Cable brake

Abstract

The invention relates to a rope brake (1) for a textile safety rope (7) for securing a secured person (8) against a fall by a belayer (9), wherein the rope brake (1) can be attached to a belaying point (10) located between the secured person (8) and the belayer (9), wherein the rope brake (1) has a rotationally symmetrical guide element (2) for guiding the safety rope (7), wherein the rope brake (1) has a deflection lever (3) which has a fastening section (4) and a braking section (5) and which is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis (6), wherein the safety rope (7) can be passed between the guide element (2) and the deflection lever (3), and wherein the fastening section (4) is designed for attaching the rope brake (1) to the respective belaying point (10).A simplified design results when the guide element (2) is designed as a guide roller (13) which is rotatably mounted about a pivot axis (14), and when the deflection lever (3) and the guide roller (13) are coordinated in such a way that the safety rope (7) which is subjected to stress by a fall of the secured person (9) is clamped between the brake section (5) and the guide roller (13) and thereby braked.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a rope brake according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] These rope brakes are designed for use with a textile belay rope, which is used to protect a belayer from a fall. In the event of a fall, i.e., when the belayer falls, the rope brake slows the belay rope, thereby reducing the force transmitted from the rope to the belayer. This is particularly advantageous when the belayer is lighter than the belayer. Such rope brakes allow rope teams of two people with different weights to be belayed, so that even the heavier person can be belayed by the lighter person. These rope brakes are especially important when climbing on a natural or artificial rock face, for example, when lead climbing.The lead climber is the belayer and is usually connected to the belay rope via a harness, allowing the lead climber to carry the rope. Along the rock face, the belay rope is clipped into fixed anchor points, such as firmly anchored eyelets, using carabiners. The follower, or belayer, is the belayer and is positioned below the belayer. The belayer is also connected to the belay rope and pays it out in stages as the belayer progresses. The belayer typically uses a belay device through which the rope is threaded, usually attached to a harness worn by the belayer. The belay device allows for controlled paydown of the rope as the climber ascends.In the event of a fall, the belayer is supposed to hold the belay rope using the belay device, so that the rope is securely connected to the belayer via the device and the harness. The belayer thus secures the climber using their body weight. However, if a heavier climber falls, the belayer may not be able to hold the rope, which will then be under considerable tension, despite using the belay device. Similarly, the lighter belayer could be lifted and / or pulled against the wall by the tension of the rope, posing a risk of injury to the belayer.

[0003] To enable a lighter person to belay a heavier person more effectively, a rope brake is used. This brake is detachably attached to one of the anchor points, usually the one closest to the belayer. The anchor point where the rope brake is attached is located between the belayer and the person being belayed. The belay rope is threaded through the rope brake. During normal climbing, the rope can move more or less freely through the rope brake, so the rope brake does not significantly impede the climbing process. In the event of a fall, however, the rope brake creates a frictional force on the rope, which reduces the tensile force and transfers it to the fixed anchor point, for example, the rock face.The tensile force transmitted to the belayer via the belay rope is then correspondingly reduced. As a result, the belayer can more easily grip the belay rope, which is under reduced tension, in the belay device. The reduced tensile force is also generally no longer sufficient to lift the belayer and pull them against the wall. Crucially, this type of rope brake only slows the belay rope in the event of a fall, rather than locking it. This means that only a portion of the force acting on the belay rope is absorbed by the rope brake, while the remaining portion is absorbed by the belayer. Only in this way is it possible for the belayer to safely lower the fallen climber, who is still suspended in the belay rope.

[0004] German patent DE 10 2014 001 695 B3 discloses a conventional rope brake featuring a V-shaped brake slot through which the belay rope passes. Under tensile load, the belay rope is pulled into the brake slot, significantly increasing friction between the rope and the brake due to clamping. For this conventional rope brake to function properly, it requires a relatively high weight. If the brake is too light, it will trigger even with minimal resistance or friction, causing the belay rope to be pulled into the brake slot and preventing further climbing. Furthermore, the braking effect of such a V-shaped brake slot cannot be made arbitrarily strong. If the brake slot is designed too aggressively, lowering the belayed person will be jerky, or the rope brake may trigger repeatedly and erratically.When climbing, the contour of the brake slot can cause the belay rope to catch on it and engage the rope brake. This results in the belay rope being slowed, hindering the climbing process. Furthermore, after a fall, the belay rope can become jammed in the brake slot in such a way that the conventional rope brake cannot be released without tools and / or damage to the rope. Consequently, the belayed climber cannot be easily lowered and is unable to continue climbing.

[0005] A rope brake of this type is known from DE 10 2021 002 712 B3 and is configured to be detachably attached to an anchor point located between the belayer and the belayer. The rope brake has a rotationally symmetrical guide element for guiding the safety rope and a deflection lever comprising a fastening section and a braking section, which is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis. Furthermore, the rope brake is configured so that the safety rope can pass between the guide element and the deflection lever. The fastening section is also designed for attaching the rope brake to the respective anchor point.

