GB2490873A

GB2490873A - Adjustable safety line mounting with various orientations

Info

Publication number: GB2490873A
Application number: GB1107744.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Oliver Auston; Duncan Barrier
Original assignee: Checkmate Ltd
Current assignee: Checkmate Ltd
Priority date: 2011-05-10
Filing date: 2011-05-10
Publication date: 2012-11-21
Also published as: GB201107744D0

Abstract

A safety line mounting for supporting a fall safety line includes a base plate (28, figure 1) for attaching the mounting to a surface, a guide member 114 having a retaining portion 118 for retaining the safety line, and engaging parts such as recesses or channels 108 to connect the guide member to the base plate in one of a plurality of possible orientations. The engaging parts may be located on inside opposing faces of arms 100, 100a and there may be projections or ribs 138 extending from the guide member which can interlock with the recesses to hold the guide member in position.

Description

Safety Line System

BACKGROUND

a. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to safety line system for use by a workman working at a height above the ground. In particular the invention relates to a support post for a safety line system.

b. Related Art While a worker is working at height he will typically be connected to a secure mounting by means of a lifeline attached to a harness. In particular, in many circumstances, a secure safety line or rail is provided across or around the raised area in which the workers are working.

The workers are attached to this safety rail by means of a lanyard attached at one end to a harness or similar worn by each worker and at the other end to a traveller engaged with and able to slide along the safety line or rail. As such, as the worker moves around, the traveller is pulled along the safety rail by the lanyard so as to follow the worker around the area.

The safety line or rail is typically mounted on and supported by a number of support posts at intervals along its length. Support posts may be provided, in particular, at corners, so as to provide a means for guiding the line smoothly around the corner. The support posts, therefore, are required to maintain the safety line or rail in the desired position while allowing the workers to move around relative to the line or rail.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved safety line support to which a safety line may be mounted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a safety line mounting for supporting a fall safety line, the safety line mounting comprising: -a base plate for attaching the safety line mounting to a supporting surface; -a guide member having a retaining portion for retaining a part of a safety line; and -engaging means, the engaging means permitting the guide member to be connected to the base plate in one of a plurality of pre-defined orientations with respect to the base plate.

Preferably the safety line mounting further comprises a support post having opposite first and second ends and an axis extending between said ends. The support post has, at the first end, a base portion for fixing the assembly to a supporting surface, and the safety line mounting extends away from the second end of the support post. The engaging means permits the guide member to be connected to the base plate in one of a plurality of pre-defined angles with respect to the axis of the support post. In this way the support post, and therefore the safety line mounting, may be located with respect to an area in which workers are working such that a fall safety line may still be connected to the safety line mounting at a suitable position.

In a preferred embodiment the base plate comprises opposing arms, and the guide member locates between the arms when the guide member is engaged with the base plate.

Preferably the arms include opposing inner faces and the engaging means comprises a plurality of recesses formed in the inner faces and at least one projection on the guide member. As such, when the guide member is engaged with the base plate, the at least one projection locates within one of the plurality of recesses. Preferably each of the plurality of recesses is a channel extending across an inner face of the arms, and preferably the projection is a rib.

In other embodiments, the arms of the base plate include opposing inner faces and the engaging means comprises a plurality of projections projecting from the inner faces of the arms and a recess in the guide member. With this arrangement, when the guide member is engaged with the base plate, one of the plurality of projections locates within the recess. Preferably the recess is a channel, and preferably each of the plurality of projections is a rib extending across the inner faces of the arms.

In order to retain the guide member at a desired angle with respect to the base plate the safety line mounting may further comprise a locking pin. In these embodiments, the guide member includes a hole and the base plate includes an aperture and, when the guide member is engaged with the base plate, the hole and the aperture are aligned so that the locking pin may be inserted through the hole and the aperture to retain the guide member in a pre-defined orientation with respect to the base plate.

