Patent ID: 8678134

Claim:
A controlled descent system comprises a harness having: an adjustable belt that is capable of extending around a wearer's upper chest; an adjustable waist belt that is capable of extending around a wearer's waist; a pair of adjustable straps that are capable of wrapping about wearer's upper thighs; a pair of shoulder straps that extend from said waist belt and are capable of extending over a wearer's shoulders and criss-crossing on a wearer's back, at least one of said shoulder straps having a compartment in which both a secondary braking system strap and a primary release are stored; said pair of shoulder straps defining a triangular-shaped back panel, each shoulder strap having a plurality of elastic loops spaced and fastened there along; a spine brace for traversing the pair of shoulder straps; an elongated section of rope that is capable of being wound from top to bottom and alternatingly between said pair of shoulder straps, said elongated rope being held in the elastic loops spaced along each shoulder straps; a connector for attaching said elongated rope to an elevated structure; a rack having a plurality of apertures through which said elongated rope is threaded in a predetermined pattern, at least one of said apertures being wrapped with a friction inducing material, said rack being connected to said spine brace; and a cover for said back panel.