초록 ▼

A movable cable loop descent system comprises a cable for forming into a loop, a receiver for attachment to a structure having a receiver pulley for engaging the cable loop, a brake assembly, having a drive pulley for being rotated by the cable loop, the brake assembly for slowing a rate of travel o

A movable cable loop descent system comprises a cable for forming into a loop, a receiver for attachment to a structure having a receiver pulley for engaging the cable loop, a brake assembly, having a drive pulley for being rotated by the cable loop, the brake assembly for slowing a rate of travel of the cable loop and a carriage supporting a load for attachment to the cable loop at a point and for movement between the structure and the ground. A rotor and substantially parallel conductive frame is mounted on an axle through the drive pulley. Magnets on a surface of the rotor and/or the frame induce eddy currents, as they are relatively rotated, which create a rotational braking force controlling descent of the carriage and load. The brake assembly may be removably positioned by a drive-on anchor. The cable is removable and the system may form a kit.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A descent system for controlling movement of a load between an initial point and a terminal point, the system comprising: a cable formed into a loop;a receiver having a receiver pulley for engaging the cable loop around it at the initial point;a brake assembly having a drive pulley for engaging a

1. A descent system for controlling movement of a load between an initial point and a terminal point, the system comprising: a cable formed into a loop;a receiver having a receiver pulley for engaging the cable loop around it at the initial point;a brake assembly having a drive pulley for engaging and being rotated by the cable loop at the terminal point, the brake assembly for slowing the rate of travel of the cable loop around the pulleys, the brake assembly comprising an axle in fixed rotational engagement with the drive pulley, a substantially planar ferromagnetic rotor in fixed rotational engagement with the axle, the rotor comprising at least one recess formed in a surface thereof, and at least one permanent magnet fixedly disposed within the recess, and at least one conducting frame element disposed proximate to the rotor whereby an eddy current may be induced by rotational movement of the rotor relative to the at least one conducting frame element in a direction to oppose acceleration of the drive pulley as it is rotated by the cable loop; anda carriage secured to the cable for supporting the load and for movement between the initial point and the terminal point as the cable loop travels around the pulleys. 2. The descent system according to claim 1, wherein the cable has an eyelet at each end of the cable, the eyelets being secured together to form the cable loop. 3. The descent system according to claim 1, wherein the carriage is secured to the cable proximate to one end of the cable. 4. The descent system according to claim 1, wherein the carriage is secured to the cable between one end of the cable and a clamp on the cable. 5. The descent system according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is secured to a structure at the initial point. 6. The descent system according to claim 5, wherein the receiver is secured to the structure by a receiver mount. 7. The descent system according to claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises a seat for retaining the carriage in a ready position proximate to the structure. 8. The descent system according to claim 7, wherein the receiver seat comprises a magnet for gripping the carriage. 9. The descent system according to claim 7, wherein application of the load to the carriage releases the carriage from the seat and commences travel of the carriage toward the terminal point. 10. The descent system according to claim 1, wherein the rotor is maintained parallel with the drive pulley, and the rotor is maintained substantially perpendicular to the axle. 11. The descent system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fixed magnet is disposed in the at least one recess of the rotor facing one of the corresponding at least one frame elements. 12. The descent system according to claim 1, wherein the drive pulley comprises a plurality of coaxial pulleys of different diameter for engaging the cable loop. 13. The descent system according to claim 1, wherein the carriage comprises a secondary brake for slowing the rate of travel of the cable loop around the pulleys. 14. A kit comprising: a cable for forming into a loop;a receiver having a receiver pulley for engaging the cable loop around it at an initial point;a brake assembly having a drive pulley for engaging and being rotated by the cable loop at a terminal point, the brake assembly for slowing a rate of travel of the cable loop around the pulleys, the brake assembly comprising an axle in fixed rotational engagement with the drive pulley, a substantially planar ferromagnetic rotor in fixed rotational engagement with the axle, the rotor comprising at least one recess formed in a surface thereof, and at least one permanent magnet fixedly disposed within the recess, and at least one conducting frame element disposed proximate to the rotor whereby an eddy current may be induced by rotational movement of the rotor relative to the at least one conducting frame element in a direction to oppose acceleration of the drive pulley as it is rotated by the cable loop; anda carriage for securing to the cable and for supporting a load for movement between the initial point and the terminal point as the cable loop travels around the pulleys. 15. The kit according to claim 14, further comprising a receiver mount for securing the receiver to a structure at the initial point.