In a preferred embodiment the safety line mounting includes a locking pin, the base plate comprises opposing arms, each of the arms having an inner face and an aperture extending from the inner face through the arm, the guide member comprises a hole in an end portion of the guide member, and the engaging means comprises a plurality of channels extending in different directions across the inner faces of the arms and at least one rib projecting from the end portion of the guide member. When the guide member is engaged with the base plate, the at least one rib is located within one of the plurality of channels and the locking pin may be inserted through the apertures and the hole, thereby retaining the guide member in one of a plurality of pre-defined orientations with respect to the base plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a safety line support according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the safety line support of Figure 1 showing the internal structure of the support post; Figure 3 is an exploded diagram showing the major components of the safety line support of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the safety line support of Figure 1 showing a support bracket in a radially extending position; Figure 5 is an exploded diagram showing the major components of a support bracket according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a guide member of the support bracket of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a mounting collar of the support bracket of Figure 5; Figure 8 is an alternative guide member for use in the support bracket of the present invention; and Figure 9 is a partial exploded diagram of a safety line support showing the means of connection of guide arms to the guide member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a support post assembly 10 for supporting a fall safety line according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The support 10 comprises a support post 12, attachable to the ground or to a structure on which workers are working, and a support bracket or safety line mounting portion 14 for engagement with a safety line (not shown).

The support post 12 comprises a flanged inner sleeve 16 having a generally cylindrical shape, as shown most clearly in Figures 2 and 3. A first end 18 of the inner sleeve 16 is substantially closed or blocked by an end plate 20. An aperture or hole 22 is provided centrally through the end plate 20, in line with a longitudinal axis 24 of the support post 12. At a second end 26 of the inner sleeve 16 a flange 28 extends perpendicularly radially outwards from the sleeve 16 around the full circumference of the sleeve 16. This flange 28 provides attachment means for attaching the support post 12 to the ground or other supporting surface (not shown). In particular, in this example, the flange 28 includes holes 30 spaced around the flange through which bolts or similar (not shown) may be passed to secure the post 12 in the required location.

An outer sleeve 32 has a generally cylindrical shape and locates around the inner sleeve 16. As such, an internal diameter of the outer sleeve 32 is approximately equal to an external diameter of the inner sleeve 16 so that the outer sleeve 32 is able to slide onto and around the inner sleeve 16.

When the outer sleeve 32 is located fully over the inner sleeve 16, a first end 34 of the outer sleeve 32 abuts a face 36 of the flange 28. The length of the outer sleeve 32 is significantly greater than the length of the inner sleeve 16 so that a second end 33 of the outer sleeve 32 extends beyond the first end 18 of the inner sleeve 16 thereby defining a cavity 35. In this way, the end plate 20 of the inner sleeve 16 forms a cross-plate 20 midway along the length of the support post 12.

As such, the length of the outer sleeve 32 is typically 1.5 to 2 times the length of the inner sleeve 16. In a preferred embodiment the outer sleeve 32 is formed from a thin-walled tube of stainless steel. The inner and outer sleeves 16, 32 form an outer wall 27 of the support post 12 and provide a housing for a shock absorber 31 contained within the post 12.

The support post 12 further comprises a shock absorber 31 which in this embodiment comprises two resilient inserts 38, 40. Preferably the inserts 38, 40 are identical and are generally cylindrical. A first portion 42, 42a of the inserts 38, has a constant diameter and a second portion 44, 44a, continuous with the first portion 42, 42a, is tapered, such that a first end 46, 46a of the inserts 38, 40 has a larger diameter than a second end 48, 48a of the inserts 38, 40. A cylindrical bore 50, 50a extends centrally through each of the inserts 38, 40 from the first end 46, 46a to the second end 48, 48a. The diameter of the bore 50, 50a is preferably the same size as or slightly smaller than the diameter of the aperture 22 in the end plate 20 of the inner sleeve 16.

The resilient inserts 38, 40 are preferably made of an elastomeric material, for example an ethylene propylene rubber. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the inserts are made from an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, which has good tear and abrasion resistance as well as good weather resistance.

A first of the two inserts 38 is located within the inner sleeve 16 of the support post 12 such that the first end 46 abuts a first, inner face 52 of the end plate 20 and the bore 50 is aligned with the aperture 22 in the end plate 20. The diameter of the first end 46 of the insert 38 is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the inner sleeve 16, such that a minimal gap 54 exists between an outer surface 56 of the first portion 42 of the insert 38 and the inner surface 58 of the inner sleeve 16.

A second of the two inserts 40 locates within the cavity 35, such that the first end 46a abuts a second, outer face 60 of the end plate 20 of the inner sleeve 16, and the bore 50a aligns with the aperture 22 in the end plate 20. Because, in this embodiment, the first and second inserts 38, 40 are identical in shape and size, but the internal diameter of the outer sleeve 32 is larger than the internal diameter of the inner sleeve 16, a larger gap 62 exists between the outer surface 56a of the first portion 42a of the insert 40 and the inner surface 64 of the outer sieeve 32, compared to the minimal gap 54.

