Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention provide a simple and convenient way to ascend and descend a rope without using a belayer. Embodiments of the invention can smoothly transition from a rope clamping position to a rope unclamping position, conveniently providing an effective rope control device.

Description:
CLAIM FOR BENEFIT OF EARLIER FILING DATE 
   The present utility application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/857,136 filed on 7 Nov. 2006 and entitled “ROPE CONTROL APPARATUS”. The present utility application has the same inventors, subject matter and title as the aforesaid Provisional Application. 

   BACKGROUND 
   The background of the invention will be discussed in two parts. 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to rope control devices, and more particularly, to an apparatus for ascending and descending a rope without the assistance of a belayer. 
   2. Related Art 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,203 to Golden et al. there is shown and described embodiments to provide a simple and convenient way to ascend and descend a rope without using a belayer wherein there is a smooth transition from a rope clamping position to a rope unclamping position, thus conveniently providing an effective rope climbing device. 
   SUMMARY 
   Embodiments of the present invention relate to the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,203 issued on 31 May 2005 to Golden et al., which patent is incorporated herein by reference. The inventors of the present invention are the same as those of U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,203. The present invention provides a more controlled release of the rope during descent. 

   
     DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating the manner in which the components of the rope management device of U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,203 are assembled in relationship to each other; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded diagram illustrating how the components of the present invention are assembled in relationship to each other according to an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIGS. 3A-3D  illustrate a user attachment point according to an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate an ascender aid according to an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrate a handle and roller/disc according to an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrates a combination spacer/bearing/bushing according to an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate another handle and roller/disk according to an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIGS. 8A-8D  illustrate channeled and machined-on washers according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate a bolt and included push pin according to an embodiment of the invention; 
   

