Knee ascender assembly for rope climbing

Abstract

A secondary ascender system for use in rope climbing and with other rope climbing systems that provides a knee ascender permitting full range of motion and energy capture from two legs by encasing an interior portion of the length of an elastic cord used for tending the knee ascender within a load bearing member. The load bearing member connects a foot attachment to an ascender and transfers loads applied to the foot attachment and via the elastic cord during tending to the ascender to advance up the rope.

Claims

1. A knee ascender apparatus comprising: an elastic cord having a fixed end and a free end defining a length; a load bearing member having a hollow core open at an aperture, wherein the fixed end of the elastic cord is secured relative to the load bearing member, an interior portion of the length of the elastic cord extends from the fixed end through the hollow core to the aperture, and an exterior portion of the length of the elastic cord extends through the aperture to the free end external to the load bearing member; a pulley positioned within the hollow core opposite the aperture around which the interior portion of the length of the elastic cord extends; an ascender secured to the load bearing member adjacent to the aperture; and a foot attachment depending from the load bearing member.

2. The knee ascender apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fixed end of the elastic cord is secured relative to the load bearing member adjacent to or in the aperture.

3. The knee ascender apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a liner secured within the hollow core, thereby defining a cavity having an interior diameter and through which the interior portion of the elastic cord extends, the liner comprising an upper end and a lower end wherein the upper end is positioned in the aperture of the load bearing member.

4. The knee ascender apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pulley is mounted within a pulley block comprising: a pulley shell comprising: a pulley mounting bore; and a conduit extending from an inlet and around the pulley mounting bore to an outlet; two flanged bushings; and the pulley positioned within the pulley mounting bore and secured therein by the two flanged bushings.

5. The knee ascender apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a liner secured within the hollow core, comprising: a first cavity having an interior diameter and upper and lower ends, wherein the lower end of the first cavity is longitudinally aligned with and adjacent to the inlet of the conduit of the pulley shell; and a second cavity having an interior diameter and upper and lower ends, wherein the lower end of the second cavity is longitudinally aligned with and adjacent to the outlet of the conduit of the pulley shell, wherein the interior portion of the elastic cord extends through the first cavity, the conduit of the pulley shell, and the second cavity.

6. The knee ascender apparatus of claim 5, wherein the fixed end of the elastic cord comprises a knot sized larger than the interior diameter of the first cavity and positioned outside of the first cavity at the upper end of the first cavity, thereby securing the fixed end relative to the load bearing member.

7. The knee ascender apparatus of claim 6, wherein the upper end of the first cavity and the upper end of the second cavity are each positioned in the aperture of the load bearing member.

8. The knee ascender apparatus of claim 5, wherein the liner is flexible and the cavity is incompressible.

9. The knee ascender apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: a first rigid end cap having an opening, wherein the first rigid end cap is positioned within the aperture of the load bearing member and is fixed to the upper end of the first cavity; and a second rigid end cap having an opening, wherein the second rigid end cap is positioned within the aperture of the load bearing member and is fixed to the upper end of the second cavity.

10. The knee ascender apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means for attaching the free end of the elastic cord to a harness.

11. The knee ascender apparatus of claim 10, wherein the means for attaching the free end of the elastic cord to a harness comprises a boat snap tied to the free end of the elastic cord.

12. The knee ascender apparatus of claim 1, wherein the load bearing member comprises a first strip of webbing and a second strip of webbing stitched together to form the hollow core.

13. The knee ascender apparatus of claim 12, wherein the foot attachment comprises: a cinch buckle secured at a distal end of the first strip of webbing opposite the ascender; and an elongated strapping extension depending from the second strip of webbing.

14. The knee ascender apparatus of claim 1, wherein the foot attachment comprises: a loop depending from the load bearing member; and a carabiner attached to the loop.

15. A knee ascender apparatus for use in rope climbing comprising: an elastic cord having a fixed end and a free end defining a length; a load bearing member having a hollow core open at an aperture, wherein the fixed end of the elastic cord is secured relative to the load bearing member, an interior portion of the length of the elastic cord extends from the fixed end through the hollow core to the aperture, and an exterior portion of the length of the elastic cord extends through the aperture to the free end external to the load bearing member; a pulley positioned within the hollow core opposite the aperture around which the interior portion of the length of the elastic cord extends; an ascender secured to the load bearing member adjacent to the aperture; and a means for attaching the load bearing member to a foot.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a means for attaching the free end of the elastic cord to a harness.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the means for attaching the free end of the elastic cord to a harness comprises a boat snap tied to the free end of the elastic cord.

