AUTO-RETRACTOR GUARD ACCORD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a guardrail (type of safety rope) self-retractor
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Self-retractor keepers are well known in the security equipment technique for use by workers performing tasks during which there is a risk that a failure may occur. Self-retractor keepers generally include a housing containing a drum around from which a cable, rope, band or other suitable guard is wound. The drum is deflected by spring to lower the cable as a tension is applied to pull the cable and to retract any cable that has been disentangled from the drum as the cable tension on the cable is reduced or released The housing also includes a brake assembly to stop the rotation of the drum when the cable suddenly unravels from the drum at a speed greater than a predetermined maximum angular velocity. A self-retractor bodyguard is typically connected to a support structure within the vicinity in which the worker is performing the task, and the end of the cable is typically connected to a safety harness used by the worker. The structure of the support may include one or more structures. The cable is easily removed from the auto-retractor bodyguard housing as the worker moves. away from the device, and the cable is automatically pulled back into the housing as the worker moves toward the device. If a fall occurs, the brake assembly inside the device is automatically coupled by a centrifugal clutch assembly, which is gradual and quickly stops the worker falling gradually and quickly stopping drum rotation As drum rotation stops, additional wire is prevented from being lowered from the housing to stop the worker from falling Some tasks require the worker to move from an area of work to another work area at a distance greater than the length of The self-retractor guardrail cable In such cases, workers typically use what are called "double-limb" shock absorbing lanyards since the lanyards include two guardrails The two guardrails allow the worker to move from work area to another work area without disconnecting from the support structure since at least one of the two guardrails is connected to the support structure thus protecting the worker in case of a fall. More specifically, the first guard is connected to the support structure, while the second guard body is disconnected and then connected to the support structure closer to the desired area. Then, the first guard body is disconnected from the support structure and then connected closer to the desired work area. Disconnection and connection of the Two guardrails are alternated in such a way until the work area is reached. desired lowering This is referred to as "100% bonded" The present invention addresses the problems associated with the prior art devices and provides a self-retractor guardrail
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the invention, a self-retractor bodyguard assembly comprises a brake core, a first body guard assembly, and a second body guard assembly. The brake core includes teeth on the first and second opposite sides. The first body guard assembly includes a first body guard wound around a first drum and a first centrifugal clutch assembly with a first detent operatively connected to the first drum. The first drum can rotate to lower the body guard ppmer. The first ratchet is pivotable and is configured and arranged to engage at minus one of the teeth near the first side of the brake hub when the first detent is pivoted in a first outward direction. The sudden acceleration of the first drum causes the first detent to pivot in a first outward direction to engage at least one of the teeth, stopping the rotation of the first drum itself and avoiding the additional harpoon of the first guard The second guard assembly includes a second guard body wound around a second drum and a second centrifugal clutch assembly with a second detent operatively connected to the second drum The second The drum can rotate to lower the second guard The second detent is pivotable and is configured and arranged to engage at least one of the teeth near the second side of the brake hub when the second detent pivots in a second outward direction The sudden acceleration of the second drum causes the second detent to pivot in the second outward direction to engage at least one of the teeth thereby stopping the rotation of the second drum and preventing the additional harpoon of the second guard In another aspect of the invention, an assembly of auto-retractor bodyguard comprises a housing, a brake hub, a first body guard assembly, a first centrifugal clutch assembly, a second body guard assembly, and a second centrifugal clutch assembly The housing defines a cavity having a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion interconnecting the first portion and the second portion The brake hub is configured and arranged to be housed within the intermediate portion and includes teeth on opposite sides near the first portion and the second portion The first guard member assembly is configured and arranged to be housed within the first portion, and a first guard member is wound around the first guard member assembly The first guard member assembly rotates within the housing to lower the first guard member The first centrifugal clutch assembly includes a first detent operatively connected to the first guard member assembly The second guard assembly The rpo is configured and arranged to be housed within the second portion, and a second guard member is wound around the second guard member assembly. The second guard member assembly rotates within the housing to lower the second guard member. The second centrifugal clutch assembly includes a second detent assembly. operatively connected to the second guard assembly The first detent is configured and arranged to engage at least one of the respective teeth of the brake hub to stop rotation of the first