Cuff Device for a Climber System

Abstract

A cuff device for a climber system includes a base. The base has an inner surface and an outer surface each extending between a first end and a second end of the base. First and second curved portions are located at the first and second ends, respectively. The first curved portion has a first radius of curvature that is greater than a second radius of curvature of the second portion. The first curved portion is configured to be located proximate to a front portion of a user’s leg during use of the cuff device. An extension extends from the base at an angle from a location closer to the second end of the base. A sleeve is fixedly attached to the base and substantially aligned with at least a portion of the extension, the sleeve configured to receive a shank of a climber therein.

Description

FIELD

[0001] This disclosure relates generally to a cuff device for a climber system. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a cuff device that can be attached to a shank to form a climber system that is ergonomically configured to dissipate load and spread pressure to non-sensitive areas of the user’s leg.BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventional tree or pole climber products typically are formed from a metal rod or shank that includes an upper straight portion and a lower “J” shaped stirrup or hook shaped portion. The upper straight portion of the shank is coupled to a bracket that is configured to be strapped to a user's calf, and the lower “J” shaped stirrup or hook shaped bracket portion is configured to be strapped to the user's foot. The lower “J” shaped stirrup or hook shaped bracket portion typically includes one or more spurs or gaffs affixed to the lower “J” shaped stirrup or hook shaped portion, arranged to be angled outwardly so as to engage the tree or pole.

[0003] Description of the Related Art Section Disclaimer: To the extent that specific patents / publications / products are discussed above in this Description of the Related Art Section or elsewhere in this disclosure, these discussions should not be taken as an admission that the discussed patents / publications / products are prior art for patent law purposes. For example, some or all of the discussed patents / publications / products may not be sufficiently early in time, may not reflect subject matter developed early enough in time and / or may not be sufficiently enabling so as to amount to prior art for patent law purposes. To the extent that specific patents / publications / products are discussed above in this Description of the Related Art Section and / or throughout the application, the descriptions / disclosures of which are all hereby incorporated by reference into this document in their respective entirety(ies).SUMMARY

[0004] The inventors of the present disclosure recognize that there are problems and limitations with conventional tree or pole climber products. For example, the bracket is often formed of a number of components that must be assembled to attach to the shank. Further, during use, the bracket can often generate a large amount of force directed to sensitive areas of the user’s leg that can lead to discomfort or injury after prolonged use. Thus, there is a need for an improved devices / systems that are structured and configured to address these problems / issues.

[0005] It is therefore a principal object and advantage of the present disclosure to provide a climber device / system that is structured and configured to eliminates one or more of the problems / issues associated with conventional devices and fulfill the need(s) identified above.

[0006] One aspect of the disclosure relates to a cuff device for a climber system. The cuff device includes a base. The base has an inner surface and an outer surface each extending between a first end and a second end of the base. First and second curved portions are located at the first and second ends of the base, respectively. The first curved portion has a first length of curvature that is greater than a second length of curvature of the second portion. The first curved portion is configured to be located proximate to a front portion of a user’s leg during use of the cuff device. An extension extends from the base at an angle from a location closer to the second end of the base. A sleeve is fixedly attached to the base and substantially aligned with at least a portion of the extension, the sleeve configured to receive a shank of a climber therein.

[0007] Another aspect of the climber system disclosure includes a climber and the cuff device described above.

[0008] The present disclosure provides a cuff device for use with a climber system including a shank. The cuff device can be advantageously formed as a single unit that allows for easy attachment to the shank. The cuff device further provides an easily adjustable attachment. The cuff device is ergonomically shaped to dissipate the force applied to sensitive areas of the user’s leg and direct the force toward the user’s calf muscle. The cuff device can be utilized with a pad that is compression formed and ergonomically shaped to relieve pressure points and direct pressure to non-sensitive areas of the user’s leg. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The present disclosure will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosed subject matter may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