[0006] This rope brake, known from DE 10 2021 002 712 B3, is also equipped with a stop that limits the pivoting movement of the deflection lever. The stop is positioned such that the distance between the deflection lever and the guide element is always greater than the diameter of the safety rope. In the event of a fall, i.e., when the safety rope is under load, the deflection lever pivots to the stop, so that the safety rope is deflected over both the braking section and the guide element to generate the desired braking effect through friction of the safety rope against both the braking section and the guide element. The stop and the chosen design between the deflection lever and the guide element prevent the safety rope from becoming jammed between the braking section and the guide element in this known rope brake.Consequently, in the known rope brake, the braking effect is achieved not by clamping, but solely by friction. A disadvantage of the known rope brake, however, is that due to the stop and the chosen spacing between the deflection lever and the guide element, the rope brake can only be used with safety ropes whose diameter is smaller than the distance between the deflection lever and the guide element. The diameter of the safety rope must also not be too small, so that sufficient braking effect can be generated by friction. Accordingly, the known rope brake works best with a standard safety rope that has a standard diameter. A diameter of 9 mm ± 0.5 mm can be assumed as a standard for safety ropes. Known rope brakes therefore generally function well in a diameter range of 9–10 mm, and with limitations above and below this range. (See section 8.)With rope diameters of 5-9mm, they generally have rather weak braking effects. At 10-10.5mm, they are usually difficult to handle because the belay rope cannot move freely through the rope brake during normal climbing due to friction. With the familiar rope brake, the belay rope can slide along the guide element and / or an additional element while climbing, resulting in a certain amount of static friction. Depending on the speed at which the belay rope is pulled through the rope brake, this friction can affect the rope brake to a greater or lesser degree and is perceptible to the belayed climber ahead as additional weight.

[0007] The present invention addresses the problem of providing an improved or at least a different embodiment of a rope brake of the aforementioned type, which is characterized in particular by the fact that it can also be used with different safety ropes that differ from each other in terms of cross-sections or diameters.

[0008] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0009] The invention is based on the general concept of eliminating the need for a stop to ensure a minimum distance between the braking section and the guide element, and of coordinating the deflection lever and the guide element in such a way that distances between the deflection lever and the guide element can be adjusted even if they are smaller than the diameter of the safety rope. Consequently, in the event of a fall, the safety rope can also be clamped between the braking section and the guide element, so that the braking effect can also be generated by clamping the safety rope. When the safety rope is clamped, it is elastically deformed, in particular elastically compressed, between the braking section and the guide element. This significantly increases the contact pressure of the safety rope against the braking section and the guide element, thus enabling a particularly strong frictional effect and consequently a correspondingly high braking effect.

[0010] Specifically, it is proposed that the guide element be designed as a guide roller rotatably mounted about a pivot axis, and that the deflection lever and the guide roller be coordinated such that the safety rope, which is under load due to a fall by the secured person, is clamped between the brake section and the guide roller and thus braked—i.e., by clamping—without locking up. The rope brake according to the invention can therefore also be used with safety ropes of different diameters, resulting in greater flexibility in its application. In particular, the clamping action of the rope brake according to the invention allows sufficient braking power to be achieved even when a safety rope is used that is not a standard safety rope and does not have a standard diameter.The rope brake according to the invention therefore operates without impact and thus also works with safety ropes that have a diameter that is smaller or larger than the standard diameter.

[0011] The inventive proposal to design the guide element as a guide roller improves climbing. For normal climbing operations, the rotatable guide roller reduces friction of the belay rope within the rope brake, thereby reducing interactions between the rope brake and the belay rope during normal climbing. The improved guidance of the belay rope is also advantageous in the event of a fall, enabling optimal effectiveness of the rope brake. In a fall, the brake section presses the belay rope against the guide roller, which rolls with the movement of the belay rope and thus generates essentially no friction between the belay rope and the guide roller. In this case, the braking effect is generated by the friction between the brake section and the belay rope, which is comparatively high due to the clamping or crushing action. Furthermore, the clamping or crushing action...The compression of the safety rope results in deformation work, which also generates a significant braking effect. Tests conducted by the applicant have shown that, on the one hand, the use of a guide pulley in conjunction with the clamp is sufficient to remove enough force from the safety rope to compensate for a weight deficit between the belayer and the belayed person, while on the other hand, the clamping mechanism effectively prevents the rope from locking.

[0012] The guide roller can have a radial outer guide contour that interacts with the safety rope or against which the safety rope comes into contact. In a simple embodiment, this radial outer contour can be cylindrical. In an advantageous embodiment, the radial outer contour can be groove-shaped and, in particular, have a concave curvature. This improves the guiding effect of the guide roller, especially in the event of a fall, while largely preventing plastic deformation or damage to the safety rope during the clamping process. It is clear that such a groove or channel limits the minimum usable rope diameter to typical, reasonably manageable rope diameters.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment, the deflection lever and the guide element can be coordinated such that, in the absence of a safety rope, the deflection lever can pivot until it rests against the guide element. This results in particularly high flexibility regarding the possible diameters of the safety rope with which the rope brake can be used. This configuration also ensures that the braking section is always on the correct side of the guide element, which increases operational safety when using the rope brake. The deflection lever and the guide element are expediently coordinated such that the guide element limits the pivoting of the deflection lever by ensuring that the braking section rests against the guide element when the safety rope is absent.In other words, the coordination of the deflection lever and the guide element is achieved in such a way that the guide element forms a stop limiting the pivoting of the deflection lever, against which the brake section comes into contact when there is no safety rope.

[0014] In the present context, a "configuration" is synonymous with a "design" and / or "setup", so that the phrase "configured so that" is synonymous with the phrase "designed and / or set up so that".

