Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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This invention relates to a pole climbing device.
The device of the present invention is primarily
intended for use when climbing utility poles. However, it
will be appreciated that the device can also be used to climb
other poles or trees.
In general, the technique of climbing poles has
remained virtually unchanged for over one hundred years. It
is conventional for a lineman to wear metal bars strapped to
his legs and extending under the soles of his boots, the bars
being equipped with gaffs for digging into the pole. The
climbing action involves alternatively engaging one gaff and
disengaging the other. In a work position, the pole is
engaged by both gaffs, and a safety strap is wrapped around
the pole to enable the lineman to work with both hands free.
Conventional pole climbing devices pose several
problems, the main one being the possibility of electrical
shock. The wires on many utility poles are live (carry
electricity). If a lineman inadvertently touches a ground
wire with the gaff and brushes against a live wire, the result
can be electrocution. A second problem involves the limited
support area provided by the conventional metal bar. If a
lineman is required to stand for any length of time on such
bars, a certain amount of discomfort and loss of circulation
results. The problem is particularly severe in cold climates.
One attempt to solve the problem set out above is
described in applicant's Canadian Patent No. 1,187,693, which
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issued on May 28, 1985. The patent describes a lineman's
climbing aid including an outer boot for wearing over a
standard work boot with a replaceable steel gaff connected to
the outer boot. The outer boot is a one-piece molding of
electrically insulating, water impermeable, plastic material.
While the patented structure performs the desired function,
the production of an outer boot of the type described in the
patent is relatively expensive, particularly when the outer
boot must be provided in a variety of sizes. Moreover,
because access to the replaceable steel gaff is gained from
the interior of the outer boot, gaff replacement can be
somewhat difficult and time consuming.
The object of the present invention is to provide a
relatively simple, electrically insulating pole climbing
device, which overcomes the problems set out in the foregoing
description.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a
climbing device for attachment to an article of footwear to
facilitate pole climbing comprising solid, electrically
nonconducting sole plate means for supporting the foot of a
wearer; electrically nonconducting side bar means extending
upwardly from said sole plate means during use for carrying
climbing gaff; pivot means for rotatably connecting said side
bar means to said base plate means to facilitate movement of a
wearer's foot; and coupling means for connecting said sole
plate means and side bar means to the foot and leg of a user.
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The invention will be described in greater detail
with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate
a preferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view from above and one
side of a pole climbing device in accordance with the present
invention;
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of a sole plate
for use in the device of Fig. l;
Figure 3 is a plan view of the sole plate of Fig. 2;
Figure 4 is a front view of the sole plate of Figs.
2 and 3; and
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a portion of an
alternative top end of the device of Fig. 1.
With reference to Figs. 1 to 4, the basic elements
of the climbing device include a solid plastic sole plate
generally indicated at 1, a vertical side bar 2 pivotally
connected to the sole plate 1, and a calf strap 3.
As best shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the sole plate 1 is
oval when viewed from above or below and includes upper and
lower instep projections 5 and 6, respectively. The upper
projection 5 includes a forwardly inclined front or toe end 7
and a straight vertical rear or heel end 8. The toe portion
10 of the plate 1 is inclined slightly upwardly and the heel
portion 12 is rectilinear. Thus, the shape of the top surface
of the plate 1 conforms to the shape of the bottom surface of
the shoe or boot of the wearer. Rubber toe and heel pads 13
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and 14, respectively (Fig. 1) are attached to the base of the
plate 1 in front of and behind the lower projection 6.
A plastic arm 15 extends upwardly from one side of
the central instep area of the sole plate 1. The arm 15 is
connected to the plate 1 by screws 17 (Fig. 2). The arm 15,
which is chevron-shaped in cross section extends vertically
upwardly and then outwardly to facilitate insertion of a boot
or shoe into the device. A ring 18 is attached to the
tapering upper end 19 of the arm 15. A pair of straps 20 and
21 are connected to the ring 18. The shorter strap 20 carries
a belt buckle 23 on the outer surface thereof. A row of holes
24 are provided in the outer end of the strap 21 for
connecting the latter to the buckle 23.
The side bar 2 is an elongated strip of solid
plastic, the downwardly tapering bottom end 26 of which is
pivotally connected by a bolt 27 to the inner side of the
instep area of the sole plate 2. A wide ankle portion 29 of
the side bar 2 bows outwardly so that the side bar does not
press against a wearer's ankle. A plurality of p~irs of
vertically aligned holes 30 are provided in the ankle portion
29 for receiving screws 32, which secure a forged steel gaff
33 on the side bar 2.
The top end 34 of the side bar 2 is inserted into an
arcuate calf strap holder 35. The holder 35 is retained on
the side bar 2 by screws 36. Additional holes 37 are provided
in top end 34 of the side bar 2 for adjusting the position of
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the holder 35 on the side bar 2 and consequently the length of
the device. The holder 35 flares upwardly to support the
padded nylon strap 3. The interior of the strap 3 includes a
pad 39 of foam encased in leather mounted on the holder 35.
The strap 3 extends around the leg of the wearer and is
secured in position by a Velcro (trademark) fastener defined
by hooks 40 on the interior surface of the outer free end of
the strap 3 and a fabric strip 41 on the exterior of the inner
end of the strap.
Referring to Fig. 5, an alternative strap holder 43
includes thin plastic body 44 with a pair of vertically
aligned holes 46 in the lower end 47 thereof for receiving
screws 49 for connecting the holder in overlapping
relationship to the top end 34 of the side bar 2. A shoulder
50 is provided between the lower and upper ends 47 and 52,
respectively so that the interior surface of the upper end 52
is in the same plane as the interior surface of the side bar
3. Holes 53 in the arcuate upper end 52 of the holder receive
screws 54 (which may be rivets) for connecting a pad 55 in the
form of a sleeve 57 carrying a belt or strap 58 similar to the
strap 3.
Of course,the user will require a pair of climbing
devices of the type described above. In use, the boot or shoe
of the wearer is placed on the base plate 2, with the front of
the heel engaging the vertical end 8 of the upper projection
5. The strap 21 is wrapped around the ankle of the wearer and
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connected to the buckle 23. Because of the simplicity of the
structure, it is relatively easy to replace the sole plates 1
of a pair of climbing devices to suit the foot size of the
wearer. The only metal in the device includes the gaff 33 and
a few screws or rivets. Thus, the device as a whole is
electrically nonconducting. Even if the gaff 33 contacts
ground and the wearer a live wire, the wearer is in no danger
of electrical shock.
