Abstract: A high load descender for rope access and rescue has a ratcheting sheave mounted to a pivoting arm, which translate with rope tension against a fixed shoe. The ratcheting sheave has a groove that grips rope during descent while allowing free rotation for ascent and progress capture. An adaptive release linkage enhances ease of operation and control while maintaining convenient handle position in a variety of conditions.

Abstract: The carabiner comprises a body associated with a gate able to rotate on a first end of the body between a closed position and an open position of the carabiner. A confinement element is configured to form a first stop and a second stop salient from the body. The confinement element is fitted removable with respect to the body. The confinement element is fixed to the body by a first fastener and a second fastener. A joining part connects the first fastener to the second fastener to define the space separating the first stop and the second stop. The joining part is pressed against the body. The body, the gate and the joining part define a carabiner with a single central ring.

Abstract: A high load descender for rope access and rescue has a ratcheting sheave mounted to a pivoting arm, which translate with rope tension against a fixed shoe. The ratcheting sheave has a groove that grips rope during descent while allowing free rotation for ascent and progress capture. An adaptive release linkage enhances ease of operation and control while maintaining convenient handle position in a variety of conditions.

Abstract: The descender comprises a handle and a cam that are movable between a securing position and a sliding position of the rope. The cam defines a first stop and a second pin. The handle has a first pin coming into contact with the first stop to form a first mechanical link and a second stop coming into contact with the second pin. Movement of the handle results in movement of the cam between the securing and sliding positions. In a threshold position of the handle, the first mechanical link is interrupted and the cam returns to the securing position. The second stop is movable with respect to the handle by means of a spring. When movement of the handle takes place, the second pin comes into contact with the second stop before the handle stresses a spring and reaches the threshold position.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a low stress rope socket for a downhole tool is disclosed. The rope socket includes a core, a groove cut in a helix shape on the core, and a rope wrapped around the core and inserted in the groove. The slickline attachment affixed to an uphole end of the core to attach the rope to the core. Additionally, the rope socket includes a housing surrounding the rope and the core. The housing secures the rope to the groove. The rope socket further includes a transition affixed to a downhole end of the core. The transition aligns the rope with an axis of symmetry of the socket. A portion of the rope downhole from the rope socket carries no load.

Abstract: A fall protection system is provided providing all protection for all workers in building erection. The system involves an interior net, and a perimeter net if needed. The net system may be both horizontally and vertically mobile, allowing it to be easily moved as building erection continues.

Abstract: A handle for a luggage item is provided with at least one channel or conduit for receiving a strap for a duffel bag or similar luggage item. The handle is capable of selectively receiving at least one strap and further capable of being provided around or otherwise secured to a second strap. The handles may be used for single-handed carry of two or more straps and allow for the release or separation of the two or more straps as desired.

Abstract: Linear brake systems are provided. For example, in one embodiment, a baseplate having a linear brake housing mounted thereto is provided. A linear brake is partially disposed within the brake housing. The linear brake includes a braided cable; a collar attached to the proximal end of the braided cable; a member attached to the distal end of the braided cable; a rope having a portion that passes into a bore in the collar, through a tunnel formed by the braided cable and the collar, and exits the braided cable by passing between cable strands; and an interface mounted to the baseplate to extend the braided cable constrict the braided cable upon the rope. The collar secures the proximal of the braided cable to the brake housing and the member secures the distal end of the braided cable to the interface.

Abstract: A rappelling apparatus and method are provided, for controlling the rate of movement of a person along a safety line away from an anchored end of the safety line, through use of a control bar having an attachment at one end thereof for a harness safety belt, or the like connected to the person, an operating handle at an opposite end thereof, and provisions between the opposite ends of the control bar for passage of the safety line through the control bar in serpentine pattern. The operating handle is pivoted away from the safety line to reduce the severity of the serpentine pattern and allow controlled movement of the safety line through the control bar. Some forms of the control bar include a one-way clutching arrangement. Some forms of the control bar also include a hand-actuated braking arrangement.

Abstract: A brake system comprising a structural unit adapted to be connected to a structure and defining a channel for the axial movement of a hoisting rope therein. A brake unit has a brake pad and an arm secured to one another for concurrent movement and movably mounted to the structural unit by at least one joint. The arm is in operative contact with a user end of the hoisting rope to be displaced with the brake pad between a hoisting position by a tautening of the hoisting rope, in which hoisting position the brake pad is distanced from the hoisting rope in the structural unit to allow movement of the hoisting rope in both pulling and releasing directions of the axial movement, and a braking position by a release of tension in the hoisting rope, in which the brake pad is displaced into contact with the hoisting rope.

