Abstract: A descender (10) comprises a rear or base plate (20), a front plate (22) which is fixedly mounted to the base plate, generally parallel to and spaced from the base plate and an arm (30) which is pivotally mounted to the base plate and/or the front plate for movement between the two plates. The arm (30) defines a generally curved channel (38) through which a rope (14) may pass. The channel is defined between a sheave (34) and a wall (37) of the arm and defines an entrance (38a) and an exit (38b) for the rope. The sheave (34) is pivotable about an axis, the sheave being lightly biased towards a first or rest position. Pivoting of the sheave about the axis in a first direction, away from the rest position, causes an increase in the friction applied to the rope passing through the channel, typically by causing the exit of the channel to narrow.

Abstract: A descender (10) comprises a rear or base plate (20), a front plate (22) which is fixedly mounted to the base plate, generally parallel to and spaced from the base plate and an arm (30) which is pivotally mounted to the base plate and/or the front plate for movement between the two plates. The arm (30) defines a generally curved channel (38) through which a rope (14) may pass. The channel is defined between a sheave (34) and a wall (37) of the arm and defines an entrance (38a) and an exit (38b) for the rope. The sheave (34) is pivotable about an axis, the sheave being lightly biased towards a first or rest position. Pivoting of the sheave about the axis in a first direction, away from the rest position, causes an increase in the friction applied to the rope passing through the channel, typically by causing the exit of the channel to narrow.

Abstract: A pulley apparatus (10), includes a dram (12) having a central axis mounted between two side plates (14, 16) for receiving a rope (120) passing around the drum. The dram (12) defines a cylindrical surface for receiving a rope or line. The pulley apparatus includes holes (14a, 16a) for hanging or supporting the pulley from a hook karabiner or the like. A rope guide means (30, 32) is defined on the underside of the pulley adjacent the dram and passing over the cylindrical surface of the dram for guiding the line to wrap around the central part of the dram and inhibiting overran of ropes. The guide means comprise two curved blades (30, 32) which extend from the side plates and bow out towards the center of the dram to define a convergent-divergent wasp-waisted passage for the line to pass through. A second single, freely rotatable sheave (40) is mounted to the apparatus between the lower ends of two plates (42, 44) whose upper ends are pivotally mounted to the side plates, and hangs below the guide means in use.

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.

Abstract: A roping device used by a person descending from a height is provided. The roping device is for use with a rope and includes first, second and third plates and a first rotatable sheave. The first plate has a first face and an opposed second face. The second plate has a first face and an opposed second face. The first rotatable sheave is rotatably coupled between the second face of the first plate and the first face of the second plate. The first rotatable sheave is configured and arranged to engage the rope in at least a partial block and tackle arrangement to increase a mechanical advantage. The third plate extends from the first plate at a select angle in a direction towards the second plate proximate the first rotatable sheave. The third plate has an attachment point that is positioned proximate a center of the roping device.

Abstract: A pulley apparatus (10), includes a dram (12) having a central axis mounted between two side plates (14, 16) for receiving a rope (120) passing around the drum. The dram (12) defines a cylindrical surface for receiving a rope or line. The pulley apparatus includes holes (14a, 16a) for hanging or supporting the pulley from a hook karabiner or the like. A rope guide means (30, 32) is defined on the underside of the pulley adjacent the dram and passing over the cylindrical surface of the dram for guiding the line to wrap around the central part of the dram and inhibiting overran of ropes. The guide means comprise two curved blades (30, 32) which extend from the side plates and bow out towards the centre of the dram to define a convergent-divergent wasp-waisted passage for the line to pass through. A second single, freely rotatable sheave (40) is mounted to the apparatus between the lower ends of two plates (42, 44) whose upper ends are pivotally mounted to the side plates, and hangs below the guide means in use.

Abstract: A roping device for operating on a rope includes a first body portion (11) providing an attachment means (34) at one end, the body portion (11) including a first plate (18) having a front face and a reverse face and a second plate (20) having a front face and a reverse face. The plates (18, 20) are oriented in different planes defining an acute angle between the intersection of those planes. A first rotatable sheave (12) is mounted on the front face of the second plate (20) rotatable about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the second plate. The first sheave (12) has a groove defining a generally semi-circular rope guide path having a first end and a second end. The first end of the guide path opens onto the front face of the first plate, and the second end of the guide path opens onto the reverse face of the first plate (18).

