TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a descender. In particular, this invention relates to a descender for assisting in descending of a person or object along a rope. The descender can be used for rope access work and mountain climbing activities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a descender including: - a body having a base portion and a cover portion which define a passage therebetween for receiving a flexible elongate member displaceably therethrough; a connecting arrangement for interconnecting the base and cover portions of the body and allowing displacement thereof between a closed condition and an open access condition wherein the flexible elongate member may be placed into the passage; a first aperture defined in the cover portion which is configured to receive a loop-like connecting member therein; a second aperture defined in the base portion which is configured to be in register with the first aperture in the closed condition for allowing the loop-like connecting member to be received by both first and second apertures in operation; a slot defined in a side region of the base portion and configured to lead into the second aperture for allowing a user to separate and remove the loop-like member from the base portion; and a controller for controlling displacement of the flexible elongate member through the passage when a person or object connected thereto is descended.

The flexible elongate member may be in the form of a rope, cord, cable or the like typically being used for hauling, hoisting or climbing purposes, preferably being a rope. The loop-like connecting member may be in the form of a carabiner.

The descender may be manufactured from any suitable metal such as steel.

The passage may be sized and/or shaped to receive the rope in a snug fitting manner. In particular, the passage may have a width in the range of 10mm to 20mm, preferably being 13mm.

The connecting arrangement may include male-female engagement formations defined on inner side walls of the cover and base portions of the body. The male-female engagement formations may be sized and/or shaped to receive each other in a press fit manner. The engagement formations may be configured to permit pivotal displacement between the base and cover portions between the closed and open conditions. The connecting arrangement may further include a pin which may extend between and interconnect the base and cover portions and allow pivotal displacement therebetween. The pin may be configured to be received by corresponding apertures in the base and cover portions in the region of the male- female engagement formations.

The first aperture may have a generally elongate shape and may define a broader portion and a narrower portion for receiving the carabiner in a loose fit and a tight fit, respectively. The broader portion may be sized so as to permit displacement of the carabiner through the first aperture, preferably providing a loose fit therebetween. The broader portion may have a width in the range of 15mm to 25mm, preferably being about 20mm. The narrower portion may be sized so as to inhibit displacement of the carabiner through the first aperture, preferably providing a tight fit therebetween. The narrower portion may have a width in the range of 13mm to 23mm, preferably being about 18mm. In particular, the narrower portion of the first aperture may be configured to facilitate retention of the cover portion in the closed condition when the carabiner is received therein.

The second aperture may have a generally elongate shape and may have a width or diameter in the range of 10mm to 14mm, preferably being about 12mm. The second aperture may be sized, shaped and/or configured to correspond generally to the size, shape and/or configuration of the first aperture, preferably having corresponding broader and narrower portions.

The slot may be configured to extend from the side region of the base portion into the broader portion of the second aperture. The slot may be sized, shaped and/or configured to allow displacement of the base portion and the cover portion between the open and closed conditions when a carabiner is received by the broader portions of the first and second apertures. The slot may have a width in the range of 10mm to 18mm, preferably being about 14mm. It is to be appreciated that in order to release the carabiner from the base portion, the carabiner need not be opened and may be simply moved through and out of the slot.

