TENSIONING DEVICE
FIG2 is a schematic diagram showing how the tensioning device of FIG1 is mounted and the path of a lifeline through the device
In use the tensioning device 10 is located and connected between an anchor point, which may comprise a building, frame or suitable stanchion, and a lifeline in the form of an elongate flexible cord or cable. In particular, and as illustrated in FIG2, a part of the brake mechanism 16 is connected to the anchor point by means of a suitable connector such as a shackle. The lifeline cable enters the tensioning device 10 at a first location, passes around the pulley 14 and a first, free end of the lifeline extends from the device 10 at a second location. This is illustrated by the dashed arrow in FIG2. The other, second end of the lifeline is connected to a second anchor point at a distance from the first anchor point. Workers working at height connect themselves to the lifeline between the tensioning device 10 and the second anchor point by suitable personal fall arrest equipment.
schematic diagram
64
release arm
38
locking member
81
edge
68
arm
['1. A tensioning device (10) for a horizontal lifeline comprising: a pulley (14) including a drive spindle (28) and a pulley wheel (14) connected to the drive spindle (28), said lifeline passing, in use, around the pulley wheel (14); a locking member (38) configured to engage, in use, with a part of said lifeline to prevent relative movement of the lifeline with respect to the locking member (38) in a first direction; and a handle assembly (18) connected to the drive spindle (28), the handle assembly (18) being moveable between a first, disengaged position in which rotation of the handle assembly (18) does not cause rotation of the drive spindle (28) and a second, engaged position in which rotation of the handle assembly (18) rotates the drive spindle (28), characterised in that : movement of the handle assembly (18) between the first and second positions is along an axis of the drive spindle (28), wherein the drive spindle (28) includes a drive shaft section (136) and in the first position the handle assembly (18) is engaged with the drive shaft section (136) and in the second position the handle assembly (18) is not engaged with the drive shaft section (136), and wherein rotation of the drive spindle (28) rotates the pulley (14) to move the lifeline in a second direction relative to the locking member (38), thereby tensioning the lifeline.', '3. A tensioning device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, the handle assembly (18) comprising a coupling member (66) and an arm (68), the coupling member (66) being connected to the drive spindle (28) and the arm (68) being pivotally connected to the coupling member (66).', '12. A horizontal lifeline system as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 11, further comprising a release arm (64) rotatable to selectively disengage the locking member (38) from the lifeline.']