Retractable horizontal lifeline assembly

Abstract

A retractable horizontal lifeline assembly includes a lifeline windable about and paid out from a rotatable drum and a housing. The housing includes a first connector and is configured and arranged to house the drum and the lifeline wound about a base of the drum. The first connector is operatively connected to a first anchorage structure, the lifeline is pulled outward from proximate the housing thereby paying out at least a portion of the lifeline from the drum, a second connector operatively connected to the lifeline is operatively connected to a second anchorage structure, and the lifeline is tensioned using a crank that rotates the drum to increase the tension in the lifeline and provides indication when the tension in the lifeline reaches a predetermined level.

1 . A retractable horizontal lifeline assembly operatively connected to a first anchorage structure and to a second anchorage structure, comprising:
 a) a lifeline having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion interconnecting the first end and the second end;   b) a drum having a base and being rotatable, the first end of the lifeline being operatively connected to the drum and the intermediate portion of the lifeline being windable about and paid out from the base;   c) a brake assembly operatively connected to the drum including a main plate having first teeth;   d) a pinion gear having second teeth in cooperation with the first teeth whereby when the main plate rotates the first teeth engage the second teeth to cause the pinion gear to rotate; and   e) a pawl pivotally mounted with respect to the housing proximate the pinion gear and having an engaging position and a releasing position, the engaging position engaging the second teeth preventing the pinion gear from rotating in a first direction, the releasing position releasing the second teeth allowing the pinion gear to rotate in the first direction, wherein when the pinion gear is engaged by the pawl, the main plate is also prevented from rotating in a second direction.   
   
   
       2 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a) a spring operatively connected to the pawl, the spring placing a force upon the pawl to bias the pawl in the engaging position; and   b) a release mechanism operatively connected to the pawl, the release mechanism overcoming the force of the spring to place the pawl in the releasing position.   
   
   
       3 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the lifeline is selected from the group consisting of wire cable, webbing, and synthetic rope. 
   
   
       4 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a connector operatively connected to a portion of the intermediate portion of the lifeline a distance from the first end to create a reserve portion of lifeline between the connector and the first end, wherein the lifeline may be paid out from the base up to the connector and should a fall occur, the reserve portion is released from the connector. 
   
   
       5 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pinion gear is rotatable to tension the lifeline with reduced effort. 
   
   
       6 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a crank releasably operatively connectable to the pinion gear to rotate the pinion gear to tension the lifeline with reduced effort. 
   
   
       7 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the crank includes a tension indicator indicating when the tension in the lifeline reaches a predetermined level. 
   
   
       8 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the crank is releasably operatively connectable to the drum to rotate the drum to rewind the lifeline about the base of the drum. 
   
   
       9 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing including a first connector and being configured and arranged to house the drum and the lifeline wound about the base of the drum, the drum being rotatably mounted within the housing, the second end of the lifeline including a second connector, the first connector being configured and arranged to be releasably connected to the first anchorage structure and the second connector being configured and arranged to be releasably connected to the second anchorage structure. 
   
   
       10 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the housing is configured and arranged to house the brake assembly, the pinion gear, and the pawl. 
   
   
       11 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a motor spring operatively connected to the drum and placing a force upon the drum, the motor spring automatically winding the lifeline about the drum when tension is released from the lifeline. 
   
   
       12 . A retractable horizontal lifeline assembly operatively connected to a first anchorage structure and to a second anchorage structure, comprising:
 a) a lifeline having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion interconnecting the first end and the second end, the second end being operatively connected to the second anchorage structure;   b) a drum having a base and being rotatable, the first end of the lifeline being operatively connected to the drum and the intermediate portion of the lifeline being windable about and paid out from the base, the drum being operatively connected to the first anchorage structure; and   c) a crank configured and arranged to be releasably connectable to the drum, the crank being rotatable to rotate the drum and tension the lifeline, the crank including a tension indicator providing indication when the tension in the lifeline has reached a predetermined level, the crank being capable of tensioning the lifeline to a level greater than the predetermined level.   
   
