Abstract: The invention provides a fall arrest device for pole climbers consisting of a yoke for engagement with a pole on the side opposite the climber and two arms attached to respective ends of the yoke. Each arm carries a rotatable engagement structure and strap attachment means so that tension in an associated strap, to connect the climber's waist belt to the device, will bring the arms towards one another and the engagement structures will be forced against the pole to hold the device in position to support the climber. Also, the invention provides a fall arrest device having safety elements passing through the device between the strap attachments so that if the device breaks the safety elements continue to provide a mechanical link around the pole.

Abstract: A fall arrest device for a pole climber which has a main yoke with resiliently biased arms at each end for partly encompassing a pole. The resiliently biased arms are movable in the same plane as the main yoke and also urge the secondary yokes into contact with the pole to accommodate a range of pole diameters. Handles are attached to each arm for gripping by the pole climber to move the arms so that the fall arrest device can be raised or lowered, and each arm also has eyelets for receiving safety straps attached to the pole climber. In a preferred embodiment the arms have sharp projections for biting into the pole. A pull on the strap, due to slippage of the pole climber, causes the arms to move towards each other and the sharp projections to bite tightly into the pole. Alternative embodiments are also described.