Patent ID: 6149132
Filing Date: 2000-11-21
Classification: A62B,B66D,Y10S

Abstract:
A safety apparatus for use with a lifeline which lifeline is comprised of a combined elongated cable and chain intended to be suspended between two fixed supports and placed under a predetermined amount of tension comprising:a housing;a sprocket wheel rotatably mounted within said housing, said chain being adapted to extend into said housing and around said sprocket wheel so that rotation of said sprocket in a first direction will cause said cable to come under tension;handle means mechanically attached to said sprocket wheel for manually rotating said sprocket wheel to tension said cable when said handle means is moved so as to rotate said sprocket wheel in said first direction;means automatically allowing said handle means to move without rotating said sprocket wheel when the tension in said cable reaches a predetermined level; andshock absorbing means carried by said housing, said shock absorbing means including friction braking means allowing limited and controlled rotation of said sprocket wheel in a second direction when the tension on said lifeline exceeds a predetermined force.