Patent attributes
A release device (10) is provided for use with a fall protection unit (12) having a lifeline (14) that can be deployed N in a fall direction to protect a worker (16) in a fall event, and includes a frame (22) configured to fix the release device (10) to a fall protection unit (12), a release member (24) mounted for movement from a lock position to a release position, a connection member (26) configured to connect the deployable lifeline (14) of the fall protection unit (12) to another piece of fall protection equipment connected to the worker (16), the connection member (26) having a locked condition wherein the connection member (26) is prevented from moving in a fall direction relative to the frame (22) and a released condition wherein the connection member (26) is free to move in the fall direction relative to the frame (22); the connection member (26) having a stop surface (34); and a stop link (28) mounted to the frame (22) to move from a engaged position to a disengaged position in response to the release member (24) moving from the lock position to the release position. The stop link (28) has a hold surface (38) engaged with the stop surface (34) with the stop link (28) in the engaged position and the connection member (26) in the locked condition, and at least one of the stop surface (34) and the hold surface (38) area planar surface extending at an acute angle to the fall direction with the connection member (26) in the locked condition and the stop link (28) in the engaged position.
