Abstract:
A connector comprises a base, a gate, and a locking mechanism. The base forms an opening. The gate is slidably operatively connected to the base and spans the opening. The locking member has an engaging position and a releasing position. The engaging position secures the gate to the base, and the releasing position allows the gate to be moved relative to the base.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/552,551 filed Oct. 28, 2011 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/660,532 filed Oct. 25, 2012, which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Various occupations place people in precarious positions at relatively dangerous heights thereby creating a need for fall-arresting or fall protection safety apparatus. Among other things, such apparatus usually include a safety line interconnected between a support structure and a person working in proximity to the support structure. The safety line is typically secured to a full-body safety harness worn by the worker. A connector may be used to interconnect the safety line and the full-body safety harness. Obviously, it is important that the connector be reliable and able to withstand the forces of a fall. In addition, it is preferred that the connector be user friendly. 
         [0003]    For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for a connector that is reliable and user friendly. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The above-mentioned problems associated with prior devices are addressed by embodiments of the present invention and will be understood by reading and understanding the present specification. The following summary is made by way of example and not by way of limitation. It is merely provided to aid the reader in understanding some of the aspects of the invention. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, a connector comprises a base, a gate, and a locking member. The base includes a first end and a second end forming an opening The gate has a shaft slidably operatively connected to the second end and is configured and arranged to span the opening. The locking member has an engaging position and a releasing position. The locking member includes a base portion and a flanged portion. The flanged portion extends outward from the base portion, and the base portion has a smaller diameter than the flanged portion. The flanged portion is configured and arranged to engage the shaft of the gate in the engaging position and secure the gate relative to the base. The base portion is positioned proximate the shaft of the gate in the releasing position and the smaller diameter of the base portion allows the gate to be moved relative to the base. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The present invention can be more easily understood, and further advantages and uses thereof can be more readily apparent, when considered in view of the detailed description and the following Figures in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is an exploded front perspective view of a connector constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the connector shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  is a cross-section view of the connector taken along the lines  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2  in an engaging position; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3B  is a cross-section view of the connector shown in  FIG. 3A  in a releasing position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of a base of the connector; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the base shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a cross-section view of the base taken along the lines  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the base shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of a gate of the connector; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the gate shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a cross-section view of the gate taken along the lines  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the gate shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a rear view of the gate shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is an auxiliary view of the gate shown in  FIG. 8  from proximate a middle portion to a distal end of the gate; 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a top view of the gate shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the gate shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is an auxiliary view of a portion of the gate shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  is a front perspective view of an engaging member of the connector; 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  is a bottom view of the engaging member shown in  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 19  is a cross-section view of the engaging member taken along the lines  19 - 19  in  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 20  is a front perspective view of a retaining pin of the connector; 
           [0028]      FIG. 21  is a front view of the retaining pin shown in  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 22  is a bottom view of the retaining pin shown in  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 23  is a front perspective view of a rivet of the connector; 
           [0031]      FIG. 24  is a bottom view of the rivet shown in  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 25  is a cross-section view of the rivet taken along the lines  25 - 25  in  FIG. 24 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 26  is a front perspective view of a biasing member of the connector; 
           [0034]      FIG. 27  is a bottom view of the biasing member shown in  FIG. 26 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 28  is a front view of the biasing member shown in  FIG. 26 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 29  is a front view of the connector shown in  FIG. 1  operatively connected to a safety harness; 
           [0037]      FIG. 30  is a front view of the connector shown in  FIG. 1  operatively connected to a safety harness and to a self-retracting lifeline; 
