Systems for Use with Multiple Safety Devices and Connectors for Use Therewith

Abstract

A system includes a support including an extending rigid member and a first attachment at a first position on the rigid member to which a first self-retracting lifeline is attached, The first self-retracting lifeline includes a first housing from which a first lifeline exits. The first housing is movable relative to the rigid member. The system also includes at least a second attachment at a second position on the rigid member to which a second self-retracting lifeline. The second self-retracting lifeline includes a second housing from which a second lifeline exits, The second housing is movable relative to the rigid member independent of the movement of the first housing. The first position is spaced from the second position. The system further includes a connector attached to the frame to connect the frame to an article worn by a user.

1 . A system for use with a safety harness to be worn by a person, comprising:
 a support comprising a rigid member, a first attachment to which a first self-retracting lifeline is removably attachable, the first attachment being positioned on the rigid member at a first position, and at least a second attachment to which a second self-retracting lifeline is removably attachable, the second attachment being positioned on the rigid member at a second position, the first position being spaced from the second position; and   a connector attached to the support to connect he support to an article to be worn by a user.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first self-retracting lifeline is pivotable about the first attachment when attached thereto and the second self-retracting lifeline is pivot able about the second attachment when attached thereto. 
     
     
         3 . A method of connecting at least two self-retracting lifelines to a safety harness wearable by a person, comprising:
 connecting a support to the safety harness, the support comprising a rigid member comprising a first attachment to which a first self-retracting lifeline is attachable so that a first housing of the first self-retracting lifeline from which a first lifeline exits is movable relative to the rigid member, the first attachment being positioned on the rigid member at a first position, and at least a second attachment to which a second self-retracting lifeline is attachable so that a second housing of the second self-retracting lifeline from which a second lifeline exits is movable relative to the rigid member, the second attachment being positioned on the rigid member at a second position, the first position being spaced from the second position.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising:
 attaching the first self-retracting lifeline to the first attachment; and 
 attaching the second self-retracting lifeline to the second attachment, 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein at least one of the first self-retracting lifeline and the second self-retracting lifeline is attached to the rigid member before the support is connected to the safety harness. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the first self-retracting lifeline and the second self-retracting lifeline can be non-removably attached to the first attachment and the second attachment. 
     
     
         7 . A safety device comprising a connector comprising a connector member that is pivotably connected to the safety device on a first end thereof and is removably connected to the safety device on a second end thereof, the connector member comprising an engagement member in the vicinity of the second end thereof that is operable to removably connect to a cooperating engagement member attached to the safety device. 
     
     
         8 . The safety device of  claim 7  wherein the engagement member comprises an extending member that engages a seating in the cooperating engagement member. 
     
     
         9 . The safety device of  claim 8  wherein the connector further comprises a latch system to engage at least one of the engagement member and the cooperating engagement member to prevent disengagement of the engagement member and the cooperating engagement member when the latch is in a closed state. 
     
     
         10 . The safety device of  claim 9  wherein the cooperating engagement member comprises a first opening in communicative connection with a larger second opening and the engagement member comprises a flange that is dimensioned to pass through the second larger opening but not through the first opening. 
     
     
         11 . The safety device of  claim 10  wherein the latch system prevents the engagement member from being aligned with the second opening when in the closed state. 
     
     
         12 . A support for connecting a pair of self-retracting lifelines to an article worn by a user, the support comprising:
 an extending rigid member defining a first connection location at a fixed position on the rigid member to which a first self-retracting lifeline can be attached, a second connection location at a second fixed position on the support to which a self-retracting lifeline can be attached, with the first fixed position being spaced from the second fixed position by a fixed distance; and   a connector attached to the rigid member to connect the rigid member to an article worn by a user.   
     
     
         13 . The support of  claim 12  wherein the first connection location is configured for pivotable attachment of the first self-retracting lifeline, and the second connection location is configured for pivotable attachment of the second self-retracting lifeline. 
     
     
         14 . The support of  claim 13  wherein the first connection location is configured to allow the first self-retracting lifeline to be pivotable laterally with respect to the rigid member, and the second connection location is configured to allow the second self-retracting lifeline to be attached so that it is pivotable laterally with respect to the rigid member. 
     
     
         15 . The support of  claim 12  wherein the first connection location comprises a first attachment and the second connection location comprises a second attachment. 
     
     
         16 . The support of  claim 15  wherein the first attachment is a first extending member about which the first self-retracting lifeline can pivot and the second attachment is a second extending member about which the second self-retracting lifeline can pivot. 
     
     
         17 . The support of  claim 16  wherein the rigid member comprises a frame comprising a first frame member and a second frame member spaced from the first frame member, the first extending member extending between the first frame member and the second frame member at the first connection location and the second extending member extending between the first frame member and the second frame member at the second connection location. 
     
     
         18 . The support of  claim 17  wherein the first extending member is removably connectible between the first frame member and the second frame member and the second extending member is removably connectible between the first frame member and the second frame member, 
     
     
         19 . The support of  claim 18  further comprising at least one retaining element movably connected to the frame to selectively engage the first extending member to retain the first extending member between the first frame member and the second frame member. 
     
     
         20 . The support of  claim 19  wherein the retaining element is also movably connected to the frame to selectively engage the second extending member to retain the second extending member between the first frame member and the second frame member.