Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
WO 98/01639 PCT/US97/11950
CLIMBING DEVICE FOR BUILDING FRAMES
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices which attach to frames of
structures such as buildings, towers, bridges, and the like both during
construction
of the structure and after its completion, and in particular relates to a
climbing
device which is removably attachable to a beam, girder or column of a building
frame, such as an I-beam, to provide secure footing or secure attachment for
construction personnel to the frame while working on the building.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
The construction of large steel structures, such as office buildings,
bridges, apartment dwellings, and other large multi-story buildings, often
times
place construction personnel in potentially hazardous locations during both
the
construction of the building and after its completion, typically during
maintenance
and general upkeep of the structure. Typically, during construction, after the
foundation is laid the building frame is constructed of steel beams having the
general cross-section in the shape of an "I", and are typically known as I-
beams.
As the I-beams are laid in place, they are bolted together to form the frame
of the
building so that the floors and walls may be put in place as construction of
the
building moves towards completion.
The I-beams are generally lifted into place by cranes and other large
pieces of equipment, and then are joined by steel workers who bolt the 1-beams
into place at specific locations. The steel workers are typically located in
potentially hazardous locations, in that there is no flooring or secure
footing in
place until the I-beams are actually bolted into place. The steel worker may
bolt
the I-beams into place while standing in the bucket of a conventional bucket
truck,
or, in more common situations, the worker must wrap a safety tether or belt
CA 02260088 1999-01-08
-2-
around an I-beam or column already in place, and connect the belt or tether to
a harness which he
wears on his upper body. This makes for a slow and tedious process; each time
the worker
moves from beam to beam, he must disconnect himself, unwrap the tether from
the column or
beam, and move to the next location.
A further disadvantage of the existing methods for constructing building
frames lies in
the fact that most I-beams upon which workers are expected to stand are
typically between 8"
and 24" (20.32 cm and 60.96 cm, respectively) wide. The thinner the beam, the
less footing the
worker has on which to stand and consequently the worker must take great care
to secure his
footing and tether himself to the existing frame of the building. This slows
the construction
process, and consequently increases the cost of both the construction of the
building, and its
related costs such as insurance premiums.
A need exists for a climbing device which permits a worker to releasably
attach a
climbing device to the I-beam or column, which provides both a secure footing,
and a rapid
connection for a tether line or safety harness.
SUMNIARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a climbing device which includes a pair of jaw
members
in which one of the jaw members is movable with respect to the other jaw
member to grasp a
portion of the building frame such as an I-beam or a column. A support member
extends away
from the pair of jaws to provide a footing for a user upon which the user may
stand while
working on the building frame, or use to climb up the I-beam or column. The
weight of the user
creates a moment force on the jaw members which increases the grasping force
of the jaw
members on the I-beam or column to further secure the climbing device in
place. The jaw
members may include grip enhancing members which are raised from the
A~,S~DED St~tSj
CA 02260088 1999-01-08
WO 98/01639 3 PCT/US97/11950
opposed faces of the jaw members to enhance the gripping function of the jaw
members on the I-beam or column.
A jaw assembly is provided which preferably includes a "U" shaped
block having a movable jaw member disposed between the "U" leg portions of the
jaw assembly. The movable jaw may be positioned so as to adjust the spacing
between the jaw members and comprises a slidable member which is attached to
the "U" shaped portion by an adjustment screw and at least one guide pin. The
second jaw member comprises one leg of the "U" shaped portion of the jaw
assembly, such that the movable jaw member may be moved with respect to the
stationary jaw member by the adjustment screw.
Extending from the jaw assembly is the body of the climbing device,
which includes a support surface which may be utilized as a foot hold by the
construction worker to provide a standing platform once the climbing device is
locked onto an I-beam or column. The body of the device also includes a lever
mechanism which is spring biased to vary the spacing between the jaws by
controlling the position of a piston member which passes from the body of the
climbing device through the second jaw member and terminates at a point
adjacent
the first jaw member. Squeezing the handle portion of the lever mechanism
moves
the piston member away from the first jaw member, to permit the user to place
the
climbing device over a portion of the I-beam or column, in between the two jaw
members. Releasing the handle of the lever mechanism moves the piston back
towards the first jaw member to lock the climbing device onto the I-beam
between
the jaw members.
