Patent Publication Number: US-10773127-B2

Title: Climbing gaff

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/475,630 filed on Mar. 23, 2017. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to climbing spurs and gaffs. More specifically, the present invention provides a climbing gaff that includes a pair of brackets that support a pair of adjustable foot plates thereon. The foot plates are designed to evenly distribute pressure resulting from a user&#39;s weight throughout the entire foot, which in turn provides a more comfortable climbing experience. 
     Many people wear climbing gaffs or spurs on their feet when climbing trees or utility poles. The spurs are inserted into the surface of the tree or pole to aide a user while climbing. When using standard climbing gaffs, pressure and strain are placed on the feet due to limited surface area support. Thus, climbers experience pain in their feet, knees, hips, and back, when using standard gaffs. People who climb often suffer debilitating knee injuries and can require corrective knee surgery or total knee replacement in later years. In order to address these concerns, the present invention provides a climbing gaff having a pair of adjustable foot supports to provide an increased surface area for supporting a user&#39;s body weight. 
     Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to climbing gaffs and spurs. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to improvements for climbing gaffs. One device includes a rotatable stirrup and leg support attached to the climbing gaff, wherein a plurality of replaceable spurs are attached to a bottom surface of the stirrup. Another device includes a gaff shield for protecting a portion of a leg and foot while in use. While another climbing gaff includes a supporting surface for the bottom of the instep and the sole of the foot that is movable while walking. Another device includes a pair of support bars attached to the gaff in order to support a user&#39;s foot. Lastly, one device includes a boot within an integrated spur and shaft arrangement. 
     These prior art devices have several known drawbacks. These devices fail to include a climbing gaff having a pair of adjustable foot plates that can support and distribute a user&#39;s weight. Further, these devices fail to include foot plates that include a raised sidewall on the front and rear edges that secure the user&#39;s foot within the pair of foot plates. Lastly, many of these devices lack a pair of brackets that are angularly secured to the shaft of a climbing gaff, such that the brackets support and secure the pair of adjustable foot plates. 
     In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing climbing gaff devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of climbing gaffs and spurs now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new climbing gaff wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when supporting and distributing the user&#39;s weight across a pair of adjustable foot plates while climbing a tree or utility pole. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved climbing gaff that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a climbing gaff comprising an elongated member having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the lower end includes a horizontal member extending perpendicularly therefrom. A spur is affixed to the lower end of the elongated member opposed to the horizontal member. A belt is affixed at a first end of the horizontal member, wherein the belt includes a pair of distal ends having a fastener thereon, such that the pair of distal ends removably secure to one another to form a loop around a user&#39;s foot and ankle, and a strap affixed to the upper end of the elongated member, wherein the strap includes a pair of distal ends having a fastener thereon, such that the pair of distal ends removably secure to each other to form a loop around a user&#39;s leg. The elongated member further includes a pair of brackets, wherein each bracket includes an upper end that is angularly affixed to a central portion of the elongated member and an arm extending perpendicularly from a lower end thereof. The pair of brackets include a first foot plate that is removably secured to an arm of a first bracket and a second foot plate that is removably secured to an arm of a second bracket, such that each the first foot plate and the second foot plate are perpendicular disposed in relation to the elongated member a pair of brackets. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a climbing gaff wherein the first foot plate and the second foot plate each include a plurality of apertures, wherein the plurality of apertures are arranged in evenly spaced rows. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a climbing gaff, wherein the first foot plate includes a perimeter configured to substantially conform to a toe portion of a sole of a shoe and the second foot plate includes a perimeter configured to substantially conform to a heel portion of a sole of a shoe. The first foot plate further includes a sidewall that extends upwardly from a toe end thereof, and the second foot plate further includes a sidewall that extends from the heel end thereof. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a climbing gaff that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the climbing gaff. 
         FIG. 2  shows a side view of an embodiment of the climbing gaff. 
         FIG. 3  shows a bottom view of an embodiment of the climbing gaff. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the climbing gaff, wherein a pair of climbing gaffs are secured to a user. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the climbing gaff. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for climbing a tree or a utility pole. Specifically, it is contemplated that a user will wear a pair of climbing gaffs when in use. However, for simplicity purposes, the description will refer to a single climbing gaff in most instances. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the climbing gaff. The climbing gaff  11  comprises an elongated member  12  having an upper end  13  and a lower end  14 , wherein the lower end  14  includes a horizontal member  15  that extends perpendicularly therefrom. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated member  12  and horizontal member  15  comprise a J shape, wherein the horizontal member  15  is configured to receive an arch of a user&#39;s foot. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a first end  19  of the horizontal member  15  extends upwardly therefrom, wherein the first end  19  includes a fastener  20  that receives a belt  21 . The belt  21  includes a pair of distal ends  23  each having a fastener  22  thereon, such that the distal ends  23  are configured to removably secure to each other to form a loop around a user&#39;s foot and ankle, thereby securing the climbing gaff  11  thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener  22  on the belt  21  is a buckle and aperture arrangement. However, any suitable fastener may be used. The belt  21  comprises a bendable material, such as, nylon or leather, whereby the belt  21  can be looped and tightened around the user&#39;s foot and ankle. 
