Frictional rope control device with on the fly friction adjustment

Abstract

A rappelling device that frictionally controls rope flow, thereby allowing adjustable control of a load relative to an anchor is disclosed. For example, a coupling link, such as a carabiner, is clipped into a small hole, a bight of rope is pushed through a separate large hole, and then the rope is clipped into the carabiner. A user may use the rappelling device to increase the friction while the rope is weighted by weaving the rope through one or more openings on the device. In doing so, the user does not need to feed the end of the rope through the one or more openings. The rappelling device provides incremental adjustment of friction while the rope is weighted. Additionally, a gland cut into the inner circumference of the small hole may be added to grip and limit axial movement of the carabiner.

Claims

1. A rappelling device forming a plane, comprising: a first hole; a second hole that is separate from the first hole; and an extension that extends from the first hole, the extension having a first side and a second side, the second side being opposite the first side, wherein the extension defines a first semi-enclosed hole that has a first opening positioned on the first side and a second semi-enclosed hole that has a second opening positioned on the second side, wherein the first opening of the first semi-enclosed hole is positioned between the first hole and the second opening of the second semi-enclosed hole, wherein the rappelling device has a longitudinal axis, such that the first hole and each of the semi-enclosed holes are at least partially positioned along and on the longitudinal axis.

2. The rappelling device of claim 1, further comprising a tab that extends outward from the first hole and is positioned adjacent to the first hole.

3. The rappelling device of claim 2, wherein the tab includes a first recess thereon, the first recess configured to receive the rope.

4. The rappelling device of claim 3, wherein the tab further includes a second recess positioned opposite the first recess, the second recess configured to receive the rope.

5. The rappelling device of claim 1, wherein the second hole is positioned adjacent to the longitudinal axis of the rappelling device.

6. The rappelling device of claim 1, wherein the extension forms a sinuous shape.

7. The rappelling device of claim 6, wherein the sinuous shape forms at least an S-shape.

8. The rappelling device of claim 1, further comprising: a third opening of a third semi-enclosed hole positioned completely on the first side and not on the second side, wherein the second semi-enclosed hole is positioned between the first semi-enclosed hole and the third semi-enclosed hole, the third semi-enclosed hole also being at least partially positioned along and on the longitudinal axis.

9. The rappelling device of claim 8, wherein each of the semi-enclosed holes are positioned adjacent to each other along the longitudinal axis of the extension, and the semi-enclosed holes alternate along the first and second sides of the extension.

10. A rappelling device forming a plane, comprising: a first hole; a second hole that is separate from the first hole; an extension that extends from the first hole, the extension having a first side and a second side, the second side being opposite the first side, wherein the extension defines a first semi-enclosed hole positioned on the first side and a second semi-enclosed hole positioned on the second side, wherein the first semi-enclosed hole is positioned between the first hole and the second semi-enclosed hole; and a gland cut around an inner circumference of the second hole, wherein the gland contains an o-ring made from a compressible resilient material.

11. The rappelling device of claim 10, wherein the first and second semi-enclosed holes of the extension are each configured to receive a rope.

12. The rappelling device of claim 10, further comprising: a third semi-enclosed hole positioned on the first side of the extension, wherein the second semi-enclosed hole is positioned between the first semi-enclosed hole and the third semi-enclosed hole.

13. The rappelling device of claim 10, further comprising a tab that extends outward from the first hole and is positioned adjacent to the first hole.

14. The rappelling device of claim 13, wherein the tab includes a first recess thereon, the first recess configured to receive the rope.

15. The rappelling device of claim 14, wherein the tab further includes a second recess positioned opposite the first recess, the second recess configured to receive the rope.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Although the invention is briefly summarized, a fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by referencing the drawings and detailed description.

(2) FIG. 1 is a view which depicts the device according to one possible embodiment of the invention, showing the device only.

(3) FIG. 2 is a view which depicts the device with a carabiner used to attach the device to a load.

(4) FIG. 3 is a view which depicts the device rigged with a single rope set ready to control a load and the rope is clipped into the carabiner.

(5) FIG. 4 is a view which depicts the device rigged with rope set ready to control a load and a first additional level of friction added.