It is contemplated that the first jaw member may include a plurality
of raised, hardened steel points, which enhance the gripping function of the
climbing device by "biting" into the steel once the lever mechanism is
released. In
a second embodiment, it is contemplated that the piston member terminates at
the
CA 02260088 1999-01-08
WO 98/01639 PCT/US97/11950
4
movable jaw, so that as the handle is squeezed the movable jaw moves away from
the stationary jaw to increase the spacing between the jaws to permit the user
to
lock on to an I-beam or column. In this instance, both opposed faces of the
jaws
members preferably include the grip enhancing points, so that as the lever
mechanism is released, the piston moves the first jaw towards the second jaw
to
permit the grip enhancing points to "bite" onto the I-beam or column.
The climbing device of the present invention is further contemplated
for use with a safety device such as a tether or a harness, and includes an
eyelet
for connection to such a device. The safety harness would be wom by the
construction worker and include at least one of the climbing devices, so that
the
worker merely locks onto the I-beam or column quickly and securely by
squeezing
the lever/handle mechanism to open the jaws and then releasing the
lever/handle
mechanism to close the jaws.
In such an embodiment, the support member, which is used as a foot
hold, may be eliminated from the device to facilitate carrying the device on
the
harness. In such a device, the jaw assembly fits directly into the palm of the
worker's hand. A plunger mechanism may take the place of the lever to move the
piston member to vary the space between the jaws. Depressing the plunger moves
the piston away from the first jaw to allow the user to lock on the I-beam. In
this
embodiment, a tether connects the climbing device to a belt or harness worn by
the
user, thus reducing the chances for a fall by the worker in the event of an
accidental slippage. The climbing device may be carried by the user when not
in
use by attaching to the belt or harness through any suitable connection, for
example, a hook and loop fabric connection.
The climbing device of the present invention may be utilized to
attach to any building structure, such as the frame of a building under
construction, a bridge frame for general construction and general maintenance
CA 02260088 1999-01-08
~
-5- ' .
work, completed structures such as warehouses and other buildings having
girder
or I-beam frames, and the like. The climbing device is utilized to provide a
foothold to the user, and a means to attach the user, through a tether
arrangement,
to the structure to reduce the possibility of a fall through accidental
slippage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These features and other features of the present invention will
become more readily apparent as described in the following detailed
description of
the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings,
in which:
Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the climbing device of the
present invention;
Fig. 2 illustrates a side elevational view of the climbing device of
Fig. 1;
Fig. 2A illustrates a side elevational view of an alternate
embodiment of the jaw mechanism of the climbing device of Fig. 1;
= Fig. 3 illustrates a top plan view of the climbing device taken along
lines 3-3 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 illustrates a rear elevational view of the climbing device taken
along lines 4-4 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 illustrates a side elevational view, in partial cross-section,
showing the operation of the climbing device of Fig. 1;
Fig. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the climbing device in use
attached to an I-beam of a building frame; and
Fig. 7 illustrates a side elevational view of a further embodiment of
the climbing device.
;,1;iEJNDSD SHEET
CA 02260088 1999-01-08
WO 98/01639 PCT/US97/11950
6
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals
identify similar or identical elements throughout the several views, the
climbing
device 10 of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1. Device 10 is
preferably
constructed of a metal material such as steel in order to support the weight
of a
person using the device and to prevent damage to the device during use.
However, other suitable materials having a high impact strength or hardness
may
be utilized.
Climbing device 10, as seen in Fig. 1, includes a jaw assembly 12
constructed of a "U" shaped frame 14 in which one of the legs of the "U"
shaped
frame defines a second jaw member 16 while a movable first jaw 18 is provided
within the "U" shaped frame 14 as shown. Movable first jaw member 18 may be
moved to adjust the spacing 19 between the first and second jaw members, and
as
shown in Fig. 1 is moved through the provision of an adjustment knob 20 which
rotates adjustment screw 22. Movable jaw 18 advances along guide pins 24, so
that the distance between the first jaw member 18 and the second jaw member 16
may be varied to accommodate varying sizes of building frames, in particular I-
beams or columns. Once the spacing 19 is set, device 10 may be secured to the
building frame in a manner such as described below.
Second jaw member 16 preferably includes an aperture through
which a movable piston member 26 passes. Piston member 26 is connected to the
body support member 28 through the provision of bolt 29. Support member 28
extends generally perpendicular to the generally parallel first and second jaw
members, and support member 28 preferably includes support foot plate 30 to
provide a foot hold for a user. Foot plate 30 may include a plurality of grip
members 32 to reduce the possibility of slippage when a user is standing on
the
CA 02260088 1999-01-08
-7-
C7C e== == =e rn ,-r
, rr n = = e , . .
.oe = = e ~
. c = = = = nnn e . . .
~ = = = ~
~~~' c'00 == 00 ,,,. climbing device 10. A back plate 34 may be provided to
prevent the user's foot
from slipping off the back end of the support member during use.
After spacing 19 is adjusted, the climbing device 10 may be attached
to the I-beam by moving piston member 26 away from first jaw member 18. A
lever member 36 is provided which includes a lever handle 44. As stated above,
piston member 26 is secured to the support member 28 through bolt 29. Lever
handle 44 is secured to support member 28 through the provision of spring link
38
and lever link 40 which serve to pivot support member 28 about bolt 39 when
lever handle 44 is moved towards support member 28. Linkages 38 and 40 extend
the damping spring assembly 42 in a manner which will be described below.
Climbing device 10 may include a tether attachment portion 46
having an eyelet 48 for connection to a tether line, such as a rope or other
safety
device. It is also contemplated that eyelet 48 may connect to a tether which
ultimately is connected to a harness or belt worn by the user. Climbing device
10,
once connected to the building frame, will not release until the lever handle
44 is
once again squeezed in the direction towards support member 28, to disengage
the
= piston member 26 from the I-beam. Accordingly, should a person using the
climbing device slip and fall, the tether passing through eyelet 48 and
attached to
the user's body will reduce the possibility of a free fall.
Turning now to Fig. 2, device 10 is shown in the at rest position in
which lever handle 44 is in a position away from support member 28. In this
position, piston member 26 extends through the face of second jaw member 16 as
shown, and ultimately will cooperate with grip enhancing points 52 which
protrude
from the face of first jaw member 18. Adjustment screw 20 is preferably spring
biased by adjustment spring 21, so that adjustment screw 22 only moves upon
manual rotation of the knob 20.
,,a.jr=,iJ~L
CA 02260088 1999-01-08
WO 98/01639 PCT/US97/11950
8
In use, as best seen in Fig. 5, the user rotates knob 20 in the
direction of arrow "A" to move first jaw 18 along guide pins 24 in the
direction of
arrow "B" towards second jaw member 16. Once the spacing 19 is set, the user
will squeeze the lever handle 44 in the direction of arrow "C" to cause
support
member 28 to rotate in the arrow of direction "D" about bolt 39. As this
occurs,
piston member 26 is drawn in the direction of arrow "E" and in effect
increases
the space 19 with respect to the grip enhancing points 52. When lever handle
44
is moved in the direction of arrow "C", the linkages 38 and 40 cause the
damping
plunger 54 to extend in the direction of arrow "F" against the biasing of
damping
spring 56 of damping spring assembly 42, until the user releases lever handle
44.
When the handle is released, climbing device 10 returns to the position shown
in
Fig. 2, and a portion of the I-beam or column is grasped between piston member
26 and grip enhancing points 52. The grip enhancing points 52 are preferably
constructed of a hardened steel material which in effect "bite" into the I-
beam or
column to lock the I-beam or column between jaw members 18 and 16.
As seen in Fig. 6, once the climbing device is positioned on the I-
beam 60, the user may step on the support foot plate 30 of the support member
26,
which creates a downward force in the direction of arrow "H". Referring to
Fig.
2, this causes the support member 28 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction
about bolt 39 and force piston member 26 further through the face of second
jaw
member 16 to provide a greater force on the I-beam. Furthermore, the downward
force "H", as seen in Fig. 6, creates a moment force in the direction of arrow
"G"
which drives the grip enhancing points 52 into the I-beam 60 with greater
force to
lock the climbing device 10 in place.
CA 02260088 1999-01-08
WO 98/01639 9 PCT/US97/11950
As seen in Figs. 3 and 4, linkages 38 and 40 are disposed on both
sides of the support member 28. While this is shown in the present embodiment,
it is also contemplated that a single linkage for each of linkages 38 and 40
may be
utilized if desired.
