WO2010060140A1

WO2010060140A1 - A climbing aid

Info

Publication number: WO2010060140A1
Application number: PCT/AU2009/001537
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ivan Neralic, Sr.
Original assignee: Neralic, Ivan, Robert, Jr.
Priority date: 2008-11-25
Filing date: 2009-11-25
Publication date: 2010-06-03

Abstract

A climbing aid for assisting a user to scale a structure, the climbing aid including at least one apparatus having a limb engagement portion associated with a lower, forwardly facing engagement portion and an upper rearwardly facing engagement portion, the user's weight on the limb engagement portion creating rotational force on the lower and upper engagement portion to engage the structure being scaled.

Description

A CLIMBING AID FIELD OF THE INVENTION.

The present invention relates to climbing aids and particularly to climbing as for scaling trees and poles. Background Art.

The climbing of trees has been a necessary or recreational part of life for hundreds of years.

Children have climbed trees fdr recreation and natives of Pacific islands have long climbed trees such as coconut palms to harvest fruit. Tree surgeons, tree trimmers and sometimes utility workers are also required to climb trees and utility poles.

In order to climb the tree or pole in a safer and usually, more quickly as well, devices have been developed historically to facilitate this. Typically, a climber has used a belt which wraps around the tree or pole and spikes which are inwardly directed from the lower portion of their boots to dig into the wood of the tree through the bark. To mount the spike onto the boot, workmen currently use an iron bar that is shaped something like fish hook, descending the inside of the leg and wrapping around the arch, with a spike mounted at the lower inside corner and straps which retain the unit to the lower leg and foot. Other more complex devices are available as well. U.S. Pat. No.

4,593,789 provides a tree climbing apparatus having a single tree engaging unit and an adjustable strap to fit varying tree diameters. U.S. Pat. No. 4,321,983 provides a tree climbing platform device wherein gripping portions can be moved upwardly along the tree by the climber so as to elevate the platform. This latter patent provides for a wedging engagement on both sides of the tree and a foot support member separate from a platform member. U.S. Pat. No. 4,316,526 provides for a tree climbing device having both a platform member which functions as a seat and a separate foot support member. As described therein, both the platform member and the foot support member engage the tree with gripping structures. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,488,620, 4,316,526 and 4,331,216 similarly incorporate separate seat and foot support platforms, each of which engage the tree separately through the use of wedging devices.

The prior art does not provide a tree climbing apparatus which affords ease of use and operation, resulting in fast and smooth ascent and descent of a tree, pole or the like.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. Summary of the Invention.

The present invention is directed to a climbing aid, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in a climbing aid for assisting a user to scale a structure, the climbing aid including at least one apparatus having a limb engagement portion associated with a lower, forwardly facing engagement portion and an upper rearwardly facing engagement portion, the user's weight on the limb engagement portion creating rotational force on the lower and upper engagement portion is to engage the structure being scaled.

The climbing aid of the present invention will also typically allow movement radially about the structure as well as to allow the structure to be scaled and allow a safe descent from the structure.

The climbing aid is specifically adapted for use with elongate, substantially upright, relatively freestanding structures such as trees, poles and the like. The climbing aid of the preferred embodiment is particularly well adapted for scaling power and telephone poles which are normally within a standard range of external diameters.

The climbing aid of the present invention will typically include a pair of apparatus, each apparatus adapted to be used with each of user's limbs on opposite side of the user's body. As such, the climbing aid is normally manufactured as a matching pair of apparatus, which will usually be mirror image configurations of each other.

Each of the matching pair of apparatus will preferably be opposite in configuration in order to be used with the user's limbs on opposite sides of the body. Normally, there will be a left-hand side apparatus and a right-hand side apparatus and the two apparatus will typically not be interchangeable. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the apparatus will be used with a user's feet or legs. Typically, each apparatus will engage or be attached temporarily relative to the user's feet or legs via the limb engagement portion.

The limb engagement portion may additionally support a user as well as engaging user's limb, depending upon the configuration. Apparatus having the features described above may be used with the upper limbs of a user as well as, or instead of the lower limbs but preferably, the apparatus used are specifically adapted for use with the legs and even more preferably with a user's feet.

Therefore, the limb engagement portion of each apparatus will normally include a portion to engage the user's foot or shoe. Preferably, the limb engagement portion will include a platform portion adapted to underlie a user's foot or shoe.

Engagement means will typically be provided in association with the platform portion in order to engage and be secured relative to a user's foot or shoe. Normally, the engagement means will include at least one strap or other securing means for securing and/or tightening about a user's foot or shoe. For example, the engagement means may include a strap with a friction lock, or engagement means such as Velcro^® or the like.

There may be a rigid guide associated with the platform portion and adapted to pass over the user's foot or shoe. This rigid guide may particularly provide support when the user is wearing the apparatus and lifts their foot, or may act as a backup safety device, should the straps fail.

There may additionally be a heel cup portion for correct positioning of the foot or shoe on the platform. Further, there may be one or more sidewall portions extending upwardly from the platform portion to further assist with location. Each of the heel cup portion and the one or more sidewall portions will preferably formed as upstanding portions extending substantially perpendicularly to the platform portion.

The platform portion as mentioned above may preferably support the weight of the user and will typically be manufactured of a suitable material. Normally, a light but strong material will be used such as light metal but it is anticipated that other materials such as plastic or carbon fibre for example, may be used as these are light in weight but still possess the necessary strength. Methods of reducing weight in the platform portion may include providing the portion with a plurality of openings therein.

According to a most preferred embodiment, the platform portion is formed from a sheet member with the heel cup portion and one or more sidewall portions formed by bending parts of the sheet. This will preferably form a unitary platform portion which may provide increased strength. The platform may be moulded or cast in metal or another material.

Each apparatus includes a lower, forwardly facing engagement portion. The engagement portion is adapted to engage with the structure that is being ascended or descended. Preferably, the engagement portion is shaped to engage a structure.

The forwardly facing engagement portion may simply face forwardly of the limb engagement portion or alternatively may extend forwardly thereof, that is the engagement portion may be located further forward than the limb engagement portion.

The forwardly facing engagement portion will typically be provided with grip enhancing means in order to form a temporary but secure engagement with the structure. For example, the grip enhancing means may be provided as a high friction material such as rubber, foam or the like. Preferably, the grip enhancing means is provided as a plurality of gripping portions such as serrations or teeth in order to engage the structure for increased security of engagement particularly in light of the preferred use of the climbing aid with trees or poles.

It is preferred that the forwardly facing engagement portion is configured in a shape which corresponds to the outer shape of a structure. For example, if the structure is substantially circular such as a telephone pole, then the engagement portion will preferably be arcuate. A substantially C-shaped forwardly facing engagement portion is provided. It is to be noted that by using the term C- shaped, it is also intended to include within the scope of that term, portions which may be V-shaped or U-shaped.

Preferably, the lower forwardly facing engagement portion is located in front of the limb engaging portion. The greater the spacing between the limb engaging portion and the forwardly facing engagement portion, the greater leverage can be produced when a user is standing on the platform portion.

Normally, a plurality of grip enhancing means or teeth are provided on a forward surface of the lower engagement portion. The lower forwardly facing engagement portion is preferably permanently attached to the limb engaging portion with the method of attachment dependent mainly upon the materials of construction. For example, when metal is used, the method attachment will typically be welding or the like. Each apparatus of the climbing aid of the present invention will also typically include an upper, rearwardly facing engagement portion which is similar in configuration to the lower forward facing engagement portion. The upper engagement portion will preferably be spaced forwardly from the lower engagement portion. Clearly, the upper engagement portion is also spaced above the lower engagement portion.

The upper and lower engagement portions will preferably face each other and form a substantially diamond or oval shape when viewed from above.

The upper and lower engagement portions are normally spaced from each other by an upwardly extending spacing member. The spacing member will typically be substantially vertical when the platform portions are horizontal. The spacing member may be angled forwardly rather than being substantially vertical.

According to one particularly preferred embodiment, the lower engagement portion, upper engagement portion and spacing member are integrally formed from a unitary bent or shaped member which has been deformed to have the shape as described above. Normally, this unitary member may be hollow in order to reduce the weight of the apparatus.

Bracing may be provided between the lower engagement portion and/or the platform portion and the spacing member in order to assist with maintaining the orientation of the spacing member particularly when the apparatus is in use. The upper engagement portion is preferably provided with at least one attachment point allowing attachment of a strap or similar device. Typically, once the structure has been scaled to the desired level and the user is satisfied with the level, a strap or other similar device may be attached to the attachment point, passed around the structure and/or the user and attached to the attachment point on the other of the pair of apparatus. This will preferably increase the security of the engagement with the structure whilst the user is undertaking work and a particular level.

