ROPE HOLDER APPARATUS AND RELATED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE IN SPORT CLIMBING

Abstract

We disclose an invention that eases and assists a climber in the handling of a rope. This invention may be affixed to the climber at a suitable height and location on the climber's body to hold the rope, allowing the climber to take another section of the rope with the only other available hand. The invention is adapted for a quick and easy insertion and release of the rope from the device with the same upward movement that is performed to secure the rope to an upper anchor. The core components of the invention are a casing, a spring-loaded linkage assembly, and a toothed plate, which are configured as follows: a casing having a slot configured to receive a rope includes a hollow interior portion; the toothed plate is disposed within the hollow interior portion of the casing and is pivotably attached to the casing by the spring-loaded linkage assembly.

Claims

1. A rope holder apparatus comprising: a casing having a slot configured to receive a rope having an axial direction into a hollow interior portion; a spring-loaded linkage assembly pivotably attached to the casing; and a toothed plate disposed within the hollow interior portion that is pivotably attached to the casing by the spring-loaded linkage assembly, wherein the apparatus is adapted to hold the rope oriented in the rope's axial direction within the hollow interior portion and is further adapted to hold the rope in place by the action of the toothed plate applying a clamping force to the rope.

2. A apparatus adapted for holding a rope during climbing, the apparatus comprising: a casing having a body defining an interior portion, an exterior portion, and a slotted portion disposed through the casing, communicative between at least a part of a volume of the interior portion and the exterior portion; and a gripping mechanism disposed within the interior portion of the casing and movable between a first state substantially within the volume defined by the slotted portion and a second state substantially outside of the volume defined by the slotted portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising one or more of each of the following (disjunctive list): a spring (or similar mechanical component) adapted to bias the gripping mechanism towards the first state; a gripping mechanism having a replaceable toothed portion; one or more slots or similar features disposed on the casing adapted to affix the apparatus to another structure (such as a harness); two or more rotating arms connecting the case with gripping mechanism; one or more sliding mechanism for the toothed plate instead of the rotary arms arrangement.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 incorporated into a system, the system further comprising a harness adapted to securely mount the apparatus.

5. A method of using the apparatus of claim 2, the method comprising: providing an apparatus adapted for holding a rope during climbing, the apparatus comprising: a casing having a body defining an interior portion, an exterior portion, and a slotted portion disposed through the casing, communicative between at least a part of a volume of the interior portion and the exterior portion; and a gripping mechanism disposed within the interior portion of the casing and movable between a first state substantially within the volume defined by the slotted portion and a second state substantially outside of the volume defined by the slotted portion; providing a harness adapted to securely mount the apparatus, the apparatus securely mounted thereto; putting on the harness by a climber; adjusting the harness such that the apparatus stays in place at the height of the climber's chest; introducing of a rope into the slot of the apparatus with an upward movement; maintaining of the rope in place by the downward movement of the rope in its axis forcing the clamp mechanism to close; and releasing of the rope by an upward movement.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In the accompanying figures, like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views. The accompanying figures, together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification and serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention, in which:

[0020] FIG. 1 is an inferior view of the apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 2 is an inferior-frontal perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 3 is an inferior perspective exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a frontal perspective exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 5 is a frontal view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with the linkage and toothed plate assembly in a lowered state and with dashed lined indicating interior (hidden from view) features and components;

[0025] FIG. 6 is a frontal view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with the linkage and toothed plate assembly in a raised state and with dashed lined indicating interior (hidden from view) features and components;

[0026] FIG. 7 is a rotated frontal view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with the linkage and toothed plate assembly in a raised state, engaged with a rope (E) (shown for reference only), and with dashed lined indicating interior (hidden from view) features and components;

[0027] FIG. 8 is an inferior view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 7;

[0028] FIG. 9 is a frontal-inferior perspective exploded view of a tooth and plate assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 10 is a posterior exploded view of the assembly shown in FIG. 9;

[0030] FIG. 11 is a posterior-inferior perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 12 is a frontal view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 attached to straps (F), according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0032] FIG. 13 is a frontal view of the invention, illustrating an alternate embodiment having torsion springs (G);

[0033] FIG. 14 is a composite frontal and perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 15 is a composite frontal and perspective view of yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

[0035] FIG. 16 is a frontal view of another alternate embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] While the invention as claimed can be modified into alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] In this specification and in the appended claims and drawings, words and phrases have the meanings commonly attributed to them in the relevant art except as otherwise specified herein. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0038] The present invention may address one or more of the problems and deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. However, it is contemplated that the invention may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, the claimed invention should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed herein. While certain aspects of conventional technologies and methods in the relevant art have been discussed to facilitate disclosure of the invention, Applicant in no way disclaims these technical aspects or methods, and it is contemplated that the claimed invention may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects or methods discussed herein.

[0039] Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein. Specifically, component names, types, and values, as depicted in the exemplary schematic diagrams, are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention and are presented only as possible embodiments.

[0040] The present invention is an apparatus, system, and related method for holding a rope during climbing, in which the apparatus is made up of the following components: a casing and a gripping mechanism. These components are connected as follows: the casing has a body defining an interior portion, an exterior portion, and a slotted portion disposed through the casing, communicative between at least a part of the volume of the interior portion and the exterior portion; the gripping mechanism is disposed within the interior portion of the casing and is movable between a first state substantially within the volume defined by the slotted portion and a second state substantially outside of the volume defined by the slotted portion.

[0041] The present invention may also have one or more of each of the following (disjunctive list): a spring (or similar mechanical component) adapted to bias the gripping mechanism towards the first state; a gripping mechanism having a replaceable toothed portion; one or more slots or similar features disposed on the casing adapted to affix the apparatus to another structure (such as a harness); two or more rotating arms connecting the case with gripping mechanism; one or more sliding mechanism for the toothed plate instead of the rotary arms arrangement.

[0042] It should further be noted that a related system includes the previously described apparatus with the various components securely mounted onto a harness, thereby enabling ease of access and use by the climber.

[0043] Furthermore, a method of using the apparatus and system includes the steps of: The straps attached to the apparatus by the slots arrangement in the case must be secured to the climbing harness. The strap coming from the bottom of the apparatus could have a buckle clip. One part of the buckle clip is fixed to the strap under the apparatus and the other part of the buckle clip is attached to the end of the strap that must pass through the frontal tie loop of the climbing harness and then secured to the fixed part of the buckle clip. After securing the buckle clip, the length of the strap could be adjusted. From the top of the device, the straps must pass over the climber's shoulders and then be secured to the security harness by a buckle clip system in which one part of the clip is fixed to the harness's haul loop or gear loop and the other part is attached to the device's strap. The length of the strap can also be adjusted at this point. This way the device stays in place at the height of the climber's chest.

[0044] Once the climber is in the wall and needs to hold the rope that has picked up to secure it in an upper anchor, the climber just needs to introduce the rope in the slot of the device with an upward movement. The displacement of the rope in the upper direction while introduced in the device makes the toothed plate to move away from casing, allowing an easy and effortless introduction of the rope. Once the rope is in the slot, the downward movement of the rope in its axis produced by its own weight forces the clamp mechanism, maintaining the rope in place. When the climber takes a portion of the rope below the device and moves it with the natural upward movement to secure it in the higher anchor point in the wall, this upward movement of the rope releases it from the device without the need of further action from climber.

[0045] Referring now to the figures, in general, and to FIG. 1 in particular, we describe the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The device for holding the rope (FIGS. 1, 2) consists of a casing A which has an opening parallel to its major axis with a concave profile A1, defining a slot where the rope to be held would be introduced.

[0046] To this casing A (FIGS. 3, 4) is attached a mechanism of parallel rotating arms B, secured through axes B1 to the casing at one end and to a toothed plate C at the other end. A normally extended spring D is located between the toothed plate C and the casing A. This spring D is configured to impart a biasing force on the mechanism B so as to bias the toothed plate C towards the slot defined by A1.

[0047] This arrangement of two parallel pivoting arms B fastened at one end to the casing A and at the other to the toothed plate C, provides this plate with an angular movement capacity relative to the arms, maintaining its plane without rotation relative to the casing (FIGS. 5, 6).

[0048] This plate C is positioned parallel to the axial axis of the casing and of the rope to be held. When placing the rope E in the slot of the device (FIGS. 7, 8), it comes into contact with the teeth of the plate C and the axial displacement applied by the weight of the rope (arrow E1) drags the toothed plate C, forcing it to press the rope E between the casing A and the plate C. This action is enhanced by the orientation of the teeth of the plate C and the presence of the spring D, that helps the toothed plate C make good initial contact with rope E. The more traction or weight to hold, the greater the pressure applied by the device. Movement of the rope E in the opposite direction causes a displacement of the toothed plate C away from the casing A and allowing easy release of the rope. To facilitate the introduction of the rope E, both the casing A and the toothed plate C will have divergent and ramp-shaped extensions A2 and C3 (FIG. 8), which eases guiding the rope E.

[0049] To avoid deterioration of the rope, especially in cases in which a fall abruptly releases it from the device, the teeth of the plate could be made of plastic material. The plastic could eventually wear, so the teeth C1 (FIGS. 9, 10) may be in an independent piece and fixed to the plate C through a fitting system, C2 screws or a combination of both, allowing easy replacement of the teeth in case of wear.

[0050] In the back of the casing A (FIG. 11, 12) embodiments of the apparatus may include a system of slots A3 through which straps F will be inserted and will keep the device fixed at the height of the climber's chest. These F straps could be attached from the bottom of the device directly to the front of the safety harness and from the top of the device to the back of the safety harness passing over the climber's shoulders.

[0051] All elements of the device can be made of plastic, metal or a combination of both materials.

[0052] The system of slots for fastening the straps can be integrated in the casing A, as represented in FIG. 11, or it can be an independent piece that will be fixed to the casing A.

[0053] The spring D (FIG. 13) can be replaced by a circular or torsion spring G placed between the housing A and the parallel arms B.

[0054] Toothed plate C and teeth C1 (FIGS. 9, 10) can be manufactured as a one piece.

[0055] Although it would make it a bit difficult to release the rope, the toothed plate C may have a concavity to fit the rope and still be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0056] The number, size, shape and position of the teeth can vary or replaced by ridges or a rough or gripping surface. For example, when using metal teeth, these can be smaller and sharper, with similar performance, but causing greater deterioration of the ropes.

[0057] Although, in tests carried out with prototypes the toothed plate C and parallel arms B system was the most efficient and easy to use, alternative and non-limiting embodiments are contemplated and disclosed. In one embodiment, a cam mechanism H (FIGS. 14) with a single pivot point I and conventional spring J or circular torsional spring K on the pivot axis I can also be used. This cam system can be oval toothed or semi-circular toothed as in H (FIG. 14) or with flat toothed plate L (FIG. 15).

[0058] The teeth of the H and L cams (FIGS. 14, 15) can be replaceable or integrated in a single piece with the cams.

[0059] The rotary arms could be replaced by a sliding mechanism, with a guide A4 and a slot C4 (FIG. 16), in which the toothed plate C slides in the same direction of the spring D.

[0060] The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. In particular, features from one embodiment can be used with another embodiment. The embodiments were chosen and described to best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.