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US 8,893,854 B2Granted
Retractable lifeline assembly
AssigneeD B Industries, Inc.
InventorScott C. Casebolt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A retractable lifeline assembly includes a housing having a first portion and a second portion separated by a plate portion having an aperture. The aperture places a first cavity of the first portion in fluid communication with a second cavity of the second portion. A shaft extends through the aperture into the first cavity and the second cavity, and a seal proximate the shaft and the plate portion seals the first cavity from the second cavity. The first portion contains a cable assembly and the second portion contains a brake assembly.
Claims24
A retractable lifeline assembly, comprising:
- a housing including a first portion and a second portion separated by a plate portion, the first portion including a cable exit, the first portion and the plate portion defining a first cavity, a first opening in the first portion proving access to the first cavity, the second portion and the plate portion defining a second cavity, a second opening in the second portion providing access to the second cavity, the plate portion including a bore in fluid communication with the first cavity and the second cavity, wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the plate portion are integral;
- a shaft extending through the bore into the first cavity and the second cavity;
- a seal positioned proximate the plate portion and the shaft, the seal sealing the first cavity from the second cavity;
- a bearing positioned proximate the plate portion and the shaft, the bearing supporting the shaft within the housing;
- a cable assembly operatively connected to the shaft, the cable assembly including a drum fully contained within the first cavity, the cable assembly including a cable paid out through and retracted into the first cavity through the cable exit;
- a first outer plate configured and arranged to cover the first opening, wherein the first outer plate is removable to repair the cable assembly;
- a brake mechanism operatively connected to the shaft within the second cavity;
- a biasing member interconnecting the housing and the shaft to bias the shaft to wind up the cable on the drum, the biasing member fully contained within the second cavity;
- a second outer plate configured and arranged to cover the second opening to the second cavity;
- and
- wherein the seal prevents any contaminants that enter the first cavity from entering the second cavity.
8 more elements
A retractable lifeline assembly, comprising:
- a housing including a first portion and a second portion separated by a plate portion, the first portion and the plate portion defining a first cavity, the second portion and the plate portion defining a second cavity, the plate portion including an aperture placing the first cavity in fluid communication with the second cavity, the first portion including a first opening providing access to the first cavity, the second portion including a second opening providing access to the second cavity, wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the plate portion are integral;
- a shaft extending through the aperture into the first cavity and the second cavity;
- a cable assembly operatively connected to the shaft, the cable assembly including a drum fully contained within the first cavity, the cable assembly including a cable paid out through and retracted into the first cavity through a cable exit;
- a brake mechanism operatively connected to the shaft within the second cavity;
- a first outer plate configured and arranged to cover the first opening;
- a biasing member interconnecting the housing and the shaft to bias the shaft to wind up the cable on the drum, the biasing member fully contained within the second cavity;
- a second outer plate configured and arranged to cover the second opening;
- a first seal proximate the shaft and the plate portion sealing the first cavity from the second cavity proximate the aperture;
- a second seal sealing a juncture between the second portion and the second outer plate;
- and
- the first and second seals sealing the brake mechanism within the second cavity.
8 more elements
A retractable lifeline assembly, comprising:
- a housing including a first portion and a second portion separated by a plate portion, the first portion, the second portion and the plate portion being integral, the first portion and the plate portion defining a first cavity, the second portion and the plate portion defining a second cavity, the plate portion including an aperture placing the first cavity in fluid communication with the second cavity, the first portion including a first opening providing access to the first cavity, the second portion including a second opening;
- a shaft extending through the aperture into the first cavity and the second cavity;
- a cable assembly operatively connected to the shaft, the cable assembly including a drum fully contained within the first cavity, the cable assembly including a cable paid out through and retracted into the first cavity through a cable exit;
- a brake mechanism operatively connected to the shaft within the second cavity;
- a first outer plate configured and arranged to cover the first opening;
- a biasing member interconnecting the housing and the shaft to bias the shaft to wind up the cable on the drum, the biasing member fully contained within the second cavity;
- a second outer plate configured and arranged to cover the second opening to the second cavity;
- a first seal proximate the shaft and the plate portion sealing the first cavity from the second cavity proximate the aperture;
- a second seal sealing the second portion proximate the second opening;
- and
- the first and second seals sealing the brake mechanism within the second cavity.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.