Abstract: A load bearing system including a load-bearing textile strap, including an article, such as a backpack or a climbing harness, that includes such load bearing system. The strap includes at least one woven portion and at least one non-woven portion. The woven portion has warp yarns extending along a longitudinal direction of the strap interlaced with at least one weft yarn, the woven portion having a first width. In the non-woven portion the warp yarns are spread transversely so that the non-woven portion has a second width greater than the first width of the woven portion.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment safety harness includes two straps that are operatively connected at a juncture and a D-ring proximate the juncture. A retrofittable, removable back panel padding is configured and arranged to accommodate the straps and the D-ring to aid in the comfort in donning the safety harness.

Abstract: A torso harness reduces injury from a fall from a utility pole. The torso harness has a safety belt for wrapping around the waist of a person. A single strap forms a left and a right leg loop. The single strap has a first end secured to the safety belt and a second end secured to the safety belt. The single strap also has a clasp sliding along the single strap. The single strap pulls between the legs of the person and up through the groin area. When the clasp is secured to the safety belt, the single strap thus forms the left and the right leg loop.

Abstract: A safety harness with a front D-ring includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion. A front D-ring is positioned at a front of the upper body portion where a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap cross. A single length of webbing is used to form a first end of the first shoulder strap, form a first end of the second shoulder strap and connect the front D-ring in a fixed position relative to the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap. The single length of webbing is wrapped around a cross-piece of the front D-ring and the first end of the first shoulder strap is formed from a first loop of the single length of webbing sewn together and the second end of the second shoulder strap is formed from a second loop of the single length of webbing sewn together.

Abstract: A rescue system comprising a spacer for protecting a rescuee during decent from a skyscraper along a cable, the spacer being activated by an arrangement that is actuated as a result of attaining a predetermined speed of descent or predetermined distance of descent.

Abstract: A combination trucker's belt and extrication harness is provided, said combination including a belt having loop portions and connection means at each of its ends, and a multi-use strap affixed to the second end and contained within a quick-open hook-and-loop fabric pouch. The multi-use strap includes a first ring connected to the loop portion of the second end of the belt, a short strap connected at one of its ends to the first ring and connected at its other end to a second ring, a long strap connected to the second ring and extending from the second ring through a snap connector having adjustment means and a tail portion extending beyond the snap connector which terminates in a third ring. The multi-use strap may be deployed for multiple uses, including aerial platform tethering, search tethering, and for configuring as a leg and pelvis reinforcement making the combination suitable as a low angle rescue harness and emergency rappelling harness.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a rope brake especially for synthetic fiber ropes such as climbing ropes or the like. The rope brake has a housing which includes a guide device for at least one rope and this guide device can apply a braking action to the rope. The guide device includes at least one opening for the passthrough of at least one rope loop as well as a pin which extends across the opening and is movable in the plane defined by the rope loop. The pin runs within the rope loop and clamps the rope under load in the opening. At least one further cutout is provided on the housing of the rope brake for the purpose of better metering of the braking force. This cutout is provided for additional guidance and/or reversal of a single rope or double rope.

Abstract: A dual belt system having a load-bearing or “utility” belt as well as a climbing harness waist band. An inner belt is a waistband for a climbing harness, the other outer belt being any typical load bearing belt, such as a military gear belt. The inner harness waistband and the load bearing belt are connected together by a series of releasable loops upon the waistband that may be opened to allow the load bearing belt to be separated from the harness. The loops may be closed and secured, as by fasteners, around a load bearing belt to temporarily connect together the harness waistband and the load bearing belt, so that they functional as an integral unit. Also provided are leg loops, permanently attached to the waistband of the harness, with which a true pelvis-girdling climbing harness may be assembled. The leg loops are stowed in a special pouch on the waistband until such time as they are deployed for use.

Abstract: A harness strap assembly is adapted to be incorporated into the inner liner of the pants of a firefighter's turnout suit without requiring structural modification thereof. The harness strap assembly, when installed, comprises a pair of webbed strap members. A waist belt and the harness strap assembly are wound forward around the user's waist through waist belt-loops suspended from a suspender assembly; then down through loops suspended at the crotch of the pant liner; thence back around under the user's buttocks; and finally back forward to the fly area of the liner. Adjacent to the fly of the liner, the crotch portions of the strap pass through a pair of metal or fabric carabiner-holding rings that are attached to looped ends of the harness strap members. The carabiner-holding rings, in turn, are interlinked (by means of a strap) with a metal carabiner of conventional design.