           [0038]      FIG. 31  is an exploded front perspective view of another embodiment connector constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 32  is a front view of the connector shown in  FIG. 31 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 33  is a cross-section view of the connector taken along the lines  33 - 33  in  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 34  is a front perspective view of a base of the connector; 
           [0042]      FIG. 35  is a front view of the base shown in  FIG. 34 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 36  is a cross-section view of the base taken along the lines  36 - 36  in  FIG. 35 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 37  is a bottom view of the base shown in  FIG. 34 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 38  is a front perspective view of a gate of the connector; 
           [0046]      FIG. 39  is a bottom view of the gate shown in  FIG. 38 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 40  is a cross-section view of the gate taken along the lines  40 - 40  in  FIG. 39 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 41  is a side view of the gate shown in  FIG. 38 ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 42  is a rear view of the gate shown in  FIG. 38 ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 43  is a top view of the gate shown in  FIG. 38 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 44  is a side view of the gate shown in  FIG. 38 ; 
           [0052]      FIG. 45  is an auxiliary view of a portion of the gate shown in  FIG. 38 ; 
           [0053]      FIG. 46  is a front perspective view of an engaging member of the connector; 
           [0054]      FIG. 47  is a bottom view of the engaging member shown in  FIG. 46 ; 
           [0055]      FIG. 48  is a cross-section view of the engaging member taken along the lines  48 - 48  in  FIG. 47 ; 
           [0056]      FIG. 49  is a front perspective view of a retaining pin of the connector; 
           [0057]      FIG. 50  is a front view of the retaining pin shown in  FIG. 49 ; 
           [0058]      FIG. 51  is a bottom view of the retaining pin shown in  FIG. 49 ; 
           [0059]      FIG. 52  is a bottom perspective view of a rivet of the connector; 
           [0060]      FIG. 53  is a bottom view of the rivet shown in  FIG. 52 ; 
           [0061]      FIG. 54  is a rear view of the rivet shown in  FIG. 52 ; 
           [0062]      FIG. 55  is a bottom perspective view of a biasing member of the connector; 
           [0063]      FIG. 56  is a bottom view of the biasing member shown in  FIG. 55 ; and 
           [0064]      FIG. 57  is a rear view of the biasing member shown in  FIG. 55 . 
       
    
    
       [0065]    In accordance with common practice, the various described features are not drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevant to the present invention. Reference characters denote like elements throughout the Figures and the text. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0066]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration embodiments in which the inventions may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims and equivalents thereof. 
         [0067]    Embodiments of the present invention provide a connector that is user friendly and secure. For example, the connector could be used to interconnect a safety harness and a self-retracting lifeline. 
         [0068]    For ease of reference, the embodiments are being described in the orientations in which they are shown. Other orientations are possible, and this description should not limit the orientations in which the connectors are used. 
         [0069]    One embodiment connector  100  is shown in  FIGS. 1-3  and  29 - 30 . The connector  100  includes a base  101 , receiving portions  105  and  115 , locking portions  107  and  117 , and a gate  140 . The base  101  is generally C-shaped and includes an elongate or bar portion  102  with a first end  103 , to which a first receiving portion  105  and a first locking portion  107  are operatively connected, and a second end  104 , to which a second receiving portion  115  and a second locking portion  117  are operatively connected. The first and second ends  103  and  104  include corners and extension portions that extend downward approximately ninety degrees from the bar portion  102 . 
         [0070]    The first receiving portion  105  is generally cylindrical with a bore  106  extending parallel to the bar portion  102 . One end of the first receiving member  105  is operatively connected to the first end  103  and the remaining portion of the first receiving member  105  extends inward. The first locking portion  107  is positioned proximate the corner where the first end  103  and the first receiving portion  105  are operatively connected. The first locking portion  107  is also generally cylindrical with a bore  108 , which is perpendicular to the bore  106 , and the bores  106  and  108  intersect so that they are in fluid communication with one another. The first locking portion  107  includes a larger opening  109  proximate the front and a bottom  110  with a smaller opening  111  proximate the rear as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0071]    The second receiving portion  115  is generally cylindrical with a bore  116  extending parallel to the bar portion  102 . One end of the second receiving member  115  is operatively connected to the second end  104  and the remaining portion of the second receiving member  115  extends inward. The second locking portion  117  is positioned proximate the corner where the second end  104  and the second receiving portion  115  are operatively connected. The second locking portion  117  is also generally cylindrical with a bore  118 , which is perpendicular to the bore  116 , and the bores  116  and  118  intersect so that they are in fluid communication with one another. The second locking portion  117  includes a larger opening  119  proximate the front and a bottom  120  with a smaller opening  121  proximate the rear as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The second receiving portion  115  also includes a lateral bore  116   a  on its bottom, which is opposite the second locking portion  117 . The lateral bore  116   a  aligns with the juncture of the bores  116  and  118  and is configured and arranged to receive a retaining pin  122 . The receiving portions  105  and  115  form an opening  148  therebetween. 
