Patent ID: 8479885
Filing Date: 2013-07-09
Classification: A62B,A63B

Abstract:
1. A lifting device comprising: a powered winding reel; a climbing rope attached at one end to the winding reel and, in use of the device, to a person a distal portion along said rope; and a control mechanism comprising load sensing means and an electronic control and diagnostic system, said control mechanism being formed and arranged so as to control the powered winding reel in a first, climbing, mode wherein the winding reel operates to lift said person in use of the device, the load sensing means is formed and arranged to detect the weight of a said person on the rope, and said control mechanism is operable to switch the operation of the winding reel to a second, fall or descent mode, wherein the winding reel is stopped and a said person is suspended by the rope, and the electronic control and diagnostic system is formed and arranged to monitor the operation of the powered winding reel and the control mechanism, and to switch the operation of the winding reel to a third, fault mode, wherein the winding reel is stopped, when a discrepancy in the operation of the powered winding reel and/or the control mechanism is detected, and wherein the electronic control and diagnostic system is programmable to control the speed and direction of the winding reel.