Self-retracting lifeline connecting system

摘要

Apparatus and associated methods may relate to a Self-Retracting Lifeline Connecting System (SRLCS) that securely attaches to a fall-protection safety harness, and further provides connections to a plurality of safety devices. In an illustrative example, the SRLCS may include a D-pad adapted for rear attachment to a back-pad of a safety harness. In some examples the D-pad may have webbing apertures through which two sections of webbing may be threaded in a criss-crossed manner. In some embodiments, the D-pad may provide an attachment for a first harness ring. In some exemplary embodiments, the D-pad may also provide a tunnel structure for routing a second harness ring therethrough. In an illustrative example, the tunnel may be located immediately adjacent the criss-cross location of the two sections of webbing, thereby permitting a carabiner to make use of the tunnel to capture the two sections of webbing.

主权项

1. A fall-protection safety apparatus for connecting a webbed safety harness to Self-Retracting Lifelines (SRLs), the apparatus comprising:
a first unitary body with a top surface and a bottom surface, the body comprising:
a first pair of webbing apertures, each aperture of the first pair extending through the body between the top surface and the bottom surface, and each aperture of the first pair having a first major dimension sized to receive a webbing having up to a predetermined width and having a first minor dimension sized to receive a thickness of the webbing, and the two apertures of the first pair aligned to each other such that the first major dimensions of both apertures of the first pair are substantially parallel to each other, the apertures of the first pair arranged such that a first intersecting line intersects both apertures of the first pair permitting a first linear portion of the webbing to be threaded sequentially through both apertures of the first pair; anda second pair of webbing apertures, each aperture of the second pair extending through the body between the top surface and the bottom surface, and each aperture of the second pair having a second major dimension sized to receive the predetermined width of the webbing and having a second minor dimension sized to receive the webbing's thickness, and the two apertures of the second pair aligned to each other such that the second major dimensions of both apertures of the second pair are substantially parallel to each other and such that a second intersecting line intersects both apertures of the second pair permitting a second linear portion of the webbing to be threaded sequentially through both apertures of the second pair, and the second pair of apertures further aligned such that the first linear portion of webbing and the second linear portion of webbing form a criss-crossing pattern at or near a point of coincidence that corresponds to a point at which the first intersecting line crosses the second intersecting line; a second unitary body connecting to the first unitary body, the second unitary body providing a tunnel sized to accommodate a carabiner, the tunnel oriented approximately parallel to the top surface of the first unitary body, and the tunnel located at or near the point of coincidence permitting the carabiner to capture both of said portions of webbing simultaneously at or near a location of the criss-crossing pattern; the apparatus further comprising said webbing connected to the first unitary body by passing through the webbing apertures such that the two portions of webbing provide the criss-crossing pattern at or near the point of coincidence, the webbing capable of being secured to another object; the apparatus further comprising the carabiner inserted through the tunnel of the second unitary body and capturing the criss-crossing pattern; the apparatus further comprising two SRLs attached to the carabiner; and, the apparatus further comprising a pivotable webbing retainer clip having an opening through which the criss-crossing pattern of webbing portions is threaded to retain the criss-crossing pattern between the webbing retainer clip and a first portion of the carabiner, the retainer clip configured to snap onto the carabiner.