Fire escape – ladder – or scaffold – Pole or strand grasping-type climber – Foot- or leg-attachable
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-27
2001-09-11
Chin-Shue, Alvin (Department: 3634)
Fire escape, ladder, or scaffold
Pole or strand grasping-type climber
Foot- or leg-attachable
C182S221000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286625
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The field of the present invention relates generally to devices that are used for descending or ascending ropes, cables and the like. In particular, the present invention relates to rope climbing devices that are capable of supporting a person's weight and making it easier for a person to climb upwardly or downwardly along a rope used as a fire escape or to ascent or descent a structure, mine, cave and other places.
2. Background
Rope climbing is generally thought to be limited to the realm of mountain climbers, firefighters and others having particular skill and training for safely ascending and descending on a rope, cable or similar materials. As such, people who climb ropes under these circumstances typically have specialized equipment which they use. This equipment is generally very sophisticated and requires considerable training and experience to safely use for ascending or descending vertical distances of any significant length. However, the need for others to ascend or descend along a rope who do not have the specialized equipment used by professionals and experienced climbers or who are not trained or experienced in the use of such equipment does arise on a not infrequent basis.
The need for the inexperienced person to ascend or descend on a rope can arise under various conditions. For instance, ropes and the like can be used in various rescue situations to save a person from injury or even death. Examples of few such situations include the need to exit the higher floors of a burning building, to climb down from a structure upon which a person has become stuck or to climb up a rope to escape rising flood waters or other conditions. With the prevalence of high rise buildings for work and homes, the potential for needing to use a rope for fire escape, in particular, is a more common possibility for the average person. Typically, the average person does not have the equipment, skill or training to safely ascend or descend along a rope. As a result, unfortunately, when the need does arise, the person is generally left unable to utilize a rope to effectuate a quick and safe exit from a dangerous situation (i.e., fire).
Various devices have been developed for use to assist persons with the ascent or descent along a rope. For the most part, the prior art devices are complex in design and require considerable training and experience to safely utilize. In addition, these devices are generally heavy, bulky to carry or store and expensive to purchase for the off chance it will be needed. U.S. Pat. No. 3,717,219 to Hoffman describes a device that comprises various straps that must go around the body and a friction apparatus that the rope is wound around in a specific manner to slow descent. This patent also describes the use of a foot apparatus for ascent that requires coordinated movement of both feet in order to sufficiently clamp and un-clamp the rope. U.S. Pat. No. 1,505,360 to Lowery describes the use of a leg or stirrup mounted device for climbing a rope that utilizes a cam-type of apparatus having serrations on the cam surfaces for engaging and clamping the rope by shifting the weight of the person using the device. These and other rope gripping devices have not be universally accepted for use by unskilled persons desiring to quickly and safely exit a building or other location to escape danger, including fire. What is needed, is a device that is relatively simple to use for safely ascending or descending along a rope by persons who do not have skill or experience with such devices or rope climbing in general.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The rope climbing device of the present invention solves the problems identified above. That is to say, the present invention provides a rope climbing device that is relatively simple to use, inexpensive to manufacture and adaptable for ascending and descending a rope, wire cable and other such climbing materials. Specifically, the present invention discloses a device that attaches to a person's foot and connects to a rope for relatively simple ascent or descent along the rope without the need for any special skills, technique or physical condition.
In the primary embodiment of the present invention, the rope climbing device comprises a frame having a first side and an opposing second side. The frame is shaped and configured to have a base member, center portion and a housing. The housing is on the first side of the frame and the base member extends in a generally perpendicular direction from the second side of the frame such that the housing is on one side of the frame and the base member is on the opposite side. The base member must be suitable for placement of a person's foot or shoe thereon during ascent or descent along a rope. The housing encloses, at least partially, a slide member that is slidably attached to the frame in a direction that is generally parallel to the plane of the frame. Protruding from the slide member is one or more hooks or hook-like elements that are suitable for at least partial insertion or engagement with the rope. In the preferred embodiment, the housing also encloses a pair of opposing cams that are pivotally attached to the frame and/or housing. The cams pivot between an open position and a gripping position. A spring disposed around the pivot shaft and between the cam and the frame or housing operatively engages the spring to force it to remain in the open position or to move it from the gripping position to the open position. An actuating mechanism, such as an actuator spring, is attached to and moves with the slide member. The actuating mechanism is also attached to the cams, such that upward movement of the actuating mechanism results in the cams pivoting inward to the gripping position.
To use the device of the present invention, the person desiring to ascend or descend along a rope securely attaches a device to each foot or shoe with a securing mechanism, such as a strap or other mechanism, that is attached to the frame, housing and/or base member. Once the device is fastened to the foot or shoe, the rope is disposed in the device between the two cams such that the hooks are at least partially inserted in or engage the rope. When a downward force, such as all or part of the person's body weight, is applied to the base member while the hooks are inserted in or engaged with the rope, the slide member moves upward relative to the frame or center portion of the frame. This upward movement of the slide mechanism causes the actuating mechanism to move the cams from the open position to the gripping position to tightly grip the rope therebetween. Once the rope is tightly engaged between the cams, the person can place their weight thereon and move the other foot upward or downward, depending on whether ascent or descent is desired, to engage the device on the other foot or shoe. In this manner, the person using the present invention climbs up or down the rope as if they were climbing stairs or a ladder.
The device of the present invention does not require the use of the person's hands to operate the device. The hands are left free to grip the rope or use one hand to grip the rope and the other hand to hold on to an object or another person. The present invention can also be utilized to move along a rope that is other than vertically disposed. For instance, with very little practice, the device of the present invention can be utilized to move along a rope that is strung horizontally, such as a rope that traverses a natural chasm or a gap between two structures.
Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a rope climbing device that relatively simple to make and easy to use for ascending or descending along a rope.
It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide a rope climbing device that securely attaches to a person's foot or shoe and which does not require use of the hands to operate.
It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide a rope climbing devic
Chin-Shue Alvin
Ryan Richard A.
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