Patent ID: 8235172

Claim:
An ascending/descending assembly comprising: at least first, second, and third clamping elements, each element having a first side edge, a first end edge, a main opening large enough for a rope extending in a first dimension therethrough and having front and rear clamping surfaces, and a slot extending between the first side edge and the opening, the slot allowing a rope to pass through the slot into the opening; a connecting element operatively pivotally connected adjacent the first end edges of each of the first, second, and third clamping elements, and connecting the clamping elements together so that the first end edges thereof are substantially aligned, so that the second clamping element is between the first and third clamping elements, and so that the first side edges of some of the clamping elements are aligned but so that the first side edge of at least one other clamping element is opposite thereto; and the connecting element also operatively connecting the clamping elements so that the openings therein can be substantially aligned, and allow a rope to pass therethrough, in a first position of the clamping elements, and to clamp a rope using at least some of the clamping surfaces to substantially prevent movement thereof in a second position thereof; and wherein the third clamping element extends further from the connecting element than the other clamping elements, to provide a first handle.