Abstract: A pulley- or roller-type block is provided with a lock arrangement. The block has a casing and a rolling unit mounted in the casing for clockwise and counterclockwise rolling. The rolling unit has a circumferential ring portion including a line-bearing surface whereby. In use the line is allowed to transit partially around the rolling unit as the rolling unit passively rolls clockwise or counterclockwise in response to alternate-direction transit of the line. The lock arrangement has a line-contacting portion operative between locking and unlocked extreme positions, and an operator for operating the strand-contacting portion. Wherein, because of the risk of forming a permanent weak spot in the line under highly concentrated locking contact, either .cndot. the circumferential ring portion of the rolling unit, including the strand-bearing surface thereof, or .cndot. the strand-contacting portion of the locking arrangement is formed from the following:--ie.

Abstract: A safety device interacts with a holding rope passing over a deflection point. A housing has a holding rope connection for connecting the housing to one part of the holding rope. A clamping jaw is pivotally connected to the housing. The clamping jaw and housing form a clamp for clamping another part of the holding rope in a clamp position of the clamping jaw and for releasing the another part of the holding rope when the clamping jaw is in a release position. The deflection point is positioned between the one part and the another part of the holding rope. A secure rope is connected to the clamping jaw and extends radially around the clamping jaw and the housing. The secure rope moves the clamping jaw from the release position to the clamping position when a load is placed on the secure rope.

Abstract: An abseil rescue device comprises a pair of holders, a pair of retarders a plurality of gripper blocks, a rescue rope, at least a hydraulic cylinder, a press part, a crank seat, and a crank lever. The retarders and the gripper blocks are hingedly connected to one of the holders. A plurality of grippers are provided on the holders and the retarders. The hydraulic cylinder is fixed to one of the holders. The press part is fixed to the hydraulic cylinder. The crank seat is fixed to the hydraulic cylinder. The crank lever is slidably located in the crank seat. The hydraulic cylinder is actuated by the crank lever to allow the press part presses the gripper blocks and the grippers on one of the retarders such that the rope is crossly clamped in S shape to retard the descending speed.

Abstract: An abseil rescue system, comprising: a velocity control system with two brakes and two retarders; a rope winder with a rope; and a frame, having a base and a gallows with two height positions. The two brakes and the two retarders act on the rope, allowing for controlled and safe descent of a person. The base has a reel with a crank, where a transmission cord is wound up, which leads to the upper front end of the gallows, with a hook fastened to the free end of the transmission cord. By turning the crank, the gallows is brought in a high position to provide a high suspension point for the rope winder.

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 fall prevention device for a vertical cable includes a body with a gutter for guiding the cable. The body supports a pin on which is articulated a lever one end of which ends in a cam which can clamp the cable against the bottom of the gutter and the other end of which is fastened to a ring. The cam is spring-loaded against the cable. A knurled wheel cooperating at all times with the cable rotates on a pin above the articulation axis of the lever. The ring has lateral teeth and is mounted to pivot on the lever so that, when the ring is pushed, the teeth can be caused to engage with the knurled wheel.

Abstract: Jamming devices for rope comprise a casing (2) consisting of two pallely, one above the other situated flanges (3, 4) between which are perpendicularly mounted the first and the second pulleys (12, 13) as well as a jamming cleat (14). The second pivoting pulley (13) is fastened to the lever (11); the latter is pivoted eccentrically to centre of the pivoting pulley (13) and can be swayed to and fro within the limits determined by the design. The second pivoting pulley (13) is in functional relationship with the fixed pulley (15) and so the rope (10) can be wedged between the fixed pulley (15) and the second pivoting pulley (13) in the first jamming position. The lever (11) can be by means of the arc-adjuster (16) moved away from the fixed pulley (15). In functional relationship with the jamming cleat (14) is the press-boss (17); between the latter and the jamming cleat (14) the rope (10) can be wedged in the second jamming position.

Abstract: An emergency escape device is composed of a cap, a cylindrical main body, a conical movable body, and a rope. The cap is provided with an operation pin and a plurality of movable handles capable of triggering the operation pin so as to actuate the escape device. The main body is provided therein with a conical receiving hole for disposing movably the conical movable body. The rope is wound around the conical movable body such that the rope is in contact with the inner wall of the conical receiving hole of the main body. The moving speed of the escape device is dependent on the extent of the friction between the rope and the inner wall of the conical receiving hole of the main body. The top end of the rope is fastened with a safety hook engageable with a fixed object located in a building. The main body is provided with a plurality of retainers for holding carriers intended for use in carrying escapees.

