# US 11,998,768 B2 · Heat resistant descent controller > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,998,768 B2 - Document ID: US11998768B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/104,854 - Filed: 2023-02-02 - Published: 2023-06-08 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2019-10-16 - Assignees: Tech Safety Lines, Inc. - Applicants: Tech Safety Lines, Inc. - Inventors: Johnny Dickson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11998768B2 ## CPC - A62B 1/14: with brakes sliding on the rope - B61H 9/02: for aerial, e.g. rope, railways - F16D 63/008: {Brakes acting on a linearly moving member} - F16D 65/0979: {acting on the rear side of the pad or an element affixed thereto, e.g. spring clips securing the pad to the brake piston or caliper} - F16D 55/22: by clamping an axially-located rotating disc between movable braking members, e.g. movable brake discs or brake pads - A62B: DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING (valves specially adapted for medical use A61M39/00; life-saving devices, apparatus or methods specially adapted for use in water B63C9/00; divers' equipment B63C11/00; specially adopted for use with aircraft, e.g. parachutes, ejector seats, {B64D17/00, B64D25/10}; rescue devices peculiar to mining E21F11/00) - B61H: BRAKES OR OTHER RETARDING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR RAIL VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR DISPOSITION THEREOF IN RAIL VEHICLES (arrangements in rail vehicles for adjusting wheel-braking force to meet varying vehicular or permanent-way conditions B60T8/00; transmitting braking action from initiating means to ultimate brake actuator with power assistance or drive, brake systems incorporating such transmitting means, e.g. air-pressure brake systems, B60T13/00; construction, arrangement or operation of valves incorporated in power brake systems B60T15/00; component parts, details or accessories of brake systems B60T17/00) - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES ## Abstract A load lowering descent controller having a fixed cylindrical body or capstan about which a rope or cable is turned. The descent controller allows for lowering of the load at a controlled rate by adjusting the amount of friction between the controller and the rope or cable as a function of rope or cable turning and relative contact with rope or cable engagement surfaces in the controller. The fixed cylindrical body or capstan is surrounded by a vented sleeve to prevent the rope from becoming heated and to prevent the user from being injured. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for descent control comprising: a housing comprising a longitudinal capstan portion, the longitudinal capstan portion defining a longitudinal counterbore therein; a plunger disposed within the longitudinal counterbore for movement between a rope releasing position and a rope braking position; a biasing member within the longitudinal counterbore for biasing the plunger toward the rope braking position; a protective sleeve partially enclosing the housing; and a vented sleeve enclosing the protective sleeve, wherein the vented sleeve and the protective sleeve comprise a plurality of vents configured to provide an air flow to the longitudinal capstan portion of the housing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one air gap between the vented sleeve and the protective sleeve. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one air gap is configured to provide increased air flow through an end of the vented sleeve and through the plurality of air vents. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an outer sleeve enclosing the vented sleeve. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the outer sleeve is manufactured from a metallic based composite material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vented sleeve is manufactured from a plastic based composite material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protective sleeve comprises two distinct parts. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vented sleeve has at least one rope aperture at a first end of the vented sleeve separate from the plurality of vents. ### Claim 9 An apparatus for descent control comprising: a housing comprising a longitudinal capstan portion, the longitudinal capstan portion defining a longitudinal counterbore therein; a plunger disposed within the longitudinal counterbore for movement between a rope releasing position and a rope braking position; a biasing member within the longitudinal counterbore for biasing the plunger toward the rope braking position; a protective sleeve partially enclosing the housing; and a vented sleeve enclosing the protective sleeve, wherein the vented sleeve forms at least one air gap between the vented sleeve and the protective sleeve. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the vented sleeve is manufactured from a plastic based composite material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the protective sleeve is manufactured from a metallic based composite material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the protective sleeve comprises two distinct parts. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the vented sleeve forms a plurality of air gaps between the vented sleeve and the protective sleeve. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a metallic sleeve partially enclosing the vented sleeve. ### Claim 15 A vented sleeve for use with a rope operated device comprising: a cylindrical body comprised of a circumferential wall having an inner surface and an outer surface; at least two vents passing from the outer surface to the inner surface; a top at a first end of the vented sleeve, awl-the top defining a rope aperture; a second end opposing the first end, the second end being open to allow the rope operated device to be at least partially inserted within the vented sleeve; and a plurality of offset bridges formed along the inner surface of the cylindrical body; and at least one partial separation support between the at least two vents, wherein the at least one partial separation support has a depth less than that between the outer surface and the inner surface of the cylindrical body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The vented sleeve of claim 15, wherein the vented sleeve further comprises at least one separation support between the at least two vents. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The vented sleeve of claim 15, wherein the height of the offset bridges extending from the circumferential wall is greater than the thickness of the circumferential wall. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The vented sleeve of claim 15, wherein the height of the offset bridges extending from the circumferential wall is less than the thickness of the circumferential wall. ### Claim 19 A vented sleeve for use with a rope operated device comprising: a cylindrical body comprised of a circumferential wall having an inner surface and an outer surface; at least one vent passing from the outer surface to the inner surface; a top at a first end of the vented sleeve, the top defining a rope aperture; a second end opposing the first end, the second end being open to allow the rope operated device to be at least partially inserted within the vented sleeve; and a plurality of offset bridges formed along the inner surface of the cylindrical body, wherein a height of the offset bridges extending from the circumferential wall is greater than a thickness of the circumferential wall. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The vented sleeve of claim 19, wherein the at least one vent comprises at least two vents. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The vented sleeve of claim 20, wherein the vented sleeve further comprises at least one separation support between the at least two vents. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The vented sleeve of claim 20, wherein the vented sleeve further comprises at least one partial separation support between the at least two vents. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The vented sleeve of claim 22, wherein the at least one partial separation support has a depth less than that between the outer surface and the inner surface of the cylindrical body.