Systems and Methods for Controlling Rope

A method of controlling movement of rope defining a first rope end,

• a second rope end, and first and second rope portions between the first and second rope ends, the method comprising the steps of:
• providing a main part defining a central opening, first and second side portions, first and second end portions, first and second pairs of projection portions extending the first and second end portions, respectively, first and second notches formed between the projection portions of the first and second pairs of projection portions, respectively, and a friction surface at junctures of the first and second end portions and each of the first and second pairs of projection portions adjacent extending therefrom;
• and
• providing a bar defining a bar opening and a bar notch;
• pivotably connecting the bar to the first side portion by extending the first side portion through the bar opening;
• arranging the bar in a first position in which the bar is not in contact the second side portion to allow the first rope portion to be arranged within the central opening and at least partly around the bar without access to the first and second rope ends;
• arranging the bar in a second position in which the bar notch receives the second side portion such that
• the main part and the bar define first and second opening portions of the central opening, and
• the first rope portion extends through the first and second opening portions and at least partly around the bar;
• passing the second rope portion through at least one of the first notch and the second notch;
• and
• placing the rope under tension such that the second rope portion frictionally engages one of the friction surfaces.

A rope control device for controlling defining a first rope end, a second rope end, and first and second rope portions between the first and second rope ends, the rope control device comprising:

• a main part defining
• a central opening,
• first and second side portions,
• first and second end portions,
• first and second projection portions extending from the first end portion, where the first and second end portions define a first notch,
• third and fourth projection portions extending from the second end portion, where the third and fourth end portions define a second notch, and
• first, second, third, and fourth friction surfaces formed at junctures of the first end portion with the first projection portion, the first end portion with the second projection portion, the second end portion with the third projection portion, and the second end portion with the fourth projection portion, respectively;
• and
• a bar comprising a first bar part and a second bar part, where the first bar part defines a bar notch;
• whereby
• the second bar part is attached to the first bar part such that:
• the first side portion extends through a bar opening to form the bar, and
• the bar is pivotably connected to the first side portion for rotation between
• a first position in which the bar is not in contact the second side portion and
• a second position in which the bar notch receives the second side portion;
• the bar is arranged in the first position to allow the first rope portion to be passed through the central opening and at least partly around the first bar part;
• and
• 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 first rope portion extends through the first and second opening portions and at least partly around the bar part;
• the second rope portion is passed through one of the first and second notches;
• and
• the second rope portion frictionally engages at least one of the one of the first, second, third, and fourth end friction surfaces when the rope is under tension.