A retaining member may be provided for retaining the cover portion in the closed condition. The retaining member may include a releasable latch. The releasable latch may include an actuating member connected thereto for allowing operation of the retaining member, preferably allowing releasing thereof for permitting displacement of the cover portion towards the open access condition. The actuating member may be configured to extend through an access aperture defined in the cover portion for allowing user access to the actuating member. The actuating member may be in the form of a button. It is to be appreciated that in order to allow displacement of the cover portion relative the base portion, the button must be pressed while displacing the carabiner towards the broader portion of the first and second apertures defined in the cover portion and base portion, respectively. A fastening arrangement may be provided for allowing the base and cover portions of the body to be fastened together in the closed condition so as to prevent tampering with the orientation of the rope in the closed condition. The fastening arrangement may include corresponding screw-threaded apertures which extend through the base and cover portions respectively, for receiving a screw-threaded fastener therethrough. The screw-threaded apertures may be configured to align with each other when the base and cover portions are in the closed condition.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a controller for a descender including a body having a base portion and a cover portion which define a passage therebetween for receiving a flexible elongate member displaceably therethrough and a connecting arrangement for interconnecting the base and cover portions of the body and allowing displacement thereof between a closed condition and an open access condition wherein the flexible elongate member may be placed into the passage, the controller including: - a friction regulating member for regulating frictional force imparted onto the flexible elongate member while being displaced through the passage; and a displacement arrangement for allowing displacement of the friction regulating member between a first locked condition wherein the frictional force imparted onto the flexible elongate member is sufficient to inhibit displacement thereof through the passage, a release condition wherein the frictional force imparted onto the flexible elongate member is sufficient to allow displacement thereof through the passage and a second locked condition.

The friction regulating member may be mounted, preferably displaceably, on an inner side wall of the base portion defining the passage. The friction regulating member may be in the form of a cam which may be positioned so as to permit contact between an outer circumferential surface thereof and the elongate flexible member, typically in the form of a rope, when the rope is seated in the passage. In particular, the cam may be pivotably mounted on the side wall for allowing pivotal displacement thereof in operation. The outer circumferential surface of the cam may be shaped so as to permit a variation in frictional force imparted onto the rope during pivotal displacement of the cam relative the base portion. In particular, the outer circumferential surface of the cam may include a protrusion which may be configured to define a squeezing zone between the cam and side walls of the passage for allowing the rope to be squeezed therebetween in use. Further, the outer circumferential surface of the cam may include one or more recessed regions which may be sized, shaped and/or configured to receive the rope, at least partially, therein and permit displacement of the rope through the passage during the release condition.

A biasing assembly may be provided for biasing the cam towards the first locked condition. The biasing assembly may include a spring which is configured to be received by a hole extending through the cam, preferably extending between opposing sides thereof. The biasing assembly may further include a contact member arranged at one end of the spring which is configured to be urged out of the hole by the spring and come into contact with the base portion. In particular, the contact member may be in the form of ball which is configured to be urged partially into a complementally shaped recess defined in the base portion when the hole and the complementary recess are in alignment in the first locked condition. The biasing assembly may yet further include a tube member which may be sized, shaped and/or configured to fit between the spring and side walls of the hole for guiding the displacement of the spring and the contact member during displacement of the cam. It is to be appreciated that the biasing assembly serves to cause the cam to jump back into the first locked condition when a user lets go of the descender.

The displacement arrangement may include a lever which may be pivotably mounted on the body, preferably being mounted on an outer side wall of the base portion. The displacement arrangement may further include a connecting member, preferably in the form of a connecting rod, for interconnecting the lever and the cam such that displacement of the lever relative the base portion causes displacement of the cam relative the body. The displacement arrangement may further include a first biasing means for biasing the lever toward a neutral position wherein the lever is in lay flat abutment with the outer side wall of the base portion. The first biasing means may be in the form of a spring arrangement, preferably being a torsional spring arrangement. The displacement arrangement may be configured to allow displacement of the cam between the first locked condition, wherein the lever is in the neutral position, toward the release condition wherein the lever is in a partially extended position and further toward the second locked condition wherein the lever is in a fully extended position.

A gripping zone may be defined on a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the cam for allowing a user to displace the cam with a finger, preferably a thumb. The gripping zone may be shaped and/or configured to protrude out of the body during the closed condition for allowing a user access thereto in operation.

The cam may include heat dissipating means, preferably in the form of fins, for allowing heat to be dissipated therefrom during operation. The fins may be configured to extend between and interconnect a central point of the cam and the outer circumferential surface thereof. It is to be appreciated that the friction between the rope and the cam during displacement of the rope through the passage in operation causes a significant amount of heat to be generated which may reduce the life span of the cam.

A spacer member may be mounted on the body, preferably being mounted on an outer side wall of the base portion, for spacing the body away from a surface or edge when the body is lying thereon, thereby allowing a user to displace the lever relative the body. In particular, the spacer member may be in the form of a generally elongate ridge which may extend along a length of the base portion.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an inhibitor for a descender including a body having a base portion and a cover portion which define a passage therebetween for receiving a flexible elongate member displaceably therethrough, a connecting arrangement for interconnecting the base and cover portions of the body and allowing displacement thereof between a closed condition and an open access condition wherein the flexible elongate member may be placed into the passage and a controller for controlling displacement of the flexible elongate member through the passage when a person or object connected thereto is descended, the inhibitor including: - a gripping member mounted in the passage for inhibiting displacement of the flexible elongate member relative the passage in an incorrect direction.

The gripping member may be mounted, preferably displaceably, on an inner side wall of the base portion defining the passage. The gripping member may be pivotably mounted on the side wall in the vicinity of the controller, preferably being in the form of a cam, for allowing pivotal displacement between an inoperative neutral condition wherein displacement of the flexible elongate member, typically in the form of a rope, through the passage in one direction is permitted and an operative gripping condition wherein displacement of the rope in an opposite direction causes the gripping member to grip, rotate and force the rope against the cam thereby inhibiting further displacement thereof through the passage in the opposite direction. The gripping member may have a generally L-shape, a height of the L-shape preferably being configured to force the rope against the cam in the operating gripping condition and a base of the L-shape preferably being configured to facilitate gripping of the rope during displacement thereof through the passage in the opposite direction. The gripping member may include a gripping formation for further facilitating gripping of the rope. The gripping formation may be in the form of any suitable formation such as a plurality of ridges, protrusions or teeth, preferably being a plurality of spine-like members extending away from the height of the L-shape. More particularly, the spine-like members may extend away from the gripping member at an angle for allowing the rope to slide over the spine-like members when displaced in one direction and to be gripped or hooked by the spine-like members when displaced in the opposite direction. It is to be appreciated that the inhibitor serves to inhibit displacement of the rope relative the passage typically when it has been placed into the passage the incorrect way around and a person or object connected to an opposing end region of the rope, falls from an elevated position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A descender, controller and inhibitor in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of the following, non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: - Figure 1 is a plan view of the descender in accordance with a first aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a portion of the descender;

Figure 3 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the descender;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the base portion of the body of the descender showing a lever in a neutral position corresponding to a first locked condition;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the base portion of the body of the descender showing the lever in a partially extended position corresponding to a released condition;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the base portion of the body of the descender showing the lever in a fully extended position corresponding to a second locked position;

Figure 7 is an enlarged three-dimensional schematic of a part of a controller in accordance with a second aspect of the invention;

Figure 8 is a three-dimensional view showing a rear view of the base portion; Figure 9 is a side view of the descender lying on an edge during operation;

Figure 10 is a plan view of the body in an operative gripping condition when a rope is positioned in the passage the incorrect way around. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to a first embodiment of the invention as shown in the drawings, reference numeral 10 refers generally to a descender in accordance with the invention. The descender 10 includes a body 12 having a base portion 14 and a cover portion 16 which define a passage 18 therebetween for receiving a flexible elongate member in the form of a rope 20 displaceably therethrough, a connecting arrangement 22 for interconnecting the base and cover portions 14 and 16, of the body 12 and allowing displacement thereof between a closed condition and an open access condition wherein the rope 20 may be placed into the passage 18, a first aperture 24 defined in the cover portion 16 which is configured to receive a loop-like connecting member in the form of a carabiner 26 therein, a second aperture 28 defined in the base portion 14 which is configured to be in register with the first aperture 24 in the closed condition for allowing the carabiner 26 to be received by both first and second apertures 24 and 28 in operation, a slot 30 defined in a side region 32 of the base portion 14 and configured to lead into the second aperture 28 for allowing a user to separate and remove the carabiner from the base portion 14, a controller 34 for controlling displacement of the rope 20 through the passage 18 when a person or object (not shown) connected thereto is descended.

