Patent Application
20140014440
The present invention relates to a tree or pole climber commonly used by arborists or utility workers, and more particularly relates to a two piece pad assembly for a tree or pole climber having a removable, washable foam pad that releasably couples to an aluminum bracket, providing both improved protection and convenience in the use of available climber assemblies in use today.
Tree or pole climbers typically are formed from a metal rod that is formed to have an upper calf bracket portion and a lower “J” shaped stirrup or hook shaped bracket portion, with the upper calf bracket portion being configured to be strapped to a user's calf over a boot, and the lower “J” shaped stirrup or hook shaped bracket portion being configured to be strapped to the user's foot. The lower “J” shaped stirrup or hook shaped bracket portion is also typically configured to have one or more spurs or gaffs affixed to the lower “J” shaped stirrup or hook shaped bracket portion, arranged to be angled outwardly so as to engage the tree or pole. The upper and lower bracket portions each can be formed with different angles and configurations to suit the particular user or the intended use of the climber. Such climbers are also typically formed as one piece of a variety of materials, such as steel, aluminum or titanium, for example, with each material having desirable properties of strength, durability and weight. The climber is traditionally used with a pad that protects the user's calf and knee as the upper portion of the “J” shaped rod bears against these body parts. Pad assemblies can be leather or metal brackets, often with foam or cloth attached to the interior surface that further protects the wearer. However, these one piece pad units are typically heavy, and can become heavier with perspiration, moisture,
It would also be desirable to provide a pad assembly for a climber that has two pieces, a soft lightweight removable pad that releasably attaches to a bracket, which straps around the user's leg. The present invention meets these and other needs.
The present invention is a pad assembly for use with a climber that is lightweight and more versatile than existing pad assemblies. The unique construction of the present invention makes it lighter than existing pads, but also eliminates the need for a separate adjustment sleeve found on other adjustment pad assemblies. Rather, the present invention satisfies the adjustment features without a separate sleeve. The removable pad is easily affixed to the bracket, but can be separated and washed easily.
The pad assembly of the present invention is characterized by a lightweight bracket with a curved portion in the shape of a “C” and ends including elongate slots for receiving a strap thereinthrough. The bracket also has a recessed columnar channel extending below the lower edge of the plane of the plate, the channel forming an angle with the lower edge in a range of between seventy two degrees and seventy five degrees. The channel is used to receive the top portion of the J shaped climber, and includes holes that cooperate with fasteners to secure the climber to the bracket. In a preferred embodiment, a sheet of hook and loop fastener is affixed, such as by adhesive, to the inner surface of the “C” shaped plate between a first end and the recessed channel, and a strap passes through one of bracket for adjusting the fit of the pad assembly. Inside the bracket is a removable pad having a generally “C” shape corresponding with the curved portion of the plate, the removable pad having a back surface comprising complimentary hook and loop fastening material cooperating with the sheet of hook and loop fastener material to achieve a releasable attachment with the bracket.
These features, and others, will best be understood with reference to the included drawings identified below in conjunction with the detailed description of the preferred embodiments set forth below.
The present invention is directed to a pad assembly that is used with a climber to protect and comfort a user while wearing the climber.
The pad assembly 26 is shown with greater detail in
To retain the upper portion 20 of the climber 16, the bracket 28 is formed with a recessed channel 46 in the shape of a column that is sized to receive the bar of the climber. The recessed channel 46 includes a plurality of spaced apart apertures 50 that receive fasteners (not shown) for locking the climber 16 to the bracket 28. The recessed channel 46 ensures that the fasteners to not bear against the user's leg as the pad assembly 26 is tightened about the user. The recessed channel, in a preferred embodiment is angularly offset from the lower edge 28 of the bracket such that it extends below the lower edge 28 at an angle α of approximately seventy-two to seventy-five degrees, and more preferably seventy-three and a half degrees.
The pad 54 is preferably made of a light weight, washable foam material with a synthetic covering that allows it to be removed from the pad assembly 28, readily washed, and returned to the pad assembly quickly and easily. The foam is preferably one that retains its shape after many such washings, and can dry quickly. The interchangeability of the pads also allows for old pads to be replaced with new pads without the need to purchase an entire pad assembly. Moreover, the use of the bracket 28 and pad 54 in conjunction with the strap 44 enables the system to be used without a separate adjustment sleeve that is traditionally used with such pad assemblies. This not only greatly simplifies the pad assembly, but dramatically reduces the weight of the pad assembly, which is important when performing repeated climbing operations where fatigue plays a role in accidents to the user.
It will be apparent from the foregoing that while particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.