18. The knee ascender apparatus of claim 15, wherein the fixed end of the elastic cord is secured relative to the load bearing member adjacent to or in the aperture.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Novel features and advantages of the present invention, in addition to those mentioned above, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein identical reference characters refer to identical parts and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of the secondary foot ascender;

(3) FIG. 2 is a rear, partial sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view thereof in an extended state when combined with an exemplary rope climbing setup;

(5) FIG. 4 is a retracted state thereof;

(6) FIG. 5 is a rear, partial sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment;

(7) FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an exemplary pulley block;

(8) FIG. 7 is a front view of a third embodiment; and

(9) FIG. 8 is a back view of a fourth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(10) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, opposing views of an exemplary embodiment of the invention are depicted. FIG. 2 further includes a partial sectional view taken between the broken indicator lines. This exemplary embodiment of the invented knee ascender apparatus 2 illustrates the principles of the invention, and as will be understood by those skilled in the art, the invention may be practiced in other combinations, forms and variations according to the disclosure herein without departing from the scope of the invention.

(11) The knee ascender 2 includes generally an elastic cord 4, a load bearing member 6, an ascender 8, and a foot attachment 10. The foot attachment 10 is depicted in this embodiment of the invented knee ascender 2 as an adjustable loop of rope. An optional protective sleeve 12 may also be positioned around the portion of the foot loop rope in this case to protect the rope from soiling, abrasion and other such negative occurrences. The foot attachment 10 connects the knee ascender 2 to the foot of the user, preferably opposite a foot ascender (e.g., see FIGS. 3 and 4). Any comparable or equivalent means or method of attachment may be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention, as the primary function of the foot attachment is to receive the weight of the climber during ascent and transfer it through the load bearing member and ascender to the static line.

(12) The load bearing member 6 is generally a body of material that will sufficiently bear the weight of the climber and his or her gear safely during a climb and will transfer that weight from the foot attachment to the ascender supported by the static line being climbed. The load bearing member 6 will generally span a distance between the foot attachment 10 and the ascender 8, separating them roughly by the average distance from the foot to the knee. The embodiment shown in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2 has been found to apply to nearly the entire range of climber body types through the manufacture of two sizes: a large size that spaces the ascender 20 inches from the climber's boot, and a small size that spaces the ascender 17 inches from the boot. It should be understood that the distance between the foot attachment and the ascender is not considered limiting, as any desirable distance may be applied without departing from the scope of the invention.

(13) It should also be noted that, in preferred embodiments, the foot attachment 10 and the load bearing member 6 may be formed of a continuous material for simplicity and cost savings. As will be described in further detail below, a preferred embodiment employs a 12-strand hollow braided polyester weight bearing climbing rope. However, it is sufficient for the purposes of this disclosure for those practicing and using the invention that the load bearing member be capable of bearing the desirable loads being exerted thereon, and that the foot attachment provide an attachment point for the climber's foot at a sufficient distance from the ascender.

(14) The load bearing member 6 is a hollow structure, as illustrated in the section portion of FIG. 2. The load bearing member 6 is hollow in order to allow for the elastic cord 4 to be encased therein, providing for an unobtrusive, safe increase in the length of the elastic cord over the prior art systems. The elastic cord 4 has a fixed end 14 and a free end 16 defining a length therebetween. The length of the elastic cord can be viewed generally as being the sum of two portions: an interior portion 18 and an exterior portion 20. The interior portion 18 is encased generally within the body of the device and the exterior portion 20 is external to the body. It is intended for the elastic cord 4 to stretch under normal operating loads, and therefore the division of its length into these two portions 18, 20 is not necessarily constant. However, some part of the elastic cord 4 is always encased within the body of the invention during normal use as will be described in more detail below. This feature is considered to be a significant improvement over the prior art because it allows for a greater length of elastic cord to be used to self-tend the device without creating dangerous circumstances for the climber. Note also that references to cord, rope and line herein should be taken as interchangeable terms unless otherwise specifically stated herein, and are not meant to be limiting.