   
       13 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the crank further comprises:
 a) an arm including a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface, the second surface interconnecting the first surface and the third surface, the arm being pivotable proximate the first surface, the first surface allowing the arm to pivot;   b) a roller configured and arranged to move along the second surface and the third surface; and   c) a biasing member operatively connected to the roller, the biasing member exerting force upon the roller and urging the roller toward the first surface, wherein torque on the arm during rotation of the crank to tension the lifeline places force on the biasing member and when the predetermined level of tension in the lifeline is reached, the force of the biasing member is overcome thus allowing the arm to pivot causing the roller to move toward the third surface and reach the third surface thereby indicating that the predetermined level of tension in the lifeline has been reached.   
   
   
       14 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 13 , wherein when the roller reaches the third surface the arm pivots at least four degrees. 
   
   
       15 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the biasing member urges the roller toward the first surface after the predetermined level of tension in the lifeline has been reached and torque on the arm has been reduced. 
   
   
       16 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first surface is tapered two to ten degrees relative to the arm, the second surface is tapered thirty to sixty degrees relative to the arm, and the third surface is tapered seventy to eighty-five degrees relative to the arm. 
   
   
       17 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising a housing in which the drum and the lifeline wound about the drum are housed and a motor spring interconnecting the housing and the drum and placing a force upon the drum to automatically wind the lifeline about the base of the drum when tension is released on the lifeline. 
   
   
       18 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising a brake assembly and a locking assembly, the brake assembly being operatively connected to the drum, the brake assembly including a gear disk with first teeth, the locking assembly including a pinion gear and a pawl, the pinion gear having second teeth in cooperation with the first teeth whereby when the gear disk rotates the first teeth engage the second teeth to cause the pinion gear to rotate, the pawl being pivotally mounted with respect to the housing proximate the pinion gear and having an engaging position and a releasing position, the engaging position engaging the second teeth preventing the pinion gear from rotating in a first direction, the releasing position releasing the second teeth allowing the pinion gear to rotate in the first direction, wherein when the pinion gear is engaged by the pawl, the gear disk is also prevented from rotating in a second corresponding direction. 
   
   
       19 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the locking assembly has a push button operatively connected to the pawl, wherein pressing the push button releases the pawl from the pinion gear thereby unlocking the pinion gear and the brake assembly. 
   
   
       20 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 18 , wherein a first mating connector is operatively connected to the pinion gear and is accessible through an aperture in a housing in which the drum and the lifeline wound about the drum are housed, wherein the crank is releasably connectable to the first mating connector and wherein turning the first mating connector with the crank turns the pinion gear to tension the lifeline. 
   
   
       21 . A retractable horizontal lifeline assembly operatively connected to a first anchorage structure and to a second anchorage structure, comprising:
 a) a lifeline having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion interconnecting the first end and the second end, the second end being operatively connected to the second anchorage structure;   b) a drum having a base and being rotatable, the first end of the lifeline being operatively connected to the drum and the intermediate portion of the lifeline being windable about and paid out from the base, the drum being operatively connected to the first anchorage structure;   c) a crank configured and arranged to be releasably connectable to the drum; and   d) a torque applied to the crank corresponding to a predetermined level of tension in the lifeline, wherein the crank is rotated to rotate the drum and tension the lifeline, and wherein the torque applied to the crank is reached, the lifeline has reached the predetermined level of tension, the crank being capable of tensioning the lifeline to a level greater than the predetermined level.   
   
   
       22 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the crank includes a tension indicator providing indication when the tension in the lifeline has reached the predetermined level, the crank being capable of tensioning the lifeline to a level greater than the predetermined level. 
   
   
       23 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the crank includes an arm, a roller member, and a biasing member, the arm includes a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface, the second surface interconnecting the first surface and the third surface, the arm being pivotable proximate the first surface, the first surface allowing the arm to pivot, the roller is configured and arranged to move along the second surface and the third surface, and the biasing member is operatively connected to the roller, the biasing member exerting force upon the roller and urging the roller toward the first surface, wherein the torque applied to the arm during rotation of the crank to tension the lifeline places force on the biasing member and when the predetermined level of tension in the lifeline is reached, the force of the biasing member is overcome thus allowing the arm to pivot causing the roller to move toward the third surface and reach the third surface thereby indicating that the predetermined level of tension in the lifeline has been reached. 
   
