ANCHOR HOOK FOR PYLON CLIMBING

Abstract

Anchor hook (1) for climbing pylons, comprising a hooking arc (2) configured to straddle a pylon's grab crossmember and a locking bar (3) extending from a first end (2a) of the hooking arc (2) towards the inside of the curve of the hooking arc (2) itself. Main figure: 1

Description

Title of the invention: ANCHOR HOOK FOR CLIMBING PYLONS Scope of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an anchor hook for climbing pylons. State of the art

[0002] As is known, to enable operators to climb pylons in order to carry out different types of interventions, such as handling interventions, devices are used that are able to guarantee the required safety for these same operators during the climbing.

[0003] To date, a commonly used device consists essentially of a hook-shaped device attached to one end of a control rod. In particular, the hook is irreversibly fixed to the rod to create a single, non-removable element. A lifeline is attached to a portion of the hook near the control rod, to which one or more fall arrest devices are slidably attached, and to which the operator's harness is attached.

[0004] As is known, the hook shape consists of a U-shaped element which, during the hooking action, straddles a gripping element, such as, for example, a pylon cross member. From the above, it is clear that the hook-shaped anchor creates an "open" anchor, that is, one without a closing element, which is sufficient to lift the hooked portion over the gripping element and thus interrupt the anchoring action.

[0005] In the case of the device for climbing pylons, this action of lifting the hook can be caused inadvertently by the operator himself, thus endangering his own safety.

[0006] In particular, it is possible that the operator may inadvertently touch, with their foot, the end of the operating rod opposite the one attached to the hook, causing the hook to lift and pass over the handhold to which it was attached. Or, it is possible that once the fall arrest devices have reached the end of their travel on the lifeline, another ascent, however slight, by the operator may cause the hook to which the lifeline is attached to lift, making it pass over the handhold to which it was attached.

[0007] In this regard, other anchor hooks for pylons have been produced; these, although they guarantee that the hook cannot be accidentally dislodged, However, they featured an anchoring mechanism that was impractical and complex for the operator to handle while climbing the pylon.

[0008] Another problem with the device of the known art described above concerns the fact that it is particularly bulky, which makes its transport, each time, impractical.

[0009] It was therefore felt that there was a need for a pylons climbing device which does not have the disadvantages of the known art. Description of the invention

[0010] The inventor of the present invention has produced a climbing device for pylons whose technical characteristics are such that they overcome the disadvantages of the known art described above.

[0011] The object of the present invention is an anchor hook for climbing pylons; said hook being characterized in that it comprises a hooking arc adapted to straddle a pylon's grab crossbar and a locking bar extending from a first end of said hooking arc towards the inside of the curvature of said hooking arc.

[0012] The shape of the anchor hook ensures that the pylon's gripping crossmember is positioned between the hooking arc and the locking bar. In this way, if the hook is unintentionally subjected to an upward thrust, it could not nevertheless lift up or pass over the gripping crossmember due to the stress exerted by the same gripping crossmember on the locking bar.

[0013] Preferably, the hook includes reversible connection means disposed on a second end of said hooking arc and suitable for connecting an operating rod.

[0014] Preferably, said reversible connection means provide for a male-female screw coupling of conical shape or a male-female bayonet coupling of cylindrical shape.

[0015] Preferably, the hook includes a stop spur disposed near said reversible connection means and extending in the direction of said locking bar.

[0016] Preferably, in said anchoring arc, at least one slot is provided for the reversible attachment of a lifeline to which the fall arrest devices are coupled in a sliding manner.

[0017] Preferably, said hanging arc and said locking bar are made in one piece. Brief description of the drawings

[0018] For a better understanding of the present invention, an illustrative and non-limiting example of an embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: [Fig. 1] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of an embodiment of the anchor hook for climbing pylons according to the present invention; and [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a side view of the anchor hook of [Fig.1]. Preferred embodiment of the invention

[0019] In the attached figures, an anchoring hook according to the present invention is shown as a whole, with reference number 1.

[0020] The anchor hook 1 comprises a hooking arc 2 and a locking bar 3 extending from a first end 2a of the hooking arc 2 towards the inside of the curve of the hooking arc 2 itself.

[0021] The hooking arc 2 and the locking bar 3 are made in one piece, thus constituting two parts of a single element.

