CA2091930A1 - Pole climbing device - Google Patents
Pole climbing deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA2091930A1 CA2091930A1 CA 2091930 CA2091930A CA2091930A1 CA 2091930 A1 CA2091930 A1 CA 2091930A1 CA 2091930 CA2091930 CA 2091930 CA 2091930 A CA2091930 A CA 2091930A CA 2091930 A1 CA2091930 A1 CA 2091930A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- rod
- pole
- indentation
- sleeve
- piece
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B27/00—Apparatus for climbing poles, trees, or the like
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Emergency Lowering Means (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract:
A pole climbing device adapted to assist a person in climbing a pole which comprises a rigid rod having a rope loop at the end of the rod with means for tightening the loop. The user carries the rod up with his hands as he climbs the pole. In action, the user pushes the rod up, tightens the rope, pulls himself on the rod, releases the rope and raises the rod again in a repetitive cycle.
A pole climbing device adapted to assist a person in climbing a pole which comprises a rigid rod having a rope loop at the end of the rod with means for tightening the loop. The user carries the rod up with his hands as he climbs the pole. In action, the user pushes the rod up, tightens the rope, pulls himself on the rod, releases the rope and raises the rod again in a repetitive cycle.
Description
POLE CLIMBING DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of pole climbing equipment and more particularly to a pole climbing device adapted to assist a person in climbing a pole which comprises a rigid rod having a rope loop at the end of the rod with means for tightening the loop. The user carries the rod up with his hands as he climbs the pole. In action, the user pushes the rod up, thightens the rope, pulls himself on the rod, releases the rope and raises the rod again in a repetitive cycle~
PRIOR ART
Pole climbers such as telephone and electrical cable repairmen conventionally known as linemen commonly use spikes or cleats attached to their footgear which they insert or sink into the pole as the same is ascended. Typically, the climber reaches around the pole with his arm or a belt as he ascends. A
strand of flexible material is also often used for additional safety. The strand of flexible material is attached to the body of the climber and constructed to tighten about the pole should the climber start to fall.
However, the conventional safety devices have proven to be both unergonomical and unreliable. To circumvent this problem, the present invention proposes a device adapted to assist the climber in manually pulling himself up the pole while providing a safety attachment which is most reliable should the climber loose his grip and start to fall.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention proposes a pole climbing device for climbing a pole comprising a substantially elongated rod having a top end and a bottom end. The device also comprises a first releasable fixing means for releasably fixing the fixed end of the piece a substantially flexible material to the rod adjacent its top end. A second releasable fastening means is provided for releasably fixing a section of the flexible piece of material intermediate the top fixed end and the loose end of the rod at a position adjacent the top end for forming a loop adapted to encircle the pole. The second releasable fastening means has a locking means for allowing slidable adjustment of the size of the loop.
In the preferred embodiment the relatively flexible piece of material is a rope.
The first releasable fastening means comprises an eyelet fixed to the pole in a position adjacent the top end of the pole.
The first releasable fastening means also uses a fastening ring fixed to the fixed end of the flexible piece of material whereby the fastening ring is adapted io be releasably fastened to the eyelet.
In the first embodiment of the invention the second releasable fastening means comprises a substantially oval-shaped frame fixed to the rod. The oval-shaped frame has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod, a transversal rod extending across the frame substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the frame.
The relatively flexible piece of material is adapted to be squeezed between a segment of the frame and the transversal rod for releasably and frictionnally preventing the piece of relatively flexible material from sliding longitudinally across the frame thus locking the loop at a given size.
i.:: . : :: - . , , - , , In another embodiment of the invention, the second releasable fastening means comprises a sleeve element having a longitudinal aperture extending therethrough. The sleeve element is slidably mounted on the rod adjacent the top end of the latter with a section of the rod inserted in the longitudinal aperture. The sleeve element has a sleeve indentation extending substantially perpendicularly into the longitudinal aperture. The rod has a corresponding rod indentation adapted to be put in register with the sleeve indentation. A closing element is pivotally mounted on the sleeve element. The closing element is adapted to rotate between the first closing element position wherein it clo~es the sleeve indentation and in second closing element position wherein it allows insertion of the segment of the piece of relatively flexible material into the sleeve indentation. The rod is adapted to slide inside the longitudinal aperture between the first rod position wherin the sleeve indentation and the rod indentations are in register thus allowing insertion of a segment of the piece of relatively flexible material into the rod indentation and a second rod position wherein the sleeve indentation and the rod indentation are not in register, an abutting section of the rod indentation being adapted to frictionnally abut against the segment of relatively flexible material for frictionally preventing the latter from sliding inside the indentations.
