US3695397A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tortuous grip rope brake
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-05-28
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Granted: 1972-10-03
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Expires: 1991-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A device for use with an elongated flexible member consisting briefly of a frame having an opening adapted for connection to rings or other lines; a pair of enclosed openings one of which is openable, and side and cross members providing a plurality of friction surfaces for various line configurations to accomplish releasable engagement with a line and controllable descent on said line. A closeable gate means permits the device to be used as a hook and to prevent accidental loss of contact with a line. The device , in a modified form consists of a brake bar which provides automatic braking in descent modes and automatic holding in ascent applications.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin L Hobbs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:09
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62B; A62B1/00; A62B1/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
A line apparatus comprising: a. a base member having an opening therein adapted for receiving a ring or flexible line; b. a first elongated side member connected to said base and extending therefrom at substantially a right angle and adapted for receiving an elongated flexible line wound thereon; c. a second elongated side member connected to said base and spaced from said first side member, extending in substantially the same plane as said base and first side member and terminating in a stub post; d. a cross member spaced from said base and joining said first and second sides and forming a first enclosed opening having an area several times greater than the area of a line adapted to be received therethrough; e. an elongated top member joining said first side member and extending at substantially right angles therefrom, spaced from said cross member and said base and in substantially the same plane therewith, and spaced from the end of said stub post forming an opening therebetween; f. gate means having a first position providing a clear opening between said top member and the end of said stub post and a second position closing said opening; g. resilient means releasably locking said gate in said second poSition; and h. said side members, said cross member, said top member and said gate means forming an enclosed opening having an area greater than said first enclosed opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
235 words
A line apparatus comprising: a. a base member having an opening therein adapted for receiving a ring or flexible line; b. a first elongated side member connected to said base and extending therefrom at substantially a right angle and adapted for receiving an elongated flexible line wound thereon; c. a second elongated side member connected to said base and spaced from said first side member, extending in substantially the same plane as said base and first side member and terminating in a stub post; d. a cross member spaced from said base and joining said first and second sides and forming a first enclosed opening having an area several times greater than the area of a line adapted to be received therethrough; e. an elongated top member joining said first side member and extending at substantially right angles therefrom, spaced from said cross member and said base and in substantially the same plane therewith, and spaced from the end of said stub post forming an opening therebetween; f. gate means having a first position providing a clear opening between said top member and the end of said stub post and a second position closing said opening; g. resilient means releasably locking said gate in said second poSition; and h. said side members, said cross member, said top member and said gate means forming an enclosed opening having an area greater than said first enclosed opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
138 words
A line apparatus as described in claim 1 comprising: a. said gate means including an elongated tube; b. an elongated rod positioned within said tube and moveable from a first ''''lock'''' position to a second ''''unlock'''' position; c. said resilient means including spring means biasing said rod to said first ''''lock'''' position; d. lock means operatively connected to said rod and protruding from said tube in said first position of said rod and moveable to a non-protruding position in said second ''''unlocked'''' position of said rod; e. said top member having an opening therethrough to permit said tube to slide therethrough and said stub post having an opening axially therethrough to permit entry of said tube and movement through a portion thereof; and f. stop means engaging said lock means in said first ''''locked'''' position of said rod.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
116 words
A line apparatus as described in claim 1 comprising: a. a brake bar including a pair of side bracket members having portions shaped to closely and partially encircle said side members; and b. a roller mounted for free rotation between said bracket members and spaced from said shaped portions to closely encircle and ride freely over a face of said apparatus and being dimensioned to be in close fitting relationship with said top member and said cross member and adapted to receive a line between said roller and said top member and said cross member in binding relationship so as to prevent further sliding on said sides and to lock said line in fixed relationship therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A line apparatus as described in claim 3 comprising: a. means biasing said brake bar into clamping engagement with said line at said top member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
A line apparatus as described in claim 1 comprising: a. a brake bar including a rigid band dimensioned to closely encircle said side members and to freely slide longitudinally thereover and further dimensioned to be in close fitting relationship with said top member and said cross member and adapted to receive a line between said band and said top member and said cross member in binding relationship so as to prevent further sliding on said sides and to lock said line in fixed relationship therewith.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A line apparatus as described in claim 5 comprising: a. said brake bar being formed in the shape of a C with the ends of the band occurring generally between said side members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A line apparatus as described in claim 5 comprising: a. means biasing said brake bar into clamping engagement with said line at said top member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
A line apparatus as described in claim 7 comprising: a. said means including a pair of coil springs with said first spring mounted around said first side member between said cross member and said top member and said second spring being mounted around said gate means between said cross member and said top member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-03 | 1976-04-03 | 1976-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-03 | 1980-04-03 | 1980-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-03 | 1984-04-03 | 1984-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |