Descent assist device for powered ascenders
AssigneeAtlas Devices, LLC
InventorsNathan Ball, Daniel Walker, Benjamin Gallup
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A descent assist device for powered ascenders is discussed herein. In one embodiment, the descent assist device can include a base plate having a first guide surface, a capstan peg, a second guide surface, and a retention loop extending from the first guide surface to the second guide surface configured to retain a rope on the descent assist device. Where the angle of wrapping of the rope around the first guide surface and the capstan peg is constant during use and the angle of wrapping of the rope around the second guide surface is adjustable by the user of the device to increase or decrease the frictional drag of the rope.
Claims24
A powered rope ascender operational in ascending and descending modes, comprising:
- a reversible drive source;
- at least one rotating rope pulling jaw, the jaw connected to the reversible drive source so as to be rotated in a first, ascending direction and a second, opposed descending direction, the at least one rotating rope pulling jaw having a plurality of forward sweeping rope gripping features when operated in the ascending direction;
- a friction increasing descent assist device configured to provide a rope path having at least three guide surfaces around which a rope disposed in the rope path wraps angularly including a first, superior guide surface, a second laterally spaced capstan guide surface, and a third inferior guide surface,
- wherein the first and third guide surfaces form superior and inferior ends of a retention loop, and the second guide surface is provided on a capstan peg that is laterally spaced from the retention loop, and
- wherein the friction increasing descent assist device enhances operation of the powered rope ascender when operating in the descending mode.
A descent assist device for use with a powered ascender comprising:
- a rope;
- a base plate;
- a first guide surface located on a superior portion of the base plate;
- a capstan peg laterally spaced from the first guide surface on the base plate, the capstan peg including a second guide surface;
- a third guide surface located on the base plate in an inferior direction from the first guide surface;
- and
- a retention loop extending from the first guide surface to the third guide surface and substantially fixed with respect to the base plate, the retention loop being configured to retain the rope on the descent assist device;
- wherein an angle of wrapping of the rope around the first guide surface and the second guide surface is constant during use and the angle of wrapping of the rope around the third guide surface is adjustable by the user of the device to increase or decrease the frictional drag of the rope.
A descent assist device for use with a powered ascender comprising:
- a rope;
- a base plate;
- a first guide surface located on a superior portion of the base plate;
- a capstan peg laterally spaced from the first guide surface on the base plate, the capstan peg including a second guide surface;
- a third guide surface located on the base plate in an inferior direction from the first guide surface;
- and
- a retention loop having a first end and a second, opposed end that are each coupled to the base plate, the retention loop being configured to retain the rope on the descent assist device,
- wherein an angle of wrapping of the rope around the first guide surface and the second guide surface is constant during use and the angle of wrapping of the rope around the third guide surface is adjustable by the user of the device to increase or decrease the frictional drag of the rope.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.