Controlled descent device
AssigneeMine Safety Applicances Company
InventorsPhilip H. Schreiber, Timothy W. Ecker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A controlled descent device for use in industrial or recreational settings for controlled descent of a user from an upper level to a lower level. The device comprises principally a steel housing, an internal spring-loaded drum on which a webbing line is wound, and an attachment to a harness worn by a user. A centrifugal brake mechanism which acts upon the drum to limit the rate of descent includes a manufactured one-way bearing. The line constituent provides increased shock absorbing capabilities and is field replaceable.
Claims19
A controlled descent device comprising:
- a housing;
- a rotatable drum supported within said housing;
- a line constructed of flat webbing wound around said drum adapted for extraction and retraction from said housing;
- a brake mechanism for engaging said drum to produce a resisting force during line extraction wherein said brake mechanism includes a pinion gear with a shaft supported on said housing, and a brake hub supported on said shaft by said one-way bearing;
- and
- a manufactured mechanism linking said brake mechanism to said drum for producing a rotational motion in one direction and fixed motion in the opposite direction.
In a controlled descent device including a housing, a rotatable drum supported within said housing, a line wound around said drum adapted for extraction and retraction from said housing, a brake mechanism for engaging said drum to produce a resisting force during line extraction;
- wherein the improvement comprises a manufactured mechanism linking said brake mechanism to said drum for producing a rotational motion in one direction and fixed motion in the opposite direction and wherein said line further comprising a flat webbing having an internal permanent portion and a distal replaceable portion, said permanent portion and said replaceable portion having ends joined by a linkage, whereby said replaceable portion is adapted to be replaced when worn.
A controlled descent device comprising:
- a housing;
- a rotatable drum supported within said housing;
- a line constructed of flat webbing wound around said drum adapted for extraction and retraction from said housing;
- and
- wherein said line further comprises an internal permanent portion and a distal replaceable portion, said permanent portion and said replaceable portion having ends joined by a linkage, whereby said replaceable portion is adapted to be replaced when worn.
A controlled descent device comprising:
- a housing;
- a rotatable drum supported within said housing;
- a line wound around said drum adapted for extraction and retraction from said housing;
- a brake mechanism for engaging said drum to produce a resisting force during line extraction wherein said brake mechanism includes a pinion gear with a shaft supported on said housing, and a brake hub supported on said shaft by said one-way bearing;
- and
- a manufactured mechanism linking said brake mechanism to said drum for producing a rotational motion in one direction and fixed motion in the opposite direction, and wherein said manufactured mechanism is a one-way bearing.
A controlled descent device comprising:
- a housing;
- a rotatable drum supported within said housing;
- a line wound around said drum adapted for extraction and retraction from said housing;
- wherein said line further comprises an internal permanent portion and a distal replaceable portion, said permanent portion and said replaceable portion having ends joined by a linkage, whereby said replaceable portion is adapted to be replaced when worn;
- wherein each of said joined ends has a loop;
- and
- wherein said linkage comprises one of the following:
- a cylinder supported within each loop and a bolt passing through holes formed in each loop and through each cylinder;
- a screw lock link passing through the loops;
- and
- a plate supported within each said loop, and at least one screw passing through the loops and plates.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.