Abstract: In a rappelling device (10) for braking a load guided on a cable which can be fixed to the rappelling device (10), the cable (14) is friction-guided over a distance (22) and the cable (14) which runs through the rappelling device (10) is guided over a brakable shaft (24). The cable (14) is pressed onto the brakable shaft (24) by means of a pre-definable pressing force (29). The braking elements for the brakable shaft (24) can be kept small in weight and design because an additional braking of the cable (14) takes place over the friction-guided distance in the rappelling device (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-arresting rope belay device comprising a cam arranged to clamp the rope when the rope is under tension, and a lever arranged to act on the cam to progressively release the rope by manual action on the lever. The lever acts on the cam respectively with a geared-down effect in an initial part of its release travel, and with a direct effect in a final part of its travel. This results in the relative movement of the cam with respect to the lever being smaller in the initial part of the travel than in the final part, which enables accurate adjustment of the braking effort and of the running speed of the rope in the initial part of travel of the lever.

Abstract: A device for controlling movement of a rope has a main part and a bar part. The main part has first and second side members and first and second end members. The bar part defines an opening, and the first side member extends through the opening. The bar part is displaced to allow a portion of the rope to be arranged within the central opening and at least partly around the bar part. The bar part is displaced such that the main part and the bar part define first and second opening portions of the central opening and the portion of the rope extends through the first and second opening portions and at least partly around the bar part.

Abstract: An abseiling device for braking a load (16) that is suspended on a rope (14) and may be fastened to the abseiling device (10), with which the rope (14) passes through the abseiling device (10) and is frictionally guided along a section (22), at least one portion of the section (22) being guided by a part (25) of the abseiling device (10) that is movable out of an unloaded starting position relative to a housing (12) of the abseiling device; when a load is suspended, the part (25) generates a frictional force that is a function of the weight of the load (16).

Abstract: A restraint device is disclosed that limits the movement of the cable or rope relative to the traction, thus reducing or eliminating the popping noise associated with the cable or rope snapping back against the traction sheave. In one embodiment, the restraint device comprises a molded component that is fitted to encompass the region of the sheave where separation of the wire rope from the sheave is most likely to occur. The restraint device may be mounted so that it is removable and replaceable with minimal dismantling of the hoist containing the sheave. The restraint device may be reversible so that one restraint device may by used for at least two cycles before being replaced. Indication of the need for replacement may be provided by including a second color material at the depth where wear reaches the allowable limit, thereby providing a visual signal to initiate replacement as seen during service.

Abstract: A friction brake which is suitable for applying friction to one or more load-bearing ropes in the implementation of arbor rigging or other procedures in some embodiments includes a tree engaging frame, a frame attachment mechanism carried by the tree engaging frame, a shaft receptacle carried by the tree engaging frame, an assembly mount shaft releasably inserted in the shaft receptacle and a rope engaging frame carried by the assembly mount shaft.

Abstract: A device for controlling movement of a rope comprises a main part and a bar part. The main part defines a central opening, first and second side portions, first and second end portions, at least one projection portion extending from each end portion, and a friction surface formed at junctures of each end portion and the at least one projection portion adjacent thereto. The bar part is movably attached to the first side portion. The bar part is displaced to allow a portion of the rope to be arranged within the central opening and at least partly around the bar part. The bar part is displaced such that the main part and the bar part define first and second opening portions of the central opening and the portion of the rope extends through the first and second opening portions and at least partly around the bar part.

Abstract: A belay device for a rope, comprising a plate having at least one slot for a loop of the rope to pass through, a retaining element integral to the plate, and a carabiner connected to the retaining element by means of a securing part rendering it captive with respect to the plate. The carabiner is fitted with bidirectional sliding in the securing part to come up against the stop formed by the plate when blocking the rope or to move away from the latter when releasing is performed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid fastener, in particular for the absorption of kinetic impact energy and/or for the absorption of the forces occurring on towing, in particular on towing vehicles, comprising at least one force introduction member which introduces force into the hybrid fastener and/or introduces force from the hybrid fastener into an adjacent component and comprising at least one energy absorption member which absorbs the force introduced at least in part by deformation and which is in connection with the force introduction member, with the connection between the energy absorption member and the force introduction member being made in shape-matched and/or force-transmitting manner and/or such that the energy absorption member is connected to the force introduction member with bias.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a simple and convenient way to ascend and descend a rope without using a belayer. Embodiments of the invention can smoothly transition from a rope clamping position to a rope unclamping position, conveniently providing an effective rope control device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a simple and convenient way to ascend and descend a rope without using a belayer. Embodiments of the invention can smoothly transition from a rope clamping position to a rope unclamping position, conveniently providing an effective rope control device.