[0022] The material from which the hooking arc 2 and the locking bar 3 are made is steel.

[0023] In use, during the hooking action, a grip consisting of a cross member of the pylon will be arranged between the hooking arc 2 and the locking bar 3.

[0024] In this way, if the anchor hook happens to be inadvertently subjected to an upward thrust, it will not be able to pass over the cross member, since it remains blocked by the interaction between the cross member itself and the locking bar 3.

[0025] A plurality of slots 4 are arranged on the hanging arc 2 with the lightening function.

[0026] One of the slots 4 has the function of reversibly fixing a lifeline to which are attached, in a sliding manner, the fall arrest devices which, in turn, are hooked to the harness of the operator who has to climb the pylon.

[0027] The anchor hook 1 includes reversible coupling means 5 suitable for achieving a stable coupling between the anchor hook 1 itself and a known operating rod which is not described for the sake of simplicity.

[0028] The reversible coupling means 5 are disposed at a second end 2b of the hooking arc 2.

[0029] Therefore, unlike the known art, with the anchor hook of the present invention, the operator only has to transport the anchor hook 1, which will then be coupled on site to a working rod and a lifeline, for example already present on the means used by the operator.

[0030] The reversible coupling means 5 illustrated in the attached figures consist of a male-female bayonet coupling of cylindrical shape.

[0031] Alternatively, the anchor hook of the present invention may include reversible coupling means composed of a male-female screw coupling of conical shape.

[0032] The anchor hook 1 includes a stop spur 6 disposed opposite the second end 2b of the hooking arc 2 and extending towards the first end 2a of the hooking arc 2 itself. In particular, the stop spur 6 is formed as a single unit with the hooking arc 2.

[0033] The stop spur 6 constitutes another retaining element intended to prevent the hook, inadvertently subjected to an upward push, from lifting up and consequently losing the hooking function by passing over the cross member to which it is hooked.

[0034] Indeed, even if the locking bar 3 is not blocked by the crossbeam, the stop spur 6 will prevent the hook from being lifted by exerting a constraint on another crossbeam located below it. As is known, pylons comprise a plurality of horizontal and diagonal crossbeams, and such a situation can arise when the hook is applied to a diagonal crossbeam. In this case, it is possible that the diagonal crossbeam will not fit exactly between the locking bar 3 and the hooking arch 2, and thus, the stop spur 6 will act to prevent the hook from being lifted, bringing it into contact with a horizontal crossbeam located below the diagonal crossbeam on which the hooking arch 2 acts.

[0035] From what is mentioned above, it is clear that the anchor hook, the subject of the present invention, includes technical features which prevent accidental unanchoring due to inadvertent lifting of the hook.

[0036] In particular, the anchor hook of the present invention comprises a first safety element consisting of the locking bar, and a second auxiliary safety element consisting of the stop spur.

[0037] It is important to note that the hook of the present invention manages to guarantee high levels of safety in terms of anchoring without making the anchoring action overly complex. Indeed, it is also necessary to ensure ease of unanchoring and anchoring for the operator, who, while climbing the pylon, must be able to conveniently move the hook's anchor point to proceed with their ascent or descent of the pylon.

[0038] Finally, the hook of the present invention is structured to also meet transport requirements, being conveniently detachable from the operating rod and the lifeline. In this way, the operator only has to transport the hook without being hindered by the bulk of the operating rod.

Claims

Demands

1. Anchor hook (1) for climbing pylons; said hook being characterized in that it comprises a hooking arc (2) configured to be placed astride a pylon grab crossmember and a locking bar (3) extending from a first end (2a) of said hooking arc (2) into the curvature of said hooking arc (2) itself.

2. Anchor hook according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises reversible connecting means (5) disposed at a second end (2b) of said hooking arc (2) and configured to connect an operating rod.

3. Anchor hook according to claim 2, characterized in that said reversible connecting means (5) provide for a male-female screw coupling of conical shape or a male-female bayonet coupling of cylindrical shape.

4. Anchor hook according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises a stop spur (6) disposed near said reversible connection means (5) and extending in the direction of said locking bar (3).

5. Anchor hook according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in said hooking arc (2), at least one slot (4) is arranged useful for the reversible attachment of a lifeline to which fall arrest devices are coupled in a sliding manner.

6. Anchor hook according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hooking arc (2) and said locking bar (3) are made in one piece.

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