Title: Line support systems
Abstract: Embodiments of the invention may include a line support system having a first and a second support member that may be elongate and form a unitary body, or separate bodies secured together, on a proximal end of the line support and are separated at a distal end of the line support. The first and second support members may be configured such that support may be provided by a biasing force at the distal end of the line support as the first support member and the second support member are resilient. The first and second support members may also be in close proximity to one another substantially along their lengths when the first and the second support members are unoccupied. The line support may also comprise a sliding retainer that may be selectively positionable about the first and second support members and configured such that the biasing force may be selectively adjustable.
Patent Number: 6,991,201 Issued on 01/31/2006 to Diggle, III
| Inventors:
|
Diggle, III; Frederick James (Birmingham, AL)
|
| Assignee:
|
BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation (Wilmington, DE)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
648889 |
| Filed:
|
August 27, 2003 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
248/229.1; 182/5; 24/136.R |
| Current Intern'l Class: |
A47B 96/00 (20060101); A47L 3/04 (20060101) |
| Field of Search: |
248/2291,925
182/3,5,8
24/136.R
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 800050 | Sep., 1905 | Ayres.
| |
| 1010763 | Dec., 1911 | Hogan.
| |
| 1135248 | Apr., 1915 | Ball.
| |
| 1479150 | Jan., 1924 | Mellus.
| |
| 2440469 | Apr., 1948 | Goddard.
| |
| 3144695 | Aug., 1964 | Budwig.
| |
| 3250515 | May., 1966 | Hundall et. al.
| |
| 3289983 | Dec., 1966 | Mannardahi.
| |
| 3357520 | Dec., 1967 | Foote.
| |
| 3682276 | Aug., 1972 | Krauss.
| |
| 3791663 | Feb., 1974 | Allsop et al.
| |
| 3861497 | Jan., 1975 | Tsai.
| |
| 4019609 | Apr., 1977 | Wagner.
| |
| 4441233 | Apr., 1984 | Swift.
| |
| 4572464 | Feb., 1986 | Phillips.
| |
| 4765037 | Aug., 1988 | Perry.
| |
| 4834327 | May., 1989 | Byrne.
| |
| D310716 | Sep., 1990 | Trask.
| |
| 4990157 | Feb., 1991 | Roberts et al.
| |
| 5038888 | Aug., 1991 | Varner et al.
| |
| 5042113 | Aug., 1991 | Severson et al.
| |
| 5050273 | Sep., 1991 | Okura.
| |
| 5131491 | Jul., 1992 | Varner et al.
| |
| 5150504 | Sep., 1992 | Cohen.
| |
| 6029870 | Feb., 2000 | Giacona, III.
| |
| 6073315 | Jun., 2000 | Rasmussen.
| |
| 6119993 | Sep., 2000 | Youngblood et al.
| |
| 6648101 | Nov., 2003 | Kurtgis.
| |
Other References
U.S. Appl. No. 10/646,160 filed Aug. 22, 2003.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/645,950 filed Aug. 22, 2003.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/648,890 filed Aug. 27, 2003.
Carrier Handline B 0A07710, Apparatus Equipment and Tools, BellSouth Products
Catalog, Jan. 2003, p. 141.
|
Primary Examiner: King; Anita M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Potomac Patent Group PLLC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A line support, comprising:
a first support member having an elongate body;
a second support member having an elongate body, the first and second support
members secured to one another at a proximal end of the line support and positioned
such that support is provided by a biasing force at a distal end of the line support
wherein the first and second support members are resilient, and wherein the first
and second support members are in close proximity to one another substantially
along their lengths when the first and the second support members are unoccupied,
wherein the second support member further comprises at least two alignment channels
positioned at a distal end of the second support member and extending beyond the
second support member; and
a sliding retainer selectively positionable about the first and second support
members and configured such that the biasing force is selectively adjustable.
2. The line support of claim 1, further comprising at least one protrusion provided
at a distal end of at least one of the first and second support members and capable
of increasing grip of the biasing force.
