Msa Technology, LLC

Werner Co.

Mitchell H Hetrich

Frederick J Bartnicki

David E Plotner

Edward E Heald

Richard P Sulecki

Robert D Beggs

David J Losos

Kevin L McIntire

Mark Allen Hall

Jeffrey Wu

Jeffrey F Harding

James Zhan

Marc A Mabie

Christine A Leipheimer

David Bao

Gregory M Grupp

Mark Hall

Robert Pitt

Jim Zhan

A fall arrest system includes a line retraction device having a safety line, an energy absorber configured for connecting to a terminal end of the safety line, and a harness configured for connecting to the energy absorber such that the energy absorber is disposed between the terminal end of the safety line and the harness. The safety line is selected to have a predetermined mean breaking force with a first standard deviation, and the energy absorber is selected to have a predetermined mean deployment force with a second standard deviation. The mean breaking force of the safety line and the mean deployment force of the energy absorber overlap over an overlapping region of the first and second standard deviation. A ratio of an overlap mean force of the overlapping region to an overlap standard deviation of the overlapping region is less than or equal to 6.

Cut-resistant leading edge fall arrest system and method

A connection arrangement for use with a wearable body harness has a first connector having a body with a first portion of a locking mechanism and a second connector having a body with a second portion of the locking mechanism. The first portion of the locking mechanism has a tab connected to the body of the first connector and a slot having a first portion extending through the body of the first connector and a second portion extending through the tab. The second portion of the locking mechanism has a tongue configured for being received through the first portion of the slot, and an intermediate connecting element having a first end connected to the body of the second connector and a second end connected to the tongue. The second end of the intermediate connecting element is offset from the body of the second connector.

Harness connection arrangement

A connector includes a frame having a first end, a second end, and a pass-through opening extending between the first end and the second end along a longitudinal axis of the frame. The connector further has a gate positioned between the first end and the second end of the frame and movable between a closed position to close the pass-through opening and an open position to open the pass-through opening. A locking mechanism selectively locks the gate in the closed position. The locking mechanism has a rotatable knob connected to at least one of the first end and the second end of the frame and rotatable in a direction about the longitudinal axis, and a locking indent on the gate configured for receiving at least a portion of the rotatable knob when the gate is in the closed position. The rotatable knob is rotationally biased by a biasing mechanism.

Harness connector

A line retraction device includes a rotatable drum having a line associated therewith, with the line including a first end directly or indirectly attached to the drum and a second end opposite the first end, and at least one retraction member biasing the drum in a first rotational direction of the drum opposite a second rotational direction of the drum, where the drum is configured to: (i) retract the line when the drum moves in the first rotational direction; and (ii) payout the line when the drum moves in the second rotational direction. The device further including a damper assembly configured to provide rotational resistance to the drum in: (i) the first rotational direction of the drum as the line is being retracted; and (ii) the second rotational direction as the line is being paid out.

Line retraction device having a damper assembly

A load indicator for use with a fall protection apparatus having a line and a connector for connecting to a user includes a housing having a pass-through opening and a covered indicator region. At least a portion of the housing is configured for connecting to the line. The load indicator also includes a shear pin supported by the housing and extending across the pass-through opening, and a saddle extending across at least a portion of the pass-through opening and supported by at least a portion of the shear pin. The saddle is configured for connecting to at least a portion of the connector. The saddle is movable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position when a force exceeding a predetermined threshold value is applied on the saddle causing the shear pin to shear or break. At least a portion of the indicator region is uncovered in the second position of the saddle when the shear pin shears or breaks.

Load indicator for a fall protection apparatus

A fall protection device, including: a housing; a hub rotatable with respect to the housing; a line wrapped around the hub and configured to pay out from and retract into the housing, an engagement mechanism configured to prevent rotation of the hub and further payout of the line; and an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a length of the line paid out from the housing, the adjustment mechanism comprising: (i) at least one gear attached to the housing; (ii) a pivot having a track configured to interact with the at least one gear and pivot as the at least one gear rotates; and (iii) an arm configured to urge at least a portion of the engagement mechanism causing it to move into an engagement position, to thereby prevent further rotation of the hub and payout of the line from the fall protection device.