Abstract: A roping sit harness comprises a securing belt joined to a pair of leg loops by an intermediate part. The pair of leg loops and the intermediate part are manufactured from a synthetic fabric stuffed with a padding foam to form a single semi-rigid part. The front part of each leg loop is attached without discontinuity to the joining strap by a triangular distributor joining part arranged to balance the forces applied to said monoblock part. The harness is suitable for many applications such as climbing, mountaineering, caving, pot-holing and/or working at heights.

Abstract: A combination trucker's belt and extrication harness is provided, said combination including a belt having loop portions and connection means at each of its ends, and a multi-use strap affixed to the second end and contained within a quick-open hook-and-loop fabric pouch. The multi-use strap includes a first ring connected to the loop portion of the second end of the belt, a short strap connected at one of its ends to the first ring and connected at its other end to a second ring, a long strap connected to the second ring and extending from the second ring through a snap connector having adjustment means and a tail portion extending beyond the snap connector which terminates in a third ring. The multi-use strap may be deployed for multiple uses, including aerial platform tethering, search tethering, and for configuring as a leg and pelvis reinforcement making the combination suitable as a low angle rescue harness and emergency rappelling harness.

Abstract: The safety harness assembly has a body harness securable on the user's torso. Shoulder straps of the body harness are provided with non-stretchable sleeves enclosing an insert with limited stretching capabilities that provide shock-absorption during an accidental fall. The length of the sleeve is greater than that of the insert in a normal, non-stretched mode. If the user falls, the insert stretches to the maximum length of the enclosing sleeve, distributing forces to the leg and breast straps of the harness. The shoulder straps slide through a floating O-ring and are fixedly secured to a D-ring in the back of the harness. A lanyard with limited stretching capabilities is fixedly secure to the O-ring and the D-ring. The three-point safety shock-absorbing harness allows retaining the user in a vertical position during an accidental fall.

Abstract: A roping harness comprises a sit harness, a pair of shoulder straps fixed to the front and rear of the belt, and an offset attachment strip formed by an auxiliary extension strap. The attachment strip has a first fixing end securedly affixed to the front of the harness, and a second attachment end located at the rear of the harness, said strip being superposed on one of the shoulder straps by a detachable retaining part able to be in a secured contact position or in a released position depending on whether the tensile force exerted on the attachment strip is lower than or greater than a preset threshold, movement from the secured contact position to the released position taking place following a fall or by a manual operation causing separation of the second end of the shoulder strap and transfer movement of the attachment strip to the front.

Abstract: A dual belt system having a load-bearing or “utility” belt as well as a climbing harness waist band. An inner belt is a waistband for a climbing harness, the other outer belt being any typical load bearing belt, such as a military gear belt. The inner harness waistband and the load bearing belt are connected together by a series of releasable loops upon the waistband that may be opened to allow the load bearing belt to be separated from the harness. The loops may be closed and secured, as by fasteners, around a load bearing belt to temporarily connect together the harness waistband and the load bearing belt, so that they functional as an integral unit. Also provided are leg loops, permanently attached to the waistband of the harness, with which a true pelvis-girdling climbing harness may be assembled. The leg loops are stowed in a special pouch on the waistband until such time as they are deployed for use.

Abstract: A harness strap assembly is adapted to be incorporated into the inner liner of the pants of a firefighter's turnout suit without requiring structural modification thereof. The harness strap assembly, when installed, comprises a single length of webbed strap (or, preferably, a securely interconnected bifurcated length) that is wound forward around the user's waist through waist belt-loops suspended from a suspender assembly; then down through loops suspended at the crotch of the pant liner; thence back around under the user's buttocks; then through loops suspended at both thigh areas of the liner; and finally back forward to the fly area of the liner. Adjacent to the fly of the liner, the crotch portions of the strap pass through a pair of metal or fabric carabiner-holding rings that are attached to the ends of the harness strap. The carabiner-holding rings, in turn, are interlinked (by means of a strap) with a metal carabiner of conventional design.

Abstract: A climbing harness for use with a belt worn around a user's waist for jointly supporting a load when climbing, and for compactly storing away when not in use. The climbing harness has a single-length strap configuration with a pair of strap ends and two slots located at a middle part of the harness. Each strap end is passed around one of the thighs of the user, and through one of the two slots, thereby creating two thigh loops. An interlaced portion, such as a knot, is formed at each slot for maintaining the size of the thigh loops, and each strap end is then preferably secured to the belt by a carabiner type clasp device.

Abstract: A connector is provided to connect criss-crossing shoulder straps on a body-engaging harness. The connector joins overlapping portions of the shoulder straps while maintaining discrete portions thereof spaced apart. A preferred embodiment of the connector is a unitary piece of rigid plastic having slots formed therein to receive portions of the shoulder straps.

Abstract: An automatically adjustable safety harness, intended to be sewn into a lining which is equipped with fasteners for integration of the lining into a pair of working trousers. The harness has a waist belt which, via two connecting straps with fixed loops and via two position straps, is connected with end loops on two leg straps. The position straps hold the respective leg straps separated from the genitals of the user, and the connecting straps are moveable a predetermined distance relative to the waist belt, whereby the leg straps are movable from a loose, rest position to a tight, working position around the leg of the user, through the corresponding connecting straps being stretched by a force acting on respective fixed loop. The stroke length ensures that the respective leg straps do not tighten too firmly around the legs of the user.

Abstract: A harness for human wear comprises an elongated belt for encircling a waist of a wearer. A first strap is fixed to the belt and is extendible transversely of the belt from a lower edge of the belt, the first strap having a connector at a free end thereof. A second strap is fixed to the belt and is extendible transversely of the belt from the lower edge of the belt, the second strap having a connector at a free end thereof. First and second ends of the belt are connectable together, and the strap connectors are movable to a generally common point for engagement with a single loop member mounted on the belt.

Abstract: A personal safety device comprising a harness, a positioning strap attached to spaced apart region on the harness by way of a transfer strap. The ends of the positioning straps disconnect from the harness on the application of a force exceeding a predetermined limiting value.

Abstract: A safety restraint device, such as may be worn by a hunter or wildlife photographer perched on a tree stand for preventing falls, comprising a waist belt which incorporates a quick release buckle, a shoulder harness including front and rear straps with each front strap incorporating a quick release buckle, a pair of thigh straps, each of which incorporates a quick release buckle, a front cross strap for connecting the front straps of the shoulder harness and incorporating a quick release buckle therein, a rear cross strap, a lanyard having one of its end portions slidably secured to the rear cross strap and having a free end, a tree strap for attachment to the free end of the lanyard, a connector for releasably closing and securing the tree strap to a tree or other fixed object, and a pouch or pocket for orderly storing the shoulder harness, front cross strap, rear cross strap, lanyard and tree strap and possibly the thigh straps and waist belt.

Abstract: A harness strap assembly is incorporated into the inner liner of the pants of a firefighter's turnout suit. The harness strap assembly comprises a single length of webbed strap (or, preferably, a securely interconnected bifurcated length) that is wound forward around the user's waist through waist belt loops; then down through loops at the crotch of the pant liner; thence back around under the user's buttocks; then through loops on both thigh sides of the liner; and finally back forward to the fly area of the liner. Adjacent to the fly, the crotch portions of the strap pass through a pair of carabineer loops, which loops are not stitched or otherwise affixed to the liner. Instead, looped ends of the harness strap hold the two carabineer loops. The carabineer loops, in turn, are interlinked with a metal climber's carabineer of conventional design.

Abstract: A rappel tool for use in conjunction with rappel rope, the tool comprising generally rectangularly-shaped and substantially planar rigid body having first and second side edges and first and second end edges. A first opening extends through the body and is proximate and spaced from the first end edge and is spaced from the first and second side edges. A second opening extends through the body and is proximate and spaced from the second end edge and is spaced from the first and second side edges. A third opening extends through the body and is disposed between the first and second openings and is spaced from the first and second side edges. Each of the openings is of sufficient size to permit passage therethrough of a plurality of rappel ropes of a diameter of no more than about nine millimeters.

Abstract: A sit harness comprises a pair of leg loops joined to a belt by means of a link webbing passing through a securing ring. The securing ring includes an adjustment mechanism for the heightwise positioning of the link webbing to adjust the leg loop module with respect to the belt according to the distance between the user's crotch and waist. The adjustment mechanism is advantageously formed by at least one intermediate strand subdividing the inside of the ring into super-posed orifices arranged at different positioning levels.

Abstract: A personal safety device for users, either workers or sportsmen, exposed, for example, to the risk of falling from a height, comprises a body harness (2) including a pair of shoulder straps (4), a pair of leg loops (6), and a positioning strap (22) attached to spaced apart regions of the harness (2) adjacent the waist thereof by way of transfer means (20, 28) reacting between the positioning strap (22) and the harness (2). The means of attachment of the ends of the positioning strap (22) to the harness (2) are disconnectable or displaceable from the harness (2) on the application thereto of a force exceeding a predetermined limiting value, and whereby the transfer means (20, 28) thereupon transmit said force between the positioning strap (22) and an upper region of the harness (2). Such a device provides a positioning system which converts to fulfil an arrest role in the event of an inadvertent fall, and may be used safely either independently of or in combination with other fall arrest systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a harness system for "climbing" tree stands to assist users in climbing, sitting in and descending trees. The invention has a standoff integrated with or attachable to the climbing tree stand for: (a) receiving a tree strap, (b) retaining a tree strap from inadvertent contact with the tree while the user climbs, sits in, and descends the tree, and (c) quickly releasing a tree strap from the climbing tree stand part.The system also has a harness part. The harness part has (a) a thigh strap for bearing a user's weight about the user's thigh; (b) a waist strap for bearing a user's weight about the user's waist (the waist strap is attachable to the thigh strap); and (c) a tree strap for bearing a user's weight. The tree strap has a first end, a middle and a second end. The first end is attachable to the waist strap; the second end is passable around the trunk of the tree and slideably attachable to the middle of the tree strap; the middle is releasably attachable to the standoff.

Abstract: A safety harness includes an endless main belt hung on a suspension cable, a saddle fastened to the endless main belt at a bottom side remote from the suspension cable, a stretcher transversely fastened to two parallel sections of the endless main belt and vertically spaced between the suspension cable and the saddle to impart a space within the endless main belt for movement of the user's head, two supplementary belts fastened to the main belt and defining with it three vertically spaced pairs of insertion holes, a chest strap and a waist strap and two thigh straps respectively inserted through the insertion holes and fastened to the user's chest, waist and thighs by respective buckles for securing the user to the saddle.

Abstract: A fire escape device for lowering people from a high-rise, including a casing having a hanger for hanging on a support in a high-rise from which the user is going to escape, a driving pulley mounted inside the casing, a cable wound round the driving pulley and having an outer end extended out of the casing, a harness adapted for securing the user to the outer end of the cable, a friction disk having a corrugated track, a chain transmission turned by the driving pulley to rotate the friction disk, and spring-supported damping means installed in the casing and pressed on the corrugated track of the friction disk to impart a damping resistance to the driving pulley through the friction disk when the user goes down from the high-rise.

Abstract: An integrated safety system (20) comprises a rope grab (100), a body engagement device such as a harness (200, 201) or waist belt to be worn by a person (22), a lanyard (104) and lowering device (300). The harness (200, 201), which also constitutes a part of the invention by itself, comprises a compartment (202) for the lowering device (300), and also a first connector (224), a second connector (220) and in one embodiment (201) additionally comprises a third connector (600). The lanyard (104) is securable to the first connector (224) of the harness (200, 201) and to the rope grab (100) to enable the person (22) to be suspended thereby in the event of a fall. The lowering device (300) is stored in the compartment (202) of the harness (200, 201) until needed and is arranged to be mounted on the safety line (28) by the person (22) while the person is suspended thereby after a fall.

Abstract: A harness for human wear comprises an elongated belt for encircling a waist f a wearer. A first strap is fixed to the belt and is extendible transversely of the belt with a longer portion of the first strap extending from a lower edge of the belt and a shorter portion of the first strap extending from an upper edge of the belt, the first strap having loops at each end thereof. A second strap is fixed to the belt and is extendible transversely of the belt with a longer portion of the second strap extending from the lower edge of the belt and a shorter portion of the second strap extending from the upper edge of the belt, the second strap having loops at each end thereof. First and second ends of the belt are connectable together, and the loops are adapted for disposal at a substantially common point for engagement with a single connector member.

Abstract: A single rope descending device, especially a portable descending device for use of a single person, comprises a receiving housing, a cap, an adjusting nut, and a rope windlass. The receiving housing is made up of a left and a right semi-circular hollow halves within which the rope windlass having a rope wound and raveled thereon is housed. Each half of the receiving housing is provided with a tapered protruding end wherein corresponding serrated clamping edges define the assembling part thereof to boost up the resistant force of the rope passed through the twist and turn formed thereby. The cap is screwed up to conic outer threads of the tapered protruding ends to clamp tight the tapered protruding ends against the rope.

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 escape assembly has two rows of parallel slide frames positioned on an outer wall. A curved slip frame connects to a last slide frame of each row of parallel slide frames. A slide rail connects to each slide frame. Each slide frames has an H-shaped middle frame connecting to two U-shaped side frames. A slide way is formed in the middle frame. A slide passage is formed between two side frames. The middle frame has two positioning plates. Each side frame has spaced retarding blocks therein. The side frame has a notch thereon. One end of the slide rail is fastened on the side frame. The escape device has a transverse rod, two triangular blocks, two wheels, two parallel longitudinal belts, two loops and a transverse belt with a fastening device thereon. Each end of the transverse rod has a wheel abutting a triangular block. Two rings are disposed beneath the transverse rod. Each ring connects to a longitudinal belt. A loop is disposed at an end of each longitudinal belt.

Abstract: A climbing harness includes a waistband and a pair of leg loops. The leg loops have an adjustable girth for fitting about the user's thigh. The leg loops are joined to the waist band. An adjustment mechanism is provided which allows the user to adjust the rise of the leg loops relative to the waist band and also to adjust the girth of the leg loop.

Abstract: A harnesses for protecting a worker from a fall off of an elevated structure. The harness is arranged to suspend a tool belt therefrom and harness comprises a pair of leg straps, a pair of upper torso straps, a pair of rappelling straps, a seat strap, and four belt suspenders. Each of the upper torso straps includes a chest strap portion and a back strap portion, with the chest strap portions extending across respective portions of the chest of the worker. The back strap portions extend across respective portions of the back of the worker. Two of the belt suspenders are mounted on respective ones of the back strap portions and include extendable free end portions have respective hooks thereon for releasable securement to respective rear portions of the tool belt. The other two belt suspenders are mounted on respective ones of the chest strap portions and include respective hooks for releasable securement to respective front portions of the tool belt.

Abstract: A safety harness assembly (10) includes a harness (12) securable to a person's torso having an anterior side (14) and a posterior side (16). A resilient, elastomeric cord assembly (18) has an anterior end portion (24) connected to the anterior side of the harness, and a posterior end portion (26) connected to the posterior side of the harness. An intermediate portion (28) of the elastomeric cord assembly is connectable to a safety lanyard (22). The safety harness assembly absorbs shock and positions the person upright when worn to support a person's weight and break the impact of falls.

Abstract: A training harness for use by a sport climber in practicing sport climbing is disclosed. The harness comprises a waist encircling member and two leg encircling portions. Straps connect the leg encircling portions to the waist encircling member. At least one compartment or receptacle is formed integrally in the waist member, and a thin sheet of heavy material is removably received in each of the compartments or receptacles in the waist member. At least one compartment or receptacle is formed integrally in each of the leg encircling portions, and a thin sheet of heavy material is removably received in each of the compartments or receptacles in the leg encircling portions.

Abstract: A harness comprises two loops (1, 2) to hold a toddler between the legs. A strap (3) is attached to the top of the loops for carrying the child. The movable straps (11, 12) fitted with handle (13, 14) are attached to the strap (3). When the child is guided by this harness, he can acquire the notions of balance more quickly through the use of the handles (13, 14).

Abstract: The invention comprises a multi-functional worker's harness of the type comprising interacting shoulder and sub-pelvic harnesses. The shoulder strap comprises a pair of interacting strap sections, which are not attached to each other. Each strap section has a pair of ends secured to a releasable buckle and each section, when in position on a wearer, extends from one end at an opposite side near the wearer's waist at the front, over the opposite shoulder of the wearer, down the wearer's back and around the wearer's side to the other end of that section at a point on the same side as it is positioned on the front. The sections, where they cross over each other at each of the front and back, pass through and are held in overlapping fashion by a friction buckle. The sub-pelvic strap comprises a pair of strap sections, each having a pair of ends secured to releasable buckle to cooperate with a corresponding buckle of the shoulder strap sections.

Abstract: An integrated safety system (20) comprises a rope grab (100), a body engagement device such as a harness (200, 201) or waist belt to be worn by a person (22), a lanyard (104) and lowering device (300). The harness (200, 201), which also constitutes a part of the invention by itself, comprises a compartment (202) for the lowering device (300), and also a first connector (224), a second connector (220) and in one embodiment (201) additionally comprises a third connector (600). The lanyard (104) is securable to the first connector (224) of the harness (200, 201) and to the rope grab (100) to enable the person (22) to be suspended thereby in the event of a fall. The lowering device (300) is stored in the compartment (202) of the harness (200, 201) until needed and is arranged to be mounted on the safety line (28) by the person (22) while the person is suspended thereby after a fall.

