FR2624026A1 - Device making it possible to climb a mast - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device, intended to be put on a person's feet, making it possible to climb a mast of constant cross section, without the aid of a third party and without modification of the mast. It consists of a rigid sole 1 having a U-shaped recess with a width adjusted to the cross section of the mast. Two straps 3 make it possible to fasten the device easily to each shoe of the climber. The device according to the invention may be used on any mast cross section (cylindrical, square, elliptical) and, more particularly, on sailing-boat masts.

Description

- DEVICE FOR CLIMBING A MAT
The present invention relates to a device making it possible to climb to a mast of constant section, over at least the elevation height, and more particularly to a mast of a sailing boat.

 It is often necessary to climb into the mature, either to carry out certain checks or to work there.

 Nowadays, there are two main ways to climb a mast.

 The first method is known as the Calfat chair.

 It lacks convenience since it requires two people to use it, and it is very difficult, if not impossible, to use it when the boat's drip is too large.

 The second way consists in installing along the mast, fixed or folding rungs forming steps.

 If the use of this means requires only one person, however, it requires drilling the mast for fixing the rungs, produces additional dunnage and discomfort in the back and forth of certain halyards.

 The device according to the invention overcomes these drawbacks.

 It is a simple device, which does not modify the mast and allows you to climb alone.

Other features of the invention will appear clearly in the following description, with reference to the appended figures which represent
- Figure 1: a view illustrating the use of the disposi
tif according to the invention,
- Figure 2: a top view of the device according to the in
vention,
- Figure 3: an explanatory diagram of the operation of the
device according to the invention,
- Figure 4: a variant of the device according to the invention
tion,
- Figure 5: another variant of the following device
the invention.

 - Figure 1 shows the mode of use of the device according to the invention.

 These are two elements intended to be placed, or more exactly, fitted by the climber.

 Each of the elements forming the device is shown in Figure 2 according to an exemplary embodiment. I1 is composed of a rigid sole (1).

 This sole has a U-shaped recess, of adjusted width, in which the mat is positioned.

 This recess is advantageously coated with a rubber band (4) having the role of protecting the mat and increasing the sliding resistance of the device.

 The bands can be removable so that they can be changed after wear.

 To the left or to the right of the recess, this sole has a location for placing the foot.

This location is provided with two straps (3) passing through the holes (5) in order to make the sole integral with the climber's foot. At the rear of this location, a stop (2) prevents the foot from moving back when the user removes the sole from the mat.

 This simple device is used by the wedging of each sole on the mast, the weight of the climber ensuring the wedging by a slight inclination with the horizontal.

 Once in place, the sole then serves as a step and allows the climber to hoist himself in order to position the other sole and so on to the top of the mgt.

 This device can be made of a light and resistant material, for example aluminum or a composite material based on synthetic fiber or even wood.

 Figure 3 shows the positioning of a sole with respect to the mast.

 Figure 4 shows a variant shape of the sole and its positioning relative to the mast.

 According to an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 5, the U-shaped recess of the device is mobile and allows to adapt to different mat sections.

 The part (7) slides in the part (8) in order to be adjusted to the desired opening width.

 The blocking is achieved by two screws (10) exerting a pressure which blocks the part (7) on the part (8).

 In order to avoid a possible sliding of the part (7) under the force, a notched strip (6) integral with the part (7) is positioned in a strip (9) also notched, integral with the part (8) as shown in the detail shown in Figure 5.

 The adjustment of the opening is obtained simply before use manually. For this, sliding is authorized by providing a width (Q) of the part (7) less than the width of the recess in the part (8). The rest of the device is unchanged.

Claims (8)

- CLAIMS 1 - Device for climbing a mast and which is intended to be fitted,  characterized in that it consists of a rigid sole (1)  having a machined recess, U-shaped, and of adjustable width  tee to the dimension of the mast section. 2 - Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the recess  in U shape is coated with rubber (4). 3 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the  sole has a stop (2). 4 - Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the sole  has hooking straps (3) to fix the device  at the foot. 5 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims,  characterized in that it can be made of aluminum. 6 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims  characterized in that it can be made of rigid composite material. 7 - Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the sole  is made up of two parts (7) and (8), the first sliding in  the second to make the opening of the recess variable. 8 - Device according to claim 7 characterized in that the two  parts (7) and (8) are arranged so as to allow blocking by  by pressing two screws (10).