[0010] Reference is now made briefly to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 is an image of a climber system attached to a user according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 2 is an image of the climber system shown in FIG. 1 with the pad removed, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 3 is an image of a cuff device including a base and a sleeve of the climber system shown in FIG. 1, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 4 is an image of an inner surface of the base of the cuff device of the climber system shown in FIG. 1 with a fastener located thereon, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an outer surface of a base of a cuff device, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an inner surface of the base of the cuff device shown in FIG. 5, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 7 is an isometric side view of the base of the cuff device shown in FIG. 5, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 8 is another isometric side view of the base of the cuff device shown in FIG. 5, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 9A is an isometric top view of the base of the cuff device shown in FIG. 5, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 9B is a dimension diagram of a front view of the base of the cuff device, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 9C is a dimension diagram of a top view of the base of the cuff device, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 10A is a front image of a pad and strap of the climber system shown in FIG. 1, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 10B is a rear image of the pad and strap of the climber system shown in FIG. 1, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 10C is a side image of the pad and strap of the climber system shown in FIG. 1, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 11 is a close-up image of the pad and strap shown in FIG. 10A, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 12 is an isometric view of an exemplary pad, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 13 is a side view of the pad shown in FIG. 12, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the pad shown in FIG. 12, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 15 is an image of a portion of the strap shown in FIG. 10A, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 16 is a top view of the climber system, according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Aspects of the present technology and certain features, advantages, and details thereof, are explained more fully below with reference to the non-limiting examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Descriptions of well-known structures are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the invention in detail. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific non-limiting examples, while indicating aspects of the technology, are given by way of illustration only, and are not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and / or arrangements, within the spirit and / or scope of the underlying inventive concepts will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

[0032] FIGS. 1 and 2 are images of a climber system 10 attached to a user. In this example, the climber system 10 includes a climber 12, a cuff device 14 (FIG. 2), a pad 16, and a strap 18, although the climber system 10 can include other types and / or numbers of elements. The cuff device 14 can be advantageously formed as a single unit that allows for easy attachment to the climber 12. The cuff device 14 further provides an adjustable attachment to the climber 12. The cuff device 14 and pad 16 are ergonomically shaped to dissipate the force applied to sensitive areas of the user’s leg (e.g., the shinbone and knee) and direct the force toward the user’s calf muscle during use of the climber system 10.

[0033] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the climber 12 can be formed of a metal material. The climber 12 can include an upper straight portion or shank 20 that is configured to be coupled to the cuff device 14 and a lower portion 22 that is J-shaped in order to receive the user’s foot during use of the climber system 10 as shown in FIG. 1. The lower portion 22 can include one or more spurs or gaffs affixed thereto that are arranged to be angled outwardly so as to engage the tree or pole during use of the climber system 10 (as should be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure). The lower portion 22 can also include a strap to attach the climber 12 to the user’s leg as shown, for example, in FIG. 1. The climber 12 can be any type of climber known in the art and can be formed of any material such as steel, titanium, or aluminum.

[0034] Referring now more specifically to FIG. 2, which illustrates the climber system 10 with the pad 16 removed, the climber system 10 includes the cuff device 14, which is configured to be attached to the shank 22 of the climber 12. The cuff device 14 can advantageously be adapted to be attached to various sizes and types of climbers (e.g., aluminum, steel, titanium). In this example, the cuff device 14 includes a base 24 that is fixedly attached to a sleeve 26, for example, by a pair of rivets (not shown). The fixed attachment of the base 24 and the sleeve 26 provide a single unit that can easily be attached to the climber 12 by insertion of the upper portion 22 of the climber 12 into the sleeve 24 as described in further detail herein.

[0035] FIGS. 3 and 4 are images of the cuff device 14 including the base 24 and the sleeve 26. In this example, the sleeve 26 is attached to the base 24 by attachment elements 28, such as rivets (as shown in FIG. 4). In this example, the sleeve 26 is fixedly attached to the base 24 using steel rivets, although other fixed attachments are contemplated (removably attachable connection mechanism, such as screws etc., are also contemplated). In this example, the sleeve 26 is formed of a metal material, such as steel. The sleeve 26 provides structural support for the base 24 when the base 24 is mounted to the shank 22 of the climber 12. The sleeve 26 further allows the base 24 to bend in particular directions, as described in further detail below, to disperse pressure away from the shin bone and toward the calf muscle during use of the climber system 10.

