Rung Wall Ascender

• US 20140228177A1
• Filed: 02/10/2014
• Published: 08/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brewer's Ledge, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Brewer's Ledge, Inc.
• Inventors: Brewer, George W., Moore, Garnet, Brewer, W. Conant
• Granted Patent: US 9,440,132 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/008 using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0023 the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/04 with movable multiple steps , i.e. more than one step per limb, e.g. steps mounted on endless loops, endless ladders steppers with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0048
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0048 for mountaineering, e.g. climbing-walls, grip elements for climbing-walls

Abstract

A rung wall ascender including a support frame and a rung ladder transport mechanism positioned at a variable angle relative to the support frame. The rung ladder transport mechanism includes a chain arranged as a loop with rung ladders attached to the chain so as to maintain a ladder-like configuration that rotates downward as the user climbs so as to achieve a continuous climbing experience. A hydraulic cylinder is positioned between the rung ladder transport mechanism and the support frame that adjusts an angle of the rung ladder transport mechanism with respect to the ground. A control for the hydraulic cylinder is positioned proximate to the user. A braking system regulates the speed of the rung ladder transport mechanism while the user is climbing.

Claims

1. A rung wall ascender comprising:

a) a support frame;

b) a rung ladder transport mechanism positioned at a variable angle relative to the support frame, the rung ladder transport mechanism comprising a chain arranged as a loop with rung ladders attached to the chain so as to maintain a ladder-like configuration that rotates downward as the user climbs so as to achieve a continuous climbing experience;

c) a hydraulic cylinder positioned between the rung ladder transport mechanism and the support frame that adjusts an angle of the rung ladder transport mechanism with respect to ground, a control for the hydraulic cylinder being positioned proximate to the user; and

d) a braking system that regulates the speed of the rung ladder transport mechanism while the user is climbing.

2. The rung wall ascender of claim 1 wherein the support frame comprises a guiding channel for the chain.

3. The rung wall ascender of claim 2 wherein strip-brushes are mounted over the guiding channel to prevent the user'"'"'s fingers or clothing from being caught by the chain.

4. The rung wall ascender of claim 2 further comprising wear-strips positioned on the chain.

5. The rung wall ascender of claim 2 wherein the rung ladder transport mechanism comprises at least one bearing that supports the rung ladder transport mechanism on the support structure.

6. The rung wall ascender of claim 5 wherein the at least one bearing is positioned on the rung ladder transport mechanism so that the center of gravity of the rung ladder transport mechanism is behind a pivot point such that there is a tendency for a bottom of the rung ladder transport mechanism to swivel forward.

7. The rung wall ascender of claim 1 wherein the rung ladder transport mechanism comprises a first and second chain pulley or chain sprocket for transporting the chain from one end of the rung ladder transport mechanism to the other.

8. The rung wall ascender of claim 1 further comprising at least one adjustable chain tensioning mechanism that controls the tension of the chain in the chain transport mechanism.

9. The rung wall ascender of claim 1 wherein the chain tensioning mechanism is spring loaded.

10. The rung wall ascender of claim 1 wherein the ladder rungs comprise flattened ends.

11. The rung wall ascender of claim 10 wherein the flattened ends of the ladder rungs are offset such that a center axis of the rungs are in alignment with the pivot point of the chain links.

12. The rung wall ascender of claim 1 wherein the braking system comprises a hydraulic braking system.

13. The rung wall ascender of claim 12 wherein the hydraulic braking system comprises an orbit motor-pump with a ball valve and hydraulic fluid reservoir.

14. The hydraulic braking system of claim 12 wherein a user control for the hydraulic breaking system is positioned in a convenient location for the user to control the breaking during climbing.

15. The hydraulic braking system of claim 12 wherein the braking system is activated by a spring-loaded hinge bar positioned behind the ladder rungs.

16. The rung wall ascender of claim 1 wherein a center of gravity of the rung ladder transport mechanism is such that when the user is not on the rung ladder transport mechanism, the mechanism tends to swing forward into a “

slab”

position, and when the user is on the rung ladder transport mechanism, the rung ladder transport mechanism tends to swing backwards towards a vertical or overhanging direction.

17. The rung wall ascender of claim 1 further comprising at least one set of idler wheels that guide the chain through the loop.

18. A rung wall ascender comprising:

a) a support frame;

b) a rung ladder transport mechanism positioned at a variable angle relative to the support frame, the rung ladder transport mechanism comprising a belt arranged as a loop with rung ladders attached to the belt so as to maintain a ladder-like configuration that rotates downward as the user climbs so as to achieve a continuous climbing experience;

c) a hydraulic cylinder positioned between the rung ladder transport mechanism and the support frame that adjusts an angle of the rung ladder transport mechanism with respect to the ground, a control for the hydraulic cylinder being positioned proximate to the user; and

d) a braking system that regulates the speed of the rung ladder transport mechanism while the user is climbing.

19. A rung wall ascender comprising:

a) a support frame;

b) a rung ladder transport mechanism positioned at a variable angle relative to the support frame, the rung ladder transport mechanism comprising a first and second chain arranged as first and second loops with a first end of the rung ladders attached to the first chain and a second end of the rung ladders attached to a second chain so as to maintain a ladder-like configuration that passively rotates downward as the user climbs so as to achieve a continuous climbing experience;

c) a hydraulic cylinder positioned between the rung ladder transport mechanism and the support frame that adjusts an angle of the rung ladder transport mechanism with respect to the ground, a control for the hydraulic cylinder being positioned proximate to the user; and

d) a braking system that regulates the speed of the rung ladder transport mechanism while the user is climbing.

20. The rung wall ascender of claim 20 further comprising a chain synchronizer that maintains the first and second chains in proper relative alignment and that controls a rate of descent.