Remote-Controlled Vertical Ascending and Descending Workstation

Abstract

An apparatus designed for climbing poles, trees and other such columnar objects. The apparatus is a remote-controlled work station that provides a scaffold for mounting semi-robotic articulated arms and video cameras. The articulated arm has a quick-release coupler on an end thereof that is able to repeatedly and releasably couple attachments thereto, such as saws, blades, and other pruning objects. The device includes an expandable frame that may be opened and closed to fit around the vertical structure to be climbed. The frame has horizontal and vertical supports, drive system compression supports, and wheels. A drive system is mounted to each of the drive system compression supports. The drive system includes motorized tracked-climbers that are maintained in contact with the vertical structure to be climbed via adjustable independent suspension. The suspension uses adjustable spring shocks and drive system slide rails to connect the frame to the drive system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vertical climbing workstation apparatus, the workstation apparatus comprising:
 a frame;   a powered drive system functionally coupled to the frame;   a suspension system functionally coupled to the powered drive system;   wherein the powered drive system is configured to engage a columnar object and under the condition that the powered drive system is operated the vertical climbing workstation apparatus moves with respect to the columnar object.   
     
     
         2 . The workstation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable suspension system is functionally coupled between the frame and the powered drive system and wherein the adjustable suspension system supports the powered drive system against columnar object. 
     
     
         3 . A vertical climbing workstation apparatus, the workstation apparatus comprising:
 an adjustable frame having adjustable rails configured to expand or contract to adjust dimensions of the adjustable frame;   a powered drive system functionally coupled to the frame, the powered drive system having a tracked-climber; and   a suspension system functionally coupled between the powered drive system and the adjustable frame, wherein the tracked-climber is configured to engage a columnar object and under the condition that the powered drive system is operated the workstation apparatus moves with respect to the columnar object.   
     
     
         4 . The workstation apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the powered drive system comprises three tracked-climbers individually coupled to the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The workstation apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein each of the tracked-climbers is coupled to a respective suspension system and each suspension system is configured to support the corresponding tracked-climber against the columnar object as the workstation apparatus ascends and descends the columnar object and thereby engages irregularities in the columnar object. 
     
     
         6 . A method of use for a vertical climbing workstation apparatus comprising:
 placing the workstation apparatus around a columnar object;   bringing tracked-climbers of a powered drive system into contact with the columnar object using a remote control;   activating tracks of the tracked-climbers to control ascension and decent of the workstation with respect to the columnar object; and   performing tasks on the columnar object.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 removing an adjustable rail from a frame of the workstation apparatus to place the workstation apparatus around the columnar object;   replacing the adjustable rail in the frame after the workstation apparatus has been placed around the columnar object;   adjusting the adjustable rail to expand or contract the frame;   operating the tracked-climbers by remote control to control the ascension and decent of the workstation apparatus on the columnar object;   performing tasks on the columnar object using a semi-robotic arm having a tool and a camera attached thereto;   retracting the tracks from the columnar object to allow the workstation to descend rapidly from the columnar object;   operating the tracked-climbers to control the descent of the columnar object until the columnar object reaches a ground surface;   removing the adjustable rail to remove the workstation apparatus from around the columnar object; and   removing the workstation from around the columnar object.