(15) The interior portion 18 of the elastic cord 4 is contained within a load bearing member 6 of the knee ascender 2. The load bearing member 6 is the component that, when the weight of the climber and his or her encumbrances are shifted to the foot attachment 10, transfers the load to the ascender 8 supported on the static line. The fixed end 14 of the elastic cord 4 is fixed in position with respect to the load bearing member 6, and may be fixed in any desirable position on or in the load bearing member 6 so as to achieve the total elastic cord length needed. In one exemplary embodiment, the fixed end 14 of the elastic cord 4 is configured as a knot 22, thereby securing the fixed end 14 relative to load bearing member 6 at a position just above the foot attachment 10. It should be understood that the position shown should not be considered limiting, and that other positions are considered comparable for the purposes of this disclosure, so long as an interior portion of the elastic cord is contained within the load bearing member. For example, the fixed end of the elastic cord could protrude from the load bearing member at any position along its length, and be knotted, tied, clamped or other such like method used to secure its position (e.g, see FIGS. 5-8 and the accompanying description).

(16) An aperture 24 in the load bearing member 6 is provided through which the elastic cord 4 may transition from inside of the knee ascender body to the exterior. For the purposes of this disclosure, the aperture 24 delineates the interior 18 and exterior 20 portions of the overall length of the elastic cord 4. In other words, the aperture 24 provides an opening to the hollow core (e.g., 26) of the load bearing member. As mentioned, the fixed end 14 of the elastic cord 4 is secured relative to the load bearing member 6. The interior portion 18 of the length of the elastic cord 4 extends from the fixed end 14 through the hollow core of the load bearing member 6 to the aperture 24. The exterior portion 20 of the length of the elastic cord 4 extends through the aperture 24 to the free end 16 of the elastic cord 4 external to the load bearing member 6.

(17) The ascender 8 is secured to the load bearing member 6 adjacent to the aperture 24. In a preferred embodiment, in which the load bearing member 6 is a made of a hollow braided rope, the ascender 8 may be spliced into the braided rope near and adjacent to the aperture 24 to sufficiently secure it thereto. For example, loops 28 and 30 depict upper and lower splice loops, respectively, coupling the ascender 8 to the load bearing member 6.

(18) The free end 16 of the elastic cord 4 is attached to an attachment point on a climber's harness during use. The free end 16 may be tied directly onto such an attachment point for example, or a quick connection-type device may be tied, stitched or otherwise coupled to the free end 16 so as to provide a means for attaching the free end of the elastic cord to a harness. A preferred embodiment includes the use of a boat snap device 32 tied thereto for quick connection of the invented knee ascender 2 to the safety harness assembly chosen by the user.

(19) One optional means of affixing the fixed end 14 relative to the load bearing member 6 is considered a preferred means because it provides strength and rigidity to the load bearing member 6 while also protecting the elastic cord 4 from friction damage. In that case, a liner 34 may be secured within the hollow core 26 of the load bearing member 6. The liner 34 defines a cavity having an interior diameter and has an upper end and a lower end. The interior portion 18 of the elastic cord 4 extends through the cavity. The liner 34 is secured within the load bearing member 6 such that its upper end is positioned at or in the aperture 24. The cavity is aligned with the aperture such that the elastic cord passes therefrom to exit the liner 34 and the load bearing member 6. A knot 22 formed outside of the cavity at the lower end may be used secure the fixed end 14 of the elastic cord 4 relative to the load bearing member 6 if the knot 22 is sized larger that the interior diameter of the cavity. It is also preferred but optional that the liner 34 be formed of a flexible material with reference to unbalanced forces along and perpendicular to its axis (i.e., bowable), but material that is also relatively incompressible in cross section and longitudinally so as to prevent pinching and general impedance of the elastic cord 4 during use. Relative incompressibility in the longitudinal direction is considered desirable where the fixed end of the elastic cord is positioned at the lower end of the liner, in order for the tending forces exerted on the liner to be fully transmitted to advance the ascender up the static line. It is known, for example, that polyester braided weight bearing rope elongates under load and shrinks in diameter. The liner 34 is preferred as a means of preventing such compressive forces from reaching the elastic cord 4, which would prevent smooth self-tending of the knee ascender 2.

(20) Additionally, where hollow braided rope is used to construct the load bearing member 6, the aperture 24 may have the tendency to shrink in diameter in the same manner when the load bearing member 6 experiences a load. This is preferable in that, for embodiments utilizing a liner, the cross sectional shrinkage will operate to secure the liner within the rope when the knee ascender is under tension. That is, the aperture 24 will have an unloaded diameter, or aperture size, when the load bearing member 6 or knee ascender 2 generally are not loaded with weight. It will have a second, smaller loaded diameter when the load bearing member 6 and knee ascender 2 generally are loaded with weight. To avoid pinching at the aperture 24 due to the tensile load applied to the load bearing member 6, and further to avoid rope-on-rope friction damage as the elastic cord 4 extends and retracts during use, an optional but preferable means for maintaining the unloaded diameter of the aperture 24 when the load bearing member 6 is loaded may be included as well. One preferable means consists of the use of an end cap 36 formed of a rigid, low-friction material having an opening. The end cap 36 is affixed to the upper end of the liner and positioned within the aperture. The opening of the end cap 36, the aperture, 24 and the cavity of the liner 34 are aligned to allow free extension and retraction of the elastic cord 4. In some embodiments, the end cap 36 may be formed of a material similar to that of the liner 34, and may be formed as a unitary piece with the liner itself, or may be affixed by a strong adhesive applied between the liner 34 and the end cap 36, for instance.

(21) In preferred embodiments, the load bearing member 6 and the foot attachment 10 are formed of a single, continuous length of braided rope. In one embodiment, the continuous length of rope begins at a first end 38 and ends at a second end 40. Each end 38 and 40 may be knotted and melted or otherwise safely terminated. The liner 34 is inserted with the knotted 22 fixed end 14 of the elastic cord 4 to the first end 38 of the continuous braided rope. The upper end of the liner 34 and the end cap 36 are positioned at an aperture 24 formed in the wall of the rope and it is spliced into the ascender 8 as the rope is doubled back down upon itself. After enclosing the first end 38 of the rope, the foot attachment 10 is formed by forming an adjustable foot loop and splicing the tail of the rope just before the second end 40 thereof at 42.

(22) Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, two states of use of an exemplary embodiment of the invention are depicted in perspective views. In the first, the climber 50 generally has both the left 52 and right 54 legs extended. An exemplary embodiment of the invented knee ascender 2 as described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2 is in place on the left leg 52 and a common boot ascender 56 is in place on the right leg 54. A safety harness 58 with a chest hitch assembly 60 is worn by the climber 50. The free end of the elastic cord 4 is attached to the chest hitch assembly 60 with a boat snap 32 tied thereto. The static line 62 depends from above and down through the chest hitch assembly 60, the ascender 8 component of the knee ascender 2, and the boot (foot) ascender 56. The two ascenders 8 and 56 are spaced apart about the distance from the foot to the knee, as previously discussed, creating ample distance between the ascenders, thus resulting in full freedom of leg movement for the climber 50.

(23) Note that there are many climbing harness configurations in use today, and that the harness 58 and hitch assembly 60 shown merely depict an illustrative version. Various life support systems, harnesses, hitch assemblies, etc. may be used in connection with the invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope, making the invented knee ascender quite versatile.

(24) FIG. 3 illustrates a fully extended state of the knee ascender 2, in which the elastic cord 4 is shown fully extended. The greatest portion of its length exists in this state as the exterior portion, positioned external to the load bearing member 6. From the extended state of the knee ascender 2, the climber 50 may lift his or her left leg 52 to the position shown in FIG. 4. The elastic cord 4 has contracted as the climber's weight was shifted to the right leg 54, drawing the fixed end encased within the load bearing member 6 at the lower end of the liner upward toward the chest assembly 60. The liner and load bearing member 6 have transferred the compressive force to advance the ascender 8 up the rope 62. The climber 50 may now shift his or her weight back to the left leg 52, which will begin to straighten as the right leg 54 is drawn up toward the climber's body, similarly advancing the boot ascender 56 up the rope 62. In this manner, the invention may be used to walk up a rope with speed, decreased effort, and increased comfort while remaining safe and unencumbered by burdensome gear and bulky equipment.

(25) Turning to FIG. 5, a second embodiment of the invented knee ascender 102 is shown in a partial sectional view. In this embodiment, a pulley block 170 is present in the hollow core 126 at the lower end of the load bearing member 106 and above the foot attachment 110, which permits the interior portion 118 and overall length of the elastic cord 104 to be extended without increasing the length of the load bearing member. The lengthening of the elastic cord effectively enlarges the distance that the cord may stretch, thus enlarging the range of step sizes that can be accommodated for one size of load bearing member. This is desirable, for example, because one size of knee ascender can be manufactured that will accommodate the great majority of the variation in step sizes among the users of the invention. Furthermore, a relatively stronger elastic cord may be used, thereby increasing the tending strength and speed of the apparatus.

