Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention may include a line support system that may have a support member with an elongate body that may form a loop. The support member may be configured such that a positive biasing force may be provided at a distal end of the line support. The support member may have a first support arm and a second support arm that may be biased to abut one another and may be further capable of separating at the distal end of the line support when a sufficient force may be applied that overcomes the biasing force. The line support may also have an alignment retainer located at the distal ends of the first and second support arms that may be capable of assisting in positioning the first and second support arms in abutment so that they do not scissor. A bias adjustment mechanism may also be provided that may be selectively positionable about the first and second support arms and further may be configured such that the biasing force may be selectively adjustable.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   The subject invention generally and in various embodiments relates to line support systems, and more particularly to devices for supporting line or wire in a stable position. Hand line carriers for supporting lines or wires are generally known and used to support a line or lines to be carried by a technician. Hand line carriers are commonly attached to a technician climbing belt or body belt. These carrier devices generally release the line hanging through resilient arms of the carrier at the same amount of force regardless of the load to be supported. As such, existing hand line carriers may release line prematurely due to their construction. Another way of transporting a line or lines is for a technician to physically carry the line or lines. Yet another way is to loop the line directly through the belt of the technician. 
   It can be appreciated that commercial entities and other organizations that employ workers in elevated environments are aware of the potential risks attendant upon work performed in such environments. In view of this awareness, commercial entities and other organizations devote time and resources to promoting the safety of workers performing work in elevated environments to make the performance of work as safe as possible. Promoting safety of workers in elevated environments may involve instituting training programs and/or providing workers with a variety of support devices, support systems, backup devices and systems, and/or other means that promote the stability and safety of workers in elevated environments. Despite the best efforts of an organization to enhance the safety of its workers and reduce the risk of falling from elevated structures, for example, it is nonetheless difficult to eliminate all risks to workers performing work on such elevated structures. 
   Redundant systems for promoting safety of workers on elevated utility structures may thus sometimes be used. Such redundant systems can sometimes be beneficial in addition to the myriad of existing support systems, methods, devices and/or other apparatus employed by workers on elevated structures to reduce or mitigate risks associated with falling from utility structures, for example. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with various embodiments of the invention, there may be provided a line support. The line support may have a support member with an elongate body that may form a loop. The support member may be configured such that a positive biasing force may be provided at a distal end of the line support. The support member may have a first support arm and a second support arm that may be biased to abut one another and may be further capable of separating at the distal end of the line support when a sufficient force may be applied that overcomes the biasing force. The line support may also have an alignment retainer located at the distal ends of the first and second support arms that may be capable of helping to maintain the first and second support arms in abutment. A bias adjustment mechanism may also be provided that may be selectively positionable about the first and second support arms and further may be configured such that the biasing force may be selectively adjustable. 
   Embodiments of the present invention may include a line support system having a means for supporting a line. The means for support may have a positive biasing force provided at a distal end of the line support and the means for supporting may be biased to abut a separation in the means for supporting at the distal end of the line support and capable of separation when a sufficient force may be applied to overcome the biasing force. The line support may also have an alignment means located at the distal end of the means for supporting for maintaining the separation of the means for supporting in abutment. An adjustment means may also be provided for selectively adjusting the biasing force as the adjustment means may be selectively positionable about the means for supporting. 
   Embodiments of the present invention may also include a retrofit bias adjustment mechanism that may have a first support member and a second support member that may be positioned opposite the first support member. The second support member may be releasably affixed to the first support member on at least a distal end of the retrofit bias adustment mechanism. The retrofit bias adjustment mechanism may also have an intermediary support portion positioned between the first and second support members and may be releasably affixed to the first and second support members. The intermediary support portion may be located between the distal end and a proximal end of the retrofit bias adjustment mechanism. A securing support portion may also be releasably affixed to the first and second support members on the proximal ends of the first and second support members and may have a threaded bore therethrough. The threaded bore may have an adjustable fastener extending through it and may be capable of manipulating a biasing force when adjusted and employed on a line carrier. 
   Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying Figures, there are shown embodiments of the present invention wherein like reference numerals are employed to designate like parts and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of an embodiment of a line support of the present invention; 
       FIG. 1A  is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the of the support member of  FIG. 1A ; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of an embodiment of a line support of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of an embodiment of a line support of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the line support of  FIG. 1  as it may be employed. 
   

   DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to the drawings for the purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for the purposes of limiting the same,  FIGS. 1–5  illustrate embodiments of the invention. 
     FIGS. 1–2  illustrate embodiments of a line support  100 . The line support  100  may include a support member  10  having an elongate body that may form a loop. The support member  10  may also have a first support arm  20  and a second support arm  30 . The line support  100  may be optionally suspended from a strap  40  that may releasably attach to securing structures  101  such as, for example, a climbing belt, a belt loop, a body belt, etc. as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The first support arm  20  and second support arm  30  may also be configured to provide support to a line or wire  99  when the line  99  may be positioned through the two support arms  20 ,  30 . 
   First support arm  20  may have an elongated construction and may be opposite from the second support arm  30  wherein the first and second support arms  20 ,  30  may meet at a proximal end  23  of the support member  10  and may form an undivided body. First support arm  20  may also abut the second support arm  30  at a distal end  25  of the support member  10  wherein the first and second support arms  20 ,  30  may be separated. At the distal end  25  of the first and second support arms  20 ,  30 , a positive biasing force F may be provided. The positive biasing force F may be found where the first support arm  20  has a constant force F pushing against the second support arm  30  at the distal end  25 . Thus, first and second support arms  20 ,  30  may be biased to abut one another. First support arm  20  may have a first outer surface  24  and a first inner surface  26 . First inner surface  26  may be used for supporting the line  99  when the support member  10  may be employed as will be discussed in greater detail below. 
   Second support arm  30  may have an elongated construction and may be opposite from the first support arm  20 . As mentioned above, the first and second support arms  20 ,  30  may meet at the proximal end  23  of the support member  10  and may form an undivided body. Second support arm  30  may abut the first support arm  20  at the distal end  25  of the support member  10 . The first and second support arms  20 ,  30  may also be separated at the distal end  25 . As discussed above, at the distal end  25  of the first and second support arms  20 ,  30 , a positive biasing force F may be provided. The positive biasing force F may be found where the second support arm  30  has a constant force F pushing against the first support arm  20  at the distal end  25 . Thus, as mentioned above, the first and second support arms  20 ,  30  may be biased to abut one another. Second support arm  30  may have a second outer surface  34  and a second inner surface  36 . Second inner surface  36  may be used for supporting the line  99  when the support member  10  may be employed. 
   The line support  100  may also have an alignment retainer  60 . Alignment retainer  60  may be provided at the distal end  25  of the support member  10 . The alignment retainer  60  may be provided to assist in positioning the first and second support arms  20 ,  30  in abutment. In other words, the alignment retainer  60  may assist in preventing the scissoring of first and second support arms  20 ,  30  that may be a result of the positive biasing force F. A protrusion  62  may be positioned on the distal end  25  of the first support arm  20  as shown in  FIG. 1 . A recess  63  may be provided opposite the protrusion  62  and may correspondingly mate with the protrusion  62 . The protrusion  62  and corresponding recess  63  may be implemented in a number of fashions such as, for example, a ball and socket, a linear protrusion and linear recess, etc. The alignment retainer  60  may be configured to position and support the support member  10  such that the first and second support arms  20 ,  30  may be retained in an abutting position by the positive biasing force F. The line  99  may thus be prevented from being damaged, caught or potentially twisting out of the line support  100 . 
