WO2022234186A1

WO2022234186A1 - Pole climbing device

Info

Publication number: WO2022234186A1
Application number: PCT/FI2022/050286
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ari MÄKELÄ; Esa MÄKELÄ
Original assignee: Mäkelän Takomo Oy
Priority date: 2021-05-06
Filing date: 2022-05-02
Publication date: 2022-11-10
Also published as: FI20215531A1; EP4333995A1; FI129960B

Abstract

A pole climbing device comprising a base part (1) releasable connectable to a foot, a hook part (2) connectable to the base part, a support part (3) arranged on a side of the base part (1). The hook part (2) is connectable to the support part (3) of the base part, wherein the hook part (2) comprises an angular cross section and the support part (3) comprises an angular opening (4) for receiving a first end (5) of the hook part (2) having the angular cross section.

Description

POLE CLIMBING DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to pole climbing devic es.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A pole climbing device or a pole climbing shoe is an accessory adapted to be connected to a foot or to a normal shoe. The pole climbing device may be used when climbing to a wooden, concrete, composite, or steel pole or post, tree, or similar item or struc ture. A pole climbing device may comprise a bottom part forming the body of the pole climbing shoe, on top of which a foot or a normal shoe is placed as the pole climbing shoe in put on. The pole climbing device may be fixed to the leg by fastening means formed by straps, bands, or buckles, arranged on the pole climb ing shoe.

A pole climbing device with a fixed hook part is known. This means that different pole climbing de vices are needed for different pole diameters or pole diameter ranges.

Also known is a pole climbing device with ad justable hook part. This may be a risk to safety of the pole climbing device.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the invention is to allevi ate the disadvantages mentioned above. It is also an objective to gain a pole climbing device that is safe to use and durable for heavy-duty. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the present in vention provides a pole climbing device comprising a base part releasable connectable to a foot, a hook part connectable to the base part, a support part ar ranged on a side of the base part, wherein the hook part is connectable to the support part of the base part.

According to the invention the hook part com- prises an angular cross section and the support part comprises an angular opening for receiving a first end of the hook part having the angular cross section.

The technical effect is that the hook part and the support part are forelocked so that the hook part cannot rotate around its axis when arranged in openings of the support part. An advantage is that the connection of hook part and the support part is easy to make and simultaneously it is safe for the user of the climbing device. The pole climbing device is characterized by what is stated in the independent claim.

Some other embodiments are characterized by what is stated in the other claims. Inventive embodi ments are also disclosed in the specification and drawings of this patent application. The inventive content of the patent application may also be defined in other ways than defined in the following claims.

The inventive content may also be formed of several separate inventions, especially if the invention is examined in the light of expressed or implicit sub tasks or in view of obtained benefits or benefit groups. Some of the definitions contained in the fol lowing claims may then be unnecessary in view of the separate inventive ideas. Features of the different embodiments of the invention may, within the scope of the basic inventive idea, be applied to other embodi ments. In an embodiment of the pole climbing device the hook part may comprise a rectangular cross section and the support part may comprise a rectangular open ing for receiving the first end of the hook part hav ing the rectangular cross section. An advantage is that the rectangular shape of the hook part is easy to make. Simultaneously it is easy to connect the hook part to the support part. A relative position of the hook part and the base part

In an embodiment of the pole climbing device the hook part may be a changeable part according to a diameter and/or a type of the pole. The changeable hook parts may enable user to climb poles of different diameters or types without changing base parts and simultaneously keeping the structure of the climbing device safe. The structure may be fail-safe compared to devices with adjustable hook part suitable for dif ferent pole diameters and pole types.

In an embodiment of the pole climbing device the hook part may be made from a sheet or a plate. An advantage for making the hook part from sheet or plate is that an angular cross section may be easily achiev able. Also, suitable form to the hook part may be achieved easily by cutting from the sheet or plate. Large variety of suitable material choices for the hook part may be widely provided in a form of sheet or plate.

In an embodiment of the pole climbing device the hook part may comprise a second end, a distal end, extending from the first end. In an embodiment the hook part may have a curved portion between the first end and the second end. In an embodiment the hook part may extend from the first end to front and to side from the base part of the climbing device in an opera tion position. In an embodiment the distal end on the hook part may extend from the first end to the other side of the pole in a climbing position. In an embodiment of the pole climbing device a first gripping device may be arranged on the second end of the hook part.