     The elongated member  14  further includes a spur  18  affixed to the lower end  14  opposing to the horizontal member  15 . In the illustrated embodiment, the spur  18  is angularly disposed, wherein the point of the spur  18  extends downwardly from the lower end  14 . The spur  18  is configured to be received within a surface, such as a tree trunk or utility pole. In this way, the spur  18  engages with the surface such that a user&#39;s weight is supported by the climbing gaff  11  when worn. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the upper end  13  of the elongated member  12  includes a strap  16  affixed thereto. The strap  16  includes a pair of distal ends  17  each having a fastener thereon, such that the pair of distal ends  17  removably secure to each other to form a loop. The fastener on each distal end  17  may be any suitable fastener, such as, a belt and buckle, or hook and loop material. The strap  16  is configured to removably secure to a user&#39;s leg, such that the elongated member  12  rests flush against the leg. The combination of the strap  16  and the belt  21  secure the climbing gaff  11  to the user&#39;s leg and foot, respectively. The strap  16  is constructed of a bendable material, such as, nylon or leather, wherein it can be wrapped around the user&#39;s leg. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the climbing gaff, a side view of an embodiment of the climbing gaff, and a bottom view of an embodiment of the climbing gaff, respectively. The climbing gaff  11  includes a pair of brackets  24  that are angularly affixed to a central portion  25  of the elongated member  12 , wherein the brackets  24  extend downwardly therefrom. Each bracket  24  includes an upper end  26  and a lower end  27 , wherein each lower end  27  includes an arm  28  extending perpendicularly therefrom. Each arm  28  is configured to removably secure a foot plate  29 . Each arm  28  is disposed on lateral sides of the horizontal member  15 , such that the arms  28  and the horizontal member  15  are in parallel. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a first foot plate  29 A is secured to an arm  28  of a first bracket  24 A, and a second foot plate  29 B is secured to an arm  28  of the second bracket  24 B. Each foot plate  29  is disposed perpendicularly in relation to the elongated member  12 . Each of the foot plates  29  include a plurality of apertures  30 , wherein the plurality of apertures  30  are configured to receive a fastener  34 , such that the foot plates  29  removably secure to the arms  28  of the brackets  24 . The fastener  34  may be any suitable fastener, such as, a bolt or a screw. In the illustrated embodiment, both the arms  28  of the brackets  24  and the horizontal member  15  include a plurality of openings, such that the foot plates  29  can be secured thereto. In alternative embodiments, it is contemplated that the brackets  24  are configured to removably secure to any standard gaff, such that the brackets  24  and foot plates  29  can be affixed thereto. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, each foot plate  29  includes a sidewall  31  extending upwardly from an end thereof, such that the first foot plate  29 A includes a sidewall  31 A that extends upwardly from a toe end  32  thereof, and the second foot plate  29 B includes a sidewall  31 B that extends from a heel end  33  thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, each sidewall  31  includes a curved shape, such that the sidewall  31 A at the toe end  32  is configured to rest flush with a toe portion of a shoe and the sidewall  31 B at the heel end  33  is configured to rest flush with the heel portion of a shoe. In this way, each sidewall  31  further secures a user&#39;s shoe, such that the foot plates  29  of the climbing gaff  11  fit tightly therearound, thereby preventing movement of the climbing gaff  11  when worn. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, each foot plate  29  includes a perimeter  37  that substantially conforms to the sole of a user&#39;s shoe. The first foot plate  29 A includes a perimeter  37 A that matches the front toe portion of the sole, while the second foot plate  29 B includes a perimeter  37 B that matches the heel portion of the sole. In this way, each foot plate  29  is configured to distribute pressure evenly throughout the foot of the user, which in turn improves support for the user&#39;s feet, knees, hips, and back. Furthermore, each foot plate  29  is configured to be adjustable, such that the plurality of apertures  30  on each foot plate  29  can be aligned with the plurality of openings  35 ,  36  on each arm  28  or the horizontal member  15 , respectively. In this way, the foot plates  29  can be adjusted to fit a particular size of foot for increased comfort, such that a user with larger feet can separate the foot plates  29  away from each other when worn, while a user with smaller feet can align the foot plates  29  closer together. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the climbing gaff, wherein a pair of climbing gaffs are secured to a user. It is contemplated that a user  38  will wear a pair of climbing gaffs  11 , wherein each climbing gaff  11  is configured to fit the left and right foot  41  of the user  38 . In use, the user  38  will adjust the foot plates  29 A,  29 B to fit their shoe size, such that the sidewall  31 A of the first plate  29 A rests flush against the toe of the shoe and the sidewall  31 B of the second foot plate  29 B rests flush against the heel of the shoe, in order to provide a tight fit. 
     Once the foot plates  29  are adjusted to the desired fit, the user will secure the strap  16  of the gaff  11  to their leg  40  and secure the belt  21  to their foot  41  and ankle area. Once secured, the user can engage the spur of each climbing gaff  11  with the surface of an object  39 , such as, a tree or a utility pole. While climbing, the foot plates  29  provide and increased surface area for distributing the pressure resulting from the user&#39;s body weight, thereby increasing the comfort when climbing and providing an improved and safer mechanism for climbing trees and poles. 
     It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.