IMPROVED DESCENDER

Abstract

IMPROVED DESCENDER The descender (1) comprises a first ring (2) intended to be attached to a harness by means of a connector (C) and a second ring (3) distinct from the first ring (2), the second ring (3) being defined by means of a closed perimeter. The descender comprises a notch (4) arranged outside the second ring (3) and the first ring (2) and outside the closed perimeter. The notch (4) has two side walls whose separation distance is variable according to a direction of insertion of a rope strand R. The direction of insertion is oriented from a top end of the second ring towards an opposite end of the first ring (2). The notch (4) is configured to allow the insertion of a rope strand R without passing through the second ring (3) and to block the rope strand R inserted in the notch (4) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of insertion.

Description

Title of the invention: IMPROVED DESCENDER Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a rope descender. Prior art

[0002] In the field of climbing, mountaineering and more particularly canyoning, it is necessary to descend along a rope in a controlled manner. To properly control one's descent and in particular one's speed, the user must mainly control the friction that exists between the rope and the descender.

[0003] The friction force that exists between the rope and the descender is a function of several parameters and in particular the condition of the rope, that is to say its wear rate, the quantity of water contained in the rope and / or the surface quality of the rope as well as its diameter. In order to have a versatile descender, it is particularly advantageous to have a descender that allows the friction force to be easily modulated.

[0004] Many descender configurations exist. For example, it is known to form cam descenders. Such a product is marketed by the applicant under the name “Grigri”. In this case, the rope passes inside the descender between the movable cam and an opposite wall. The distance between the cam and the wall determines the range of use of the rope diameter. The user modulates the friction force by operating the handle.

[0005] This type of descender is generally configured to block the rope when the user releases the handle. Such a configuration can be dangerous when the user is trapped under a waterfall.

[0006] It is therefore advantageous to use a monolithic descender also known as an 8 or figure eight. A conventional figure eight has two rings. A first ring is intended to be attached to a harness via a carabiner or other connector. The second ring is used to pass a strand of rope through.

[0007] The two rings are separated by a rod and the rope enters the second ring, passes around the rod and exits through the second ring.

[0008] If the user wishes to block himself along the rope, it is then necessary to use a blocker which requires an additional tool. If the need to block the rope arises during the descent, it is necessary to stop and install the blocker which requires at least one free hand and introduces a significant risk of accident. Alternatively, the blocker can be installed at the start of the rappel with the risk of getting stuck under a waterfall because the blocker is configured to block the rope and must be continuously disabled.

[0009] With a conventional figure eight, the friction introduced by the passage of the string is fixed by the path of the string. In order to modulate the level of friction, the shape of the figure eight has been modified, the rounded architecture of the conventional figure eight has been replaced by a more angular architecture. It is also proposed to add a plurality of horns, that is to say a plurality of projecting zones.

[0010] The horns are curved towards the inside of the figure eight in order to allow the rope to slide during descent along the rope but preventing the path of the rope from being modified without user intervention. An example of an embodiment can be embodied by a product from the company Edelrid marketed under the name Hannibal. There is a substantially equivalent product marketed by the company Sterling under the name ATS Belay. A slightly different architecture is presented by the company Conterra with the descender marketed under the name Scarab. These different solutions are not satisfactory because the modulation of the friction force is not suitable for all practices and it is not possible to easily block the rope without an additional blocker.

[0011] Another solution for modulating friction is presented by a figure eight which comprises one or more projecting members which make it possible to define one or more additional scrolling paths and therefore additional friction. These projecting members make it possible to allow the rope to slide during descent and to maintain the path of the rope through the descender. In this product category, it is possible to cite the descenders marketed by the company Kong under the name Oka or under the name Big 8, the descender marketed by the company Rock Exotica Equipment under the name MiniEight or the descender marketed by the company Petzl under the name Pirana. Such a product is also presented in document US 4,723,634.

[0012] All these descenders allow the friction force to be modulated during the descent. Over time, locking keys have been developed to block the user during their descent. However, these locking keys are relatively technical because they require positioning oneself in a particular rope path and forming one or more rope loops that must be installed judiciously to obtain the rope blocking in complete safety. Solutions exist to block the user during the descent, but they require a high technical level.

[0013] It is also known from documents FR2887463 and US2010 / 031479 to form a figure eight descender which is modified so as to form a self-locking brake. This solution is not satisfactory, because in the event of a problem the user may find himself stuck in a dangerous place, for example under a waterfall.