[0015] In an alternative embodiment, the deflection lever and the guide element can be aligned in such a way that the deflection lever can pivot past the guide element when the safety cable is missing. This embodiment can only be used with safety cables that have a minimum diameter, which, however, can be significantly smaller than the standard diameter.

[0016] In principle, the guide element can be designed as a fixed cylindrical guide bolt extending parallel to the pivot axis of the deflection lever. In the event of a fall, such a fixed guide bolt ensures that the safety cable is braked by friction at both the brake section and the guide bolt, which is particularly effective.

[0017] According to an advantageous further development, the pivot axis of the deflection lever can run parallel to the axis of rotation of the guide roller. This results in a particularly simple and reliable design.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment, the deflection lever and the guide pulley can be arranged so that, during climbing, the safety rope can unwind along the guide pulley without touching the deflection lever. This results in minimal rolling friction during climbing, making the rope belay device barely noticeable to the belayed person.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment, the deflection lever and the guide pulley can be arranged so that, in the event of a fall, the wrap angle at the guide pulley and the brake section is less than 180°, preferably less than 150°. This results in only a relatively low mechanical load on the safety rope in the event of a fall, which supports its durability and long-term operational reliability.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment, the braking section can be inclined towards the guide roller relative to the mounting section. This measure promotes a compact design, a rapid and precise response of the rope safety device in the event of a fall, and can provide sufficient clearance for low-friction passage of the safety rope through the rope brake during normal climbing operations.

[0021] A preferred embodiment includes a base plate from which the guide element projects and on which the deflection lever is pivotally mounted. The rope brake may also have a cover plate that is adjustable between an open and a closed position on the base plate. In the open position, the cover plate provides an access point through which the safety rope can be inserted transversely to the rope's longitudinal direction into the rope brake between the guide element and the deflection lever. In the closed position, the cover plate closes this access point, preventing the safety rope inserted into the rope brake from being removed transversely to the rope's longitudinal direction. This measure ensures the safe operation of the rope brake during its use with the safety rope.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment, the rope brake can have a bearing bolt projecting from the base plate, on which the deflection lever and the cover plate are pivotally mounted about a common pivot axis. This results in a compact design for the rope brake.

[0023] Additionally or alternatively, the cable brake can have a locking element that interacts with the cover plate and is adjustable between a unlocked and a locked position. In the unlocked position, the locking element allows the cover plate to be moved from the closed to the open position. In the locked position, however, the locking element secures or blocks the cover plate in its closed position. This design requires the user to first actuate the locking element, preferably manually, in order to then move the cover plate from the closed to the open position, also preferably manually. This measure prevents the cover plate from being accidentally opened.

[0024] Furthermore, a bearing pin can also be provided for the guide roller, on which the guide roller is rotatably mounted, in particular via at least one bearing, and which projects from the base plate. Optionally, the cover plate can be designed to engage positively with this bearing pin in the closed position, so that the bearing pin is also supported by the cover plate. This gives the cable brake particularly high stability in the closed position.

[0025] Another advantageous embodiment provides that the mounting section of the deflection lever has a mounting opening for attaching a carabiner, with which the rope brake can be attached to the respective anchor point. This creates a particularly simple and cost-effective embodiment.

[0026] Alternatively, according to another embodiment, the mounting section of the deflection lever can be equipped with a mounting bolt to which a retaining element is attached, allowing the rope brake to be fastened to the respective anchor point. The retaining element provides greater flexibility for using the rope brake at anchor points of varying designs.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the retaining element can be a textile retaining element. A textile retaining element is characterized by high flexibility, low weight, and versatility. In particular, in the event of a fall, a textile retaining element can allow relative movement between the rope brake and the respective anchor point, thereby preventing damage to the safety rope during a fall.

[0028] According to an advantageous embodiment, the fastening bolt can be detachably attached to the deflection lever or the mounting section. For example, the fastening bolt can be configured as a screw bolt that is screwed to the mounting section. Such a detachable fastening bolt is particularly advantageous in conjunction with a textile retaining element, as it allows the retaining element to be replaced on the rope brake. During operation of the rope brake, the textile retaining element is subject to greater wear than other components of the rope brake. The detachably attached fastening bolt allows the retaining element to be replaced multiple times during the service life of the rope brake.

[0029] Another advantageous embodiment provides that the retaining element is a textile rope or strap having two end sections and a central section connecting them. The two end sections are sewn to the central section in such a way that two loops are formed, spaced apart from each other. One loop then encircles the fastening bolt, while the other loop allows the rope brake to be attached to the respective anchor point. Such sewn retaining elements are characterized by high robustness and low manufacturing costs.

[0030] Alternatively, the retaining element can also be a loop made of a textile rope or webbing that encircles the mounting bolt and allows the rope brake to be attached to the respective anchor point. Such a loop is closed, i.e., virtually endless. Using such a loop as a retaining element allows for particularly high flexibility in using the rope brake at a wide variety of anchor points.