guard assembly when there is a sudden acceleration at which the first assembly of guard body rotates to lower the first guard member causing the first detent to pivot and engage at least one of the respective teeth, thus avoiding additional hardening of the first guard member The second guard is configured and arranged to engage at least one of the respective teeth of the brake pa stop the rotation of the second guard assembly when there is a sudden acceleration at which the second guard assembly rotates to lower the second guard, causing the second detent to pivot and engage at least one of the respective teeth, thereby preventing the additional harpoon of the second guardrail In another aspect of the invention, a self-retractor bodyguard assembly for use with a safety harness includes shoulder straps through slots in a back cushion assembly forming a gap between the shoulder straps and the shoulder strap. dorsal pad assembly A housing has a cavity, an upper portion and a lower portion A self-retractor guardrail assembly is positioned within the cavity and includes a guard with at least a portion of the guard member extending out of the upper portion of the housing. connector is operatively connected to the lower portion of the housing The connector includes a structural member that has a secured position and a connecting position The structural member is configured and arranged to be inserted through the gap between the shoulder straps and the back cushion assembly in the connection position and then placed in the secured position to engage hlabely the lower portion of the housing to the safety harness A connecting strap is operatively connected to the upper portion of the housing The connection strap has a first portion and a second portion The first portion is releasably connectable to the second portion At least one of the first portion and second portions are configured and arranged to be directed about the shoulder straps close to above the back pad assembly to hlabely connect the upper portion of the housing to the safety harness. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for connecting a device security to arne s The safety harness has shoulder straps routed through slots in back pad assembly forming a gap between the male straps and the back pad assembly. A connector is connected to a housing of the safety device. The connector includes a structural member having a secured position and a connecting position The structural member is configured and arranged to be inserted through the gap between the shoulder straps and the back cushion assembly in the connection position and then placed in the secured position for connecting the housing securely to the safety harness A connecting strap is connected to the housing of the safety device The connection strap has a first portion and a second portion The first portion is connectably connectable to the second portion At least one of the first portion and second portions is configured and arranged to be directed around the shoulder straps near the back pad assembly to connect the housing to the safety harness histerably The structural member is placed in the connection position, inserted through the gap between the shoulder straps and the back pad assembly, and then placed in the secured position. At least one of the first and second portions of the connecting strap is directed around the shoulder straps near of the back pad assembly and then the first and second portions of the connecting strap with connected
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a rear view of a self-retractor guard constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, Figure 2 is a top view of the self-retractor guard shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a side view of the Self-retractor guard body shown in Figure 1, Figure 4 is a rear view of the auto-retractor guard shown in Figure 1, with a rear portion removed, Figure 5 is a rear view of a brake assembly of the auto body guard. retractor shown in Figure 1, Figure 6 is a top view of a cable guide of the self-retractor guard shown in Figure 1, Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of the cable guide shown in Figure 6, Figure 8 is a side view of the cable guide shown in Figure 6, Figure 9 is another side view with contour lines of a cable guide shown in Figure 6, The Figu 10 is a rear view of the self-retractor guard shown in FIG. 1 with security belts. FIG. 11 is a top view of the self-retractor guard shown in FIG. 1 with the security belts shown in FIG. 10, FIG. Figure 12 is a side view of the self-retractor guard shown in Figure 1, with the security straps shown in Figure 10, Figure 13 is a perspective view of a security harness that can be used with the auto guard The retractor shown in Figure 1, Figure 14 is a side view of a dorsal pad assembly of a safety harness that can be used with the auto-retractor guard shown in Figure 1, Figure 15 is a perspective view in explosion of the components of the brake assembly shown in Figure 5, Figure 16 is a perspective view of a self-retractor guard constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, Figure 17 is a perspective view of a rear portion of a self-retractor bodyguard housing shown in Figure 16, Figure 18 is a perspective view of the self-retractor bodyguard shown in Figure 16 with the rear portion of the housing Figure 19 is a front view of another embodiment of the self-retractor guard constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, Figure 20 is a top view of the self-retractor guard shown in Figure 19, Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 21-21 of the self-retractor guardrail shown in Figure 20, Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 22-22 of the auto-retractor guardrail shown in Figure 20, Figure 23 is a front view of another embodiment of the invention of the self-retractor guard constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Fig. 24 is a rear view of the self-retractor guard shown in Fig. 23 with the housing removed; Fig. 25 is a rear view of the self-retractor guard shown in Fig. 24 with the plate member removed; is a side view of the self-retractor guard shown in Figure 12 operatively to the back pad assembly shown in Figure 14, and Figure 27 is a perspective view of a plate member of the self-retractor guard shown in Figure 25
