BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to safety devices for climbers of tall structures such as a tower requiring vertical or near vertical climbing of a person. More specifically, the present invention relates to a new and useful safety harness for providing support to the climber during ascent and descent of the tall structure.

2. Background Information

Due to the imposition of laws and regulations regarding the protection of workers from falling off of elevated structures, companies in the relevant industry are faced with the task of providing protection for their workers on these elevated structures. At present, there is a multitude of towers, each of which may range from seventy-five (75) feet to one thousand five hundred (1,500) feet in height or taller. In order to reach various locations on the tower, the worker typically climbs the tower using the “free climbing” technique, i.e., the worker climbs up the tower using structural features of the tower itself for foot support. This action obviously exposes the workers to severe injuries or death if they should fall.

Thus, a need presently exists for a system which is low in cost and easy to use in application, that does not impede the worker's actions and/or movements, and that will protect the worker on the tower from a fall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a safety device that is particularly useful for assisting a climber in climbing tall structures such as a tower. The safety device includes a support harness that is worn by the worker and includes a pair of safety cables that can be releasably attached to the structure. Each end of the safety cables are provided with a snap hook designed to releasably connect to the structure.

In application, the safety harness is worn by the worker and as the worker ascends or descends the structure, the worker continuously releases and then connects one of the snap hooks to the structure such that at least one safety cable is connected to the structure at all times. This method provides constant protection from falls as the worker is continuously tethered from the structure.

The safety harness includes at least one sensor configured for attachment to each snap hook. The sensor for detecting whether the worker is ascending or descending the structure. When either ascending or descending, preferably a second sensor for detecting whether at least one of the snap hooks are connected to the structure as described. In the event the worker is either ascending or descending and neither of the snap hooks are connected to the structure, the device may signal the worker, for example an alarm, in order to notify the worker that a safety hazard exists.