[0031] In an advantageous embodiment, the fastening bolt can be arranged on the fastening section in an adjustable manner with respect to its distance from the pivot axis and can be fixed in at least two different positions, which differ from each other by their distances from the pivot axis. The distance of the fastening bolt from the pivot axis defines the effective lever arm of the fastening section, which, in the event of a fall, presses the brake section against the safety rope. This lever arm determines the force that can be absorbed from the safety rope by friction using the rope brake in the event of a fall. Thus, the lever arm, and therefore the aforementioned distance, determines the magnitude of the weight difference between the belayer and the belayer that can be compensated for by the rope brake.The adjustable mounting bolt allows for fixed positioning at different distances from the pivot axis, thus enabling the rope brake to be adapted to varying weight differences between the belayer and the person being belayed. This results in a particularly wide range of applications for the rope brake.

[0032] For example, the mounting section can have an elongated slot perpendicular to the pivot axis, in which the mounting bolt is adjustable, allowing the distance between the mounting bolt and the pivot axis to be varied. The mounting bolt can then be fixed in the respective position on the mounting section using at least one clamping screw, thus fixing the set distance and the resulting lever arm. The two longitudinal ends of the elongated slot define two end positions for the mounting bolt, in which the mounting bolt can be fixed to the mounting section. It is clear that the mounting bolt can also be configured so that it can be fixed in any intermediate position between the two end positions, allowing for virtually any number of positions for the locking bolt to be set and fixed, differing in their distance from the pivot axis.

[0033] In a less complex alternative embodiment, the fastening section can, in addition to the fastening bolt, have an adjusting bolt that preferably extends parallel to the fastening bolt, which is encircled by the loop forming the retaining element. The adjusting bolt is arranged on the fastening section at a different distance from the pivot axis than the fastening bolt. Advantageously, the adjusting bolt can be arranged relative to the fastening bolt such that the loop can be moved into a first loop position and a second loop position. In the first loop position, the loop is guided past the adjusting bolt on a side of the adjusting bolt facing the pivot axis. In the second loop position, the loop is guided past the adjusting bolt on a side of the adjusting bolt facing away from the pivot axis.The two loop positions create two different lever arms at the attachment point. In the first loop position, the loop is supported by the adjusting bolt in the event of a fall, so the effective lever arm is determined by the distance of the adjusting bolt to the pivot axis. In the second loop position, the loop is supported only by the mounting bolt in the event of a fall, so the effective lever arm is determined by the distance between the mounting bolt and the pivot axis.

[0034] In a further development, the adjusting bolt can be designed to be removable, allowing for a third loop position in which the loop wraps around the adjusting bolt. This effectively creates a third effective lever arm, as in this third position, the loop is supported on both the adjusting bolt and the mounting bolts in the event of a fall, resulting in a middle lever arm that lies between those of the first and second loop positions.

[0035] In an alternative embodiment, the mounting section of the deflection lever can have a first adjusting bolt and a second adjusting bolt, each located at a different distance from the pivot axis than the mounting bolt. Advantageously, the two adjusting bolts can extend parallel to the mounting bolt. Furthermore, the first adjusting bolt is positioned closer to the pivot axis than the second adjusting bolt. The adjusting bolts are also arranged relative to the mounting bolt such that the loop can be moved into a first loop position, a second loop position, and a third loop position. In the first loop position, the loop passes the first adjusting bolt on a side facing the pivot axis. In the second loop position, the loop passes the second adjusting bolt on a side facing away from the pivot axis.In the third loop position, the loop is passed between the first and second adjusting bolts. Here too, different effective lever arms can be set by adjusting the loop positions, thus easily adapting the rope brake to different weight differences between the person being belayed and the person belaying.

[0036] A suitable embodiment includes a spring element in the rope brake that interacts with the deflection lever in such a way as to drive the brake section away from the guide element. This ensures smooth, largely unimpeded passage of the safety rope through the rope brake during normal climbing operations.

[0037] Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0038] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Components of a higher-level unit, such as a device, apparatus, or arrangement, mentioned above and those to be mentioned below, which are designated separately, can form separate parts or components of this unit or be integral areas or sections of this unit, even if this is depicted differently in the drawings.

[0039] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

[0040] They show, schematically, Figure 1 shows a side view of a rope brake with the cover plate removed, showing a safety rope passing through the rope brake in a relaxed state. Figure 2 shows a side view as shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 , however, with the cover plate, Figure 3 a side view as in Figure 1 , however, in the loaded state of the safety rope, Figure 4 a side view in Figure 3 , however, in a different embodiment, Figure 5 side views as in the Figures 3 and 4 , however, in a further embodiment and in different states A and B, Figure 6 side views as in the Figures 3 to 5 , however, with the cover plate and in a further embodiment and in various states A, B, C, Figure 7 side views as in Figure 6, however, in a further embodiment under different states A, B, C, Figure 8 an isometric view of the rope brake with cover plate in the loaded state of the safety rope in a further embodiment, Figure 9 an isometric view of the in the Figures 1 to 3 The rope brake with cover plate shown is in a loaded state.

[0041] According to the Figures 1 to 9 A rope brake 1 comprises a rotationally symmetrical guide element 2 and a deflection lever 3, which has a fastening section 4 and a braking section 5 and which is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis 6.

[0042] The rope brake 1 is designed for use with a textile safety rope 7, of which the following are shown here: Figures 1 to 9Only a small section is shown in each figure. The safety rope 7 serves to secure a belayed person 8, indicated by a circle in the figures, against a fall from a height. The belaying is carried out by a belayer 9, also represented by a circle. The rope brake 1 can be detachably attached to an anchor point 10, which, when the safety rope 7 is in use, is located between the belayed person 8 and the belayer 9. For example, such an anchor point 10 can be fixed or anchored to a natural or artificial wall 11. The rope brake 1 is usually attached to the respective anchor point 10 using a carabiner.

