Integrated climb assist and fall arrest systems and methods

Abstract

Integrated climb assist and fall arrest system and methods to assist users climbing ladders and vertical paths are disclosed. The integrated systems and comprise a controller connected to a user's harness, a static fall arrest cable, and a movable climb assist belt. The connection of the fall arrest components and the climb assist components may include physical connection, electronic connection, communication, or any combination thereof. The climb assist belt can be driven by a motor to provide an upwards climb assistance force to a user along a vertical path. The motor can be dynamically adjusted to continuously provide a level of climb assistance. The integrated controller is also configured to mechanically detect downwards movement and engage an overspeed braking mechanism when a threshold velocity or acceleration is detected.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An integrated climb assist and fall arrest system comprising:
 a static fall arrest cable;   a climb assist belt formed in a continuous loop;   an upper mount comprising a first sheave and an upper attachment for the static cable;   a lower mount comprising a motor, a second sheave, and a lower attachment for the static cable, wherein the motor continuously drives the climb assist belt around the first sheave and second sheave;   an integrated controller secured to the static cable, the climb assist belt, and a harness worn by a user,   wherein the integrated controller transfers an upwards force to the user from the climb assist belt driven by the motor, and prevents downward movement by locking the motor and preventing movement of the climb assist belt, or, secondarily, locking to the static cable when at least one of a threshold velocity and acceleration is detected; and   a control unit in signal communication with the integrated controller configured to receive at least one metric from the integrated controller and dynamically adjust the upwards force to the user.