Patent ID: 6907960
Filing Date: 2005-06-21
Classification: A62B

Abstract:
1. A safe auto-locking belay override mechanism for the sport of rock climbing; said safe auto-locking belay override mechanism for use with an auto-locking belay device containing a locking surface which rotates on an axle to pinch a rope against a fixed surface, thereby preventing further movement of said rope, in an event in which sufficient force is exerted on said auto-locking belay device by said rope such as in the event of a fall by a climber; said safe auto-locking belay override mechanism comprising an arm attached to said locking surface either directly or by way of said axle, said arm thus rotating with said locking surface as said locking surface rotates; said safe auto-locking belay override mechanism further comprising a pressure sensitive arm inhibition means; said pressure sensitive arm inhibition means inhibiting movement of said arm only when a relatively intermediate level of pressure is exerted on said pressure sensitive arm inhibition means; said pressure sensitive arm inhibition means being unable to inhibit movement of said arm when either a relatively high or relatively low level of pressure is exerted on said pressure sensitive arm inhibition means; relatively intermediate pressure exerted on said pressure sensitive arm inhibition means being sufficient to inhibit movement of said arm, thus restraining movement of said locking surface, thus overriding the rope locking function of said auto-locking belay device; relatively high or relatively low pressure exerted on said pressure sensitive arm inhibition means having no inhibiting effect on the movement of said arm, thus allowing said locking surface to rotate on said axle to pinch said rope in said event in which sufficient force is exerted on said auto-locking belay device by said rope; said safe auto-locking belay override mechanism thus providing safety by allowing said locking surface to lock said rope in the otherwise potentially dangerous situation in which a belayer panics, thus gripping said pressure sensitive arm inhibition means with greater force, when a climber falls after said belayer has blocked rotation of said locking surface by gripping said pressure sensitive arm inhibition means with intermediate force.