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED MODALITY
The self-retractor guardrail assemblies constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention are designated by the number 200 and by the number 400 in the drawings. The self-retractor guard is similar to that described in the US Patent Application 10 / 914,631, which is incorporated herein by reference, but includes other features as will be described herein. The auto-retractor guard 200 includes a housing 201., which preferably has the shape of a kidney with a front portion 202, a rear portion 203, and a cavity 204 The front portion 202 and the rear portion 203 enclose the cavity 204, in which there is a first portion 204a and a second portion 204b which preferably have a circular shape to define the barrel-shaped housing 201 A first flange 206 and a second flange 208 extend outwardly from the bottom of the housing 201 and each flange includes an opening (not shown) to enable to the self-retractor guard body 200 to be connected to a support structure (not shown) through a connector 100 or other suitable connecting device well known in the art Around the perimeter of the front portion 202 of the housing 201, extending longitudinally to through it, preferably four holes 210 are found around each portion 204a and 204b configured and arranged s for attaching fasteners 212 The rear portion 203 includes holes (not shown) in alignment with the holes 210 through which the fasteners 212 extend thereby connecting the front portion 202 and the rear portion 203 The perimeter of the front portion 202 also it preferably includes three holes 211 extending longitudinally therethrough near the junction of the first portion 204a and the second portion 204b, between the two groups of four holes 210, with two holes 211 near the top and an omen 211 near of the lower part A first cable assembly 214 is fixed within the first portion 204a and a second cable assembly 216 is fixed within the second portion 204b The first cable assembly 214 and the second cable assembly 216 are preferably identical, with the main difference being that they rotate in the opposite way inside the housing 201 Therefore, only the second assembly of ac 216 will be described. The second cable assembly 216 is shown in Figure 15. Within the second portion 204b near the front portion 202 is a spring 218, which preferably is a spiral motor spring with an inner end (not shown). and an outer end (not shown) The inner end is operatively connected to a drum 219, and the outer end is operatively connected to the front portion 202 The drum 219 resembles a reel and includes a portion of cylinder 220 and a ring
221 on each end of the cylinder portion 220 A hole 222 extends longitudinally through the center of the cylinder portion 220, and four holes 223 extend longitudinally through the cylinder portion 220 around the hole 222 The holes 223 form ribs 224 along cylinder portion 220 Holes 223 are preferably countersunk on one side (not shown) and are configured and arranged to engage bolts 225 with heads 225a Heads 225a are fixed within the countersunk portions of holes 223 , in order not to interfere with the operation of the self-retractor guard 200 The rim 221 that faces the front portion 202 includes an embossing (not shown) which extends outwardly around the hole
222 The embossing includes a groove (not shown) therein. The drum 219 is configured and arranged to be fixed within the second portion 204b. A brake assembly 230 includes a brake hub 231 and a centrifugal clutch assembly 232. The brake hub 231 is generally I-shaped and is operatively connected to the front portion 202 near the junction of the first portion 204a and the second portion 204b. Preferably, three latches or locking teeth 234 extend outward from each side of the brake hub. 231 towards the first and second portions 204a and 204b, respectively The brake hub 231 includes openings 229, preferably two openings 229 near the top and an opening 229 near the bottom The openings 229 are in alignment with the holes 211 in the front portion 202 The centrifugal clutch assembly 232 includes a plate 233, detents 238, and springs 242 The plate 236 is generally a disc with oval shape including a finger portion 245 and a hook portion 246 at opposite ends An aperture 237 near the center of the plate 236 is in alignment with the hole 222, and the openings 247 are disposed about the aperture 237 in alignment with the apertures 237. holes 223 The opening 237 and the openings 247 form a central portion 248, generally circular, of the plate 236 The finger portions 245 and the hook portions 246 extend from the central portion 248 of the plate 236 to form the disc generally with oval shape Between finger portions 245 and hook portions 246 are inlet portions 249, which include expanded inlet portions 250. Finger portions 245 extend outwardly near one end of each end, and hook portions. 