Abstract: Provided is a descending device and method for controlling a rate of descent. The descending device includes a housing comprising a channel for receiving a tether along which the descending device is to travel during a descent. A cover conceals at least a portion of the serpentine pathway to minimize introduction of foreign bodies into the serpentine pathway. A first arcuate surface defines at least a portion of the serpentine pathway and a second arcuate surface defines at least another portion of the serpentine pathway. Each of the first and second arcuate surfaces includes a different radius of curvature. The descending device also includes at least one of a third arcuate surface adjacent to an entrance to the serpentine pathway and having a third radius of curvature that is shorter than both the first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature, and a descent control lever to be manually actuated between a plurality of positions by the user to selectively control the rate of descent.

Abstract: A self-locking comprising a pulley in the form of a rotary cam, a brake shoe, and an actuating handle of a mechanism with an interruptible mechanical link between the pulley and handle after an intermediate position has been passed causing disengagement of the pulley and automatic return of the cam to a locking position. The mechanism comprises a selector with a pushbutton coupled with an operating means designed to occupy an active position or an inactive position to respectively disable or enable said disengagement of the pulley.

Abstract: An abseiling device for braking a load (16) that is suspended on a rope (14) and may be fastened to the abseiling device (10), with which the rope (14) passes through the abseiling device (10) and is frictionally guided along a section (22), at least one portion of the section (22) being guided by a part (25) of the abseiling device (10) that is movable out of an unloaded starting position relative to a housing (12) of the abseiling device; when a load is suspended, the part (25) generates a frictional force that is a function of the weight of the load (16).

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a simple and convenient way to ascend and descend a rope without using a belayer. Embodiments of the invention can smoothly transition from a rope clamping position to a rope unclamping position, conveniently providing an effective rope management tool. Other embodiments of the invention are described in the appended claims.

Abstract: A belay device for climbing with at least one rope is provided. The belay device comprises a first plate having a first lobe with the rope wrapping at least partially about the first lobe and a second plate having a second lobe. A connection mechanism connects the first plate to the second plate through a rotation point with the rotation point positioned inside the second lobe. A first channel is defined by the first plate and the first lobe and the second plate and the second lobe with the rope moveable through the first channel wherein tension on the rope rotates the first plate and the second plate relative to each other thereby narrowing the first channel and impeding movement of the rope through the first channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for the controlled lowering to the ground of a cut portion of a tree includes a rope and an anchor having an arrangement of guiding protuberances., each guiding protuberance including a bearing surface frictionally engaging and redirecting the rope without the rope fully encompassing any portion of the anchor including any of the guiding protuberances. Three guiding protuberances define a triangular arrangement. Of the three, a first guiding protuberance is disposed in proximity to an intermediate guiding protuberance defining a segment of a rope path therebetween, and a second guiding protuberance is disposed in proximity tot he intermediate guiding protuberance defining another segment of the rope path therebetween without the segments crossing. A mounting member is attachable to the tree and a guiding member is pivotally connected to the mounting member along a pivot axis and includes an arrangement of guiding protuberances generally extending to each side thereof.

Abstract: A tie-down device secures an aircraft to the ground. The tie-down device includes a hook and slide member operating within the hook to secure a line. In use the line passes through an aperture within the slide member for biasing against a bottom portion of the hook when an opposing end of the line is placed under tension pulling against a top portion of the hook and is used to secure an aircraft to a ground anchor. A second embodiment includes an elongated slide member replacing the wheel. The slide member includes an aperture for receiving the line therethrough and a groove along a peripheral portion for sliding engagement with the hook. In addition, the slide member includes a release arm, accessible to a user, for pulling against the tension holding the line in frictional contact against the bottom portion of the hook.

Abstract: An adjustable lifting sling including a stationary support with hanger means, one or more cam surfaces pivotally mounted to the support, a ratable locking arm having one or more corresponding complementary shaped surfaces to allow a tensile lifting member to be controllably locked between the cam and complementary shaped surfaces.

Abstract: A climbing appliance (1) for roping persons up and down using the double rope technique is proposed, which comprises a housing (12) and a clamping jaw (13) mounted pivotally in the housing, wherein a main rope (2) conveyed over an upper reversing point (3) is fastened by its one end (2a) to the housing (12) and is passed by its other end (2b) through a recess (17, 18) between housing (12) and clamping jaw (13) and is movable inside the recess (17, 18) into a clamping position and a release position. The climbing appliance further including a fastening point (21) for a connection rope (8) between the climbing appliance (1) and the person roping up or down provided off center in the outside edge region of the housing (12), that the pivot of the clamping jaw (13) is disposed substantially centrosymmetrically, and that a release rope (10) is fastened to the opposite outside edge region of the housing (12) to the fastening point (21) for the connection rope (8).