GB2432541A

GB2432541A - Aid for ascending a fixed rope

Info

Publication number: GB2432541A
Application number: GB0523895A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Ewart Moorhouse
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-24
Filing date: 2005-11-24
Publication date: 2007-05-30
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-24
Also published as: GB0523895D0; GB2432541B

Abstract

A rope tensioning aid 6 for use with a sit-stand type single rope ascending device having a first ascender 2 attached to the climber's harness and engaged on the rope 3, a second ascender 1 engaged on the rope 3 above the first ascender 2 to be movable to ascend the rope 3 by the hand of the climber and a foot loop 4 attached to the first ascender 1. The rope tensioning aid 6 comprises two holes 10 for attaching the aid 6 to the foot loop 4 of the ascending device and an aperture 8 for the rope 3 to pass through such that, in use, the aid 6 is free to ascend the rope 3 with the foot loop 4 when the climber transfers his/her weight to the first ascender 2 (figure 3) and moves the second ascender 1 along the rope 3 with the rope passing through the aperture 8, the aid 6 being such that it grips the rope 3 when the climber pushes down on the foot loop 4 (figure 4) causing the rope 3 between the first ascender 2 and the aid 6 to tension thus making it easier for the first ascender 2 to be moved along the rope 3 as the climber stands up on the foot loop 4. A slot 9 is provided to engage/disengage the rope with the aid 6.

Description

I

AN AID FOR ASCENDING A FIXED ROPE

Cavers, mountaineers, rescue teams and rope access personnel could use the invention.

Description of use with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGURE 1 shows a caver in the first position fbr ascending a fixed rope, in the standard way.

FIGURE 2 shows a caver in the second position for ascending a fixed rope, in the standard way. It also shows the problem that occurs in using the standard system.

FIGURE 3 shows a caver in the first position for ascending a fixed rope, using the invention.

FIGURE 4 shows a caver in the second position for ascending a fixed rope, using the invention. This has eliminated the problem caused by the standard equipment.

FIGURE 5 shows a more detailed close up of the invention as in Fig 3.

FIGURE 6 shows a more detailed close up of the invention as in Fig 4.

FIGURE 7 shows how the invention could look.

When a caver enters a pothole a means of progression is to attach a single rope (3) to a secure point thus making it a fixed rope. An abseil device is attached to the caver via a harness, and then is clipped to the fixed rope (3). A controlled descent of the pitch is then made.

Shown in Fig 1, that on the return, the caver is at the bottom of the pitch, with only the same single fixed rope (3) hanging down. The means of progression is to fit two ratchet devices (l&2) on to the rope (3). One of these is placed at head height (this is ratchet device 1). This ratchet has a foot ioop (4) attached, which is usually constructed out of rope. The other ratchet device is set at waist height and attached to the harness worn by the caver (this is the lower ratchet device 2).

Fig 2 shows, that to ascend the fixed rope (3) the caver slides the ratchet (1) up above their head and then stands in the foot loop (4). As the caver stands up, the lower ratchet (2) moves upwards, as this is attached to the caver. This action should allow the fixed rope (3) to slide through the lower ratchet (2).

Then the cavers weight is transferred to the lower ratchet (2).

Which allows the top ratchet (1) to be slid up the fixed rope (3) again. This procedure of weight transfer is carried out all the way to the top of the fixed rope (3). It is now that the caver makes himself or herself safe and then removes the ratchet devices (I&2) from the fixed rope (3).

The problem arises when the caver stands in the foot loop (4).

Instead of the fixed rope (3) sliding through the lower ratchet (2), it bunches (5). This happens because there is no weight below the caver to keep the fixed rope (3) taut. There is no risk to the caver at this time, it just means that the fixed rope (3) has to be pulled through by hand or foot. This makes the whole ascent very tiring and sometimes awkward.

Shown in Fig 3 and Fig 5, the invention (6) is fitted to the foot loop (4). The invention (6) is clipped on to the fixed rope (3) where it can slide freely.

Fig 4 and Fig 6 shows that when weight is applied to the foot loop (4); this is done by standing in the foot ioop (4) in the normal way. When this happens the invention (6) pivots on its axis, and gently holds the fixed rope (3) below the caver, making it taut. This happens because it is attached to the foot loop (4) mid ioop, where the rope of the loop is offset. Thus using the foot loop (4) rope as a support and hinge. When the foot loop (4) is free of weight, the invention straightens.

Allowing it to slide up the fixed rope (3) freely when the upper ratchet (1) is repositioned as in the normal way.

Progress is made up the fixed rope (3) in the standard way as before, but without the problem of the rope (3) bunching in (5).

The invention (6) keeps on working all the way up to the top of the fixed rope (3). This is when the caver makes himself or herself safe. Then the invention is clipped free from the fixed rope (3) as are the ratchet devices, (1&2).

Fig 7 shows the invention (6), it is made of a material, of a size and weight suitable for its application (6).

The invention (6) has a slot or hole (8) to allow the fixed rope (3) to slide through freely.

The fixed rope (3) is slid into the aforementioned slot or hole (8) and retained (9) there.

The fixed rope (3) can also be removed from the slot or hole (8) in the reverse manner (9).

The thickness of the material used, must be adequate to gently hold the fixed rope (3) when it is required to.

The invention (6) is connected (10) to the foot loop (3) so that it can tilt and straighten when required.

There should be no sharp or tight corners on the invention (6) as this could damage the fixed rope (3).

My invention is not a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Claims

CLAiMS 1. The invention is an aid for ascending a fixed rope used in

conjunction with the users standard equipment.

2. The aid as claimed in Claim 1 is comprised of a rigid material with holes and or slots having no sharp edges.

3. The aid as claimed in Claims 1 or Claim 2 has an outer retaining slot connected through to the main central slot which that is adjacent to the attachment holes and or slots.

4. The aid as claimed in any preceding Claims has holes and or slots which are in a position so that the aid is proportionally balanced when in use.

5. An aid for ascending a fixed rope substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A rope tensioning aid for use with a sit-stand type single rope ascending device having a first ascender attached to the ciimbers harness and engaged on the rope second ascender engaged on the rope above the first ascender to he movable to ascend the rope by the hand of the climber; and a foot loop attached to the second ascender; the rope tensioning aid comprising means for attaching ihe aid to the foot loop of the ascending device and an aperture Ibr the rope to pass through such that, in use, the aid being attached to the foot loop, is free to ascend the rope with the foot loop when the climber transfers his/her weight to the first ascender and moves the second ascender along the rope with the rope passing through the aperture, the aid being such that it grips the rope when the climber pushes down on the foot loop causing [he rope between the first ascender and the aid to tension thus making it easier for the rst ascender m he moved along me rope as the climber stands up on the loot loop.

2. A rope tensioning aid as claimed in claim I wherein the aid includes a slot open to the aperture so as to allow the aid to be engaged/disengaged from the rope by passing it through the slot.

3. A rope tensionin.g aid as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the means for attaching the aid to the foot loop of the ascending device comprises two holes, located to one side of the aperture, through which the loop is threaded.

4. An aid for ascending a rope substantially as herein described above and illustrated in figures 3-7 of the accompanying drawings.