[0014] There is also known a new version of the Pirana descender which has a

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[0024] notch configured to allow the blocking of a strand of rope. Subject of the invention An object of the invention is to provide a descender which is more efficient than the descenders of the prior art because it allows easy-to-achieve locking positions to be defined while providing increased safety. The descender is remarkable in that it includes: - a first ring intended to be attached to a harness by means of a connector, - a second ring distinct from the first ring, the second ring being defined by means of a closed perimeter, - a notch arranged outside the second ring and the first ring and outside the closed perimeter, the notch having two side walls whose separation distance is variable according to a direction of insertion of a strand of rope, the direction of insertion being oriented from a top end of the second ring towards the first ring. The notch is configured to allow insertion of a rope strand without passing through the second ring and is configured to lock the rope strand inserted into the notch in the direction of insertion. The descender is remarkable in that an entrance to the notch is blocked by a blocker mounted to move between a first position which blocks the entrance to the notch and a second position which allows the insertion of a rope into the notch, the blocker bearing on the two side walls of the notch in the first position, the blocker having a spring configured to urge the blocker towards the first position. In one development, the spring is a single piece with a rod closing the entrance to the notch. Advantageously, the blocker is formed by a bent metal wire. It is also advantageous to provide that the two side walls belong to one body and the blocker extends over a larger dimension than the two side walls in a direction perpendicular to the section plane in which the body defines the second ring. In another development, the blocker is mounted to be movable in rotation, the axis of rotation being perpendicular to the cutting plane in which the body defines the second ring. In a particular embodiment, the axis of rotation passes through a delimiting wall between the second ring and the notch. Advantageously, the blocker is mounted to be able to rotate so that the end opposite the axis of rotation approaches a vertex of the second ring. when the blocker moves from the first position to the second position, the top of the second ring being the part furthest from the first ring.

[0025] It is also advantageous to provide that the blocker comes to bear on a top of a side wall of the notch when the blocker is in the first position. Brief description of the drawings

[0026] Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples and represented in the appended drawings, in which:

[0027] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] schematically represents a descender according to the invention in front view with the blocker in the first position,

[0028] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] schematically represents a descender according to the invention seen from three-quarters,

[0029] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] schematically represents a descender according to the invention in front view with the blocker in the first position,

[0030] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] schematically represents a descender according to the invention in front view with the blocker in the second position,

[0031] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] schematically represents a descender associated with a carabiner in a three-quarter view;

[0032] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] schematically represents a descender according to the invention associated with a carabiner in profile view with a rope installed in the descender and the carabiner according to the invention in three-quarter view, the rope being outside the notch;

[0033] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] schematically represents a descender according to the invention associated with a carabiner in profile view with a rope installed in the descender and the carabiner according to the invention in three-quarter view, the rope being in the notch. Description of the embodiments

[0034] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the descender 1 comprises a first ring 2 intended to be attached to a harness via a connector C. The descender 1 also comprises a second ring 3 which is distinct from the first ring 2. The second ring 3 is defined by means of a closed perimeter. Advantageously, the second ring 3 defines a through hole which is larger than the through hole defined by the first ring 2.

[0035] The descender 1 comprises a notch 4 arranged outside the second ring 3 and the first ring 2 and outside the closed perimeter. The notch 4 is formed at a distance from and outside the first ring 2 and the second ring 3. The notch 4 is completely separated from the two rings 2 and 3 by a wall.

[0036] In this way, the notch 4 is dissociated from the first ring 2, which allows easy attachment of the descender to the harness by means of a conventional connector. The notch 4 is dissociated from the second ring 3 in order to prevent the performance of a self-locking function of the rope strand R which passes through the second ring. The self-locking function can be dangerous when the user is under a waterfall.

[0037] The notch 4 has two side walls whose separation distance is variable depending on the direction of insertion of a strand of rope R. In this way, the insertion of the strand of rope R is easy in the notch 4 and the strand of rope R can move until it reaches a blocking zone of the notch 4 where the strand of rope R is stuck. In this configuration, it is impossible for the strand of rope R to run in a direction perpendicular to the axis of insertion into the notch 4 and a force must be applied to make the strand of rope R come out of the blocking zone in the opposite direction to that of insertion.

[0038] This configuration is particularly advantageous, because the blocking of the rope R is chosen by the user and it can be achieved without the use of additional equipment. The user simply has to use the strand of rope R which is in his lower hand (on the right in [Fig.l]) and raise the strand of rope R so that it is inserted into the notch 4. The user manipulates the strand of rope R which has come out of the second ring 3.

[0039] The locking of the rope R can be carried out without the user releasing the lower strand of the rope R and without using his other hand. This configuration is therefore particularly simple to use. It also appears that this architecture also allows unlocking with a single hand which always remains in contact with the lower strand during the entire unlocking operation.

[0040] In this way, the operations of locking and unlocking the rope R can be carried out while always having a point of friction of the rope R at the exit of the second ring 3 which ensures a minimum value of friction between the rope R and the descender.

[0041] The notch 4 is configured to allow the insertion of the strand of rope R without passing again through the second ring 3, which allows easy blocking of the rope R. Thus, the strand of rope R which is inserted into the notch 4 moves out of the hole defined by the second ring 3.

[0042] As indicated above, the notch 4 is configured to block the strand of rope R inserted in the notch 4. The notch 4 defines a blocking zone with a zone where the distance between the two side walls of the notch 4 is less than the diameter of the rope R, which requires a deformation of the rope R to ensure blocking.

[0043] In an advantageous embodiment and illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the notch 4 has a V shape with decreasing width from the opening of the notch 4 to the blocking zone. Preferably, the width of the notch 4 is continuously decreasing up to the blocking zone in order to reduce the surface area occupied by the notch 4 and adapt more easily to the different diameters of rope R. In an advantageous embodiment, the minimum distance of the blocking zone is equal to 7.5 mm in order to block ropes whose diameter is greater than or equal to 8 mm. Depending on the diameter of the rope R used, the position of the blocking zone of the notch 4 moves. The larger the diameter of the rope R, the closer the blocking zone is to the entry opening. The decreasing evolution of the width of the notch 4 is observed from the opening towards the bottom of the groove.

[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the notch 4 is oriented obliquely. The orientation of the notch 4 comprises a first component which provides that the notch 4 is oriented downwards and towards the outside of the descender when it is desired to block the strand of rope R. In other words, the decrease in width is observed in a direction which starts from the top of the descender towards the foot of the descender. The direction of introduction of the rope R extends mainly in a direction which extends from the second ring towards the first ring.

[0045] It is particularly advantageous to provide that the notch 4 is oriented downwards because this makes it possible to take advantage of the weight of the lower rope strand R, that is to say the weight of the rope strand R located to the right of the descender in [Fig.l] as a force which encourages the rope strand R to remain in the notch 4. This configuration is more advantageous than a solution where the notch 4 is oriented upwards because the unlocking is easier, but this requires the rope strand R to be pushed better into the locking zone. This configuration is also more advantageous than a solution where the direction of insertion into the notch 4 only has a horizontal component because the insertion of the rope R is less easy.

[0046] It is also advantageous to provide that the rope R is locked when the rope R is moving towards the outside of the descender because this corresponds to the hand holding the lower strand of the rope R. It is then easier for the user to lock the rope R by trying to move away from the descender rather than by moving closer to the descender. In this way, the user more quickly acquires a position which allows the rope R to be tightened.

[0047] In use, the upper rope strand R leaves the descender via the top of the second ring 3 which corresponds substantially to the top 3A of the descender or in the immediate vicinity of the top of the descender. In order to increase the useful surface area of ​​the descender, it is particularly advantageous to produce a descender which is not symmetrical along the sagittal plane of the user. It is particularly advantageous to provide that the plane passing through the connection point between the connector and the vertex 3A of the second ring 3 defines two half-spaces. One rising half-space corresponds to the rising strand of rope R, i.e. to the part of the rope R which is located between the connector and the attachment point of the rope R. The other half-space, also a descending half-space, corresponds to the descending or lower strand of rope R, i.e. to the part of the rope R which is located between the connector and the lower end of the rope R. The first half-space is separated from the second half-space passing by a plane which passes through the first ring 2 and the vertex of the second ring 3.

[0048] It is particularly advantageous to provide that the descender has a larger surface area in the descending half-space than in the ascending half-space, which makes it possible to integrate additional rope paths to integrate additional braking and facilitates the insertion of the rope R into the notch 4.

[0049] It is particularly advantageous to make the notch 4 in the descending half-space because the user is not hindered by the ascending strand of rope R, which allows improved use of the descender. The user's hand does not need to pass between the torso and the ascending strand of rope R.

[0050] In an advantageous embodiment, the notch 4 is formed by a side wall common with the second ring 3. The side wall is convex from the inside of the second ring 3 towards the notch 4. This embodiment is more advantageous than a configuration where the wall is concave or straight because the blocking of the rope strand R is better maintained.

[0051] In this way, the insertion of the rope strand R into the notch 4 is facilitated because the external wall of the second ring 3 is in the extension of the internal wall of the notch 4. The user can raise the descending rope strand R until reaching the ascending rope strand R and then, it is sufficient to descend along the ascending rope strand R until coming into contact with the wall of the descender 1 and follow the external wall of the descender 1 to arrive at the blocking zone.

[0052] The use of a convex external wall is particularly advantageous because the sliding of the rope strand R along the descender 1 is improved and facilitates blocking in the notch 4.

[0053] It is also advantageous to provide that the other side wall 4A of the notch 4 is convex from the inside of the second ring 3 towards the notch 4. In this way, the general external shape of the upper part of the descender is less likely to catch on external elements.

[0054] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], it is advantageous to provide that the first ring 2 and the second ring 3 belong to the same plane. The descender 1 is substantially flat, it has a constant or substantially constant thickness for form the first ring 2 and the second ring 3. Advantageously, it is possible to define a cutting plane which passes through the first ring 2, the second ring 3 and the notch 4. In this cutting plane, the first ring 2 is a closed ring and the second ring 3 is a closed ring. The cutting plane also passes through the two side walls of the notch 4. Particularly advantageously, the cutting plane is a plane of symmetry for the first ring 2, the second ring 3 and the notch 4.

[0055] In order to define several different paths of the rope strand R in the descender 1 and thus modulate the braking force, it is advantageous to use a first projecting rod 5 terminated by a transverse hook 6, the first rod 5 extending from the first ring 2 in the direction of the notch 4. The first rod 5 moves away from the plane separating the ascending half-space and the descending half-space when moving towards the hook. The hook is directed towards the user.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the first rod 5 is in the same plane as the first ring 2 and the second ring 3 up to the hook 6, but a slight offset is also possible without this considerably increasing the volume occupied by the descender. The transverse hook 6 projects from the plane containing the two rings and the notch 4. The hook is configured to return towards the user. In this way, it is possible to define an additional braking zone by bringing out the descending rope strand R from the second ring 3 and passing this rope strand R into the transverse hook 6.

[0057] This configuration is particularly advantageous because it allows friction to be added without the user removing his hand from the lower strand of rope R and the lower hand always remains in the low position, i.e. below the altitude of the descender, which increases safety. Modulation of the braking force can be easily obtained by moving the hand away from the body or bringing it closer. If the user moves the lower hand away, he forces the strand of rope R to press on the transverse hook 6, which increases the friction.

[0058] On the contrary, by bringing the hand closer to the body, the user reduces friction. Other movements are possible to modulate the braking force.

[0059] Advantageously, the first rod 5 is terminated by a lateral hook 7 included in the plane of the first ring 2 and the second ring 3. The hook is directed to move away from the notch 4, i.e. downwards in [Fig.l].

[0060] In this configuration, the first rod 5 can be used as a support point for the user to brake the rope strand R before inserting it into the notch 4. The descending rope strand R exits the second ring 3, goes around the first rod 5 and locks in the notch 4. The first rod 5 can be passed from the back to the front or from the front to the back. The front corresponds to the face which is opposite the user and the rear corresponds to the opposite face of the descender 1.

[0061] It is particularly advantageous to provide that the descender 1 comprises a second rod 8 which is terminated by a lateral hook 9. The second rod 8 and the lateral hook 9 are included in the plane which contains the first ring 2 and the second ring 3. The second rod is terminated by a transverse hook 9, the second rod 8 extends from the first ring 2 in a direction opposite to the first rod 5. The hook is directed towards the second ring 3. The hook 9 is oriented towards the second ring 3 and advantageously rises at least to half the height of the first ring 2 to reduce an unwanted exit of the rope R from the hook. Preferably, the hook rises to 75% of the height of the first ring 2.

[0062] In order to improve the safety provided by the descender, it is advantageous to provide a blocker 10 arranged at the entrance to the notch 4. The blocker 10 is mounted to move between a first position which obstructs the entrance to the notch 4 and a second position which allows the insertion of a rope R into the notch 4. The entrance to the notch is closed by the blocker 10 so as to prevent the installation of a strand of rope R in the notch 4 when this is not desired.

[0063] In the first position, the blocker 10 rests on the two side walls of the notch. The blocker 10 has a spring configured to bias the blocker 10 towards the first position. In the absence of external bias, the blocker 10 is in the first position to obstruct the entrance to the notch 4. To open the notch 4, the user must apply a force that opposes that of the spring. The first position that obstructs the entrance is a rest position of the blocker 10.

[0064] In an advantageous embodiment, the spring is in one piece with a rod closing the entrance to the notch. The rod is mounted to move between the first position and the second position. The rod and the spring are mounted in an inseparable manner so that safety is improved.

[0065] Preferably, the blocker is formed by a bent metal wire. The rod and the spring are formed by a metal wire which has been bent so as to define the latter. Such a construction facilitates the assembly of the blocker and makes its operation safer.

[0066] In a particular configuration, the two side walls belong to a body and the blocker extends over a dimension larger than the two side walls in a direction perpendicular to the section plane in which the body defines the second ring. In other words, the descender comprises a body and the body has two side walls which face each other to define the notch. The two side walls have a thickness which is measured along the observation axis of the [Fig.4] and which is perpendicular to a section plane in which the second ring is presented in an annular manner. In this same section plane, the notch 4 can be observed with its opening and its bottom. The use of a blocker 10 thicker than the body at the entrance of the notch makes it easier to grip the blocker to move the blocker 10 from the first position to the second position. The blocker 10 projects from one of the faces of the body. Preferably, the blocker 10 projects from both faces of the body.

[0067] It is particularly advantageous to provide that the blocker is mounted so as to be able to rotate. The axis of rotation is perpendicular to the section plane in which the body defines the second ring 3 and as defined previously. Preferably, the axis of rotation passes through a delimiting wall between the second ring 3 and the notch 4. The delimiting wall is the wall which separates the notch 4 and the second ring 3.

[0068] In a preferred embodiment, the blocker is mounted to be movable in rotation so that the end opposite the axis of rotation approaches a vertex of the second ring when the blocker passes from the first position to the second position, the vertex of the second ring being the part furthest from the first ring 2. It is particularly advantageous for the blocker to pass from the first position to the second position by moving away from the notch. By moving away from the notch, it is understood that the part which performs the closure moves away from the notch 4, that is to say does not enter the notch 4.

[0069] In the particular embodiment illustrated, the blocker rests on a top of a side wall of the notch when the blocker is in the first position. The support of the blocker makes it possible to maintain the blocker in the first position even when a significant force is applied by a rope R which seeks to insert itself into the notch.

Claims

Claims

1. Descender (1) comprising a body defining: - a first ring (2) intended to be fixed to a harness via a connector (C); - a second ring (3) distinct from the first ring (2), the second ring (3) being defined by means of a closed perimeter; - a notch (4) arranged outside the second ring (3) and outside the first ring (2), the notch (4) being delimited by two side walls of the body whose separation distance is variable according to a direction of insertion of a strand of rope (R), the direction of insertion being oriented from a top end of the second ring (3) in the direction of the first ring (2), the body allowing the definition of a cutting plane in which the first ring (2) is closed, the second ring (3) is closed and which passes through the two side walls of the notch (4); wherein the notch (4) is configured to allow the insertion of a strand of rope (R) without passing through the second ring (3) and is configured to block the strand of rope (R) inserted in the notch (4) in the direction of insertion; descender (1) characterized in that an entrance to the notch (4) is closed by a blocker (10) mounted to move between a first position which blocks the entrance to the notch (4) and a second position which allows the insertion of a rope (R) into the notch (4), the blocker (10) bearing on the two side walls of the notch (4) in the first position, the blocker (10) having a spring configured to urge the blocker (10) towards the first position, in which the blocker (10) is mounted to move in rotation, the axis of rotation being perpendicular to said section plane and the axis of rotation passes through a delimiting wall between the second ring (3) and the notch (4), and wherein the blocker (10) is mounted to be rotatably mounted so that the end opposite the axis of rotation approaches a vertex of the second ring (3) when the blocker (10) passes from the first position to the second position, the vertex of the second ring (3) being the part furthest from the first ring (2).

2. Descender (1) according to claim 1, in which the spring is in one piece with a rod closing the entrance to the notch (4).

3. Descender (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, in which the blocker is formed by a folded metal wire.

4. Descender (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the two side walls belong to a body and the blocker extends over a larger dimension than the two side walls in a direction perpendicular to the section plane in which the body defines the second ring (3).

5. Descender (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the blocker rests on a top of a side wall of the notch when the blocker is in the first position.

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