[0036] The sleeve 26 includes a hollow opening that is configured to receive the upper portion 22 of the climber 12 therein. The sleeve 26 can be sized and / or shaped to receive various types of shanks. The sleeve 26 includes a number of holes 30 (FIG. 3) that are configured to receive an attachment device 32, such as screws or rivets, as shown in FIG. 2, to securely attach the cuff device 14 to the climber 12. The holes 30 along the sleeve 26 allow the upper portion 22 of the climber 12 to be vertically adjusted with respect to the cuff device 14. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively, the base 24 includes an inner surface 34 (FIG. 4) that is configured to be directed toward the user’s leg during use and an outer surface 36 to which the sleeve 26 is attached (FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 4, the base 24 includes a fastener 38 located on the inner surface 34, such as hook and loop or Velcro®, that allows the base 24 to be attached to the pad 16 as described in further detail below. In this example, the fastener 38 is riveted to the base 24 to prevent the fastener 38 from falling off of the base 24. In some examples, the fastener 38 is secured to the base 24 by other means, such as glue. In some examples, the fastener 38 is integrally formed with the base 24 as a single piece. In some embodiments, the sleeve holes 30 extend below the cuff 14 rather than having all of the holes 30 match up between the cuff 14 and the sleeve 26. In some embodiments, the cuff 14 includes ribs along the curve or flares on the edge thereof to increase stiffness. In some embodiments, the cuff 14 includes a pocket for the sleeve 26 such that the sleeve 26 mounts to the inside (i.e., leg side) of the cuff 14 rather than the outside as shown.

[0037] FIGS. 5-9A illustrate the base 24 of the cuff device 14 in further detail. The base 24 can be formed of a flexible material, such as a plastic, to allow the base 24 to bend during use to dissipate force as described in further detail herein. In one embodiment, to provide the ideal flexibility, a tough copolymer of polypropylene was used that was 0.125 inches thick and had a Flexural Modulus of 896 MPa. Based on prototype testing, 78.8 MPa was found to be too flexible and 2490 MPa was found to be too stiff.

[0038] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the outer surface 34 of base 24, while FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the inner surface 36 of the base 24. The base 24 extends between a first end 40 and a second end 42. The first end 40 and second end 42, as well as the upper and lower edges of the base 24, are each curved to assist in dissipating force toward non-sensitive areas of the user’s leg during use, as explained below.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 6-9, the base 24 includes a first curved portion 44 (see FIG. 6 in between lines A and B) and a second curved portion 46 (see FIG. 6 in between lines C and D) located proximate the first end 40 and second end 42 of the base 24, respectively. As shown in FIG. 9A, the first curved portion 44 has radius and length of curvature that is greater than a radius and length of curvature of the second curved portion 46. During use of the climber system 10, as shown in FIG. 1, the first curved portion 44 is configured to be located proximate to a front portion of the user’s leg. The larger radius and length of curvature of the first curved portion 44 accommodates the user’s leg and allows the base 24 to flex during use to dissipate force to non-sensitive areas of the user’s leg, such as the calf muscle by way of example. In one example, the angle of curvature of the first curved portion 44 is about 80 degrees and the angle of curvature of the second curved portion 46 is about 25 degrees, although other radii of curvature in other proportions could be employed. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9A-9B, the dimensions of a front view and top view of the base 24 are shown, respectively. These dimensions advantageously allow the base 24 to clear a user’s knee bone while in use, as explained above. In another preferred embodiment, regarding the curves of the base to clear the knee bone while in use, the ratio of the narrowest point to the height at the peaks is approximately 4:5. For the curved sections, the ratio of the front curved length to the rear curved length is approximately 11:2 (i.e., the front curved section is approximately 5.5 times longer than the rear curved section).

[0040] In some examples, as shown in FIGS. 5-8, the base 24 can be square or rectangular in shape with at least one side of its perimeter being concave. The illustration in FIGS. 5-8 shows all sides having a concave perimeter, but it should be understood that one or any number of sides could be concave in shape. This ergonomic shape advantageously avoids touching or pressing on a user’s knee and / or leg bone and associated pressure points while the climber system 10 is in use, allowing for a more comfortable fit, as explained above.