3. The line support of claim 1, wherein the second support member further comprises
at least one stirrup portion positioned at a distal end of the second support member
and extending laterally outward from the second support member and forming a loop.
4. The line support of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second
support members has an attachment mechanism capable of attaching the line support
to a securing structure.
5. The line support of claim 1, wherein said first and second support members
form a unitary body at said proximal end of the line support and separate portions
at said distal end of the line support.
6. A line support, comprising:
a first support member having an elongate body;
a second support member having an elongate body, the first and second support
members secured to one another at a proximal end of the line support and positioned
such that support is provided by a biasing force at a distal end of the line support
wherein the first and second support members are resilient, and wherein the first
and second support members are in close proximity to one another substantially
along their lengths when the first and the second support members are unoccupied; and
a sliding retainer selectively positionable about the first and second support
members and configured such that the biasing force is selectively adjustable, wherein
the sliding retainer has a threaded bore therethrough for engagement with a securing
mechanism that engages at least one of the first and second support members and
is capable of retaining the sliding retainer in a selected position.
7. A line support, comprising:
a first support member having an elongate body;
a second support member having an elongate body, the first and second support
members secured to one another at a proximal end of the line support and positioned
such that support is provided by a biasing force at a distal end of the line support
wherein the first and second support members are resilient, and wherein the first
and second support members are in close proximity to one another substantially
along their lengths when the first and the second support members are unoccupied; and
a sliding retainer selectively positionable about the first and second support
members and configured such that the biasing force is selectively adjustable, wherein
the sliding retainer has teeth members for engagement with at least one of the
first and second support members and wherein the sliding retainer is releasably
biased in a selectable retained position.
8. The line support of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first and second
support members has a rigid surface for engagement with the teeth members of the
sliding retainer.
9. A line support, comprising:
a first support member having an elongate body;
a second support member having an elongate body, the first and second support
members secured to one another at a proximal end of the line support and positioned
such that support is provided by a biasing force at a distal end of the line support
wherein the first and second support members are resilient, and wherein the first
and second support members are in close proximity to one another substantially
along their lengths when the first and the second support members are unoccupied; and
a sliding retainer selectively positionable about the first and second support
members and configured such that the biasing force is selectively adjustable, wherein
the first support member further comprises a handle located at a distal end of
the first support member wherein the handle is configured to assist in opposing
the biasing force when pulled.
10. A line support comprising:
a first support member having an elongate body;
a second support member having an elongate body, the first and second support
members secured to one another at a proximal end of the line support and positioned
such that support is provided by a biasing force at a distal end of the line support
wherein the first and second support members are resilient, and wherein the first
and second support members are in close proximity to one another substantially
along their lengths when the first and the second support members are unoccupied; and
a sliding retainer selectively positionable about the first and second support
members and configured such that the biasing force is selectively adjustable, wherein
at least one sliding retainer stop is provided and positioned to prevent the sliding
retainer from being maneuvered past the at least one sliding retainer stop.
11. A line support, comprising:
a first support member having an elongate body;
a second support member having an elongate body, the first and second support
members secured to one another at a proximal end of the line support and positioned
such that support is provided by a biasing force at a distal end of the line support
wherein the first and second support members are resilient, and wherein the first
and second support members are in close proximity to one another substantially
along their lengths when the first and the second support members are unoccupied; and
a sliding retainer selectively positionable about the first and second support
members and configured such that the biasing force is selectively adjustable, wherein
at least one of the first and second support members provide indicators that relate
to the amount of biasing force provided for a given position of the sliding retainer.
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 first support member with an elongate
body and a second support member with an elongate body that may be secured to the
first support member at a proximal end of the line support. The first and second
support members may be positioned such that support may be provided by a biasing
force at a distal end of the line support as the first and second support members
may be resilient. The first and second support members may be in close proximity
to one another substantially along their lengths when the first and the second
support members are unoccupied. The line support may also have a sliding retainer
that may be selectively positionable about the first and second support members
and configured such that the biasing force may be selectively adjustable.
Embodiments of the present invention may include a line support system
having a first support position and a second support portion that may be elongated
and form a unitary body on a proximal end of the line support and may be separated
at a distal end of the line support. The first and second support portions may
be configured such that support may be provided by a biasing force at the distal
end of the line support as the first support portion and the second support portion
may be resilient. The first and second support portions may also be in close proximity
to one another substantially along their lengths when the first and the second
support portions are unoccupied. The line support may also comprise a sliding retainer
that may be selectively positionable about the first and second support portions
and configured such that the biasing force may be selectively adjustable.
Embodiments of the present invention may also include a line support
with a first and second support means for providing a biasing force. The first
and second means may be capable of supporting a line as the second means may be
secured to the first means on a proximal end of the line support. The first and
second means may also be in close proximity to the first means substantially along
their lengths when the first and second means are unoccupied. The biasing force
may be applied by the first and second means due to the first and second means
being resilient. The line support may further include an adjustment means for providing
a selectively adjustable biasing force. The adjustment means may also be selectively
positionable about the first and second means.
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. 2 is a side view of the line support of FIG. 1;
FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of an encircled portion of the line support of FIG. 2;
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the line support of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a front view of the line support of FIG. 1 wherein a line may be supported;
FIG. 5 is a side view of the line support of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a front view of an embodiment of a line support of the present invention
wherein a line may be supported;
FIG. 7 is a side view of the line support of FIG. 6;
FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of an encircled portion of the line support of FIG. 7;
FIG. 8 is a cross section of a sliding retainer of the line support system of
FIGS. 1-5;
FIG. 9 is a cross section of a sliding retainer of the line support system of
FIGS. 6-7; and
FIG. 10 is a side view of the line support of FIG. 5 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. 1-9
illustrate embodiments of the invention.
FIGS. 1-5 illustrate embodiments of a line support
10. The line support
10 may include a first support member
20 and a second support member
30. The line support
10 may be optionally suspended from a loop
40
that may releasably attach to securing structures
101 such as, for example,
a climbing belt, a belt loop, a body belt, etc. as shown in FIG. 10. The first
support member
20 and second support member
30 may also be configured
to provide support to a line
100 when the line
100 is positioned
between the two support members
20,
30 or behind the first support
member
20 within a stirrup
50 (or stirrup
150 shown in FIGS. 6-7).
First support member
20 may have an elongated construction and may be
attached to second support member
30 by fasteners
22 at a first proximal
end
23 of the first support member
20. Fasteners
22 may be
constructed from various suitable materials such as, for example, bolts, rivets,
etc. First support member
20 may also be in close proximity to the second
support member
30 substantially along the length of the first support member
20. "Close proximity" is defined herein as being, for example, abutting
or nearly abutting. First support member
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
100 when the line support
10 is employed
as will be discussed in greater detail below.
Second support member
30 also may have an elongated construction and
may have a shank
31 and a protrusion portion
37 located on a distal
portion
32 of the second support member
30. The second support member
30 may be attached to first support member
20 by fasteners
22
at a second proximal end
33 of the second support member
30. The
protrusion portion
37 on the distal portion
32 is located at a second
distal end
35 of second support member
30 and may also be in close
proximity to the first support member
20 on the first inner surface
26
substantially along the length of the second support member
30. The phrase
"substantially along the length of second support member
30" may be along
most, but not all, of the length of second support member
30. The protrusion
portion
37 on the distal portion
32 may be resilient. The second
proximal end
33 may extend beyond the first proximal end
23 such
that the second proximal end
33 may be used to provide a slot
39
for optionally attaching the loop
40. Loop
40 may have different
configurations such as, for example, a rawhide strap, etc. and may or may not be
needed to use the line support
10.
Stirrup
50 may be provided near the second distal end
35 of
the second support member
30 near the end of the shank
31. A first
stirrup portion
58 may be positioned on an opposite side of the second support
member
30 from a second stirrup portion
56. The first and second
stirrup portions
58,
56 may form a loop extending outward from the
end of the shank
31 of the second support member
30 to the protrusion
portion
37. Due to the configuration of the stirrup
50, vertical
support may be provided to the line
100 when the line
100 is positioned
behind the first support member
20 and hung through the stirrup
50
or stirrup
150 (as illustrated in FIGS. 6-7).
Alignment channels
66,
68 may also be provided at the second
distal end
35 of the second support member
30. First alignment channel
68 may be positioned on an opposite side of the distal portion
32
from second alignment channel
66. The alignment channels
66,
68
may extend beyond the first and second distal ends
25,
35 of the
first and second support members
20,
30, respectively. Due to the
configuration and position of the alignment channels
66,
68, lateral
support may be provided to the line
100 which may be secured to the line
support
10 by the biasing force F. The line
100 may thus be prevented
from moving side-to-side and potentially twisting out of the line support
10.
Positioned around the first and second members
20,
30 and
in partial contact with the first and second outer surfaces
24,
34,
may be a sliding retainer
70. The sliding retainer
70 may be of different
configurations such as, for example, a slipping wedge, etc. The sliding retainer
70 may have a securing mechanism
77 such as, for example, a thumbscrew,
etc. Sliding retainer
70 may be freely positioned between the fasteners
22 and a sliding retainer stop
72 when the securing mechanism
77
is disengaged. The sliding retainer
70 may be secured to one or both of
the first and second support members
20,
30 by engagement of the
securing mechanism
77. The closer that securing mechanism
77 may
be secured to the slider retainer stop
72, the greater the biasing force
F that may be available to the line support
10. Indication marks (not shown)
may additionally be provided to communicate the biasing force F created for a given
position of the sliding retainer
70 and may further relate the biasing force
F to a number of lines or wires that can be carried up to some range of height
or distance before the biasing force F would be overcome.
FIG. 8 illustrates embodiments of the sliding retainer
70. As shown in
FIGS. 1-5, sliding retainer
70 may be freely positioned between the fasteners
22 and sliding retainer stop
72 about the first and second members
20,
30. The sliding retainer
70 may have an inner wall
76
that may be in close proximity with the first and second outer surfaces
24,
34 and an outer wall
74. The securing mechanism
77 may be
provided to be received in a threaded bore
75. When the securing mechanism
77 is tightened against one of the first and second support members
20,
30, the sliding retainer
70 will be retained in the selected position.
As can be seen in FIG. 2A, the forward alignment channel
68 has a section
removed for viewing purposes and the rear alignment channel
66 can be seen
behind the first and second distal ends
25,
35 of the first and second
support members
20,
30, respectively. The distal portion
32
on the second distal end
35 of the second support member
30 may have
the protrusion portion
37 provided for being in close proximity with the
first distal end
25 on the first inner surface
26. Due to the first
and second proximal ends
23,
33 securing the first and second support
members
20,
30 together, the first inner surface
26 of the
first distal end
25 may be configured to be in close proximity to the protrusion
portion
37 of the second distal end
35 when the area between the
two is unoccupied. The protrusion portion
37 may be provided for increasing
the grip of the biasing force F. The first and second inner surfaces
26,
36 may be in close proximity to one another substantially along their lengths,
as the second support member
30 may not mirror the first support member
20, when the line support
10 is not in an open position and may otherwise
be unoccupied.
As can be seen in FIGS. 4-5, the line support
10 is employed and has the
line
100 positioned between the first and second support members
20,
30. In this embodiment, the line
100 may be retained in a supported
position due to the biasing force F that may be provided by the line support
10.
To support the line
100, the sliding retainer
70 may be positioned
at the first proximal end
23 of the first support member
20 to minimize
the force F required to overcome the biasing force F. The first distal end
25
of the first support member
20 may be pried back so as to open the area
between the first inner surface
26 and the protrusion portion
37.