The sleeve element preferrably has a pair of longitudinal slots and the rod has a pin extending radially therethrough, the pin being adapted to cooperate with the slot for limiting the sliding of the sleeve element in the rod. With the second embodiment of the second releasable fastening means the eyelet extends through the closing element. The locking element has a locking aperture and the sleeve element has a corresponding sleeve locking aperture adapted to receive a locking pin extending through both apertures for locking the locking ~ 3-element in the locking element second position.
The pole climber typically has a safety belt fastened around his waist. The pole climbing said device further comprises a safety attachment means fixed to the loose end of the substantially flexible piece of material. The safety attachment means is adapted to be attached to the safety belt of the climber for limiting his fall.
The pole climbing device is typically used by initially encircling the relatively flexible piece of material around the pole thus forming a loop around the pole and then executing the following steps in a repetitive cycle: loosening the loop around the pole, pushing the loop upwardly on the pole, tightening the loop around the pole.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1: is a perspective view of a first embobiment of a pole climbing device embodying the invention. ~`
Figure 2a: is a schematic view of the first embodiment of the pole climbing device being positioned on a pole.
Figure 2b: is a schematic view of the first embodiment of the pole climbing device being pushed up a pole.
Figure 2c: is a schematic view of a user pulling himself up a post on the first embodiment of the pole climbing device illustrated in figure 1.
Figure 3: is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a pole climbing device embodying the invention.
Figure 4a: is a schematic view of the second embodiment of the pole climbing device being positioned on a pole.
Figure 4b: is a schematic view of the second embodiment of the pole climbing device being pushed up a pole.
Figure 4c: is a schematic view of a user pulling himself up --q-.: .~ , , , : .
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:': , ' '` ' a post on the second embodiment of the pole climbing device illustrated in figure 3. igure 5a: is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism of the second embodiment of the pole climbing device taken along arrows 5-5 of figure 4 without the rope. igure 5b: is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism of the second embodiment of the pole climbing device with a pivoting closing element in a position allowing insertion of a rope. igure 5c: is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism of the second embodiment of the pole climbing device with the pivoting closing element in a position allowing insertion of the rope and the rod in a rope locking position.
ETAILED DESCRIPTO~ OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to figure 1, there is shown a first embodiment 10 of a pole climbing device embodying the invention. The device 10 has a telescopic elongated rigid rod 12. The rod 12 has an eyelet 14 extending integrally from one of its end. A
piece of substantially flexible material such as a rope 16 has a fixed end 18 attached to the eyelet 14 by a first releasable fastening means such as a fastening ring 2Q. The first releasable fastening ring 20 has an internally threaded cylinder 22 adapted to engage an open threaded segment of the ring 20 or releasably closing the latter.
A loose end 24 of the rope 16 is threaded through the eyelet 14. The rope 16 thus forms a loop 26.
A segment of the rope 16 intermediate the fixed end 18 and the loose end 14 is attached to the rod 12 by a second releasable fastening means 28. ;;
_ 5_ ~ .
2091.930 The second releasable fastening means 28 is adapted to provide a pole climber 30 with a slidable adjustment means for quickly modifying the size of the loop 26 and releasably preventing the loop 26 from unvoluntarily changing in size. The second releasable fastening means 28 thus allows the pole climber 30 to readily tighten or loosen the loop 26 around a pole 32 and to releasably lock the loop 26 at a given size.
In this first embodiment of the invention, the second releasable fastening means 28 has a substantially oval-shaped frame 34 fixed to the rod 12 with the longitudinal axis of the frame 34 substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod 12. A transversal rod 36 extends integrally across the frame 34 substantially perpendicularly to the rod 12.
As illustrated in figure 1, the rope 16 is adapted to be squeezed between the frame 34 and the rod 36. The rod 36 thus frictionally prevents the rope 16 from sliding longitudinally across the frame 34.
As the rope 16 gets tensioned, it will have a tendency to be squeezed with greater force, between the frame 34 and the rod 36 as it tries to straighten. The second releasable fastening means 28 thus efficiently prevents the loop 26 from enlarging when the rope 16 gets tensioned. An adaptor 38 extends integrally from the rod 12 at its end opposite the eyelet 14.
The adaptor 38 is provided for allowing the rod 12 to be readily coupled to an extension rod 40. The adaptor 38 has a slot 42 for receiving a coupling pin 43 part of the extension rod 40.
In use, the pole climber 30 first forms the rope 16 into a loop 26 by encircling the pole 32 and fastening the fixed end 18 to the eyelet 14 with the fastening ring 20. Once the fixed end 18 is fastened, the climber 30 can manually pull on a section of the rope 16 intermediate the eyelet 14 and the - G-209~30 second fastening means 28 as illustrated in figure 2a toloosen the tension in the segment of the rope 16 which encircles the pole 32 thus enlarging the loop 26.
The pole climber 30 enlarges the loop 26 in order to be able to reduce the friction between the rope 16 and the pole 32 thus allowing him to push on the extension rod 40 in order to raise the loop 26 on the pole 32 as illustrated in figure 2b.