In an embodiment of the pole climbing device wherein the first gripping device may be a spike ar ranged or formed on the second end of the hook part.

In an embodiment of the pole climbing device the first griping device may be a gripping surface ar ranged on a second end of the hook part.

In an embodiment of the pole climbing device a second gripping device may be arranged on the base part.

In an embodiment of the pole climbing device a second gripping device may be arranged on the sup port part. An advantage is that the second gripping device may be secure and reliable when arranged in the base part. The second griping device may be easily manufactured to the support part and/or during manu facturing of the support part.

In an embodiment of the pole climbing device the support part may be formed from a plate part, ex tending in a transverse direction from a footstep part of the base part. An advantage of this may be that the plate like support part may be easily manufactured from the and simultaneously the gripping device may be formed to the support part. In an embodiment the sup port part may be arranged in a plane transverse to the axis of the first end of the hook part. In an embodi ment the support part may be arranged in a plane per pendicular to the axis of the first end of the hook part.

In an embodiment of the pole climbing device the support part may be formed from a plurality of plate parts extending in a transverse direction from a footstep part of the base part. By arranging the sup port part to comprise a plurality of plate parts a firm and safe base may be achieved for the hook part and the footstep part of the pole climbing device.

In an embodiment of the pole climbing device the support part may be formed from a plurality of plate parts, arranged at a distance from each other in longitudinal direction of a footstep part of the base part and extending in a transverse direction from the footstep part of the base part.

In an embodiment of the pole climbing device the second gripping device may be formed to the plate part of the support part. An advantage of this may be that the second gripping device may be formed to the support part during manufacturing of the support part.

In an embodiment of the pole climbing device the support part may comprise a spike. In an embodi ment the spike may be formed as a claw like part of the hook part.

In an embodiment of the pole climbing device the hook part may comprise a second gripping device. In an embodiment the hook part may comprise an addi tional gripping device. In an embodiment the first end of the hook part may comprise an additional gripping device or a second gripping device.

In an embodiment of the pole climbing device the hook part may comprise a second gripping device with two extending arms forming a V-shape or U-shape members. This may be a suitable solution for climbing to a certain pole types, for example to poles with a smooth surface, or poles made from metal, plastic or composite material.

In an embodiment of the pole climbing device the hook part may be made from metal, such as steel, preferable from a wear plate. In an embodiment the hook part may be made of Hardox steel. An advantage may be that suitable properties of the hook part may be easily obtained without complicated thermal treat ments and other treatments. In an embodiment of the pole climbing device the first gripping device or the second gripping de vice may comprise a friction enhancing surface. In an embodiment the friction enhancing surface may be made of rubber. In an embodiment the friction enhancing surface may be made suitable for smooth surfaces such as for metal poles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this specification, illus trate embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a top view of an embodiment of a pole climbing device,

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a view of an embodiment of a pole climbing device in a direction of arrow A of Figure 1,

Figure 2a is a schematic representation of detail 2a of figure 2.

Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a side view of an embodiment of a pole climbing device in a direction of arrow B of figure 1,

Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a side view of an embodiment of a pole climbing device with connecting straps,

Figure 5 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a pole climbing device in a direction of arrow A of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a of a top view of an embodiment of a pole climbing de vice, Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a view of an embodiment of a pole climbing device in a direction of arrow A of Figure 6,

Figure 8 is a schematic representation of a side view of an embodiment of a pole climbing device in a direction of arrow B of Figure 7,

Figure 9 is a schematic representation of a perspective top view of an embodiment of a pole climb ing device, and

Figure 10 is a schematic representation of a perspective bottom view an embodiment of a pole climb ing device.

In the figures, some embodiments are shown simplified for the sake of clarity. Similar parts are marked with the same reference numbers in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In figures 1 to 3 illustrates schematically a pole climbing device. In an embodiment the pole climb ing device may be a pole climbing shoe. The pole climbing device may comprise a base part 1. The base part 1 may be releasable connectable to a foot. In an embodiment the base part 1 may be connectable by straps to a foot. The pole climbing device may further comprise a hook part 2 connectable to the base part 1. The pole climbing device may be further comprise a support part 3. The support part may be arranged to extend on a side of the base part 1. In an embodiment of the pole climbing device the hook part 2 may be connectable to the support part 3 of the base part 1. In an embodiment the hook part may be connected on that side of the base part, which is an inner side of the foot, when the climbing device is connected on a foot (or a footwear). In an embodiment the hook part 2 may comprise an angular cross section. In an embod iment the support part 3 may comprise an angular open- ing 4 for receiving a first end 5 of the hook part 2 having the angular cross section. The angular first end of the hook part and the angular opening 4 for re ceiving the first end 5 of the hook part 3 may form a form locking. This may prevent the hook part 2 to turn or rotate around its axis when connected to the open ing 4 of the support part 3.

