Adjustable Patents (Class 188/65.5)
  • Patent number: 10988981
    Abstract: A pull-cord control device for a curtain without an operation cord includes a pull-cord (3), a base (1), and a pressing plate (2) rotatably mounted to the base through a rotation shaft (42). The base forms first friction shafts (11). The pressing plate forms second friction shafts (21) staggered with the first friction shafts. The pressing plate forms a fixing pole (41). A first end of the pull-cord is connected to a retractable-cord device (5), and a second end of the pull-cord extends between the first and second friction shafts, and is connected to a curtain body (6) after extending about the fixing pole. When the curtain body moves up and down, the pressing plate is rotated between a clamping position and a loose position. When the pressing plate is in the clamping portion, the second friction shafts actuate the pull-cord to wander between the first and second friction shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Leafy Windoware Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhenbang Lei, Xingbang Lei
  • Patent number: 10987526
    Abstract: A descender is for work at height, climbing, mountaineering, speleology or other practices using a rope. The descender device for a textile rope (F) includes a casing in which a cam mechanism (10) and an actuating lever (3) for the cam mechanism (10) are housed. The casing (2) includes a return element (13) for the rope (F). The cam mechanism (10) includes a lever pin (29) rotatably actuated by the actuation lever (3) and a movable cam (25) which is rotatably movable between a deactivation position and a locked position in which the movable cam (25) presses on the rope (F) against the return element (13). The lever pin (29) acts on a rocker member (32) which is integral with the movable cam (25) during a first rotation step of the lever pin (29) in a direction opposite to the activation direction of the movable cam (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: CAMP S.p.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Codega, Matteo Rivadossi, Mauro Galimberti
  • Patent number: 10881884
    Abstract: A descender with folding handle and integral pulley preferably includes a base plate, a cover plate, a folding handle, a handle cam, a rope cam, an euler, an integral pulley and at least one spacer. The folding handle includes a base handle portion, a folding handle portion, handle pivot pin and a biasing device. The rope cam includes an inner profile, an outer perimeter, a pivot hole and a rope groove. The pivot hole is formed through rope cam to receive a spacer post. The euler includes a round diameter and a pair of D-shaped projections extending from opposing ends of the round diameter. D-shaped openings are formed in the base and cover plates to receive the D-shaped projections. The integral pulley preferably includes a pulley bracket, a spring clip, a rope pulley and a pulley axle. The rope pulley includes a peripheral groove for retaining a rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: MALLORY SAFETY + SUPPLY, LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Siegel
  • Patent number: 9987507
    Abstract: A personal escape and rescue device comprising a descent mechanism having a pair of plates having opposing undulating faces each comprising at least one peak and at least one trough defined along the length of the undulating face, and a control mechanism for displacing the plates relative to one another in a direction along the length of the undulating faces thereby adjusting the disposition of the opposing undulating faces relative to one another thereby setting the distance between the trough and the opposing peak; a body harness to support a descender, the descent mechanism being attached at an upper location of the harness whereby the descender is in a stable position; and a strap/cable, of a length to provide descent to safety, reeved between the faces of the descent mechanism, and comprising an anchoring arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Inventor: Shlomo Add
  • Patent number: 9415245
    Abstract: Safety devices for sports and mountaineering activities are provided. In particular, such devices include a body that has a first and a second plate, both fixed, substantially parallel to one another and connected together at one end through a lever member hinged to both of the plates by a pin, so that, when assembled, said plates define space (a) in which a path for the rope is provided. The lever member can rotate around axis (b) between a release position and a holding position. The lever member also may include a fixed pulley, arranged on a portion of the lever member away from axis (b) so that a rope can slide along the fixed pulley about an axis offset with respect to axis (b) of the lever member. The devices also may include an anti-panic mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: CAMP S.p.A.