   Positioned around the first and second support arms  20 ,  30  and in partial contact with the first and second outer surfaces  24 ,  34 , may be a bias adjustment mechanism  70 . The bias adjustment mechanism  70  may be of different configurations such as, for example, a coiled spring, an elastic member, etc., which will be discussed in greater detail below. Bias adjustment mechanism  70  may be freely positioned between the parallel portions of the first and second support arms  20 ,  30 . The closer that bias adjustment mechanism  70  may be secured to the distal end  25 , the greater the biasing force F may be provided from the support member  10  preventing the line  99  from slipping through the separation in the first and second support arms  20 ,  30  at the distal end  25 . Indication marks (not shown) may additionally be provided to communicate the biasing force F created for a given position of the bias adjustment mechanism  70  and may further relate the biasing force F to a number of lines or wires that may be able to be carried up to some range of height or distance before the biasing force F would be overcome. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1–2 , the bias adjustment mechanism  70  may also have a securing mechanism  77  such as, for example, a knurled screw, a thumbscrew, etc. which may adjust manually by hand. The bias adjustment mechanism  70  may be secured to one or both of the first and second support arms  20 ,  30  by engagement of the securing mechanism  77 . As more than one securing mechanism  77  may be provided, one securing mechanism  77  on each side of the support member  10  may be provided to contact each of the first support arm  20  and the second support arm  30 . 
     FIGS. 1A and 2  further illustrate embodiments of the bias adjustment mechanism  70  depicted in  FIG. 1 . A first support member  72  and a second support member  74  may be positioned opposite one another and may be affixed to each other on one end  33  by fastener  71 . The bias adjustment mechanism  70  may also have an intermediary support portion  76  positioned between the first and second support members  72 ,  74  and affixed to the first and second support members  72 ,  74  by fasteners  71 . The intermediary support portion  76  may be located between the first and second support arms  20 ,  30 . In addition, a space may be provided between the intermediary support portion  76  and the second support arm  30  such that clearance may be provided. A securing support portion  78  may further be affixed to the first and second support members  72 ,  74  on another end  35  of the bias adjustment mechanism  70 . The securing support portion  78  may have a threaded bore  79  therethrough for engaging the securing mechanism  77  which may be, for example, a knurled bolt, a thumbscrew, etc. The securing mechanism  77  may extend through the securing support portion  78  and may further engage the threaded bore  79 . Due to the construction of the bias adjustment mechanism  70 , the securing mechanism  77  may be capable of engaging at least one of the first and second support arms  20 ,  30  depending on the orientation of the bias adjustment mechanism  70 . Thus, when the securing mechanism  77  may be loosened and the bias adjustment mechanism  70  slid up or down and secured to the support member  10 , the biasing force F may be manipulated that may retain the line  99 . Bias adjustment mechanism  70  may be removable and may be capable of retrofitting onto other hand line carriers. 
   Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the line support  100  may be employed having the line  99  positioned through the first and second support arms  20 ,  30 . In this embodiment, the line  99  may be retained in a supported position due to the biasing force F that may be provided by the line support  100 . To support the line  99 , the bias adjustment mechanism  70  may be positioned at any desired position on the parallel portions of the first and second support arms  20 ,  30  so that the force F required to overcome the biasing force F may be adequate for the carrying task. The distal end  25  may be separated so as to open the first support arm  20  away from the second support arm  30  when a force sufficient to overcome the biasing force F may be applied. To increase the biasing force F, the bias adjustment mechanism  70  may be moved toward the distal end  25  and secured by the securing mechanism  77 . As can be seen in the drawings, bias adjustment mechanism  70  has been positioned near the proximal end  23 . As discussed above, this position provides a lesser biasing force F than if the bias adjustment mechanism  70  were moved closer to the distal end  25 . As discussed above, the alignment retainer  60  may assist in preventing the line support  100  from scissoring. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates embodiments of a line support  200  of the invention as described below. The line support  200  may generally include a support member  110  having an elongate body that may form a loop. Support member  110  may also have a first support arm  120  and a second support arm  130  having at least one stop  112 . The line support  200  may be optionally suspended from a strap  140  that may releasably attach to securing structures  101  such as, for example, a climbing belt, a belt loop, a body belt, etc. The first support arm  120  and second support arm  130  may also be configured to provide support to a line or wire  99  when the line  99  may be positioned through the two support arms  120 ,  130 . 