[0043] The guide element 2 serves to guide the safety rope 7. For this purpose, the safety rope 7 can be routed between the guide element 2 and the deflection lever 3 through the rope brake 1. The attachment section 4 serves to attach the rope brake 1 to the respective anchor point 10, whereby appropriate securing elements, such as a carabiner or the like, can be used. When the safety rope 7 is used correctly, it is connected on one side to the belayed person 8 and on the other side to the belayer 9. These connections are indicated in the figures by dashed lines. When climbing, especially on the wall 11, the belayed person 8 moves ahead, taking the safety rope 7 with them. The belayer 9 lets out the rope 7 in accordance with the progress of the belayed person 8, leaving just enough free rope length for the belayed person 8 to move freely.In this way, the free rope length is as short as possible in the event of a fall by the secured person 8, so that the belaying effect of the belay rope 7 takes effect quickly. The anchor point 10, to which the rope brake 1 is attached, is located – contrary to the greatly simplified representation in the diagram. Figures 1 to 9 - during climbing between the belayed person 8 and the belayer 9, who is located below the belayed person 8. This is usually the belay point 10 closest to the belayer 9. The attachment of the rope brake 10 to the respective belay point 10 is indicated in the figures by a dashed line.

[0044] In the Figures 1 and 2This depicts a state that occurs during proper climbing, i.e., when the belay rope 7 is largely unloaded. In this unloaded state of the belay rope 7, the rope brake 1 hangs downwards at the respective anchor point 10 towards the belayer 9 due to its own weight. Figures 3 to 9In contrast, the diagrams show a stressed state of the safety rope 7, which is primarily caused by a fall of the belayed person 8. In this case, the rope brake 1 is pulled upwards, extending from the respective anchor point 10 towards the belayed person 8. This kinematics result from the fact that the belayer 9 is usually positioned further away from the wall 11 than the belayed person 8, who is climbing on or in the wall 11. This causes the safety rope 7 to be deflected at the guide element 7, and when the safety rope 7 is subjected to an upward pull via the guide element 2, the entire rope brake 1 is pulled upwards.

[0045] In the rope brake 1 presented here, the deflection lever 3 and the guide element 2 are coordinated such that the loaded safety rope 7 is clamped and thus braked between the brake section 5 and the guide element 2. This clamping does not constitute a blockage, as the safety rope 7 can still move against the frictional force relative to the rope brake 1 even when clamped. The clamping effect is achieved by allowing the brake section 5 to move closer to the guide element 2 when the deflection lever 3 is pivoted, such that the distance between the brake section 5 and the guide element 2 is less than the diameter 12 of the safety rope 7. This clamping action causes an elastic deformation of the safety rope 7. Figures 3 to 9The figure shows a state in which the tension in the safety rope 7 has moved the rope brake 1 upwards relative to the respective anchor point 10 to which the rope brake 1 is attached. Furthermore, the deflection lever 3 has pivoted sufficiently that the brake section 5 has approached the guide element 2, but not yet far enough for clamping to occur. Under greater tensile load, the deflection lever 3 can pivot further clockwise, allowing the brake section 5 to approach the guide element 2 even further, until clamping and crushing of the safety rope 7 occur between the brake section 5 and the guide element 2.

[0046] The configuration of deflection lever 3 and guide element 2 is advantageously chosen such that, in the absence of the safety cable 7, the deflection lever 5 can pivot until it contacts the guide element 2 or pivot past the guide element 2. For example, deflection lever 3 and guide element 2 can be coordinated such that the guide element 2 limits the pivoting range of the deflection lever 3 by causing the brake section 5 to contact the guide element 2 when the safety cable 7 is absent. In this way, the guide element 2 effectively forms a stop that limits the pivoting range of the deflection lever 3 when the brake section 5 contacts the guide element 2, which acts as the stop, in the absence of the safety cable 7.

[0047] In the embodiments shown here, the guide element 2 is designed as a guide roller 13, which is rotatably mounted about a pivot axis 14. The pivot axis 14 extends parallel to the swivel axis 6. In the examples shown here, the guide roller 13 has a groove-shaped outer contour radially outward with respect to its pivot axis 14, into which the safety cable 7 dips, thus ensuring a secure guiding effect.

[0048] When the safety rope 7 is under load, a wrap angle is assumed at which the safety rope 7 wraps around the guide element 2. In Figures 3 to 9, the wrap angle is approximately 90°. When unloaded, the Figures 1 and 2 There is essentially no wrap angle, since the safety rope 7 is guided freely through the rope brake 1 and is only tangentially in contact with the guide element 2.

[0049] Preferably, the deflection lever 3 and the guide roller 13 are coordinated in such a way that during climbing according to Figures 1 and 2 The safety rope 7 can unwind along the guide pulley 13 without touching the deflection lever 3. Furthermore, the deflection lever 3 and the guide pulley 13 can be coordinated so that, in the event of a fall, the following occurs according to the Figures 3 to 9 The guide roller 13 and the brake section 5 each have a wrap angle of less than 180°, preferably less than 150°, and particularly less than 135°. Optionally, the brake section 5 can also be inclined towards the guide roller 13 relative to the mounting section 4. In the embodiments shown here, a preferred inclination angle of 30° is shown. Preferably, this inclination angle can be within a range of 15° to 45°.