Abstract: An abseil rescue system with a velocity control system, allowing a user to descend on a rope, comprising two holders, two brakes, two retarders, and a frame. The retarder and the brake grip the rope of the abseil rescue system simultaneously, allowing to control the velocity of descent accurately. The weight of the user helps to grip the rope, such that for a tight grip the user is not required to apply much force.

Abstract: A principal guide-plate (12a) is bent adjacent a first edge (13a) to define a retention groove (9) extending along an axis (y,y'). A secondary guide-plate (12b) is mounted parallel to the principal guide-plate with a first edge (13b) disposed parallel to and spaced from the principal guide plate first edge. A lever (16) is pivotally mounted (21) between the guide plates. The lever defines a cam surface (26) and a locking surface (25) for engaging a safety line (6) disposed in the retention groove. The lever has an aperture (23) at a second end for receiving a safety catch (5). The guide plates define a lower surface (17a, 17b) with a smaller radius (R1) and an upper surface (18a, 18b) with a larger radius (R2). A radial stop surface (20a, 20b) extends between the upper and lower arcuate surfaces to engage the safety-catch and prevent the lever from pivoting from a closed position (FIG. 10) in which the locking surface engages the safety line toward an intermediate position (FIG. 9) and an open position (FIG.

Abstract: A self-locking descender for a rope comprises a pulley in the form of a rotary cam designed to press the rope against a braking surface of a stud. The pulley is mounted on an operating plate associated with an operating handle. To reduce the unlocking force on the operating lever, a part of the friction forces is taken up by a load-shedding pin situated facing the circular sector of the cam. The rope passes via the load-shedding pin and comes partially into contact with the pulley.

Abstract: A life-saying travel bag includes a suitably long, wide and durable rope sewn with a zipper on each side such that the rope forms a substantially cylindrical bag when the side zippers are closed. A fastening mechanism is disposed near either end on the inside of the bag, and a fastening strap is arranged at either end of the bag for connecting to a shoulder strap for carrying. An upper cover and a lower cover are respectively connected to the ends of the bag by zippers. The upper cover accommodates a speed control means which has a narrow recess at its center for containing an adjusting rod with an eccentric shaft. The ends of the shaft are connected to a control lever which may bring the adjusting rod to rotate towards or away from the opening of the recess so that the rod may be retained at or disengage from the opening to achieve the object of control. The zippers may be opened so that the rope is extended to its full length.

Abstract: A self-belaying descending apparatus (10) comprising a descending control device (12), a safety line (30) and a body support (50) that can consist of a waist belt (74). The apparatus (10) functions by securing the upper end (32) of the line (30) to a fixed elevated structure (90). The lower end (34) of the line (30) is then wrapped around a pair of upper and lower line controls (24,26) attached to the device (12), and the device (12) is secured to the waist belt (74). The apparatus (10) is disclosed in two designs. In the first design, a single person is able to descend from the elevated structure (90). In the second design, the device (12) and safety line (30) function in combination with a modified device (12) and the body support (50) consist of a safety cage (100) that allows at least two persons to descend. In both designs, the descent rate is controlled by applying hand pressure to the safety line (30) wrapped around the upper and lower line controls (24,26).

Abstract: An improved cam for use in a rope gripping device features a concave cam working surface. Gear-like teeth, each having a flat top are placed perpendicular to the rope inside the concave cam working surface. The cutting force is reduced, and the grip strength is increased. An integral safety lock can be set in either the open or closed position.

