Cam assembly for use with pole climbing fall restriction device

• US 10,099,087 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2016
• Issued: 10/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Buckingham Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Buckingham Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Truesdell, Kevin W., Batty, Timothy, Rullo, James J., Canfield, DeForest C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chavchavadze, Colleen M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mekhaeil, Shiref M
• Application Number:
  US15/137,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20160310793A1
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 35/0075 Details of ropes or similar equipment, e.g. between the secured person and the lifeline or anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 27/00 Apparatus for climbing poles, trees, or the like ropes A63B29/02; safety belts for climbers A62B35/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 29/00 Apparatus for mountaineering helmets A42B3/00; non-skid devices or attachments for footwear, e.g. crampons, A43C15/00; breathing masks or helmets for use at high altitudes A62B18/00; picks B25D7/00

Abstract

In a pole climbing fall prevention assembly having a pole strap, lanyard, and cam assembly that permits adjustment of the pole strap, a lever is attached to the sidewall of a cam assembly to ease the task of a climber needing to adjust the pole strap. A second lever can be attached to the second sidewall of the cam assembly to provide easier access to the lever regardless of the orientation of the cam assembly relative to the climber.

Claims

1. A cam assembly for use with a pole climbing fall restriction device that comprises a pole strap and a lanyard, said cam assembly comprising:

a) a body having a base and opposing, first and second sidewalls;

b) a cam pivotally connected to said body;

c) a spring attached to said cam and producing a bias force thereto relative to said body; and

d) a first and a second lever attached to said first and second sidewalls respectively;

e) wherein said first and second levers are attached and positioned on opposite outermost surfaces of the cam assembly.

2. The cam assembly according to claim 1, further comprising first and second non-slip coverings positioned over said first and second levers, respectively.

3. The cam assembly according to claim 2, wherein each of said first and second non-slip coverings are brightly colored to provide a source of visual distinction.

4. The cam assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a directional indicator applied to at least one of said first lever or second levers or combinations thereof.

5. The cam assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a first non-slip covering positioned over said first lever.

6. The cam assembly according to claim 5, wherein said first non-slip covering is brightly colored to provide a source of visual distinction.

7. The cam assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a directional indicator applied to said first lever.

8. A pole fall restriction assembly, comprising:

a) an elongated pole strap; and

b) a cam assembly attached to said elongated pole strap and comprising;

i) a body having a base and opposing, first and second sidewalls;

ii) a cam pivotally connected to said body;

iii) a spring attached to said cam and producing a bias force thereto relative to said body; and

iv) a first and a second lever attached to said first and second sidewalls respectively;

v) wherein said first and second levers are attached and positioned on opposite outermost surfaces of the cam assembly.

9. The pole fall restriction assembly of claim 8, further comprising an elongated lanyard.

10. The pole fall restriction assembly of claim 9, wherein said cam assembly further comprises an eyelet formed through said cam.

11. The pole fall restriction assembly of claim 10, further comprising a connector interconnecting said cam assembly to said elongated lanyard.

12. The pole fall restriction assembly of claim 11, wherein said connector passes through said eyelet.

13. The pole fall restriction assembly of claim 8, further comprising first and second non-slip coverings positioned over said first and second levers, respectively.

14. The pole fall restriction assembly of claim 13, wherein each of said first and second non-slip coverings are brightly colored to provide a source of visual distinction.

15. The pole fall restriction assembly of claim 8, further comprising a directional indicator applied to at least one of said first lever and or second levers or combinations thereof.

16. The pole fall restriction assembly of claim 8, further comprising a first non-slip covering positioned over said first lever.

17. The pole fall restriction assembly of claim 16, wherein said first non-slip covering is brightly colored to provide a source of visual distinction.

18. The pole fall restriction assembly of claim 8, further comprising a directional indicator applied to said first lever.