US3826341A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Emergency descent apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-09-11
•
Granted: 1974-07-30
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Expires: 1993-09-11
Abstract
Abstract A device useful for descending from an elevated location along a strand of webbing or similar material is disclosed, which includes a housing containing a tortuous path through which the strand is drawn as the housing moves downward on the strand. Means for automatically maintaining an essential uniform rate of descent essentially irrespective of the weight of the escaping person are included, and a unique handle arrangement permits immediate reuse of the device without having to draw the strand back through the housing.
Inventors
- 👤 A Ledner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:27
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62B; A62B1/00; A62B1/06; A62B1/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A device useful for the emergency descent of animate or inanimate objects, comprising: A. a housing having openings therein; B. a flexible strand passing through the openings of the housing; C. means located within the housing for directing the strand through a tortuous path thereby to provide resistance to movement of the strand through the housing; D. means located within the housing in coactive relationship to the strand and responsive to movement of the strand for preventing movement of the strand through the housing; E. selectively actuable means for deactuating the means for preventing movement of the strand; F. spring means located within the housing for bearing resiliently upon the flexible strand, thereby to provide additional resistance to the movement of the strand through the housing; and G. means for increasing the resistance between the spring means and the strand by compressing the spring means in response to the weight of the transported object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
A device useful for the emergency descent of animate or inanimate objects, comprising: A. a housing having openings therein; B. a flexible strand passing through the openings of the housing; C. means located within the housing for directing the strand through a tortuous path thereby to provide resistance to movement of the strand through the housing; D. means located within the housing in coactive relationship to the strand and responsive to movement of the strand for preventing movement of the strand through the housing; E. selectively actuable means for deactuating the means for preventing movement of the strand; F. spring means located within the housing for bearing resiliently upon the flexible strand, thereby to provide additional resistance to the movement of the strand through the housing; and G. means for increasing the resistance between the spring means and the strand by compressing the spring means in response to the weight of the transported object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tortuous path means comprises: C1. means for causing the strand to move in opposite directions in closely adjacent paths as it passes through the housing; and the means for preventing movement of the strand comprises: D1. means for causing portions of the strand in the closely adjacent paths to contact one another, thereby providing resistance to movement of the strand.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
133 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means for causing the strand to move in opposite directions comprises: C1a. a first pair of laterally spaced pins attached to the housing beneath Which the strand is threaded; C1b. a second pair of laterally spaced pins attached to the housing below and spaced outwardly of the first pair, over and around the first of which and beneath the second of which the strand is threaded; C1c. a pin attached to the housing around which the strand is threaded; C1d. a third pair of laterally spaced pins attached to the housing over the first of which and over and around the second of which the strand is threaded; and a fourth pair of laterally spaced pins attached to the housing over which the strand is threaded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
155 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for causing portions of the strand to contact one another comprises: D1a. first and second brake levers; D1b. pivot means for mounting the levers adjacent the closely adjacent paths; D1c. a first brake shoe plate mounted on the first brake lever and contacting the strand at angle leading in one direction of motion of the adjacent strand through the housing; and D1d. a second brake shoe plate mounted on the second brake lever and contacting the strand at an angle leading in the opposite direction of motion of the adjacent strand through the housing, whereby as the strand moves through the housing in either direction, the respective brake shoe plates will be caught by the strand and the levers rotated to force the shoes into braking contact with the strand and to force the portions of the strand in the closely adjacent plates to contact each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 4, further including: D1e. resilient means for biasing the respective brake shoe plates into contact with the strand.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 2, further including roller means for guiding the strand into and out of the means for causing the strand to move in opposite directions in closely adjacent paths.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1497534A
Cited
US2437864A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-29 | 1978-01-28 | 1978-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-29 | 1982-01-28 | 1982-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-29 | 1986-01-28 | 1986-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |