Abstract:
There is provided a climbing locking system for climbing ladders in particular of a wind power installation. The climbing locking system has at least one climbing ladder segment having a longitudinal direction and at least one open end for accommodating a fall arrester which can move back and forth as a climbing protection system along the longitudinal direction. The climbing locking system also has at least one climbing locking unit at the at least one open end of the climbing ladder segment. The climbing locking unit is fastened pivotably to the climbing ladder segment and has a locking position for locking a movement of a fall arrester along a direction of the climbing ladder segment and a passing position for allowing a movement of the fall arrester along the longitudinal direction of the climbing ladder segment in both directions.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention concerns a climbing locking system in particular for fixed climbing ladders with finished guide means. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Climbing ladders for example with a C-shaped central bar as a fixed guide means and a plurality of rungs or steps are used for example in pylons of wind power installations. The C-shaped central bar serves to accommodate a sliding carriage to which a safety belt or body harness can be fixed. The climbing ladders typically comprise a plurality of climbing ladder segments and a plurality of rungs. 
         [0005]    The assembly of a pylon of a wind power installation typically involves placing a large number of pylon segment finished parts one upon the other. Those pylon segment finished parts typically have at least one pre-assembled climbing ladder segment. When one pylon segment is placed upon another then the climbing ladder segments also have to be joined together. If however the pylon of a wind power installation is not yet completely constructed then it can happen that a pylon segment has a climbing ladder segment which is not yet fixed to the climbing ladder segment of a pylon segment to be assembled thereabove. In such a case the upper end of the climbing ladder segment is open. Suitable countermeasures have to be adopted to safeguard the open end of a climbing ladder segment. 
         [0006]    The following documents were searched in the German patent application from which priority is claimed: DE 197 01 076 C1, DE 295 20 679 U1, DE 88 11 779 U1 and DE 20 2006 017 158 U1. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0007]    One or more embodiments of the present invention are directed to a climbing locking system with a climbing locking system which prevents effective safeguarding of an open end of a climbing ladder segment in each assembly condition. 
         [0008]    One embodiment includes a climbing locking system for climbing ladders in particular of a wind power installation. The climbing locking system has at least one climbing ladder segment having a longitudinal direction and at least one open end for accommodating a fall arrester which can move back and forth as a climbing protection system along the longitudinal direction. The climbing locking system also has at least one climbing locking unit at the at least one open end of the climbing ladder segment. The climbing locking unit is fastened pivotably to the climbing ladder segment and has a locking position for locking a movement of a fall arrester along a direction of the climbing ladder segment and a passing position for allowing a movement of the fall arrester along the longitudinal direction of the climbing ladder segment in both directions. 
         [0009]    In an aspect of the present invention the climbing locking system has a climbing locking unit having a holder which is fixed to the climbing ladder segment, and a locking pin. The locking pin locks the climbing ladder segment in a locking position at least in one direction and in the passing position permits a movement of the fall arrester in two directions. 
         [0010]    In a further aspect of the invention the climbing locking system has a climbing locking unit having at least one block for receiving a pivot pin. The climbing locking unit is pivotable by the pivot pin. 
         [0011]    In a further aspect the climbing locking unit has a locking point such that the climbing locking unit drops into the locking position without an external action thereof. 
         [0012]    In a further aspect of the invention the climbing locking system has a deactivation unit for engaging into the climbing locking unit and for holding the climbing locking unit in the passing position. 
         [0013]    The deactivation unit can hold a climbing locking unit of a first and a second climbing ladder segment in the passing position. 
         [0014]    According to one embodiment there is provided a climbing locking system having a deactivatable climbing locking means. The deactivatable climbing locking means is preferably fixed to an (open) end of a climbing ladder segment preferably in the preliminary assembly procedure or ex works. The deactivatable climbing locking means can be provided at top and bottom at the open climbing ladder ends. Preferably a moving carriage or a fall arrester or a guided fall arrester for a fall arrester (for example in accordance with EN 353-1) can be guided in one direction in barrier-free fashion by the climbing locking means (downwardly or upwardly) while in the opposite direction (upwardly or downwardly) however the fall arrester is stopped. The deactivatable climbing locking means can be deactivated only after intentional resetting of a climbing locking means or locking pawl so that a fall arrester is moved upwardly (or downwardly) out of the open end of the climbing ladder segment. At that time an assembly operative should already have secured himself at another location. 
         [0015]    In an aspect of the present invention the climbing locking system has a deactivation unit which, for example when the free end of a climbing ladder segment has been joined to another climbing ladder segment and the climbing locking means at that junction location are no longer required, is connected to both climbing locking means or locking pawls so that the two locking pawls are held in a deactivated condition. The deactivation unit is so installed that release of the connection between the climbing ladder segments is possible only after reactivation of the climbing locking means. 
