Secured carabiner

The carabiner comprises: a body defining an insertion slot of a rope extended by a securing area of the rope, a first clamp fitted movable between a standby position of the rope in the insertion slot and an obstruction position when the rope is in the securing area, the obstruction position being configured to prevent insertion of another rope in the securing area, a second clamp configured to allow movement of the rope from the insertion slot to the securing area and to prevent movement of the rope from the securing area to the insertion slot.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a carabiner presenting improved operation and more particularly to a carabiner which can be fitted at the top of a climbing route.

STATE OF THE ART

In conventional manner, a climber ascends a climbing route installing several belaying points as he/she progresses up the climb. When the climber reaches the top of the climb, he/she passes the rope through a fixed belaying point. The person who is belaying the climber slides the rope through the carabiner until the climber reaches the ground.

In climbing schools and especially in climbing gyms, the top of the climb is materialised by a carabiner or other belaying device. It is particularly advantageous to use a carabiner as installation of the rope is simple to implement.

However, the use of a carabiner gives rise to several safety problems. The carabiner does in fact have a movable gate enabling the rope to be inserted inside the ring defined by the carabiner, but the general configuration of the ring does not prevent the rope strand from passing back through the carabiner which results in the rope coming adrift from the carabiner.

To prevent this inconvenience, the Edelrid Company markets a carabiner which is intended to equip the top of climbing routes. The carabiner comprises a movable groove which is configured to accommodate insertion of the rope inside the carabiner and to then prevent the rope from being inserted in the carabiner again if a strand of rope is already present in the carabiner. Such a product is also disclosed in the document DE102014007993A1.

It is apparent that the use of such a product is not satisfactory as the rope can always escape from the carabiner in case of incorrect handling.

Another substantially identical embodiment is disclosed in the document CH706384 which proposes a carabiner with a clamping part that performs securing of the rope in two successive steps. The rope presses on a gate which actuates closing of an access slot to the inside of the carabiner until a securing area is reached where the rope is jammed and can no longer return to the access slot. To obtain this blocking, the blocking system is formed by means of a part of specific shape which collaborates with a ramp of the access slot. There again, it is apparent that this embodiment is not as efficient as expected, as the shape of the blocking system is linked to the shape of the ramp and to the diameter of the rope, which makes the carabiner particularly difficult to produce in industrial manner.

Provision of a carabiner limiting insertion of a second rope strand is also known from the document CH699865 which proposes to use a ratchet wheel arranged to rotate in one direction only. Such a method of proceeding proves particularly difficult to implement and not very efficient. If a second rope strand is inserted in the slot and presses on the ratchet wheel, this will in fact result in jamming of the first rope strand. When sliding takes place, the first rope strand will be damaged.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

One object of the invention is to remedy these shortcomings by proposing a carabiner which enables securing of the rope inside the carabiner to be improved while at the same time ensuring easy insertion in the carabiner.

For this purpose, the carabiner comprises:a body defining an insertion slot of a rope extended by a securing area of the rope,a first clamp fitted movable between a standby position of the rope in the insertion slot and an obstruction position when the rope is located in the securing area, the obstruction position being configured to prevent insertion of another rope in the securing area,a second clamp configured to allow movement of the rope from the insertion slot to the securing area and to prevent movement of the rope from the securing area to the insertion slot.

In one development, the carabiner comprises a first spring configured to place the first clamp in the standby position when the securing area does not contain a rope.

In a preferential embodiment, the first clamp comprises a first gate separating the insertion slot and the securing area so that the rope moves the first gate from a standby position to a securing position when the rope moves from the insertion slot to the securing area.

Advantageously, the first clamp comprises an obstacle integral to the first gate and fitted in movable manner so that movement of the first gate to the securing area results in the insertion slot being obstructed by the obstacle.

It is advantageous to provide for the first clamp to be fitted movable in rotation.

In preferential manner, the second clamp is a movable clamp configured to move between a standby position closing the securing area and an insertion position of the rope in the securing area.

It is also possible to provide for the carabiner to comprise a second spring configured to place the second clamp in the standby position.

In another embodiment, the second clamp is configured to obstruct the insertion slot when the second clamp is in the insertion position of the rope in the securing area.

In another development, the second clamp comprises a second movable gate separating the insertion slot and the securing area so that the rope moves the second gate from a standby position to the insertion position when the rope moves from the insertion slot to the securing area.