         [0072]    Each of the first locking portion  107  and the second locking portion  117  is configured and arranged to receive a biasing member  138 , an engaging member  130 , and a rivet  124 . These components form a locking mechanism. The rivet  124  includes a head  126  operatively connected to one end of a shaft  125 , which has a distal end  125   a  opposite the head  126 . The engaging member  130  includes a cylindrical base portion  131  to which a first flanged portion  133  is operatively connected proximate one end and a second flanged portion  135  is operatively connected proximate the other end. A bore  132  extends through the engaging member  130 , and an opening  134  in the first flanged portion  133  and an opening  136  in the second flanged portion  135  provide access to the bore  132 . The opening  136  in the second flanged portion  135  is larger than the bore  132  to form a ledge portion  137  inside the engaging member  130  proximate the juncture of the base portion  131  and the second flanged portion  135 . This is shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 . The biasing member  138  is configured and arranged to fit within the opening  136  of the second flanged portion  135  and one end of the biasing member  138  contacts the ledge portion  137 . Along with the engaging member  130 , the biasing member  138  is also configured and arranged to fit within the bore  108  or  118  of the locking portion  107  or  108  so that the other end of the biasing member  138  contacts the bottom  110  or  120 . 
         [0073]    The rivet  124  extends through the bore  132  of the engaging member  130 , the bore of the biasing member  138 , and the bore  108  or  118  of the locking portion  107  or  117  and then the distal end  125   a  is deformed, as shown in  FIG. 3 , by means well known in the art to secure the rivet  124  to the locking portion  107  or  117 . The rivet  124  captures the engaging member  130  and the biasing member  138  within with bore  108  or  118  between the head  126  and the deformed distal end  125   a . The ends of the biasing member  138  contact the ledge portion  137  and the bottom  110  or  120  and place a biasing force on the engaging member  130  to bias the engaging member  130  to an engaging position, which is shown in  FIG. 3A . An opposing force can be placed on the head  126  of the rivet  124  to compress the biasing member  138  and move the engaging member  130  from the engaging position to a releasing position, which is shown in  FIG. 3B . 
         [0074]    The gate  140  includes a head  147  operatively connected to one end of a shaft  141 , which has a distal end  141   a  opposite the head  147 . The bottom side of the shaft  141  includes a slot  142  that extends along an intermediate portion of the shaft  141 . The top side of the shaft  141  includes a first notch  143  proximate the head  147  and a second notch  144  proximate the distal end  141   a . A ramp portion  145  extends from the second notch  144  to the distal end  141   a , and the distal end  141   a  includes a notched portion  141   b  to provide access to the ramp portion  145 . 
         [0075]    Before the retaining pin  122  is positioned within the lateral bore  116   a , at least the locking mechanism proximate the second receiving portion  115  is moved into its releasing position and the distal end  141   a  of the gate  140  is inserted into the bore  116  until at least the slot  142  of the gate  140  is aligned with the bore  116   a . Then the retaining pin  122  is friction fit within the lateral bore  116   a  and extends into the bore  116  to fit within the slot  142  as show in  FIG. 3 . The retaining pin  122  acts as a stop member to prevent the gate  140  from sliding all the way out of the second receiving portion  115 . Because the retaining pin  122  fits within the slot  142 , when the retaining pin  122  contacts the gate  140  proximate the end of the slot  142  proximate the distal end  141   a , the gate  140  cannot be slid further out of the second receiving portion  115 . 
         [0076]    When assembled, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the gate  140  is positioned within the bores  106  and  116  of the base&#39;s first and second receiving portions  105  and  115 . The retaining pin  122  is positioned within the slot  142 , and the second flanged portions  135  of the engaging members  130  are positioned within the notches  143  and  144  of the gate  140 . The gate  140  includes a slot  142  in which the retaining pin  122  is positioned to not only act as a stop member, as discussed above, but to keep the gate  140  in the desired orientation so that the notches  143  and  144  can be engaged by the locking mechanisms. Thus, the notches  143  and  144  are engaging portions configured and arranged to be engaged by the locking mechanisms. Each locking mechanism includes the locking portion  107  or  117 , the biasing member  138 , the engaging member  130 , and the rivet  124 . 