Normally, a plurality of grip enhancing means or teeth are provided on a rearward surface of the upper engagement portion. The grip enhancing means may be arranged in an arcuate configuration and point rearwardly or be directed towards a central point of an arc.

At least one attachment point is preferably provided approximately midway across the width of the upper engagement portion. In an alternative embodiment, the upper engagement portion may be provided as a member or assembly which is attachable to, but separate from the spacing member. According to this embodiment, the upper end of the spacing member may be provided with an attachment assembly in order to attach an extendable upper engagement portion thereto. This configuration will typically allow adjustment of the lateral distance or separation between the upper engagement portion and the lower engagement portion to allow the climbing aid to be used on different diameter structures, particularly larger diameter structures or structures with varying diameter.

In this configuration the upper engagement portion will preferably be substantially J-shaped with an arcuate or angled engagement portion and an extension arm which engages with the attachment assembly provided on the other end of the spacing member.

The attachment assembly of a preferred embodiment includes a bore into which a portion of the extension arm is located and at least temporarily secured. Any securing means may be used, for example at least one clamping means or at least one pin and slot or opening securing means. There may additionally be a stop means provided at the rear of the extension arm in order to prevent accidental complete removal of the extension arm from the bore. Preferably, the stop means will be a simple and removable stop means so that the stop means prevents complete removal accidentally but will allow determined or intended removal of eth extension arm from the bore at the discretion of the user.

The alternative configuration may also allow adjustment of the lateral separation distance between the upper engagement portion and the lower engagement portion if the structure changes shape or size over its height. If this occurs, the user may release one apparatus and support themselves on the apparatus whilst adjusting the other apparatus, re-engage the adjusted apparatus with the user's foot or limb and/or with the structure above or below the change in dimension and then transfer the support to the adjusted apparatus in order to adjust the other apparatus. Therefore, the apparatus will typically be robust and strong enough to support the full weight of the user on the one apparatus.

It is also preferable that the respective upper and lower engagement portions of each of a matching pair of apparatus are offset from one another in height in order to provide a level platform for a user to work from. For example, by providing the left-hand apparatus with an upper engagement portion spaced further from a lower engagement portion in height will typically allow the right-hand apparatus to engage the structure within the upper engagement portion and lower engagement portion of the left-hand apparatus to allow a user to level the platform portions of the two apparatus. Otherwise, by providing the apparatus of a matching pair with the same distance between the upper and lower engagement portions, the platform portions of the two apparatus will typically be at different levels.

Alternatively, the lower engagement portion of one apparatus of the pair may be provided above the foot platform of that apparatus with the lower engagement portion of the other apparatus of the pair provided below the foot platform of that apparatus such that the respective lower engagement portions are offset from one another when the respective foot platforms are coplanar with one another.

The upper and lower engagement portions will typically both have free ends which are spaced from one another allowing each apparatus to be compeletly removed from the structure once disengaged. This is typically accomplished by moving the apparatus laterally away from the structure (whilst secured to a user or not).

Once the upper and lower engagement portions are engaged with the structure, placing weight on the platform portion will typically provide rotational force or angular force on the upper and lower engagement portions driving them to engage the structure. Rotation of each apparatus in the opposite direction will typically disengage the upper and lower engagement portions allowing movement of the apparatus relative to the structure where it can then be re-engaged. By alternating this engagement and moving upwardly or downwardly, the structure may be ascended or descended.

Brief Description of the Drawings. Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view from the rear of a single climbing apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view from a first side of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view from a second side of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view from the side of apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, as worn by a user. Figure 5 is a perspective view from the side of a climbing aid including a pair of apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a detailed view from above of the upper engaging portion of the climbing aid illustrated in Figure 5. Figure 7 is a view from the rear of the extension arm section, with the stop means.

Figure 8 is a view from the side of the pair of apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment in use relative to a tree from a first side.

Figure 9 is a view from the side of the pair of apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment in use relative to a tree from a second side.

Figure 10 is a view from below of the pair of apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment in use relative to a tree from the rear side.

Figure 11 is a view from below of the pair of apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment in use relative to a tree from the front side. Figure 12 is a detailed view from the front of the extensionspecifically showing the fine adjustment grip.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the pair of apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment in use relative to a pole from the front side.

Figure 14 is a detail view of the foot platform of a further alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, a climbing aid for assisting a user to scale a structure is provided. The climbing aid illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 includes one of a pair of apparatus 10 having a foot platform 11 associated with a lower, forwardly facing engagement portion 12 and an upper rearwardly facing engagement portion 13.

The foot platform 11 illustrated supports a user as well as engaging user's foot as illustrated generally in Figure 4.

Engagement straps 14a and 14b are provided in association with the platform 11 in order to engage in the secured relative to a user's foot or shoe. 14b secures the foot further by being placed in a position that pushes the foot into heel cup portion 16. Another strap may also be placed in the strap section 14b so that one strap may be placed in front of the heel and the other placed behind the heel for extra security and safety. There is also a rigid guide 15 associated with the platform 11 which passes over the user's foot or shoe. This rigid guide 15 provides support when the user is wearing the apparatus and lifts their foot and is also a safety backup if the adjustable strap/s fails. A heel cup portion 16 for correct positioning of the foot or shoe on the platform 11 is provided in the illustrated embodiment, together with a pair of sidewall portions 17 extending upwardly from the platform 11 to further assist with location. The heel cup portion 16 and sidewall portions 17 of the illustrated embodiment are formed as upstanding portions extending substantially perpendicularly to the platform 11.

Each apparatus includes a lower, forwardly facing engagement portion 12 adapted to engage with the structure that is being ascended or descended. The lower engagement portion 12 illustrated is located further forward than the foot platform 11. The lower engagement portion 12 is provided with grip enhancing teeth

18 in order to form a temporary but secure engagement with the structure. A plurality of grip enhancing teeth 18 are provided on a forward surface of the lower engagement portion 12.

The lower engagement portion 12 of the illustrated embodiment is shaped to correspond to the outer shape of a pole or tree in that a substantially C- shaped lower engagement portion 12 is provided.

The lower engagement portion 12 can be located above the level of the platform 11. Each apparatus of the climbing aid also includes an upper, rearwardly facing engagement portion 13 which is similar in configuration to the lower forward facing engagement portion 12. As illustrated best in Figure 3, the upper engagement portion 13 is spaced forwardly from the lower engagement portion 12. Clearly, the upper engagement portion 13 is also spaced above the lower engagement portion 12.

The upper 13 and lower 12 engagement portions face each other and form a substantially diamond or oval shape when viewed from above.

The upper 13 and lower 12 engagement portions of the illustrated embodiments are spaced from each other by an upwardly extending spacing member 19. The spacing member 19 is substantially vertical when the platform 11 is substantially horizontal.

According to the illustrated first preferred embodiment, the lower engagement portion 12, upper engagement portion 13 and spacing member 19 are integrally formed from a unitary bent or shaped member which has been deformed to have the shape as described above. This unitary member is hollow in the illustrated embodiments order to reduce the weight of the apparatus.

A bracing member 20 is provided between the platform 11 and the spacing member 19 in order to assist with maintaining the orientation of the spacing member 19 particularly when the apparatus is in use. The upper engagement portion 13 is provided with at least one attachment loop 21 approximately midway across the width of the upper engagement portion, allowing attachment of a strap or similar device. Typically, once the structure has been scaled to the desired level and the user is satisfied with the level, a strap or other similar device can be attached to the attachment loop 21 of one of the apparatus, passed around the structure and/or the user and attached to the attachment loop 21 on the other of the pair of apparatus. This will increase the security of the engagement with the structure whilst the user is undertaking work and a particular level.

In an alternative embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 to 10, the upper engagement portion 13 may be provided as a member or assembly which is attachable to but separate from, the spacing member 19.

According to this embodiment, the upper end of the spacing member 19 is provided with an attachment assembly in order to attach an extendable upper engagement portion thereto. This configuration allows adjustment of the lateral distance or separation between the upper engagement portion 13 and the lower engagement portion 12 to allow the climbing aid to be used on different diameter structures, particularly larger diameter structures or structures with varying diameter or width. In this configuration, the upper engagement portion 13 is substantially

J-shaped with an arcuate or angled engagement portion and an extension arm 22 which engages with the attachment assembly provided on the other end of the spacing member 19.

The attachment assembly of the illustrated embodiment includes a hollow box section 23 with a bore into which a portion of the extension arm 22 is located and at least temporarily secured using at least one threaded clamping pin 24. For safety and security, more than one threaded clamp pin is generally used. The extension arm is prevented from slipping out from the hollow box section by a removable square section 25 pinned 26 at the end of the arm. The upper and lower engagement portions will typically both have free ends which are spaced from one another allowing each apparatus to be compeletly removed from the structure once disengaged. This is typically accomplished by moving the apparatus laterally away from the structure.

