Vertical Spools

A vertical spool is a device where the rope follows a helical path and the axis of the helix is vertical. There are a number of other devices that also fit this description (various carabiner wraps and certain hooks come to mind), so I rather arbitrarily decided that if the diameter of the helix was 20 mm or more, the device would be discussed here. I also included the Miller descenders because of their similarity to the Sky Genie and Frost Rope Rider (not to be confused with the Forrest Rope Riders, which are horizontal spools).

Some large-diameter (say, 8 to 10 rope diameters) vertical spools can provide smooth control that is similar to the horizontal spools, but they contribute more rope twisting without providing any compensatory benefit. Others are simply horrid. The small-diameter spools function more like Patten's Hook, and can cause severe spinning under adverse conditions.

ID Device Description Acquired Weight Height Width Thickness Std. volume

421 Don Mulholland Galv. Pipe, top & bottom guide rods, side rope guides Don Shofstall, 1990 880 190 83 56 883

1119 Elk River Forged Al rod /w end eyes, sheet metal cover tube Franklin T Finley, 2007 701 240 24 24 137

417 Forrest Escape Line Al spool, slotted end plates, eye bolt, for 4 mm Kevlar cord, emergency use only John E. Weinel, Inc., 1985 264 118 64 52 393

558
Frost Rope-rider I

Al, vertical rod /w V slot, spring loaded slot engager, cover tube /w knurled grip, for 8 mm rope. International Safety Equipment, 1999
258

178

43

42

321

429 Frost Rope-rider II Al, vertical rod /w V slot, spring loaded slot engager, sheet metal cover tube /w abrasive grip John E. Weinel, Inc., 1992 743 248 59 57 834

466 Miller Descent Device (Large) Forged Al rod /w rope grooves & end eyes (one /w horn), sheet metal cover tube Safety Supply, 1991 771 263 82 60 1294

465 Miller Descent Device (Small) Forged Al rod /w rope grooves & end eyes (one /w horn), sheet metal cover tube Rob Beightol, 1991 508 224 71 52 827

1067 Mio Mechaniccal MIO-D Forged Al rod /w end discs, lever actuated brake cam, overspeed control, sheet metal cover tube, clevis eye CWC Supply, 2007 1998 305 151 87 3996

1056 Mio Mechaniccal MIO-D2 Forged Al rod /w end discs, lever actuated brake cam, sheet metal cover tube, clevis eye CWC Supply, 2007 1230 216 147 98 3123

425 Rappel-e- Stein Al tube, carabiner welded to side, welded bottom Robert W. Storrick, 1979 948 150 140 89 1869

930 Sky Genie Forged Al rod /w end eyes, sheet metal cover tube Peter La Plante, 2003 358 225 53 52 621

467 Sky Genie Model D Forged Al rod /w end eyes, sheet metal cover tube John E. Weinel, Inc., 1989 555 246 66 62 1007

426 Spiral Brake Galv pipe /w steel carabiners bolted to each end Dr. Gary D. Storrick, 1991 1387 360 70 70 1764

428 Vertical Spool Galv. Pipe /w two welded guide bollards Dr. Gary D. Storrick, 1991 1298 254 87 64 1414

ID	Device	Description	Acquired	Weight	Height	Width	Thickness	Std. volume
421	Don Mulholland	Galv. Pipe, top & bottom guide rods, side rope guides	Don Shofstall, 1990	880	190	83	56	883
1119	Elk River	Forged Al rod /w end eyes, sheet metal cover tube	Franklin T Finley, 2007	701	240	24	24	137
417	Forrest Escape Line	Al spool, slotted end plates, eye bolt, for 4 mm Kevlar cord, emergency use only	John E. Weinel, Inc., 1985	264	118	64	52	393
558	Frost Rope-rider I	Al, vertical rod /w V slot, spring loaded slot engager, cover tube /w knurled grip, for 8 mm rope.	International Safety Equipment, 1999	258	178	43	42	321
429	Frost Rope-rider II	Al, vertical rod /w V slot, spring loaded slot engager, sheet metal cover tube /w abrasive grip	John E. Weinel, Inc., 1992	743	248	59	57	834
466	Miller Descent Device (Large)	Forged Al rod /w rope grooves & end eyes (one /w horn), sheet metal cover tube	Safety Supply, 1991	771	263	82	60	1294
465	Miller Descent Device (Small)	Forged Al rod /w rope grooves & end eyes (one /w horn), sheet metal cover tube	Rob Beightol, 1991	508	224	71	52	827
1067	Mio Mechaniccal MIO-D	Forged Al rod /w end discs, lever actuated brake cam, overspeed control, sheet metal cover tube, clevis eye	CWC Supply, 2007	1998	305	151	87	3996
1056	Mio Mechaniccal MIO-D2	Forged Al rod /w end discs, lever actuated brake cam, sheet metal cover tube, clevis eye	CWC Supply, 2007	1230	216	147	98	3123
425	Rappel-e- Stein	Al tube, carabiner welded to side, welded bottom	Robert W. Storrick, 1979	948	150	140	89	1869
930	Sky Genie	Forged Al rod /w end eyes, sheet metal cover tube	Peter La Plante, 2003	358	225	53	52	621
467	Sky Genie Model D	Forged Al rod /w end eyes, sheet metal cover tube	John E. Weinel, Inc., 1989	555	246	66	62	1007
426	Spiral Brake	Galv pipe /w steel carabiners bolted to each end	Dr. Gary D. Storrick, 1991	1387	360	70	70	1764
428	Vertical Spool	Galv. Pipe /w two welded guide bollards	Dr. Gary D. Storrick, 1991	1298	254	87	64	1414