   
       24 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the first surface is tapered two to ten degrees relative to the arm, the second surface is tapered thirty to sixty degrees relative to the arm, and the third surface is tapered seventy to eighty-five degrees relative to the arm. 
   
   
       25 . A method of installing a retractable horizontal lifeline assembly to a first anchorage structure and to a second anchorage structure, the retractable horizontal lifeline assembly including a lifeline having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion interconnecting the first end and the second end, the second end including a second connector, a drum having a base and being rotatable, the first end of the lifeline being operatively connected to the drum and the intermediate portion of the lifeline being windable about and paid out from the base, a housing including a first connector and being configured and arranged to house the drum and the lifeline wound about the base of the drum, and a crank releasably connectable to the drum, comprising:
 a) connecting the first connector of the housing to the first anchorage structure;   b) paying out at least a portion of the lifeline from the drum and the housing;   c) connecting the second connector of the second end of the lifeline to the second anchorage structure;   d) connecting the crank to the drum; and   e) applying a torque to the crank thus rotating the drum, wherein the lifeline reaches a predetermined level of tension and the crank provides indication that the predetermined level of tension has been reached.   
   
   
       26 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 12 , wherein a second mating housing in which the drum and the lifeline wound about the drum are housed, wherein the crank is releasably connectable to the second mating connector and wherein turning the second mating connector with the crank turns the drum to wind the lifeline about the drum. 
   
   
       27 . A retractable horizontal lifeline assembly operatively connected to a first anchorage structure and to a second anchorage structure, comprising:
 a) a lifeline having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion interconnecting the first end and the second end, the second end including a second connector;   b) a drum having a base and being rotatable, the first end of the lifeline being operatively connected to the drum and the intermediate portion of the lifeline being windable about and paid put from the base;   c) a tension assembly;   d) a housing including a first connector and being configured and arranged to house the drum, the lifeline wound about the base of the drum, and the tension assembly, the drum being rotatably mounted within the housing, the tension assembly being mounted within the housing; and   e) wherein the first connector is operatively connected to the first anchorage structure, the second end of the lifeline is pulled outward from proximate the housing thereby paying out at least a portion of the intermediate portion from the drum, the second connector is operatively connected to the second anchorage structure, and the tension assembly is used to tension the lifeline.   
   
   
       28 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the tension assembly includes a tension indicator providing indication of the lifeline's tension and the lifeline moves the tension indicator with respect to the housing as the lifeline is being tensioned. 
   
   
       29 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the lifeline is selected from the group consisting of wire cable, webbing, and synthetic rope. 
   
   
       30 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the base includes grooves assisting in evenly winding the lifeline initially around the base. 
   
   
       31 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the base includes a connector operatively connected to a portion of the intermediate portion of the lifeline a distance from the first end to create a reserve portion of lifeline between the connector and the first end, wherein the lifeline may be paid out from the base up to the connector and should a fall occur, the reserve portion is released from the connector. 
   
   
       32 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the tension assembly includes a tension indicator comprising:
 a) a roller;   b) a third connector mounted within the housing;   c) a biasing member interconnecting the roller and the third connector, the biasing member placing a force upon the roller pulling the roller in a first direction toward the third connector; and   d) the lifeline being routed between the roller and the third connector, wherein as the lifeline is tensioned, the lifeline pulls the roller in a second direction away from the third connector, the roller providing indication of the lifeline's tension.   
   
   
       33 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 32 , wherein the biasing member extends vertically within the housing and perpendicularly with respect to the lifeline as the lifeline is paid out of the housing. 
   
   
       34 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 32 , wherein the housing includes a window through which the roller can be viewed thereby providing indication of the lifeline's tension. 
   
   
       35 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 32 , wherein the roller includes a third end and a fourth end and the biasing member includes a first biasing member and a second biasing member, the first biasing member interconnecting the third end and the third connector, the second biasing member interconnecting the fourth end and the third connector. 
   
   
       36 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 35 , wherein the housing includes a window through which the third end of the roller extends thereby providing indication of the lifeline's tension. 
   