(6) FIG. 5 is a view which depicts the device rigged with rope set ready to control a load and a second additional level of friction added.

(7) FIG. 6 is a view which depicts the device rigged with rope set ready to control a load and a third additional level of friction added.

(8) FIG. 7 is a view which depicts the device rigged with two ropes set ready to control a load and the rope is clipped into the carabiner.

(9) FIG. 8 is a view which depicts the device rigged with a single rope set ready to control a load and the bight of rope is looped around the extension and not clipped into the carabiner.

(10) FIG. 9 is a view which depicts the rope weaved around the device and the tab to snub the rope.

(11) FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view which depicts the gland cut into the inner circumference of the second hole with a carabiner inserted through the second hole and o-ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(12) It is advantageous to define several terms before describing the invention. It should be appreciated that the following definitions are used throughout the application.

(13) Where the definition of terms departs from the commonly used meaning of the term, applicant intends to utilize the definitions provided below, unless specifically indicated.

(14) Definitions

(15) For the purposes of the present invention, directional terms such as up, down, top, bottom, above, below, left, right, horizontal, vertical, etc. are merely used for convenience in describing the various embodiments of the present invention. The embodiments of the present invention may be oriented in various ways.

(16) For the purposes of the present invention, the term rappel device refers to a device which allows rope to be directed through the device to frictionally control movement of a load relative to an anchor point which may take the form of a sliding descent down the rope, lowering a load or belaying a second user.

(17) For the purposes of the present invention, the term lock off refers to the user snubbing the rope using the device to completely stop movement of the device in relation to the rope.

(18) For the purposes of the present invention, the term snub or snubbing refers to checking, arresting or stopping the rope from movement relative to the device.

(19) For the purposes of the present invention, the term on the fly refers to the time the device is weighted by a load.

(20) For the purposes of the present invention, the term bight refers to a bend or loop in the rope(s) at any point between the rope ends.

(21) For the purposes of the present invention, the term hole refers to a void through the device that is fully encompassed and may be round or take on any other overall shape. An example would be the shape of the letter O.

(22) For the purposes of the present invention, the term opening refers to a void through the device that is not fully encompassed and may be round or take on any other overall shape. An example would the shape of the letter C.

(23) For the purposes of the present invention, the term weave refers to directing the rope through, along or around a portion of the device in various configurations.

(24) For the purposes of the present invention, the term carabiner refers to coupling link used to connect the device to a load or another piece of equipment.

(25) For the purposes of the present invention, the term tab refers to a protrusion suitable to allow the rope to be placed between the protrusion and the device.

(26) For the purposes of the present invention, the term o-ring refers to a continuous ring made of a compressible resilient material.

(27) For the purposes of the present invention, the term gland refers to a groove or channel cut into the device with dimensions suitable to retain an o-ring.

(28) For the purposes of the present invention, the term belay loop refers to a secure connection point to a user's harness and/or a secure connection point to a load.

(29) For the purposes of the present invention, the term load refers to an animate or inanimate object being moved relative to the anchor point and can take many different forms such as supplies, equipment, people, and/or, in the case of rappelling, the person using the rope.

(30) For the purposes of the present invention, the term anchor point or anchor refers to the point that the rope is secured and is typically, but not necessarily, structurally fixed such as a tree, building, or the like, and the load is moved relative to the anchor point. However, the anchor point may be formed on a movable object such as a motor vehicle, helicopter or ship.

(31) Description

(32) While the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to an example of a preferred embodiment of the current invention, it is to be understood, this embodiment should be considered as illustrative rather than limiting. Various modifications and additions may be made and will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention should not be limited by the foregoing description, but rather should be defined only by the following claims.

(33) Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawings, depicted is a rappel device preferably made of but not limited to aluminum, steel, titanium, stainless steel, plastic, composites and/or combinations thereof. Selection of an appropriate material will be made for a particular market and/or operating environment based on factors such as cost, strength, heat dissipation, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and weight. The device has no moving parts and can be set for right or left handed use.

(34) Although the present invention has been depicted in the drawings utilizing a single rope, it is to be understood that the device may also be used with two ropes in the same fashion. Using the device with two ropes is to be understood as included within the scope of the present invention.