    Inventor: Antonio Codega
  • Patent number: 9227092
    Abstract: A safety rope blocker having a body provided with a through hole for the passage of an anchoring ring and a curved groove opening into the through hole for the passage of the safety rope through the anchoring ring, the body being able to rotate between a blocking position in which the safety rope is blocked by the anchoring ring against the body and a releasing position in which the safety rope slide in the curved groove, the groove includes a deviation element to allow, in the releasing position, the safety rope to slide in the curved groove and outside the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: ZEDEL
    Inventor: Michael Chaumontet
  • Patent number: 9211426
    Abstract: A device and method are provided for protection during ascent, in particular, for climbing electricity poles, trees or other high structures. The device, including a non-fixed rope that is to be carried by the ascending person, includes a retaining means for fixing the device to a fixed anchoring point in a predetermined position. A structural configuration enables the introduction of the rope into the device, fixed in the predetermined position, from below. A first redirecting means is provided by which the rope can be guided through the device on a curved path. A mechanism automatically locks off the rope when the speed of movement of the rope through the device exceeds a predetermined limit value. A second redirecting means is provided by which the rope emerging from the device can be guided out of the device in the direction of ascent. A laterally arranged flat first bearing surface is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventor: Christoph Baum
  • Patent number: 9162086
    Abstract: A device for controlling movement of a rope has a main part and a bar assembly. The bar assembly is pivotably connected to a first side portion of the main part for rotation between a first position in which the bar assembly is not in contact a second side portion of the main part and a second position in which the bar notch receives the second side portion. The bar assembly is arranged in the first position to allow a portion of the rope to be arranged within a central opening and at least partly around the bar part. The bar part is arranged in the second position such that the main part and the bar part define first and second opening portions of the central opening and the portion of the rope extends through the first and second opening portions and at least partly around the bar part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Conterra, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick Lipke
  • Patent number: 9155917
    Abstract: A self-braking descender having a panic function and being formed by a body including a channel through which a cord extends in both directions. One end of the body is provided with an actuation lever formed by two projecting sides, a solidly connected appendage and a friction hole through which the cord also extends, and the lever can be folded onto the body. The other end of the body is provided with a head formed by a preferably semi-circular part including two projections and a rear cam with toothing in order to increase the friction in the panic position. An assist element for controlling the sliding of the cord is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: PROTECTTION PROTECCION TECNICA, S.L.
    Inventor: Pablo Luis De Miguel Valiente
  • Patent number: 9138603
    Abstract: A rope adjuster device (14) is provided for allowing adjustable positioning of a load along a rope (12) extending through the device and includes a rope bite (20), a cam carrier (22), and a frame (24). The bite is open on a lateral side (32) to allow loading of the rope into the bite by moving the rope laterally with respect to the length (26) of the rope. The frame defines a connector opening (60) to receive a load connector for attaching a load to the device. The frame extends from the opening (60) to a pivot location (62) whereat the cam carrier is connected to pivot relative to the frame between an open position wherein a rope can be loaded from the lateral side and a closed position wherein the lateral side is closed by the frame to prevent removal of the rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Renaud Hutin
  • Patent number: 9126062
    Abstract: A safety device on a rope, comprising a first flange-plate and a movable second flange-plate, a roller mounted on a first spindle integral to the first flange-plate, which presents clearance in the heightwise direction. The movable second flange-plate is equipped: with a securing notch operating in conjunction with the first spindle to block the device in the closed position when the roller is under load, and with a latch actuated by control means to perform unlatching of the latter enabling opening of the second flange-plate when the device is no longer under load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: ZEDEL
    Inventors: Pierre Olivier Chabod, Christophe Quillard, Alain Maurice
  • Patent number: 8931593
    Abstract: An improved fall protection system has been developed. The system functions by: (1) arresting the fall of such users, thereby protecting them from impact with the ground which could cause serious injury or death; (2) providing a method of recovery and escape from a fall-arresting device by providing a user with a controlled descent back to the ground or to a lower place of safety at a safe and gradual rate of descent; (3) providing greater simplicity and wearer comfort in fall-arresting and self-recovery devices; and (4) incorporating gear storage capability into such protective devices, in order to eliminate the need to wear a separate gear storage pack, vest, tool belt, or other such garment or accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Downsafe Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Rano J. Harris, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140311835
    Abstract: A self-braking descender having a panic function and being formed by a body including a channel through which a cord extends in both directions. One end of the body is provided with an actuation lever formed by two projecting sides, a solidly connected appendage and a friction hole through which the cord also extends, and the lever can be folded onto the body. The other end of the body is provided with a head formed by a preferably semi-circular part including two projections and a rear cam with toothing in order to increase the friction in the panic position. An assist element for controlling the sliding of the cord is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: PROTECTTION PROTECCION TECNICA, S.L.