[0041] Referring again generally to FIGS. 5-9A, the base 24 can further feature an extension 48 extending from the base 24 at an angle. The extension 48 extends from a location on the base 24 that is closer to the second end 42 than the first end 40. The extension 48 is configured to extend along the user’s leg during use of the climber system 10 and remains substantially flat against the user’s leg. In this example, the extension 48 is integrally formed with the base 24 (FIG. 5), while in other examples, the extension 48 is a separate piece. In some examples, the angle of the extension 48 is between about 5 degrees and about 25 degrees. In one example, the angle of the extension 48 is about 15 degrees.

[0042] The extension 48 has a plurality of holes 50 located therein. In one example, the plurality of holes 50 are angled along the extension 48 at a range between about 5 degrees to about 40 degrees. The holes 50 on the extension 48 align with the holes 30 on the sleeve 26. In this manner, the holes 50 and holes 30 can removably receive the attachment devices 32, such as a screw or rivet, for adjustably attaching the cuff device 14 to the shank 22 of the climber 12 when received in the sleeve 26 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, by way of example only. The angle of the holes 50 allows for adjusting the relationship of the cuff device 14 and the climber 12 based on the user’s preference, size and / or shape.

[0043] FIG. 10A is a front image of the pad 16 located on two different locations of the strap 18 of the climber system 10 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 10B is a rear image of the same. The pad 16 is configured to be located along the inner surface 36 of the base 24 (for example, FIG. 4) to contact the user’s leg during use. The pad 16 can have a fastener, such as hook and loop or Velcro®, to mate with the fastener 38 located on the inner surface 36. Referring to FIG. 11, the pad 16 is fixedly attached to the strap 18 by stitches 52 located on opposing ends of the pad 16. In this manner, the cuff device 14 can be inserted between the pad 16 and the strap 18 at location A to attach the pad 16 to the inner surface 36 of the base 24, as shown in FIG. 10C. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the pad 16 is shaped in a substantially similar manner to the base 24. The strap 18 is configured to be located around the user’s leg, as shown in FIG. 1, during use, to position the pad 16 against the user’s leg to dissipate force generated against the user’s leg during use as described herein.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 14, which is a cross-sectional view of the pad 16, the pad 16 can be formed of one or more layers of different materials. For example, the pad 16 may include a more rigid foam and a softer outer fabric, although the pad 16 can include other numbers of layers formed of other materials.

[0045] Strap 18 can be formed of any suitable materials, such as web material. FIG. 15 is an image of a portion of the strap 18 shown in FIG. 10. In this example, the strap 18 includes a custom 4-inch web end that is designed to protect the end of the strap 18 and interact with a steel loop 17 on the opposing end of the strap 18, making it easier to cinch on the user’s leg for use of the climber system 10 and take off the climber system 10 after use. The strap 18 is configured to be located around the user’s leg as shown in FIG. 1. For example, a user can place the respective climber system 10 on their respective leg (i.e., right climber system on their right leg and left climber system on their left leg) with the pad 16 placed against the inside of a user’s leg as shown in FIG. 1. The user can then position the strap 18 around the back of the user’s leg and through the steel loop 17 coupled to the strap 18. Once the strap 18 is passed through the steel loop 17, the strap 18 can be secured back around the user’s leg where the hook portion 18A of the strap 18 connects to the loop portion 18B of the strap 18, securing the portions of the strap 18 together. See FIG. 10B. This configuration advantageously provides a single unit that is easily adjustable to conform to various users. In some embodiments, the steel loop 17 is secured to the strap by means of folding a portion of the strap 18 over itself, as seen in FIG. 10A. While the term steel loop is used, it is to be understood that the loop could be formed of various materials, including but not limited to fabric, iron, plastic, and the like. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 16, the climber system can be of a continuous wrap style. In this embodiment, the strap 18 can encircle the user’s leg without the use of the steel loop and be secured via hook and loop attachment on respective portions of the strap 18.