Abstract: A descender 10 having a resistance feed arrangement 14, 15 for a rope 5, a self-acting brake (12, 14, 15, 18) to automatically apply a braking force to the rope 5 in certain circumstances such as an emergency when the user is knocked unconscious, and a variable braking mechanism 21 which allows the user to selectively vary the braking force by moving a braking surface 24 in a direction away from the rope 5 to allow a controlled reduction of the braking force, and which will automatically return to a position for maximum braking force when released. Preferably, the variable braking mechanism 21 is in the form of a cam 22 selectively pivotal by means of a handle or lever 23 which may be connected to the tail end of the rope 5 by a retention arrangement 25 to allow easy actuation of the mechanism 21.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-locking descender wherein the pulley in the form of a cam is equipped with a drive finger cooperating with a mechanism having a transmission rod movable between an active engagement position with the finger to establish a unidirectional mechanical link between the handle and cam when the handle is actuated to an intermediate unlocking position in the course of the descending movement, and an inactive escape position to break said mechanical link after the intermediate position of the handle has been passed, causing disengagement of the pulley and automatic return of the cam to the locking position due to the action of the tension of the rope. The locking effect of the rope is thus preserved after disengagement, without maintaining a force on the handle.

Abstract: A descender system includes an elongated strap of sufficient length to lower a person from a danger area to a safe area. The descender system includes a harness adapted to support a person connected to a compact descender mechanism having a channel through which the strap passes. First, second and third parallel cylindrical pins supported in side-by-side alignment in the channel, the strap passing through a first end of the passage around portions of the first, second, and third pins and through a second end of the passage. The first pin is held stationary, allowing movement of the second and third pins toward the first pin. A camming surface adjustment moves a camming surface in sliding, leveraged engagement with the third pin to force it toward the second pin, incrementing frictional drag of the first, second, and third pins on the strap.

Abstract: A safety device for climbing ladders which has a body member with a rail receiving portion which is formed of cast metal such as aluminum and has a rail receiving opening which is at least partially lined with neoprene inserts so as to allow the safety device to easily slide on the rail. A pivoted clamping portion is mounted in the safety device and is biased by a spring into engagement with the rail such that the clamp locks to the rail. A safety chain is connected to the clamp device and to a belt attached to a user such that in the event of a misstep or fall, the clamping device will lock the clamp to the rail and thus arrest the climber's fall. Two or more neoprene sleeves are mounted in the safety device which engage the rail so as to allow the safety device to move smoothly over the rail when in the unclamped position.

Abstract: A central conduit includes a plurality of spaced first and second support housings mounted to the conduit, with the first and second housings pivotally mounting a respective first and second brake rod. Each brake rod including a brake pad surface for projection through a first and second slot for communication with a rope through the conduit to slow descent by an individual utilizing the apparatus to descend a rope member. A modification of the invention includes a seat member mounted to the conduit, as well as a further assembly positioned below to include further brake rods for use by an individual's feet in controlling descent downwardly along a rope member.

Abstract: The rope grab safety device of the present invention releasably attaches a workman's safety belt lanyard to a vertically extending safety rope. The device includes a primary frame assembly constructed of an elongated U-shaped bracket having a pair of spaced apart parallel side plates which is adapted to fit around the rope. A secondary frame assembly also comprised of a pair of side plates is adapted to fit within the U-shaped bracket after the rope is inserted. The secondary frame assembly carries a brake lever and brake shoe which is adapted to engage the rope in the event of a fall. An elongated bent pin connected between the primary and secondary frame assemblies allows for limited pivotal and axial movement between them to thereby allow the rope to be inserted into the U-shaped bracket. A separate locking pin passes through aligned openings in the primary and secondary frame members to secure them together.

Abstract: A life-saving device includes a reel wound with rope or steel wire accommodated within a housing which has a lower portion for supporting the user. The housing has a plurality of connecting rods which, when their position is changed, can alter the pressure exerted by a number of pressure rollers on the rope, so that the rope is drawn out and hence the resistance against the housing is changed. The housing further comprises a pair of handles whereby the ropes can be checked if desired.

Abstract: A new and improved descent retarding device having a main U shaped steel frame (7) allowing a short, light, design. There are five aluminum or steel cross bars (3) (4) (5) which act as friction retarders when the 7/16" rope (8) is attached. Two of the friction bars (4) are slotted on one end. This allows them to swing open when loading. The rope (8) slips through the space unoccupied by the open bars. The rope (8) is placed around the bars which are then pulled closed, contacting the friction bars (4) with the main frame (7). The device is now tight and ready to use. The unique combination of springs (9), handle bar (5) and adjustable self locking wing nuts (6) working in conjunction with each other make a safe, easy to use new concept in descenders. Using a handle instead of holding the rope on the descender increases balance and prevent burns.