Preferentially, the second clamp comprises an obstacle integral to the second gate and fitted in movable manner so that movement of the second gate to the securing area results in the insertion slot being obstructed by the obstacle.

In a preferential embodiment, the first clamp and second clamp are fitted movable in rotation around the same axis of rotation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3represent opposite side views of a carabiner1in different stages of insertion of a rope for the two opposite lateral surfaces of carabiner1.

Carabiner1comprises a body2which defines a slot3for insertion of a rope4and slot3is extended by a securing area5of rope4inside body2. Body2can be of any shape. Body2defines a groove so as to form insertion slot3and securing area5. In this way, once rope4has been fitted in securing area5, it remains in the groove while being able to slide in order to enable the climber to perform his descent.

Body2can be made from any suitable material. In advantageous manner, body2is made from a metallic material. According to the embodiments, body2can be formed by a single part or by a set of parts fixed to one another.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 3, rope4is inserted in body2passing through insertion slot3and then moving inside body2until it reaches securing area5.

To prevent a second strand of rope4from also being able to enter securing area5resulting in rope4being released from carabiner1, it is provided to use a first clamp6.

First clamp6is fitted movable between a standby position of rope4and an obstruction position. In the standby position, first clamp6is configured to wait for rope4in insertion slot3. In the obstruction position, first clamp6is configured to prevent insertion of another rope4and in general manner of any other item in securing area5via insertion slot3. In the obstruction position, first clamp6is configured to obstruct slot3.

First clamp6is configured to be in the standby position when there is no rope4contained in securing area5. First clamp6is configured to be in the obstruction position when securing area5contains a rope4.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 3, first clamp6is initially in standby position when rope4enters insertion slot3. Then rope4moves until it reaches securing area5. During this movement, first clamp6closes slot3for example by means of an obstacle8which at least partially closes slot3.

In the illustrated embodiment, first clamp6comprises a first gate7which is fitted in movable manner. In advantageous manner, first gate7separates insertion slot3and securing area5so that rope4moves first gate7from a standby position to a securing position when rope4moves from insertion slot3to securing area5. As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 3, first gate7remains in contact with the rope along the whole of its path in the groove until it reaches securing area5. In advantageous manner, first gate7remains in contact with the rope when the rope is in securing area5.

In particularly advantageous manner, rope4moves along first gate7when it runs in the groove to prevent the formation of wear points on the first gate.

First clamp6advantageously comprises a movable obstacle8which moves between a standby position and an obstruction position. In the standby position, insertion slot3is free so as to allow insertion of a rope. In the obstruction position, obstacle8either partially or totally obstructs slot3so as to prevent insertion of a rope or any other item.

In the illustrated embodiment, first clamp6comprises a first obstacle8integral to first gate7. First obstacle8is fitted movable so that movement from first gate7to securing area5results in blocking of insertion slot3by first obstacle8.

Preferentially, first obstacle8is formed by an additional gate distinct from first gate7. First clamp6defines a groove the side walls of which at least partially form the first gate7and additional gate. In this way, rope4is inserted in slot3and comes up against the bottom of the groove defined by first clamp6to press on first gate7when descending to securing area5.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, first gate7is fixed to the additional gate. In this way, the driving movement of first gate7by means of rope4automatically results in a driving movement of the additional gate which will close insertion slot3. In the illustrated embodiment, first gate7and obstacle8are formed by a single part which enables a compact and efficient first clamp6to be achieved.

In the illustrated embodiment, first clamp6is fitted movable in rotation around an axis X. However, in an alternative embodiment, it is also possible to provide for first clamp6to be fitted movable in translation or in any other direction of movement.

It is particularly advantageous to provide for first gate7to cause actuation of obstacle8as this enables the obstacle to be actuated earlier in the insertion process of rope4. It is particularly advantageous to provide for first gate7to have a standby position in insertion slot3and not in securing area5as the risks of insertion of two strands of rope4in almost simultaneous manner are reduced. In this way, a large degree of freedom can exist in the diameter of rope which can be used or in the width of the groove and the shape of the groove. In the illustrated example, the groove is a single groove, i.e. a groove with side walls which are devoid of a rim and recess to block the rope and prevent the rope from escaping from the groove.

In advantageous manner, first clamp6is associated with a first spring9which presses on body2and which is configured to place first clamp6in the standby position. In other words, first spring9is configured so that first clamp6is in standby position when securing area5does not contain a rope4.

In preferential manner, first gate7of first clamp6is arranged to remain in contact with rope4from the moment the latter is inserted in insertion slot3until it is placed in securing area5. When rope4is drawn taut, it opposes the return force applied by first spring9. First clamp6is therefore in the obstruction position whereas rope4is located in securing area5.

In advantageous manner, body2defines a first blocking stop in the movement of first clamp6when the latter is in the obstruction position. This additional safety feature ensures that the obstacle preventing insertion of a new item in securing area5cannot be forced. As an alternative, the blocking stop can be formed by a housing fixed to body2.

It is also advantageous to provide for body2to define a second blocking stop in the movement of first clamp6in order to define the standby position. In this configuration, obstacle8can come into contact with body2or with the housing which opposes the return force applied by first spring9.

This configuration is particularly advantageous when first clamp6is fitted movable in rotation as it is possible to achieve first clamp6and the first and second stops which define the amplitude of actuation of first clamp6easily and compactly.

In particularly advantageous manner, obstacle8used to close insertion slot3is arranged so that the surface of carabiner1defining insertion slot3is devoid of any salient area liable to catch on a rope4in the obstruction position. In the illustrated example, obstacle8is arranged to form a surface which joins the two opposite ends of slot3on the periphery of carabiner1.

Carabiner1also comprises a second clamp10. Second clamp10is configured to enable movement of rope4from insertion slot3to securing area5. Second clamp10is also configured to prevent movement of rope4from securing area5to insertion slot3.

In other words, second clamp10is configured to enable movement of rope4inside the carabiner in a single direction. In this way, it is impossible for rope4to follow the path in the opposite direction to escape from carabiner1.

In advantageous manner, second clamp10is configured to prevent rope4from escaping before the rope4reaches the securing area5.

First clamp6is distinct from second clamp10so as to facilitate performance of the two functions, i.e. dissociating obstruction of the insertion slot3and escape of the rope through slot3from securing area5.

There again, it is particularly advantageous to use a second clamp10which is a movable clamp. According to the embodiments, second clamp10can be fitted in rotation, in translation, or with any other form of movement. The mode of movement of first clamp6can be different from the mode of movement of second clamp10.

In the illustrated embodiment, first clamp6and second clamp10are both fitted movable in rotation. In particularly advantageous manner, both clamps6and10are fitted movable in rotation around the same axis of rotation X which makes assembly and maintenance of the device easier to perform. It is however possible to use different axes of rotation between first clamp6and second clamp10.

In an embodiment that is advantageous as it is easy to achieve, second clamp10is configured to present a standby position in which second clamp10separates securing area5and insertion slot3. Second clamp10is also configured to present an insertion position in which second clamp10allows a rope to pass between insertion slot3and securing area5.

In a preferential embodiment, second clamp10is associated with a second spring11. Second spring11is configured to place second clamp10in the standby position when no load is placed on it.

It is advantageous to provide for second clamp10to revert to its standby position independently from the presence or not of a rope4inside securing area5.

In a particular embodiment, second clamp10presents a second gate12which is configured to separate insertion slot3and securing area5. Second gate12follows the movement of rope4until the insertion position in securing area5is reached. At this moment, rope4escapes from second gate12and second clamp10is returned to the standby position by means of second spring11. Advantageously, second clamp10comes up against the stop formed by body2.

In this way, second gate12closes securing area5, i.e. it defines a closed or almost closed ring so as to prevent rope4from escaping from securing area5. First gate7can therefore not return to its standby position and slot3is obstructed.

The different illustrated embodiments present a second clamp10which is provided with a single gate to close securing area5. However, in an embodiment that is not illustrated, it is possible to close securing area5with at least two parts which are fitted movable and which prevent rope4from escaping from securing area5, for example two opposite gates fitted on the two opposite side walls of the groove.

According to the embodiments, the two parts can be configured to move independently from one another or alternatively movement of one of the parts imposes movement of the other part.

There again, it is advantageous to provide for body2to form a blocking stop preventing movement of the gate of second clamp10when the latter is subjected to a force which attempts to open the clamp from securing area5.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment illustrated inFIG. 6a, second clamp10is provided with an obstacle13which is configured to prevent insertion of an item in securing area5when second clamp10is in the open position, i.e. in the position allowing communication between insertion slot3and securing area5.

This obstacle13enables the user who reaches the top of a climb to detect malfunctioning of second clamp10. Second spring11is in fact configured to bias second clamp10to the standby position. When second spring11is defective, for example broken, the latter no longer returns to the standby position and prevents insertion of rope4. The user knows immediately that the spring will not reset gate12to the standby position which closes securing area5. The user can then place second clamp10in the standby position manually, insert rope4and place second clamp10in the standby position to prevent rope4from escaping from the carabiner. The descent of the user will then take place in total safety and a maintenance operation will be performed on the defective carabiner1.

It is particularly advantageous to provide for second clamp10to be configured to at least partially close insertion slot3. In this way, the risk of rope4escaping from securing area5is reduced. This configuration enables securing of rope4to be ensured regardless of the diameter of rope4.

In the illustrated embodiment, first clamp6is separated from second clamp10by body2along an axis X which can be the axis of rotation of first clamp6and/or of second clamp10. The axis can also be an axis perpendicular to the sliding plane of first clamp6or of second clamp10.

In the illustrated embodiment, first clamp6and second clamp10are arranged on the same side of the opening defined inside body2. In other words, body2defines a slot3which has a bottom and two opposite side walls and the two clamps6and10are both fixed to the same side wall.

In an alternative embodiment, first clamp6is fixed to a first side wall and second clamp10is fixed to the other side wall so that when rope4runs through, the two fixing points of clamps6and10are separated by rope4.

It is naturally possible to fix either one or both of the clamps on the wall which forms the bottom of slot3.

If first clamp6and/or second clamp10are formed by several gates, it is also possible to provide for fixing points of first clamp6and/or of second clamp10to be located on the two opposite side walls.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, it is particularly advantageous to use a first spring9and second spring11which are separated by body2along the same axis which separates first clamp6and second clamp10.

It is also advantageous to provide for first clamp6to be located in a first housing14which is fixed to body2. First housing14defines a stop for one end of first spring9to press on. The other end of first spring9presses on first clamp6. As an alternative, the pressing point of the end of first spring9can be located on body2.

It is also advantageous to provide for second clamp10to be fitted in a second housing15which is fixed to body2. Second housing15defines a stop for one end of second spring11to press on. The other end of second spring11presses on second clamp10. As an alternative, the pressing point of the end of second spring11can be located on body2.

The first and/or second housings14and15can be formed by a metal part, for example a steel plate, an iron plate or an aluminium plate.

First clamp6and/or second clamp10can be formed by a metal part, for example a steel plate, an iron plate or an aluminium plate. In advantageous manner, body2is totally or partially made from steel.

The carabiner comprises fixing means enabling the carabiner to be fixed to another element, for example a fixed point which is located at the top of a climbing route.

In the illustrated example, the fixing means are formed by a hole16, but it is also possible to use a salient element, for example a screw, a nut or any other part enabling coupling with the fixed point.

In advantageous manner, the body presents a larger thickness close to securing area5in the areas designed to come into contact with rope4when the user is secured on one end of the rope. In the illustrated embodiment, the carabiner has two areas17aand17bof larger thickness located on the two opposite surfaces of body2.

It is particularly advantageous to provide for first gate7to be laterally offset with respect to rope4when the rope is in securing area5. In the illustrated embodiment, first gate7is oriented in substantially vertical manner so that the pressing force caused by rope4is limited. In this way, sliding of rope4when the user descends does not result in deformation of gate7. It is then possible to use a slimmer gate7than that which is used in the prior art and which supports rope4when sliding of the latter takes place.

In this configuration, second clamp10is dissociated from the rope when sliding of the latter takes place which prevents formation of a detrimental friction area. Obstacle8also prevents an additional rope from actuating gate12which can prevent a new rope from being inserted in the securing area but which presses on rope4which is also detrimental.

In the illustrated embodiments, the two clamps6and10are separated by body2. In an alternative embodiment, the two clamps6and10can be formed on one side of the body or they can be formed inside body2, i.e. the two housings14and15represented inFIG. 5are formed by body2and the central part of the body can be absent.

In preferential manner, the movement of obstacle8between the obstruction position and the standby position is different from the insertion movement of the rope so that the insertion force of the rope in the slot does not force the clamp to return to the standby position. This configuration makes it possible to use a first gate7and/or second gate12which present a flat contact surface with rope4. It is also possible to use a groove with flat side walls which facilitates manufacturing of the carabiner.

By separating blocking of rope4in the securing area and obstruction of slot3, the carabiner has an enhanced durability. First clamp6is not subjected to any force originating from the securing area and does not need to be configured to withstand opposing stresses caused by rope4attempting to escape from the securing area or by another strand of rope attempting to enter slot3.