The inserts 38, 40 are secured in position within the sleeves 16, 32 and in contact with the end plate 20 by securing means 80 that extends through the bores 50, 50a of the inserts 38, 40 and the aperture 22 in the end plate 20 as will be described below.

In this embodiment, a mounting collar or carriage 66 of the support bracket 14 forms a cap 66 at the second end 33 of the outer sleeve 32. The mounting collar 66 comprises a disc-shaped base plate 68 having an external diameter approximately equal to the internal diameter of the outer sleeve 32. There is a tight fit of the base plate 68 within the end 33 of the outer sleeve 32 so that the resilient inserts 38, 40 contained within the sleeve are protected from the weather for example. Preferably a seal is formed between the base plate 68 and the outer sleeve 32. The seal may be formed by an 0-ring located between a circumferential edge 104 of the base plate 68 and the inner surface 64 of the outer sleeve 32.

When the mounting collar 66 is fully inserted into the end 33 of the outer sleeve 32, a first face 70 of the base plate 68 abuts the second end 48a of the insert 40 in the cavity 35.

A hole 72 extends through the base plate 68 between the first face 70 and a second, opposing face 74. The hole 72 includes a shoulder 76 approximately halfway between the first and second faces 70, 74, such that a first section 77 of the hole 72 proximate the second face 74 has a larger diameter than a second section 78 proximate the first face 70. In this way, the first section 77 forms a recess for receiving a head 82 of a pin or bolt 80, as will be described below.

The diameter of the second section 78 of the hole 72 is approximately equal to the diameter of the bore 50a through the insert 40, and when the mounting collar 66 is inserted in the end 33 of the outer sleeve 32, the hole 72 aligns with the bore 50a along the longitudinal axis 24 of the support post 12.

To secure the mounting collar 66 and inserts 38, 40 within the support post 12, a bolt 80 is inserted through the hole 72 in the mounting collar 66, the bore 50a in the insert 40, the aperture 22 in the end plate 20 and the bore 50 in the insert 38, such that the head 82 of the bolt 80 sits within the first section 77 of the hole 72 and an end 84 of the bolt 80 protrudes beyond the second end 48 of the insert 38.

At least the end 84 of the bolt is threaded, and a nut 86 is used to secure the bolt within the post 12. In this embodiment, two plates or washers 88, 90 are fitted onto the end 84 of the bolt 80 before the nut 86 so that the washers 88, 90 are positioned between the end 48 of the insert 38 and the nut 86. A first washer 88 has a planar disc-shaped central region 92 with a central hole 93 and a plurality of tabs 94 spaced around and extending from the circumference of the disc-shaped central region 92. Each of the tabs 94 extends at an angle to the plane of the central region 92 so that the washer 88 has a generally dish-shaped cross-section.

A second washer 90 is substantially identical to the central region 92 of the first washer 88. As such the second washer 90 comprises a planar disc having a central hole 96. The diameter of the second washer 90 may be the same as or smaller than the diameter of the central region 92 of the first washer 88.

The first washer 88 is positioned on the end of the bolt 80 so that a first face 98 of the washer 88 sits against the end 48 of the insert 38 and the tabs 94 extend in a direction away from the insert 38. The second washer 90 is then placed over the end 84 of the bolt 80 and the nut 86 is screwed onto the end 84 of the bolt 80.

The nut 86 is then tightened onto the bolt 80 so that the head 82 of the bolt 80 sits on the shoulder 76 in the collar body 68 and the inserts 38, 40 are pressed tightly against the end plate 20 of the inner sleeve 16.

Returning to the mounting collar 66, the collar 66 further comprises two identical arms 100, bOa, as shown most clearly in Figures 5 and 7. The arms 100, bOa extend perpendicularly from the second face 74 of the base plate 68 at the circumference of the base plate 68 and have a top edge 101, 101 a and two side edges 103, 103a. An outer face 102, 102a of each of the arms 100, lOOa is curved and is continuous and integral with a circumferential edge 104 of the base plate 68. The arms 100, bOa extend from diametrically opposing portions of the base plate 68 such that the arms 100, bOa have opposing inner faces 106, 106a.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the inner faces 106, 106a is substantially rectangular and planar. Each of the inner faces 106, 1 06a of the arms 100, 1 OOa further includes a plurality of channels or keyways 108, 108a extending across the face 106, 106a from the top edge 101, lOla or a side edge 103, 103a. Each of the channels 108, 108a is straight and at a point 110, llOa where the channels intersect there is a hole 110, 1 ba in the arm 100, lOOa extending fully through the arm 100, lOOa between the inner and outer faces 106, 106a, 102, 102a. Each of the channels 108, 108a terminates at a respective end 112, 112a in a region below the hole 110, 1 ba and proximate the collar body 68.

