Rope descent method and rope structure used therein

Abstract

To provide a rope descent method that does not impose an excessive burden on operation of a descender and does not impair workability or safety.SOLUTION: A worker W performs rappelling descent by switching ropes in order of a first sub-rope 14, a second sub-rope 16, and a main rope 10. The worker attaches a descender to the first sub-rope 14 to perform rappelling descent. When reaching an end point of the first sub-rope 14, the worker detaches the descender from the first sub-rope 14, attaches it to the second sub-rope 16, and further performs the rappelling descent. When reaching an end point of the second sub-rope 16, the worker removes the descender from the second sub-rope 16, attaches it to the main rope 10, and further performs the rappelling descent. Accordingly, the load applied to the descender is reduced so as to reduce an operational burden, thereby ensuring workability and safety of the worker.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to rope technology aimed at ensuring the workability and safety of workers when rappelling from high places. [Background technology]

[0002] Rope handling for rappelling can be broadly divided into two methods. The first is to pre-hang a length of rope corresponding to the total descent distance. The second is to wind the rope around the body and carry it, letting out only the required length as you descend. Regardless of the method, when descending using a rope, you need to operate a device called a descender, alternating between descending and stopping. Because it is difficult to operate the descender when a load is applied, you need to slightly lift the rope extending below the descender to temporarily release the tension in the rope. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-93914 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When working at heights where the total descent distance is several hundred meters, if the rope is dropped in advance, the rope's own weight and the wind force will affect the operation of the descender, which places a considerable burden on the worker. If the worker descends while carrying the rope, the operation of the descender becomes relatively easy, but the bulk and weight of the rope restricts the worker's freedom of movement, which is not necessarily desirable from the standpoint of workability or safety.

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a rope descent method and rope structure that do not impose excessive strain on the operation of the descender and do not impair workability or safety. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] First aspect of the present invention: A rope descent method using a main rope hanging from a fulcrum, multiple secondary ropes fastened to the main rope at predetermined intervals, and a descender, the rope descent method including the steps of descending while operating the descender attached to the first secondary rope on the upper side, removing the descender from the first secondary rope 14 and attaching it to the second secondary rope 16 once descending to near the end of the first secondary rope, and descending while operating the descender attached to the second secondary rope.

[0007] Second aspect of the present invention: In the first aspect of the present invention, a portion of the end side of the first auxiliary rope is located at the same vertical position as a portion of the tip side of the second auxiliary rope.

[0008] Third aspect of the present invention: In the second aspect of the present invention, a portion of the first secondary rope at least 5 m from the end is at the same vertical position as a portion of the second secondary rope near the tip.

[0009] Fourth aspect of the present invention: In any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the weight of the auxiliary rope is 15 kg or less.

[0010] A fifth aspect of the present invention: A rope structure used in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, It comprises a main rope and a plurality of secondary ropes connected to the main rope at predetermined intervals. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to descend using a secondary rope that is lighter than the main rope, thereby reducing the burden on the worker to operate the descender. According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, movement between the auxiliary ropes can be achieved only by horizontal movement, thereby ensuring the workability and safety of the worker. The fourth aspect of the present invention makes it possible to keep the weight of the auxiliary rope to a level that does not burden the worker, thereby reducing the burden on the worker of operating the descender and ensuring workability and safety. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a rope structure that reduces the burden on workers when operating a descender when rappelling from a high place, and ensures workability and safety. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] Conceptual diagram showing the rope structure of the present invention. [Figure 2] A conceptual diagram showing a method of descending using the rope structure of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a rope structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 2 shows a method of descending using the rope structure according to the present invention.

[0014] [Rope structure] The rope structure will be described below with reference to Figure 1. The main rope 10 starts at the fulcrum 12 and hangs down from its end located 400 m below. The first auxiliary rope 14 starts at the fulcrum 12 and hangs down from its end located 150 m below. The second auxiliary rope 16 starts at a knotter 18 attached to the knotting point with the main rope 10 and hangs down from its end located 150 m below. The knotter 18 is located approximately 145 m below the fulcrum 12.

[0015] There are no particular limitations on the types of main rope 10 and secondary ropes 14, 16, but ropes that comply with the European standard EN1891 semistatic rope and the National Fire Protection Association NFPA1983:2012 are recommended.

[0016] Section L1, about 5 m from the end of the first secondary rope 14, and section L2, about 5 m from the start of the second secondary rope 16, are at the same height and overlap vertically. Both the first secondary rope 14 and the second secondary rope 16 weigh about 15 kg, making them easy for a worker to lift with one hand. The main rope 10 weighs about 40 kg in total, and the closer it is to the fulcrum 12, the more difficult it is to lift with one hand.

[0017] [How to descend the rope] The method for descending a distance of 400 m will be explained below with reference to Figure 2. Worker W rappels by switching ropes in the order of first auxiliary rope 14, second auxiliary rope 16, and main rope 10. In preparation for the descent, worker W attaches a descender to first auxiliary rope 14 and fastens the descender to the harness attached to his body using a lanyard.

[0018] Once preparations are complete, the participant rappels approximately 150 m along the first secondary rope 14. Because the first secondary rope 14 weighs a maximum of approximately 15 kg, the load does not significantly interfere with the operation of the descender. After reaching the end of the first secondary rope 14, the participant moves to the second secondary rope 16 and rappels another approximately 150 m from there. Because the second secondary rope 16 also weighs approximately 15 kg, the weight of the second secondary rope 16, like the first secondary rope 14, does not significantly interfere with the operation of the descender. After reaching the end of the second secondary rope 16, the participant moves to the main rope 10 and rappels another approximately 150 m from there. The total weight of the main rope 10 is approximately 40 kg, but because the participant descends nearly 300 m when moving from the second secondary rope 16 to the main rope 10, the load on the descender 20 is a maximum of approximately 15 kg, which does not significantly interfere with the operation of the descender.

[0019] [Moving between ropes] The transfer from the first secondary rope 14 to the second secondary rope 16 and then to the main rope 10 can be performed in two ways: the first is to transfer between ropes by alternating between two descenders, and the second is to transfer between ropes using only one descender.

[0020] In the first method, worker W carries a descender (second descender) in addition to the descender (first descender) used for descent. After descending to the end point of first secondary rope 14, worker W attaches the second descender he is carrying to second secondary rope 16, transfers the lanyard fastened to the first descender to the second descender, and then moves it to second secondary rope 16. The first descender is then detached from first secondary rope 14 and retrieved.

[0021] Worker W moves to the second secondary rope 16 and uses the second descender to descend to the end point of the second secondary rope 16. When he reaches the end point, he attaches the first descender that he previously retrieved to the main rope 10, transfers the lanyard that is fastened to the second descender to the first descender, and then moves to the main rope 10. The second descender is removed from the second secondary rope 16 and retrieved.

[0022] In the second method, worker W descends along the first secondary rope 14 to the end point while operating the descender. Once he reaches the end point, he attaches an ascender to the second secondary rope 16 and attaches a lanyard secured to his harness to the ascender. The ascender is an equipment that temporarily supports the weight of worker W as he moves from the first secondary rope 14 to the second secondary rope 16. Next, he removes the descender from the first secondary rope 14 and reattaches it to the second secondary rope 16. The ascender and lanyard are then removed from the second secondary rope 16 and retrieved.

[0023] When the end point of the second secondary rope 16 is reached, an ascender is attached to the main rope 10, and the lanyard fastened to the harness is hung on the ascender. Next, the descender is removed from the second secondary rope 16 and re-hanged on the main rope 10. The ascender and lanyard are then removed from the main rope 10 and retrieved.

[0024] In addition, when transferring the descender from the first auxiliary rope 14 to the second auxiliary rope 16, in addition to using a climbing device, the weight of the worker W can also be supported using a fastener 18 attached to the fastening point between the main rope 10 and the second auxiliary rope 16. [Explanation of symbols]

[0025] 10 Main Rope 12 fulcrum 14 First auxiliary rope 16 Second auxiliary rope 18 Binder

Claims

1. A rope descent method using a main rope hanging from a fulcrum, a plurality of auxiliary ropes fastened to the main rope at predetermined intervals, and a descender, a step of descending while operating a descender attached to a first auxiliary rope on the upper side; a step of removing the descender from the first secondary rope (14) and attaching it to the second secondary rope (16) when the descender has descended to near the end of the first secondary rope (14); descending while operating a descender attached to the second auxiliary rope; Rope descent methods including:

2. a part of the end side of the first auxiliary rope and a part of the tip side of the second auxiliary rope are at the same position in the vertical direction, 2. A rope descent method as claimed in claim 1.

3. A portion of the first auxiliary rope that is at least 5 m from the end thereof is at the same vertical position as a portion of the second auxiliary rope near the tip thereof.

3. A rope descent method as claimed in claim 2.

4. The weight of the auxiliary rope is 15 kg or less. A rope descent method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A rope structure used in the rope descent method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A rope structure comprising a main rope and a plurality of secondary ropes connected to the main rope at predetermined intervals.

6. A rope descent method using a main rope hanging from a fulcrum, a first auxiliary rope hanging from the fulcrum, a second auxiliary rope fastened to the main rope, and one descender, descending while operating a descender attached to the first auxiliary rope; a step of removing the descender from the first secondary rope and attaching it to the second secondary rope when the descender has descended to near the end of the first secondary rope; descending while operating a descender attached to the second auxiliary rope; Rope descent methods including:

7. A rope descent method using two descenders: a main rope hanging from a fulcrum, a first auxiliary rope hanging from the fulcrum, and a second auxiliary rope fastened to the main rope; descending while operating a first descender attached to a first secondary rope; a step of attaching a second descender to the second secondary rope when the first secondary rope is lowered to near the end of the first secondary rope; detaching and retrieving the first descender from the first secondary rope; descending while operating a second descender attached to a second auxiliary rope; Rope descent methods including:

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