Adjustable knee ascender climbing apparatus

Abstract

A self-advancing knee ascender comprising: a piece of webbing having a first end and a second end, thereby defining a length; an adjusting mechanism arranged at a location on the webbing length; a webbing loop arranged at the second end of said webbing; a first linking mechanism removably attached to the webbing loop; a mechanical ascender attached to the first end of the webbing; a cord having a first end and a second end, constructed to have elastic properties, wherein the second end of the cord is attached to the mechanical ascender; and a second linking mechanism movably attached at a point along the cord.

Claims

1. A self-advancing knee ascender comprising: a piece of webbing having a first end and a second end, thereby defining a length, an adjusting mechanism arranged at a location on the webbing length, a webbing loop arranged at said second end of said webbing, and a first linking mechanism removably attached to said webbing loop; a mechanical ascender having an upper portion and a lower portion, having said first end of said webbing attached to the lower portion of said mechanical ascender; and an elastic cord having a first end and a second end, wherein said second end of said cord is attached to the upper portion of said mechanical ascender such that the second end of said cord and the first end of said webbing do not overlap on said mechanical ascender and a second linking mechanism movably attached at a point along said cord.

2. The self-advancing knee ascender of claim 1, wherein said adjusting mechanism serves to allow adjustment of the length of said webbing.

3. The self-advancing knee ascender of claim 1, wherein said first linking mechanism is arranged to releasably receive an apparatus.

4. The self-advancing knee ascender of claim 3, wherein said apparatus comprises at least one of a foot harness or a foot loop.

5. The self-advancing knee ascender of claim 1, wherein said cord comprises at least one of a bungee cord or a shock cord.

6. The self-advancing knee ascender of claim 1, wherein said cord is releasably attached to an opening on the upper portion of the mechanical ascender.

7. The self-advancing knee ascender of claim 1, wherein said first end of said webbing is attached to an opening on the lower portion of said mechanical ascender.

8. A self-advancing knee ascender comprising: a piece of webbing having a first end and a second end, thereby defining a web member; a mechanical ascender having an upper portion and a lower portion, having said first end of said webbing attached to the lower portion of said mechanical ascender; and; an elastic cord having a first cord end and a second cord end, wherein said second end of said cord is releasably attached to said mechanical ascender and a second linking mechanism releasably attached to said cord at a location between said first cord end said second cord end; and wherein said cord comprises at least one of a bungee cord or a shock cord and the second end of said cord and the first end of said webbing do not overlap on said mechanical ascender.

9. The self-advancing knee ascender of claim 8, further comprising an adjusting mechanism arranged at a location on the web member that is configured to adjust the length of said web member.

10. The self-advancing knee ascender of claim 8, further comprising a first linking mechanism removably attached to the second end of the web member that is configured to receive at least one of a foot harness or a foot loop.

11. The self-advancing knee ascender of claim 8, further comprising a webbing loop arranged at said second end of said webbing.

12. The self-advancing knee ascender of claim 8, wherein the upper portion of said mechanical ascender further comprising an opening and the second end of the cord is releasably attached to the mechanical ascender through said opening.

13. A self-advancing knee ascender comprising: a piece of webbing having a first end and a second end, thereby defining a length, an adjusting mechanism arranged at a location on the webbing length, a first linking mechanism removably attached to said second end of said webbing, and a foot loop arranged to be attached to said first linking mechanism; a mechanical ascender having an upper portion and a lower portion, having said first end of said webbing attached to the lower portion of said mechanical ascender; and an elastic cord having a first end and a second end, wherein said second end of said cord is attached to the upper portion of said mechanical ascender and a second linking mechanism movably attached at a point along said cord.

14. The self-advancing knee ascender of claim 13, wherein said cord comprises at least one of a bungee cord or a shock cord and the second end of said cord and the first end of said webbing do not overlap on said mechanical ascender.

15. The self-advancing knee ascender of claim 13, wherein said cord is arranged to be attached to the chest of the climber.