         [0077]    In operation, to release the gate  140 , the heads  126  of both rivets  124  are pressed downward into the respective locking portions  107  and  117  so that the biasing members  138  are compressed and the engaging members  130  move downward. Each locking mechanism operates independently of the other. Therefore, both locking mechanisms need to be in the releasing position to allow the gate to be opened. As the engaging members  130  move downward, the second flanged portions  135  move out of the notches  143  and  144  and the cylindrical base portions  131  are positioned proximate the notches  143  and  144  as shown in  FIG. 3B . When the cylindrical base portions  131  are positioned proximate the notches  143  and  144 , the gate  140  is no longer engaged by the locking mechanisms and there is enough clearance to slide the gate  140  completely out of the first receiving portion  105 . Because of the retaining pin  122 , the gate  140  cannot be completely slid out of the second receiving portion  115 . 
         [0078]    When the gate  140  is slid out of the first receiving portion  105 , the locking mechanism returns to the engaging position due to the biasing force exerted on the engaging member  130  by the biasing member  138 . Because the gate  140  remains in the second receiving portion  115  and the notch  144  is not proximate the locking mechanism, the locking mechanism remains in the releasing position. 
         [0079]    When the gate  140  is moved from a closed position to an open position, the opening  148  between the receiving portions  105  and  115  is accessible and, as shown in  FIGS. 29 and 30 , the connector  100  may be connected to straps of a safety harness. After the straps have been positioned within the opening  148 , the gate  140  is moved from the open position to the closed position to capture the straps between the bar portion  102  and the gate  140 . A safety device, such as a self-retracting lifeline, may be connected to the gate  140  before the gate  140  is slid into the first receiving portion  105  by positioning an aperture of the self-retracting lifeline&#39;s connector portion between the receiving portions  105  and  115  and then sliding the gate  140  through the connector portion&#39;s aperture. To move the gate  140  from the open position into the closed position, the gate  140  is simply slid back into the receiving portions  105  and  115 . When the distal end  141   a  of the gate  140  is slid into the first receiving portion  105 , the notched portion  141   b  and the ramp portion  145  allow the end of the gate  140  proximate the distal end  141   a  to be slid past the engaging member  130 . The ramp portion  145  of the gate  140  contacts the angled surface  131   a , which interconnects the base portion  131  and the second flanged portion  135  of the engaging member  130 , and pushes the engaging member  130  so that the biasing member  138  compresses and the base portion  131  is proximate the notch  143 . When the notches  143  and  144  are positioned proximate the respective locking mechanisms, the locking mechanisms return to the engaging positions due to the biasing forces exerted on the engaging members  130  by the biasing members  138  and the gate  140  cannot be slid outward until both of the locking mechanisms are in the releasing positions. 
         [0080]    Another embodiment connector  200  is shown in  FIGS. 31-33 . The connector  200  includes a base  201 , receiving portions  205  and  215 , extension portions  250  and  255 , locking portions  207  and  217 , and a gate  240 . The base  201  is generally C-shaped and includes an elongate or bar portion  202  with a first end  203  and a second end  204 . The first and second ends  203  and  204  include corners and extension portions that extend downward approximately ninety degrees from the bar portion  202 . A first receiving portion  205 , a first extension portion  250 , and a first locking portion  207  are operatively connected to the first end  203 , and a second receiving portion  215 , a second extension portion  255 , and a second locking portion  217  are operatively connected to the second end  204 . 
         [0081]    Two prongs, an outer prong and an inner prong, extend outward from the first end  203 . Operatively connected to the outer prong is the first receiving portion  205 , which is generally cylindrical with a bore  206  extending parallel to the bar portion  202 . Operatively connected to the inner prong is the first extension portion  250 , which includes a ring portion  251  with an aperture  252  in alignment with the bore  206  of the first receiving portion  205 . The first locking portion  207  is positioned proximate the juncture of the outer prong and the first receiving portion  205 . The first locking portion  207  is also generally cylindrical with a bore  208 , which is perpendicular to the bore  206 , and the bores  206  and  208  intersect so that they are in fluid communication with one another. The first locking portion  207  includes a larger opening  209  proximate the front and a bottom  210  with a smaller opening  211  proximate the rear as shown in  FIGS. 35 and 36 . 
         [0082]    Two prongs, an outer prong and an inner prong, extend outward from the second end  204 . Operatively connected to the outer prong is the second receiving portion  215 , which is generally cylindrical with a bore  216  extending parallel to the bar portion  202 . Operatively connected to the inner prong is the second extension portion  255 , which includes a ring portion  256  with an aperture  257  in alignment with the bore  216  of the second receiving portion  215 . The second locking portion  217  is positioned proximate the juncture of the outer prong and the second receiving portion  215 . The second locking portion  217  is also generally cylindrical with a bore  218 , which is perpendicular to the bore  216 , and the bores  216  and  218  intersect so that they are in fluid communication with one another. The second locking portion  217  includes a larger opening  219  proximate the front and a bottom  220  with a smaller opening  221  proximate the rear as shown in  FIGS. 35 and 36 . The second receiving portion  215  also includes a lateral bore  216   a  on its bottom, which is opposite the second locking portion  217 . The lateral bore  216   a  aligns with the juncture of the bores  216  and  218  and is configured and arranged to receive a retaining pin  222 . The extension portions  250  and  255  form an opening  248   a  therebetween, the first receiving portion  205  and the first extension portion  250  form an opening  248   b  therebetween, and the second receiving portion  215  and the second extension portion  255  form an opening  248   c  therebetween. 
         [0083]    Each of the first locking portion  207  and the second locking portion  217  is configured and arranged to receive a biasing member  238 , an engaging member  230 , and a rivet  224 . These components form a locking mechanism. The rivet  224  includes a head  226  operatively connected to one end of a shaft  225 , which has a distal end  225   a  opposite the head  226 . The engaging member  230  includes a cylindrical base portion  231  to which a first flanged portion  233  is operatively connected proximate one end and a second flanged portion  235  is operatively connected proximate the other end. A bore  232  extends through the engaging member  230 , and an opening  234  in the first flanged portion  233  and an opening  236  in the second flanged portion  235  provide access to the bore  232 . The opening  236  in the second flanged portion  235  is larger than the bore  232  to form a ledge portion  237  inside the engaging member  230  proximate the juncture of the base portion  231  and the second flanged portion  235 . This is shown in  FIGS. 47 and 48 . The biasing member  238  is configured and arranged to fit within the opening  236  of the second flanged portion  235  and one end of the biasing member  238  contacts the ledge portion  237 . Along with the engaging member  230 , the biasing member  238  is also configured and arranged to fit within the bore  208  or  218  of the locking portion  207  or  208  so that the other end of the biasing member  238  contacts the bottom  210  or  220 . 
         [0084]    The rivet  224  extends through the bore  232  of the engaging member  230 , the bore of the biasing member  238 , and the bore  208  or  218  of the locking portion  207  or  217  and then the distal end  225   a  is deformed, as shown in  FIG. 33 , by means well known in the art to secure the rivet  224  to the locking portion  207  or  217 . The rivet  224  captures the engaging member  230  and the biasing member  238  within with bore  208  or  218  between the head  226  and the deformed distal end  225   a . The ends of the biasing member  238  contact the ledge portion  237  and the bottom  210  or  220  and place a biasing force on the engaging member  230  to bias the engaging member  230  to an engaging position. An opposing force can be placed on the head  226  of the rivet  224  to compress the biasing member  238  and move the engaging member  230  from the engaging position to a releasing position. 
         [0085]    The gate  240  includes a head  247  operatively connected to one end of a shaft  241 , which has a distal end  241   a  opposite the head  247 . The bottom side of the shaft  241  includes a slot  242  that extends along an intermediate portion of the shaft  241 . The top side of the shaft  241  includes a first notch  243  proximate the head  247  and a second notch  244  proximate the distal end  241   a . A ramp portion  245  extends from the second notch  244  to the distal end  241   a , and the distal end  241   a  includes a notched portion  241   b  to provide access to the ramp portion  245 . 
         [0086]    Before the retaining pin  222  is positioned within the lateral bore  216   a , at least the locking mechanism proximate the second receiving portion  215  is moved into its releasing position and the distal end  241   a  of the gate  240  is inserted into the bore  216  until at least the slot  242  of the gate  240  is aligned with the bore  216   a . Then the retaining pin  222  is friction fit within the lateral bore  216   a  and extends into the bore  216  to fit within the slot  242  as show in  FIG. 33 . The retaining pin  222  acts as a stop member to prevent the gate  240  from sliding all the way out of the second receiving portion  215 . Because the retaining pin  222  fits within the slot  242 , when the retaining pin  222  contacts the gate  240  proximate the end of the slot  242  proximate the distal end  241   a , the gate  240  cannot be slid further out of the second receiving portion  215 . 