   First support arm  120  may have an elongated construction and may be opposite from the second support arm  130  wherein the first and second support arms  120 ,  130  may meet at a proximal end  123  of the support member  110  and may form an undivided body. First support arm  120  may also abut the second support arm  130  at a distal end  125  of the support member  110  wherein the first and second support arms  120 ,  130  may be separated. At the distal end  125  of the first and second support arms  120 ,  130 , a positive biasing force F may be provided. The positive biasing force F may be found where the first support arm  120  has a constant force F pushing against the second support arm  130  at the distal end  125 . Thus, first and second support arms  120 ,  130  may be biased to abut one another. First support arm  120  may have a first outer surface  124  and a first inner surface  126 . First inner surface  126  may be used for supporting the line  99  when the support member  110  may be employed. 
   Second support arm  130  may have an elongated construction and may be opposite from the first support arm  120 . As mentioned above, the first and second support arms  120 ,  130  may meet at the proximal end  123  of the support member  110  and may form an undivided body. Second support arm  130  may abut the first support arm  120  at the distal end  125  of the support member  110 . The first and second support arms  120 ,  130  may also be separated at the distal end  125 . As discussed above, at the distal end  125  of the first and second support arms  120 ,  130 , the positive biasing force F may be provided. The positive biasing force F may be found where the second support arm  130  has a constant force F pushing against the first support arm  120  at the distal end  125 . Thus, as mentioned above, the first and second support arms  120 ,  130  may be biased to abut one another. Second support arm  130  may have a second outer surface  134  and a second inner surface  136 . Second inner surface  136  may be used for supporting the line  99  when the support member  110  may be employed. 
   The line support  200  may also have an alignment retainer  160 . Alignment retainer  160  may be provided at the distal end  125  of the support member  110 . The alignment retainer  160  may be provided to assist in positioning the first and second support arms  120 ,  130  in abutment. The alignment retainer  160  may assist in preventing the scissoring of first and second support arms  120 ,  130  that may be a result of the positive biasing force F. A protrusion  162  may be positioned on the distal end  125  of the first support arm  120  as shown in  FIG. 3 . A recess  163  may be provided opposite the protrusion  162  and may correspondingly mate with the protrusion  162 . The protrusion  162  and corresponding recess  163  may be implemented in a number of fashions such as, for example, a ball and socket, a linear protrusion and linear recess, etc. The alignment retainer  160  may be configured to position and support the support member  110  such that the first and second support arms  120 ,  130  may be retained in an abutting position by the positive biasing force F. The line  99  may thus be prevented from being damaged, caught or potentially twisting out of the line support  200 . 
   A bias adjustment mechanism  170  may be positioned around the first and second arms  120 ,  130  and in partial contact with the first and second outer surfaces  124 ,  134 . The bias adjustment mechanism  170  may be, for example, a coiled spring, an elastic member, etc. Bias adjustment mechanism  170  may be freely positioned between the parallel portions of the first and second support arms  120 ,  130 . The closer that bias adjustment mechanism  170  may be secured to the distal end  125 , the greater the biasing force F may be provided from the support member  110 . Indication marks (not shown) may additionally be provided to communicate the biasing force F created for a given position of the bias adjustment mechanism  170  and may further relate the biasing force F to a number of lines or wires that may be able to be carried up to some range of height or distance before the biasing force F would be overcome. 
   The bias adjustment mechanism  170  may also be secured to the first and second support arms  120 ,  130  by engagement of the first sliding portion  172  and the second sliding portion  174 . The first sliding portion  172  and the second sliding portion  174  may be positioned opposite one another and may have an elastic biasing member  177  connected therebetween. The elastic biasing member  177  may be, for example, a coiled spring, a rubber band, etc. Due to the construction of the bias adjustment mechanism  170 , the first and second sliding portions  172 ,  174  may be capable of engaging the first and second support arms  120 ,  130  and may slide up or down the support member  110  between the stops  112  to manipulate the biasing force F. The bias adjustment mechanism  170  may additionally be encased with, for example, a plastic box, a metal covering, etc. 
