Strand grab, ladder and method

A ladder for use with a strand comprising:

• a first rail;
• a second rail in parallel and spaced relation with the first rail;
• rungs attached to and extending between the first rail and the second rail, the first rail includes a first strand grab attached to the first rail and the second rail includes a second strand grab attached to the second rail, the first strand grab and the second strand grab each include:
• a hook assembly;
• a gate assembly rotatably coupled to the hook assembly;
• and
• a biasing spring engaged with the hook assembly and the gate assembly configured to produce a return biasing force which is less than a weight force of the ladder when the hook assembly rests on the strand allowing the gate assembly to close with the hook assembly and squeeze the strand between the gate assembly and the hook assembly in a closed position and hold the ladder in place with the strand,
• wherein the hook assembly has a slot, and includes a cam pin disposed therein,
• wherein when the strand contacts the hook assembly, the cam pin moves downward in the slot and pushes against a portion of the gate assembly causing the gate assembly to be biased into the closed position,
• wherein when the hook assembly is lifted from the strand and the strand contacts the gate assembly, the cam pin moves upward in the slot allowing the biasing spring to bias the gate assembly away from the hook assembly into an open position and disengages the gate assembly from the strand.

A method for using a ladder comprising the steps of:

• placing strand grab attached to a rail of the ladder onto a strand;
• wherein the strand grab includes a hook assembly, a gate assembly rotatably coupled to the hook assembly, and a biasing spring engaged with the hook assembly and the gate assembly,
• wherein the hook assembly has a slot, and includes a cam pin disposed therein,
• resting the hook assembly of the strand grab onto the strand such that a weight of the ladder creates a force larger than that provided by the biasing spring and causes the cam pin to move downward in the slot and pushes against a portion of the gate assembly causing the gate assembly to be biased into a closed position and squeeze the strand between the gate assembly and the hook assembly and hold the ladder in place with the strand;
• and
• opening the strand grab by lifting the ladder and creating a lifting force on the ladder which causes the gate assemby to contact the strand, wherein the lifting force causes the cam pin to move upward by in the slot allowing the biasing spring to bias the gate assembly away from the hook assembly into an open position and disengages the strand grab from the strand.

A method for making a ladder comprising the steps of:

• attaching a first strand grab to a first rail of the ladder via a first attachment assembly;
• and
• attaching a second strand grab to a second rail of the ladder via a second attachment assembly, the first strand grab and the second strand grab each including:
• a hook assembly;
• a gate assembly rotatably coupled to the hook assembly;
• and
• a biasing spring engaged with the hook assembly and the gate assembly configured to produce a return biasing force which is less than a weight force of the ladder when the hook assembly rests on a strand allowing the gate assembly to close with the hook assembly and squeeze the strand between the gate assembly and the hook assembly in a closed position and hold the ladder in place with the strand,
• wherein the hook assembly has a slot, and includes a cam pin disposed therein,
• wherein when the strand contacts the hook assembly, the cam pinmoves downward in the slot and pushes against a portion of the gate assembly causing the gate assembly to be biased into the closed position,
• wherein when the hook assembly is lifted from the strand and the strand contacts the gate assembly, the cam pin moves upward in the slot allowing the biasing spring to bias the gate assembly away from the hook assembly into an open position and disengages the gate assembly from the strand.