In addition to the mounting collar 66, the support bracket 14 further comprises a safety line mount in the form of a guide member 114, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

The guide member 114 includes a generally rectangular stem 116, a generally cylindrical keeper 118 attached at a first end 120 of the stem 116, and a generally cylindrical key 122 attached at a second end 124 of the stem 116.

The keeper 118 comprises a central cylindrical portion 126 having a constant external diameter and two tapered end portions 128, 1 28a. A bore 127 of constant diameter extends centrally though the keeper 118 along a longitudinal axis 129.

The stem 116 extends radially from an outer surface 130 of the central portion 126 of the keeper 118, with the plane of the stem 116 parallel to the longitudinal axis 129 of the keeper. In a preferred embodiment, the width of the stem 116 is approximately equal to the length of the central portion 126.

The key 122 comprises a cylindrical tube 134 having a constant diameter and two projecting ribs 136, 138. A bore 137 of constant diameter extends centrally though the key 122 along a longitudinal axis 139. The ribs 136, 138 project from an outer surface 140 of the tube 134 and extend longitudinally along the tube 134. The length of each of the ribs 136, 138 is longer than the length of the tube 134 so that end portions 140, 140a of each of the ribs 136, 138 project beyond a respective end 142, 142a of the tube 134.

The stem 116 extends radially from a first one of the ribs 136. Preferably the width of the stem 116 is less than the length of the tube 134 such that a portion of the rib 136 extends beyond each edge 144, 144a of the stem 116.

The stem 116, therefore, forms a bridging member between the key 122 and the keeper 118 such that the longitudinal axes 139, 129 of the key 122 and keeper 118 are parallel to but spaced apart from each other.

The length of the key 122 from the first end 142 of the tube 134 to the second end 142a is approximately the same as the distance between the opposing inner faces 106, 106a of the arms 100, lOOa of the mounting collar 66. As such there is a sliding fit of the key 122 between the arms 100, bOa and the protruding ends 140, 140a of the ribs 136, 138 engage with, and sit within, respective keyways 108, 108a in the innerfaces 106, 106a.

In this way the key 122 can only be inserted between the arms 100, lOOa in a limited number of fixed orientations determined by the number and orientation of the keyways 108, 108a. When the key 122 is fully inserted in the mounting collar 66, the ends 140, 140a of the rib 138 locate within a respective end 112, 112a of the keyway channel 108, 108a. In addition, the bore 137 in the key 122 aligns with -11 -the holes 110, llOa in each of the arms 100, lOOa. A retaining pin 146 is inserted through the holes 110, 11 Oa and the bore 137 to prevent the key 122 being pulled out of the mounting collar 66. Preferably at least one of the holes 110, 11 Oa has a threaded inner surface (not shown) and at least a portion of the outer surface of the shaft 148 of the pin 146 is threaded, so that the pin 146 can be secured through the arms 100, bOa and the key 122.

In Figures Ito 3 the support 10 is shown with the support guide 114 secured or arranged in a longitudinal orientation with respect to the support post 12. In Figure 4, the support 10 is shown with the support guide 114 oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support post 12. In this orientation the ends 140, 140a of the ribs 136, 138 are held within the respective keyways 108, 108a that span the arms 100, IOOa from one side edge 103 to the other 103a. As can be seen from the Figures, the inner surfaces 106, 1 06a of the arms 100, 1 OOa also include four other keyways 108, bO8a oriented at an angle between the longitudinal and the transverse positions shown in Figures 1 and 4 in particular. In other embodiments, different numbers of keyways 108, 108a may be provided at different orientations.

In use, a safety line (not shown) is retained within the bore 127 of the keeper 118 and extends from each of the tapered ends 128, 128a towards a neighbouring support 10. Preferably the safety line extends from the keeper 118 in a direction proximate the longitudinal axis 129 50 that the safety line does not wear against the edge of the bore 127 at either end 131, 1 31a of the keeper 118.

As such, in order to allow the safety line to pass smoothly around corners an alternative embodiment of the support bracket is used in these locations. An example of this further embodiment is shown in Figures 8 and 9. Many of the features of this embodiment are the same as or similar to features of the previous embodiment and these features have been indicated by reference numerals incremented by 200.

Figure 8 shows a guide member 314 having a generally rectangular stem 316 and a generally cylindrical key 322 attached at one end of the stem 316, as previously described.

A keeper 318, attached to a second end of the stem 316 comprises a central cylindrical portion 326 having a constant external diameter and two end portions 350, 350a. As in the previous embodiment, a bore 327 of constant diameter extends centrally though the keeper 318 along a longitudinal axis 329, and the stem 316 extends radially from an outer surface 330 of the central portion 326 of the keeper 318, with the plane of the stem 316 parallel to the longitudinal axis 329 of the keeper 318.

In this embodiment, the end portions 350, 350a do not taper significantly. In some cases the end portions 350, 350a are not tapered, and in other examples, the end portions 350, 350a are slightly tapered to smooth the transition between the keeper 318 and guide arms 352, 352a as will be described below.

The keeper 318 further comprises two threaded holes 354, 354a for receiving grub screws 356 or the like. Each of the holes 354, 354a is located proximate a respective end portion 350, 350a.

Each guide arm 352, 352a comprises a longitudinally curved tubular member 358, 358a, as shown in Figure 9. At least an end region 360, 360a of each of the tubular members 358, 358a has an external diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the bore 327 through the keeper 318 such that there is a push fit of the end region 360, 360a of the guide arm 352, 352a into the respective end portion 350, 350a of the keeper 318. When the guide arms 352, 352a are fully inserted in the keeper 318, they are clamped in position by the grub screws 356 that are inserted in the holes 354, 354a. As the grub screws 356 are tightened they press against the surface of the guide arms 352, 352a within the bore 327 of the keeper 318 and retain the guide arms 352, 352a in position. In other embodiments, other retaining means may be used to retain the ends of the guide arms 352, 352a within the end portions 350, 350a of the keeper 318.

In use, the safety line passes through a first of the two guide arms 352, through the bore 327 of the keeper 318 and through the second of the two guide arms 352a. Due to the curvature of each of the guide arms 352, 352a a smooth bend is thereby formed in the safety line such that the direction in which the safety line enters a first one of the two guide arms 352 is different to the direction in which the safety line leaves the second of the two guide arms 352a. Each of the guide arms 352, 352a may have different curvatures, or alternatively, the guide arms 352, 352a may be identical.

Supports 210 comprising support brackets 214 including guide arms 352, 352a are, therefore, typically used at the corners of work areas or in positions in which the safety line has to pass around an obstacle.

It will be obvious to a person of skill in the art that the support post assembly 10, 210 of the present invention does not have to be mounted to a floor or a horizontal surface, but may be mounted on a vertical surface such as the face of a wall. As such the base portion 15 may not be located below the rest of the support post 12 when the support post assembly 10, 210 is mounted on a supporting surface.

The use of the supports 10, 210 will now be described in relation to workers working at height on a platform. A number of support posts 12 are secured around the area of the platform, preferably in or proximate an edge region. The support posts 12 may be secured to a floor or to a wall for example. Depending on the specific locations of each of the support posts 12, it may be necessary to orient differently each or some of the support guides 114 in their keyways 108, 108a, to avoid obstacles for example, or to allow the safety line to be carried at different heights in different parts of the platform.

The safety line is passed through and received within the bores 127, 327 in the keepers 118, 318, and optionally through guide arms 352, 50 that the safety line is -14 -retained in position with respect to each of the support posts 12. A worker is attached to the safety line via a traveller which is able to slide along the safety line and pass over the keepers 118, 318 as the worker moves around the work area.

If a worker falls, the energy of the fall is transmitted via the traveller to the safety line. This in turn applies a force to one or more of the keepers 118, 318 through which the safety line passes. Because the support guides 114, 318 are held rigidly within the mounting collar 66, the force that is applied to the mounting bracket 14, 214 is transmitted to the support post 12. In particular a bending force is applied to the support post 12 due to the load being applied to the support bracket 14, 214.

The bending force causes the resilient inserts 38, 40 in the support post 12 to deform thereby absorbing some of the energy of the fall. In particular, rotational movement of the mounting bracket 14, 214 causes the body 68 of the mounting collar 66 to compress a portion of the upper insert 40. Rotation of the bolt 80 about the aperture 22 in the end plate 20 additionally causes a diagonally opposite portion of the lower insert 38 to be compressed. Deformation of the inserts 38, 40 may also include some sliding movement of the inserts 38, 40 with respect to the end plate 20. Sliding and deformation of the lower insert 38 is limited by the washer 88. In particular, at an extent of deformation, edges of one or more of the tabs 94 contact the inner surface 58 of the inner sleeve 16. Because the tabs 94 are angled with respect to the inner surface 58, the tabs 94 may be deformed slightly by the movement of the lower end 84 of the bolt 80, however, the tabs 94 are designed to resist deformation thereby absorbing more of the energy of the fall.

In a preferred embodiment, the inner and outer sleeves 16, 32 are able to move with respect to each other so that during deformation of the inserts 38, 40 the sleeves 16, 32 are able to slide with respect to each other. This means that the sleeves 16, 32 only buckle at higher applied loads and preferably, during the fall of a worker, the sleeves 16, 32 only undergo elastic deformation and do not permanently deform.

The supports 10, 210 of the present invention, therefore act to absorb some of the energy of the fall of a worker through deformation of the resilient inserts 38, 40.

This is in contrast to traditional support posts that hold the support line rigidly in position in a work area.

The safety line mounting of the present invention therefore provides an improved safety line support to which a safety line may be mounted.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A safety line mounting for supporting a fall safety line, the safety line mounting comprising: -a base plate for attaching the safety line mounting to a supporting surface; -a guide member having a retaining portion for retaining a part of a safety line; and -engaging means, the engaging means permitting the guide member to be connected to the base plate in one of a plurality of pre-defined orientations with respect to the base plate.
2. A safety line mounting as claimed in Claim 1, in which the safety line mounting further comprises a support post having opposite first and second ends and an axis extending between said ends, and the support post having, at the first end, a base portion for fixing the assembly to a supporting surface, and the safety line mounting extending away from the second end of the support post, wherein the engaging means permits the guide member to be connected to the base plate in one of a plurality of pre-defined angles with respect to said axis of the support post
3. A safety line mounting as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2, in which the base plate comprises opposing arms, and the guide member locates between the arms when the guide member is engaged with the base plate.
4. A safety line mounting as claimed in Claim 3, in which: -the arms include opposing inner faces; and -the engaging means comprises a plurality of recesses formed in the inner faces and at least one projection on the guide member, wherein, when the guide member is engaged with the base plate, the at least one projection locates within one of the plurality of recesses.
5. A safety line mounting as claimed in Claim 4, in which each of the plurality of recesses is a channel extending across an inner face of the arms.
6. A safety line mounting as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, in which the projection is a rib.
7. A safety line mounting as claimed in Claim 3, in which: -the arms include opposing inner faces; and -the engaging means comprises a plurality of projections projecting from the inner faces of the arms and a recess in the guide member, wherein, when the guide member is engaged with the base plate, one of the plurality of projections locates within the recess.
8. A safety line mounting as claimed in Claim 7, in which the recess is a channel.
9. A safety line mounting as claimed in Claim 7 or Claim 8, in which each of the plurality of projections is a rib extending across the inner faces of the arms.
10. A safety line mounting as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the safety line mounting further comprises a locking pin, and the guide member includes a hole and the base plate includes an aperture and, wherein, when the guide member is engaged with the base plate, the hole and the aperture are aligned so that the locking pin may be inserted through the hole and the aperture to retain the guide member in a pre-defined orientation with respect to the base plate.
11. A safety line mounting as claimed in Claim 1, in which: -the safety line mounting includes a locking pin; -the base plate comprises opposing arms, each of the arms having an inner face and an aperture extending from the inner face through the arm; -the guide member comprises a hole in an end portion of the guide member; and -the engaging means comprises a plurality of channels extending in different directions across the inner faces of the arms and at least one rib projecting from the end portion of the guide member; wherein, when the guide member is engaged with the base plate, the at least one rib is located within one of the plurality of channels and the locking pin may be inserted through the apertures and the hole, thereby retaining the guide member in one of a plurality of pre-defined orientations with respect to the base plate.
12. A safety line mounting substantially as herein described with reference to, or as shown in, the accompanying drawings.