Patent ID: 6832668
Filing Date: 2004-12-21
Classification: A62B

Abstract:
A descender apparatus for lowering a person from an elevated position to a relatively lower position, comprising: a housing; a means for mounting said descender apparatus on said person; a spool mounted for rotation in said housing, said spool having an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to a path of travel of said descender apparatus; a rope stored on said spool for lowering of said person; a cylindrical friction core extending upwardly from said spool, said friction core having an axis which is perpendicular to said axis of rotation of said spool and a helical groove extending along an outer portion of said friction core for receiving a portion of said lifeline for controlling a rate of descent of said person as said rope is withdrawn from said spool; a sleeve in surrounding relationship to said friction core and said portion of said rope in said helical groove of said friction core; and a means mounted in said housing for adjusting said rate of descent with said descender, wherein said means for adjusting said rate of descent is comprised of a camshaft rotatably mounted in said housing, said camshaft having an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to said axis of rotation of said spool and a cam for pressing against a portion of said rope when said camshaft is rotated; and a handle mounted on an end portion of said camshaft for said rotation of said camshaft.