16. The self-advancing knee ascender of claim 13, wherein the adjusting mechanism is arranged at a location on the webbing that is configured to adjust the length of said webbing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a front view of an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

(2) FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION EMBODIMENTS

(3) Reference is made to FIG. 1 for the illustration of one preferred embodiment of a knee ascender made according to the present invention, which is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. This preferred initial embodiment of knee ascender 10 features a piece of webbing 11, or other strong material, having a first end 12 and a second end 13, thereby defining a length. The webbing 11 would in a preferred embodiment have an adjusting mechanism 14 arranged at a location on the webbing length (i.e., at a predetermined location on or along the webbing 11), with at least one portion of the webbing arranged to move through the adjusting mechanism 14 to lock the web member's components at a selectable length. The overall position of the adjusting mechanism 14 along the length of webbing 11 is not critical to the operation, as will be appreciated by this skilled in the art.

(4) In order to effectively utilize an adjusting mechanism, the web member may feature two sections of webbing. In a two-part web embodiment, a preferred arrangement would have a first web section 15 attached to a foot loop 16, wherein the first web section 15 has a free end 17 that extends through the adjusting mechanism 14; while a second web section 18 is arranged to attach to a knee ascender 19, and terminates at the adjusting mechanism. Alternatively, the web member may be designed as a single piece (not shown) where one end feeds through the adjusting mechanism 14 only to make a loop and return to the adjusting mechanism 14 such that a continuous webbing member may be employed.

(5) These preferred embodiments may also have a webbing loop 20 arranged at the first end 12 of the webbing, and this loop may have a first linking mechanism 21 removably attached. A cord 22 is attached to the mechanical knee ascender 19. The cord 22 has a second linking mechanism 24 movably attached at a point along the cord; and the second linking mechanism 24 is designed to be able to slide along the cord, so that the tension supplied by cord 22 may be adjusted.

(6) Reference is now made to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is illustrated at FIG. 2. The same structures, components and features existing in this embodiment; that have been introduced in previous figures or embodiments will be represented by the same reference numeral with, however, the addition of a prime marking. In instances where this scheme may cause confusion, for example, a component in a similar location, but serving a different function, such component may be assigned a new numeric designation.

(7) The FIG. 2 illustration serves to demonstrate a side view of knee ascender 10′ (see reference number 10, at FIG. 1, for example). This view indicates preferred web member 11′ arrangement relative to, or as coordinated with the adjusting mechanism 14′. Further, the travel of the first web section 15′ through the adjusting mechanism 14′ such that a free end 17′ is formed, can be seen. Additionally, the termination of the second web section 18′ can be seen to occur at the adjusting mechanism 14′. While the second web section 18′ is shown terminating at the adjusting mechanism 14′, the orientation of the terminating member may be alternately placed; that is, the design of the first web section 15′ may be switched with the design of the second web section 18′, and vice-versa.

(8) The coordination of the first web section 15′ with the first linking mechanism 21′ and the foot loop 16′ can also be seen in this view. The webbing loop 20′ design is not meant to be limiting, as those skilled in the art can appreciate the various methods in which the first linking mechanism 21′ may be attached to the first web section 15′.

(9) While this disclosure refers to general illustrative embodiments as well as various particular embodiments, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited thereto. Modifications can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, even where certain modifications are suggested, the list or set of proposed modifications is not necessarily exhaustive. Those skilled in the art with access to this disclosure will recognize additional modifications, embodiments, and methods of use within the scope of this disclosure; and similarly, additional fields of use in which the disclosed invention could be applied are contemplated. Therefore, this detailed description is meant to be enabling but not meant to be limiting. Further, it is understood that the apparatus and methods described herein can be implemented in many different embodiments of hardware, devices, or systems. Any actual apparatus, method of manufacture, or method of use, described is likewise not meant to be limiting. The operation and behavior of the apparatus and methods presented are described with the understanding that modifications and variations of the embodiments as well as modalities of use and operation are possible; with each modification potentially influencing the operation or outcome.