Knee Ascender With Elastic Cord And Load Bearing Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current rope climbing systems using ascenders restrict full leg motion, pose safety hazards, and lead to health issues like hip dysplasia, while being cumbersome and inefficient, especially for frequent climbers like arborists and emergency responders.

Innovation Solution

A knee ascender apparatus with an elastic cord and load-bearing member, where the elastic cord is secured within a hollow core with a liner and pulley system, allowing for self-tending and maintaining aperture diameter under load, enabling full leg motion and reduced effort during climbing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional ascenders are used for rope climbing, then climbing capability is provided, but full leg motion is restricted and safety hazards arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleg motion freedomVSAvoidclimbing safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The climbing system is divided into separate functional components: a foot ascender for one leg and a handled ascender for the other leg. This segmentation allows each ascender to operate independently, enabling full leg motion while maintaining safety through proper spacing and separate attachment points on the rope.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A connection element (such as a carabiner or link) serves as an intermediary between the two ascenders, allowing them to be spaced apart optimally while remaining part of the same climbing system. This intermediary enables independent movement of each ascender while maintaining system integrity and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If two ascenders are placed close together on the rope, then equipment quantity is reduced, but leg motion range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of ascendersVSAvoidleg motion range

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The connection element has different properties at different locations: it allows flexibility and movement at the connection point while maintaining structural integrity at the attachment points. This local quality differentiation enables the ascenders to be spaced apart for full leg motion while still being part of a unified system with minimal equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Length of moving object

If handled ascenders are used to separate ascenders on the line, then leg motion range increases, but hands are fully occupied requiring hand engagement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveascender separation distanceVSAvoidhands-free operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The foot ascender is designed to be advanced and operated using only foot movements and leg actions. The user can push the foot ascender up the rope and lock it in place without using hands, allowing the handled ascender to remain stationary or be operated independently. This self-service capability enables hands-free operation while maintaining proper ascender separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If ascenders are attached at or above chest assembly level, then climbing function is provided, but significant safety problems arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclimbing efficiencyVSAvoidclimbing safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of attaching ascenders at or above chest level (conventional approach), the foot ascender is attached lower on the leg, allowing the connection point to be below the chest assembly. This inversion of the attachment location eliminates the safety hazards associated with high-attachment-point systems while maintaining climbing efficiency through proper mechanical advantage and body positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a safe, efficient, and hands-free climbing experience with full leg mobility, compliance with safety standards, and reduced risk of injury or long-term health issues, while minimizing equipment bulk and weight.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic cord with a fixed end and a free end defining a length

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

pulley system, allowing for self-tending

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPulley: Pulley

Data Source

PatentUS9643054B2Knee ascender assembly for rope climbing

Publication Date: 2017.05.09 WEAVER LEATHER LLC

AI summary

A secondary ascender system for use in rope climbing and with other rope climbing systems that provides a knee ascender permitting full range of motion and energy capture from two legs by encasing an interior portion of the length of an elastic cord used for tending the knee ascender within a load bearing member. The load bearing member connects a foot attachment to an ascender and transfers loads applied to the foot attachment and via the elastic cord during tending to the ascender to advance up the rope.