In an embodiment the opening 4 may be rectan gular. In an embodiment the hook part 2 may comprise a rectangular cross section. In an embodiment the sup port part 3 may comprise a rectangular opening 4 for receiving the first end 5 of the hook part 2 having the rectangular cross section.

In an embodiment a securing member 14 (figure 5) may be arranged to an opening 13 for securing lock ing part 12 arranged in a first end 5 of the hook part 2. In an embodiment the locking part 12 may be ar ranged to of the first end 5 of the hook part 2. The locking part 12 and/or securing member 14 may be ar ranged adjacent to the support part 3. In an embodi ment the locking part 12 may be a flat part arranged on the first end of the hook part. The locking part 12 may be arranged to firmly connect the hook part 2 to the base part 1. In an embodiment the opening 13 may extend through the locking part 12 and the first end 5 of the hook part 2. In an embodiment the securing mem ber 14 may be a pin or another suitable fixing member, such as a bolt-nut combination. In an embodiment there may be a plurality of locking parts. In an embodiment of figure 7 two securing members may be arranged, a first securing member 14 and a second securing member 18. In an embodiment the first securing member 14 and the second securing member 18 may be, for example bolt-nut combinations. In an embodiment an edge of the locking part 12 may be arranged against a side of the support part 3. In an embodiment the locking part 12 may be arranged to extend between the first end 5 of the hook member 2 and the mounting part 17 of the first arm 15 of the hook member 2. In an embodiment a slot 19 may be formed between the first end 5 of the hook part 2, and the mounting part 17, and/or the first arm 15.

In an embodiment the hook part 2 may be made from a sheet or a plate. In an embodiment the hook part 2 may be made from metal. In an embodiment the hook part may be made form steel. In an embodiment the hook part may be made by cutting from a metal plate. In an embodiment the metal plate may be wear plate. In an embodiment the steel may be Hardox ® type steel. In an embodiment the steel may be Hardox ® 500 type steel.

In an embodiment the hook part 2 may comprise a second end 6, a distal end, extending from the first end 5. In an embodiment the hook part 2 may comprise a curved portion. In an embodiment a first gripping de vice 7 may be arranged on the second end 6 of the hook part 2. In an embodiment the first gripping device 7 may be arranged to extend towards the base part 1 of the pole climbing device and at a distance from the base part. In an embodiment the first gripping device 7 may be arranged to contact to a pole on a different side of the pole in relation to the base part 1 of the pole climbing device.

In an embodiment the first gripping device 7 may be a spike arranged or formed on the second end 6 of the hook part 2. In an embodiment the first grip ping device 7 may be a tip of a hook part 2. In an em bodiment the hook part 2 may be a sickle like part.

In an embodiment the first griping device 7 may be a gripping surface arranged on a second end 6 of the hook part 2. In an embodiment the gripping sur face may be made of same material or different materi al than the hook part. In an embodiment a second gripping device 8 may be arranged on the base part 1. In an embodiment the first gripping device 7 and the second gripping 8 device may be intended to be placed on different sides of a pole during climbing.

In an embodiment a second gripping device 8 may be arranged on the support part 3 of the base part.

In an embodiment the support part 3 may be formed from a plate part 10. In an embodiment the sup port part may be extending in a transverse direction from a footstep part 9 of the base part 1.

In an embodiment the support part 3 may be formed from a plurality of plate parts 10 extending in a transverse direction from a footstep part 9 of the base part 1.

In an embodiment the support part 3 may be formed from a plurality of plate parts 10, arranged at a distance from each other in longitudinal direction of a footstep part 9 of the base part 1 and extending in a transverse direction from the footstep part 9 of the base part 1. In an embodiment a side surfaces of the support part may be arranged to parallel to a plane transversal to a longitudinal direction of the footstep part 9. In an embodiment the support part 3 may be arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal direc tion of the footstep part 9.