[0050] In all embodiments shown here, the rope brake 1 has a base plate 15 from which the guide element 2 projects or the guide roller 13 is rotatably mounted. The deflection lever 3 is also pivotally mounted on the base plate 15. Furthermore, the rope brake 1 has a Figures 2 and 6 to 9 recognizable cover plate 16, which is shown for explanatory purposes in Figure 1 drawn with a broken line and in the Figures 3 to 5 The cover plate 16 is omitted. The cover plate 16 is attached to the base plate 15 between a surface only in Figure 1 recognizable disclosure and one in the Figures 2 and 6 to 9 The closed position shown is adjustable. In the open position, the cover plate 16 indicates Figure 1An access point 17 is provided through which the safety rope 7 can be inserted transversely to the rope's longitudinal direction between the guide element 2 and the deflection lever 3 into the rope brake 1. This makes it possible to attach the rope brake 1 to the safety rope 3 even when the safety rope 3 already connects the secured person 8 to the belayer 9. In the closed position, however, this access point 17 is closed by the cover plate 16. Consequently, the safety rope 7 inserted into the rope brake 1 cannot be removed from the rope brake 1 transversely to the rope's longitudinal direction.

[0051] The cable brake 1 can have a bearing pin 18 projecting from the base plate 15, on which the deflection lever 3 and the cover plate 16 are mounted about a common pivot axis 6. Furthermore, the cable brake 1 can have another bearing pin 19 projecting from the base plate 15, on which the guide roller 3 is rotatably mounted. At least one bearing 20 can be provided for the rotatable mounting of the guide roller 13 on the second bearing pin 19; this bearing 20 can be designed as a plain bearing or as a rolling bearing, in particular as a ball bearing. Depending on the height of the guide roller 13, two such bearings 20 can also be mounted axially adjacent to each other on the bearing pin 19 to support the guide roller 13.

[0052] The cover plate 16 can be configured so that, in the closed position, it engages positively with the additional bearing pin 19, such that the latter also bears against the cover plate 16 in a force-transmitting manner when the cover plate 16 is closed. In the open position, the cover plate 16 is released from this bearing pin 19 to open the access 17.

[0053] According to the Figures 2 and 6 to 9The cable brake 1 can also have a locking element 21 that is manually operable and interacts with the cover plate 16. The locking element 21 is adjustable between a release position, in which the locking element 21 allows the cover plate 16 to be moved, in particular pivoted, from the closed position to the open position, and a locking position, in which the locking element 21 secures or blocks the cover plate 16 in its closed position. The locking element 21 can be spring-loaded into its locking position, such that when the cover plate 16 is moved into its closed position, the locking element 21 automatically returns to its locking position.

[0054] In Figure 8A particularly simple embodiment for the rope brake 1 is shown, which is characterized in that the fastening section 4 of the deflection lever 3 has a fastening opening 22 which is configured so that a carabiner 23 can be attached to the rope brake 1 through this fastening opening 22, with the help of which the rope brake 1 can be attached to the respective anchor point 10.

[0055] In the other embodiments of the Figures 1 to 7 and 9In contrast, a fastening bolt 24 is provided on the mounting section 4 of the deflection lever 3, which expediently extends parallel to the pivot axis 6. The rope brake 1 is also equipped with a retaining element 25, which is held on the fastening bolt 24 and with which the rope brake 1 can be attached to the respective anchor point 10. For example, the retaining element 25 can be fixed to the respective anchor point 10 using a carabiner. For this purpose, the retaining element 25 can be adjusted according to the Figures 1 to 3 and 9 a first opening 26, which is penetrated by the fastening bolt 24, and a second opening 27, into which, for example, a carabiner can engage.

[0056] To enable the retaining element 25 to engage the fastening bolt 24 in a form-fitting manner, the fastening section 4 may advantageously have two cheeks 41, which are spaced apart from each other parallel to the pivot axis 6 and which run parallel to each other. The two cheeks 41 extend from a central area of ​​the deflection lever 3 through which the pivot axis 6 runs. The fastening bolt 24 is supported on both cheeks 41. The retaining element 25 engages the fastening bolt 24 between the two cheeks 41. For explanatory purposes, the following is shown in the Figure 6 and 7 The cheek facing the viewer (41) has been omitted. In the Figures 1 to 5 Only the cheek facing the viewer (41) is visible. In the isometric view of the Figure 9 Both cheeks are visible (41). During the examination in Figure 8 In the embodiment shown, however, there are no cheeks.

[0057] In principle, the retaining element 25 can be configured in any way. Figures 4 to 7However, preferred embodiments are shown in which the retaining element 25 is formed by a textile retaining element 25. The fastening bolt 24 can be detachably attached to the deflection lever 3. For example, the fastening bolt 24 can be screwed to the fastening section 4, e.g., to at least one of the two cheeks. This makes it possible to easily replace the retaining element 25.

[0058] In the examples of Figures 4 and 5The retaining element 25 is designed as a textile band 28. Alternatively, the retaining element 25 can also be designed as a textile rope. The following descriptions of the band 28 then also apply accordingly to the rope. The band 28 has two end sections 29, 30 and a central section 31 connecting the two end sections 29, 30. The two end sections 29, 30 are sewn to the central section 31 in such a way that two loops 32 and 33 are formed, which are spaced apart from each other and connected to each other by a web 34. The web 34 is formed by the sewn sections 29, 30, 31 of the band 28. One loop 32 encircles the fastening bolt 24. The rope brake 1 can be attached to the respective securing point 10 using the other loop 33. For example, a carabiner can be attached to this other loop 33.

[0059] In the Figures 5A and 5BAn embodiment is shown in which the fastening bolt 24 is adjustable on the fastening section 4 with respect to its distance 35 from the pivot axis 6. Furthermore, the fastening bolt 24 can be fixed in at least two different positions on the fastening section 4. This allows the effective lever arm of the fastening section 4 to be changed. Figures 5A and 5B Figure 1 shows two different positions for the fastening bolt 24, which differ from each other by their different distances 35 from the pivot axis 6. Figure 5A The distance of 35 is significantly smaller, about half as large, as in the Figure 5B In the example of the Figures 5A and 5BThe adjustability of the fastening bolt 24 is achieved by means of an elongated hole 36, which is formed on the fastening section 4 and through which the fastening bolt 24 passes. The elongated hole 36 is oriented in the direction of the distance, so that adjusting the fastening bolt 24 within the elongated hole 36 changes the distance 35. By means of a suitable screw, the fastening bolt 24 can be fixed within the elongated hole 36 in any desired position on the fastening section 4. This allows the rope brake 1 to be easily adjusted to different weight differences between the secured person 8 and the belayer 9.

[0060] In the Figure 6 and 7The retaining element 25 is formed by a loop 37 made of a textile rope or a textile band. Preferably, a textile band loop is used. In any case, the loop 37 encircles the fastening bolt 24 and serves to attach the rope brake 1 to the respective anchor point 10. For example, a carabiner can be attached to the loop 37.

[0061] In the embodiment of the Figures 6A, 6B and 6CThe mounting section 4 of the deflection lever 3 is equipped with an adjusting bolt 38 that extends parallel to the mounting bolt 24. The adjusting bolt 38 is arranged on the mounting section 4 such that the adjusting bolt 38 and the mounting bolt 24 have different distances to the pivot axis 6. In the example shown here, the distance of the adjusting bolt 38 to the pivot axis 6 is greater than the distance of the mounting bolt 24 to the pivot axis 6. Furthermore, the adjusting bolt 38 and the mounting bolt 24 are arranged relative to each other such that the loop 37 is formed in a Figure 6A shown first loop position and into one in Figure 6B The second loop position shown can be converted. In the first loop position according to Figure 6A The loop 37 is guided past the adjusting bolt 38 on one side of the adjusting bolt 38 facing the pivot axis 6. In the second loop position according to Figure 6BIn contrast, the loop 37 is guided past the adjusting bolt 38 on a side of the adjusting bolt 38 facing away from the pivot axis 6. Figure 6C also shows an optional third loop position, which is adjustable particularly when the adjusting bolt 38 is designed to be releasable. In the third loop position according to Figure 6C The loop 37 not only encircles the fastening bolt 24, but also the adjusting bolt 38. The three loop positions shown here allow for the adjustment of three different effective lever arms on the fastening section 4 of the same rope brake 1, thereby making the force with which the brake section 5 presses the safety rope 7 against the guide element 2 under load adjustable or variable. A particular advantage is that the first loop position, according to Figure 6A and the second loop position according to Figure 6BCan be adjusted without tools. For the third loop position according to Figure 6C The use of a tool may be required, for example, to remove and reinstall the adjusting bolt 38. This allows the rope brake 1 to be easily adjusted to different weight differences between the secured person 8 and the belayer 9.

[0062] In the Figures 7A, 7B and 7CIn the embodiment shown, the mounting section 4 of the deflection lever 3 is equipped with a first adjusting bolt 39 and a second adjusting bolt 40, each extending parallel to the mounting bolt 24. Both adjusting bolts 39 and 40 are at different distances from the pivot axis 6, which differ from the distance of the mounting bolt 24 to the pivot axis 6. In the example shown here, the adjusting bolts 39 and 40 are located further from the pivot axis 6 than the mounting bolt 24. Furthermore, the first adjusting bolt 39 is positioned closer to the pivot axis 6 than the second adjusting bolt 40. The two adjusting bolts 39 and 40 and the mounting bolt 24 are arranged relative to each other on the mounting section 4 such that the loop 37 can be positioned in a first loop position shown in Figure 7A, in a position shown in Figure 7A. Figure 7B shown second loop position and into one in Figure 7CThe third loop position shown can be transferred. In the first loop position according to Figure 7A The loop 37 is guided past the first adjusting bolt 39 on one side facing the pivot axis 6. In the second loop position according to Figure 7B The loop 37 is guided past the second adjusting bolt 40 on a side facing away from the pivot axis 6. In the third loop position according to Figure 7C The loop 37 passes between the two adjusting bolts 39 and 40. Here, too, the three loop positions each generate a different effective lever arm at the fastening section 4, resulting in different forces under load with which the brake section 5 presses the safety rope 7 against the guide element 2. This allows the rope brake 1 to be easily adjusted without tools to accommodate different weight differences between the secured person 8 and the belayer 9.

