Patent ID: 6009973
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: A62B,E04G

Abstract:
A slidable anchor point fixture comprisinga pivot bolt,a ring,first and second opposing vertical jaw members, each with an upper portion and a lower portion, each jaw member upper portion having a bolt hole, the bolt holes aligned through which the pivot bolt passes pivotably joining the jaw members at jaw member upper portions with said first and second vertical jaw members pivotable on said pivot bolt, the jaw members together forming a rail slot, said upper portions having a substantially horizontal rail slot top surface that extends from a rail slot first side in the first jaw member entirely across the rail slot to a rail slot second side in the second jaw member, the rail slot being unobstructed to receive and slidably support a rail head on a rail, jaw member lower portions extending under the rail slot toward each other in spaced-apart relation to form a slot bottom adapted such that a rail received between the spaced-apart jaw member lower portions with its rail head in the rail slot is prevented from passing out of the rail slot when the jaw members are in a closed operative position around the rail head of a railroad rail loosely in slidable, nongripping disposition as a slidable safety anchor to which a railroad worker may be tethered to said ring by a harness line between the ring and the railroad worker, said anchor mounted to said railroad rail in said operative position such that as said tethered worker walks along said railroad rail, he pulls the anchor with him with a substantial horizontal component of force on the ring, a ring mount position disposed immediately adjacent the railroad rail whereby the anchor slides freely on the railroad rail without a binding moment between said ring mount position and said railroad rail as the railroad worker pulls on the ring and without said pulling on the ring causing the jaws to close together, the anchor thus sliding on the railroad rail without binding, andmeans to secure the pivotable jaw members in a selective position to prevent jaw members from unintentionally opening.