Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a rope grab (10) comprising a body (12), and a cover member (14) pivotally coupled to the body (12). The rope grab (12) also comprises a cam (16) pivotally coupled to the body (12) for grabbing a rope or other lifeline (18). The rope (18) is grabbed within a recess (20) defined by the body (12). The rope grab (10) is designed to provide fall protection, work positioning and a moveable and temporary anchor point on the lifeline (18).

IPC Classes  ?

• A62B 1/14 - Devices for lowering persons from buildings or the like by making use of rope-lowering devices with brakes sliding on the rope
• A62B 35/00 - Safety belts or body harnessesSimilar equipment for limiting displacement of the human body, especially in case of sudden changes of motion

Abstract

The present invention relates broadly to a fall arrester (10) attached to a user's harness via a coupling arrangement (6). The fall arrester (10) is designed to be attached to a backup rope or safety line (12). The fall arrester 10 ()comprises a body (14), and a lever (16) pivotally coupled to the body (14). The lever (16) includes a primary cam (18) which is arranged to co-operate with the coupling arrangement (6). In operation, descent of the user urges the coupling arrangement (6) into contact with the lever 16 which pivots to effect braking of the safety line (12) between the body (14) and the primary cam (18). Some preferred embodiments include an inertial cam to initiate pivotal movement of the lever for braking of the rope with the primary cam; a tow cam connected to a tow line which includes a mechanical fuse; a secondary cam connected to the lever whereby panic gripping the rope and the coupling toward one another promotes braking of the rope between the primary cam and the body; an accelerator element to accelerate contact of the coupling with the lever; and an inverted cam to ensure correct orientation of the fall arrester.

IPC Classes  ?

• A62B 35/00 - Safety belts or body harnessesSimilar equipment for limiting displacement of the human body, especially in case of sudden changes of motion
• A62B 1/06 - Devices for lowering persons from buildings or the like by making use of rope-lowering devices
• A63B 29/02 - Mountain guy-ropes or accessories, e.g. avalanche ropesMeans for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons
• A63B 27/00 - Apparatus for climbing poles, trees, or the like

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to an automatic descender (10) comprising a pulley (12) rotatably mounted to a housing (14) via a shaft (16). The housing (14) includes a primary cavity (18) enclosed by a housing cover (20). The housing cover (20) includes a pair of secondary cavities (22A and 22B) enclosed by respective of a pair of brake covers (24A and 24B). The descender (10) also comprises a primary gear (32) connected coaxially to the shaft (16) and located within the housing (14). The descender (10) further comprises a pair of secondary gears (34A and 34B) each independently meshed with the primary gear (32) to rotate in conjunction with the primary gear (32). The descender (10) additionally comprises a pair of inertia brakes (36A and 36B) coupled to respective of the pair of secondary gears (34A and 34B). The secondary gears (34A and 34B) independently drive their respective inertia brakes (36A and 36B) to retard rotation of the pulley (12) and the rate of descent of a user.

IPC Classes  ?

• A62B 1/10 - Devices for lowering persons from buildings or the like by making use of rope-lowering devices with brake mechanisms for the winches or pulleys mechanically operated
• A63B 29/00 - Apparatus for mountaineering

Abstract

The present invention relates broadly to an improved snap hook (10) comprising a hook member (12), a gate member (14) pivotally connected to the hook member (12), a catch member (16) moveable connected to the hook member (12), and a latch member (18) movably mounted to the catch member (16). The hook member (12) is generally C- shaped including an opening (20) across which the gate member (14) extends in its closed position. The gate member (14) pivots about a gate pivot pin (22) fitted to the hook member (12). The catch member (16) pivots about a catch pivot pin (24) also fitted to the hook member (12). The latch member (18) is in this embodiment slidably mounted to the catch member (16). The catch member (16) is operatively coupled to the gate member (14) to in a catched position retain the gate member (14) in the closed position. The latch member (18) is arranged in a latched position to engage the hook member (12) to restrict movement of the catch member (16) to maintain it in the catched position. The gate member (14) is maintained in the closed position with the catch member (16) in the catched position.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16B 45/02 - Hooks with pivoting closing member

Abstract

A descender (5) for use in abseiling or belaying, comprising a base (10) connected to a harness or the like, with first (16) and second (18) spaced projections engaging a rope, the projections (16, 18) both extending normal to the base (10); an arm (12) pivotally mounted to the base (10) at a pivot axis (14), the arm (12) having a third projection (28) for engaging a rope, the projection (28) extending parallel to the pivot axis (14) and being located so that when the arm (12) is pivoted towards the base (10), the third projection (28) is located between the first (16) and second (18) spaced projections, wherein a fourth projection (156) disposed generally between the first (16) and second (18) projections and adjacent an edge of the base (10) separates a portion of rope passing into the descender (5) and around the first (16) and third (18) projections from the portion of the same rope passing out of the descender (5) between the third (28) and second (18) projections.

IPC Classes  ?

• A62B 1/14 - Devices for lowering persons from buildings or the like by making use of rope-lowering devices with brakes sliding on the rope
• A62B 1/18 - Other single parts for rope lowering-devices, e.g. take-up rollers for ropes, devices for shooting ropes
• A63B 29/02 - Mountain guy-ropes or accessories, e.g. avalanche ropesMeans for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons

Abstract

A retrofittable hook protection device for use with a hook is provided. The hook includes an intermediate portion interconnecting a hook portion and an end having an aperture, a gate for opening and closing an opening proximate the hook portion, and a lanyard operatively connected to the end proximate the aperture. The protection device includes a first and second member. The first member is configured and arranged to receive a first portion of the lanyard and a second portion of the end proximate a first side of the hook. A second member is configured and arranged to receive a third portion of the lanyard and a fourth portion of the end proximate a second side of the hook. The first and second members are connectable to sandwich the portions of the lanyard and the end there between.

IPC Classes  ?

• A62B 35/00 - Safety belts or body harnessesSimilar equipment for limiting displacement of the human body, especially in case of sudden changes of motion
• F16B 45/02 - Hooks with pivoting closing member