Portable Apparatus for Controlled Descent

Abstract

A device for facilitating a controlled descent of a body, the device comprising a rotatable reel around which at least a portion of a cable is wound, a first end of the cable secured to the reel and a second end or the cable free; a friction drum mounted coaxially around the reel, the cable, upon leaving the reel wound at least partially around the drum; a carrier on which the reel and the drum are mounted; wherein the reel is provided with braking means for braking rotational motion of the reel and for balancing descending speed or the body.

1 . A device for facilitating a controlled descent of a body, the device comprising: 
 a rotatable reel around which at least a portion of a cable is wound, a first end of the cable secured to the reel and a second end of the cable free;    a friction drum mounted coaxially around the reel, the cable, upon leaving the reel wound at least partially around the drum;    a carrier on which the reel and the drum are mounted;    wherein the reel is provided with braking means for braking rotational motion of the reel and for balancing descending speed of the body.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is provided with a harness, for harnessing the device to the body.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is provided with a fixator for fixing the device to an anchorage position.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the braking means comprises at least two braking arms, each pivotally connected to the reel, operable by a centrifugal force when the reel is rotated, thus exerting friction force between the arm and the drum.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the braking arms comprise, each an arm pivotally connected at a first end to the reel and provided with a mass at a second end.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein each braking arm is provided with a braking pad.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the braking pad is located between the first end and the second end of the arm, facing the drum.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the braking means comprises at least one dynamo, for producing electric current driven through resistance, the resistance serving for braking the reel, transferring rotational energy of the reel into heat.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the braking means comprises hydraulic means.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the hydraulic means comprises a hydraulic pump.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , further provided with additional friction exerting elements for exerting friction on the cable as the body descends.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the additional friction exerting elements comprise drums.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is enclosed in a casing.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1 , the dimensions of which fit an office shelf.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1 , further provided with a recoil mechanism for retracting loose cable and recoiling the cable on the reel.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the recoil mechanism comprises springs.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising initial tension limiter, for preventing sudden impact on the body as it starts descending.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a fixed cable outlet, for securing a single outlet on the carrier for the cable.  
   
   
       19 . A method for facilitating a controlled descent of a body, the method comprising: 
 providing a rotatable reel around which at least a portion of a cable is wound, a first end of the cable secured to the reel and a second end of the cable free;    providing a friction drum mounted coaxially around the reel, the cable, upon leaving the reel wound at least partially around the drum;    providing a carrier on which the reel and the drum are mounted;    wherein the reel is provided with braking means for braking rotational motion of the reel and for balancing descending speed of the body;    attaching the carrier to the body and securing the free end of the cable to an anchorage position;    allowing the body to descend.    
   
   
       20 . A method for facilitating a controlled descent of a body, the method comprising: 
 providing a rotatable reel around which at least a portion of a cable is wound, a first end of the cable secured to the reel and a second end of the cable free;    providing a friction drum mounted coaxially around the reel, the cable, upon leaving the reel wound at least partially around the drum;    providing a carrier on which the reel and the drum are mounted;    wherein the reel is provided with braking means for braking rotational motion of the reel and for balancing descending speed of the body;    attaching the carrier to an anchorage position and securing the free end of the cable to the body;    allowing the body to descend.