Abstract: A system for passively slowing a descent rate of a load includes a rope having a fixed end and an opposing free end below the fixed end, a descent device having a base plate with first and second opposing plate ends, first and second pins fixedly mounted to the base plate, the first pin located at the first opposing plate end, and a carabiner attachment portion located at the second opposing plate end. A carabiner is attached to the carabiner attachment portion of the descent device, and a load attached to the carabiner. The system disposes a rope within the descent device about the first and second pin in serpentine manner, with the free end of the rope balanced against the load by the device disposed between the load and the free end, and the rope contacting first and second non-rotatable rope-contacting surfaces of the first and second pins, respectively.

Abstract: A load balancing descending device for controlling the descent of a user descending on a rope carrying a load is provided. The rope has a decreasing rope free end as the user descends. The load balancing descending device comprises a first plate and a second plate. A first pin is positioned between the first plate and the second plate with the first pin spacing the first plate from and pivotally connecting the first plate to the second plate and the combined first plate and second plate having a first side and a second side. A second pin is positioned between the first plate and the second plate with the second pin spaced from the first pin. An attachment mechanism is formed in the first side of the combined first plate and second plate for attaching a user and/or load. The rope is wrapped in a serpentine manner about the first pin and the second pin between the first plate and the second plate with the rope free end exiting the combined first plate and second plate from the second side.

Abstract: A load balancing descending device for controlling the descent of a user descending on a rope carrying a load is provided. The rope has a decreasing rope free end as the user descends. The load balancing descending device comprises a first plate and a second plate. A first pin is positioned between the first plate and the second plate with the first pin spacing the first plate from and pivotally connecting the first plate to the second plate and the combined first plate and second plate having a first side and a second side. A second pin is positioned between the first plate and the second plate with the second pin spaced from the first pin. An attachment mechanism is formed in the first side of the combined first plate and second plate for attaching a user and/or load. The rope is wrapped in a serpentine manner about the first pin and the second pin between the first plate and the second plate with the rope free end exiting the combined first plate and second plate from the second side.