Abstract: A platform escape vehicle, particularly for rapid escape of a derrickman from his monkey-board on a drilling rig, consisting of two sheaves with double grooves mounted on parallel shafts, to take a wire rope, one sheave being provided with a dynamic brake and the other sheave being provided with hand-operated shoe brake; the sheaves being connected by parallel supporting straps, the sheaves plus aforesaid supporting straps together being connected to the mid-point of the body of the vehicle which is made up of two like-shaped pieces consisting of upper supports from one end of the pieces tubular members run towards one another and around the bottom of a seat and from the other end of which tubular members run down to practically meet at the mid-point of handle-bars which are provided with levers for hand-operation of shoe brake, from the meeting point of the tubular members springs another tubular member that curves outward while running down through a hole at the forward end of the seat until the end thereof

Abstract: A self-jamming descender for a rope comprises a first base flange equipped with an articulation spindle and a first fixed pulley, a mobile support plate with an operating lever pivotally mounted on the spindle, and a second pulley securedly united to the support plate and eccentric with respect to the spindle. The second pulley comprises a boss cooperating with a first braking surface of the first pulley when the lever is in a first jamming position. The pivoting support plate is provide with a jamming cleat, separated from the second pulley by a space through which the rope passes, and cooperating with a second braking surface when the handle is moved to a second jamming position. Unjamming of the descender takes place in an intermediate position of the operating lever.

Abstract: A device for ascending and descending following a vertically disposed rope comprises a handle assembly including a pair of handles, a stirrup asssembly including a pair of foot-holds and a harness depending from the handle assembly, wherein the handle assembly attached to the rope in a sliding relationship grabs the rope when the pair of handles are pulled down and the stirrup assembly attached to the rope in a sliding relationship grabs the rope when the pair of foot-holds are stepped on; whereby a person wearing the harness climbs the rope by repeating the movements of pulling up the stirrup assembly by bending the knees while pulling down the pair of handles and then pushing up the handle assembly while standing up on the pair of foot-holds, or slides down on the rope at a controlled speed by exerting a required amount of braking applied by means of the handle assembly and/or the stirrup assembly.

Abstract: This invention relates to an emergency descending device having a life line, one end of which is adapted to be fixed at a high position, the other end of which is adapted to be extended to a low position, and a descending apparatus movably affixed around the life line and usually kept at a high position before operation. The descending apparatus is adapted to suspend a person and carries the person along the life line at a low speed from a high position to a low position. The improvement is characterized by the descending apparatus comprising a decelerating element which is a tubular member axially passed by the life line, forming a contact surface within the tubular member, and in addition, the contact surface being corrugated so as to increase the friction between the contact surface and the life line and reduce the descending speed of the descending apparatus while it suspends a person and lowers him/her from the high position.

Abstract: A building safety survival rescue cable device includes a large pulley having two pulley halves which are biased toward each other for guiding the rescue device over a cable that is strung from a building. The inner surface of each pulley half is provided with a rough, file-like texture so as to increase friction between the pulley and the cable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rappel line clamp and harness with which the descent down a rope may be readily controlled.The rappel line clamp and harness of the present invention includes a first and a second elongated juxtaposed plate. The pair of plates includes opposing and remote sides. The plates define corresponding first and second longitudinal marginal portions and a corresponding first and second transverse end marginal portions. The first pair of corresponding longitudinal marginal portions include a means for pivotally interconnecting the plates for limited swinging apart of a second pair of corresponding longitudinal edge portions. The opposing sides of the plates include full length opposing and registered longitudinal open ended grooves formed therein approximately intermediate between the plate longitudinal marginal portions.

Abstract: A device for lowering a person or a load on a rope which automatically arrests further movement of the person or load on the rope regardless of which direction the rope passes through the device, which is capable of accommodating ropes of different diameters. The device of this invention includes a friction cylinder disposed on a base plate, a friction body, and a pivotally mounted control lever. The rope is wrapped around at least a portion of the circumference of the friction cylinder and also around the friction body, and the rope thereafter passes between a concave braking surface disposed on the friction body and one end of the control lever. The end of the control lever is provided with two camming surfaces which are positioned on opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the lever. Regardless of the direction of movement of the rope, friction between one of the camming surfaces and the rope causes the rope to be wedged between that camming surface and the concave braking surface on the friction body.