The first distal end
25 may additionally have a handle (not shown) or other
structure for assisting in opposing the biasing force F by pulling the first distal
end
25 away from the second distal end
35. Once the area between
the first and second distal ends
25,
35 is opened, the line
100
may be fed therethrough. Thereafter the biasing force F may be reapplied by releasing
the first distal end
25 of the line support
10. To increase the biasing
force F, the sliding retainer
70 may be moved toward the first and second
distal ends
25,
35 and secured by the securing mechanism
77.
As can be seen in the drawings, sliding retainer
70 has been positioned
in close proximity to the sliding retainer stop
72. As discussed above,
the protrusion portion
37 may provide additional grip for the biasing force
F supplied by the line support
10.
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate embodiments of a line support
110 of the invention
as described below. The line support
110 may include a first support portion
120 and a second support portion
130. The first support portion
120
and second support portion
130 may form a unitary body at a proximal end
123 while being separated at a first distal end
125 and a second
distal end
135. The line support
110 may be optionally suspended
from a loop
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 portion
120 and second support portion
130 may also be configured
to provide support to the line
100 when the line
100 is positioned
between the two support portions
120,
130 (as shown in FIGS. 1-5)
or behind the first support portion
120 within a stirrup
150.
First support portion
120 may have an elongated construction and may
form a unitary body with the second support portion
130 at the proximal
end
123. First support portion
120 may also be in close proximity
to the second support portion
130 substantially along their lengths. First
support portion
120 may have a first outer surface
124 and a first
inner surface
126. First inner surface
126 may be used for retaining
the line
100 when the line support
110 is employed as will be discussed
in greater detail below.
Second support portion
130 also may have an elongated construction
and may have a shank
131 and a protrusion portion
137 located on
a distal portion
132 of the second support portion
130. The protrusion
portion
137 may also be in close proximity to the first inner surface
126
of the first support portion
120 substantially along their lengths as the
first and second support portions
120,
130 may not mirror one another.
The protrusion portion
137 on the distal portion
132 may be resilient.
The proximal end
123 may be used to provide a slot
139 for optionally
attaching the loop
140. Loop
140 may have different configurations
such as, for example, a rawhide strap, etc. and may or may not be needed to use
the line support
110.
Stirrup
150 may be provided near the second distal end
135
of the second support portion
130 near the end of the shank
131.
A first stirrup portion
158 may be positioned on an opposite side of the
second support portion
130 from a second stirrup portion
156. The
first and second stirrup portions
158,
156 may form a loop extending
from the end of the shank
131 of the second support member
130 to
the protrusion portion
137. Due to the configuration of the stirrup
150,
vertical support may be provided to the line
100 when the line
100
is positioned behind the first distal end
125 of the first support member
120 and hung through the stirrup
150.
Alignment channels
166,
168 may also be provided at the second
distal end
135 of the second support portion
130. First alignment
channel
168 may be positioned on an opposite side of the distal portion
132 from second alignment channel
166. The alignment channels
166,
168 may extend beyond the first and second distal ends
125,
135
of the first and second support portions
120,
130, respectively.
Due to the configuration and position of the alignment channels
166,
168,
lateral support may be provided to the line
100 which may be secured to
the line support
110 by the biasing force F. The line
100 may thus
be prevented from moving side-to-side and potentially twisting out of the line
support
110.
Positioned around the first and second portions
120,
130
and in partial contact with the first and second outer surfaces
124,
134,
may be a sliding retainer
170. The sliding retainer
170 may be of
different configurations such as, for example, a slipping wedge, etc. The sliding
retainer
170 may have a securing mechanism
177 such as, for example,
a rack of teeth, etc. Sliding retainer
170 may be freely positioned between
sliding retainer stops
172 when the securing mechanism
177 is disengaged.
The sliding retainer
170 may be secured to one or both of the first and
second support portions
120,
130 by engagement of the securing mechanism
177. The closer that securing mechanism
177 may be secured to the
first and second distal ends
125,
135, the greater the biasing force
F. Indication marks (not shown) may additionally be provided to communicate the
biasing force F created for a given position of the sliding retainer
170
and may further relate the biasing force F to a number of lines or wires that can
be carried up to some range of height or distance before the biasing force F would
be overcome.
