Safe Ascend Bosun's Chair

Abstract

A bracing system for providing seated stability to workers requiring a means of elevation in order to access the exteriors of buildings of several stories height. The present invention suspends a bosun's chair by means of a sturdy frame erected by means of two “legs” connected together to form an A-frame shape. Each leg is assembled using multiple pole sections fitted together by ferrules. A summit support rod, fitted to where the legs come together at the summit, leans against the building.

Description

CONTINUITY DATA

This is a non-provisional patent application claiming priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/361,423, filed on Jul. 4, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is a movable bosun's chair support apparatus and bracing system that provides seated stability to painters, window washers, and other workers who require a means of elevation in order to access the exteriors of buildings that have a height of several stories.

Window washing bosun's chair systems that hang suspended from the top of high buildings have been used for many years. Yet these systems cannot be used for smaller structures of several stories height, because those structures are not tall enough for a bracing apparatus to be attached to the roof. For these smaller structures, before the creation of the present invention, the only way to get up high enough was to use a ladder.

A ladder is a device designed to provide safe access to a workstation, but its use as a workstation itself is limited and fraught with dangers. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that more than 90,000 people receive emergency room treatment for ladder accidents each year. A ladder can slide, tip, slip, break, or catapult a climber. Also, in one half the ladder accidents investigated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the worker carried materials in his hands as he climbed, a practice that contributes to slips. The present invention circumvents the dangers associated with ladder use at high elevations.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,804 is for “Bosun Chair Support Apparatus” issued to Power on Sep. 24, 1985. Power's device is a movable bosun chair support apparatus that is placed over the top ledge of a building wall and fitted with wheels so that it can slide along the top of the wall. Unlike the present invention, Power's bosun chair is designed to be suspended from a support apparatus that mounts on, and rolls along, the top of a building. The present invention, however, is designed to be set up in a manner similar to a ladder braced by its two legs, with a bosun chair suspended from a conventional ratcheting pulley mounted at the summit of the device.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,838 is for “Movable Support for Window Washers and the Like” issued to Finley on Nov. 19, 1991. Finley's device is a movable support structure from which a window washer is suspended. Unlike the present invention, Finley's device is designed to be placed over the top ledge of a building, where it is secured to ensure the safety of the window washer, but also able to move along the length of the building by means of mounted wheels. The present invention, however, is designed to be set up in a manner similar to a ladder braced by its two legs, with a bosun chair suspended from a conventional ratcheting pulley mounted at the summit of the device.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,758 is for “Window Cleaning Support Structure” issued to Gilmore on Apr. 4, 1989. Gilmore is similar to the above-described previous patents, in that it is designed to be mounted to a roof and roll along it while a window washer is suspended from the device. As with the other two roof mounted devices described above, Gilmore's device is far different from the present invention that sets up similar to a ladder braced by its two legs, with a bosun chair suspended from a conventional ratcheting pulley mounted at the summit of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention suspends a bosun's chair to enable a user to work on the elevated portions of a building. This is accomplished by means of a sturdy frame erected by means of two “legs” connected together to form an A-frame shape. Each leg is assembled using multiple pole sections fitted together by conventional outer bonded ferrules. The pole sections are composed of carbon fiber in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, although they can also be made of other materials such as fiberglass or aluminum due to the high cost of carbon fiber. Each leg has at its base a pole footing attached to its lowermost pole section by means of a pivot and a base support rod. The pivot and base support rod are composed of steel in the preferred embodiment, although they can also be made of material of equivalent durability. Underneath each pole footing is matting of rubber or equivalent material to increase the present invention's stability. A summit support rod is fitted to where the legs come together at the summit, and this summit support rod leans against the building. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is envisioned as 40 feet in height.

After leaning the summit of the device against the building, the user adjusts the height of the legs if necessitated by an uneven ground surface. For added safety, a connecting cable can be attached to the legs at the bottom of the A-frame. At the top of the A-frame above the bosun's chair is placed a conventional ratcheting pulley. The conventional ratcheting pulley allows for easy ascending, and a brake system allows the operator to easily descend as well.

This present invention eliminates ladder fatigue on the user's legs and feet, as well as the dangers inherent in using a ladder. With the present invention, the user is tied to a system that prevents side to side movement and keeps the user close to the working surface whether it is 20 feet or 30 feet in the air.

FIGURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRESENT INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the present invention assembled for use in its preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2A shows details of the base of the first leg (10) in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B shows details of the base of the second leg (20) in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the summit of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the summit support structure of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Bosun's chairs suspended from the top of very high buildings have been used for many years. Yet they cannot be used for buildings of several stories height because those buildings are not tall enough for a bracing apparatus to be attached to the roof. The present invention remedies this problem, eliminating the need for a user to employ a ladder elevated to unsafe heights when working on the exterior of a building.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the present invention assembled for use in its preferred embodiment. The present invention utilizes a sturdy A-frame erected by means of a first leg (10) and a second leg (20) connected together by an inner ring (150) at the summit of the present invention. Each of the two legs (10 and 20) is assembled using six pole sections (70), with each pole section (70) six feet in length. These pole sections (70) are joined together by conventional outer bonded ferrules (80), each of which connects together two pole sections (70), with each pole section (70) fitting into one end of the ferrule (80). A summit support rod (30) (not shown in FIG. 1, see FIG. 4) attached to the inner ring (150) leans against the building. To provide added stability at the base of the present invention, a cable (40) can be attached connecting the first leg (10) to the second leg (20). The first leg (10) has at its base a first pole footing (90) attached to its lowermost pole section (70) by means of a first pivot (95) and a first base support rod (100) (not shown in FIG. 1, see FIG. 2A). The second leg (20) has at its base a second pole footing (91) attached to its lowermost pole section (70) by means of a second pivot (95) and a second base support rod (105) (not shown in FIG. 1, see FIG. 2B). Underneath both the first pole footing (90) and second pole footing (91) is a rubber matting (115) to increase the present invention's stability.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is the metal-machined-A (170) at the summit of the present invention. The metal-machined-A (170) (shown in detail in FIG. 3) has at its center an inner ring (150) that connects to the first pole (10) and second pole (20) by means of 10-inch metal tubes (175). Attached to the inner ring (150) is a conventional carabiner hook (160) from which is suspended a conventional ratcheting pulley (55). The ratcheting pulley (55) is a type used for climbing and rope rescues, with a built-in cam that allows for easy ascent and descent. Attached to the ratcheting pulley (55) is a conventional bosun's chair (50). The bosun's chair (50) can be any commercially available American National Standards Institute-approved suspension harness with an ascender device that allows an operator to easily pull down on the line as well as acting as the brake. After the present invention has been set up properly, the bosun's chair (50) will hang suspended close enough to the building to allow the user to perform work on the building's exterior. Not shown in FIG. 1 is a conventional safety line that can be set up by means of a conventional device called a line launcher, also known as a monkey fist. The line launcher has a sponge-like projectile that is shot over the roof of a building using a monkey fist type knot and smaller cord, after which the safety line is attached to a firm structure such as a tree or porch column.

FIG. 2A shows details at the base of the first leg (10) in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. A first base support rod (100), made of steel or material of comparable density, is shown inserted into the lowermost at least one pole section (70). The first base support rod (100) is approximately four feet long and connected by means of a first pivot (95) to a first pole fitting (90). The first base support rod (100) inserts into the lowermost pole section (70) of the first leg (10). The first base support rod (100) has numerous “internal” holes (125) spaced along its length, and each pole section (70) also has at least one “external” hole (130) placed along its length. When the present invention is adjusted so that it is stable, and one of the internal holes (125) and one of the external holes (130) are aligned, a conventional spring-loaded steel pin (110) is inserted through the holes (125 and 130) in order to hold in place the adjusted first leg (10) of the present invention. In addition, a rubber matting (115) is fitted into the bottom of the pole fitting (90) to increase traction.

FIG. 2B shows details at the base of the second leg (20) in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. A second base support rod (105), made of steel or material of comparable density, is shown inserted into the lowermost at least one pole section (70). The second base support rod (105) is approximately four feet long and connected by means of a second pivot (96) to a second pole fitting (91). The second base support rod (105) inserts into the lowermost pole section (70) of the second leg (20). The second base support rod (105) has numerous “internal” holes (125) spaced along its length, and each pole section (70) also has at least one “external” hole (130) placed along its length. When the present invention is adjusted so that it is stable, and one of the internal holes (125) and one of the external holes (130) are aligned, a conventional spring-loaded steel pin (110) is inserted through the holes (125 and 130) in order to hold in place the adjusted second leg (20) of the present invention. In addition, a rubber matting (115) is fitted into the bottom of the second pole fitting (91) to increase traction.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the present invention's summit, where the first leg (10) and second leg (20) connect to an inner ring (150) to form a metal-machined-A (170). The metal-machined-A (170) is created by shaving the top of two 10-inch metal tubes (175) at the required angle, and welding them to the legs (10 and 20) and to the inner ring (150), which has within it a star-shaped reinforcement (180) with a center hole (185) through which is placed a summit support rod sleeve (190) (not shown in FIG. 3, see FIG. 4). A carabiner hook (160), shown attached to the inner ring (150), is the point of attachment for the ratcheting pulley (55) (not shown in FIG. 3, see FIG. 1). (Other embodiments of the present invention envision support arms, extending out of the summits of the first leg (10) and second leg (20), that will be used to help brace the present invention against the side of a building.)

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the summit support structure of the present invention. The summit support rod sleeve (190) is a cylinder inserted through the inner ring (150) via the center hole (185) (not shown in FIG. 4, see FIG. 3). Inserted into the summit support rod sleeve (190) is the summit support rod (30). (The portion of the summit support rod (30) placed within the summit support rod sleeve (190) is shown in silhouette.) The summit support rod (30) is several feet in length, made of steel or similar durable metal, and has at one end a V-shape (200) that is placed against the exterior of the building. The summit support rod (30) has numerous “internal” holes (125) spaced along its length, and the summit support rod sleeve (190) has at least one “external” hole (130) placed along its length. When the summit support rod (30) is adjusted to the preferred distance from the building, and one of the internal holes (125) and one of the external holes (130) are aligned, a conventional spring-loaded steel pin (110) is inserted through the holes (125 and 130) in order to hold in place the adjusted summit support rod (30).