Once the loop 26 has been raised, normally by pushing on the extension rod at arm's lenght, the pole climber 30 reduces the size of the loop 26 by pulling on a segment of the rope 16 between him and the second releasable fastening means 28.
The loop 26 being reduced in size, it tightens around the pole 32 thus providing a friction braking means against the loop 26 being pulling down when the pole climber 32 pulls on the extension rod 40.
As stated earlier, a pulling action on the rod 12 or the extension rod 40 will in fact increase the squeezing force on the second releasable fastening means on the rope 16 thus preventing the loop 26 from unvoluntarily enlarging in size.
The loose end 24 of the rope 16 is adapted to be attached to a conventional safety belt 66 worn around the waist of the pole climber 30 by a conventional attachment means such as the clip 68. The device 10 thus acts both as a means for helping the climber 30 in pulling himself up the pole 32 and as a safety means adapted to hold the climber 30 by his belt 66 should he start to fall.
.~
A second embodiment 10' of the invention is illustrated more specifically in figures 3 through 5c. The pole climbing device 10' also has an elongated rigid rod 12' and an eyelet 14' positioned adjacent one of its end. A piece of 7~
"' "" ',' ,~i',",, ..,', ' f~,. " ~ ,~ . ""~ "~ " ""...,~ ,J ", substantially flexible material such as a rope 16' has a fixed end 18' attached to the eyelet 14' by a first releasable fastening means such as a fastening ring 20'. The first releasable fastening ring 20' has an internally threaded cylinder 22' adapted to engage an open threaded segment of the ring 20' for releasably closing the latter.
The rope 16' also has a loose end 24'. A segment of the rope 16' intermediate the fixed end 18' and the loose end 24' is attached to the rod 12' by a second releasable fastening means 28'. As with the second releasable fastening means 28 of the first embodiment, the second releasable fastening means 28' of the second embodiment is also adapted to provide a pole climber 30' with a slidable adjustment means for quickly modifying the size of the loop 26 and releasably preventing the loop 26 from unvoluntarily changing in size. The second releasable fastening means 28' thus allows the pole climber 30 to readily tighten or loosen the loop 26' around the pole 32' and to releasably lock the loop 26' at a given size.
The second releasable fastening means 28' of the second embodiment comprises a sleeve element 42 slidably mounted on the rod 12'. The sleeve element 42 has a cylindrical aperture 44 extending longitudinally therethrough for allowing the rod 12' to translate. The sleeve element 42 is fixed to the rod 12' by a pin 46 extending axially through both the rod 12' and a pair of opposite slots 48 provided in the sleeve element 42.
The pin 46 prevents the rod 12' from being inadvertently withdrawn from the sleeve element 42 while allowing a limited translational motion of the rod 12' inside the aperture 44.
The sleeve element 42 is provided with an indentation 48 extending substantially perpendicularly into the aperture 44.
The rod 12' is provided with a corresponding indentation 50.
A closing element 52 is pivotally mounted on the sleeve element 42. The closing element 52 is adapted to pivot about an hinge pin 54. The closing element 52 has a protruding 2~91930 tongue 56 adapted to be inserted in the indentation 48 for closing the latter. The closing element 52 also has a locking aperture 58 extending therethrough. The aperture 58 is adapated to be positioned in register with a corre ponding aperture 60 in the sleeve element 42 and a removable locking pin 62 is adapted to be inserted through both apertures 58 and 60 for releasably locking the closing element 52 in a closed position illustrated in figures 3 and 5a where the tongue 56 is inserted in the indentation 48. A handle 64 facilitates handling of the removable locking pin 62.
The eyelet 14' typically extends through the body of the closing element 52.
In use, the fixed end of the rope 16' is first attached to the eyelet 14' by the fastening ring 20'. The rope 16' is then formed into a loop 26' and wrapped around a pole 32' by the pole climber 30' as illustrated in figure 4a. A segment of the rope 16' intermediate its fixed end 18' and its loose end 24' is releasably attached to the second releasable fastening means 28'. The segment of the rope 16' is introduced into the second releasable fastening means 28' by removing the removable locking pin 62 and pivoting the closing element 52 in its opened position illustrated in figure 5b.
The segment of the rope 16 is then introduced into the indentation 48. The rod 12' is then pushed inside the aperture 44 relatively to the fastening means 28' so that the indentation 50 is in register with the indentation 48 as illustrated in figures 5a and 5b.
The indentation 48 being in register with the indentation 50 when the rod 12' is pushed so that the pin 46 abuts against a lower edge 66 of the slots 48 which acts as a stopper means.
The indentations 48 and 50 being in register, the segment of the rope 16 is pushed inside both indentations 48 and 50. The _ g_ 2~9~930 closing element 52 is then pivoted back to its closed position with a curved surface 57 of the tongue 56 trapping the segment of the rope 16' inside the indentations 48 and 50 and the locking pin 62 is placed back to its original position.
In this position illustrated in figure 3, the fixed end 18' of the rope 16' is attached to the eyelet 14' and an intermediate segment of the rope 16 is slidably trapped inside the second releasable fastening means 28'.
When both indentations 48 and 50 are in register, the rope 16 is free to slide through the indentations 48 and 50 allowing the pole climber 30'to increase or reduce the size of the loop 26' To releasably prevent the rope 16 from sliding through the indentations 48 and 50 in order to releasably lock the loop 26' at a given size, the pole climber 30' merely needs to pull on the rod 12'. The pulling action on the rod 12' will create a relatively displacement between the rod 12' and the sleeve element 42 slidably mounted on it. The rod 12' will translate inside the aperture 44 thus displacing the indentation 50 relative to the indentation 48. As illustrated in figures 5a, 5b and 5c, ~the indentation 50 has a substant ally rounded segment ~ and a relatively straight segment ~4 adapted to abut against the segment of the rope 16' for frictionally locking it.
During ascension of the pole 32', once the rope 16' has been looped around the pole 32', the pole climber 30 pushes the rod 12' or the extension rod 40' upwardly thus translating the rod 12 upwardly relative to the sleeve element 42 until the pin 46 abuts against the lower edge 66 of the slot 48. In this position illustrated in figure 5a, the rope 16' is free to slide inside the spacing formed by the indentations 48 and 50 and the arcurate surface 57 of the tongue 56.
The user thus merely needs to pull on the rod 12' axially away from the pole 32' to enlarge the loop 26l. Once the loop 26' has been sufficiently enlarged, the climber 30 is free to push the rod 40' at armsl length siæe since the loop 26' is no longer tighten around the pole 32.
The climber 30 then pulls on the rope 16l to tighten the loop 26l around the pole 32. Once the loop 26l is sufficiently tight it will provide a frictional stopping means preventing the rod 40' from sliding down the pole 32'.
The pulling action of the climber 30 will then translate the rod 12' downwardly relative to the sleeve 42 to a position illustrated in figure 5c wherein the relatively straight segment ~4 of the indentation 50 abuts against the intermediate segment of the rope 16' inserted in the opening formed by the indentations 48 and 50 and thus frictionally prevents the latter from sliding.
The operation is repeted in a repetitive cycle as the climber uses the rod 40 to pull himself up the pole 32'. Again as with the previous embodiment, the loose end 24' of the rope 16l is adapted to be attached to the conventional safety belt 66' worn around the waist of the pole climber 30l by a conventional fastenign means 68' The device 10' again thus acts both as a means for helping the climber 30' in pulling himself up the pole and as a safety means adapted to hold the climber by his belt 66' should he start to fall.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of pole climbing equipment and more particularly to a pole climbing device adapted to assist a person in climbing a pole which comprises a rigid rod having a rope loop at the end of the rod with means for tightening the loop. The user carries the rod up with his hands as he climbs the pole. In action, the user pushes the rod up, thightens the rope, pulls himself on the rod, releases the rope and raises the rod again in a repetitive cycle~
PRIOR ART
Pole climbers such as telephone and electrical cable repairmen conventionally known as linemen commonly use spikes or cleats attached to their footgear which they insert or sink into the pole as the same is ascended. Typically, the climber reaches around the pole with his arm or a belt as he ascends. A
strand of flexible material is also often used for additional safety. The strand of flexible material is attached to the body of the climber and constructed to tighten about the pole should the climber start to fall.
However, the conventional safety devices have proven to be both unergonomical and unreliable. To circumvent this problem, the present invention proposes a device adapted to assist the climber in manually pulling himself up the pole while providing a safety attachment which is most reliable should the climber loose his grip and start to fall.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention proposes a pole climbing device for climbing a pole comprising a substantially elongated rod having a top end and a bottom end. The device also comprises a first releasable fixing means for releasably fixing the fixed end of the piece a substantially flexible material to the rod adjacent its top end. A second releasable fastening means is provided for releasably fixing a section of the flexible piece of material intermediate the top fixed end and the loose end of the rod at a position adjacent the top end for forming a loop adapted to encircle the pole. The second releasable fastening means has a locking means for allowing slidable adjustment of the size of the loop.
In the preferred embodiment the relatively flexible piece of material is a rope.
The first releasable fastening means comprises an eyelet fixed to the pole in a position adjacent the top end of the pole.
The first releasable fastening means also uses a fastening ring fixed to the fixed end of the flexible piece of material whereby the fastening ring is adapted io be releasably fastened to the eyelet.
In the first embodiment of the invention the second releasable fastening means comprises a substantially oval-shaped frame fixed to the rod. The oval-shaped frame has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod, a transversal rod extending across the frame substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the frame.
The relatively flexible piece of material is adapted to be squeezed between a segment of the frame and the transversal rod for releasably and frictionnally preventing the piece of relatively flexible material from sliding longitudinally across the frame thus locking the loop at a given size.
i.:: . : :: - . , , - , , In another embodiment of the invention, the second releasable fastening means comprises a sleeve element having a longitudinal aperture extending therethrough. The sleeve element is slidably mounted on the rod adjacent the top end of the latter with a section of the rod inserted in the longitudinal aperture. The sleeve element has a sleeve indentation extending substantially perpendicularly into the longitudinal aperture. The rod has a corresponding rod indentation adapted to be put in register with the sleeve indentation. A closing element is pivotally mounted on the sleeve element. The closing element is adapted to rotate between the first closing element position wherein it clo~es the sleeve indentation and in second closing element position wherein it allows insertion of the segment of the piece of relatively flexible material into the sleeve indentation. The rod is adapted to slide inside the longitudinal aperture between the first rod position wherin the sleeve indentation and the rod indentations are in register thus allowing insertion of a segment of the piece of relatively flexible material into the rod indentation and a second rod position wherein the sleeve indentation and the rod indentation are not in register, an abutting section of the rod indentation being adapted to frictionnally abut against the segment of relatively flexible material for frictionally preventing the latter from sliding inside the indentations.
The sleeve element preferrably has a pair of longitudinal slots and the rod has a pin extending radially therethrough, the pin being adapted to cooperate with the slot for limiting the sliding of the sleeve element in the rod. With the second embodiment of the second releasable fastening means the eyelet extends through the closing element. The locking element has a locking aperture and the sleeve element has a corresponding sleeve locking aperture adapted to receive a locking pin extending through both apertures for locking the locking ~ 3-element in the locking element second position.
The pole climber typically has a safety belt fastened around his waist. The pole climbing said device further comprises a safety attachment means fixed to the loose end of the substantially flexible piece of material. The safety attachment means is adapted to be attached to the safety belt of the climber for limiting his fall.
The pole climbing device is typically used by initially encircling the relatively flexible piece of material around the pole thus forming a loop around the pole and then executing the following steps in a repetitive cycle: loosening the loop around the pole, pushing the loop upwardly on the pole, tightening the loop around the pole.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1: is a perspective view of a first embobiment of a pole climbing device embodying the invention. ~`
Figure 2a: is a schematic view of the first embodiment of the pole climbing device being positioned on a pole.
Figure 2b: is a schematic view of the first embodiment of the pole climbing device being pushed up a pole.
Figure 2c: is a schematic view of a user pulling himself up a post on the first embodiment of the pole climbing device illustrated in figure 1.
Figure 3: is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a pole climbing device embodying the invention.
Figure 4a: is a schematic view of the second embodiment of the pole climbing device being positioned on a pole.
Figure 4b: is a schematic view of the second embodiment of the pole climbing device being pushed up a pole.
Figure 4c: is a schematic view of a user pulling himself up --q-.: .~ , , , : .
.. . : - ,:: . : .: . -:
: :,, ~ . . , , . . : :~ . :.:. .: :: - -: : .
"~
:': , ' '` ' a post on the second embodiment of the pole climbing device illustrated in figure 3. igure 5a: is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism of the second embodiment of the pole climbing device taken along arrows 5-5 of figure 4 without the rope. igure 5b: is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism of the second embodiment of the pole climbing device with a pivoting closing element in a position allowing insertion of a rope. igure 5c: is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism of the second embodiment of the pole climbing device with the pivoting closing element in a position allowing insertion of the rope and the rod in a rope locking position.
ETAILED DESCRIPTO~ OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to figure 1, there is shown a first embodiment 10 of a pole climbing device embodying the invention. The device 10 has a telescopic elongated rigid rod 12. The rod 12 has an eyelet 14 extending integrally from one of its end. A
piece of substantially flexible material such as a rope 16 has a fixed end 18 attached to the eyelet 14 by a first releasable fastening means such as a fastening ring 2Q. The first releasable fastening ring 20 has an internally threaded cylinder 22 adapted to engage an open threaded segment of the ring 20 or releasably closing the latter.
A loose end 24 of the rope 16 is threaded through the eyelet 14. The rope 16 thus forms a loop 26.
A segment of the rope 16 intermediate the fixed end 18 and the loose end 14 is attached to the rod 12 by a second releasable fastening means 28. ;;
_ 5_ ~ .
2091.930 The second releasable fastening means 28 is adapted to provide a pole climber 30 with a slidable adjustment means for quickly modifying the size of the loop 26 and releasably preventing the loop 26 from unvoluntarily changing in size. The second releasable fastening means 28 thus allows the pole climber 30 to readily tighten or loosen the loop 26 around a pole 32 and to releasably lock the loop 26 at a given size.