    Inventor: Pablo Luis De Miguel Valiente
  • Patent number: 8794392
    Abstract: In a rappelling device (10) for braking a load guided on a cable which can be fixed to the rappelling device (10), the cable (14) is friction-guided over a distance (22) and the cable (14) which runs through the rappelling device (10) is guided over a brakable shaft (24). The cable (14) is pressed onto the brakable shaft (24) by means of a pre-definable pressing force (29). The braking elements for the brakable shaft (24) can be kept small in weight and design because an additional braking of the cable (14) takes place over the friction-guided distance in the rappelling device (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Spidescape Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ulrich Kowatsch
  • Patent number: 8733504
    Abstract: Method and Apparatus for a Compact Descender used in conjunction with a rope. The invention includes a first plate and a second plate arranged adjacent to one another and pivotally connected to one another by a rope post at the top ends of the first plate and the second plate. The first plate and the second plate are selectively and pivotally opened and closed and are interlocked when closed by attachment of a carabiner through a hole in the bottom end of the first plate and an adjacent hole in the bottom end of the second plate. The first plate and the second plate include a rope channel adjacent to a lever, where the lever is pivotally attached to a pivot pin affixed to the first plate. A substantially rectangular shaped rope clamping cam is pivotally attached above the lever on the same pivot pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Kirk Martin Mauthner
  • Publication number: 20130112511
    Abstract: A descent control device is disclosed manufactured with a bar having holes for guiding a rope used in descent, and a lever designed to pivot or move relative to the bar and compress the opening of one of the holes. Compressing the opening increases friction and slows or stops descent. Control can be from manually moving the lever or by connecting the lever to the descending weight, thereby automatically moving the lever. Hole and pivot geometry may be altered to provide multiple braking options, accommodate varying ropes, and alter normal operating friction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: STERLING ROPE COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Sterling Rope Company, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8365877
    Abstract: An abseiling device for braking a load (16) that is suspended on a rope (14) and may be fastened to the abseiling device (10), with which the rope (14) passes through the abseiling device (10) and is frictionally guided along a section (22), at least one portion of the section (22) being guided by a part (25) of the abseiling device (10) that is movable out of an unloaded starting position relative to a housing (12) of the abseiling device; when a load is suspended, the part (25) generates a frictional force that is a function of the weight of the load (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Suco Robert Scheuffele GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ulrich Kowatsch
  • Publication number: 20120247879
    Abstract: The invention relates to an abseiling device for braking a load (16, 34) guided on a rope (14), the rope (14) running through the abseiling device (10) over a distance (22) in a friction guided manner, at least one section of the distance (22) being guided via a part (25) which can be moved from a load free starting position relative to a housing of the abseiling device (10), said part creating a force on the rope (14) dependent on the weight of the load (16) when a load is suspended, characterized in that a manually actuable adjustment unit (29) is provided, with which the moveable part (25) can be moved into the starting position in which the movable part (25) can apply no or only a small force from the moveable part (25) to the rope (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Ulrich Kowatsch, Peter Stabel, Marcell Kempf
  • Patent number: 8100231
    Abstract: A self-locking comprising a pulley in the form of a rotary cam, a brake shoe, and an actuating handle of a mechanism with an interruptible mechanical link between the pulley and handle after an intermediate position has been passed causing disengagement of the pulley and automatic return of the cam to a locking position. The mechanism comprises a selector with a pushbutton coupled with an operating means designed to occupy an active position or an inactive position to respectively disable or enable said disengagement of the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Zedel
    Inventors: Paul Petzl, Alain Maurice, Pierre Olivier Chabod
  • Publication number: 20110073417
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-arresting rope belay device comprising a cam arranged to clamp the rope when the rope is under tension, and a lever arranged to act on the cam to progressively release the rope by manual action on the lever. The lever acts on the cam respectively with a geared-down effect in an initial part of its release travel, and with a direct effect in a final part of its travel. This results in the relative movement of the cam with respect to the lever being smaller in the initial part of the travel than in the final part, which enables accurate adjustment of the braking effort and of the running speed of the rope in the initial part of travel of the lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: ZEDEL
    Inventors: Michael CHAUMONTET, Christophe Quillard, Alain Maurice, Paul Petzl
  • Patent number: 7533871
