WO2010049597A1

WO2010049597A1 - Self-blocking, anti-panic, and position-locking belaying/descending device with an ergonomically adjustable driving handle for a single or double rope with any diameter

Info

Publication number: WO2010049597A1
Application number: PCT/FR2008/001517
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claude Boulliat
Original assignee: Claude Boulliat
Priority date: 2008-10-28
Filing date: 2008-10-28
Publication date: 2010-05-06

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-blocking, anti-panic, and position-locking belaying/descending device with an ergonomically adjustable driving handle and which can operate with one or two ropes in parallel. Specifically, the device includes a mechanical hinge system generating a rope-on-roller adhesion force that is proportional to the load, with a flexible control of the rope sliding. Any interruption of acting on the device handle stops the sliding of the rope. An inappropriate action on the handle blocks the device. The driving handle can be deactivated, this function also enabling the positioning thereof (ergonomics). The conformation of the rope housing in the device makes it possible to use the device with straps or cables. A free wheel system in the roller can be used for converting the device into a lanyard tensioner without losing the other functions. The invention can be used in any activity requiring the use of ropes (mountaineering, speleology, rock climbing, work sites, bridges, frontage), and eliminates the drawbacks that make the current systems dangerous.

Description

DESRIPTION

Title of the invention

Insurer-descender device, with joystick control ergonomically adjusted, for all diameters of single or double ropes, self-locking, anti-panic and lockable in position.

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a mechanical device for controlling with a lever (whose position of use is ergonomically adjustable) the sliding of a rope on a roller. This device can work with one or two cords in parallel, with a strap or cable, it is self-locking, panic and disengaged. It can be used in insurer, descender, in any activity requiring the use of rope and in a fixed position where it is disengageable for work at height.

It makes it possible to control the displacement (length, speed and duration) of a load attached to the device, the rope being hung on one side at a fixed point or a load attached to the rope, the device then being hooked to a fixed point. Being self-locking, the anti-panic system triggers as soon as a major shock is felt on the rope or if the operator disproportionately actuates the sliding control handle.

The anti-panic system (or clutch) requires a simple voluntary action to rearm the device.

State of prior techniques

The insurer and descender systems known to control the sliding of a rope of sufficient diameter (they do not accept small diameter ropes generally less than 8 mm), are currently materials of the type: descender in "s" Petzl, the eight (aluminum part having the shape of an 8), insurer, block brake type brake. All these systems, being amplifiers of the force exerted by the user, have the disadvantage of not performing their functions if the operator loses control of the device. All self-locking systems meet the principle of safety when there is a loss of control of the user, but, although more secure, their use is not easy because their range of use is extremely small. The current self-locking systems lack progressiveness and are the cause of jerky descents penalizing their use. Many are not descenders. Moreover in case of tension of the operator, on current products that do not have an anti-panic system, the role of the control of the sliding of the rope is no longer ensured and the safety function either.

With current systems, in case of movements too abrupt to spin the rope in insurance, we block the rope with the autoblocking effect that then gene. The user taking the system by hand, blocks the self-locking effect and makes the situation dangerous.

We find that current products often lack functionality. The device according to the invention overcomes these disadvantages.

Presentation of the invention

The presentation of the invention will be done in several steps:

1- Realization of a mechanical device capable of providing a proportional adhesion force and greater than the load. That is to say that the system placed on a rope can not slip under any load and the nature of the rope. The mechanical principle retained in the invention is carried out according to the basic scheme (FIGS. 1 and 3). A "rope" hooked to a "fixed point" bypasses the "pulley 1" (stretched strand), wraps around the "roller G" (immobile in rotation) and springs out bypassing the "pulley 2" (soft strand). The user is hooked to the "C" device with a carabiner. This is the descending mode. Another form of application in the mode of insurer or descender of load: a rope to which is attached a load bypasses the "pulley 1" (strand stretched), wraps around the "roller G" (immobile in rotation) and spring in bypassing the "pulley 2" (soft strand). The device is hooked to a fixed "C" point by a carabiner.

