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US 2020/0386285 A1Published application
Latch activation between members
AssigneeEddy Current Limited Partnership
InventorsChristopher James Allington, Andrew Karl Diehl, Kevin A. Wright, Weston Hill, Dave Walters
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Abstract
Described herein is a system, method of use and Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL) apparatus using a system that governs a dynamic response between members causing a halt in relative motion between the members. Magnetic interactions, eddy current drag forces and centrifugal and/or inertial forces may provide various mechanisms of governing movement.
Claims21
1-28. (canceled)
A self-retracting lifeline comprising:
- a coupler configured to selectively couple a spool with line thereon to a latch on an external member, and in doing so slow or halt relative motion between the spool and line thereon and the external member;
- wherein the coupler includes a pawl linked to and rotating with the spool when line on the spool is withdrawn from the spool;
- wherein, when the spool rotates due to line withdrawal from the spool below a velocity and acceleration threshold, the pawl oscillates radially outward and inward relative to the spool axis of rotation and the coupler does not couple the spool to the external member;
- and
- when the spool rotates due to line withdrawal from the spool above a velocity and acceleration threshold, the pawl of the coupler moves radially outward sufficiently far to a deployed position such that the pawl or a part thereof engages a geometric latching interface on the external member thereby coupling the external member and spool and in doing so halting relative motion between the external member and spool.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.