Abstract: A descender (10) comprising a base (11) having a connection means (26), a pivotal member (12) pivotally mounted on the base (11) about a pivot axis (1), the pivotal member (12) defining first and second spaced projections (14, 15) for engaging a rope (5), the base (11) defining a stop member (18) and a lever (23) pivotable between first and second end positions, the lever (23) and the pivotal member (12) defining complementary cam surfaces (24) to regulate the distance between the stop member (18) and the second projection (15), a resistance force applied to the rope (5) being at a minimum when the second projection (15) is moved away from the stop member (18) and the lever (23) is located in a mid-position, and is at a maximum when the lever (23) moves towards either end position wherein the rope (5) is pressed between the second projection (15) and a braking surface (22).

Abstract: A descender (10) comprising a base (11) having a connection means (26), a pivotal member (12) pivotally mounted on the base (11) about a pivot axis (1), the pivotal member (12) defining first and second spaced projections (14, 15) for engaging a rope (5), the base (11) defining a stop means (18) and a lever (23) pivotable between first and second end positions, the lever (23) and the pivotal member (12) defining complementary cam surfaces (22) to regulate the distance between the stop means (18) and the second projection (15), a resistance force applied to the rope (5) being at a minimum when the second projection (15) is moved away from the stop means (18) and the lever (23) is located in a mid-position, and is at a maximum when the lever (23) moves towards either end position wherein the rope (5) is pressed between the second projection (15) and a braking surface (24).

Abstract: A descender is disclosed which includes a base plate 10, including first and second sheaves (16, 18) and an arm defining a third sheave 28. The descender also includes means, for biasing the arm to rotate about the pivot away from the base, and stop means for preventing the arm from pivoting further than a predetermined angle away from the base. Further provided are second adjustable stop means for restricting the distance the arm can travel towards the base when the biasing means is overcome and the arm pivoted towards the base. In use, with a rope passing below the first sheave, above and around the third sheave and above the second sheave, the resistance force applied to the rope is a maximum when the arm is pivoted so that the third projection is closest to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A descender for use in abseiling comprises;a base having a connection means for connection to a harness or the like; and a pivotal member pivotally mounted on the base about a pivot axis extending generally normal thereto, the pivot axis being spaced from the connection means.The pivotal member defines first and second spaced sheaves for engaging a rope, extending generally parallel to the pivot axis. The first sheave is disposed about the pivot axis and the second sheave is located substantially on the opposite side of the pivot axis with respect to the connection means. The pivotal member also has a handle means to selectively pivot the pivotal member relative to the base;The base further has a first stop defining a braking surface located adjacent the second projection which limits movement of the pivotal member; and a further, second stop disposed adjacent the first stop at a greater distance from the second projection than the first stop.

Abstract: A roping device having an automatic emergency brake includes a generally elongate body having an attachment means at one end, a first rotatable sheave mounted on the body having an annular groove defining a generally semi-circular guide path for a rope, and a braking mechanism mounted to the body generally adjacent the first sheave for selectively braking the rope which, in use, passes therethrough. The braking mechanism is biased towards an engaged position in which the rope is prevented from moving in a first direction through the device.An emergency release mechanism holds the braking mechanism away from its engaged position during normal operation of the device so that the rope is allowed to move through the device in the first direction.

Abstract: A tripod apparatus 10 having a generally triangular base 11, three upright members 13, 14, 15, each pivotally connected at one end to the base 10 proximate the respective corners of the base 10 and extending upwards to a support member 19 which, in use, provides a support point for raising or lowering an object such as a rescue basket along a cliff or building face. One of the uprights 15 is articulated so that the user may selectively move the support member 19 between a retracted position rearward of a forward side edge 17 of the base 11, and an extended position forward of the forward side edge 17. Preferably, the upright 15 is in the form of a bar linkage having a first elongate member 21 which is pivotally connected at its upper end to the support member 19 and at its other end to an intermediate position of a second elongate member 22.

Abstract: A descender for use when sliding down a rope during an abseil, the descender including a self acting brake mechanism, which will slow the rate of decent unless the brake is held in the release position. The descender has a fixed braking surface and a pair of sheaves mounted on a support member which is pivotable about an axis passing through a lower one of the sheaves such that a rope passing around the lower sheave, between the two sheaves, around the upper sheave and finally between the upper sheave and the braking surface, will cause the pivotable member to be pivoted to press the rope between the upper sheave and the braking surface when a tension is applied to the upper end of the rope. The descender is also provided with a handle to reduce the braking force by pivoting the upper sheave away from the braking surface and a retaining plate pivotable between a position in which a rope is retained in the descender and a position in which the rope is able to be inserted into and removed from the descender.