A rope control device a main body defining a central opening and first and second side portions, projections extending from the main body, an end recess defined by the first and second projections, an end friction surface formed at a juncture of a projection and the main body, and a bar. With the bar in a first position, the first rope portion is extended through the central opening and at least partly around the bar. With the bar in a second position, the main body and the bar define first and second opening portions of the central opening and the first rope portion is extended through the first and second opening portions and at least partly around the bar. The second rope portion is arranged within the first end recess such that, when the rope is under tension, the second rope portion frictionally engages the first end friction surface.

Systems and methods for providing lifting workers up cell towers are disclosed. The system is useful on stealth cellular towers that do not have external ladders or climbing pegs for aesthetic reasons. The system can include a cable, a system of pulleys, and an internal or external winch. The cable can include a counterweight to enable the cable to be paid out from a storage position at the top of the tower down to the ground under its own weight. Workers can attach a harness or a basket to the cable. The winch can then pull the cable, worker, and/or basket to the top of the tower. The winch can be installed on site or can be provided by an on-site service vehicle. The system can also include a fall arrest system to prevent falls in the event of a component failure.

Systems and methods for providing lifting workers up cell towers are disclosed. The system is useful on stealth cellular towers that do not have external ladders or climbing pegs for aesthetic reasons. The system can include a cable, a system of pulleys, and an internal or external winch. The cable can include a counterweight to enable the cable to be paid out from a storage position at the top of the tower down to the ground under its own weight. Workers can attach a harness or a basket to the cable. The winch can then pull the cable, worker, and/or basket to the top of the tower. The winch can be installed on site or can be provided by an on-site service vehicle. The system can also include a fall arrest system to prevent falls in the event of a component failure.

A separator element is described (1), adapted to be used in a hoist (100) and configured to be interposed between a first element (2) and a second element (3) of said hoist (100) or to be made in one piece with said first element (2) and/or said second element (3), said separator element (1) comprising a main body (10) and at least two seats (S1, S2, S3, S4) for the passage of as many lengths (F1, F2, F3, F4) of a rope (F) of said hoist (100) through said separator element (1).

A rope control device a main body defining a central opening and first and second side portions, projections extending from the main body, an end recess defined by the first and second projections, an end friction surface formed at a juncture of a projection and the main body, and a bar. With the bar in a first position, the first rope portion is extended through the central opening and at least partly around the bar. With the bar in a second position, the main body and the bar define first and second opening portions of the central opening and the first rope portion is extended through the first and second opening portions and at least partly around the bar. The second rope portion is arranged within the first end recess such that, when the rope is under tension, the second rope portion frictionally engages the first end friction surface.

A rope control device a main body defining a central opening and first and second side portions, projections extending from the main body, an end recess defined by the first and second projections, an end friction surface formed at a juncture of a projection and the main body, and a bar. With the bar in a first position, the first rope portion is extended through the central opening and at least partly around the bar. With the bar in a second position, the main body and the bar define first and second opening portions of the central opening and the first rope portion is extended through the first and second opening portions and at least partly around the bar. The second rope portion is arranged within the first end recess such that, when the rope is under tension, the second rope portion frictionally engages the first end friction surface.

Various lifting systems are described that use one or more of the following features. A method for setting an adjustable height upper pulley on a tall structure; load transfer from a suspended load to a tall structure; fan-based stabilizer; stabilizer or horizontal load position control mechanism using a closed loop of cable and taction winch for a crane application; crane-based lifting system that uses a closed loop of lifting cable looped around a traction winch; and a stabilizer or horizontal load position control mechanism that does not need a closed loop of cable. Other embodiments are also described and claims. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

A bracket for attaching a lifting/lowering device to a support member of a safety structure, the bracket including: a body configured to at least partially contact or envelop a support member of a safety structure, wherein at least one surface of the body has at least one cut-out that includes at least one shaped end for contacting a support member pin inserted into the support member of the safety structure, and wherein the body includes at least one surface for mounting or securing the bracket to a lifting/lowering device. A bracket and lifting/lowering device assembly and method of installation are also disclosed.

A rope-climbing device has an upper assembly with planar side plates spaced apart by a roller, such that the side plates rotate relative to one another about a roller axis, a spine unit comprising planar links of common width each of half the plate spacing, the links pivoted at a central point, and a lower assembly comprising third and fourth side plates spaced apart by a clamp element such that the third and fourth side plates are enabled to rotate relative to one another about the clamp axis, and the clamp element is enabled to clamp a rope between the plates. The device may be opened by aligning pivot points, a rope inserted, and closed on the rope. Engaged on the rope, the device may be set to slide on the rope, or clamp to the rope by action of a user.

A rope-climbing device has an upper assembly with planar side plates spaced apart by a roller, such that the side plates rotate relative to one another about a roller axis, a spine unit comprising planar links of common width each of half the plate spacing, the links pivoted at a central point, and a lower assembly comprising third and fourth side plates spaced apart by a clamp element such that the third and fourth side plates are enabled to rotate relative to one another about the clamp axis, and the clamp element is enabled to clamp a rope between the plates. The device may be opened by aligning pivot points, a rope inserted, and closed on the rope. Engaged on the rope, the device may be set to slide on the rope, or clamp to the rope by action of a user.