摘要 |
The invention is a device capable of providing fall protection for a climber, which enables the climber to remain suspended after a fall, or to descend in a controlled manner. The device utilizes a safety line, which is governed by a novel combination of: a mechanism which applies a continuous level of resistance to the safety line, and a variable force which pulls on the safety line in the opposite direction of a climber's descent during a fall. Together, these two forces serve to hinder the free travel of the safety line in the direction of a fall. The variable opposing force, when fully applied to the safety line, combines with the continuously applied resistance to arrest the climber's fall. However, when this opposing force is applied to a lesser degree, the combination of resistance applied against the safety line is not sufficient to suspend the climber, and the climber can descend. The variable opposing force is applied in full by default, but can be removed in part or whole by the climber via a separate mechanism, which is not affected by the continuously applied resistance, and is therefore easily controlled by the climber.
|