Figure 6 shows how to install the rope in the downhill insurer. With the principle adopted, it is not necessary to detach from the equipment for put or remove the rope (s). A spring on the side of the system (Figure 3, 4 and 8) holds it in the closed position when the rope or ropes are engaged. Explanation of the mechanical principle (see figures 1, 3 and 5): The two pulleys 1 and 2 (axes A and B), moving in rotation, apply the rope on a fixed roller G. This is the angle between AB and BC (of the articulation in B) and the resultant (F8) in B forces (which are exerted between A (F3) and the articulation C (F4)) which apply the pulley B on the roller G and creates the grip of the rope on the roller. The sliding or locking of the rope on the roller depends on this force F8. The distance AB between the axes A and B (pulleys 1 and 2), the distance BC between the axis B (of the pulley 2) and the axis C (load), and the value of the angle (articulation in B) between AB and BC, fix the position of the pulley 1 and determine the bearing force F8 (proportional to the load - F1) of the pulley 2 on the roller G. The distances AB, BC (by the dimension of the flanges ) and the diameter of the roller G being fixed in construction, the sliding of the rope becomes dependent on the position of the pulley B relative to the roller G. The lower the pressure, the greater the slip will be important. This mechanical principle makes it possible to get rid of the diameter of the strings. An alternative is to remove the articulation in B, linking the two flanges (AB and BC becoming a single piece ABC). This action increases the force F8 of the pulley 2 in B, which becomes, by the principle of the levers, a multiple of F3.

- List of efforts

* F1 ≈ Traction effort on the rope.

* F2 ≈ Shifting of the rope force by the pulley 1.

* F3 ≈ Resulting in A traction forces on the pulley 1. * Load ≈ Effort exerted in C by the user, on the system. (Load = - F1)

* F8 = Resulting traction forces F3 and F4 on the pulley 2 (It is this force which is at the origin of the adhesion of the rope on the motor roller).

It is shown that F8, by an analysis of the distribution of forces, of the descender, in the joint object of the patent claim (Figure 5), is directly proportional to the load to be lifted.

The weight -F1 (load = 100Kg) in C, exerts a reaction F1 (= 100Kg) in D (on the rope), through the descender.

The pulley of the high axis A reports in E (force F2) the force F1 of D. - AT -

The F1 and F2 reaction at A gives F5 (= 136Kg).

The projection of F5 on the axis of the upper flange gives 2 forces:

- A, F3 (= 131.4Kg), which, reported in B, creates the first part of the force F8 (= 56Kg) which supports, via the pulley of the bottom, the rope on the roller. - The other one, F6 (= 35.2Kg), which acts to push the pulley of the top on the roller

The load (-F1) generates F4 (= 95Kg) in C (axis of the bottom flange). F4 generates in B the second part of the force F8 (= 56Kg) which supports, via the pulley of the bottom, the rope on the roller. In reality, in equilibrium, the play of the reactions makes one find in B the symmetry of F3 which generates, with F3, the force F8; the difference passing in various reactions in C and on the roller.

F8 (= 112Kg); the crushing of the rope on the roller creates in A and C two reactions F9 (= -56Kg).

- One in C, on the lower part, the first F9 passes in the articulation

- The other F9, on the upper part in A is transformed into 2 forces of which one of the parts passes in the flange and the other which gives F7 (= -50Kg).

The two forces F6 and F7 are opposed so that if F7> F6 the point C moves away from the roller and if F7 <F6 then C approaches the roller.

In practice these two forces will always balance and C will be placed so that we have F7 ≈ F6.

(These elements show that you can not change a parameter so easily.)

To make the system blocking (and we will see further self-locking), the lengths AB and BC and the diameter of the roller G were fixed so that F8 is large enough that the system according to Figure 1 can not let the rope slip. either its condition, dry, wet, with soil etc. ...

2- Obtaining the sliding of the rope on the roller and diameter range of use of rope, (Figure 2) In order to allow the sliding of the rope on the roller, a cam actuated by a handle M moves the pulley 2 of the roller G. This maneuver changes with the force F8 of the rope pressure (in B) on the roller G and therefore its adhesion thereon. The cam system by their pushing on the flanges can reduce or increase significantly the space dedicated to the passage of the rope and therefore accept a wide range of rope diameters (8 to 11 mm).

The dimension of the support cam has been sufficiently reduced so that the control of the sliding can be modulated by significant amplitudes of movement and largely perfectible of the joystick. Eccentricity is a compromise between the range of ropes and the movement of the joystick in the steering of the slip.

Figure 2 shows the two extreme positions of the joystick M control of sliding of the rope in the descender. The view on the left gives a minimum opening (thus blocking) and the view on the right gives a maximum opening. Figures 2 and 4 clearly show that the transformation of the system to accept straps is not a problem. Because it is enough to modify the device by creating gorges a flat bottom.

In order to accept steel or other metal cables, it is necessary to place at the bottom of the roller an anti-friction lining which will have the function of making the sliding controllable and of controlling the wear of the roller.

3- The dual insurer function is obtained by doubling, in the device, the passage of the ropes: Two paths in the roller and in the upper pulley and two lower pulleys. The play in the joints of the mechanical system allows it to accept 1 millimeter of difference in the diameter of the ropes used. This solution provides security in case of loss of the tensile strength of one of the ropes (insurance function). It is necessary to put two lower pulleys to overcome the relative (different) sliding of the ropes when they are of different diameters. This problem does not exist on the top pulley. In single-fender insurer function (Figure 8), there is only one path in the roller and the two pulleys up and down are simple. The device is then thinner and lighter. 4- Mechanical realization of the autobloàuante function. (Figure 4) A spring acting on the axis of the cam has the function of bringing the lever in the locking position making the self-locking system if you release the handle. The operating handle, with the friction, returns naturally to the blocking position. The return spring, with a force of 5 to 7 Kg, forces this maneuver to secure the function.

A user regardless of his situation, if he releases the joystick will always block the slipping of the rope

S- Realization of the anti-panic function. This function is performed by a mechanical element that cancels the immobilization in rotation of the cam relative to the joystick. When this junction is off the joystick has no action on the cam. This, delivered to itself is brought back to its rest position by its return spring and instantly blocks the sliding of the rope. For the explanation of its operation, the anti-panic junction (figure 7 part 2) is ensured by a spring (the solution retained, figure 7 part 1, is an equivalent mechanical system which carries the effect of the spring) of connection between the operating handle (M) and a notch wheel integral with the drive shaft of the cams (H). This notch wheel is the same whatever the solution chosen. The shape and dimensioning of the spring must be such that the force F11 that they impose to remove the pin (spring) of the housing in which it is slightly greater than the maximum force to provide F10 on the handle of maneuver to slide the rope (larger diameter provided by the system).

6- Realization of the system release functions and ergonomic positioning of the joystick. In Figure 7 part 2, it is noted that the housing of the notch wheel in which is placed the tip of the spring or the key have two slopes:

- One, very abrupt, designed to transmit the force exerted on the handle to control the speed of travel of the rope in the descender and, beyond (crispness on the handle due to panic), by total depression of the spring, release the cam to return the descender to the locked position (anti-panic function seen above). - The other softer (effort to be provided on the lower throttle) to place, by a reverse rotation, the throttle of the descender in the most ergonomic position for the user. (In Figure 7 there are 10 possible positions.)

The chosen solution (Figure 7 part 1-3 solution) is a wedge system with a remote spring whose position can be moved, thus giving the possibility to adapt more finely, the triggering force of the anti function -panic to use. This solution offers two advantages, the reverse rotation of the lever releases the key and locks the chute in position. This is the function of disengaging the system with the obligation of a voluntary action to reactivate the descender. The other interest lies in the adjustment in position of the controller thus providing a more ergonomic use of the device. One of the major interests of the system lies in the belay function. Because the operator who ensures the first rope (for example) will take the descender in the hand and hold the handle open, allowing an easy but controlled sliding of the rope. And in case of a fall, the sudden force of tension that will be exerted on the top pulley will actuate the anti-panic system and block the rope. Realizing the insurance function.

There are multitudes of solutions to address the problem of controlled unlocking and anti-panic system. It is therefore not possible to mention them all. In Figure 7, some versions are represented with their disabling system of the joystick. In figure 7 part 1-1 the function is ensured by a spring which presses at the end of the key, the tension of the spring being regulated by the slider. In Figure 7 parts 1-2, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6 the function is provided by a spring which bears directly into one of the slots of the notch wheel, the difference between each option being the principle used for adjust the spring tension. All solutions are disengageable by tilting the voltage system, except in case 5.

7- Modifications to be made to obtain a lanyard tensioner. In mountaineering, caving or work at height, one is asked to put handrails. These are made from a lanyard attached to the wall, the second side is quite difficult to stretch. The modification (FIG. 9) carried out on the descending insurer device makes it possible to obtain this function. The modification consists in replacing the roller by a double part, one in the fixed and fixed center of the base plate, the other (the part in which the rope is housed) being able to rotate in one direction. The roller thus produced has a function of free wheel in one direction and blocking in the other.

The user installs his descender as to ensure a charge. Then pulling on the soft brown, the roller being free in rotation in this direction, it can stretch the rope, To disassemble, it will be enough to release the rope by tilting the joystick.

Presentation of the different figures.

1/10 -: It gives a schematic representation of the mechanical principle and its assembly used to obtain the force which will be at the origin of the jamming of the rope on the roller

2/10 -: It shows, on a real representation of the device, the dynamics of tightening (of passage) of the strings offered. It prefigures the movement to be performed by the user to release the rope in the device. 3/10 -: It represents the distribution of forces on the real device. This figure comes in addition to Figures 1 and 5.

4/10 -: It represents in section, the prototype scout double insurer scale 1. This drawing shows the position of the return spring of the joystick. A version of this spring placed in the roller is also shown in this drawing.

5/10 -: This document shows the decomposition of the various forces to which the device is subjected. We find the values of these forces for a user or a load of 1000 Newtons. (100 Kg). The comments are on page 3 line 25. 6/10 -: It shows how to install a rope in the insurer chute. This drawing shows that it is not necessary to unhook the device to put on or remove a rope.

7/10 -: This figure shows how the anti-panic system works with the disengagement of the joystick and how is obtained the ergonomic adjustment. Finally several solutions to achieve the various functions (anti-panic, disengage, ergonomic position).

8/10 -: It represents in section, the prototype single scale faller insurance 1. This drawing shows the position of the return spring of the joystick. A version of this spring placed in the roller is also shown in this drawing.

9/10 -: It represents the modifications to be made to the roller and the base plate to transform the descender into a lanyard tensioner. Figure on this drawing the two freewheel springs and the pads to facilitate the sliding of the movable part on the fixed part of the roller.

10/10 -: It represents the functional groups of the device insurer anti-panic descender. This drawing will be useful to understand the assembly principle for a simple configuration (to a rope).

Presentation of the realization of the device insurer double descender.

Description of the assembly

The insurer descender device is composed of three distinct functional groups (Figure 10).

- The joystick control unit that gathers the steel cam, the return spring (self-locking), the duralumin lever, the anti-panic safety key made of 160CDV16 steel and the anti-panic spring.

- The support joint group of the rope which consists of two pulleys (1 and 2 figurel) made of polyethylene, assembled on four duraluminium flanges by two axes A and B in 42CD4 steel (Figure 1). This group is made integral with the base plate group by a connecting axis C (FIGS. 1 and 10)

- The base plate - roller unit consists of the duralumin base plate on which is fixed the duralumin roller. This group also receives all the other groups:

> The control lever group which is attached to the roller by the 160CDV16 steel sliding wedge (Figure 10). > The support group of the rope which is connected to the base plate by the connecting pin C with its spacer (responsible for taking up the forces and the wear related to the support of the carabiners) in steel 42CD4 ( Figure 10).

Industrial realization

The flanges and the base plate the key and part of the cam will be made by punching.

The 3 steel axes of the joints and the spacer will be machined.

The 2 polyethylene pulleys will be machined or molded, The rollers in their various configurations, the lever the slip wedge and the set "notch wheel - cam" will be molded in lost wax.

The springs will be realized by specialized companies.

Claims

Claims.

1) Insurer device, anti-panic locking, anti-panic descender, lockable in position, lanyard tensioner, ergonomically positionable control lever for climbing, mountaineering, caving and work at height (pruning, building facade, bridge etc ...). The device is usable with one or two ropes with straps or cables. This device is characterized in that it comprises: a - a base plate on which is fixed the roller G (Figure 10 and 1) and an articulation composed of two pulleys (1 and 2 Figures 1 and 10) assembled on two occasions two flanges by two axes A and B and then linked to the base plate by a connecting pin C with its spacer. This assembly makes it possible to obtain a pressing force from the rope (s) on the roller, which will always be proportional to the load (FIG. 5 and page 3-25 to 4-20). The dimensions of the components were chosen to obtain a bearing force that immobilizes the rope on the roller. Without an action to reduce friction, the system is blocked. b - a control lever (FIGS. 10, 4 and 8), including the cam, the return spring (self-locking) of the handle, the anti-panic safety key and the anti-panic spring, attached to the roller by the sliding wedge. By choosing the dimensions of the components of the mechanism generating the sliding force, without action, the rope can not slip. The cams linked to the lever, by their rotation, press the two flanges that support the pulleys 2 (Figure 1, 2) decreasing the pressure of the rope on the roller and therefore its adhesion. By continuing the movement, the rope begins to slide on the roller, the sliding speed being proportional to the space offered to the rope to pass between the pulley 2 and the roller, (function insurer descender)

2) The device according to claim 1 characterized with regard to the path of the rope, doubling the paths (Figure 4): 2 grooves in the roller, a pulley 1 double and two pulleys 2, allow the device to operate with two cords. The 2 pulleys 2 (those of the bottom) allow, by their independent rotation, speeds of scrolling of the different ropes while keeping a good distribution of the forces. 3) The device according to claim 1 characterized with respect to the return of the joystick by a spring (Figures 4,8 and 10). This spring returns the notch wheel linked to the cams to their rest position if no effort is exerted on the joystick. This action by reducing the adhesion of the rope to its maximum value places the device in the locked position, (self-blocking function)

4) The device according to claim 3 characterized with respect to the connection between the handle and the notch wheel (Figure 7). This is ensured by a spring or a disengageable system which, following an excessive thrust of the user on the handle, frees the connection in rotation between the handle and the notch wheel and thus blocks the sliding of the rope, ( anti-panic function)

5) The device according to claim 4 characterized with respect to the connection between the handle and the key (Figure 7). The position of the anti-panic spring can be moved transversely relative to the key, thus offering the possibility of adjusting its sensitivity.

6) The device according to claim 3 characterized with respect to the notch wheel (Figure 7). By creating two different slopes, one important for the drive function and a weak one in the other direction, the stress exerted on the key is amplified more importantly, which increases, without additional effort of the user, the effort to release the key from its antipanic spring and consequently, the connection between the handle and the notch wheel. So, by a backward action on the joystick, it is easy to unlock the connection knob - notch wheel. Without voluntary action of the user, the system remains disengaged thus giving the function disengaged in position. Then simply put the handle in the proper position and reset the key (ergonomic position).

7) The device according to claim 1 characterized with respect to the routing of the rope (Figure 9) by placing around the roller a freewheel ring in the opposite direction to the path of the rope, by pulling on the soft brown, effortlessly stretches the rope side brown said stretched (thus creating the function lanyard tensioner). The term "roller" is understood to mean the roller assembly plus shim (FIGS. 9/10).