   DESCRIPTION 
   The present invention provides a different embodiment of the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,203 issued on 31 May 2005 to Golden et al., which patent is incorporated herein by reference. This embodiment provides a more controlled release during operation of the rope control apparatus. 
     FIG. 1  is an exploded diagram illustrating the manner in which the components of the prior art rope management device of U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,203 are assembled in relationship to each other. 
     FIG. 2  is an exploded diagram illustrating the manner in which components of the present invention are assembled in relationship to each other in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated, the major components include upper brake  30 , lower brake  31 , sideplates  60 ,  61 ,  80  and  81 , handle  5   a , bushing  4   a ,  6   a  and  8   b , roller disc  6   c , bolt  8   d  with push pin  9   b , locknuts  7   b ,  7   b ′ and  8   c , washers  9   b  and  9   b ′ and connective bolts  6   b  and  6   b′.    
   As indicated in  FIG. 2  the components of the invention are variously assembled as follows: 
   a first brake  30  has a first pivot hole  30   a , a second pivot hole  30   b , and an attachment hole  3   a  configured to be linked to an end of a rope; 
   a second brake  31  having a third pivot hole  31   a  and a fourth pivot hole  31   b;    
   a first sideplate  80  rotatably affixed at fifth hole  80   a  to a first side of the brake  30  at the first pivot hole  30   a  by means of bolt  6   b  and rotatably affixed at  8   a  to a first side of the brake  31  at a third pivot hole  31   a  by means of bushing  8   b;    
   a second sideplate  81  rotatably affixed at a sixth hole  81   a  to a first side of the brake  31  at the fourth pivot hole  31   b  and rotatably affixed at  8   c  to a first side of the brake  30  at the second pivot hole  30   b  by means of bolt/pin  8   d;    
   a third sideplate  60  rotatably affixed at seventh hole  60   a  to a second side of brake  31  at the fourth hole  31   b  by means of bolt  6   b ′ and to a second side of brake  30  at second hole  30   b  by means of bolt  8   d , bolt  8   d  continuing on through eighth hole  60   b  of third sideplate  60  to terminate with lockwasher  8   c;    
   a fourth sideplate  61  rotatably affixed at ninth hole  61   b  to the second side of the brake  30  at the first hole  30   a  by means of bolt  6   b  and rotatably affixed tenth hole  61   c  by means of a portion of bolt  8   d  to the second side of the brake  31  at the third hole  31   a;    
   roller disc  6   c  connected by means of bolt  6   b  through washer  9   b  and hole  61   b;    
   handle  5   a  connected by means of bolt  6   b ′ through washer  9   b ′ and hole  5   b  to seventh hole  60   a  of sideplate  60  and positioned to cam off roller disc  6   c ; and 
   bushing  4   a , which aids in the ascent mode when the operator is pulling a rope through the apparatus of the invention, is positioned between sideplates  61  and  80  and connected at eleventh hole  61   a  to sideplate  61 . 
   Bolt  8   d  has push pin  9   b  connected and positioned to aid in providing braking pressure to the rope. 
     FIGS. 3A-3E  are plan view diagrams illustrating various components of the rope control device according to the present invention. It is to be noted that the configurations of the components may be somewhat different in the various views, however, the function of the component is as described.  FIG. 3A  illustrates upper brake  30  having attachment point hole  3   a , hole  30   b  for receiving bolt  8   d  therethrough, and first pivot hole  30   a.    
     FIGS. 3B-3D  illustrate attachment point hole  3   a  with various positions of the side plates  80 ,  81  and  61 .  FIG. 3B  shows the attachment point  3   a  with the apparatus in the full open state with the sideplates  80 ,  81  in the open view. Indicated in dotted lines is the manner in which the rope passes under sideplates  80  and  81  and between brakes  30  and  31 . Also indicated is the user attachment point  3   a , the user attached by carabiner. A second carabiner attachment point is indicated as attached to sideplate  31  at hole  31   a .  FIG. 3C  shows the attachment point  3   a  with the apparatus in the full open position with the sideplates  80 ,  81  in the closed position.  FIG. 3D  shows the attachment point  3   a  with the apparatus in the full closed position with the sideplates  80 ,  81  in the closed position. 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate ascender aid bushing  4   a ,  FIG. 4A  showing sideplate  61  having bushing  4   a  connected as described above in a manner to aid in providing easier accent of the user.  FIG. 4B  illustrates bushing  4   a  with the rope control apparatus in the full open position. 
     FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrates cooperation of the handle  5   a  and the roller/disc  6   c  to cam sideplates  60  and  61 .  FIG. 5A  shows an example configuration of the handle  5   a  with  FIG. 5B  illustrating handle  5   a  in the full open position and  FIG. 5C  illustrating handle  5   a  in the full closed position. As shown in  FIG. 2  handle  5   a  is attached by a bolt  6   b ′ through hole  5   b  of handle  5   a  and through hole  60   a  of sideplate  60 , and thence on through hole  31   b  of brake  31  and hole  81   a  of sideplate  81  to terminate in a lock washer. Handle  5   a  is thus able to cam off of the bolt  6   b ′ using roller/disc  6   c , which allows variation of pressure on the rope by brakes  30  and  31  to thereby control the force needed to release bite on the rope. This also allows for varied rope sizes. This arrangement, in combination with the attachment point  3   a  provides for more controlled release when descending. 
     FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate in exploded views ( FIGS. 6A and 6B ) and in assembled plan view ( FIG. 6C ) a pair of bushings  6   a  that are spacers and act as bearings both for handle  5   a  and roller/disc  6   c.    
   Even though the handle  5   a  of  FIGS. 5A-5C  is shown in  FIG. 2  and described above,  FIGS. 7A and 7B  is illustrative of a combination handle  7   a  and roller disc  7   b  embodiment that is also exemplary of the present invention. Shown in  FIG. 7A  with the apparatus of the invention in open view is the handle  7   a  and roller/disk  7   b  positioned and cooperating to cam affixed sideplates. As arranged, the handle  7   a  is able to cam in a manner to increase or decrease bite on a portion of the rope thereby providing controllable force to release clamping force on the rope, and as well handle varied rope sizes.  FIG. 7B  illustrates the handle  7   a  and roller/disk  7   b  with the apparatus in closed position. 
     FIGS. 8A-8D  illustrate channeled and slotted sideplates with machined on washers.  FIG. 8A  illustrates sideplate  80  having channel  8   a  for receiving non-attached bushing  8   b  with machined on washers  8   e  and  8   f .  FIG. 8B  illustrates captivated bushing  8   b .  FIG. 8C  illustrates sideplate  81  having channel  8   c  for receiving non-attached bolt/pin  8   d  and  FIG. 8D  illustrates attached bolt/pin  8   d.    
     FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate bolt  8   d  which includes push pin  9   b  and spring  9   c ,  FIG. 9A  being an exploded view showing assembly of the components and  FIG. 9B  showing the components assembled. Also shown in  FIG. 9A  is sideplate  81  having hole  9   e  for admitting push pin  9   a  to protrude therethrough. 
   Although the present invention has been described with reference to illustrated and described embodiments, other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that that would fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.