An eddy-current braking mechanism including a rotor, rotatable about a rotor axis; at least one electrically conductive member 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.

A line guidance device (40) is provided for use with a confined space entry/retrieval hoist and fall protection anchorage system (10) and includes a line guide (46) that guides a line from an extend/retract line device (22) past another extend/retract line device (20) with both devices (20, 22) mounted on a backside (24) of a mast (12) of the system (10).

Provided is a self-retracting device including a rotatable hub assembly. The rotatable hub assembly includes a first half and a second half. The first half includes a slot for an axle. The second half includes a retraction member and a slot for the axle. The self-retracting device also includes an axle with a body extending through the slot of the first half and the slot of the second half and a line. A first end of the line includes a loop, wherein the loop is between the first half and the second half and the axle body extends through an opening defined by the loop. The rotatable hub assembly is configured to retract the line when the rotatable hub assembly moves in the first rotational direction and pay out the line when the rotatable hub assembly moves in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.

An assembly includes first and second ropes and a suspension element. The first rope is securable to a first attachment in a work area. A person can be coupled to the first rope. The second rope is available for lowering the person. The suspension element is secured in a securing region. A force-transmitting coupling is creatable between the second rope and the suspension element. The first and second ropes are coupled to each other over a first lowering region. The second rope is decoupleable non-destructively from the first rope from an end of the first lowering region. A person can be lowered in a second lowering region by the second rope. The weight of the person in the second lowering region is transferable from the second rope via the suspension element to the securing region.

An assembly includes first and second ropes and a suspension element. The first rope is securable to a first attachment in a work area. A person can be coupled to the first rope. The second rope is available for lowering the person. The suspension element is secured in a securing region. A force-transmitting coupling is creatable between the second rope and the suspension element. The first and second ropes are coupled to each other over a first lowering region. The second rope is decoupleable non-destructively from the first rope from an end of the first lowering region. A person can be lowered in a second lowering region by the second rope. The weight of the person in the second lowering region is transferable from the second rope via the suspension element to the securing region.

The invention relates to a rope-lowering device for lowering persons from a building or the like, comprising: an axle arranged to rotate about its longitudinal axis; a first reel connected or connectable to the axle; a second reel connected or connectable to the axle; a brake connected to the axle, which brake is configured to provide a braking force to the axle independent of a direction of rotation; a first rope connected to the first reel to be suspended from the first reel; and a second rope connected to the second reel to be suspended from the second reel, wherein the rope-lowering device is configured such that when both the first and second reels are connected to the axle, paying out one of the first and second rope will automatically cause the other one of the first and second rope to be hauled in.

The invention relates to a rope-lowering device for lowering persons from a building or the like, comprising: an axle arranged to rotate about its longitudinal axis; a first reel connected or connectable to the axle; a second reel connected or connectable to the axle; a brake connected to the axle, which brake is configured to provide a braking force to the axle independent of a direction of rotation; a first rope connected to the first reel to be suspended from the first reel; and a second rope connected to the second reel to be suspended from the second reel, wherein the rope-lowering device is configured such that when both the first and second reels are connected to the axle, paying out one of the first and second rope will automatically cause the other one of the first and second rope to be hauled in.

A velocity control device for controlling the velocity of a load on a flexible tension member. The device can include a chassis having a chassis peripheral surface, with a portion of the chassis peripheral surface defining an exit aperture. The device can also include a capstan, the capstan having a proximal face joined to the chassis and a distal face separated at a distance from the proximal face. A peripheral capstan surface can be tapered from a greatest diameter near the distal face to a smallest diameter near the proximal face. The device can include a throttle, the throttle being attached to the chassis. The throttle can an interior surface defining an opening through which the tension member can pass with the interior surface being in at least partial contact with the tension member. Heat produced by kinetic energy in the flexible tension member is transferred to the throttle, and the change in system internal energy produces work in the form of a drag force on the flexible tension member.

A velocity control device for controlling the velocity of a load on a flexible tension member. The device can include a chassis having a chassis peripheral surface, with a portion of the chassis peripheral surface defining an exit aperture. The device can also include a capstan, the capstan having a proximal face joined to the chassis and a distal face separated at a distance from the proximal face. A peripheral capstan surface can be tapered from a greatest diameter near the distal face to a smallest diameter near the proximal face. The device can include a throttle, the throttle being attached to the chassis. The throttle can an interior surface defining an opening through which the tension member can pass with the interior surface being in at least partial contact with the tension member. Heat produced by kinetic energy in the flexible tension member is transferred to the throttle, and the change in system internal energy produces work in the form of a drag force on the flexible tension member.

Fall protection equipment, such as a self-retracting lifeline (SRL), including features that enable the SRL to communicate sound to a user or data, or signals to a wireless device.