(35) The device can be used for, but not limited to, rappelling, abseiling, belaying, lowering, line tensioning, ascending and other climbing or rope rescue techniques on single or double rope. The device can be used in, but not limited to, activities such as canyoneering, rock climbing, rope rescue, caving, mountaineering, alpinism, aerial hiking, tree climbing, acrobatic work, stage work, health and safety and construction in the context of sporting, recreational, professional, law enforcement and military activities.

(36) The device establishes unique improvements on current rappel device designs by providing a range of friction sufficient to accommodate large and small people on many common rope sizes and construction, provides sufficient friction in single or double rope configurations and allows the full range of friction adjustment in safe usable increments while the device is weighted. Friction may be adjusted by weaving the rope on the extension in various configurations.

(37) Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, depicted is one possible embodiment of the present invention which has a first hole 10 large enough to pass a bight of rope through, a second hole 11 allowing attachment of a carabiner, an extension 15 with two or more openings 12, 13, 14 to weave the rope on for friction adjustment and a tab 16 to assist in lock off.

(38) Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, depicted is the device attached to a load. To attach the device to a load, attach a carabiner 17 to the belay loop or load 18, attach the device to the carabiner 17 using the carabiner hole 11.

(39) Although the present invention is depicted in the drawings with a load connected to the device at the second hole the device may also be used with the anchor point attached to the device at the second hole which would be the preferred configuration in some lowering scenarios.

(40) Referring to FIG. 3 of the drawings, depicted is the device set ready to control a load using a single rope and the rope is clipped into the carabiner. To set the device ready to control a load, attach the device to the load as depicted in FIG. 2, create a bight in the rope 19, push the bight through the first hole 10, clip the rope 19 to the carabiner 17.

(41) Referring to FIG. 4 of the drawings, depicted is the device set with one additional level of friction. To set the device with one additional level of friction, attach the device to the load as depicted in FIG. 2, set the device ready to control the load as depicted in FIG. 3, a user's hand 21 then pulls the brake strand of rope 20 up into the first opening 12 in the extension 15.

(42) Referring to FIG. 5 of the drawings, depicted is the device set with a second additional level of friction. To set the device with a second additional level of friction, attach the device to the load as depicted in FIG. 2, set the device ready to control the load as depicted in FIG. 3, set the device with one additional level of friction as depicted in FIG. 4, a user's hand 21 then pulls the brake strand of rope 20 down into the second opening 13 in the extension 15.

(43) Referring to FIG. 6 of the drawings, depicted is the device set with a third additional level of friction. To set the device with a third additional level of friction, attach the device to the load as depicted in FIG. 2, set the device ready to control the load as depicted in FIG. 3, set the device with one additional level of friction as depicted in FIG. 4, set the device with a second additional level of friction as depicted in FIG. 5, a user's hand 21 then pulls the brake strand of rope 20 up into the third opening 14 in the extension 15.

(44) The extension 15 on the device will have at least two openings. Additional openings may be added to the device to allow more friction options without departing from the embodiment of the present invention.

(45) Adjustment up or down throughout the entire range of friction in safe usable increments can be done while the device is weighted. Friction can easily be changed at any time as desired.

(46) Referring to FIG. 7 of the drawings, depicted is the device set ready to control a load using two ropes and the ropes are clipped into the carabiner. To set the device ready to control a load, using two ropes attach the device to the load as depicted in FIG. 2, create a bight in the ropes 19, push the bight through the first hole 10, clip the ropes 19 to the carabiner 17.

(47) Referring to FIG. 8 of the drawings, depicted is the device set ready to control a load using a single rope and the bight is looped around the extension and not clipped into the carabiner. To set the device ready to control a load, attach the device to the load as depicted in FIG. 2, create a bight in the rope 19, push the bight through the first hole 10 and loop the bight over the extension 15.

(48) Referring to FIG. 9 of the drawings, depicted is the device with rope 19 weaved on the device using the tab 16 to snub the rope.

(49) Referring to FIG. 10 of the drawings, depicted is a cross sectional view of the second hole 11 through the device 24 showing the gland 22 which is cut to dimensions suitable to hold an o-ring 23.

(50) Although the present invention has been fully described in conjunction with one possible embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims, unless they depart therefrom.