Abstract: A device for lowering or raising people and/or loads over heights, in which the rope pulley is rotatably fitted on a base plate via a brake disc. A brake pad is allocated to the brake disc on one side of the base plate and on the other on a pressure plate secured against rotation. Pressure can be applied to the pressure plate by a tension bolt passing through the brake disc bearing and the tension bolt is coupled to the suspension of the device via a power deflection device via which the weight of the person and/or load to be lowered or raised can be converted into a tensile force on the bolt. A concentrically arranged toothed wheel is connected to the brake disc which engages with a gear system also fitted in the base plate via which an additional centrifugal braking device can be actuated.

Abstract: A life saving equipment for roping down persons along a rope has a rack with an inlet opening and an outlet opening for the rope so that the rope passes the rack when the person is roped down. A rope pulley is rotatably mounted within the rack and has on its circumference a groove for the rope. The rope is guided in the groove for a looping angle of more than 180.degree.. The rope pulley can be braked by at least one brake member, the braking force of which can be adjusted by a setting mechanism influenced by the weight of the person to be roped down. A monitoring means checks the presence of the rope within the rack and has a movable sensor member pressed again the rope, preferably by means of at least one spring. The sensor member acts on a rope clamping device for clamping the rope when a rope shortage occurs.