Connector

A connector for use with a fall protection assembly, comprising:

• a) a catch having an end with an engaging member;
• b) a housing having a cavity and a supporting member;
• and
• c) first and second pawls pivotally mounted within the cavity of the housing and having a first position and a second position, the cavity and the pawls having a first configuration when the pawls are in the first position, the cavity and the pawls having a second configuration when the pawls are in the second position, the first configuration being configured and arranged to receive the end of the catch, the second configuration being configured and arranged to engage the end of the catch thereby locking the catch, the end being engaged in the second configuration between the supporting member and the pawls, the supporting member of the housing providing a surface upon which the engaging member exerts force when the catch and the housing are pulled in opposite directions should a fall occur.

A connector for use with a fall protection assembly, comprising:

• a) a housing having a cavity and a supporting member;
• b) opposing first and second pawls pivotally mounted within the cavity of the housing, the pawls having respective latching portions extending toward one another and force receiving portions projecting outward beyond a perimeter defined by the housing and extending away from one another;
• c) first and second springs interconnected between the housing and respective pawls in a manner that biases the latching portions of the pawls to pivot toward one another in a first position;
• and
• d) a catch having an end sized and configured for insertion between the pawls and engagement between the latching portions in such a manner that the force receiving portions must be moved in a direction toward the housing in a second position to release the end from between the pawls, the end being engaged in the second position between the supporting member and the pawls, the supporting member of the housing providing a surface upon which the end exerts force when the catch and the housing are pulled in opposite directions should a fall occur.

A connector for use with a fall protection assembly, comprising:

• a) a catch having an end with an engaging member and a second end with a strap receiving opening;
• b) a housing having a cavity, a supporting member, and a second strap receiving opening opposite the second end of the catch;
• and
• c) a at least one pawl pivotally mounted within the cavity having a first position and a second position, the cavity and the at least one pawl having a first configuration when the at least one pawl is in the first position, the cavity and the at least one pawl having a second configuration when the at least one pawl is in the second position, the first configuration being configured and arranged to receive the end of the catch, the second configuration being configured and arranged to engage the end of the catch thereby locking the catch, the end being engaged in the second configuration between the supporting member and the at least one pawl, the supporting member of the housing providing a surface upon which the engaging member exerts force when the second end of the catch and the housing proximate the second strap receiving opening are pulled in opposite directions should a fall occur.