Patent attributes
The invention provides an energy absorber for use in a horizontal lifeline system comprising an elongated non-elastic plate folded onto itself to form adjoining lower wall portions, adjoining intermediate wall portions perpendicular to the said lower wall portions, and opposed flanges in perpendicular relationship to said intermediate wall portions. The opposed flanges have means for receiving connecting devices of the horizontal lifeline cable and an end anchor of the horizontal lifeline system. The adjoining lower and intermediate wall portions are secured together with a plurality of distinct fasteners such that when a tension shock load produced in the horizontal lifeline cable by arresting a fall acts in the longitudinal direction of one of the opposed flanges, the fasteners deform, pull apart and fracture, and the plate transforms into an unfolded state.