(26) With the use of a pulley in this manner, a preferred embodiment thereof includes within the hollow core 126 of the load bearing member 106 a liner having first 131 and second 133 cavities therein. A preferred embodiment of the dual-cavity liner employs two flexible tubes 134, 135 of the same or similar type as described in connection with FIG. 2 above. Also shown in the embodiments described in connection with FIGS. 5 and 8 are end caps 36, which may be provided for each flexible tube 134, 135 as also described in connection with the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. The use of two separate cavities reduces safety and operational concerns that could result from friction and repeated wear, for example. In some embodiments, the liner is formed by fusing two flexible tubes (e.g., 134, 135) together along their length. However, the use of a single cavity embodiment, or separate, unattached cavities may be employed if so desired without departing from the scope of the instant invention.

(27) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the fixed end 114 of the elastic cord 104 is secured relative to the load bearing member 106 near the top of the load bearing member 106, opposite the pulley block 170 and adjacent to ascender 8 or aperture. This particular configuration allows for approximately double the length of the interior portion 118 of the elastic cord 104 relative to the embodiment previously described above. In this embodiment, this is accomplished by a knot 122 tied at the fixed end 114 of the elastic cord 104 sized larger than the first cavity 131, thus securing the fixed end 114 relative to the load bearing member 106. The elastic cord 104 is then extended through the cavity 131 of the first tube 134, through the pulley block 170 as further described in connection with FIG. 6, through the cavity 133 of the second tube 136, and exits the load bearing member 106 at the top end of the second cavity 133 through the aperture 124. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the pulley need not actually rotate, but rather primarily ensures the change of direction of the elastic cord around it, and to this end could be a simple circumferential groove, if so desired.

(28) Furthermore, in some dual-cavity embodiments such as the embodiment shown in connection with FIG. 5, the load bearing member 106 may be optionally constructed by stitching 107 the periphery of two strips of standard webbing to accommodate the wider liners. The use of first 190 and second (not shown) strips of webbing stitched 107 together to form the hollow core 126 and load bearing member 106 generally. The knee ascender 102 shown in connection with FIG. 5 also depicts an alternative embodiment of a foot attachment 110 in which the second strip of webbing extends substantially further than the first strip of webbing 190 to form an elongated strapping extension 192 depending from the second strip. A cinch buckle 194 or other comparable configuration is secured to the distal end of the first strip of webbing in a stitched loop, for instance.

(29) Turning to FIG. 6, an exploded view of an exemplary pulley block 170 is shown. In a preferred embodiment, the pulley block 170 includes a pulley shell 172, which includes a pulley mounting bore 174 extending through the pulley shell 172 in a direction generally transverse to the length of the load bearing member and interior portion of the elastic cord. The shell 172 may also include a generally U-shaped conduit 176 extending from an inlet 178 in the top of the shell 172, around the pulley mounting bore 174, to an outlet 180 adjacent to the inlet 178. A pulley 182 is mounted in the pulley mounting bore 174 around which the interior portion of the elastic member is passed. In one embodiment, the pulley 182 as shown may include an integrated shaft and wheel, and is mounted within the bore 174 with two flanged bushings 184.

(30) Further alternative embodiments of the invented knee ascender are depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8 at 202 and 302, respectively. These views illustrate further widened load bearing members 206 and 306 and their respective stitching 207 and 307 of the webbing strips. An adjustable loop foot attachment 210 is illustrated in an exemplary fashion in FIG. 7, and a further exemplary foot attachment 310 is shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 exhibits an embodiment in which a single, long strip of webbing is used to form a loop 394 that is stitched 396 at the distal end of the load bearing member 306. A carabiner 398 or other similar attachment means is provided to easily connect the loop 394 to a foot harness as worn by some users.

(31) Any embodiment of the present invention may include any of the optional or preferred features of the other embodiments of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain some of the principles of the present invention so that others skilled in the art may practice the invention. Having shown and described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will realize that many variations and modifications may be made to the described invention. Many of those variations and modifications will provide the same result and fall within the spirit of the claimed invention. It is the intention, therefore, to limit the invention only as indicated by the scope of the claims.