US 4,793,439 AGranted

Apparatus for climbing trees, poles and the like and being remotely controlled from ground elevation

OwnerHomer S. Crawfordinventor

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Abstract

Apparatus for climbing trees, poles and other like objects includes a main frame having a hydraulically driven telescoping mast disposed in telescoping relation therewith. Upper and lower hydraulically energized gripping apparatus is provided respectively on said hydraulically driven telescoping mast and main frame and include gripping arms for establishing gripping relation with said object. The apparatus includes power and control circuitry for inducing telescoping movement to the hydraulically driven telescoping mast, actuation of the upper and lower gripping apparatus and for operating various winches that enable the apparatus to lift objects relative to the apparatus. The upper and lower gripping apparatus incorporates pressure energized safety lock-out apparatus that insures that at least one of the upper or lower gripping apparatus remains in gripping relation with the object to prevent falling of the apparatus. A manual override system, actuatable only at ground level is provided to permit simultaneous opening of the upper and lower gripping apparatus when the tree climbing apparatus is assembled to or removed from the tree or pole.

Apparatus for climbing objects such as trees, poles and the like, comprising:

(a) a main frame;
(b) a hydraulically driven telescoping mast being connected in telescoping relation with said main frame;
(c) power energized telescoping means establishing driving relation between said main frame and hydraulically driven telescoping mast for selectively extending and retracting said hydraulically driven telescoping mast relative to said main frame;
(d) first gripping means being supported by hydraulically driven telescoping mast and incorporating a first pair of pivotal gripping arms for establishing gripping relation with said object;
(e) second gripping means being supported by said main frame and incorporating a second pair of pivotal gripping arms for establishing gripping relation with said object;
(f) first and second arm drive means interconnected in driving relation respectively with said first and second gripping means;
(g) power energized winch means being supported by at least one of said main frame and hydraulically driven telescoping mast and being operable for lifting or lowering objects relative to said apparatus;
(h) power and control means being supported by said main frame and having power interconnection with said power energized telescoping means, said first and second gripping means, said first and second arm drive means and said winch means, said power and control means having remote push button station means being interconnected in controlling relation with said power and control means and being operable by personnel from locations remote to said power and control means for operation of said apparatus;
and
(i) safety interlock means being interconnected with said first and second gripping means and normally ensuring that at least one of said first and second gripping means is in gripping engagement with said object, said safety interlock means having manual lockout means accessible for manual operation when said main frame is at ground level relative to said object.

7 more elements

Facts

Application

07/142,181Filed 11 Jan 1988 · continuation in part

Priority

28 Jul 1987

Granted

27 Dec 1988

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

A63B 27/00
Apparatus for climbing poles, trees, or the like
B66F 1/025
With locking elements, e.g. washers, co-operating with posts: the devices being operated by fluid pressure
A63B
Apparatus for physical training, gymnastics, swimming, climbing, or fencing
B66F
Hoisting, lifting, hauling or pushing, not otherwise provided for

Abstract

Claims19