Fig. 2A illustrates an alternate embodiment of the jaw mechanism of
the climbing device. In Fig. 2A, climbing device 100 includes a jaw assembly
102
in which the first movable jaw member 106 is secured directly to the piston
member 114. In this device, second jaw 108 is part of the "U" shaped frame 104
as described with respect to Fig. 1 above. First jaw member 106 moves along
with the piston member 114 along guide pins 112, and it is contemplated that
both
jaw members may include the grip enhancing points 110 as shown. The device of
Fig. 2A operates in a manner similar to that described above with respect to
Fig.
2, except that squeezing of the lever handle 44 of the lever mechanism 36
draws
the piston member 114, and consequently the first jaw member 106 in a
direction
away from second jaw member 108. Releasing the lever handle 44 moves the first
jaw member 106 towards second jaw member 108 to lock the climbing device 100
onto an I-beam or column, similar to that as described above.
Fig. 7 illustrates a further embodiment of the climbing device
according to the present invention. Climbing device 200 includes a jaw
mechanism 202 which is similar to that described above with respect to Figs. I
and
2. Jaw mechanism 202 is part of a frame 204 which includes the jaw mechanism
and the mechanism to actuate the jaws. It is contemplated that climbing device
200 is dimensioned to fit within the hand of a user to permit rapid deployment
of
the device by the construction worker utilizing the device.
Jaw mechanism 202 includes a first movable jaw 206 and a
stationary second jaw 208 which are constructed in a manner similar to that
described above with respect to Figs. 1 and 2. End member 210 is part of the
CA 02260088 1999-01-08
fe -- rn en
e n
= n n
~ = = = . . . .
= e n
-110- ., . = , o = i e .
'=e ee eo ==
frame assembly 204, and holds rotation knob 212 which permits the adjustable
movement of first jaw 206 along guide pins 213. Rotation of knob 212 moves the
first jaw 206 to adjust the spacing 209 between the first jaw 206 and the
second
jaw 208. The actuation mechanism includes a plunger member 214 which is
secured to the frame 204 and is movable with respect to the frame in tracks
222.
The actuation mechanism includes linkage members 216 and 218 which upon
movement of the plunger member 214 in the direction of arrow "M", causes the
piston member 224 to move in the direction of arrow "N" against the biasing of
spring member 223. As this occurs, the face of the piston member 224 moves out
of the spacing 209 between the jaw members 206 and 208, thus permitting the
attachment of climbing device 200 to an I-beam of a building frame. When the
plunger mechanism 214 is released, linkage members 216 and 218 cause the
plunger to move back to the position shown in Fig. 7 to lock a portion of the
building frame such as the I-beam in the spacing 209 between the face of the
plunger 224 and the grip enhancing points 225 on the first jaw member 206.
In use, it is contemplated that the climbing device 200 includes some
fastening means, such as a hook and loop fastener arrangement to permit the
user
to carry the climbing device 200 by attaching it to a belt or vest on the
user's
body. A tether or rope is connected from the harness or belt worn by the user
through eyelet 226. When the user desires to connect to a portion of the
building
frame, the climbing device 200 is removed from the belt or harness, and
grasped
in the palm of a hand of the user. Plunger member 214 is then depressed in the
direction of arrow "M" to increase the spacing 209 between the jaw members,
and
then the plunger member 214 is released to lock the I-beam between the face of
the piston member 224 and the grip enhancing points 225. The user is connected
to the I-beam through the provision of the eyelet 226 which is attached to the
harness or belt (not shown). With the climbing device 200 locked in place on
the
CA 02260088 1999-01-08
WO 98/01639 PCT/US97/11950
11
building frame, the safety of the user is ensured through the provision of the
tether
connected to the eyelet and to the user's harness or belt. Should the user
accidently slip or fall, the tether will reduce the possibility of a free fall
through
the provision of the unique safety mechanism of the climbing device 200. This
safety mechanism includes a pivotable arm 228 which will pivot in the
direction of
arrow "M" to engage piston block 230. As this occurs, the piston is driven in
the
direction of arrow "M" thus tightening the device as it is connected to the I-
beam
and preventing its slippage or removal. Thus, the weight of the user serves to
enhance the locking ability of the climbing device 200 to the building frame.
While the present invention has been described with respect to the
preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various modifications in form and detail may be made therein without departing
from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, modifications such as
those suggested above, but not limited thereto, are to be considered within
the
scope of the invention.
CA 02260088 1999-01-08