Abstract: An evacuation system for nonambulatory patients from a multistory hospital or the like. A trackway is secureable to a wall of a stairwell and includes a hanger rail support. A hanger is rotatably associable with the hanger rail support and has elongated elements suspended from same for securement to a wheelchair, stretcher, or the like. A brake system is associated with the hanger to normally brake rollers, wheels, or the like of same against movement. A brake release apparatus is operatively associated with the brake system from the hanger for actuation by a patient or attendant to permit the hanger to carry the patient along the trackway.

Abstract: A slide for frictionally engaging a flexible line to control a person's descent along the line. An outer shell has a helical opening in one side with a longitudinal offset at its lower end for receiving the line. An inner friction member, which is adjustable rotationally and longitudinally inside the outer shell, has a transverse slot in its inner end and a helical screw thread behind for frictionally receiving the line. Indicia on the friction member are visible at an opening in the outer shell to show the body weight for which the slide has been adjusted. The slide has a fail-safe lock acting between the outer shell and the friction member.

Abstract: A fire escape device in the form of an elongated flexible member adapted to be mounted at its upper end to a building structure, or the like and a slide mounted on the flexible member having a sling attached thereto by which a person occupying the building may safely lower himself along the exterior surface of the building in the event of a fire or other emergency situation with the length of the flexible member being sufficient to enable such a person to reach ground level or some other lower level by which the person may safely escape. The slide includes a pair of hingedly attached plate members having a unique hinge connection with a loop on one end thereof to which the sling is connected and an adjustable screw threaded member interconnecting the opposite side edges of the plate members to enable variation in the frictional gripping engagement between the plate members and the flexible member, thereby enabling a person to vary their rate of descent along the flexible member.

Abstract: An escape device for allowing an endangered person to be safely lowered from a drilling tower or other elevated structure includes an automatic brake which controls the descent of a trolley assembly downwardly along an escape cable extending from the elevated structure to a ground level anchor remote from the structure. The automatic brake includes a reel rotatably secured to the elevated structure and a brake cable wound about the reel and attached at one end to the trolley assembly. A fluid pump coupled to the reel causes the reel to rotate at a constant speed when the trolley assembly descends the escape cable. The effective diameter of the reel decreases as the brake cable is unwound therefrom, thereby slowing the rate of descent of the trolley assembly as it approaches the lower end of the escape cable. The escape device is adapted to be used with both the upper and lower stations of a derrick or similar elevated structure.

Abstract: A lightweight apparatus for lowering a load at a controlled rate utilizes an elongated load-carrying strand and a slider assembly mounted on the strand to support a load for controlled downward sliding movement along the strand. The slider assembly includes a brake which is manually operable to control movement of the slider from a complete stop to substantially free fall conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the brake is spring-loaded to an intermediate position to permit a load to be lowered at a safe, relatively slow rate without actuation of the brake. When such preferred embodiment is used by a person to lower himself, a brake control lever may be manually displaced from the intermediate position to increase or decrease the rate of descent.

Abstract: A descending manually controllable apparatus slidable on a suspended support rope. Operator sits on supporting structure, controlling the rate of descent.

Abstract: A self-powered, cable-mounted trolley for moving the load along a cable includes a housing, pulleys including at least one driven pulley journaled for rotation in the housing for frictionally engaging the cable passing therethrough and a motor and transmission to supply power to the driven pulley. Means are provided for attaching the load to the housing.The trolley is useful in a building rescue system for moving a load upwardly and downwardly on a tensioned cable attached to an upper portion of the building and extending downwardly to a safe location.

Abstract: A carriage has pulleys adjacent opposite ends thereof for riding on a pair of line cables which have obstructions thereon, such as hangers and spacers. The carriage has brakes associated therewith for engaging the line cables. These brakes are such that they permit the carriage to move in one direction but automatically grip the line cables when the carriage moves in the opposite direction. These brakes are releasable to allow the carriage to be moved in either direction. Lifting apparatus is provided for each end of the carriage in the form of hooks that can be placed on the line cables and lifter lines extending between the hooks and the carriage. The lifter cables are connected to a foot pedal in the carriage which can be manipulated to transfer the weight of the adjacent end of the carriage through the hooks to the line cables thereby allowing the pulleys at that end of the carriage to be lifted off the line cables and shifted around an obstruction thereon.