The descender 10 is manufactured from steel.

The passage 18 is sized and shaped to receive rope 20 in a snug fitting manner. In particular, the passage 18 has a width of 13mm. The connecting arrangement 22 includes male-female engagement formations 36.1 and 36.2 defined on inner side walls 38 and 40 of the base and cover portions of the body, respectively. The male-female engagement formations 36 are sized and shaped to receive each other in a press fit manner. The engagement formations 36 are configured to permit pivotal displacement between the base and cover portions 14 and 16 between the closed and open conditions. The connecting arrangement 22 includes a pin 23 which extends between and interconnects the base and cover portions 14 and 16, respectively, and allow pivotal displacement therebetween. The pin 23 is configured to be received by corresponding apertures 25 in the base and cover portions in the region of the male-female engagement formations 36.

The first aperture 24 has a generally elongate shape and defines a broader portion 42 and a narrower portion 44 for receiving the carabiner 26 in a loose fit and a tight fit, respectively. The broader portion 42 is sized so as to permit displacement of the carabiner 26 through the first aperture 24, typically providing a loose fit therebetween. The broader portion 42 has a width of about 20mm. The narrower portion 44 is sized so as to inhibit displacement of the carabiner 26 through the first aperture 24, typically providing a tight fit therebetween. The narrower portion 44 has a width of about 18mm. In particular, the narrower portion 44 of the first aperture 24 is configured to facilitate retention of the cover portion 16 in the closed condition when the carabiner 26 is received therein.

The second aperture 28 has a generally elongate shape and has a width in the range of 10mm to 14mm, typically being 12mm. The second aperture 28 is sized, shaped and configured to correspond generally to the size, shape and configuration of the first aperture, typically having corresponding broader and narrower portions 46 and 48, respectively.

The slot 30 is configured to extend from the side region 32 of the base portion

14 into the broader portion 46 of the second aperture 28. The slot 30 is sized, shaped and configured to allow displacement of the base portion 16 and the cover portion 16 between the open and closed conditions when a carabiner 26 is received by the broader portions 42 and 46 of the first and second apertures 24 and 28, respectively. The slot 30 has a width in the range of 10mm to 18mm, typically being 14mm. It is to be appreciated that in order to release the carabiner 26 from the base portion 14, the carabiner 26 need not be opened and may be simply moved through and out of the slot 30.

A retaining member 50 is provided for retaining the cover portion 16 in the operative closed condition. The retaining member 50 includes a releasable latch (not shown) and an actuating member 52 connected to the releasable latch for allowing operation of the retaining member 50, typically allowing releasing thereof for allowing displacement of the cover portion 16 towards the open access condition. The actuating member 52 is configured to extend through an access aperture 54 defined in the cover portion 16 for allowing user access to the actuating member 52. The actuating member 52 is in the form of a button 56. It is to be appreciated that in order to allow displacement of the cover portion 16 relative the base portion 12, the button 56 must be pressed while displacing the carabiner 26 towards the broader portions 42 and 46 of the first and second apertures 24 and 28 defined in the base and cover portions 14 and 16, respectively.

A fastening arrangement 108 is provided for allowing the base and cover portions 14 and 16 of the body 12 to be fastened together in the closed condition so as to prevent tampering with the orientation of the rope 20 in the closed condition. The fastening arrangement 108 includes corresponding screw-threaded apertures 110 and 112 which extend through the base and cover portions 14 and 16, respectively, for receiving a screw-threaded fastener (not shown) therethrough. The screw-threaded apertures 110 and 112 are configured to align with each other when the base and cover portions 14 and 16 are in the closed condition. Referring now to a second embodiment of the invention, reference numeral 34 generally depicts a controller for a descender 10, the descender 10 including a body 12 having a base portion 14 and a cover portion 16 which define a passage 18 therebetween for receiving a flexible elongate member in the form of a rope 20 displaceably therethrough and a connecting arrangement 22 for interconnecting the base and cover portions 14 and 16 of the body 12, respectively, and allowing displacement thereof between a closed condition and an open access condition wherein the rope 20 may be placed into the passage. The controller 34 includes a friction regulating member in the form of a cam 58 for regulating frictional force imparted onto the rope 20 while being displaced through the passage 18 and a displacement arrangement 60 for allowing displacement of the cam 58 between a first locked condition wherein the frictional force imparted onto the rope 20 is sufficient to inhibit displacement thereof through the passage 18, a release condition wherein the frictional force imparted onto the rope 20 is sufficient to allow displacement thereof through the passage 18 and a second locked condition.

The cam 58 is mounted displaceably on the inner side wall 38 of the base portion 14 defining the passage 18. The cam 58 is positioned so as to permit contact between an outer circumferential surface 62 thereof and the rope 20 when the rope 20 is seated in the passage 18. In particular, the cam 58 is pivotably mounted on the side wall 38 for allowing pivotal displacement thereof in operation. The outer circumferential surface 62 of the cam 58 is shaped so as to permit a variation in frictional force imparted onto the rope 20 during pivotal displacement of the cam 58 relative the base portion 14. In particular, the outer side surface 62 of the cam 58 includes a protrusion 64 which is configured to define a squeezing zone 66 between the cam 58 and side walls 67 of the passage 18 for allowing the rope 20 to be squeezed therebetween in use. Further, the outer side surface 62 of the cam 58 includes one or more recessed regions 68 which are sized, shaped and configured to receive the rope 20, at least partially, therein and permit displacement of the rope 20 through the passage 18 during the release condition. A biasing assembly 96 is provided for biasing the cam 58 towards the first locked condition. The biasing assembly 96 includes a spring 98 which is configured to be received by a hole 100 extending through the cam 58, typically extending between opposing sides thereof. The biasing assembly 96 further includes a contact member in the form of a ball 102 arranged at one end of the spring 98 which is configured to be urged out of the hole 100 by the spring and come into contact with the base portion 14. In particular, the ball 102 is configured to be urged partially into a complementally shaped recess 104 defined in the base portion 14 when the hole 100 and the complementary recess 104 are in alignment in the first locked condition. The biasing assembly 96 yet further includes a tube member 106 which is sized, shaped and configured to fit between the spring 98 and side walls of the hole (not shown) for guiding the displacement of the spring 98 and the ball 102 during displacement of the cam 58 relative the base portion 14. It is to be appreciated that the biasing assembly 96 serves to cause the cam 58 to jump back into the first locked condition when a user lets go of the descender 10.

The displacement arrangement 60 includes a lever 70 which is pivotably mounted on the body 12, typically being mounted on an outer side wall 72 of the base portion 14. The displacement arrangement 60 includes a connecting member in the form of a connecting rod 74 for interconnecting the lever 70 and the cam 58 such that displacement of the lever 70 relative the base portion 14 causes displacement of the cam 58 relative the body 12. The displacement arrangement 60 further includes a biasing means in the form of a spring arrangement (not shown) for biasing the lever 70 toward a neutral position wherein the lever 70 is in lay flat abutment with the outer side wall 72 of the base portion 14. The spring arrangement (not shown) is in the form of a torsional spring arrangement (not shown). The displacement arrangement 60 is configured to allow displacement of the cam 58 between the first locked condition, wherein the lever 70 is in the neutral position, toward the release condition wherein the lever 70 is in a partially extended position and further toward the second locked condition wherein the lever 70 is in a fully extended position. A gripping zone 76 is defined on a portion of the outer circumferential surface 62 of the cam 58 for allowing a user to displace the cam 58 with a finger, typically a thumb. The gripping zone 76 is shaped and configured to protrude out of the body 12 during the closed condition for allowing a user access thereto in operation.

The cam 58 includes heat dissipating means in the form of fins 78 for allowing heat to be dissipated therefrom during operation. The fins 78 are configured to extend between and interconnect a central point of the cam 58 and the outer circumferential surface 68 thereof. It is to be appreciated that friction between the rope 20 and the cam 58 during displacement of the rope 20 through the passage 18 in operation causes a significant amount of heat to be generated which may reduce the life span of the cam 58.

A spacer member in the form of a ridge 80 is mounted on the body 12, typically being mounted on the outer side wall 72 of the base portion 14, for spacing the body 12 away from an edge 82 and allowing a user to operate and displace the lever 70 when the body 12 is lying on the edge 82. In particular, the ridge 80 is generally elongate and extends along a length of the base portion 14.

Referring now to a third embodiment of the invention, reference numeral 84 generally depicts an inhibitor for a descender, the descender including a body 12 having a base portion 14 and a cover portion 16 which define a passage 18 therebetween for receiving a flexible elongate member in the form of a rope 20 displaceably therethrough, a connecting arrangement 22 for interconnecting the base and cover portions 14 and 16 of the body 12, respectively, and allowing displacement thereof between a closed condition and an open access condition wherein the rope 20 may be placed into the passage 18 and a controller 34 for controlling displacement of the rope 20 through the passage 18 when a person or object (not shown) connected thereto is descended. The inhibitor 84 includes a gripping member 86 mounted in the passage 18 for inhibiting displacement of the rope 20 relative the passage 18 in an incorrect direction. The gripping member 86 is displaceably mounted on the inner side wall 38 of the base portion 14 defining the passage 18. The gripping member 86 is rotatably mounted on the side wall 38 in the vicinity of the cam 58 for allowing rotation between an inoperative neutral condition wherein displacement of the rope 20 through the passage 18 in one direction is permitted and an operative gripping condition wherein displacement of the rope 20 in an opposite direction causes the gripping member 86 to grip, rotate and force the rope 20 against the cam 58, thereby inhibiting further displacement thereof through the passage 18 in the opposite direction. The gripping member 86 has a generally L- shape, a height 88 of the L-shape typically being configured to force the rope 20 against the cam 58 in the operating gripping condition and a base 90 of the L-shape typically being configured to facilitate gripping of the rope 20 during displacement thereof through the passage 18 in the opposite direction. The gripping member 86 includes a gripping formation 92 for further facilitating gripping of the rope 20. The gripping formation 92 is in the form of any suitable formation such as a plurality of ridges, protrusions or teeth, typically being a plurality of spine-like members 94 extending away from the height 88 of the L-shape. More particularly, the spine-like members 94 extend away from the gripping member 86 at an angle for allowing the rope 20 to slide over the spine-like members 94 when displaced in one direction and to be hooked by the spine-like members 94 when displaced in the opposite direction. It is to be appreciated that the inhibitor 84 serves to inhibit displacement of the rope 20 relative the passage 18 typically when it has been placed into the passage 18 the incorrect way around and a person or object (not shown) connected to an opposing end region (not shown) of the rope 20, falls from an elevated position.

It is, of course, to be appreciated that the descender in accordance with the invention is not limited to the precise constructional and functional details as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings and which may be varied as desired.

The inventor believes the descender in accordance with the invention to be advantageous in that it allows a user to insert and remove a rope from the descender without completely disconnecting the descender from the carabiner. This feature prevents dropping of and consequent damage to the descender in use.

The inventor believes the controller for the descender to be advantageous in that it remains in a locked condition when a user is merely hanging on the rope. Further, the controller provides a safety mechanism in that in order to facilitate movement, i.e. displacement of the rope through the passage, controlled operation of the lever is required to move it into the release condition.

The inventor believes the inhibitor for the descender to be advantageous in that it is capable of arresting a fall when the rope is inserted into the passage incorrectly. The inhibitor accommodates beginners who may potentially place the rope incorrectly inside the passage which would usually lead to a fall.