Patent · US Expired

Shock absorber for fall protection system

US4538702A · kind A · utility

43Cited by
3References
3Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 21, 1983
Grant dateSep 3, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 21, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16F7/006
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A shock absorber as designed for use in fall protection systems and may be incorporated integrally with either a belt or lanyard or may be used as a separate component in conjunction with conventional belts and lanyards. A shock absorbing mechanism of the invention utilizes a piercing member having smooth edges which pierce a piece of webbing material. When force is applied to opposite ends of the shock absorber, the piercing member stretches and breaks latitudinal fibers of the webbing material. This allows near complete retention of the strength of the longitudinal fibers as those fibers are not damaged during the absorbing operation.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.