Abstract: A rescue harness for interconnecting the upper body portions of a person with a safety line. The harness includes an upper body portion encircling loop which is uniquely designed to remain open to receive the person's head and arms after which it automatically chinches down about the person's back or chest in a manner to positively secure the person within the harness loop.

Abstract: Parachute harness including laterally spaced apart right and left main lift web and leg strap devices, a parachute container disposed therebetween and connected on the top by shoulder straps and on the bottom by articulating rings which also serve to connect the bottom of the main lift web with the opposite ends of respective leg straps.

Abstract: A sit safety harness comprises a pair of thigh loops in the form of closed loops and a belt with a central clasping device. Adjustment of the size of each thigh loop is performed by means of a clamping buckle fixed to the belt by an attachment strap and an adjustment strap securedly affixed by its end to the loop. The latter remains closed permanently throughout adjustment.

Abstract: A compact, rapidly-deployable rappel rescue system is housed in a lightweight carrier and connected to a belt or harness for portable use or mounted in a stationary position readily available for emergency use. The carrier contains a carabiner connected to one end of a tubularly woven Kevlar aramid fiber of similar lightweight, high strength synthetic polymer rappel line folded into a deployment bag, an edge guard protective sleeve pad slidable on the line and adjustable to the rappel point, a modified figure-of-eight multi-configuration descender and an end-stop ring connected to the other end of the rappel line.

Abstract: A descending life-escaping device for a high-building use, particularly comprising a weight-supporting member as well as a steel cable with its top end firmly fixed somehow on the building and vertically hanged down along the wall thereof, is adapted to enable a person in life-threatening situation to descend from an elevated place safely by holding said weight-supporting member which is removably attached to said cable and guides said cable in a simply winding manner by means of a number of accordingly positioned coil-like parts through which said cable is led so that coil-like parts can produce tremendous frictional force against said cable so to reduce the descending speed of the user to a safe extent.

Abstract: A high rise fire escape mechanism uses a flat cable having notches to lower the victim. The cable is wound around a notched sprocket mounted inside a housing on a first axle. A second axle and an escapement mechanism mesh with the first axle to mechanically control the rate of descent of a victim to about four (4) feet per second.

Abstract: A mountaineering self rescue, no moving part, ascender is used in pairs in conjunction with standard mountaineering equipment, to allow a climber to ascend a safety rope without aid, beyond the belaying of the safety rope. This no moving part ascender is simple, light weight, unaffected by ice, and placed in position with one hand. The first embodiment consists of a U shaped housing, whose vertical sides extend horizontally from a vertical curved back. The interior of the curved back is serrated to increase friction and is placed to partially surround a belayed climbing or safety rope, defining a travel path for this rope. The oppositely spaced apart vertical sides, each have a mirror image longitudinal bias slot. Carabiners, with attached sling ropes, already carried by mountaineers, are snapped into the bias slots of the ascender.

Abstract: A strap seat, utilizable in particular by persons descending on a rope by means of a rope payout device, comprises a pair of carrying bands having upper ends connected to one another at a junction or overlap point and lower ends folded back upon themselves to form a pair of leg loops. The carrying bands are firmly attached at their overlap point to a pair of trousers and are guided substantially along an upper edge of the trousers through openings or loops in a triangular extension of the trousers. The bottoms of the trouser legs are closed, while the carrying bands are attached to the upper ends of the trouser legs in the crotch area of the trousers. A rope payout device is connectable to the strap seat at the overlap point of the carrying bands.

Abstract: A safety device allows controlled descent along a suspended rope. The safety device includes a base that rides the suspended rope. There is a manually operable apparatus mounted on the base which is used for adjustably gripping the rope. At least one handlebar is mounted transversely to the base, available for grasping by the escapee. In addition, a stirrup may be suspended from the base to provide further support for the descending escapee.

Abstract: A self-contained safety device for self-lowering a person comprises an elongated high-strength safety webbing to support a person and a reel for releasably housing said webbing. The device comprises a generally figure 8 shaped member having two aligned apertures, a seat comprising a non-slip buckle means and two elongated seat webbings to form a big hole and one-half of waste hole. A friction knot is formed by passing the safety webbing through one aperture of the figure 8 member, said friction knot being manipulatable to extend the webbing at a controlled rate, and means at the free end of the safety webbing for anchoring the webb during lowering of the person.