# US 10,370,898 B2 · Tether system for a safety line > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,370,898 B2 - Document ID: US10370898B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/708,583 - Filed: 2017-09-19 - Published: 2018-01-04 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-18 - Assignees: Latchways PLC - Applicants: Latchways PLC - Inventors: Richard Short - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10370898B2 ## CPC - E06C 7/186: {Rail or rope for guiding a safety attachment, e.g. a fall arrest system} - A62B 35/005: {Vertical lifelines} - A62B 35/0075: {Details of ropes or similar equipment, e.g. between the secured person and the lifeline or anchor} - A62B 35/0093: {Fall arrest reel devices} - E06C: LADDERS (E04F11/00 takes precedence; step-stools A47C12/00; adaptation of ladders to use on ships B63B, to use on aircraft B64; scaffolding E04G) - A62B: DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING (valves specially adapted for medical use A61M39/00; life-saving devices, apparatus or methods specially adapted for use in water B63C9/00; divers' equipment B63C11/00; specially adopted for use with aircraft, e.g. parachutes, ejector seats, {B64D17/00, B64D25/10}; rescue devices peculiar to mining E21F11/00) ## Abstract A tether system for a safety line has an elongate guide track and stay elements arranged to move along the guide track and be carried at spaced positions along the length of a tether line. The system is typically employed in a fall arrest or protection system mounted to a structure, having an ascent/descent ladder fixed to the structure, the system including a self-retracting safety line device including a safety line, mounted at height. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A safety line system comprising: an elongate guide track, wherein a length of the guide track is oriented substantially vertically; a safety line moveable downward relative to the length of the guide track; a coupling structure configured to attach a safety harness of a user to the safety line; a tether line operably coupled to the safety line and moveable downward relative to the length of the guide track to deploy the safety line; and a plurality of stay elements that are secured to the tether line at fixed positions spaced apart from one another along a length of the tether line, wherein the plurality of stay elements are configured to slide parallel to and along the length of the guide track as the tether line moves downward relative to the length of the guide track. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the guide track has opposed ends that are secured in corresponding fixed positions by respective mount structures. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the guide track is provided with bracket fixing means for mounting the guide track, proximate opposed ends, to a structure with the length of the guide track oriented substantially vertically. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the guide track is mounted in tension. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the guide track comprises a flexible elongate line. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the guide track is a fixed position guide track. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the stay elements include a formation arranged to permit sliding travel with respect to the guide track whilst inhibiting parting or separation of the stay elements and the guide track. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the stay elements include a channel or slot formation that secures the guide track therein, the channel or slot formation configured to permit sliding travel of the stay elements with respect to the guide track. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the stay elements are provided with means for securing to the tether line. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system according to claim 9, wherein the stay elements are provided with holes through which the tether line extends for securing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the guide track is mounted to a ladder structure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the safety line comprises a self-retracting safety line. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a ladder fixed to a structure; and a self-retracting safety line device mounted above the ladder, wherein the self-retracting safety line device includes the safety line; wherein the guide track extends along at least a lengthwise part of the ladder. ### Claim 14 (depends on 5) The system according to claim 5, wherein the flexible elongate line comprises a length of webbing, or a length of ribbon or a length of rope. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the tether line is configured to be pulled downward in order to deploy the safety line.