Fall protection device and adjustment mechanism therefor

A fall protection arrangement including a rotatable hub and a lifeline having a first end attached to the hub and a second end for removable attachment to a user, an engagement mechanism to prevent rotation of the hub upon activation, and a braking arrangement to brake the payout of the lifeline during a fall event.

Fall protection arrangement

A member for connecting a rail to a horizontal element of a ladder. The member comprises a first portion that connects to the horizontal member. The member also comprises a second portion which connects to the rail and extends essentially in parallel with the rail. The second portion is integrally connected to the first portion such that the first portion and the second portion are one continuous piece. The second portion is in an angular relationship of less than 90.degree. with the first portion. A member for connecting a rail having a first rail flange and a second rail flange to a horizontal element of a ladder. The member comprises a first arm which connects to the first rail flange and the horizontal member. The member is also comprised of a second arm which connects to the second rail flange and the horizontal member. Additionally, the member comprises a central body which is integrally connected to the second arm and the first arm. The first arm, second arm and central body are one continuous piece, preferably of plastic. A ladder comprised of the member for each rail. A method for using a ladder. The method comprises the steps of placing a load on the ladder. Next there is the step of transferring forces generated from the load to a member connected between a rail of the ladder and a first step of the ladder.

Ladder, member for connecting a rail to a horizontal element of a

A member for connecting a rail to a horizontal element of a ladder. The member comprises a first portion that connects to the horizontal member. The member also comprises a second portion which connects to the rail and extends essentially in parallel with the rail. The second portion is integrally connected to the first portion such that the first portion and the second portion are one continuous piece. The second portion is in an angular relationship of less than 90.degree. with the first portion. A member for connecting a rail having a first rail flange and a second rail flange to a horizontal element of a ladder. The member comprises a first arm which connects to the first rail flange and the horizontal member. The member is also comprised of a second arm which connects to the second rail flange and the horizontal member. Additionally, the member comprises a central body which is integrally connected to the second arm and the first arm. The first arm, second arm and central body are one continuous piece, preferably of plastic. A ladder comprised of the member for each rail. A method for using a ladder. The method comprises the steps of placing a load on the ladder. Next there is the step of transferring forces generated from the load to a member connected between a rail of the ladder and a first step of the ladder. The member can include an apparatus for holding a washer. An apparatus for holding a washer. The apparatus comprises a backing having a backing surface. The apparatus also comprises a retainer extending from the backing. The retainer holds the washer. The retainer has a front through which the washer is introduced into the retainer. Additionally, the apparatus comprises a stop extending from the backing. The stop is disposed adjacent to the front of the retainer and prevents the washer from coming out of the retainer when the washer is in the retainer. The present invention pertains to a method for holding a washer. The method comprises the steps of positioning the washer at a front of a retainer. Then there is the step of moving the washer past a stop adjacent the front of the retainer. Next there is the step of seating the washer in the retainer, with the stop preventing the washer from coming out of the retainer.

An extension ladder comprises a base section comprising a first base rail, a second base rail in spaced relationship and in parallel with the first base rail, and at least a first base rung connected to the first base rail and the second base rail. The extension ladder also comprises a fly section slidably connected to the base section. The fly section comprises a first fly rail, a second fly rail in spaced relationship and in parallel with the first fly rail, at least a first fly rung connected to the first fly rail and the second fly rail, a first combination end cap/guide bracket connected to the bottom of the first fly rail, and a second combination end cap/guide bracket connected to the bottom of the second fly rail. Each end cap/guide bracket is one continuous piece. The first fly rail is adjacent to and in parallel with and in spaced relationship with said first base rail. The second fly rail is adjacent to and in parallel with and in spaced relationship with said second base rail. The first and second combination end cap/guide bracket prevents the fly section separating from the base section and capping the bottom end of the first fly rail and second fly rail, respectively. A combination end cap/guide bracket comprises a back wall. Additionally, the end cap/guide bracket comprises an end closure portion preferably with a slot connected to the back wall. The end cap/guide bracket also comprises a hook portion having a hook connected to the back wall and extending perpendicularly from the end closure portion. Additionally, the end cap/guide bracket comprises a block portion which is disposed adjacent and in parallel with the hook of the hook portion and preferably defines a first channel with the hook.

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Greenville, PA, United States of America

Mitchell H Hetrich