Claims

1. A rope brake (1) for a textile safety rope (7) for securing a secured person (8) from a fall by a securing person (9), - wherein the rope brake (1) can be fastened to a securing point (10) located between the secured person (8) and the securing person (9), - wherein the rope brake (1) has a rotationally symmetrical guide element (2) for guiding the safety rope (7), - wherein the rope brake (1) has a deflection lever (3) which has a fastening section (4) and a braking section (5) and which is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis (6), - wherein the safety rope (7) can be guided between the guide element (2) and the deflection lever (3), - wherein the fastening section (4) is designed to fasten the rope brake (1) to the respective securing point (10), characterized by - that the guide element (2) is designed as a guide roller (13) which is rotatably mounted about a rotation axis (14), - that the deflection lever (3) and the guide roller (13) are coordinated with one another in such a way that the safety rope (7) loaded by a fall of the secured person (9) is clamped between the braking section (5) and the guide roller (13) and is thereby braked.

2. Rope brake (1) according to claim 1, characterized by - that the deflection lever (3) and the guide roller (13) are coordinated with one another in such a way that the deflection lever (3) can be pivoted until it rests on the guide roller (13) or past the guide roller (13) in the absence of the safety cable (7).

3. Rope brake (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by - that the pivot axis (6) of the reversing lever (3) runs parallel to the rotation axis (14) of the guide roller (13).

4. Rope brake (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by - thatthe bell crank (3) and the guide pulley (13) are coordinated so that when climbing the safety rope (7) can roll along the guide pulley (13) without touching the bell crank (3).

5. Rope brake (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by - that the deflection lever (3) and the guide roller (13) are coordinated with one another in such a way that in the event of a fall, a wrap angle of less than 180° is set on the guide roller (13) and on the braking section (5).

6. Rope brake (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by - that the braking section (5) is inclined relative to the fastening section (4) towards the guide roller (13).

7. Rope brake (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by - that the cable brake (1) has a base plate (15) from which the guide element (2) protrudes and on which the deflection lever (3) is pivotally mounted, - thatthe rope brake (1) has a cover plate (16) which is adjustable on the base plate (15) between an open position, in which the cover plate (16) opens an access (17) through which the safety rope (7) can be inserted into the rope brake (1) between the guide element (2) and the deflection lever (3) transversely to the longitudinal direction of the rope, and a closed position, in which the cover plate (16) closes the access (17), so that the safety rope (7) inserted into the rope brake (1) cannot be removed from the rope brake (1) transversely to the longitudinal direction of the rope.

8. Rope brake (1) according to claim 7, characterized by - that the cable brake (1) has a bearing pin (18) projecting from the base plate (5), on which the deflection lever (3) and the cover plate (16) are pivotably mounted about a common pivot axis (6), and / or - thatthe cable brake (1) has a securing element (21) which interacts with the cover plate (16) and which is adjustable between a release position, in which the securing element (21) allows the cover plate (16) to be adjusted from the closed position to the open position, and a securing position in which the securing element (21) secures the cover plate (16) in its closed position.

9. Rope brake (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by - that the fastening section (4) of the deflection lever (3) has a fastening opening (22) for fastening a carabiner (23) with which the rope brake (1) can be fastened to the respective securing point (10).

10. Rope brake (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by - thatthe fastening section (4) of the deflection lever (3) has a fastening bolt (24) on which a holding element (25) is held, with which the cable brake (1) can be fastened to the respective securing point (10).

11. Rope brake (1) according to claim 10, characterized by - that the holding element (25) is a loop (37) made of a textile rope or band, which wraps around the fastening bolt (24) and with which the rope brake (1) can be fastened to the respective securing point (10).

12. Rope brake (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by - that the fastening bolt (24) is arranged on the fastening section (4) so as to be adjustable with regard to its distance from the pivot axis (6) and can be fixed in at least two different positions which differ from one another by different distances from the pivot axis (6).

13. Rope brake (1) according to claim 11, characterized by - thatthe fastening section (4) of the reversing lever (3) has an adjusting bolt (38) which has a different distance from the pivot axis (6) than the fastening bolt (24), - that the adjusting bolt (38) is arranged relative to the fastening bolt (24) such that the loop (37) can be transferred into a first loop position, in which the loop (37) is guided past the adjusting bolt (38) on a side facing the pivot axis (6), and into a second loop position, in which the loop (37) is guided past the adjusting bolt (38) on a side facing away from the pivot axis (6).

14. Rope brake (1) according to claim 13, characterized by - that the adjusting bolt (38) is designed to be detachable, so that a third loop position can also be set, in which the loop (37) wraps around the adjusting bolt (38).

15. Rope brake (1) according to claim 11, characterized by - thatthe fastening section (4) of the deflection lever (3) has a first adjusting bolt (39) and a second adjusting bolt (40), each of which has a different distance from the pivot axis (6) than the fastening bolt (24), - that the first adjusting bolt (39) is arranged closer to the pivot axis (6) than the second adjusting bolt (40), - that the adjusting bolts (39, 40) are arranged relative to the fastening bolt (24) such that the loop (37) can be transferred into a first loop position, in which the loop (37) is guided past the first adjusting bolt (39) on a side facing the pivot axis (6), into a second loop position, in which the loop (37) is guided past the second adjusting bolt (40) on a side facing away from the pivot axis (6), and into a third loop position, in which the loop (37) is guided between the first adjusting bolt (39) and the second adjusting bolt (40).

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