         [0087]    When assembled, as shown in  FIGS. 32 and 33 , the gate  240  is positioned within the bores  206  and  216  of the base&#39;s first and second receiving portions  205  and  215  and within the apertures  252  and  257  of the base&#39;s first and second extension portions  250  and  255 . The retaining pin  222  is positioned within the slot  242 , and the second flanged portions  235  of the engaging members  230  are positioned within the notches  243  and  244  of the gate  240 . The gate  240  includes a slot  242  in which the retaining pin  222  is positioned to not only act as a stop member, as discussed above, but to keep the gate  240  in the desired orientation so that the notches  243  and  244  can be engaged by the locking mechanisms. Thus, the notches  243  and  244  are engaging portions configured and arranged to be engaged by the locking mechanisms. Each locking mechanism includes the locking portion  207  or  217 , the biasing member  238 , the engaging member  230 , and the rivet  224 . 
         [0088]    In operation, to release the gate  240 , the heads  226  of both rivets  224  are pressed downward into the respective locking portions  207  and  217  so that the biasing members  238  are compressed and the engaging members  230  move downward. Each locking mechanism operates independently of the other. Therefore, both locking mechanisms need to be in the releasing position to allow the gate to be opened. As the engaging members  230  move downward, the second flanged portions  235  move out of the notches  243  and  244  and the cylindrical base portions  231  are positioned proximate the notches  243  and  244 . When the cylindrical base portions  231  are positioned proximate the notches  243  and  244 , the gate  240  is no longer engaged by the locking mechanisms and there is enough clearance to slide the gate  240  completely out of the first receiving portion  205 . Because of the retaining pin  222 , the gate  240  cannot be completely slid out of the second receiving portion  215 . 
         [0089]    When the gate  240  is slid out of the first receiving portion  205 , the locking mechanism returns to the engaging position due to the biasing force exerted on the engaging member  230  by the biasing member  238 . Because the gate  240  remains in the second receiving portion  215  and the notch  244  is not proximate the locking mechanism, the locking mechanism remains in the releasing position. 
         [0090]    When the gate  240  is moved from a closed position to an open position, the openings  248   a ,  248   b , and  248   c  are accessible and the connector  200  may be connected to straps of a safety harness and a safety device such as a self-retracting lifeline. After the straps have been positioned within the opening  248   a , the gate  240  is moved from the open position to the closed position to capture the straps between the bar portion  202  and the gate  240 . The safety device, such as a self-retracting lifeline, is connected to the gate  240  before the gate  240  is slid into at least the first extension portion  250  and the first receiving portion  205  by positioning an aperture of the self-retracting lifeline&#39;s connector portion between the extension portions  250  and  255  and then sliding the gate  240  through the connector portion&#39;s aperture. If it is desired to connect two safety devices to the connector  200 , a first device is similarly connected between the first receiving portion  205  and the first extension portion  250  and a second device is similarly connected between the second extension portion  255  and the second receiving portion  215 . If it is desired to connect three safety devices to the connector  200 , a device is similarly connected to the gate  240  proximate each of the openings  248   a ,  248   b , and  248   c . To move the gate  240  from the open position into the closed position, the gate  240  is simply slid through the receiving portion  215 , the apertures  257  and  252 , and back into the receiving portion  205 . When the distal end  241   a  of the gate  240  is slid into the first receiving portion  205 , the notched portion  241   b  and the ramp portion  245  allow the end of the gate  240  proximate the distal end  241   a  to be slid past the engaging member  230 . The ramp portion  245  of the gate  240  contacts the angled surface  231   a , which interconnects the base portion  231  and the second flanged portion  235  of the engaging member  230 , and pushes the engaging member  230  so that the biasing member  238  compresses and the base portion  231  is proximate the notch  243 . When the notches  243  and  244  are positioned proximate the respective locking mechanisms, the locking mechanisms return to the engaging positions due to the biasing forces exerted on the engaging members  230  by the biasing members  238  and the gate  240  cannot be slid outward until both of the locking mechanisms are in the releasing positions. 
         [0091]    The above specification, examples, and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of embodiments of the invention. Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the invention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.