In summary, the present invention is a chair suspension device, comprising an inner ring (150), a first leg (10) in communication with the inner ring (150), a second leg (20) in communication with the inner ring (150), a ratcheting pulley (55) in communication with the inner ring (150), and a bosun's chair (50) in communication with the ratcheting pulley (55), wherein the first leg (10) has pole sections (70), the first leg (10) has ferrules (80), the second leg (20) has pole sections (70), and the second leg (20) has ferrules (80).

The present invention further comprises a first pole footing (90) in communication with the first leg (10), a second pole footing (91) in communication with the second leg (20), a first base support rod (100) inside the first leg (10), a second base support rod (105) inside the second leg (20), a first pivot (95) disposed at one end of the first pole footing (90), a second pivot (96) disposed at one end of the second pole footing (91), a first pivot (95) disposed at one end of the first base support rod (100) inside the first leg (10), and a second pivot (96) disposed at one end of the second base support rod (105) inside the second leg (20), wherein the first pivot (95) is configured to allow the first leg (10) to be adjusted while the first pole footing (90) remains stationary, and the second pivot (96) is configured to allow the second leg (20) to be adjusted while the second pole footing (91) remains stationary, and further comprising a summit support rod (30) disposed through the inner ring (150), wherein the summit support rod (30) is disposed perpendicularly through the plane of the inner ring (150), and further comprising a V-shape (200) at one end of the summit support rod (30), and a cable (40) disposed between the first leg (10) and the second leg (20).

Claims

1. A chair suspension device, comprising:

an inner ring;

a first leg, in communication with said inner ring;

a second leg, in communication with said inner ring;

a ratcheting pulley, in communication with said inner ring; and

a bosun's chair, in communication with said ratcheting pulley.

2. The chair suspension device of claim 1, wherein said first leg has pole sections.

3. The chair suspension device of claim 1, wherein said first leg has ferrules.

4. The chair suspension device of claim 2, wherein said first leg has ferrules.

5. The chair suspension device of claim 1, wherein said second leg has pole sections.

6. The chair suspension device of claim 1, wherein said second leg has ferrules.

7. The chair suspension device of claim 5, wherein said second leg has ferrules.

8. The chair suspension device of claim 1, further comprising a first pole footing in communication with said first leg, and a second pole footing in communication with said second leg.

9. The chair suspension device of claim 1, further comprising a first base support rod inside said first leg, and a second base support rod inside said second leg.

10. The chair suspension device of claim 8, further comprising a first pivot disposed at one end of said first pole footing, and a second pivot disposed at one end of said second pole footing.

11. The chair suspension device of claim 9, further comprising a first pivot disposed at one end of said first base support rod inside said first leg, and a second pivot disposed at one end of said second base support rod inside said second leg.

12. The chair suspension device of claim 11, further comprising a first pole footing in communication with said first leg, and a second pole footing in communication with said second leg.

13. The chair suspension device of claim 12, wherein said first pivot is configured to allow said first leg to be adjusted while said first pole footing remains stationary.

14. The chair suspension device of claim 12, wherein said second pivot is configured to allow said second leg to be adjusted while said second pole footing remains stationary.

15. The chair suspension device of claim 1, further comprising a summit support rod disposed through said inner ring.

16. The chair suspension device of claim 15, wherein said summit support rod is disposed perpendicularly through the plane of said inner ring.

17. The chair suspension device of claim 15, further comprising a V-shape at one end of said summit support rod.

18. The chair suspension device of claim 1, further comprising a cable disposed between said first leg and said second leg.

19. A chair suspension device, comprising:

an inner ring;

a first leg, in communication with said inner ring;

a second leg, in communication with said inner ring;

a ratcheting pulley, in communication with said inner ring;

a bosun's chair, in communication with said ratcheting pulley;

wherein said first leg has pole sections;

wherein said first leg has ferrules;

wherein said second leg has pole sections;

wherein said second leg has ferrules;

further comprising a first pole footing in communication with said first leg, and a second pole footing in communication with said second leg;

further comprising a first base support rod inside said first leg, and a second base support rod inside said second leg;

further comprising a first pivot disposed at one end of said first pole footing, and a second pivot disposed at one end of said second pole footing;

further comprising a first pivot disposed at one end of said first base support rod inside said first leg, and a second pivot disposed at one end of said second base support rod inside said second leg;

wherein said first pivot is configured to allow said first leg to be adjusted while said first pole footing remains stationary;

wherein said second pivot is configured to allow said second leg to be adjusted while said second pole footing remains stationary;

further comprising a summit support rod disposed through said inner ring;

wherein said summit support rod is disposed perpendicularly through the plane of said inner ring;

further comprising a V-shape at one end of said summit support rod; and

further comprising a cable disposed between said first leg and said second leg.