Retracting lifeline systems for use in tie-back anchoring
View Patent ↗A retracting lifeline system, includes: a housing, a first connector attached to the housing, a lifeline, and a hub to which the lifeline is attached at a first end of the lifeline and around which the lifeline is coiled within the housing. The housing includes an opening through which the lifeline exits the housing. The hub is tensioned to rotate in a first direction to cause retracting of the lifeline and coiling of the lifeline around the hub. The retracting lifeline system further includes a second connector attached to a second end of the lifeline. At least a section of the lifeline has an initial ultimate tensile load of at least 8000 pounds and is abrasion resistant (that is, satisfying the abrasion test requirement set forth in the ANSI/ASSE Z359.13-2009 standard) such that the section of the lifeline is available for tie-back anchoring using the second connector. The section of the lifeline is at least partially retractable within the housing.
1. A retracting lifeline system, comprising:
a housing;
a first connector attached to the housing,
a lifeline;
a hub to which the lifeline is attached at a first end of the lifeline and around which the lifeline is coiled within the housing, the housing comprising an opening through which the lifeline exits the housing, the hub being tensioned to rotate in a first direction to cause retracting of the lifeline and coiling of the lifeline around the hub; and
a second connector attached to a second end of the lifeline;
wherein at least a section of the lifeline has an initial ultimate tensile load of at least 8000 pounds and is abrasion resistant such that the section of the lifeline is available for tie-back anchoring using the second connector, the section of the lifeline being at least partially retractable within the housing; and
further comprising an energy absorbing system positioned at least partially within the housing, the energy absorbing system comprising a first retaining member and a second retaining member, the first retaining member being connected to a connector extending from the housing so that the connector extending from the housing is rotatable relative to the first retaining member, the connector extending from the housing being connected to the first connector, the second retaining member being operatively connected to the hub, the first retaining member being connected to the second retaining member by at least one energy absorbing member that increases in effective length upon activation thereof so that the distance between the first retaining member and the second retaining member increases upon activation of the energy absorbing system.
2. The retractable lifeline system of claim 1 wherein the energy absorbing member comprises at least a first length of material connected to a second length of material via tear elements which tear to absorb energy upon activation of the energy absorbing system.
3. The retractable lifeline system of claim 1 further comprising at least one breakable connector connecting the first retaining member to the second retaining member, the breakable connector breaking upon a first load such that first retaining member separates from the second retaining member by an observable distance to provide an observable indication that the first load has been experienced.
4. The retractable lifeline system of claim 3 wherein the energy absorbing member can be activated upon breaking of the breakable connector.
5. The retractable lifeline system of claim 1 wherein activation of the energy absorbing member maintains a load experienced by the lifeline during activation of the energy absorbing member no greater than a predetermined magnitude.
6. A retracting lifeline system, comprising;
a housing;
a first connector attached to the housing,
a lifeline;
a hub to which the lifeline is attached at a first end of the lifeline and around which the lifeline is coiled within the housing, the housing comprising an opening through which the lifeline exits the housing, the hub being tensioned to rotate in a first direction to cause retracting of the lifeline and coiling of the lifeline around the hub; and
an energy absorbing system positioned at least partially within the housing, the energy absorbing system comprising a first retaining member and a second retaining member, the first retaining member being connected to a connector extending from the housing to connect to the first connector so that the connector extending from the housing is rotatable relative to the first retaining member, the second retaining member being operatively connected to the hub, the first retaining member being connected to the second retaining member by at least one energy absorbing member that increases in effective length upon activation thereof so that the distance between the first retaining member and the second retaining member increases upon activation of the energy absorbing system.
7. The retractable lifeline system of claim 6 wherein the energy absorbing member comprises at least a first length of material connected to a second length of material via tear elements which tear to absorb energy upon activation of the energy absorbing system.
8. The retractable lifeline system of claim 7 further comprising at least one breakable connector connecting the first retaining member to the second retaining member, the breakable connector breaking upon a first load such that first retaining member separates from the second retaining member by an observable distance to provide an observable indication that the first load has been experienced.
9. The retractable lifeline system of claim 8 wherein in the energy absorbing member can be activated upon breaking of the breakable connector.
10. The retractable lifeline system of claim 9 wherein activation of the energy absorbing member maintains a load experienced by the lifeline during activation of the energy absorbing member no greater than a predetermined magnitude.
11. The retractable lifeline system of claim 6 wherein at least a section of the lifeline has an initial ultimate tensile load of at least 8000 pounds and is abrasion resistant such that the section of the lifeline is available for tie-back anchoring using the second connector, the section of the lifeline being at least partially retractable within the housing.