Safety track support and coupling

Apparatus comprising support means (7,17,30) for locally supporting a safety track member (1) in spaced relation to a fixed structure (2), and coupling means (8,21,38) for coupling a load to such track member (1), said support means and said coupling means being constructed and arranged to enable said coupling means to pass said support means during travel of said coupling means along the path of said track member (1), characterised in that either said support means (7,17,30) or said coupling means (8,21,38) comprises an arm (5,23,26,31) for attachment to a said fixed structure (2) or to a load as the case may be, whereas the other of said support and coupling means comprises (i) a tube (9,18,28,40) which defines a passageway for said track member (1), such tube being peripherally interrupted along its length by a slot (16,46) which is wide enough to allow said arm (5,23,26,31) to pass therealong, and (ii) a bearing part (11,19,39) which rotatably supports said tube (9,18,28,40) but so as to allow said arm (5,23,26,31) to pass by such bearing part;

• at least one end (9',47) of said tube (9,18,28,40) being shaped so that axial abutment pressure of said arm (5,23,26,31) against said end causes rotation of the tube to bring the adjacent end of said slot (16,46) into line with such arm.