In an embodiment the second gripping device 8 may be formed to a plate like support part 3. In an embodiment the support part may comprise a first side portion 31. The second griping device 8 may be ar ranged on the first side portion. In an embodiment the opening 4 for receiving the first end 5 of the hook part 2 may be arranged on the first side portion of the support part. The support part may comprise a mid dle portion 32. The middle portion is arranged between the first side portion 31 of the support part and a second side portion 33 of the support part. The upper surface of the middle portion 32 may next to the foot step part 9 of the base part. In an embodiment the footstep part 9 may be connected to the support part 3 by welding or brazing or soldering or by bonding agent. In an embodiment the footstep part 9 may be ar ranged to the support part 3 by fixing members.

In an embodiment a protuberance or a plurali ty of protuberances 34 may be arranged on a lower sur face of the support part 3.

In an embodiment the support part 3 may com prise a spike.

In an embodiment the hook part 2 may comprise a second gripping device 8.

In an embodiment the hook part 2 may comprise a second gripping device 8 with two extending arms 15, 16 forming a V-shape members or a U-shape members. Figures 6 to 10 show some embodiments of the climbing device with a hook part 2 with second gripping members 8. In an embodiment the hook part 2 may comprise a mounting body 17. The first arm 15 and the second arm 16 may be arranged to extend from the mounting body 17 of the hook part 2. The first end 5 of the hook part 2 may be arranged to connect the hook part to the base part 1, for example, by arranging the first end 5 of the hook part to the opening 4 of the support part 3 of the base part 1. A locking part 12 may be a plate part. In an embodiment the locking part 12 may be ar ranged to extend between the first end 5 of the hook part 2 and the mounting part 17 or the first arm 15 of the hook part 2. In an embodiment a slot 19 may be formed between the first end 5 of the hook part and the mounting part 17 and/or the first arm 15. The slot 19 may be arranged to receive the portions of the sup port part 3 that extend away from the opening 4 of the support part. The portion of the support part 3 may be received in the slot 19 between the first end 5 and the mounting part 17 of the hook part 2.

In an embodiment in which the hook part 2 is intended for poles having a smooth surface, such as metal poles or plastic poles or composite poles, the mounting part 17 and/or the first arm 15 or the second arm 16 may extend from the support part 3. In an em bodiment the gripping parts of the support part 3 do not contact the pole, when the hook part 2 for smooth surface poles is arranged to the base part 1. In this embodiment the first gripping part 7 and the second gripping part 8 of the hook part 2 may grip the pole from different directions, for ensuring efficient grip for climbing the pole.

In an embodiment the hook part 9 may be made from metal, such as steel, preferable from a wear plate.

In an embodiment the first gripping device 7 or the second gripping device 8 may comprise a fric tion enhancing surface. In an embodiment the friction enhancing surface may comprise at least one of the following or their combination: rubber, silicone, plastic, synthetic resin, composite material, or a combination of two or more of these. In an embodiment the friction enhancing surface of the gripping device may be configured to be smooth surface that may not damage a surface of the pole.

In an embodiment the hook part 2 may be ar ranged to an angle (alpha) in relation to a plane parallel to a lower surface of the base part 1. In an embodiment the hook part 2 may be arranged to extend in a direction of an angle alpha in relation to a plane parallel to a lower surface of the base part 1.

In an embodiment the lower surface may be arranged parallel to a footplate of a footstep part 9. In an embodiment the angle (alpha) may be 30 to 40 de grees. In an embodiment the angle (alpha) may be 32 to 37 degrees. In an embodiment the angle (alpha) may be about 35 degrees.

In an embodiment the hook part 2 may be changeable part according to a diameter of a pole in tended to be climbed. In an embodiment there may be different hook parts 2 for different pole diameter sizes. In an embodiment there may be hook part 2 for pole diameters: 14 inches (355 mm), 12 inches (305 mm), 10 inches (254 mm), 8 inches (203 mm), however not limited to these pole sizes only.

