Spring Loaded Retractable Webbing Lanyard?

If I may add an idea,

Would a design similar to a retractable measuring tape work. Those steel band tapes can be easily 35+ feet stored in a small housing that is clipped to a carpenters belt. If a similar design can be made to accommodate the webbing wide strap you mentioned, it seems to be a fairly compact unit.

The biggest thing to think about, is what will be the diameter of the rolled up webbing, I/E, for every revolution of the device in reeling in webbing, it will become larger around. Disregarding any diameter from a spindle/axle it is wound onto, what would the relative size of the roll of webbing that would have to fit into a housing?

-Steven
 
Well I've already got the cam wedge mechanism and 12 feet of 2 inch wide polyester webbing ordered, so the answers to those questions will soon be answered.

The cam mechanism is rated for 3K lbs, soI should be good there.

Jomoco
 
Mounting the spool on the back is a good idea. If it didn't have at least one redirect on the side you'd end up with twisting problems and jams. Like a seatbelt has the redirect up high and the spool on the floor.
 
Yup, I'm thinking a few urethane guidance brackets to keep the webbing tracking well from the rear around to my saddle's left D ring where the cam mechanism will be is a good idea too. Perhaps even a molded flattish urethane sleeve from the retractor to the D ring? Similar to those on vehicle seatbelts.

I'm also thinking the cam D ring attachment should be somewhat rigid?

Jomoco
 
Okay guys, I knew I could do this cheap. Grainger item# 2VkN8 the self retracting logistic tiedown strap for 52 bucks should work great once I cut all the unnecessary stuff off it.

Should have a rough working prototype ready within the week I hope.

All for less than 100 bucks using my own steel locking biners.

Jomoco
 
[ QUOTE ]
I know Joe Harris has a retractible lanyard he made out of vacuum clean. It seems to work pretty good.

[/ QUOTE ]

i've seen joe's retractable lanyard. scott sharpe actually invented it i believe or else in conjunction with joe. he fits 10m of 8mm line in i think. pretty easy to make, i've been thinking about it for a while. all you need is an old school vaccuum cord recoil and two pvc pipe ends and some glue.

for big removals and a second tie in it would be rad.
 
I started making one a year ago but got distracted. I was going to use 10mm beeline through a Cinche on my side D ring. When I have some extra free time I plan on finishing the project.
The hardest part I found was finding a recoil with enough spring power to retract the cordage quickly back to you. I had good luck searching in vacuum and small appliance repair shops. Be prepared to recieve a lot of weird looks when explaining to shop owners what you are using the vacuum recoil for. Some people just can't wrap their head around some things.
 
I have a 15 foot long self retracting dog leash on the back of one of my climbing saddles now that allows me to retrieve a lowering line myself, rather than have my groundie flick it back to me when I'm out on a limb.
mod.jpg


A 30 footer would be much better of course!

Jomoco
 
Okay, got the retraction unit delivered today, all the extraneous stuff cut off it, so it's ready to mount on one of my saddles.

SelfRetractingLanyard.jpg


Don't like the seatbelt like webbing, so I'm waiting for the cam mechanism with heavier duty webbing to be delivered so I can switch it out.

There's really nothing complicated about this project at all. In fact I'm quite sure a very lightweight retraction unit with a stamped aluminum housing and very heavy duty small spring motor is easily doable.

But I'm going to finish this one and give it a run just to see if it functions as intended in the tree.

jomoco
 
Whoa ... that'll add some weight to your 4D, Jomoco. Seriously, I admire your intrepid inventiveness ... rock-on
jamminz.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
I started making one a year ago but got distracted. I was going to use 10mm beeline through a Cinche on my side D ring. When I have some extra free time I plan on finishing the project.
The hardest part I found was finding a recoil with enough spring power to retract the cordage quickly back to you. I had good luck searching in vacuum and small appliance repair shops. Be prepared to recieve a lot of weird looks when explaining to shop owners what you are using the vacuum recoil for. Some people just can't wrap their head around some things.

[/ QUOTE ]

tell me about it. i saw one ages ago but never got round to it. story of my life! i went to a vintage vacuum repairman the other day and he didnt have a big enough recoil. what make/model did you find? i'm thinking of just attaching two 066 pull starts together to get an adequate recoil or else an air hose recoil.
 
You guys should find these guys very handy for custom applications.

http://new.ametek.com/content-manager/files/HSP//160006.pdf

Getting enough retraction power is the key thing in my opinion.

For my application it means two spring motors powering a single arbor. One on top of the unit, the other on the bottom.

You need lots of power to overcome tree sap, water and other nasty stuff that lanyards get exposed to.

Jomoco
 
[ QUOTE ]
Must be my lucky Friday!



[/ QUOTE ]

2,500# assembly breakage point...half what you need.

The idea is interesting..now find the right solution...have fun! I like the brainstorming.
 
Aw come on Tom!

It's my first prototype!

I'm not entering it for use in a TCC after all.

Lord knows I'm not happy enough with any of it's components thus far to even suggest it be used by anyone but yours truly in a test run.

It feels very strange not having a regular lanyard dangling from my left D ring As I move about in a tree on my climbing line. But I think I can get used to it in time.

The concept is good. Getting a satisfactory working prototype that's up to snuff is more difficult. But heck even my leather tubed CS took 6 months to develope into a satisfactory product ready for prime time action.

This may or may not take longer. But I think I've made decent progress in one week in.my humble squalored opinion.

Jomoco
grin.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom