Related Application

The instant application is a continuation-in-part of Application No. PCT/US2021/024693, filed March 29, 2021 and currently pending, which is a continuation of Provisional Application No. 63/001,709, filed March 30, 2020 now expired.

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a caving/climbing rope. More particularly, the invention relates to a rope having one or more light transmitting members therein to allow communication through the rope between individuals on either end.

Background of the Invention

Cavers and climbers often traverse into caves and are out of sight of one another.

In caves, communication between individuals is often difficult and or impossible.

These difficulties are most apparent when teams are separated by vertical sections of a cave passage. Vertical drops more than a few feet require a secured rope along with personal climbing/descending aides for each individual. Depending on the length and dimensions of the vertical passage, the group at the bottom of the rope can become isolated from the rest of the team and unable to communicate. This happens because the cave passage prevents line of sight visual contact, the surrounding rocks muffle or completely prevent voice communication, and the rock prevents radio and or cellular communication. Additionally, the winding passages and re-belays, i.e. rope tie-offs, can prevent individuals from "tugging on the end of the rope" to get a signal to other members of the party. Indeed only about 50 feet of sinewy cave passage can prevent visual, audio, and even radio signals, effectively isolating all team members on either end of the rope.

The prior art devices have lights on ropes, but these are not useful for communication between members of a climbing party. These ropes include a string of lights powered by a connected power source such as a battery and are chiefly used for decoration. There are also different types of rope made of composite materials or having a braided pattern. However, there is no known caving or climbing rope incorporating a means for communicating between climbing party members using the rope. These and other shortcomings of the prior art devices are addressed by the present invention.

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a caving/climbing rope that provides a means for communication through the rope between individuals. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a rope allowing individuals to communicate with each other in emergency or rescue operations. Still another objective of the invention is to provide a rope which is durable, of simple construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and resistant to abrasion that is experienced during normal usage. A further objective is to provide a rope with integral communications features that is not affected by kinks or knots in the rope. A still further objective is to provide a rope with integral communications features that is not adversely affected by heat, cold, mud or moisture. Yet a further objective is to provide a rope in which communication features will not be degraded by passing the rope through climbing accessories that use either toothed mechanisms or apply friction or exterior stress the rope. A final objective is to provide a climbing/caving rope that allows communication between party members in a variety of ways.

While some of the objectives of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found address all of the requirements identified. Summary of the Invention

1) A fiber optic communication rope providing the desired features may be constructed from the following components. A core is provided. The core is formed of material providing tensile strength to the rope. The core has a first end and a second end. A sheath is provided. The sheath surrounds and provides a protective outer surface for the core. The sheath is formed of material suitable for use with toothed or frictional climbing equipment. At least one light transmitting member is provided. The light transmitting member extends from at least the first end to at least the second end of the core. 2) In a variant of the invention, the sheath is formed of durable, flexible woven, braided, plaited or twisted material.

3) In another variant, the at least one light transmitting member is encased in a protective cladding material.

4) In still another variant, the at least one light transmitting member comprises at least three light transmitting members.

5) In yet another variant, the at least three light transmitting members are spaced radially about a center axis of a braided, twisted, woven or solid core climbing or caving rope.

6) In a further variant, the at least one light transmitting member is unclad.

7) In still a further variant, the core is formed of material selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyesters, polyethylene, aramids and acrylics.

8) In yet a further variant, the at least one light transmitting member is formed of material selected from the group consisting of Acrylic glass, silica, Fluoride glass, Phosphate glass and Chalcogenide glass. 9) In another variant of the invention, the at least one light transmitting member is formed of polymer compounds selected from the group consisting of Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC) and fiber based on amorphous fluoropolymer (poly (perfluoro- butenylvinyl ether) (CYTOP). 10) In still another variant, at least one convex bulb is provided. The at least one convex bulb is removably attached to at least one of the first and second ends of the rope, to render more visible light transmitted through the at least one light transmitting member.

11) In yet another variant, the convex bulb further includes at least one light emitting diode (LED), circuitry and a power source for the at least one LED, the at least one LED provides a source of light for transmission via the light transmitting member.

12) In a further variant, the at least one LED comprises LEDs of at least two different colors, to assist in signaling.

13) In still a further variant, a device is provided for mounting a cell phone to position at least one of a camera or a flashlight of the cell phone to align with at least one of a first end and a second end of the light transmitting member.

14) In yet a further variant, a cell phone application is provided. The cell phone application provides text, voice or video communications using the light transmitting member.

15) In another variant of the invention, a first connector is provided for at least one end of the core. The first connector is adapted to connect the light transmitting member to an optical port on a computer.

16) In still another variant, a second connector is located between the first and second ends of the rope. The second connector is adapted to provide or display signals through at least one of the light transmitting members of the rope. 17) In yet another variant, at least one display bulb is provided between the first and second ends of the core. The display bulb is located adjacent the second connector and adapted to be illuminated by the at least one light transmitting member.

18) In a final variant, a removable connector is provided. The removable connector includes an elastic boot. The boot is sized, shaped and adapted to fit frictionally over the sheath adjacent either of the first end and the second end of the core, and to position a section of a second light transmitting member in substantial alignment with the at least one light transmitting member of the rope, thereby gathering light from the at least one light transmitting member and transmitting it through the second light transmitting member for use in a light sensing apparatus.

Description of the Drawings

Figure l is a perspective cross-sectional view of a rope with a woven sheath with a single light transmitting member with cladding running through the rope;

Figure 1A is a perspective cross-sectional view of a rope with a braided sheath with a single light transmitting member with cladding running through the rope;

Figure IB is a perspective cross-sectional view of a rope with a plaited sheath with a single light transmitting member with cladding running through the rope;

Figure 1C is a perspective cross-sectional view of a rope with a twisted sheath with a single light transmitting member with cladding running through the rope; Figure 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a rope a core of braided strands with three light transmitting members without cladding spaced radially about a center axis running through the rope;

Figure 2A is a perspective cross-sectional view of a rope a core of twisted strands with three light transmitting members without cladding spaced radially about a center axis running through the rope;

Figure 2B is a perspective cross-sectional view of a rope a core of woven strands with three light transmitting members without cladding spaced radially about a center axis running through the rope;

Figure 2C is a perspective cross-sectional view of a rope a solid core with three light transmitting members without cladding spaced radially about a center axis running through the rope; (Should be one solid core?)

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a cave illustrating a person at each end of the rope of the invention who are out of sight and out of hearing range of each other;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the Figure 1 embodiment, illustrating the light transmitting member extending outwardly from first and second ends of the rope;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the Figure 1 embodiment, illustrating light visible at an end of the light transmitting member; Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the Figure 1 embodiment in combination with climbing gear;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the first end of the Figure 1 embodiment with a convex bulb attached, the bulb having three switches for attached light emitting diodes (LEDs) within the bulb; Figure 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the Figure 7 embodiment illustrating the transmission of light through the light transmitting member and illuminating the convex bulb;

Figure 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the Figure 7 embodiment illustrating the transmission of light from one of the LEDs into a first end of the light transmitting member and also illuminating the convex bulb;

Figure 10 is a schematic of the circuitry for the convex bulb including the LED, power source and switch;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a typical cell phone illustrating the cell phone’s camera, flashlight and an included cell phone application;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the cell phone, a device for mounting the cell phone to an end of the rope with fiber optic communication capability;

Figure 13 is a top side cross-sectional view of the device for mounting the cell phone to an end of the rope, illustrating an end of the light transmitting member in close proximity to the camera and flashlight of the cell phone;

Figure 14 is a side elevational view of a second connector for attaching two fiber optic communication ropes and permitting transmission of a signal between them;

Figure 15 is a side elevational cross-sectional view of a second connector for attaching two fiber optic communication ropes and permitting transmission of a signal between them and also providing at least one display bulb connected to a light transmitting member of the rope;

Figures 16, 17 and 18 are side elevational cross-sectional views of a first connector for attaching the fiber optic communication rope to a computer with three different connectors;

Figure 19 is a side elevational cross-sectional view of a removable connector having an elastic boot fitted over the sheath of the rope and having tabs to aid in removal of the boot form the rope;

Figure 20 is a perspective view of the fiber optic communication rope connected to an optical port of a computer;

Figure 21 is a perspective view of a toothed climbing device usable with the fiber optic communication rope;

Figure 22 is a perspective view of the toothed climbing device in an open position with the rope in place;

Figure 23 is a perspective view of the toothed climbing device in an open position illustrating the teeth;

Figure 24 is a perspective view of the toothed climbing device in a closed position illustrating the teeth engaging the rope; and

Figure 25 is perspective view of a frictional climbing device.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

1) As illustrated in Figures 1-25, a fiber optic communication rope 10 providing the desired features may be constructed from the following components. As illustrated in Figure 1, a core 14 is provided. The core 14 is formed of material providing tensile strength to the rope 10. The core 14 has a first end 18 and a second end 22. A sheath 26 is provided. The sheath 26 surrounds and provides a protective outer surface 30 for the core 14. The sheath 26 is formed of material suitable for use with toothed 34 or frictional 38 climbing equipment. At least one light transmitting member 42 is provided. The light transmitting member 42 extends from at least the first end 18 to at least the second end 22 of the core 14. 2) In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in Figures 1, 1A, IB, and 1C, the sheath 26 is formed of durable, flexible woven 46, braided 50, plaited 54 or twisted 58 material.

3) In another variant, as illustrated in Figure 1, the at least one light transmitting member 42 is encased in a protective cladding material 62. 4) In still another variant, as illustrated in Figure 2, the at least one light transmitting member 42 includes at least three light transmitting members 42.

5) In yet another variant, as illustrated in Figures 2, 2A, 2B, and 2C the at least three light transmitting members 42 are spaced radially about a center axis 66 of a braided 70, twisted 74, woven 78 or solid 82 core climbing or caving rope 10.

6) In a further variant, as illustrated in Figure 2, the at least one light transmitting member 42 is unclad 86.

7) In still a further variant, the core 14 is formed of material selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyesters, polyethylene, aramids and acrylics. 8) In yet a further variant, the at least one light transmitting member 42 is formed of material selected from the group consisting of Acrylic glass, silica, Fluoride glass, Phosphate glass and Chalcogenide glass.

9) In another variant of the invention, the at least one light transmitting member 42 is formed of polymer compounds selected from the group consisting of Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC) and fiber based on amorphous fluoropolymer (poly (perfluoro-butenylvinyl ether) (CYTOP).

10) In still another variant, as illustrated in Figures 7-9, at least one convex bulb 86 is provided. The at least one convex bulb 86 is removably attached to at least one of the first 16 and second 20 ends of the rope 10, to render more visible light transmitted through the at least one light transmitting member 42.

11) In yet another variant, as illustrated in Figures 7-10, the convex bulb 86 further includes at least one light emitting diode (LED) 90, circuitry 94 and a power source 98 for the at least one LED 90, the at least one LED 90 provides a source of light 52 for transmission via the light transmitting member 42.

12) In a further variant, the at least one LED 90 comprises LEDs 90 of at least two different colors 106, to assist in signaling.

13) In still a further variant, as illustrated in Figures 11-13, a device 110 is provided for mounting a cell phone 114 to position at least one of a camera 118 or a flashlight 122 of the cell phone 114 to align with at least one of a first end 126 and a second end 130 of the light transmitting member 42.

14) In yet a further variant, a cell phone application 134 is provided. The cell phone application 134 provides text, voice or video communications using the light transmitting member 42.

15) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in Figures 16-18 and 20, a first connector 150 is provided for at least one end 18, 22 of the core 14. The first connector 150 is adapted to connect the light transmitting member 42 to an optical port 154 on a computer 158.

16) In still another variant, as illustrated in Figures 14 and 15, a second connector 162 is located between the first 18 and second 22 ends of the core 14. The second connector 162 is adapted to provide or display signals 166 through at least one of the light transmitting members 42 of the rope 10.

17) In yet another variant, as illustrated in Figure 15, at least one display bulb 170 is provided between the first 18 and second 22 ends of the core 14. The display bulb 170 is located adjacent the second connector 162 and adapted to be illuminated by the at least one light transmitting member 42.

18) In a final variant, as illustrated in Figure 19, a removable connector 174 is provided. The removable connector 174 includes an elastic boot 178. The boot 178 is sized, shaped and adapted to fit frictionally over the sheath 26 adjacent either of the first end 18 and the second end 22 of the core 14, and to position a section of a second light transmitting member 182 in substantial alignment with the at least one light transmitting member 42 of the rope 10, thereby gathering light from the at least one light transmitting member 42 and transmitting it through the second light transmitting member 182 for use in a light sensing apparatus (not shown). Tabs 186 may be provided to assist in removing connector from rope.

The present invention, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, is directed to a braided, twisted, woven or solid core climbing or caving rope 10 having one or more light transmitting members 42 therein to allow communication through the rope 10 between individuals. The invention 10 allows one or more group members on either end 18, 22 of the rope 10 to communicate with each other by using the rope 10 itself. This novel rope 10 has one or more thin, e.g. about 1 mm, light transmitting members 42 running through the core 14. These light transmitting members 42 may be either sheathed, i.e. cladded 62, or unsheathed, i.e. uncladded 86, and allow for light transmittance through their length, i.e. from the first end of the rope 18 to the second end 22 of the core 14. As illustrated in Figure 3, an individual on the downstream side of the rope 10 may shine her headlamp or other light source 48 at the end of the rope 10 where an exposed strand of the light transmitting member 42 is present. As illustrated in Figure 4, a corresponding light 52 will be seen coming out the second end 22 of core 14 where the light transmitting member 42 emerges at the second end 22 of the core 14 and vice versa. As illustrated in Figure 2, a rope 10 has three unclad 86 light transmitting members 42 passing through the core 14. The cladding 62 of Figure 1 will take up more space, but will add strength to the light transmitting member 42. If the light transmitting member 42 becomes "kinked," the cladding 62 will ensure that the light 52 does not escape laterally from the light transmitting member 42 and will pass out the second 22 end of the core 14. While the Figure 2 embodiment allows for more light transmitting members 42 to pass through the core 14, having a higher light transmitting ability, there is less structural strength of the light transmitting members 42; and if kinks occur this may lead to a loss of the light signal 52. As illustrated in Figures 3-6, a schematic of a cave 56 with a fiber optic communication rope 10 having a light transmitting member 42 as illustrated in Figure 1, anchors 60, inner cave void space 64, and wall rock 68. There is shown a typical series of knots 72 tied to anchors 60 in the wall 68 midway through the rope 10 (multiple re-belays) going along the wall 68 of a cave 56 or crevasse at the top 76 of a big drop 80. The distance from the top 84 of the rope 10 to the bottom of the rope 88 is such that persons at the bottom 88 of the rope 10 cannot hear or see people at the top 84 of the rope 10. When a caver shines her light 48 on the end 18, 22 of the core 14 at point 84 and sent by the light transmitting member 42, the light 52 is transmitted through the light transmitting member 42 and is seen coming out at the second end 22 of the core 14. In this manner, light 52 may pass either direction through the rope 10. This will act as a signal for the two cave parties to communicate.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the rope 10 with the light transmitting member 42 running through the rope 10 that has been tied into multiple knots 72. The light transmitting member 42 is shown with an exaggerated amount of the member 42 extending from the core end 18, 22 for the purpose of illustration and in practice will not extend this far out of the rope 10. The light source 48 shines into the first end 96 of the light transmitting member 42 in the direction of the arrow 92, and light 52 can be seen coming out of the second end 100 of the light transmitting member 42 at arrow 104. At the ends of the rope, there may be a material (not shown), e.g. rubber, which keeps the rope 10 from fraying, although this is not necessary to the invention. The rope 10 of Figure 4, despite having multiple knots 72 tied in the rope 10, still allows light 52 to pass through the rope 10 unhampered. The thickness and rigidity of ropes 10 used by cavers, mountain climbers, Search and Rescue (SAR) units and the military prevents the rope 10 from forming tight knots 72 or making bends, i.e. bites, that might otherwise damage the light transmitting member 42 inside the rope. Additionally, by having the light transmitting member inside the rope 10, the rope 10 may pass through climbing devices 112, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 21-25, such as ascenders 116, Petzel stops 120, racks 124, Petzel Crolls 128, Friction Prusiks 132 other friction devices, other progress capture devices and bolts without damaging the light transmitting member 42 or otherwise interfering with a device’s 112 ability to grip the rope 10, such devices 112 having "teeth" 136 that bite into the rope 10 to perform progress capture, as illustrated in Figure 6.

As illustrated in Figure 5, it is seen that the thickness of the rope 10 is such that even when being bent and squeezed as far as possible the light transmitting member 42 is not damaged and the light 52 still comes through the light transmitting member 42 at arrow 104. As illustrated in Figure 6, there is shown an ascending device 112 which may be attached to the rope 10 and there is no hindrance or damage to the light transmitting member 42.

Ropes 10 made from standard materials generally have excess strength built into them, the strength measured in kilonewtons (kN). The addition of the small light transmitting members 42 will have only a negligible impact on the strength of the rope 10. Also, because the light transmitting member does not necessarily have to transmit quantitative amounts of photons/signal to be read by either analog or digital receivers (requiring only a qualitative presence or absence of light), small kinks and loss of full signal that may occur over time does not prevent the light transmittance function of the rope 10. Additionally, as the invention does not require an extremely sensitive light transmitting member 42, light transmitting compounds other than standard acrylic glass or PMMA that are slightly more elastic but have less conductance may be used as the light transmitting member 42.

The fiber optic communication rope 10 has the potential for extensive use by the caving community, the cave rescue community and the National Cave Rescue Commission. It may also be used by other climbing groups that require communication when being connected via rope. Groups that may get the most use out of this invention are the SAR community and the military. SAR units utilize rope for a large variety of rescue missions; including recovery from crevasses, off the side of cliffs, down sink holes, and within collapsed buildings. These SAR units presently may use radios for communications. However, the present invention may serve as a back-up form of communication or a primary form of communication, as it is water resistant and has no moving parts. The present invention is also useful in military applications requiring silent communication, including by special operations units.

The exemplary embodiments of the fiber optic communication rope 10 herein disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the present invention so that others skilled in the art may practice the invention. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, various modifications can be made within the scope of the aforesaid description. Such modifications being within the ability of one skilled in the art form a part of the present invention and are embraced by the appended claims.