Patent ID: 8893854

Claim:
A retractable lifeline assembly, comprising: a housing including a first portion and a second portion separated by a plate portion, the first portion including a cable exit, the first portion and the plate portion defining a first cavity, a first opening in the first portion proving access to the first cavity, the second portion and the plate portion defining a second cavity, a second opening in the second portion providing access to the second cavity, the plate portion including a bore in fluid communication with the first cavity and the second cavity, wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the plate portion are integral; a shaft extending through the bore into the first cavity and the second cavity; a seal positioned proximate the plate portion and the shaft, the seal sealing the first cavity from the second cavity; a bearing positioned proximate the plate portion and the shaft, the bearing supporting the shaft within the housing; a cable assembly operatively connected to the shaft, the cable assembly including a drum fully contained within the first cavity, the cable assembly including a cable paid out through and retracted into the first cavity through the cable exit; a first outer plate configured and arranged to cover the first opening, wherein the first outer plate is removable to repair the cable assembly; a brake mechanism operatively connected to the shaft within the second cavity; a biasing member interconnecting the housing and the shaft to bias the shaft to wind up the cable on the drum, the biasing member fully contained within the second cavity; a second outer plate configured and arranged to cover the second opening to the second cavity; and wherein the seal prevents any contaminants that enter the first cavity from entering the second cavity.