Patent ID: 8925687
Filing Date: 2015-01-06
Classification: A62B,B66D,B66F

Abstract:
1. A self-retracting lifeline system comprising: a lifeline; a stop connector coupled to an end of the lifeline; a housing; a drum received in the housing, the drum including a first disk member, a second disk member and a mid-member positioned between the first disk member and the second disk member, the mid-member having a receiving slot having a shape that is designed to selectively hold the stop connector to selectively couple the lifeline to the drum, the second disk member having a slot passage with a shape that at least partially matches the shape of the receiving slot, the slot passage being aligned with the receiving slot of the mid-member to allow unrestricted access through the slot passage to the stop connector positioned in the receiving slot; and an activation assembly received in the housing, the activation assembly operationally coupled to the drum; wherein the receiving slot further comprises: a first slot portion, the first slot portion having an opening along a surface of the mid-member for the stop connecter to be inserted, the first slot portion further including a ramp surface configured and arranged to direct the stop connector inserted into the opening of the first slot portion through the slot passage in the second disk member; a third slot portion configured and arranged to receive the stop connector after the stop connector has been directed through the slot passage, the third slot portion including an engaging surface configured and arranged to engage a portion of the stop connector to retain the stop connector within the third slot portion; and a second slot portion connecting the first slot portion to the third slot portion, the second slot portion having a width that is narrower than a width of the first slot portion and a width of the third slot portion.