Abstract:
A gaff guard for a gaff on a line crew member&#39;s climbing iron that may be permanently attached to the shank of the climbing iron. When the gaff is in use, the guard is conveniently and safely stowed in a rest position in a cavity in the means attaching the gaff guard to the shank. If a snagging force is encountered by the guard in the rest position, the attaching member has structure which yields so that snagging is overcome. Thus, the guard in not subject to being misplaced. When the gaff is not in use, the guard is pivoted downward and a socket covers the gaff, protecting the gaff point and the surroundings.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of allowed co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 514,530, filed Apr. 26, 1990 and now U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,693. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a gaff guard for covering and protecting the point of a gaff on a line crew member&#39;s climbing iron. The gaff guard is particularly useful in substantially reducing the likelihood of snagging of the gaff guard and climbing iron on objects when the line crew member is ascending or descending a pole. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Line crew members wear climbing irons in climbing a pole and to assist in safely remaining in position on the pole. These climbing irons, which are usually strapped to the line crew member&#39;s boot, are equipped with sharp-pointed gaffs that penetrate the wooden poles. This penetration of the gaff into the wood provides support for the line crew member and facilitates both climbing of the pole and stability once in a work position. 
     When line crew members have descended from poles, they would generally prefer not to unstrap their climbing irons but to retain these in position. However, on the ground an exposed, sharp-pointed gaff presents a hazard to the line crew member and immediate surroundings. Line crew members have accidentally injured themselves and others with these exposed gaffs. Moreover, the gaffs themselves can become blunted by contact with hard surfaces in the normal course of a line crew member walking over pavement or hard ground surfaces A blunted gaff, being less able to penetrate a wooden pole, in itself also presents an increased risk of injury. Thus, some employers have, as a matter of policy, required that their line crew members either remove the climbing irons when they are no longer needed or that the sharp gaffs be covered until they are once again needed. 
     Several gaff guards have been developed. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,282,951 is directed to a gaff guard of resinous material that slips over the gaff and clips onto the back face of the leg iron. These clips have the advantage of being light-weight and easy to use but they suffer the significant disadvantage of being easily dislodged in use and are consequently easily lost. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,497,710 is directed to a metallic gaff guard that surrounds the gaff with a conicalshaped coiled spring with clips that clamp onto the leg iron. Again, like the gaff guard of U.S. Pat. No. 4,282,951, the guard of U.S. Pat. No. 2,497,710 is lightweight and easy to use but is also relatively easily dislodged and lost. In an alternative embodiment, this latter patent shows a gaff guard that can be clamped to the leg irons more securely than by clips. However, in order to remove this gaff guard from the gaff, the clamp must be loosened by unscrewing. Further, since the guard must be removed when not in use, it is also liable to be lost. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,296,074 shows a gaff guard that is attached to the leg iron and that is equipped with a spring. The guard assembly includes a means for attachment to the leg irons, which is in turn attached to one end of a spring. A metal plate extends from the other end of the spring and ends in a socket which covers the gaff. To remove the gaff guard, the socket is removed by elongating the spring vertically downward and pulling the socket from the guard. The socket, metal plate and spring assembly can rotate 180 degrees about the point of attachment to the leg iron so that the socket may be clipped onto a hook which is attached to the leg iron. While this device provides a useful alternative to those gaff covers that must be completely attached or completely removed, it still has the disadvantage of having an exposed spring which is susceptible to being snagged onto equipment, underbrush, etc. in normal use and thereby being damaged. 
     Applicant&#39;s prior co-pending application, referred to above, relates to a gaff guard which provides safety and convenience in that it is effective in covering the gaff point while the gaff is not in use and can also be stowed securely and conveniently out of the way while the gaff is in use. However, the gaff guard of this prior application exhibits a potential of snagging with objects when the gaff was in use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a gaff guard that is easy to install on line climbing irons used by crew members. Further, when the gaff guard is not in use, i.e. when it is not used to cover the gaff, it can be conveniently and safely stowed without removing it from the climbing iron. Further, the gaff guard substantially reduces the safety risk of snagging with objects when a climber is on a pole. Thus, the gaff guard is not readily misplaced or lost. Further, the construction of the gaff guard is rugged so that it can withstand the rigors of use under ordinary conditions. 
     The gaff guard of the present invention includes a socket, including a metal component, covered with a polymeric composition. This provides strength to withstand impacts and normal wear and tear as well as a soft surface to avoid damage to the sharp point of the gaff or injury to personnel. The socket is attached to a gaff guard assembly which may be permanently clamped onto the climbing iron. When the gaff is in use, the gaff guard may be pivoted upward through about 180° for stowing in a rest position in a cavity formed in the coupling clamp mounted on a climbing iron. The coupling clamp has lips formed adjacent the cavity which allow the gaff guards to move out of the cavity if a snagging force is encountered. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a gaff guard according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the gaff guard of FIG. 1. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In the drawings, the letter G (FIG. 1) indicates a gaff guard according to the present invention. As in applicant&#39;s allowed prior co-pending application, gaff guard G provides a convenient means for covering a gaff F (FIG. 4) on a line crew member&#39;s climbing iron I. The subject matter of applicant&#39;s prior allowed copending application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     When the gaff guard G is not needed, it may be pivoted to a rest or stored position (FIGS. 1) while still affixed to the climbing iron I. In this rest position, the gaff guard G is safely out of the way and the line crew member can perform ordinary work without hindrance. Further, should a potential snagging force, such as from a branch or line B (FIG. 1), be encountered with the gaff guard in the rest position, structure is provided which permits the gaff guard G to yieldingly move from the rest position so that snagging does not occur. Moreover, the gaff guard G is of rugged construction and able to withstand the normal wear and tear to which climbing equipment is subject 
     A climbing iron I is, as is conventional, equipped with a sharp or pointed barb 2 on gaff F, a leg or shank portion 4 which is fitted along side the climber&#39;s leg below the knee, and a stirrup 6 which is fitted into the climber&#39;s boot instep beneath the leg portion 4. The climbing iron I also has an eyelet 8 at an upper position of shank 4 opposite stirrup 6 through which is passed a belt or strap to attach the climbing iron I to the line crew member&#39;s boot. A ring loop 10 is formed on stirrup 6 for connection of the climber&#39;s feet to a conventional lower climbing strap. 
     The gaff guard G is attached to the shank 4 of the climbing iron I by a coupling member 12. The coupling member 12 includes oppositely facing clamp segments 14 and 16, which have rectangular grooves 14a and 16a along their vertical extent to define a slot 18 sized to accept the shank 4. The clamping members 14 and 16 are formed of a synthetic resin of suitable strength and pliability, as will be set forth. As will also be set forth, clamp segments 14 and 16 can be moved toward and away from each other to vary the size of the slot 18. 
     The clamp segment 14 and 16 also has a circular vertically extending recess 16b formed in an outer body portions 16c. The recess 16b defines a longitudinal cylindrical cavity 20 sized to accommodate a cylindrical spring housing 22 (FIGS. 1 and 2) when the gaff guard G is in the rest position (FIG. 1). 
     Lip members 16d and 16e are formed on the outer body portion 16c of clamp segment 16. The lip members 16d and 16e are spaced from each other to define a gap 15 which is slightly less in width than the diameter of the spring housing 20. This permits housing 22 to be snap-fitted into the seat position in cavity 22. The lip members 16d and 16e flare outwardly (FIG. 2) from the gap 15 adjacent cylindrical cavity 20. The width of the gap 15 and the amount of surface contact between housing 22 and outer body portion 16c define a force limit, generally relatively low due to the material of clamping member 16, of the gaff guard G against potential snagging force. Should a potential snagging force, such as from a branch or limb B (FIG. 1), be exerted on the gaff guard G in the rest position, any such force greater than the force limit causes the lip members 16d and 16e of outer body portion 16c to yield outwardly, permitting exit of the housing 22 from cavity 20. The outwardly flaring lips 16d and 16e also ease such exit. 
     The segments 14 and 16 are interconnected by a connector member 24 which takes the form of a screw or bolt which passes through a horizontal port 16f of clamp segment 16 and a similar port in clamp segment 14. Connector member 24 positions the segments 14 and 16 together so that they can be clamped fixedly onto shank 14. A nut or threaded sleeve is mounted in the port in clamp segment 16 so that screw or bolt 24 may be advanced or retracted, adjusting the width of slot 18 based on the width of the shank 4. 
     A pivoting means P fits over the connector member 24 of the coupling means 12 to allow a gaff cup member M of the gaff guard G to pivot the cup member M from a covering position (FIG. 2) to the rest or stored position (FIG. 1). The amount of such pivotal movement is through an arc of about 180° in the vertical plane of shank 4 about the coupling means 12. 
