Auto-lock compact rope descent device

Abstract

A descent control device is disclosed manufactured with a bar having holes for guiding a rope used in descent, and a lever designed to pivot or move relative to the bar and compress the opening of one of the holes. Compressing the opening increases friction and slows or stops descent. Control can be from manually moving the lever or by connecting the lever to the descending weight, thereby automatically moving the lever. Hole and pivot geometry may be altered to provide multiple braking options, accommodate varying ropes, and alter normal operating friction.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A descent control device, consisting of:
 three connected singular pieces;
 the first singular piece comprising a bar of a width to be gripped by one hand, the bar having:
 a plurality of path holes fully through the bar from one exposed side to another exposed side, the a plurality of path holes aligned approximately linear and defining a rope path, each path hole having a rounded surface edge; 
 a rope control hole fully through the bar, the rope control hole positioned towards an end of the bar and aligned approximately linear with the three plurality of path holes; 
 a horizontal slot in a side of the bar, the horizontal slot encompassing the control hole; and 
 a hinge hole; 
 
 the second singular piece comprising a lever connected to the bar at the hinge hole, the lever having:
 an attachment hole for connecting to an external load; and 
 a constricting hole fully through the lever from one exposed side to another exposed side; 
 
 the third singular piece comprising a hinge pin pivotally connecting the lever to the bar at the hinge hole such that the lever moves on a plane perpendicular to a plane defined by the path holes through the bar; 
 wherein the lever fits into the slot of the bar such that when fully closed against the bar, and without interfering with the path holes, the constricting hole of the lever overlaps with the control hole of the bar creating an open path through the control hole and path holes for a rope, and when fully open away from the bar the constricting hole is moved away from alignment with the control hole therein constricting the rope path; and 
 wherein applying force at the attachment hole in a direction away from the bar will pivot the lever away from the bar, thereby constricting the passage of a rope through the space formed by the control hole and the constricting hole. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The descent control device of  claim 1 , wherein a surface edge of each hole is rounded. 
     
     
       3. The descent control device of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge hole comprises a slotted hinge hole.