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a simple and convenient way to ascend and descend a rope without using a belayer. Embodiments of the invention can smoothly transition from a rope clamping position to a rope unclamping position, conveniently providing an effective rope control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Inventors: Perry L. Everett, Richard C. Everett, Thayne J. Golden
  • Publication number: 20080149433
    Abstract: An escape system for moving a person on a cord on the exterior of a building. The building has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface are substantially perpendicular to each other. The system comprises a control device for controlling the movement of the person on the cord and an anchoring device for reversibly mechanically attaching the control device to the building. The control device is substantially irreversibly mechanically connected to the anchoring device. The anchoring device has a first elongated element and a second elongated element. The first elongated is mechanically connected to the second elongated element. The first elongated element and the second elongated element are configured such that, the first elongated element at least partially rests against the first surface of the building and the second elongated element at least partially rests against the second surface of the building.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Yoav Barzilai
  • Patent number: 7108099
    Abstract: A safety anchor (20) for securing a user to a substantially vertical safety structure, e.g., elevator cable (21). Safety anchor (20) includes a back plate (26) to which are pivotally mounted a roller (28), inner cam assembly (30) and outer cam assembly (32). Each cam assembly (30,32) includes a lever arm (50,36) to which is mounted a cam (52,42). A user (25) is secured by means of carabiners and a short tether cable, for example, to the free ends of lever arms (50,36). Cable (21) threads between cams (52,42) which are pivoted to compress the cable in response to downward force exerted against the lever arms (50, 36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Capital Safety Group EMEA
    Inventor: Bernard R. Ador
  • Patent number: 7007777
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thread brake with a holding means (17), a bearing pin (25), which has an assembly section (24) disposed in the holding means (17) and a bearing section (26) projecting out of the holding means (17), two brake elements (33, 34) displaceably disposed on the bearing section (26) and a pretensioning mechanism intended for adjustment of the braking force. The pretensioning mechanism includes a spring (29) pretensioning the assembly section (24), a tension element (39) attached to the bearing section (26) and an adjusting and protecting member (20), which is disposed to be axially displaceable in the holding means (17) and houses the assembly section (24) and the spring (29). The invention additionally relates to textile machines and thread feed devices equipped with such a thread brake (FIG. 3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: SIPRA Patententwicklungs-und Beteiligungsgesell schaft mbH
    Inventors: Roland Gonser, Johannes Klaszka
  • Patent number: 6732833
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Boris Rogelja
  • Publication number: 20030075392
    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).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Boris Rogelja
  • Patent number: 6446753
    Abstract: A descender includes a frame having opposing first and second plates which define a gap therebetween. Three bearing members are movably interconnected between the plates and linked to an operator. A flexible member has opposite end portions which extend in opposite directions, and an intermediate portion which is routed about the bearing members in a manner which forms a knot. Movement of the operator relative to the frame causes the bearing members to move relative to the frame and thereby loosens or tightens the knotted, intermediate portion of the flexible member about the bearing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Capital Safety Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick J. Novak
  • Patent number: 6378650
    Abstract: A force limiting rope brake includes a pair of rigid first and second side-plates in parallel overlaid array sandwiching therebetween a pivotally mounted pulley. The pulley pivots about a pivot axis extending orthogonally between first and second side-plates. A pair of rigid wedges are rigidly mounted between the first and second side-plates on opposite lateral sides of the pulley. The first and second wedges and the pulley when in the first and second positions define, respectively, first and second gaps, the first and second gaps identical in size and sized so that rope segments journalled through the first and second gaps are compressed in either the first or second gaps when the pulley is rotated into either the first or second positions respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Basecamp Innovations, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kirk Martin Mauthner
  • Patent number: RE45678
    Abstract: A descent control device is disclosed manufactured with a bar having holes for guiding a rope used in descent, and a lever designed to pivot or move relative to the bar and compress the opening of one of the holes. Compressing the opening increases friction and slows or stops descent. Control can be from manually moving the lever or by connecting the lever to the descending weight, thereby automatically moving the lever. Hole and pivot geometry may be altered to provide multiple braking options, accommodate varying ropes, and alter normal operating friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Sterling Rope Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter M. Schwarzenbach, Samuel Morton