Rope descent device and method

Abstract

A rope descent device and method capable of maintaining a fast but safe descent rate of a user carrying a heavy load or equipment.

Claims

1. A rope descent device comprising: a. a fast rope; b. an elongated body wrapped around the fast rope at an angle of at least three hundred and twenty degrees, the elongated body having a first end and a second end; c. a first connection node at the first end; d. a second connection node at the second end, wherein the first connection node and the second connection node are configured to connect to a user on a front side of the user; and e. a force release mechanism connected to the elongated body, wherein the force release mechanism is substantially centered on the elongated body between the first end and the second end; wherein the elongated body is configured to frictionally anchor the elongated body to the fast rope; and the force release mechanism is configured to release the frictional anchorage of said elongated body.

2. The rope descent device of claim 1, wherein the force release mechanism is configured to permit the user to control his descent rate.

3. The rope descent device of claim 2, wherein the connection nodes are configured to be secured to a coupling link.

4. The rope descent device of claim 3, wherein the first connection node and the second connection node are eyelets.

5. The rope descent device of claim 4, wherein the elongated body comprises: a. a rope having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the rope is secured to the second terminal of the rope to form a sling.

6. The rope descent device of claim 4, wherein the elongated body is configured to be heat resistant.

7. The rope descent device of claim 6, wherein the heat resistant material is an aromatic polyamide (aramid).

8. The rope descent device of claim 1, wherein the elongated body is positioned around the fast rope to create a first X pattern.

9. The rope descent device of claim 8, wherein the elongated body is positioned around the fast rope to create a second X pattern.

10. The rope descent device of claim 9, wherein the force release mechanism is positioned higher on the fast rope than the first X pattern and the second X pattern.

11. The rope descent device of claim 1, wherein the elongated body is positioned around the fast rope to create a double-X pattern.

12. The rope descent device of claim 1, wherein the elongated body is wrapped around the fast rope in a double-X pattern to create at least two points of frictional engagement with the fast rope.

13. The rope descent device of claim 1, wherein the elongated body comprises a first rope section extending between the first end and the second end, and a second rope section extending between the first end and the second end.

14. The rope descent device of claim 1, wherein the fast rope has a diameter of between about one inch and about four inches.

15. The rope descent device of claim 1, wherein the force release mechanism comprises a sheath that covers the midsection of the elongated body.

16. A rope descent device comprising: a. a fast rope; b. an elongated body wrapped around the fast rope at an angle of at least three hundred and twenty degrees, said elongated body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end are configured to connect to a user on a front side of the user, the elongated body having at least two points of frictional engagement with the fast rope; and c. a force release mechanism secured to the elongated body wherein the force release mechanism is configured to permit the user to control his descent rate, and wherein the force release mechanism is substantially centered on the elongated body between the first end and the second end; wherein the elongated body is configured to frictionally anchor the elongated body to the fast rope; and the force release mechanism is configured to release the frictional anchorage of said elongated body.

17. The rope descent device of claim 16, wherein the elongated body is wrapped around the fast rope to create a first X pattern.

18. The rope descent device of claim 17, wherein the elongated body is wrapped around the fast rope to create a second X pattern.

19. The rope descent device of claim 16, wherein the elongated body is wrapped around the fast rope to create a double-X pattern.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

(1) The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of this invention. However, it is to be understood that these embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive, nor limiting of the invention. These embodiments are but examples of some of the forms in which the invention may be practiced.

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a rope descent device in accordance with this invention.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates the rope descent device shown in FIG. 1 without the cover/sheath surrounding the force release mechanism.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a rope descent device in accordance with this invention.

(5) FIGS. 4-9 is illustrates an embodiment of a rope descent device in accordance with this invention in use during a fast roping operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) The claimed subject matter is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. Turning now to FIGS. 1-3, a rope descent device is shown generally at 100. The rope descent device 100 comprises an elongated body 101 having a first end 102 and a second end 103. The rope descent device 100 further comprises a first connection node 104 at the first end 102 of the elongated body 101 and a second connection node 105 at the second end 103 of the elongated body 101. The rope descent device 100 also comprises a force release mechanism 106.

(7) The elongated body 101 is configured so it can be frictionally anchored to a fast rope. In an embodiment, the elongated body 101 comprises a rope having a first terminal 107 and a second terminal 108. The terminal ends 107, 108 are located at the ends of the rope. The first terminal 107 and second terminal 108 are secured to one another to form a sling. The terminals 107, 108 can be secured together by a rope end securing device 109. An example of a suitable rope end securing device 109 includes, but is not limited to nylon tacks, sewing tacks, adhesive, and so forth.

