Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CA 02676507 2009-08-24
FALL ARREST SYSTEM FOR CLIMBERS OF A WOODEN STRUCTURE
BACKGROUND
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a safety device and, more
particularly, to
a fall arrest system for climbers of a wooden structure.
Injuries sustained by linemen and pole climbers falling from a wooden
structure are,
unfortunately, rather commonplace. As a result, many devices have been
developed to prevent
linemen and pole climbers from falling from a wooden structure, such as a
wooden power pole
or a wooden tree. For example, conventional solutions include the Buckingham
BuckSqueeze
wood pole fall protection system and the Pole Choker 3.
One such conventional solution includes a safety strap assembly connected to a
climber's
body belt. The safety strap assembly includes a pole strap having two ends
with a loop
extending from a base plate attached to the body belt. The loop can be opened
to allow the user
to respectively engage and disengage the loop from the wooden structure.
In operation, the safety strap assembly enables the lineman or pole climber to
push the
pole strap up or down the pole as he ascends or descends the pole. In the
event the lineman loses
his footing on the pole, a tugging force applied by the body, allows the
tightening of the loop of
the pole strap. In response, the pole strap will then tighten about the pole
and prevent a fall.
Although the conventional safety strap assembly works to prevent a fall in the
course of
normal operation, it has at least three major drawbacks. First, the safety
strap depends on the
weight of the lineman/pole climber. Second, the safety strap does not allow
the lineman to twist
his body while he is working. Should the lineman twist his body using this
safety strap
assembly, the body strap will release and tighten the loop of the pole strap.
The lineman would
then have to readjust the pole strap in order to ascend and descend the pole.
In the normal course
of a work shift, the lineman would be required to adjust and readjust this
safety strap assembly
too many times for reasonable comfort and control. Third, and probably most
importantly, the
safety strap assembly does not protect the lineman when he has to maneuver
around obstacles.
SUMMARY
Briefly described, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a fall
arrest
safety assembly is adapted to prevent linemen/pole climbers (herein
collectively "climber") from
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falling from a wooden structure, such as a power pole or a tree. The fall
arrest safety assembly,
or the fall arrest system, is couplable to a belt, which is secured about the
waist of the climber.
In an exemplary embodiment, the fall arrest system includes a plurality of
outer straps; an
inner strap; a plurality of adjustable buckles; a plurality of bias members;
and a plurality of
attachment straps to attach to the climber's belt.
A first outer strap includes a first end and a second end. The first end of
the first outer
strap is floating, i.e., not coupled to anything. A first adjustable buckle is
floatable about a
portion of a length of the first outer strap. In one embodiment, the first
adjustable buckle can
travel along the first outer strap from the first end to a first fixed point.
The first fixed point is a
first end of a first bias member holder, which is coupled to the first outer
strap. A first bias
member, e.g., a spring, can be disposed within the first bias member holder.
The first bias
member holder extends from approximately the first fixed point to a second
fixed point. In some
embodiments, both the first and second fixed points are the coupling points
between the first bias
member holder and the first outer strap. A second adjustable buckle is coupled
in proximity to
the second end of the first outer strap.
A second outer strap also includes a first end and a second end. A third
adjustable buckle
is coupled in proximity to the first end of the second outer strap. A second
bias member can be
disposed within a second bias member holder. The second bias member holder
extends from
approximately the third fixed point to a fourth fixed point, which is in
proximity to the second
end of the second outer strap. In some embodiments, both the third and fourth
fixed points can
be the coupling points between the second bias member holder and the second
outer strap. The
first adjustable buckle is coupled to the second outer strap and in
communication with the first
outer strap, e.g., the first adjustable buckle can receive the first outer
strap.
An inner strap extends from a first floating strap connector, which can float
between
approximately the second fixed point and approximately the second end of the
first outer strap,
and the second floating strap connector, which can float along a portion of
the length of the
second outer strap, e.g., between approximately the third adjustable buckle
and approximately
the third point. Each floating strap connector can include a quick coupling
mechanism, to which
first and second ends of the inner strap can be connected. Collectively, the
first outer strap, the
second outer strap, and the inner strap form an adjustable loop that can
encircle the wooden
structure.
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A first attachment strap and a second attachment strap are connectable to the
body belt of
the climber. The first attachment strap includes a first connecting mechanism,
which is
connectable to a first D-ring of the body belt, at a first end, and a locking
means at the second
end. A portion of the first attachment strap is receivable by the third
adjustable buckle, such that
the length of the first attachment strap from the climber is adjustable.
Likewise, the second
attachment strap includes a second connecting mechanism, which is connectable
to a second D-
ring of the body belt, at a first end, and a locking means at the second end.
A portion of the
second attachment strap is receivable by the second adjustable buckle, such
that the length of the
second adjustment strap from the climber is adjustable. By varying the lengths
of the first or
second adjustable straps, the climber can control his angle and distance
relative to the structure.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will
become
more apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the
accompanying
drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a fall arrest system, in accordance
with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the fall arrest system in use on a
wooden structure,
in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments of the invention include several embodiments of fall arrest
systems with
improved features to prevent the falling of a climber. The fall arrest system
generally includes a
plurality of straps and buckles interconnected to encircle a climbing
structure. The fall arrest
system further includes at least two bias members for on-the-fly expansion of
the loop created by
the number of straps for quickly adjusting the size of the loop enabling
hitchhiking up and down
the structure.
Embodiments of the present invention allows a climber to ascend or descend a
structure
safely, but in the event of a cutout, which is a leading cause of injuries to
climbers, an
obstruction, or an obstacle, the fall arrest system can automatically tighten
around the structure to
prevent a fall.
The components and materials described hereinafter as making up various
elements of
the invention are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many
suitable components and
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materials that would perform the same or similar functions as the components
and materials
described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the
invention. Such other
components and materials not described herein can include, but are not limited
to, for example,
similar components and materials that are developed after development of the
embodiments of
the present invention.
Referring now to the figures, wherein like reference numerals represent like
parts
throughout the views, embodiments of the fall arrest system will be described
in detail.
Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fall
arrest system
100. The fall arrest system 100 is adapted to prevent the falling of a climber
from a structure 10,
which in some embodiments is predominately composed of wood. For example and
not
limitation, the structure 10 can be a vertical structure, e.g., a power pole,
telephone phone, tree,
and the like. Embodiments of the fall arrest system 100 are exemplarily
connectable to a body
belt (not shown) of the climber. The body belt is strapped about the waist of
the climber.
The fall arrest system 100 includes a first outer strap 110; a second outer
strap 130; and
an inner strap 150. For connecting the straps 110, 130, and 150 to one
another, the fall arrest
system further includes a plurality of adjustable buckles. In addition, the
fall arrest system 100
includes a plurality of bias member holders, each adapted to receive and
secure at least one bias
member. And for connecting the fall arrest system to a climber's belt,
embodiments of the fall
arrest system further include a plurality of attachment straps.
The first outer strap 110 includes a first end 112 and a second end 114. The
first outer
strap 110 is one of at least two outer straps of which a portion can be
positioned on an opposing
side (relative to the climber) of the structure 10 to climb. The portion of
the first outer strap 110
in communication with the structure 10 is adjustable, i.e., the length of the
first outer strap
touching the wooden structure can be varied.
The first end 112 of the first outer strap 110 is floating, or not coupled to
anything. A
first securing mechanism 116 is floatable about a portion of a length of the
first outer strap 110.
In an exemplary embodiment, the first securing mechanism 116 is an adjustable
buckle. More
specifically, the adjustable buckle can be a cam buckle, which enables quick
and secure securing.
The first securing mechanism 116 can lock about the first outer strap 110 at a
desired point
between the first end 112 and a first fixed point 118. Varying the locking
point of the first
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securing mechanism 116 along the first outer strap 110 can vary the amount of
the first outer
strap 110 in a touching relationship with the wooden structure.
The first fixed point 118 is a first end of a first bias member holder 120,
which is coupled
to the first outer strap 110. The first bias member holder 120 extends from
the first fixed point
118 to a second fixed point 124. The first fixed point 118 and the second
fixed point 124 can be
the coupling points between the first bias member holder 120 and the first
outer strap 110. A
first bias member 122, e.g., a spring, can be disposed within the first bias
member holder 120,
and the first bias member 122 can be extended, as described more fully below.
A first floating strap connector 126 can be positioned between the second
fixed point 124
and the second end 114 of the first outer strap 110. In proximity to the
second end 114 of the
first outer strap 110 is a second securing mechanism 128, e.g., a cam buckle.
The second outer strap 130 also includes a first end 132 and a second end 134.
The
second outer strap 130 is one of the at least two outer straps of which a
portion can be positioned
on an opposing side of the wooden object to climb. A third securing mechanism
136, e.g., a cam
buckle, is coupled in proximity to the first end 132 of the second outer strap
130. A second
floating strap connector 138 can travel along a portion of the length of the
second outer strap
130, specifically between the third securing mechanism 136, which is near the
first end 132 of
the second outer strap 130, and a third fixed point 142. The third fixed point
142 is a first end of
a second bias member holder 144. A second bias member 146 can be disposed
within the
second bias member holder 144. The second bias member holder 144 extends from
and coupled
to the third fixed point 142 to a fourth fixed point 148, which is in
proximity to the second end
134 of the second outer strap 130. The first securing mechanism 116 is coupled
to the second
outer strap 130, near the second end 134, and in communication with the first
outer strap 110.
In some embodiments, the first outer strap 110 is in communication with the
second outer
strap 130 via the first cam buckle 116. The first outer strap 110 incorporates
the first bias
member 122, or first spring. The second outer strap 130 incorporates the
second bias member
146, or the second spring.
The inner strap 150 can extend from the first floating strap connector 126,
about the first
outer strap 110, at one end to the second floating strap connector 138, about
the second outer
strap 130 at a second end. At least one floating strap connector (126 and 138)
can include a
quick coupling mechanism 156, to which one of the first and second ends 152
and 154 of the
CA 02676507 2009-08-24
inner strap 150 are connected. Collectively, the first outer strap 110, the
second outer strap 130,
and the inner strap 150 form an adjustable loop 205 for which the wooden
structure to be
climbed can be positioned therein. The quick coupling mechanism 156 enables
the release of
one end of the inner strap 150 from one of the outer straps, such that a
portion the loop 205 can
be opened for positioning about the wooden structure. For example, the quick
coupling
mechanism 156 can have releasable locking characteristics, similar to a seat
belt, allowing the
inner strap 150 to be releasably connected to the outer straps 110 and 130.
A first attachment strap 170 and a second attachment strap 180 enable the fall
arrest
system 100 to be connectable to the body belt (not shown) of the climber. The
first attachment
strap 170 includes a first connecting mechanism 176 at its first end 172,
which is connectable to
a first coupling mechanism, e.g., a D-ring, of the body belt. The second end
174 of the first
attachment strap 170 can include a locking means (not shown). The first
attachment strap 170 is
receivable within the third securing mechanism 136, so the length of the first
attachment strap
170 may be adjustable. This enables the climber to adjustable the length of
one side relative to
the structure 10. Likewise, the second attachment strap 180 includes a second
connecting
mechanism 186 at its first end 182, which is connectable to a second coupling
mechanism, e.g., a
D-ring, of the body belt. The second end 184 can include a locking means (not
shown). The
second attachment strap 180 is receivable within the second securing mechanism
128, so the
length of the second attachment strap 180 is adjustable. This enables the
climber to adjustable
the length of one side relative to the structure 10.
Unlike the conventional, prior art solutions, embodiments of the fall arrest
system 100
enable the tension in one or both of the bias members 122 or 146, or springs,
to pull upon the
inner strap 150 against the wooden structure. As a result, the fall arrest
system 100 need not rely
on the weight of the climber in order to prevent a fall. The characteristics
of the bias member(s)
assist with this task.
For example, the spring tension from the first and second bias members 122 and
146 are
in communication with the inner strap 150, which can be a single piece of
material. With the
first and second bias members 122 and 146 connected to the inner strap 150,
the spring tension
provides a binding principle relative to the structure 10. For example, a
first fingerloop 162 is
coupled to an end of the first bias member 122 and a second fingerloop 164 is
coupled to an end
of the second bias member 146. When either of the fingerloops 162 or 164 is
pulled, the
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particular bias member expands, which as a result causes the diameter of the
loop 205 to
increase. Also, the bias members 122 and 146 pull upon the inner strap 150,
and the loop 205
loosens relative to the wooden structure. Consequently, the diameter of the
loop 205 - between
the first outer strap 110, the second outer strap 130, and the inner strap 150
- increases, because
the bias member 122 and 146 stretches from the collapsed (relaxed) to an
expanded state.
Also, unlike the conventional, prior art solutions, embodiments of the fall
arrest system
100 do not require the altering of the length of the inner strap 150 to vary
the size of the loop 205
about the wooden structure. Specifically, the length of the inner strap 150 is
constant once set.
The size of the loop 205 changes because of the expansion/contraction of at
least one of the
springs 122 and/or 146. Further, because the ends 152 and 154 of the inner
strap 150 can float
about the first and second floating strap connectors 124 and 138, the ends 152
and 154 of the
inner strap 150 can move along the lengths of either or both of the first
outer strap 110 and the
second outer strap 130.
In one embodiment, the fall arrest system 100 includes the first outer strap
110, the
second outer strap 130, and the inner strap 150. Varying the diameter of the
loop 205
surrounding the structure 10, while not changing the length of the inner strap
150 is an advantage
over the prior art. The springs 122 and 146 permit adjustment of the size of
the loop 205. Also,
having more than one bias member to vary the diameter of the loop 205 on the
fly is helpful for a
climber, and gives them enhanced control of climbing up and down a structure.
The plurality of cam buckles in communication with the first and second outer
straps 110
and 130 allow ease of adjustment and permits adjustment of length of one of
the outer straps.
Instead of requiring the climber to twist his/her body and twist the body belt
around for angling
relative to the wooden structure, the ability to adjust one side independent
of the other side is
provided. The length of the attachment straps 170 and 180 is dependent on the
amount one side
of the climber wants to adapt his/her angle/distance relative to the wooden
structure.
At least one advantage of having two separate outer straps 110 and 130, rather
than just
one, is that when the climber tightens the two outer straps 110 and 130, it
takes the same amount
of spring tension in either or both of the bias members 122 and/or 146 to
release the inner strap
150 as it would on the larger diameter structure. In other words, by having
two outer straps the
climber can adjust to a smaller diameter structure on the fly, because it
takes the same amount of
tension to pull out on the bias member 122/146 as it would if the climber were
pull on a large
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diameter structure. So independent of the size of the structure, the climber
need only adjust the
bias members 122/146 to move thereupon.
The fall arrest system 100 can further include a pair of teeth 190, each of
which can be
positioned near the first and second ends 152 and 154 of the inner strap 150.
When a climber is
positioned on the structure 10, the teeth 190 can engage or bite into the
structure 10. In essence,
the teeth 190 further stabilize the climber atop the structure 10.
In an exemplary embodiment, the materials used for the various straps 110,
130, 150,
170, and 180 can vary. For example, the materials can include a brown neoprene
strap, or nylon,
pregnated neoprene. Still other similar, exemplary materials can be used.
In some embodiments, the fall arrest system is adapted to surround a wooden
structure 10
having a diameter of at a minimum of approximately 20 inches, and at a maximum
of
approximately 65 inches.
In an exemplary embodiment, a method of attaching the fall arrest system 100
to the
structure 10 is provided. To attach to the structure 10, at least one of
either the first connecting
mechanism 176 or the second connecting mechanism 186 is coupled to the body
belt of the
climber, and the other is free, or not coupled to the body belt. The uncoupled
connecting
mechanism 176 or 186 is wrapped around the structure 10. In addition, the
inner strap 150 is
free, or not buckled at both ends to the outer straps 110, 130. The uncoupled
inner strap is also
wrapped around the structure. The quick coupling mechanism 152 of inner strap
150 is locked,
and the uncoupled connecting mechanism 176 or 186 is coupled to the body belt.
The inner strap
150 can be pulled tight to reduce the diameter of the loop 205, and bring the
outer straps and
inner strap as tightly around the structure as desired.
To shimmy up the structure 10, the fall arrest system 100 is first attached
around the
structure 10. Then, the climber can pull on one or both of the fingerloops
162, 164, which
expands the diameter of the loop 205. Specifically, by pulling on a fingerloop
162, 164, the
spring expands, and so does the diameter of the loop 205. With the loop 205
larger than the
diameter of the structure 10, the climber can flip the outer straps 110 and
130 upwardly, just as
with a conventional fall arrest system and with the conventional hitchhike
method. When then
climber has reached a desired point on the structure, the climber can release
the fingerloops 162,
164, and the loop 205 becomes smaller and thus tighter around the structure.
Advantageously, if
the structure were to have a smaller diameter at its top, than at its bottom-
where the initial
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diameter of the loop 205 was set, then the climber need only lean backwards
and pull the inner
strap 150 tighter to reduce the diameter of the loop 205.
From the foregoing, it can be seen that embodiments of the present invention
provide a
number of different fall arrest systems for preventing the falling of an
individual ascending or
descending a vertical structure, preferably made of wood.
Embodiments of the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms
without
departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. For example,
while embodiments of
the invention have been described in the context of fall arrest system, the
concepts described
herein need not be limited to these illustrative embodiments.
Additionally, the specific configurations, choice of materials, and the size
and shape of
various elements can be varied according to particular design specifications
or constraints
requiring a fall arrest system constructed according to the principles of the
invention. Such
changes are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention.
The presently disclosed embodiments are, therefore, considered in all respects
to be
illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by
the appended claims,
rather than the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the
meaning and range of
equivalents thereof are intended to be embraced therein.
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