Patent ID: 8167086

Claim:
A system for descending a rope, comprising: a frame having first, second, third and fourth sides; the first and third sides being relatively positioned at a first angle that is an obtuse angle and the first angle is located interior to the frame at a junction of the first and third sides, and the second and fourth sides being relatively positioned at a second angle that is an obtuse angle and the second angle is located interior to the frame at a junction of the second and fourth sides; the second and third sides being relatively positioned at a third angle that is an acute angle and the third angle is located interior to the frame at a junction of the second and third sides, and the first and fourth sides being relatively positioned at a fourth angle this is an acute angle and the fourth angle is located interior to the frame at a junction of the first and fourth sides; a plurality of friction nodes associated with the first side for: (1) receiving a rope, (2) enabling the frame to selectively move up or down relative to the rope, and (3) applying a select amount of friction to the rope according to the relative position of the frame and the rope; a safety hook notch located proximal to the fourth side and being integral to the frame; at least two grip elements located on the second and fourth sides of the frame; and an emergency stop notch located proximal to the third side, the emergency stop notch operating to immediately stop descent, and comprising an opening in the frame.