(8) The length of the rope descent device 100 should be of sufficient length to safely secure a user to a fast rope. In one embodiment, the rope descent device 100 is configured to permit the elongated body 101 to wrap around the fast rope to create at least two points of frictional engagement between the fast rope and elongated body 101. In one embodiment, the rope descent device 100 measures about 43 inches in length end-to-end, and measures about 41 inches in length from connection node-to-connection node. In this embodiment, the length of elongated body 101 is about 90 inches, the diameter of the elongated body is about 12.5-13.0 millimeters in diameter, and the strength of the elongated body is about 22 kilo newtons (kN). The elongated body 101 is preferably constructed from a kernmantle low stretch rope such as PMI 12.5 mm HeatShield™, but it can be constructed of any sufficiently durable material capable of withstanding repeated use. Examples of materials, include, but are not limited to nylon, polyester, aramid, polypropylene, High Molecular Density Polyethylene (HMDPE), and so forth.

(9) The rope descent device 100 can also be configured to be heat resistant so that when a user descends a fast rope the friction exerted between the fast rope and elongated body 101 does not cause the elongated body 101 to deteriorate (e.g. melt). As shown in the Figures, the elongated body 101 can be provided with a heat resistant sheath or cover 111. Alternatively, the elongated body 101 may be constructed from a heat resistant material. The heat resistant material can be located at areas where the elongated body 101 interfaces with the fast rope or other areas of the elongated body 101 that may require protection. The heat resistant material can also cover the entire elongated body 101. Suitable heat resistant materials include, but are not limited to, aromatic polyamide (aramid) fibers such as Kevlar®, Nomex® available from DuPont™, Cordura®, CarbonX® available from Chapman Innovations, 343 W 400 S, Salt Lake City, Utah, and so forth.

(10) The connection nodes 104, 105 are configured to secure a user to the rope descent device 100. The connection nodes 104, 105 permit the user to secure the rope descent device 100 to him. For example, a coupling link 203 can be secured to the connection nodes and the user to secure the rope descent device to the user and fast rope. In an embodiment, the connection nodes 104, 105 can be eyelets located at the end of the elongated body 101. The connection nodes 104, 105 can be formed by securing the elongated body 101 to itself at each of its ends 102, 103. Examples of suitable coupling links 203 (as shown in FIGS. 4-9) include, but are not limited to, carabineers such as a Kong Quick Release Carbineer available from KONG s.p.a. Via XXV Aprile, 4 23804 Monte Marenzo LC Italy, a SMC Crossover Triple Lock Carbineer available from Seattle Manufacturing Company 6930 Salashan Parkway Ferndale, Wash. 98248 United States of America, and so forth.

(11) The force release mechanism 106 is configured to release the frictional anchor between the rope descent device 100 and fast rope. The force release mechanism 106 is further configured to permit the user to control their descent rate. In one embodiment, the force release mechanism 106 comprises an elongated portion 110 having a length that is at least about the same as the circumference of the fast rope (e.g., about 1 to 4 inches). The elongated portion 110 can be secured near the midsection of the elongated body 101. Alternatively, the elongated portion 110 can be on or embedded in or border the elongated body 101. The elongated portion 110 may be constructed from any sufficiently elastic material that permits the force release mechanism 106 to bend around the fast rope. To prevent damage due to friction and/or heat, the force release mechanism 106 can be configured to be heat resistant. For example, the force release mechanism 106 can be provided with a heat resistant sheath or cover 111. Examples of materials, include, but are not limited to plastic, rubber, rubber with cordage reinforcement, and so forth

(12) In operation, a rope descent device 100 in accordance with this invention may be used to by one or more users to rapidly but safely descend a rope simultaneously while carrying a heavy load or equipment without burning the hands of the user. As shown in FIGS. 4-9, the user 200 obtains a rope descent device 100 and positions the elongated body 101 around a fast rope 201. The mid-section of the elongated body 101 is positioned around the fast rope 201, preferably with the force release mechanism 106 substantially centered on the elongated body 101. The elongated body 101 is wrapped around the fast rope 201 to create at least two points of frictional engagement between the elongated body 101 and the fast rope 201. In one embodiment, the two points of frictional engagement can be created by wrapping the elongated body 101 around the fast rope 201 creating a double-X pattern as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. The double-X pattern is created as the elongated body 101 crosses itself as the elongated body 101 is wrapped around the fast rope 201. That is, the connection nodes 104, 105 are pulled to the around the fast rope 201 to create a first X pattern 204 and a second X pattern 205.

(13) The rope descent device 100 is then secured to the user by attaching a coupling link 203 to the user and the connection nodes 104, 105. The user can then set the rope descent device 100 by applying a sharp downward pull on the connection nodes 104, 105. The user should maintain constant tension on the device 100. The user can then descend the fast rope 201. The user operates the force release mechanism 106 by exerting a downward force (e.g., sharp downward pull) on the force release mechanism 106. The downward force can be exerted by the user hands. For example, the user may exert the downward force by gripping the rope with their hand and pushing downward with the bottom of their grip. This motion releases the frictional engagement between the elongated body 101 and the fast rope 201 thereby allowing the user to control his rate of descent. The user can control their rate of decent based on the amount of downward force exerted. As the user exerts more downward force, the descent rate increases and vice versa.

(14) Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.