     The pivoting means P can take the form of a pivot ring or eyelet 25 formed in an upper portion of a plunger rod 26, as for instance by bending the rod 26 around a circular piece. The pivot ring 25 encircles a shaft portion of connector member 22, screw or bolt 24 (FIG. 1). Plunger rod 26 may be either a pair of rods (26a and 26b) as shown, or may be a single such rod member, extending into cylindrical spring housing 22. 
     Plunger rod 26 is attached at an end opposite pivot ring 24 to a stop means or plug 30 movably disposed within the spring housing 22. The spring housing 22 also contains a resilient spring means, preferably a simple coil spring 32 mounted in a position surrounding the rod 26. The spring means is mounted for compression and expansion between the movable stop means 30 and a fixed wall upper end 34 of spring housing 22. 
     An annular recess or slot 36 (FIG. 2) is formed at least partially encircling an outer lower end 38 of spring housing 22. One or more arcuate connector rings 40 are snap-fitted into slot 36. Extending away from each ring 40 and the housing 22 is a cup connector rod 42. An arcuate cup connector ring 44, mounted with each connector rod 42, is fitted within an annular recess or slot 46 formed at an upper end of a gaff cover cup 48. 
     The gaff cover cup 48 is a generally conically shaped member formed from an organic polymeric composition, which is preferably a thermoplastic composition. If desired, a metal stiffener core, either mesh or coiled, may be embedded in the organic polymer of gaff cover cup 48 for additional support and strength. The stiffener core provides the gaff cover cup 48 with strength and durability, while the organic polymer provides a soft, ductile surface which yieldingly fits over the sharp pointed gaff 2. 
     In this manner, the barbed gaff 2 is protected from dulling by contact with objects when not in use. Also, the risk of injury to the climber or other workers from the gaff 2 being uncovered is substantially reduced. 
     The gaff guard G of the present invention is easily installed onto the shank 4 of the climbing iron I, either when the iron I is being made or as a field retrofit. The clamp segments 14 and 16 are fastened onto the shank 4 so that shank 4 fits within slot 18. The connector member 24 is then tightened down until the gaff guard G is firmly mounted on the clamping iron I. The gaff cover cup 48 is then pulled downwardly toward the gaff barb 2, compressing the spring 32 in housing 22, and then fitted over the pointed barb 2 of gaff F. 
     Once the gaff cover cup 48 is so fitted over the gaff barb 2, pulling force on the spring 32 is released. The force of spring 32 then holds the gaff cover cup 48 snugly in place. When it becomes necessary to use the climbing iron I, the gaff cover cup 48 is pulled downwardly, compressing spring 32. The gaff cover cup 48 may then be pivoted upwardly about pivot ring 25 while retaining the spring 32 in compression. 
     The housing 22 is then snap fitted along a portion of its length through gap 15 into cavity 20. After the housing 22 is fitted into the cavity 20, the lifting force on gaff cover cup 48 is released. The force of compressed spring 32 then draws the housing 22 downwardly into its rest position in cavity 20 (FIG. 1). 
     With the gaff cover G in the rest position, should a climber come near some potentially snagging object, such as a branch B which contacts gaff cover cup 48, the lips 16d and 16e of outer body member 16c facilitate exit of housing 22 from coupling member 12. The housing member 22 and gaff cover cup then dangle loosely downwardly. When the climber descends, the gaff cover cup 48 can be again attached over gaff 2. 
     It is preferred that the gaff guard G be constructed of strong, lightweight, relatively corrosion resistant materials such as aluminum or its alloys, polymer composites and the like. However, other materials may also be used. 
     The preferred construction of the gaff cover cup 48 for protecting the gaff 2 is a conical metal component, shaped to accommodate the barbed gaff point, coated with a polymeric composition, preferably a thermoplastic polymer. Further, the coupling assembly 12 may be fabricated from plastic composites using metallic fasteners and bolts, pins or rods. Likewise, the housing 22 may be fabricated from structural plastic composites or strong, preferably corrosion resistant, lightweight metals, and the like. 
     It should also be understood that the body segments 14 and 16 may be formed to be of different configurations than those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, they may take the form of the body segments shown in applicant&#39;s allowed prior co-pending application referred to above. 
     The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed above and claimed below.