In use, the user will don the apparatus and secure them to the user's feet. The apparatus can then be located about a tree or pole as illustrated in Figure 5 and Figures 8 to 12. Once the upper and lower engagement portions are engaged with the structure, placing weight on the platform portion will provide rotational force or angular force on the upper and lower engagement portions driving them to engage the structure. Rotation of each apparatus in the opposite direction will typically disengage the upper and lower engagement portions allowing movement of the apparatus relative to the structure where it can then be re-engaged. By alternating this engagement and moving upwardly or downwardly, the structure may be ascended or descended. The upper engagement portion may be finely adjusted against the structure for improved stability and grip using a hand/finger grip 27 and is demonstrated in Figure 12. An alternative embodiment of the foot platform is illustrated in Figure

14. In this embodiment, two separated attachment straps are provided, one to extend over the forward part of a user's foot and one to extend substantially about the user's ankle. It can also be seen that the rigid guide 15 illustrated in Figure 1 has been removed from this embodiment.

In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims

1. A climbing aid for assisting a user to scale a structure, the climbing aid including at least one apparatus having a limb engagement portion associated with a lower, forwardly facing engagement portion and an upper rearwardly facing engagement portion, the user's weight on the limb engagement portion creating rotational force on the lower and upper engagement portion to engage the structure being scaled.

2. A climbing aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the limb engagement portion of the or each apparatus is temporarily attachable to a user's foot or leg to render the apparatus moveable with the user's foot or leg.

3. A climbing aid as claimed in either claim 1 or 2 wherein the limb engagement portion of each apparatus includes a platform portion adapted to underlie a user's foot or shoe to support a user.

4. A climbing aid as claimed in claim 3 wherein engagement means is provided in association with the platform portion in order to engage and be secured relative to a user's foot or shoe.

5. A climbing aid as claimed in either claim 3 or 4 wherein a rigid guide is associated with the platform portion and adapted to pass over the user's foot or shoe.

6. A climbing aid as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein a heel cup portion for correct positioning of the foot or shoe on the platform and one or more sidewall portions extending upwardly from the platform portion to further assist with location are provided.

7. A climbing aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the engagement portions are provided with grip enhancing means in order to form a temporary but secure engagement with the structure.

8. A climbing aid as claimed in claim 7 wherein the grip enhancing means is provided as a plurality of serrations or teeth in order to engage the structure for increased security of engagement.

9. A climbing aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the engagement portions are substantially C-shaped.

10. A climbing aid as claimed in claim 9 wherein the upper, rearwardly facing engagement portion is concave relative to the limb engagement portion and the lower forward facing engagement portion is convex relative to the limb engagement portion.

11. A climbing aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper engagement portion is spaced forwardly of the lower engagement portion.

12. A climbing aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper and lower engagement portions each have free ends which are spaced from one another allowing each apparatus to be completely removed from the structure once disengaged.

13. A climbing aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper and lower engagement portions are spaced from each other by an upwardly extending spacing member.

14. A climbing aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper engagement portion is provided with at least one attachment point allowing attachment of a safety strap or similar device.

15. A climbing aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein an attachment assembly is provided on each apparatus in order to attach an upper engagement portion thereto.

16. A climbing aid as claimed in claim 16 wherein the upper engagement portion is substantially J-shaped with an arcuate engagement portion and an extension arm which engages with the attachment assembly provided on an upper end of a spacing member extending upwardly from the limb engagement portion of an apparatus.

17. A climbing aid as claimed in either claim 16 or 17 wherein the attachment assembly includes a bore into which a portion of an extension arm associated with the upper engagement portion is located and at least temporarily secured.

18. A climbing aid as claimed in claim 18 wherein stop means is provided at the rear of the extension arm in order to prevent accidental complete removal of the extension arm from the bore.

19. A climbing aid as claimed in claim 13 wherein the lower engagement portion, upper engagement portion and spacing member are integrally formed from a unitary bent or shaped member.

20. A climbing aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a pair of apparatus, each of the pair of apparatus being mirror image configurations of each other adapted to be used with each of user's limbs on opposite side of the user's body.

21. A climbing aid as claimed in claim 20 wherein the respective upper and lower engagement portions of each of a matching pair of apparatus are offset from one another in height in order to provide a level platform for a user to work from.