rescue has a ratcheting sheave mounted to a pivoting arm, which translate with rope tension against a fixed shoe. The ratcheting sheave has a groove that grips rope during descent while allowing free rotation for ascent and progress capture. An adaptive release linkage enhances ease of operation and control while maintaining convenient handle position in a variety of conditions.

Guided type fall arrester—force control
10047560 · 2018-08-14 · ·

A fall arrester is provided and includes a pawl and connecting element that are configured such that the pawl and connecting element rotate in a common direction to move the pawl to an engaging position in response to a first predetermined force applied to the connecting element in a first direction, and to allow the pawl to rotate away from the connecting element as the pawl moves to the engaging position in response to a second predetermined force applied to the connecting element in a second direction that is different than the first direction.

Rope joining
12116843 · 2024-10-15 · ·

Integrated climb assist and fall arrest system and methods to assist users climbing ladders and vertical paths are disclosed. The integrated systems and comprise a controller connected to a user's harness, a static fall arrest cable, and a movable climb assist belt. The connection of the fall arrest components and the climb assist components may include physical connection, electronic connection, communication, or any combination thereof. The climb assist belt can be driven by a motor to provide an upwards climb assistance force to a user along a vertical path. The motor can be dynamically adjusted to continuously provide a level of climb assistance. The integrated controller is also configured to mechanically detect downwards movement and engage an overspeed braking mechanism when a threshold velocity or acceleration is detected.