The self-clamping descender with pulley includes a first flange with a side wall defining a rope channel, a pulley fitted in rotary manner with respect to the first flange around a first axis of rotation, the pulley only rotating in a first direction of rotation around the first axis of rotation. The first axis of rotation is fitted movable with respect to the side wall of the first flange so as to define a first position and a second position presenting different distances with respect to the side wall of the first flange. Clamping of the pulley in the second direction of rotation results in movement of the first axis of rotation and pulley in the direction of the side wall of the first flange up to a threshold position.

A device, system and method are used for hoisting and lowering a load. The device has a front plate that may be displaced to reveal a sheave. The device also has a friction accessory. The friction accessory is arranged to create friction between a rope and the device when a load is suspended from the device using the rope and where the device is secured to a support structure. The system may be prepared by an operator, having ascended to an elevated location, and further allows the operator to lower the load from the elevated location prior to descending.

The self-clamping descender with pulley includes a first flange with a side wall defining a rope channel, a pulley fitted in rotary manner with respect to the first flange around a first axis of rotation, the pulley only rotating in a first direction of rotation around the first axis of rotation. The first axis of rotation is fitted movable with respect to the side wall of the first flange so as to define a first position and a second position presenting different distances with respect to the side wall of the first flange. Clamping of the pulley in the second direction of rotation results in movement of the first axis of rotation and pulley in the direction of the side wall of the first flange up to a threshold position.

A cable block including a frame having an upper section and a lower section together defining an inner opening. The lower section has a main sheave rotatably connected thereto, with a section of the main sheave defining a lower portion of the inner opening. The upper section is hingedly connected to the lower section at a pivot point, with a lever extending on an opposite side of the pivot point than the remaining of the upper section. The lever is configured to extend into the inner opening and be engageable with the support cable, when the cable block is configured in the open configuration, and to drive the upper section in rotation upon a force being exerted on the lever by the support cable, to move the cable block from an open configuration to a closed configuration.

A snatch block has a stationary first cheek and a movable second cheek that is slidable in its respective plane relative to the stationary first cheek. In a closed position, the second cheek connects with a crown jutting from the first cheek, thereby closing off a swallow of the snatch block. In an open position, an access gap opens into the swallow between the movable second cheek and the crown, thus enabling loading of a rope into the swallow. A locking mechanism with slide latches or rocker arms normally locks the second cheek in the closed position, and requires simultaneous actuation of two discretely separate releases to unlock the second cheek. The second cheek is biased into the open position, providing overt visual indication of any failed latching attempt. A seamlessly integral stud protrudes from the crown to rotatably support a swivel eye thereon.

A combination climbing apparatus (1) comprising or including a rope ascender (5) and a pulley block (6), the rope ascender having front (19) and rear (21) plates disposed in generally parallel relationship, a first swivel pin (11) being received within co-axial bores in the front and rear plates, about which pin the plates are swivelable with respect to each other, a cam lever (9) mounted on the first swivel pin between the front and rear plates, the cam lever being connected, directly or indirectly, to a climbing rope braking surface (10) on a cam between the front and rear plates, the cam lever being operable to trap the rope against the cam braking surface, the front and rear plates each including a second bore (22,23) remote from the major axis of the first swivel pin for receiving a second, removable, swivel pin (29), a pulley block releasably the ascender and pulley block may be selectively used in combination when required or separately when not. The invention also extends in a second aspect to a pulley block for use in a combination climbing apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, or separately.

A device, system and method are used for hoisting and lowering a load. The device has a front plate that may be displaced to reveal a sheave. The device also has a friction accessory. The friction accessory is arranged to create friction between a rope and the device when a load is suspended from the device using the rope and where the device is secured to a support structure. The system may be prepared by an operator, having ascended to an elevated location, and further allows the operator to lower the load from the elevated location prior to descending.

A pulley block may include an alpha pulley block including an alpha connector, a beta pulley block including a beta connector, wherein the alpha pulley block is coupled to the beta pulley block when the alpha connector is coupled to the beta connector. At least one of the alpha connector and the beta connector may comprise magnets.

A device, system and method are used for hoisting and lowering a load. The device has a front plate that may be displaced to reveal a sheave. The device also has a friction accessory. The friction accessory is arranged to create friction between a rope and the device when a load is suspended from the device using the rope and where the device is secured to a support structure. The system may be prepared by an operator, having ascended to an elevated location, and further allows the operator to lower the load from the elevated location prior to descending.

A redirect, being a type of rope management apparatus is disclosed. The redirect includes a sheave assembly that includes a plurality of sheaves disposed for rotation about parallel axes. It also includes a mounting assembly that is suitable for connection to a support. The mounting assembly and the sheave assembly are interconnected by a hinge arrangement such that they can be pivoted with respect to one another about one or more axis that is generally normal to the axes of rotation of the sheaves. The redirect may be used in a rigging assembly, typically in pairs, to perform winching, lifting or traversing operations.