FIG. 9 illustrates embodiments of the sliding retainer
170. As shown
in FIGS. 6-7, sliding retainer
170 may be freely positioned between the
sliding retainer stops
172 about the first and second portions
120,
130. The sliding retainer
170 may have an inner spring
179
that may be in close proximity with the first and second outer surfaces
124,
134 and an outer wall
174. The securing mechanism
177 may
be provided in conjunction with a complementary rack of teeth
127, as illustrated
in FIG. 7. When the securing mechanism
177 is engaged with the rack of teeth
127, the sliding retainer
170 may be retained in the selected position.
To reposition the sliding retainer
170, the outer wall
174 may be
pressed in a direction to disengage the securing mechanism
177 from the
rack of teeth
127 and thus compress the spring
179. When the disengaging
pressure on the outer wall
174 may be released, the sliding retainer
170
may then return to a retained position as the spring
179 forces the securing
mechanism
177 to engage the rack of teeth
127.
As can be seen in FIG. 7A, the forward alignment channel
168 has a section
removed for viewing purposes and the rear alignment channel
166 can be seen
behind the first and second distal ends
125,
135 of the first and
second support portions
120,
130, respectively. The distal portion
132 on the second distal end
135 of the second support portion
130
may have the protrusion portion
137 provided for being in close proximity
with the first distal end
125 on the first inner surface
126. Due
to the proximal end
123 securing the first and second support portions
120,
130 together, the first inner surface
126 of the first distal end
125 may be configured to be in close proximity to the protrusion portion
137 of the second distal end
135 when the area between the two may
be unoccupied. The protrusion portion
137 may be provided for increasing
the grip of the biasing force F. The first and second inner surfaces
126,
136 may be in close proximity to one another substantially along their lengths
when the line support
110 is not in an open position and may otherwise be unoccupied.
As can be seen in FIGS. 6-7, the line support
110 is employed and has
the
line
100 positioned behind the first support portion
120 and within
the stirrup
150. In this embodiment, the line
100 may be retained
in a supported position due to the biasing force F that may be provided by the
line support
110. To support the line
100 in this configuration,
the sliding retainer
170 may be positioned at the proximal end
123
of the line support
110. In this configuration the line
100 may be
first positioned through the second stirrup portion
156 and the first support
portion
120 and then positioned out through the first stirrup portion
158
and the first support portion
120. The line
100 that may be protruding
from between the first stirrup portion
158 and the first support portion
120 may then be allowed to droop a given length depending on the requirements
of the carrier. In this configuration, absent the line
100 slipping out
of the position behind the first support portion
120, the biasing force
F may retain the line
100 in the line support
110. To increase the
biasing force F, the sliding retainer
170 may be moved toward the first
and second distal ends
125,
135 and secured by the securing mechanism
177.
FIG. 10 illustrates the line support
10 as it may be in use with a lineman
600 on a pole
700. As discussed above, the line
100 may be
positioned through the line support
10 and may thus be supported therein.
The line support
100 may further be optionally suspended from the loop
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
100 conveniently positioned and supported.
Other methods of attaching the line supports
10,
110 are, within
the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the invention. The line supports
10,
110 may attach directly to a belt or other securing structure. In addition,
the line supports
10,
110 may also be carried by hand or otherwise
configured to attach to different securing structures.
Further implementations for allowing the line supports
10,
110
to open for positioning the line
100 to allow the biasing force F to be
applied are within the spirit and scope of the invention as well. The addition
of an extra length of the first support
20,
120 beyond the second
support
30,
130 may be implemented for this purpose, as well as other
like implementations may be used to assist in the separation of the first support
20,
120 from the second support
30,
130.
The distal portion
32,
132 of the second support
30,
130
may also be shaped in a myriad of different shapes to provide increased grip for
the biasing force F. Also, protrusion portion
37,
137 may be positioned
on the first support
20,
120. Other shapes and designs may be employed
for increasing grip on the line
100 when the line support
10,
110
is 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.
*