In this first embodiment of the invention, the second releasable fastening means 28 has a substantially oval-shaped frame 34 fixed to the rod 12 with the longitudinal axis of the frame 34 substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod 12. A transversal rod 36 extends integrally across the frame 34 substantially perpendicularly to the rod 12.
As illustrated in figure 1, the rope 16 is adapted to be squeezed between the frame 34 and the rod 36. The rod 36 thus frictionally prevents the rope 16 from sliding longitudinally across the frame 34.
As the rope 16 gets tensioned, it will have a tendency to be squeezed with greater force, between the frame 34 and the rod 36 as it tries to straighten. The second releasable fastening means 28 thus efficiently prevents the loop 26 from enlarging when the rope 16 gets tensioned. An adaptor 38 extends integrally from the rod 12 at its end opposite the eyelet 14.
The adaptor 38 is provided for allowing the rod 12 to be readily coupled to an extension rod 40. The adaptor 38 has a slot 42 for receiving a coupling pin 43 part of the extension rod 40.
In use, the pole climber 30 first forms the rope 16 into a loop 26 by encircling the pole 32 and fastening the fixed end 18 to the eyelet 14 with the fastening ring 20. Once the fixed end 18 is fastened, the climber 30 can manually pull on a section of the rope 16 intermediate the eyelet 14 and the - G-209~30 second fastening means 28 as illustrated in figure 2a toloosen the tension in the segment of the rope 16 which encircles the pole 32 thus enlarging the loop 26.
The pole climber 30 enlarges the loop 26 in order to be able to reduce the friction between the rope 16 and the pole 32 thus allowing him to push on the extension rod 40 in order to raise the loop 26 on the pole 32 as illustrated in figure 2b.
Once the loop 26 has been raised, normally by pushing on the extension rod at arm's lenght, the pole climber 30 reduces the size of the loop 26 by pulling on a segment of the rope 16 between him and the second releasable fastening means 28.
The loop 26 being reduced in size, it tightens around the pole 32 thus providing a friction braking means against the loop 26 being pulling down when the pole climber 32 pulls on the extension rod 40.
As stated earlier, a pulling action on the rod 12 or the extension rod 40 will in fact increase the squeezing force on the second releasable fastening means on the rope 16 thus preventing the loop 26 from unvoluntarily enlarging in size.
The loose end 24 of the rope 16 is adapted to be attached to a conventional safety belt 66 worn around the waist of the pole climber 30 by a conventional attachment means such as the clip 68. The device 10 thus acts both as a means for helping the climber 30 in pulling himself up the pole 32 and as a safety means adapted to hold the climber 30 by his belt 66 should he start to fall.
.~
A second embodiment 10' of the invention is illustrated more specifically in figures 3 through 5c. The pole climbing device 10' also has an elongated rigid rod 12' and an eyelet 14' positioned adjacent one of its end. A piece of 7~
"' "" ',' ,~i',",, ..,', ' f~,. " ~ ,~ . ""~ "~ " ""...,~ ,J ", substantially flexible material such as a rope 16' has a fixed end 18' attached to the eyelet 14' by a first releasable fastening means such as a fastening ring 20'. The first releasable fastening ring 20' has an internally threaded cylinder 22' adapted to engage an open threaded segment of the ring 20' for releasably closing the latter.
The rope 16' also has a loose end 24'. A segment of the rope 16' intermediate the fixed end 18' and the loose end 24' is attached to the rod 12' by a second releasable fastening means 28'. As with the second releasable fastening means 28 of the first embodiment, the second releasable fastening means 28' of the second embodiment is also adapted to provide a pole climber 30' with a slidable adjustment means for quickly modifying the size of the loop 26 and releasably preventing the loop 26 from unvoluntarily changing in size. The second releasable fastening means 28' thus allows the pole climber 30 to readily tighten or loosen the loop 26' around the pole 32' and to releasably lock the loop 26' at a given size.
The second releasable fastening means 28' of the second embodiment comprises a sleeve element 42 slidably mounted on the rod 12'. The sleeve element 42 has a cylindrical aperture 44 extending longitudinally therethrough for allowing the rod 12' to translate. The sleeve element 42 is fixed to the rod 12' by a pin 46 extending axially through both the rod 12' and a pair of opposite slots 48 provided in the sleeve element 42.
The pin 46 prevents the rod 12' from being inadvertently withdrawn from the sleeve element 42 while allowing a limited translational motion of the rod 12' inside the aperture 44.
The sleeve element 42 is provided with an indentation 48 extending substantially perpendicularly into the aperture 44.
The rod 12' is provided with a corresponding indentation 50.