         [0016]    According to one embodiment the climbing locking system has at least one pivotable locking pawl. The pivotable locking pawl has a center of gravity such that the locking pawl in the normal operative position provides for locking of a moveable carriage of a fall arrester in one direction. To deactivate the locking pawl the locking pawl must be pivoted in a second operative condition. 
         [0017]    One embodiment of invention also concerns a pylon segment of a wind power installation pylon having a climbing locking system as described hereinbefore and a wind power installation having a pylon with at least one pylon segment as described hereinbefore. 
         [0018]    Further configurations of the invention are subject-matter of the appendant claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    Advantages and embodiments by way of example of the invention are described in greater detail hereinafter with reference to the drawing. 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a portion of a climbing ladder segment with a climbing ladder protection system according to a first embodiment, 
           [0021]      FIGS. 2A to 2C  show various views of a portion of a climbing ladder segment with a climbing locking system according to a second embodiment, 
           [0022]      FIGS. 3A to 3C  show various views of a portion of a climbing ladder segment with a climbing locking system according to a third embodiment, 
           [0023]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  respectively show various perspective views of a climbing protection system according to the second embodiment, 
           [0024]      FIG. 4C  shows a perspective view of a portion of a climbing ladder segment with a climbing locking system according to the second embodiment, 
           [0025]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  respectively show a perspective view of a climbing locking system according to the third embodiment, 
           [0026]      FIG. 5C  shows a portion of a climbing ladder segment with a climbing locking system according to the third embodiment, 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a climbing ladder with two climbing locking systems according to one embodiment, and 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective exploded view of the climbing ladder and two climbing locking systems according to one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    The climbing ladder with the climbing locking system according to one or more embodiments of the invention is used for example in pylons of wind power installations. Typically the climbing ladders comprise a plurality of climbing ladder segments which are preferably already fixed to segments of a pylon of a wind power installation in the preliminary assembly procedure. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a portion of a climbing ladder segment with a climbing ladder protection system according to a first embodiment.  FIG. 1  shows a climbing ladder segment  20  with a step or a rung  30 . The climbing ladder segment  20  has an upwardly open end  20   a . The climbing ladder segment  20  is for example in the form of a C-shaped profile member. A moving carriage, a fall arrester, or a guided fall arrester (not shown) can be moved within the C-shaped profile member, for use in conjunction with a fall protection harness. The climbing ladder segment  20 , in the region of the upper end  20   a , has a slot  20   c  through which a climbing locking system  10  according to a first embodiment projects into the C-shaped profile member of the climbing ladder segment  20  in such a way that a movement of the carriage of the body harness or a (guided) fall arrester is possible only in one direction (downwardly). A movement of the carriage upwardly is prevented by the climbing locking system. That is intended to ensure in particular that, when constructing a pylon of the wind power installation, assembly operatives who are secured by a body harness and a carriage in the C-shaped profile member of the climbing ladder segment  20  cannot unintentionally remove the carriage out of the open end  20   a  without in that case being further or additionally secured. 
         [0031]    The climbing locking system  10  according to the first embodiment has a rotary pin  17 , a holder  12  and a locking pin  13 . Provided in the region of the rotary pin  17  is a pivot point so that the holder  12  can be pivoted. In the pivotal movement of the holder  12  the locking pin  13  is moved rearwardly so that the path is cleared for a carriage in an upward direction. 
         [0032]    In accordance with the first embodiment a carriage of a body harness can be introduced into the upper end  20   a  and guided downwardly. The carriage (a guided fall arrester), after it has passed the locking protection system, cannot however be moved upwardly again without unlocking the locking system. To deactivate the climbing locking system the assembly operative has to pivot the holder  12  rearwardly into a passing position so that the locking pin  13  is pivoted out of the C-shaped profile member of the climbing ladder segment  20 . Preferably the center of gravity of the holder  12  is such that the locking pin  13  automatically pivots back into the locking position again for example by virtue of the force of gravity without an action thereon by an assembly operative. By virtue of the configuration of the holder  12 , optionally a guided fall arrester which has a securing pin cannot be introduced upside-down into the C-shaped profile member. 
         [0033]    According to one embodiment of the invention the climbing locking system can have a locking unit for an upper open end and a locking unit for a lower open end. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 2A to 2C  show various views of a portion of a climbing ladder segment with a climbing locking system according to a second embodiment.  FIGS. 2A to 2C  show in particular a climbing locking unit for a lower open end  20   b  of a climbing ladder segment.  FIGS. 2A to 2C  show a climbing ladder segment  20  having a rung or step  30 . The climbing locking unit  30  has a holder  12 , a pivot pin  17  and a locking pin  13 . The climbing locking unit can be fixed to the climbing ladder segment  20  by means of a screw  21 . The climbing locking unit can be pivoted between a locking position and a passing position. In that case the pin  17  represents the pivot axis. In the locking position the locking pin  13  engages into the C-shaped profile member so that a moving carriage with the body harness cannot be further moved downwardly. For release purposes the climbing locking unit  10  (locking pawl) is pivoted rearwardly so that the locking pin  13  no longer engages into the C-shaped profile member of the climbing ladder segment. The pivotability of the climbing locking unit provides that a carriage can be moved upwardly but not downwardly. The carriage can be moved downwardly only when the assembly operative intentionally pivots the climbing locking unit. The climbing locking unit is of such a configuration that it preferably drops automatically into the locking position. That can be achieved for example by the implementation of the center of gravity of the climbing locking unit. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 3A to 3C  show various views of a portion of a climbing ladder segment with a climbing locking system according to a third embodiment which can be based on the first embodiment.  FIGS. 3A to 3C  show a climbing locking unit for an upper open end of a climbing ladder segment. While in the case of the climbing locking unit for a lower open end the pivot pin is arranged beneath the locking pin  13 , in the case of a locking protection unit for an upper open end the pivot pin  17  is arranged above the locking pin  13 . The center of gravity of the locking protection unit for the upper open end  20   a  is so selected that the holder  12   b  is in the locking position in the rest position. It is only when the holder  12   b  is pivoted that the climbing locking unit is unlocked and the carriage can be correspondingly moved within the C-shaped profile member  20 . 
         [0036]    Thus a carriage of a body harness can be moved readily downwardly but not upwardly. 
         [0037]    In the case of the climbing locking unit in  FIG. 2A  that is precisely reversed, here the carriage (guided fall arrester) of a body harness can be readily moved upwardly but not downwardly as a movement downwardly is blocked by the locking position of the holder  12   a.    
         [0038]      FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C respectively show various perspective views of a climbing locking system according to the second embodiment. The holder  12   b  is shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . The holder  12   b  has two mutually opposite holes  16  into which the pivot pin  17  can be introduced, together with the holding plate  11 . The holding plate  11  is fixedly secured to the pivot pin  17 . The holder  12   b  also has a locking pin  13 . The holder can be fixed to the C-shaped profile member  20  by means of the holding plate  11  and a screw  21  so that the holder can be pivoted about the pivot pin  17 . 
         [0039]      FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  5 C respectively show a perspective view of a climbing locking system according to the third embodiment which can be based on the first embodiment. The holder  12   a  for a lower open end of a climbing ladder segment is of a substantially corresponding structure to the holder  12   b . The holder  12   a  has two holes  16  for receiving a pivot pin  17  and a holding plate  11 . The holder  12   a  also has a locking pin  13 . Optionally the holder  12   a  can have a pin  18  which provides the weight (or counter-weight) for correct positioning of the center of gravity of the locking pawl. The holder can be used for unlocking purposes. 
         [0040]    The deactivation system has the appropriate advantage that it permits release of the connection of the climbing ladder segments ( 20 ) by the connecting plate ( 41 ) and the screws ( 42 ) only after removal thereof and re-activation of the locking pawls so that those climbing locking means already exclude, prior to climbing ladder dismantling, endangerment due to the open ends ( 20 ) which then occur. 
         [0041]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a climbing ladder with two climbing locking systems according to one embodiment.  FIG. 6  shows two climbing ladder segments  20  which are to be fitted into or to each other. As there is now no open end at the climbing ladder segments the climbing locking units are no longer required and are to be permanently deactivated. That is effected by way of a deactivation unit  40 . The deactivation unit  40  can comprise for example two plates  43 . The plate  43  has a first end  30   a  which is in the form of a hook and can engage into a holder of the climbing locking unit. The plate  43  further has two slots  43   c ,  43   d.    
         [0042]    The two climbing ladder segments  20  can be fixed in each other for example by means of a plate  41 . The deactivation unit preferably comprises two plates  43 , wherein the hooked ends  43   a  of the plates respectively engage into one of the locking protection units and hold the locking protection unit in an unlocked or deactivated condition. The two plates can then be fixed by means of hexagonal nuts  44 . 
         [0043]    Release of the plate firstly requires loosening of the nuts  44  so that the climbing locking units are activated again. 
         [0044]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective exploded view of the climbing ladders and two climbing locking systems according to one embodiment. Two climbing ladder segments  20  are arranged in mutually butting relationship and can be fixed with the plate  41  as well as the screws  23  and the slots  25 . The deactivation unit  40  comprising two plates  43  is hooked into the climbing locking units and fixed to the plate in such a way that the two climbing locking units are deactivated. 
         [0045]    Thus the climbing locking units do not have to be dismantled after two climbing locking segments are fixedly connected together (upwardly and downwardly) and can be freely passed. 
         [0046]    The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification andor listed in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments. 
         [0047]    These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.