20090045010 | DESCENDING DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE - Provided is a descending device and method for controlling a rate of descent. The descending device includes a housing comprising a channel for receiving a tether along which the descending device is to travel during a descent. A cover conceals at least a portion of the serpentine pathway to minimize introduction of foreign bodies into the serpentine pathway. A first arcuate surface defines at least a portion of the serpentine pathway and a second arcuate surface defines at least another portion of the serpentine pathway. Each of the first and second arcuate surfaces includes a different radius of curvature. The descending device also includes at least one of a third arcuate surface adjacent to an entrance to the serpentine pathway and having a third radius of curvature that is shorter than both the first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature, and a descent control lever to be manually actuated between a plurality of positions by the user to selectively control the rate of descent. | 02-19-2009 |