   The line support  200  may be employed as the line  99  may be positioned through the first and second support arms  120 ,  130 . The line  99  may be retained in a supported position due to the biasing force F that may be provided by the line support  200 . To support the line  99 , the bias adjustment mechanism  170  may be positioned at any desired position on the parallel portions of the first and second support arms  120 ,  130  so that the force required to overcome the biasing force F may be adequate for the carrying task. The distal end  125  may be separated so as to open the first support arm  120  and the second support arm  130  apart from one another when a force sufficient to overcome the biasing force F may be applied. To increase the biasing force F, the bias adjustment mechanism  170  may be slid toward the distal end  125  until it reaches the stops  112 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , bias adjustment mechanism  170  has been positioned near the distal end  125 . As discussed above, this position provides a greater biasing force F than if the bias adjustment mechanism  170  were moved closer to the proximal end  123 . The alignment retainer  160  may assist in preventing the line support  200  from scissoring. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates embodiments of a line support  300  of the invention. Line support  300  may include a support member  210  that may have an extended elongate body that may form a loop. The support member  210  may also have a first support arm  220  and a second support arm  230  that may have at least one stop  212 . The line support  300  may be optionally suspended from a strap  240  that may releasably attach to securing structures  101  such as, for example, a climbing belt, a belt loop, a body belt, etc. First and second support arms  220 ,  230  may also be configured to provide support to a line or wire  99  when the line  99  may be positioned through the first and second support arms  220 ,  230 . 
   The first support arm  220  may have an extended elongated construction and may be opposite from the second support arm  230  wherein the first and second support arms  220 ,  230  may meet at a proximal end  223  of the support member  210 . First support arm  220  may also abut the second support arm  230  at a distal end  225  of the support member  210  wherein the first and second support arms  220 ,  230  may be separated at the distal end  225 . As just described, the first and second support arms  220 ,  230 , may provide a positive biasing force F at the distal end  225 . The positive biasing force F may be found where the first support arm  220  has a constant force F pushing against the second support arm  230  at the distal end  225 . Thus, first and second support arms  220 ,  230  may be biased to abut one another. The first support arm  220  may have a first outer surface  224  and a first inner surface  226 . The first inner surface  226  may be used for supporting the line  99  when the support member  210  may be employed. 
   Second support arm  230  may have an extended elongated construction and may be opposite from the first support arm  220 . As mentioned above, the first and second support arms  220 ,  230  may meet at the proximal end  223  of the support member  210  and may form an undivided body. Second support arm  230  may abut the first support arm  220  at the distal end  225  of the support member  210 . The first and second support arms  220 ,  230  may also be separated at the distal end  225 . As discussed above, at the distal end  225  of the first and second support arms  220 ,  230 , the positive biasing force F may be provided. The positive biasing force F may be found where the second support arm  230  has a constant force F pushing against the first support arm  220  at the distal end  225 . Thus, as mentioned above, the first and second support arms  220 ,  230  may be biased to abut one another. Second support arm  230  may have a second outer surface  234  and a second inner surface  236 . Second inner surface  236  may be used for supporting the line  99  when the support member  210  may be employed. 
   The line support  300  may also have an alignment retainer  260 . Alignment retainer  260  may be provided at the distal end  225  of the support member  210 . The alignment retainer  260  may be provided to assist in positioning the first and second support arms  220 ,  230  in abutment. The alignment retainer  260  may assist in preventing the scissoring of first and second support arms  220 ,  230  that may be a result of the positive biasing force F. A protrusion  262  may be positioned on the distal end  225  of the first support arm  220  as shown in  FIG. 4 . A recess  263  may be provided opposite the protrusion  262  and may correspondingly mate with the protrusion  262 . The protrusion  262  and corresponding recess  263  may be implemented in a number of fashions such as, for example, a ball and socket, a linear protrusion and linear recess, etc. The alignment retainer  260  may be configured to position and support the support member  210  such that the first and second support arms  220 ,  230  may be retained in an abutting position by the positive biasing force F. The line  99  may thus be prevented from being damaged, caught or potentially twisting out of the line support  300 . 
   Positioned around the first and second arms  220 ,  230  and in partial contact with the first and second outer surfaces  224 ,  234 , may be a bias adjustment mechanism  270 . The bias adjustment mechanism  270  may be of different configurations such as, for example, a coiled spring, an elastic member, etc. Bias adjustment mechanism  270  may be freely positioned between the parallel portions of the first and second support arms  220 ,  230 . The first and second support arms  220 ,  230  may be configured to allow positioning by having an extended elongated construction. The closer that bias adjustment mechanism  270  may be secured to the distal end  225 , the greater the biasing force F may be provided from the support member  210 . Indication marks (not shown) may additionally be provided to communicate the biasing force F created for a given position of the bias adjustment mechanism  270  and may further relate the biasing force F to a number of lines or wires that may be able to be carried up to some range of height or distance before the biasing force F would be overcome. Due to the construction of the bias adjustment mechanism  270 , it may be capable of engaging at the first and second support arms  220 ,  230  and may slide up or down the support member  210  between the stops  212  to manipulate the biasing force F. 
   The line support  300  may be employed as the line  99  may be positioned through the first and second support arms  220 ,  230 . The line  99  may be retained in a supported position due to the biasing force F that may be provided by the line support  300 . To support the line  99 , the bias adjustment mechanism  270  may be positioned at any desired position on the parallel portions of the first and second support arms  220 ,  230  so that the force required to overcome the biasing force F may be adequate for the carrying task. The distal end  225  may be separated so as to open the first support arm  220  and the second support arm  230  when a force sufficient to overcome the biasing force F may be applied. To increase the biasing force F, the bias adjustment mechanism  270  may be slid toward the distal end  225  until it reaches the stops  212 . As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , bias adjustment mechanism  270  has been positioned toward the distal end  225 . As discussed above, this position provides a greater biasing force F than if the bias adjustment mechanism  270  were moved closer to the proximal end  223 . The alignment retainer  260  may assist in preventing the line support  300  from scissoring. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates the line support  100  as it may be in use with a lineman  600  on a pole  700 . As discussed above, the line  99  may be positioned through the line support  100  and may thus be supported therein. The line support  100  may further be optionally suspended from the strap  40  that may releasably attach to the securing structure  101 . As can be seen in the drawing, the lineman  600  is free to work while strapped onto the pole  700  while having the line  99  conveniently positioned and supported. 
   Other methods of attaching the line supports  100 ,  200 ,  300  to securing structures are within the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the invention. The line supports  100 ,  200 ,  300  may attach directly to a belt or other securing structure directly. In addition, the line supports  100 ,  200 ,  300  may also be carried by hand or otherwise configured to attach to different securing structures. 
   The alignment retainers  60 ,  160 ,  260  of the line supports  100 ,  200 ,  300  may also be shaped in a myriad of different shapes to prevent scissoring due to the positive biasing force F applied. Protrusions  63 ,  163 ,  263  may be positioned on the first support arm  20 ,  120 ,  220  while the recesses  62 ,  162 ,  262  may be correspondingly be positioned on the second support arm  30 ,  130 ,  230 , respectively. Other shapes and designs may be employed for assisting in the prevention of scissoring of the support members  10 ,  110 ,  210  when the line support  100 ,  200 ,  300  may be employed. 
   The embodiments of the invention represent significant improvements over line carrying devices. Those of ordinary skill in the art will, of course, appreciate that various changes in the details, materials and arrangement of parts which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention may be made by the skilled artisan within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.