A closing element 52 is pivotally mounted on the sleeve element 42. The closing element 52 is adapted to pivot about an hinge pin 54. The closing element 52 has a protruding 2~91930 tongue 56 adapted to be inserted in the indentation 48 for closing the latter. The closing element 52 also has a locking aperture 58 extending therethrough. The aperture 58 is adapated to be positioned in register with a corre ponding aperture 60 in the sleeve element 42 and a removable locking pin 62 is adapted to be inserted through both apertures 58 and 60 for releasably locking the closing element 52 in a closed position illustrated in figures 3 and 5a where the tongue 56 is inserted in the indentation 48. A handle 64 facilitates handling of the removable locking pin 62.
The eyelet 14' typically extends through the body of the closing element 52.
In use, the fixed end of the rope 16' is first attached to the eyelet 14' by the fastening ring 20'. The rope 16' is then formed into a loop 26' and wrapped around a pole 32' by the pole climber 30' as illustrated in figure 4a. A segment of the rope 16' intermediate its fixed end 18' and its loose end 24' is releasably attached to the second releasable fastening means 28'. The segment of the rope 16' is introduced into the second releasable fastening means 28' by removing the removable locking pin 62 and pivoting the closing element 52 in its opened position illustrated in figure 5b.
The segment of the rope 16 is then introduced into the indentation 48. The rod 12' is then pushed inside the aperture 44 relatively to the fastening means 28' so that the indentation 50 is in register with the indentation 48 as illustrated in figures 5a and 5b.
The indentation 48 being in register with the indentation 50 when the rod 12' is pushed so that the pin 46 abuts against a lower edge 66 of the slots 48 which acts as a stopper means.
The indentations 48 and 50 being in register, the segment of the rope 16 is pushed inside both indentations 48 and 50. The _ g_ 2~9~930 closing element 52 is then pivoted back to its closed position with a curved surface 57 of the tongue 56 trapping the segment of the rope 16' inside the indentations 48 and 50 and the locking pin 62 is placed back to its original position.
In this position illustrated in figure 3, the fixed end 18' of the rope 16' is attached to the eyelet 14' and an intermediate segment of the rope 16 is slidably trapped inside the second releasable fastening means 28'.
When both indentations 48 and 50 are in register, the rope 16 is free to slide through the indentations 48 and 50 allowing the pole climber 30'to increase or reduce the size of the loop 26' To releasably prevent the rope 16 from sliding through the indentations 48 and 50 in order to releasably lock the loop 26' at a given size, the pole climber 30' merely needs to pull on the rod 12'. The pulling action on the rod 12' will create a relatively displacement between the rod 12' and the sleeve element 42 slidably mounted on it. The rod 12' will translate inside the aperture 44 thus displacing the indentation 50 relative to the indentation 48. As illustrated in figures 5a, 5b and 5c, ~the indentation 50 has a substant ally rounded segment ~ and a relatively straight segment ~4 adapted to abut against the segment of the rope 16' for frictionally locking it.
During ascension of the pole 32', once the rope 16' has been looped around the pole 32', the pole climber 30 pushes the rod 12' or the extension rod 40' upwardly thus translating the rod 12 upwardly relative to the sleeve element 42 until the pin 46 abuts against the lower edge 66 of the slot 48. In this position illustrated in figure 5a, the rope 16' is free to slide inside the spacing formed by the indentations 48 and 50 and the arcurate surface 57 of the tongue 56.
The user thus merely needs to pull on the rod 12' axially away from the pole 32' to enlarge the loop 26l. Once the loop 26' has been sufficiently enlarged, the climber 30 is free to push the rod 40' at armsl length siæe since the loop 26' is no longer tighten around the pole 32.
The climber 30 then pulls on the rope 16l to tighten the loop 26l around the pole 32. Once the loop 26l is sufficiently tight it will provide a frictional stopping means preventing the rod 40' from sliding down the pole 32'.
The pulling action of the climber 30 will then translate the rod 12' downwardly relative to the sleeve 42 to a position illustrated in figure 5c wherein the relatively straight segment ~4 of the indentation 50 abuts against the intermediate segment of the rope 16' inserted in the opening formed by the indentations 48 and 50 and thus frictionally prevents the latter from sliding.
The operation is repeted in a repetitive cycle as the climber uses the rod 40 to pull himself up the pole 32'. Again as with the previous embodiment, the loose end 24' of the rope 16l is adapted to be attached to the conventional safety belt 66' worn around the waist of the pole climber 30l by a conventional fastenign means 68' The device 10' again thus acts both as a means for helping the climber 30' in pulling himself up the pole and as a safety means adapted to hold the climber by his belt 66' should he start to fall.
Claims (10)
1- A substantially elongated rod having a top end and a bottom end, - A piece of substantially flexible material having a fixed and a loose end.
- a first releasable fastening means for releasably fastening said fixed end of said piece of relatively flexible material to said rod adjacent said top end, - a second releasable fastening means for releasably fastening a section of said flexible piece of material intermediate said fixed end and said loose end to said rod at a position adjacent said top end for forming a loop adapted to encircle said pole, - said second releasable fastening means having a releasable locking means for allowing slidable adjustment of the size of said loop.
