US 8,141,681 B2 · Tower climbing assist device

Abstract

A climb assist system is disclosed that dynamically adjust the rate and level of assist of a climber as the climber needs may change over the period of traverse of the ladder. A sensor detects the state of a person, such as the load exerted by the climber on a ladder exerts on an assist rope, to provided an upward support force on the climber to compensate the climber's weight. Additionally, a sender is provided to transmit the load data to a receiver and a receiver to receive the data from the sender. A controller interprets the received data and thereafter provides control through a controlled motor and drive to provide energy to the assist rope.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A system for assisting the substantially vertical ascent or descent of a person, comprising:

a continuous belt substantially vertically disposed around an upper and a lower sheave, the sheaves displaced along a substantially vertical ladder;
an apparatus coupled to the belt, said apparatus adapted to translate rigging movement into an ascent or descent assistance of the person and including attachments for the person climbing the ladder;
a sensor operable to detect a change in state of a person on the apparatus;
and
a control mechanism coupled to a power source and in electrical communication with the sensor to control power delivery to the belt based on a detected change in state of the person;
wherein said attachments are coupled to the sensor, the sensor being configured to provide continuous feedback to said control mechanism so that the load supported by the belt is constantly maintained at a presettable value.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tower climbing assist device

Life of this patent

Tower climbing assist device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21