246 extend outward and then inward toward finger portions 245 near the opposite side of each end. Finger portions 245 extend aft. was from the end of the plate 236, but the hook portions 246 do not extend outwardly from the end of the plate 236. The hook portions 246 extend outwardly about half the distance of the finger portions 245 before they are extend inwards towards the finger portions 245. Each end is basically a mirror image of the other end, so that the finger portions 245 are diagonal to each other and the hook portions 246 are diagonal to one another. inlet 249 and expanded inlet portions 250 are notches in plate 236 between finger portions 245 and hook portions 246 Inlet portions 249 are approximately 1/2 to 1/3 of the width of plate 236 and extends from the middle of each end near the middle part of the aperture 237 Expanded input portions 250 extend from the end of the input portions 249 the half near the aperture 23 7 inward toward the hook portions 246 In other words, the input portions 249 and the expanded input portions 250 coordinate to define the shapes of the finger portions 245 and the hook portions 246 and to form notches within the portions 246. which springs 242 and portions of detents 238 are disposed Seals 238 each include a base portion 239, an intermediate portion 240, and an extension portion 241 The intermediate portion 240 generally has a circular shape, and the base portion 239 extends from one side and the extension portion 241 extends from the other side, generally the opposite side of the intermediate portion 240 The base portion 239 is preferably curved to form an arc. As shown in Figures 5 and 15, the intermediate portion 240 and the base portion 239 resemble a mirror image of a comma. extension 241 is generally rectangular and extends generally 90 ° from base portion 239 Inlet portion 249 is configured and arranged to receive intermediate portion 240, which can be pivoted there. Extension portion 241 extends toward the portion of expanded port 250, and base portion 239 extends outward from inlet portion 249 Arc shape in base portion 239 coordinates with portion finger 245 and hook portion 246 The upper portion of the arc shape of the portion base 239 allows the line of the curvature of the end of the finger portion 245 (and the end of the plate 236) and the bottom of the arc shape follow the curvature of the hook portion 246 The upper part of the arc shape is like an extension of the finger portion 245, and the lower part of the arc shape is fixed around the portion of the arc shape. hook 246 The springs 242 are configured and arranged to be fixed within the expanded inlet portions 250 between the hook portions 246 and the extension portions 241 In a first position, the spring 242 provides a constant force on the extension portion 241, thus pushing the extension portion 241 against the finger portion 245 and the base portion 239 against the hook portion 246. The first position is shown in Figure 5. In a second position, the force of the spring 242 is exceeded by the extension portion 241 to compress the spring 242, thus pivoting the retainer 238 so that the extension portion 241 moves toward the hook portion 246 and the base portion 239 moves away from the hook portion 246 The first position allows the detent 238 to deflect the locking teeth 234 from the brake hub 231, while the second position allows the retainer 238 to grip the locking teeth 234 of the brake hub 231 An arrow 253 having a hole longitudinal 254 is configured and arranged to be fixed within and through the opening 237 and the hole 222 near the inner end of the spring 218. The inner end of the spring 218 is inserted in the groove of the enhancement in the ring 221 and is operatively connected thereto. enhancement is larger in diameter than arrow 253 and preferably is as thick as spring 218 The outer end of spring 218 is operatively connected to the surface internal of the front portion 202 through means well known in the art The spring 218 is wound more or less hermetically in response to the rotation of the drum 219 as the wire is disentangled from and wound around the drum 219 Spring 218 maintains a continuous turning force in the drum 219, so that the wire is continuously pushed to be wound around the drum 219 A plate member 258 includes openings (not shown), which are in alignment with the openings 229 of the hub brake 231 and holes 211 of front portion 202 Fasteners 259 11 are inserted through openings and openings 229 and secured within holes 211 for connecting plate member 258 and brake hub 231 to front portion 202 The plate member 258, the plate 236 and the ring 221 hold the detents 238 and the springs 242 in place within the inlet portion 249 and the inlet portion expand 250 going without any fastener to connecting device securing the detents 238 and the springs 242 The plate member 258 also secures the cable assemblies 214 and 216 within the cavity 204 of the front portion 202, the plate member 258 is operatively connected to the flanges 206 and 208, which preferably are integral with the plate member 258. As shown in Figures 6-9, a cable guide 262 includes a cylindrical base 261 having a elongate opening 263 near the top and an inlet portion 266 having an opening 265 near the bottom, allowing access to a cavity 264 in fluid communication with the openings 263 and 265 The base 261 includes a spacer 267 near of opening 263, which separates cavity 264 into two portions 264a and 264b Inlet portion 266 includes opposing curved surfaces 268 that curl inward toward each other and narrow cavity 264 near the middle portion of the inlet portion 266 A cap 269 is a rectangular disc having two elongated slots 269a and 269b The cap 269 is configured and arranged to cover the opening 263 The self-retractor bodyguard 200 is c configured and arranged to allow each of the cables 270a and 270b to extend upward from each of the respective drums 219 outside the housing 201 through the cable guide 262. In this manner, the cables extend outside the housing 201. in an upward direction with respect to the self-retractor guard 200 One of the cables extends through the opening 265, through the portion 264a, through the opening 263, and through the slot 269a The other cable extends through the opening 265, through the portion 264b, through the opening 263, and through the slot 269b. The curved surfaces 268 help guide the cables to their respective portions 264a and 264b and prevent wear of the cables. cables, and spacer 267 and slots 269a and 269b help keep the cable separated. Each of cables 270a and 270b includes a first end.
(not shown), a second end 271a and 271b to which hooks 272 may be connected, and an intermediate portion therebetween (not shown) Although the term cable is used herein, it is recognized that band, rope, or other may be used. suitable guard The cables serve as the guardrails of the self-retractor guard 200 For each cable assembly 214 and 216, the intermediate portion is wound in and out of the cylinder portion 220 of the drum 219, and the rims 221 on both sides of the cylinder portion 220 holding the cable in the cylinder portion 220 The first end of the cable is fixed and operatively connected through means well known in the art to the drum 219 For example, a shape is shown and described in US Patent 5,186,289 , which is incorporated herein by reference The second end of the key extends through the housing 201 and is operatively connected to a clamping device (not shown) such as a spring hook The second ends 270a and 270b of the cables are shown in Figure 10 extending out of the housing 201 Optionally, as shown in Figures 10-12, the rear portion 203 may include a bar portion 275 and a slot 274 between the rear portion 203 and the bar portion 275 near each side A first belt 276, preferably made of net reinforcement, is threaded through one of the slots 274 and folded over itself around the bar portion 275 and secured thereto with a seam 277 The side of the first belt 276 facing the rear portion 203 includes a fastener 278 such as a hook material A second belt 279, also preferably made of net reinforcement, is threaded through of the other slot 274 and bent over itself around the bar portion 275 and secured thereto with a seam 280 The side of the second belt 279 that looks from the rear portion 203 includes e a fastener 281 such as a loop material The fasteners 278 and 281 are releasably secured to each other Figure 17 shows the fasteners connected to opposite sides of the belts and the belts are hightly connected to each other across their opposite sides The self-retractor guard 200 is operatively connected to a safety harness worn by a worker, and at least one of the cables is operatively connected to a support structure. A connector can be used to connect the auto-retractor guard body 200 to the harness. A suitable connector 100 that can be used with the present invention is described in U.S. Patent 6,073,724, which is incorporated herein by reference. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other suitable connectors can be used. With reference to Figure 4 the connector 100 includes a structural member 110 and a pin 120, which cooperate to connect hberablemen the self-retractor guard body 200 to the safety harness The connector 100 releasably connects the self-retractor guard body 200 to the safety harness, and the cables hightly connect the self-retractor guard body 200 to the support structure. The structural member 110 is preferably made of steel and can be described as a U-shaped member having an intermediate base portion and opposite ends or ends 112 and 114, which extend from opposite sides of the base portion and are parallel to each other The base portion it is covered by a protective sleeve 116, which is preferably made of plastic. A slot 118 is provided in the first end 112 of the member 110 and a threaded hole (not shown) is provided in the second end 114 of the member 110. The pin 120 is preferably It is made of steel and has an arrow 121, which extends perpendicular to the ends 112 and 114 of the member 110. A first ex the pin 122 of the pin 120 is provided with a head having a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the arrow 121. A second opposite side 124 of the pin 120 is provided with external helical threads, which coincide with the threaded hole in the second end 114 of the member 110 The second end 124 of the pin 120 is inserted through the slot 118, then through a hole in the first flange 206 of the self-retractor guard 200, and then through a coil spring 130. A stop 140 is then rigidly secured to an intermediate portion of the arrow 121 on the bolt 120, such that the spring 130 is compressed between the stop 140 and the first flange 206. The stop 140 it has a relatively larger diameter than the arrow 121 of the bolt 120 and can be described as a shoulder on the bolt 120 The second end 124 can be selectively inserted through a hole in a second flange 208 of the self-retractor guard 200, and threaded through the hole in the second end 114 of the member 110 The threads (not shown) on the second end 124 of the pin 120 and inside the hole in the second end 114 of the member 110 provides a means for selectively connecting the second end 124 of the pin 120 to the second end 114 of the member 110 The spring 130 cooperates with the stop 140 to provide a means for biasing the second end 124 of the pin 120 to remain connected to the second end 114 of the member 110 The stop 140, the first end 112 of the member 110, and the head of the pin 120 cooperate to provide a means for securing the connector 100 to the first flange 206 The slot 118 on the first end 112 of the member 110 provides a means for pivoting the connector 100 relative to the first flange 206 when the second end 122 of the bolt is free of the second flange 208 The connector 100 may be hingebly connected to a safety harness 300 near a back cushion assembly Although many different types of safety harnesses can be used, an example of a suitable safety harness 300 is shown in Figure 13 The harness security 300 includes a first belt 301 and a second belt 302 that are threaded through a back pad 303 and crisscrossed in a divergent manner as is known in the art A D-shaped ring 304 is secured between the belts 301 and 302 and the back pad 303 near the attachment of the belt 301 and 302 A recess 305 is created between the back pad 303 and the belts 301 and 302 near the D-shaped ring 304, as shown in Figure 14 The connector 100 is open, the structural member 110 is inserted through the recess 305, and then the connector 100 is secured, thereby connecting the connector to the safety harness 300. In addition, the self-retractor guard body 200 can also be connected to the safety harness 300 with the straps 276 and 279 The straps 276 and 279 are released from one another in a receiving position and positioned around the respective straps 301 and 302 of the safety harness 300 above the top dorsal oadilla 303 The straps 276 and 279 are then releasably secured to each other in a safety position, so that they extend between the straps 301 and 302 of the security harness 300 and the worker's back, which is the opposite side of the harness security 300 to which the connector 100 is connected. In this manner, the lower part of the self-retractor guard body 200 is connected to the security harness 300 thereby inserting the structural member 110 through the recess 305 and securing the connector 100 thereto, and the upper part of the self-retractor guard 200 is connected to the safety harness 300 by placing the straps 276 and 279 around the straps 301 and 302 and releasably securing them together. The connection of the self-retractor guard 200 in this orientation allows the cables to come out of the top of the housing and extend vertically upward for ease of use in applications where workers must connect to a higher support structure Figure 26 shows the self-retractor guard 200 operably connected to the back pad assembly shown in Figure 14 with the D-shaped ring 304 removed. The structural member 110 is inserted through the recess 305 and the connector 100 is secured. The straps 276 and 279 they are positioned so that the harness straps 301 and 302 are between the housing 201 and the overlapping portions of the belts 276 and 279. The overlapping portions of the belts 276 and 279 are shown in Figure 11., but in Figure 26 the strap 279 blocks the view of the fasteners 278 and 281 that hightly connect the belts 276 and 279 In operation, the worker is free to move close to the auto-retractor guard 200, with only the sections of the cables restricting the distance of movement of the worker The worker can alternate between securing a cable to a support structure and after connecting the other cable of a support structure to move around In this way, a cable is always secured to a support structure A As the worker moves away from self-retractor guard 200, the cable is lowered from the device and as it is disentangled from the drum 219 As the worker moves closer to the self-retractor guard 200, the cable is retracted towards the device as it is wound around the drum 219 In the event of a fall, the sudden acceleration or high speed at which the drum 2 19 rotates to lower the cable causes the detents 238 to overcome the force of the springs 242. Centrifugal force causes the detents 238 to pivot away from the central portion 248 of the plate 236. The intermediate portion 240 rotates within the inlet portion 249. , causing the extension portion 241 to pivot and compress the spring 242 and the base portion 239 to pivot away from the plate 236 and engage at least one of the teeth 234 of the brake hub 231 brake 231 by the detents 238 activates the braking action of the self-retractor guard 200 Since the detents 238 engage the teeth 234 and can no longer rotate within the cavity 204, the detents 238 cause the plate 236, which is connected to the ring 221 of the drum 219 thus stops braking the drum 219 and prevents additional wire from being pulled out of the housing 201 Once the detents 238 have engaged the teeth 234, they can not be decoupled until the The drum 219 begins to rotate back to rewind the cable in the cylinder portion 220. This braking action is applied to both cable assemblies 214 and 216. The brake hub 231 is located between the cable assemblies 214 and 216 and is shared The teeth 234 do not extend around the perimeters of the cable assemblies 214 and 216, but the two detents 238 of each assembly 214 and 216 help to stop the drums 219 quickly. It can be seen that the auto-retractor guard 400 is similar to the auto-retractor guard 200, and the following will be a description of the components that include more substantive differences. The auto-retractor guard 400 includes a housing 401 having a front portion 402 and a rear portion 403 that forms a cavity 404 401 generally has a rectangular shape for adapting two cable assemblies collaterally disposed within the cavity 404 The front portion 402 includes a to slot 474 near each upper corner configured and arranged to receive a connecting strap (not shown) similar to straps 276 and 279 Slots 474 are shown in Figure 19 Upper portion of housing 401 includes a cable guide 462, which is molded as an integral part of the front and rear portions 402 and 403, which when operatively connected form the cable guide 462. In Figure 20 a top view of the housing 401 is shown. As shown in Figure 22, a first wall 468 and a second wall 469, which are extensions of the sides of the housing 401, are angled upwards and inwards and then extend downwards and inwards near the upper part of the housing 401 Walls 468 and 469 define a cavity 464, which includes an opening 463 from the cavity 464 outside the housing 401 and opening 465 of the cavity 464 toward the cavity 404. Thus, the cavity 404 is in fluid communication with the cavity 464 and outside the housing 401 A separator 467, which is also an extension of the sides of the housing 401 as shown in Figure 21, separates the cavity 464 in a first portion 464a and a second portion 464b. One of the cable assemblies is positioned within a first portion 404a of the cavity 404 and the cable extends through the first portion 464a and outside the housing 401 The other cable assembly is positioned within a second portion 404b of the cavity 404 and the cable extends through the second portion 464b and outside the housing 401 The separator 467 separates the cables, both of which extend out of the housing 401 through the opening 463 The cable guide 462 helps prevent cables from becoming entangled within the housing 401 Another mode of the auto-retractor guard 500 is similar to the auto-retractor guard 400 but includes a connector 600, which is similar to connector 100, and is shown with first and second cable assemblies 514 and 516 c configured and arranged to be housed within housing cavity 501 Housing 501 includes a slot 574 near each upper corner configured and arranged to receive a connecting strap (not shown) similar to straps 276 and 279 Slots 574 are shown in Figure 23 A first flange 506 and a second flange 508 extend outwardly from the housing bottom 501 and each flange includes an opening (not shown) to allow the self-retractor guard 400 to be connected to a support structure ( not shown) through the connector 600 or other suitable connecting device well known in the art. The tabs 506 and 508 are operatively connected to a plate member 558 and extend from below therefrom. The plate member 558, shown in FIGS. Figures 24 and 27, preferably is a generally U-shaped member that includes a connecting portion 558c interconnecting a faceplate 55 8a and a back plate 558b extending upward from the opposite sides of the connecting portion 558c parallel to each other. The flanges 506 and 508 are preferably integral with the connecting portion 558c and extend downward from opposite sides of the connecting portion 558c parallel to each other perpendicular to the front and rear plates 558a and 558b A hub 531 and the first and second cable assemblies 514 and 516, which are shown in Figure 25 are connected to the plate member 558 between the front and rear plates 558a and 558b The hub 531 is positioned between the first and second cable assemblies 514 and 516 and includes teeth 534 configured and arranged to engage the detents 538 of the first and second cable assemblies 514 and 516 should a fall occur. The springs 542 deflect the 538 seals in an operating position, which allows the cables to be lowered from and wound around the drum. The sudden acceleration or high speed When the drum rotates to lower the cable, the detents 538 overcome the forces of the springs 542 and pivot to engage the teeth 534 by placing the assembly in a engaged, closed or locked position so that the additional cable can not being lowered from the drum An advantage of using a self-retractor guardrail instead of a shock absorbing lanyard is that a self-retractor guard will reduce the fall distance if a fall occurs The specification, examples and data above provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the appended claims