Rope climbing systems and methods of use

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017001055-A1
Application number	US-201514849788-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 10, 2015
Priority date	Jun 30, 2015
Publication date	Jan 5, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Various apparatuses for rope-climbing and associated methods are provided. Embodiments include a circular loop of rope and a variable braking system allowing for a freely suspended rope-climbing experience a safe distance from the ground and at a speed variable to individual users.

First claim

1 . An apparatus for rope climbing comprising:
a mounting structure comprising a frame and a plurality of attachment structures configured to mount said mounting structure on a wall or a ceiling structure; a plurality of support structures coupled with said mounting structure comprising a first and second spaced apart support structures; a first flexible rope or cable supported and directed by said plurality of support structures, wherein said plurality of support structures are configured to receive and support said a rope or cable routed through or in relation to said mounting structure, wherein said first rope or cable is formed in a loop structure having a first length defined as a circumference of the full loop and a second length defined as a distance from end to end of said loop along a first axis defined in a direction of gravity when said rope is freely suspended by said plurality of support structures, said first rope or cable is configured to maintain structural integrity after application of at least a first force, said first flexible rope or cable is adapted to maintain structural integrity while bending and receiving said first force between sixty degrees and one hundred and twenty degrees; a braking mechanism coupled with said mounting structure, said braking mechanism includes a friction structure configured for selectively applying friction to said first rope or cable to a sufficient degree as to maintain said first flexible rope or cable in fixed position relative to said mounting structure, wherein said friction is applied in response to a second force, wherein said second force is less than said first force; a boom or rod extending away from said mounting structure, said boom or rod is coupled with said mounting structure, said boom or rod is coupled with said friction structure; and a second rope or cable of a third length with a first and second coupling section, said first coupling section is configured to attach to said boom or rod, said second coupling section is configured to attach to a user and connects said user to said boom or rod; wherein said boom or rod mechanically actuates said braking mechanism to apply or release said friction on said first rope or cable in response to said second force that comprises a weight from an unsupported mass suspended to said second rope or cable and said boom or rod.

2 . The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first rope or cable has a diameter of 1.5 inches.

3 . The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first rope or cable has a first length of 20 to 30 feet.

4 . The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first rope or cable has a second length of 7 to 11 feet.

5 . The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first rope or cable comprises natural fibers, hemp, manila hemp, synthetic polymer fibers, polyester polymers, nylon, or polyethylene polymers.

6 . The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first rope or cable is formed with a rough texture to facilitate frictional gripping by a climber.

7 . The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first rope or cable is of a three-strand or four-strand twisted construction in either an “S” or “Z” twist.

8 . The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said first rope or cable is of a single braid, double braid, or kermantle form or construction.

9 . The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said first rope or cable has a Young's modulus between 5 and 150 GPa.

10 . The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said first force is at least 500 pounds and said second force is at least 250 pounds.

11 . The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said second rope or cable comprises natural fibers or synthetic polymers.

12 . The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said third length of said second rope or cable in a resting and un-stretched state reaches one-third to one-half the length of said second length of said first rope or cable.

13 . The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said second rope or cable has a Young's Modulus less than 5 GPa.

14 . The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said second rope or cable is able to stretch to the full said second length of said first rope or cable.

15 . The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said second coupling section comprises a knot, a harness configured to support or couple with a human torso, or a karabiner.

16 . The apparatus as in claim 1 , further comprising a third rope or cable extending a fourth length and coupled to said second rope or cable wherein the combined length of said third and fourth lengths extends at least half the distance of said second length of said first rope or cable.

17 . The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said support structures comprise pulleys.

18 . The apparatus as in claim 17 , wherein said pulleys comprise at least three pulleys.

19 . The apparatus as in claim 18 , where at least one of said pulleys is coupled to a threaded adjustment knob that is fitted into a threaded slot in said mounting structure as to allow for the raising and lowering of said pulley, thereby increasing or reducing tension on said first rope or cable.

20 . The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said support structures each comprise a smooth bar.

21 . The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said braking mechanism further comprises a spring coupled to a terminal end of said boom or rod on a first face of said boom or rod opposite said first rope or cable and opposite an end of said boom or rod that is coupled to said second rope or cable, said spring is further coupled on its other terminal end to a terminal end of a threaded structure, wherein said threaded structure is adapted for fitting into said mounting structure, wherein said threaded structure is configured to rotate to extend or retract said spring.

22 . The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said friction structure comprises a material formed to produce a coefficient of friction of at least 0.75.

23 . The apparatus as in claim 1 , further comprising a first and second wireless transmitter/receiver units, an actuator and a control section, wherein said friction structure is actuated by said control section that is coupled to said mounting structure and in electronic communication with said control section comprising a processor, wherein said control section is in electronic communication with said first and second wireless transmitter/receiver units that communicate a distance between said first and second wireless transmitter/receiver units; wherein said first wireless transmitter/receiver unit is coupled to said mounting structure, said second wireless transmitter/receiver unit is removeably coupled to a climber of said rope or cable.

24 . The apparatus as in claim 23 , wherein said control section further comprises a radio antenna, wherein said antenna is in communication with said first and second wireless transmitter/receiver units.

25 . An apparatus for rope climbing comprising:
a primary unit comprising:
a mounting structure comprising a frame and a plurality of attachment structures configured to mount said mounting structure on a wall or a ceiling structure;
a first plurality of support structures coupled with or within said mounting structure comprising first set of a first and second spaced apart support structures operable to receive and support a rope or cable routed through or in relation to said mounting structure;
a secondary unit comprising: a mounting structure comprising a frame and a plural

Assignees

• Us Navy

Inventors

• Brown Christopher
• Shirley Ii Lawrence

Classifications

• A63B7/045 Primary

  Using endless ropes · CPC title

• A63B7/04 Primary

  Climbing-ropes · CPC title

• A62B35/00

  Safety belts or body harnesses; Similar equipment for limiting displacement of the human body, especially in case of sudden changes of motion (buckles A44B11/00; accessories for children's furniture A47D15/00; children's seats B60N2/24; safety belts or body harnesses for land vehicles B60R22/00; harnesses for parachutes B64D17/30; harnessing in aircraft B64D25/06; releasable fastenings F16B) · CPC title

• A63B29/02

  Mountain guy-ropes or accessories, e.g. avalanche ropes; Means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons · CPC title

• A62B1/14

  with brakes sliding on the rope · CPC title