[0046] Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a cuff device for use with a climber system including a shank. The cuff device can be advantageously formed as a single unit that allows for easy attachment to the shank. The cuff device further provides an easily adjustable attachment. The cuff device is ergonomically shaped to dissipate the force applied to sensitive areas of the user’s leg and direct the force toward the user’s calf muscle. The cuff device can be utilized with a pad that is compression formed and ergonomically shaped to relieve pressure points and direct pressure to non-sensitive areas of the user’s leg.

[0047] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as, “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”), and “contain” (any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a method or device that “comprises”, “has”, “includes” or “contains” one or more steps or elements. Likewise, a step of method or an element of a device that “comprises”, “has”, “includes” or “contains” one or more features possesses those one or more features but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features. Furthermore, a device or structure that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

[0048] The corresponding structures, materials, acts and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below, if any, are intended to include any structure, material or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of one or more aspects of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand one or more aspects of the present invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A cuff device for a climber system, the cuff device comprising: a base comprising:an inner surface and an outer surface each extending between a first end and a second end of the base;first and second curved portions located at the first and second ends of the base, respectively, the first curved portion having a first length of curvature that is greater than a second length of curvature of the second portion, the first curved portion configured to be located proximate to a front portion of a user’s leg during use of the cuff device; andan extension extending from the base at an angle from a location closer to the second end of the base; a sleeve fixedly attached to the base and substantially aligned with at least a portion of the extension, the sleeve configured to receive a shank of a climber therein.

2. The cuff device of claim 1, wherein base is formed from a plastic material.

3. The cuff device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve portion is formed from steel.

4. The cuff device of claim 1, wherein extension has a first plurality of holes located therein that align with a second plurality holes in the sleeve to removably receive an attachment device for adjustably attaching the device to the shank of the climber when received in the sleeve.

5. The cuff device of claim 4, wherein the first plurality of holes are angled at a range between about 5 degrees to about 40 degrees on the extension.

6. The cuff device of claim 4, wherein the attachment device comprises a screw or rivet.

7. The cuff device of claim 1, wherein the angle of the extension is about 15 degrees.

8. The cuff device of claim 1, wherein the angle of the extension is between about 5 degrees and about 25 degrees.

9. The cuff device of claim 1, wherein the first curved portion has an angle of curvature of about 80 degrees.

10. The cuff device of claim 1, wherein the second curved portion has an angle of curvature of about 25 degrees.

11. The cuff device of claim 1, wherein the first length of curvature is configured to fit around the user’s leg during use of the device.

12. The cuff device of claim 1, further comprising: a pad configured to be located along the inner surface of the base to contact the user’s leg during use, wherein the pad is shaped in a substantially similar manner to the base portion.

13. The cuff device of claim 12, wherein the base further comprises a fastener attached to the inner surface to securely attach the pad to the inner surface.

14. The cuff device of claim 12, further comprising: a strap configured to be located around the user’s leg, the pad fixedly attached to the strap such that the base is configured to be located between the strap and the pad.

15. The cuff device of claim 14, wherein the pad is stitched to the strap in at least two locations.

16. The cuff device of claim 12, wherein the pad is formed of a first layer and a second layer.

17. The cuff device of claim 16, wherein the first layer is formed of a rigid material and the second layer is formed of a softer material.

18. The cuff device of claim 1, wherein the cuff device is configured to direct pressure towards the user’s calf muscle and away from sensitive areas during use.

19. A climber system comprising: a climber having a shank; anda cuff device, the device comprising: a base comprising: an inner surface and an outer surface each extending between a first end and a second end of the base; first and second curved portions located at the first and second ends of the base, respectively, the first curved portion having a first length of curvature that is greater than a second length of curvature of the second portion, the first curved portion configured to be located proximate to a front portion of a user’s leg during use of the cuff device; and an extension extending from the base at an angle from a location closer to the second end of the base; anda sleeve fixedly attached to the base and substantially aligned with at least a portion of the extension, the sleeve configured to receive the shank of the climber therein.

20. The climber system of claim 19, wherein the cuff device is configured to direct pressure towards the user’s calf muscle and away from sensitive areas during use.

Images