   
       37 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 27 , further comprising a brake assembly operatively connected to the drum, the brake assembly absorbing energy and limiting a load on the anchorage structures should a fall occur. 
   
   
       38 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 37 , wherein the brake assembly is housed within the housing. 
   
   
       39 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the tension assembly includes a brake assembly including a main plate having first teeth and includes a locking assembly comprising:
 a) a pinion gear having second teeth in cooperation with the first teeth whereby when the main plate rotates the first teeth engage the second teeth to cause the pinion gear to rotate; and
 b) a pawl pivotally mounted with respect to the housing proximate the pinion gear and having an engaging position and a releasing position, the engaging position engaging the second teeth preventing the pinion gear from rotating in a first direction, the releasing position releasing the second teeth allowing the pinion gear to rotate in the first direction, wherein when the pinion gear is engaged by the pawl, the main plate is also prevented from rotating in a second direction. 
   
   
   
       40 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 a) a spring operatively connected to the pawl, the spring placing a force upon the pawl to bias the pawl in the engaging position; and   b) a release mechanism operatively connected to the pawl, the release mechanism overcoming the force of the spring to place the pawl in the releasing position.   
   
   
       41 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 39 , further comprising a crank releasably operatively connectable to the pinion gear to rotate the pinion gear to tension the lifeline with reduced effort and releasably operatively connectable to the drum to rotate the drum to rewind the lifeline about the base of the drum. 
   
   
       42 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 39 , wherein the pinion gear is rotatable to tension the lifeline with reduced effort. 
   
   
       43 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 42 , further comprising a crank releasably operatively connectable to the pinion gear to tension the lifeline. 
   
   
       44 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the drum is rotatable to rewind the lifeline about the base of the drum. 
   
   
       45 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 44 , further comprising a crank releasably operatively connectable to the drum to rewind the lifeline. 
   
   
       46 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 27 , further comprising a motor spring operatively connected to the drum and placing a force upon the drum, the motor spring automatically winding the lifeline about the drum when tension is released from the lifeline. 
   
   
       47 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the housing includes a handle configured and arranged to assist in carrying the retractable. horizontal lifeline assembly. 
   
   
       48 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the first connector includes a handle configured and arranged to assist in carrying the retractable horizontal lifeline assembly. 
   
   
       49 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the first connector is configured and arranged to receive a connector selected from the group consisting of a carabiner, a snap hook, and a shackle. 
   
   
       50 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the first connector is configured and arranged to releasably operatively connect to an anchorage structure selected from the group consisting of a bracket, a stanchion, an I-beam, and a post. 
   
   
       51 . The retractable horizontal lifeline assembly of  claim 36 , wherein the housing includes a bridge extending through the window, the third end of the roller breaking the bridge when a fall occurs to provide indication that a fall has occurred. 
   
   
       52 . A tension indicator assembly, comprising:
 a) a housing;   b) a roller;   c) a connector mounted within the housing;   d) a biasing member interconnecting the roller and the connector within the housing, the biasing member placing a force upon the roller pulling the roller in a first direction toward the connector; and   e) a lifeline being routed between the roller and the connector, wherein when at least a portion of the lifeline is paid out of the housing and operatively connected between two anchorage structures and lifeline is tensioned, the lifeline pulls the roller in a second direction away from the connector, the roller providing indication of the lifeline's tension.   
   
   
       53 . The tension indicator assembly of  claim 52 , further comprising a housing in which the roller, the connector, and the biasing member are housed, the housing including a window through which the roller can be viewed thereby providing indication of the lifeline's tension. 
   
   
       54 . The tension indicator assembly of  claim 53 , wherein the housing includes at least one indication mark proximate the window indicating when the lifeline is properly tensioned. 
   
   
       55 . The tension indicator assembly of  claim 53 , wherein the housing includes at least one indication mark proximate the window indicating when the lifeline has been subjected to a force sufficient to take the lifeline out of service. 
   
   
       56 . The tension indicator assembly of  claim 52 , wherein the roller includes a third end and a fourth end and the biasing member includes a first biasing member and a second biasing member, the first biasing member interconnecting the third end and the third connector, the second biasing member interconnecting the fourth end and the third connector.