An escape system for descending a person from a window is disclosed. The escape system may be mounted above a window through which a person may egress and descend to the ground. The escape system includes a fenestration unit having a frame and a human support embedded into the frame in a stowed position. The human support carries a person during descent. A cable is wound about a shaft supported by the frame. The cable is connected to the human support. The escape system further includes a speed limiting device connected to the shaft that controls the speed of descent.

A line dispensing device includes a housing, a rotatable shaft rotatably supported by the housing and defining a rotational axis, and a line drum disposed about the rotational axis and configured to extend and retract a line from the housing. The line dispensing device also includes a retraction assembly disposed about the rotational axis and configured to generate a retraction force and retract the line from the housing, and a braking assembly disposed about the rotational axis and configured to generate a braking force on the line and during extension of the line from the housing.

A line dispensing device includes a housing, a rotatable shaft rotatably supported by the housing and defining a rotational axis, and a line drum disposed about the rotational axis and configured to extend and retract a line from the housing. The line dispensing device also includes a retraction assembly disposed about the rotational axis and configured to generate a retraction force and retract the line from the housing, and a braking assembly disposed about the rotational axis and configured to generate a braking force on the line and during extension of the line from the housing.

An apparatus and an associated method relates to a directionally polarized deceleration module (PDM) include a shuttle (125) fixedly coupled to a spring-biased spool (120) rotatable coupled to a module housing (115), a dynamic braking member (DBM) (130) and the shuttle (125) configured to travel inside a channel anchored to the module housing (115). A tether may be anchored on a proximal end to the spool (120). As the tether is retracted, the DBM (130) may be pushed by an angled distal-end of the shuttle (125). The DBM (130) may be forced between the angled distal-end of the shuttle (125) and an inner channel wall, providing motional resistance to the tether. As the tether is extracted, the DBM (130) may be pushed substantially normal to a proximal-end of the shuttle (125), providing minimal motional resistance to the tether. Various PDMs may decelerate safety lanyards in one direction to substantially avoid tangling and/or damage.

A brake assembly comprises a brake plate including a plurality of radially-extending brake tabs, and an extension member extending at least partially through the brake plate. The extension member is movable relative to the brake plate such that the extension member is configured to successively engage the brake tabs. The brake assembly enables one or more forces to be managed or controlled throughout a braking event, such as a fall arrest event.

Described herein are energy absorbing apparatuses and methods of their use that utilize varying energy absorbing relationships between the apparatus members to absorb an energy input. The energy absorbing process occurs via a material forming process.

A release device (10) is provided for use with a fall protection unit (12) having a lifeline (14) that can be deployed N in a fall direction to protect a worker (16) in a fall event, and includes a frame (22) configured to fix the release device (10) to a fall protection unit (12), a release member (24) mounted for movement from a lock position to a release position, a connection member (26) configured to connect the deployable lifeline (14) of the fall protection unit (12) to another piece of fall protection equipment connected to the worker (16), the connection member (26) having a locked condition wherein the connection member (26) is prevented from moving in a fall direction relative to the frame (22) and a released condition wherein the connection member (26) is free to move in the fall direction relative to the frame (22); the connection member (26) having a stop surface (34); and a stop link (28) mounted to the frame (22) to move from a engaged position to a disengaged position in response to the release member (24) moving from the lock position to the release position. The stop link (28) has a hold surface (38) engaged with the stop surface (34) with the stop link (28) in the engaged position and the connection member (26) in the locked condition, and at least one of the stop surface (34) and the hold surface (38) area planar surface extending at an acute angle to the fall direction with the connection member (26) in the locked condition and the stop link (28) in the engaged position.

A release device (10) is provided for use with a fall protection unit (12) having a lifeline (14) that can be deployed N in a fall direction to protect a worker (16) in a fall event, and includes a frame (22) configured to fix the release device (10) to a fall protection unit (12), a release member (24) mounted for movement from a lock position to a release position, a connection member (26) configured to connect the deployable lifeline (14) of the fall protection unit (12) to another piece of fall protection equipment connected to the worker (16), the connection member (26) having a locked condition wherein the connection member (26) is prevented from moving in a fall direction relative to the frame (22) and a released condition wherein the connection member (26) is free to move in the fall direction relative to the frame (22); the connection member (26) having a stop surface (34); and a stop link (28) mounted to the frame (22) to move from a engaged position to a disengaged position in response to the release member (24) moving from the lock position to the release position. The stop link (28) has a hold surface (38) engaged with the stop surface (34) with the stop link (28) in the engaged position and the connection member (26) in the locked condition, and at least one of the stop surface (34) and the hold surface (38) area planar surface extending at an acute angle to the fall direction with the connection member (26) in the locked condition and the stop link (28) in the engaged position.

System for physical mobility activity of a person, comprising at least one fixed support member and at least one contact member to be worn by the person In motion, wherein the support member and the contact member comprise at least one support surface and at least one contact surface, respectively, wherein the support surface and the contact surface constitute the respective components of a hook-and-loop fastening connection consisting of hooks and loops, wherein the hooks have hook stems and hook openings, wherein the hook openings on the support surface or contact surface in question are at least substantially all situated at the same side of the hook stems in question, when considered in a first direction parallel to the support surface or contact surface in question.

System for physical mobility activity of a person, comprising at least one fixed support member and at least one contact member to be worn by the person In motion, wherein the support member and the contact member comprise at least one support surface and at least one contact surface, respectively, wherein the support surface and the contact surface constitute the respective components of a hook-and-loop fastening connection consisting of hooks and loops, wherein the hooks have hook stems and hook openings, wherein the hook openings on the support surface or contact surface in question are at least substantially all situated at the same side of the hook stems in question, when considered in a first direction parallel to the support surface or contact surface in question.