In an embodiment the support part 3 may be arranged to comprise openings 10, 11 for connecting a strap arrangement 20 to the climbing device 1. A first opening 10 may be arranged to the first side portion 31 of the support member 3. The second opening 11 may be arranged to the second side portion 33 of the sup port member 3. In an embodiment the stap arrangement 20 may comprise a first strap 21 connected via con necting members 24, 25 to the support part 3 and a heel strap 22. The heel strap 22 may be arranged to be connected to the first strap 21 in a connecting point 23. A simplified schematical illustration of an embod iment with a strap arrangement is presented in Figures 4 and 5. For the sake of clarity buckles of some em bodiments of the strap arrangement 20 have not been illustrated in figures 4 and 5. The first strap 21 may comprise a first buckle 26. The heel strap 22 may com prise a second buckle 27. An embodiment of a strap ar rangement 20 is illustrated with figures 6 to 10. The base 1 and the strap arrangement 20 may be similar in the embodiments of figures 1 to 5 and the embodiments of figures 6 to 10. In an embodiment the changeable hook parts 2 and locking parts 12 and their securing members to the base part may be different and the base part and the strap arrangement may be common to dif ferent hook parts. In an embodiment shown in figures the climb ing device is intended for use in the right foot. The climbing device is intended to be used in both feet. The climbing device for the left foot is basically similar to the ones represented in the figures, but the hook part is placed on other side (right side) of the base part and the support parts 3 are also placed so that the gripping devices are also placed on right side of the base part 1, i.e. on an inner side of the foot.

It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that with the advancement of technology, the basic idea of the invention may be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not limited to the examples described above, instead they may vary within the scope of the claims.

Reference numbers:

1. a base part

2. a hook part

3. a support part

4. an opening

5. a first end of the hook part

6. a second end of the hook part

7. a gripping device

8. a second gripping device

9. a footstep part

10. a first opening for connecting a strap

11. a second opening for connecting a strap

12. a locking part

13. an opening for securing member

14. a securing member

15. a first arm

16. a second arm

17. a mounting body

18. a second securing member

19. a slot 20. a strap arrangement

21. a first strap

22. a heel strap

23. a connecting member

24. a strap connecting member

25. a strap connecting member

26. a first buckle

27. a second buckle

31. a first side portion of the support part

32. a middle portion of the support part

33. a second side portion of the support part

34. a protuberance

Claims

1. A pole climbing device comprising a base part (1) releasable connectable to a foot, a hook part (2) connectable to the base part, a support part (3) arranged on a side of the base part (1), wherein the hook part (2) is connectable to the support part (3) of the base part, wherein the hook part (2) comprises an angular cross section and the support part (3) com prises an angular opening (4) for receiving a first end (5) of the hook part (2) having the angular cross section.

2. The pole climbing device according to claim 1, wherein the hook part (2) comprises a rectan gular cross section and the support part (3) comprises a rectangular opening (4) for receiving the first end (5) of the hook part (2) having the rectangular cross section.

3. The pole climbing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the hook part (2) is changeable part according to a diameter and/or a type of the pole.

4. The pole climbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hook part (2) is made from a sheet or a plate.

5. The pole climbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the hook part (2) com prises a second end (6), a distal end, extending from the first end (5).

6. The pole climbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a first gripping device (7) is arranged on the second end (6) of the hook part (2).

7. The pole climbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first gripping de vice (7) is a spike arranged or formed on the second end (6) of the hook part (2).

8. The pole climbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first griping device

(7) is a gripping surface arranged on a second end (6) of the hook part (2).

9. The pole climbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a second gripping device

(8) is arranged on the base part (1).

10. The pole climbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a second gripping device (8) is arranged on the support part (3).

11. The pole climbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the support part (3) is formed from a plate part (10), extending in a trans verse direction from a footstep part (9) of the base part (1).

12. The pole climbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the support part (3) is formed from a plurality of plate parts (10) extending in a transverse direction from a footstep part (9) of the base part (1).

13. The pole climbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the support part (3) is formed from a plurality of plate parts (10), arranged at a distance from each other in longitudinal direc tion of a footstep part (9) of the base part (1) and extending in a transverse direction from the footstep part (9) of the base part (1).

14. The pole climbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the second gripping de vice (8) is formed to the plate part (10) of the sup port part (3).

15. The pole climbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the support part (3) comprises a spike.

16. The pole climbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the hook part (2) com prises a second gripping device (8).

17. The pole climbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the hook part (2) com prises a second gripping device (8) with two extending arms (15, 16) forming a V-shape member or a U-shape member.

18. The pole climbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the hook part (2) is made from metal, such as steel, preferable from a wear plate.

19. The pole climbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the first gripping de vice (7) and/or the second gripping device (8) com prise a friction enhancing surface.

20. The pole climbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the hook part (2) is arranged to an angle (alpha) in relation to a plane parallel to a lower surface of the base part (1).