- a first releasable fastening means for releasably fastening said fixed end of said piece of relatively flexible material to said rod adjacent said top end, - a second releasable fastening means for releasably fastening a section of said flexible piece of material intermediate said fixed end and said loose end to said rod at a position adjacent said top end for forming a loop adapted to encircle said pole, - said second releasable fastening means having a releasable locking means for allowing slidable adjustment of the size of said loop.
2- A method of using said pole climbing device recited in claim 1 comprising the steps of:
initially encircling said relatively flexible piece of material around said pole thus forming said loop around said pole and then executing the following steps in a repetitive cycle - loosening said loop around said pole, - pushing said loop upwardly on said pole, - tightening said loop around said pole.
initially encircling said relatively flexible piece of material around said pole thus forming said loop around said pole and then executing the following steps in a repetitive cycle - loosening said loop around said pole, - pushing said loop upwardly on said pole, - tightening said loop around said pole.
3- A pole climbing device as recited in claim 1, wherein said piece of relatively flexible material is a rope.
4- A pole climbing device as recited in claim 1 wherein said first releasable fastening means comprises an eyelet fixed to said pole and positioned adjacent said top end of said pole and a fastening ring fixed to said fixed end of said piece of relatively flexible material whereby said fastening ring is adapted to be releasably fastened to said eyelet.
5- A pole climbing device as recited in claim 1 wherein said releasable fastening means comprises:
a substantially oval-shaped frame fixed to said rod, said substantially oval frame having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said rod, a transversal rod extending across said frame substantially perpendicularly to said longitudinal axis of said frame, whereby said relatively flexible piece of material is adapted to be squeezed between a segment of said frame and said transversal rod for releasably and frictionally preventing said piece of relatively flexible material from sliding longitudinally across said frame thus locking said loop at a given size.
a substantially oval-shaped frame fixed to said rod, said substantially oval frame having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said rod, a transversal rod extending across said frame substantially perpendicularly to said longitudinal axis of said frame, whereby said relatively flexible piece of material is adapted to be squeezed between a segment of said frame and said transversal rod for releasably and frictionally preventing said piece of relatively flexible material from sliding longitudinally across said frame thus locking said loop at a given size.
6- A pole climbing device as recited in claim 1, wherein said second releasable fastening means comprises a sleeve element having a longitudinal aperture extending therethrough, said sleeve element being slidably mounted on said rod adjacent said top end with a section of said rod inserted in said longitudinal aperture, said sleeve element having a sleeve indentation extending substantially perpendicularly into said longitudinal aperture, said rod having a corresponding rod indentation adapted to be put in register with said sleeve indentation, a closing element pivotally mounted on said sleeve element, said closing element being adapted to rotate between a first closing element position wherein said close element closes said sleeve indentation and a second closing element positioned wherein it allows insertion of a segment of said piece of relatively flexible material into said sleeve indentation, said rod being adapted to slide inside said longitudinal aperture between a first rod position wherein said sleeve indentation and said rod indentations are in register thus allowing insertion of a segment of said piece of relatively flexible material into said rod indentation and a second rod position wherein said sleeve indentation and said rod indentation are not in register, an abutting section of said rod indentation being adapted to frictionally abut said segment of said piece of relatively flexible material for frictionally preventing the latter from sliding inside said rod indentation and said sleeve indentation.
7- A pole climbing device as recited in claim 6 wherein said sleeve element has a pair of longitudinal slots and said rod has a pin extending radially therethrough said pin being adapted to cooperate with said slot for limiting the sliding of said sleeve element on said rod.
8- A pole climbing device as recited in claim 6 wherein said eyelet extends through said closing element.
9- A pole climbing devince as recited in claim 6 wherein said locking element has a locking aperture and said sleeve element has a corresponding sleeve locking aperture wherein a locking pin is adapted to be inserted through both locking apertures for locking the locking element in said locking element second position.
10- A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said pole climber has a safety belt safely fastened around his waist and said device further comprises a safety attachment means fixed to said loose end of said piece of relatively flexible material, wherein said safety attachment means is adapted to be attached to said safety belt of said climber for limiting his potential fall.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2091930 CA2091930A1 (en) | 1993-03-18 | 1993-03-18 | Pole climbing device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2091930 CA2091930A1 (en) | 1993-03-18 | 1993-03-18 | Pole climbing device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2091930A1 true CA2091930A1 (en) | 1994-09-19 |
Family
ID=4151309
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2091930 Abandoned CA2091930A1 (en) | 1993-03-18 | 1993-03-18 | Pole climbing device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2091930A1 (en) |
-
1993
- 1993-03-18 CA CA 2091930 patent/CA2091930A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |