Patent Publication Number: US-7594874-B2

Title: Quick connect climbing hold

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to climbing walls and, more particularly, pertains to climbing holds and related mounting (fixing) systems. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Rock climbing is an activity enjoyed by many people, however climbing natural rock faces of ten requires traveling considerable distances. Climbing wall facilities have thus become popular as they provide practice and training for climbers locally. These facilities typically provide a vertical climbing wall with a variety of climbing holds mounted, i.e., bolted, on the surface that simulate a natural rock face. Facilities may include, but are not limited to, elementary schools, high schools, business establishments specializing in rock climbing, and gymnasiums. 
   A continuing challenge for operators of climbing wall facilities is to provide new, more challenging and varied climbing routes by varying the location or rotation of the climbing holds. The holds also are of diverse forms or shapes to further vary the climb. Nuts and bolts must be screwed or unscrewed each time a climbing hold is installed, removed, rotated, moved, or changed on or from the climbing wall. 
   Systems to provide a diversity of climbs are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,587 to Ulner, et al. discloses a series of metal tracks attached to a wall with bolts or the like, with a variety of holds adapted for attachment to the tracks at any location on the track. U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,058 to Savigny discloses a modular rough surface for attachment to a wall to provide a climbing surface wherein the rough surface provides the holds that the climber grasps during a climb. 
   Conventionally, many climbing walls use a grid of t-nuts mounted into a plywood or fiberglass wall surface as a means of bolting the climbing holds onto the wall. Some walls have permanent features sculpted onto the surface but use a t-nut grid to attach additional climbing holds. The holds may be relatively simple steps or bars, such as illustrated in the &#39;587 patent to Ulner, or molded from plastic, fiberglass, or the like to resemble features that would be found on a natural rock face. In the climbing wall of Savigny, molded feature portions or modules are attached to the wall to form a unified climbing feature that substantially covers the wall. Such larger climbing features covering a portion of the climbing wall are desirable as well. 
   Climbing holds are designed for climbing, training, and exercising on a wall, on an artificial climbing surface, or on an individual mechanical device. Climbing holds are grabbed and stepped by a climber in order to ascend up and down the wall. It is important for the holds to be rigidly secured to the climbing wall in order to prevent the hold from rotational or translational movement under the weight of the climber. 
   Known removable holds are fixed to their support by means of a mechanical bolt. Such a bolt fixing system enables the climbing hold to be installed, removed, rotated, moved, or changed only with the use of a box or allen wrench or both. Such a bolt fixing system requires considerable time and effort of a person capable of handling these tools, and the time and effort is multiplied by the number of climbing holds to be installed, removed, rotated, moved, or changed on or from the climbing wall. 
   Typically, artificial climbing walls are designed to enable the climbing hold to be securely fastened to the wall by the presence of the mechanical bolt, which is passed partially through an aperture extending through the middle area of the climbing hold and then threaded into some type of receiving nut, t-nut, or other fastener. The nut, t-nut, or other fastener may be permanently secured to the wall, or the nut or fastener may be threaded onto the mechanical bolt from behind the wall. 
   The holds are generally manufactured from molded resin material, and the presence of a large aperture for passage of the bolt generally in the middle area does however cause a weakening of the mechanical strength of the climbing hold. When the bolt is tightened too tightly, or from forces caused during the climber&#39;s normal climbing exercise, this type of hold can break. When the bolt is tightened too loosely, or from forces caused during the climber&#39;s normal climbing exercise, this type of hold will spin or rotate right or left. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,074,327 to Franklin describes a climbing hold, which is capable of being securely bolted to a climbing wall without fracturing. A reinforcing sleeve is therefore secured within the aperture of the hold body, so as to support a portion of the hold body. The sleeve includes a tubular portion extending partially through the aperture, and radially extending end faces to prevent translation of the hold body when bolted to the climbing wall. 
   Safety is always a concern with any sport, and the ability to remove the lower climbing holds from a climbing wall when not in use would help to prevent unauthorized or unsupervised climbing. Nevertheless, the climbing holds are generally left on the climbing wall when the wall is not in use because of the time and expense necessary to remove them. Some facilities remove the lower climbing holds or place a tarp over the climbing holds in order to eliminate unsupervised climbing. There would be a large time and expense benefit, not to mention safety benefit, for the removal of these climbing holds in a relatively quick and easy manner. 
   There is a need for a climbing hold that overcomes the problems associated with known climbing holds by providing a climbing hold that can be removably attached, rotated, and detached quickly and easily. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention provides systems and methods for a selectively rotatable climbing hold for use on a climbing wall with a quick connect fastener system. The invention comprises a first component and a second component to allow for quick connection of the climbing hold to a climbing wall. The climbing hold is sized and configured to be mounted to the many already existing climbing walls without incurring major and costly changes, and can also be easily incorporated into the design of new climbing walls. 
   One aspect of the invention comprises a climbing hold for releasable securement to a climbing wall. The climbing hold comprises a first component and a second component. The first component or the second component includes a shaft, and the other one of the first component or the second component includes a bore, and the shaft is positioned within the bore to releasably secure the climbing hold to the climbing wall. The shaft may further include a portion having a polygon shape or a spline, the portion having the polygon shape or spline is sized and configured to be positioned within a mating shape of the bore. 
   In addition, the first component or the second component may include a projecting cleat to engage the climbing wall to reduce rotation of the climbing hold. The first component or the second component may also include a detent and the other one of the first component or the second component may include an indent, the detent being releasably receivable by the indent to releasably secure the climbing hold to the climbing wall. 
   Another aspect of the invention comprises a climbing hold for releasable securement to a climbing wall. The climbing hold comprises a female component for securement to the climbing wall, the female component including a bore, a male component, the male component including a climbing hold body and a lock pin having a shaft extending from the climbing hold body, and wherein the shaft of the male component is inserted into the female component to releasably secure the male component to the female component and the climbing wall. The shaft of the lock pin may further include a portion having a polygon shape or a spline, the portion having the polygon shape or spline being positioned within a mating shape of the bore of the female component. An activating tool may be required to allow the male component to be releasably secured and/or released to or from the female component. 
   Yet another aspect of the invention provides a climbing hold body for quick connect attachment to a climbing wall. The climbing hold body comprises a molded climbing hold body having an exposed surface and a climbing wall facing surface, a shaft having an exposed surface, the shaft extending outward from the climbing wall facing surface of the molded climbing hold body, and the shaft has a detent or an indent. 
   Yet an additional aspect of the invention provides in combination, a climbing hold, a climbing wall, and means for releasably securing the climbing hold to the climbing wall. The releasably securing means comprises first and second latching components, the first latching component comprises a bore containing an indented surface area and the second latching component comprises a shaft insertable in the bore of the first latching component and contains a latch detent engageable with the indented surface area, for retention of the shaft within the bore. Biasing means are included and are arranged to bias the detent into latching engagement with the indented surface area. Means for releasably disengaging the detent from the biased latching engagement with the indented surface area are also included. The detent may comprise a circumferential groove and the indent may comprise a ball sized and configured to fit within the circumferential groove. 
   Yet another aspect of the invention provides a method of releasably securing a climbing hold to a climbing surface, the climbing hold including a first component and a second component. The method comprises securing a first component to the climbing surface, positioning a second component in a mating relationship to the first component, the second component including a climbing hold body, and pushing the second component onto or into the first component for releasably securing the climbing hold to the climbing surface. The method may further include pushing an activation tool into a front surface of the climbing hold body to releasably secure the climbing hold to the climbing surface. 
   Yet another aspect of the invention provides a climbing hold using a male component and a female component. The male component is threaded on one end and includes a polygon shaped shaft (e.g., triangle, quadrilateral, hexagon, octagon), or spline shaft on the other end. The threaded-end is threaded into an existing nut, t-nut, or fastener located on or behind an existing mounting surface (i.e., climbing wall) and securely fastened. Once attached to the climbing wall, the shaft of the male component protrudes outwardly from the climbing wall in such a manner to accept the female component. 
   The female component comprises a climbing hold body having a mechanical device secured within a recess of the climbing hold body, the mechanical device being similar to the device as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,692,073 to Martindell, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. By eliminating the large aperture extending completely through the center of the climbing hold body, the mechanical strength of the climbing hold is increased. In addition, the mechanical device eliminates the potential for climbing hold breakage resulting from over-tightening of the nut and bolt fixation systems. 
   The mechanical device includes a bore having a shape to receive the polygon shaped or spline shaft. The female component receives the male component and quickly and easily locks the male component within the female component. An activating tool may be used to allow the male component to be locked within the female component. The mechanical device, such as illustrated in the &#39;073 patent, is firmly secured within the recess of the climbing hold body and will not spin, rotate, or pull away from the climbing hold body. The female component is considered to be one complete unit, whereby the climbing hold body cannot be removed from the mechanical device without damaging or breaking the female component. The female component will receive the polygon (e.g., hexagon) shaped or spline shaft of the male component. The hexagon shape or spline shaft will not allow the female component to freely spin or rotate around the male component, but it does allow selective positioning of the climbing hold. Each surface of the polygon or spline shaft provides a distinct climbing hold orientation. 
   The threaded end of the male component may include commonly used right hand threads. Thereby, right hand forces will tighten the male component to the climbing wall more securely and left hand forces will loosen it. If the male component is not tightened to the wall properly the male component along with the female component may spin loose to the left. In order to alleviate this possible loosening effect, a washer with protruding cleats may be placed between the climbing wall and the back surface of the male component. When the male component is tightened, the washer cleats will be embedded into the climbing wall front surface and the diagonal lock grooves of the male component will be embedded into the washer face in order to prevent left handed rotation. In addition, to further prevent the possibility of spin or rotation, a lock nut can be placed on the threaded ended of the male component behind the climbing wall and securely tightened. 
   The female climbing hold component can be released from the male component using an activating tool, which may be inserted into one or more small passages located on the front surface of the climbing hold and pressed against the release mechanism of the mechanical device. The female component can then be removed, rotated, moved, or changed quickly and easily with a simple push and pull motion. 
   The female climbing hold component may utilize a mechanical device similar to the device described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,692,073, which may be modified in order to be securely molded into the recess of the climbing hold body. The modifications may include a barrel shaped encasement formed around the outer cylindrical spindle so that resin will not seep into the spring, ball, and sleeve areas during the molding process. The modifications may also include reshaping the spindle and ears so that the climbing hold body cannot be separated from the mechanical device. Generally, climbing holds have a body made of molded resin, or cast material, such as synthetic plastic, polyurethane, metal ceramics, etc. The mechanical device can be made of steel, aluminum or stainless steel, for example. 
   The mechanical device utilizes a ball retained in a groove of the male component to releasably secure, i.e., lock, the male component in place. The ball is trapped between a spring biased movable sleeve and the bottom surface of the female bore. In this configuration, the ball is free to move in and out radially with respect to the longitudinally axis of the female bore because of manufacturing tolerances and clearances. The ball is accordingly loose and free to move both axially and radially. Positive holding of the male component against an extraction force is not accomplished until sufficient axial movement of the sleeve has taken place to wedge the ball between the back radius of the male component and the surface of the sleeve bore. 
   Examples of other mechanical devices similar in principal to the mechanical device discussed above include, U.S. Pat. No. 1,602,708 to Russell, U.S. Pat. No. 2,618,940 to Wyzenbeek, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,184,692 to Benson, et al. A feature common to these devices is a detenting ball which is entrapped between a sleeve and a recess. However, the ball is loose and is without a constant bias. The &#39;692 and &#39;708 patents utilize a plurality of balls detenting into a dimple in a cylindrical tool shank. The dimples and trapped balls provide resistance to both rotational and lateral movement of the tool relative to the spindle of the chuck, but only after tolerance and clearance spacing is taken up. The &#39;940 patent likewise utilizes a plurality of balls trapped by a sleeve in a groove. A spline is utilized for rotational locking. 
   The mechanical device of the present invention uses a combination of normal and tangential forces to hold the male component in place within the female component. The normal tangential forces, as applied by the mechanical device of the present invention, securely lock the female component to the male component without allowing longitudinally or axial movement of the male or female components. And, once the climbing hold is properly fastened to the climbing wall, the climbing hold will not spin, rotate, or pull away from the climbing wall. 
   An additional aspect of the invention comprises a climbing hold including a male component and a female component, but the roles of the male and female components are reversed. The male component comprises a climbing hold body and a positive lock pin, with the positive lock pin being partially secured within a recess of the climbing hold body. The positive lock pin comprises a polygon shaped (e.g., triangle, quadrilateral, hexagon, octagon) or spline shaft that protrudes outwardly from the climbing hold body. The female component comprises an externally threaded bore, which is securely fastened to the climbing wall. The threaded bore includes protruding cleats, which will embed themselves into the wall when tightened in order to prevent rotation of the female component. Alternatively, the female component may be permanently molded directly into the wall. Again, the female component receives the male component and quickly and easily locks the male component in place using an activating tool. 
   In use, the female component is inserted into the climbing wall and securely fastened by a threaded nut and washer on the back side of the climbing wall. Rotational forces of the female bore are eliminated by the protruding cleats, which are embedded into the climbing wall front surface when the threaded nut is securely fastened. The male component includes a positive lock pin partially molded inside the recess of the climbing hold body. The portion of the positive lock pin that is not molded inside the recess of the climbing hold may be a polygon or spline shaft, which is received by the female bore. Within the positive lock pin is a plunger, which activates outwardly extending steel balls to seat and lock the hexagonal or spline shaft inside the female bore. The hexagonal or spline shape of the shaft and the matching shape of the receiving female bore prevent any rotation of the climbing hold. The hexagonal or spline shaft is of sufficient size and diameter in order to hold the weight of a climber while ascending or descending the climbing wall. This is known as shear strength, which is the primary force place on a climbing hold. 
   The male component can be released from the female bore using an activating tool, which may be inserted into one or more small passages on the front surface of the climbing hold body and pressed against the release button of the positive lock pin. The male climbing hold component can then be removed, rotated, moved, or changed quickly and easily with a simple push and pull motion. 
   The positive lock pin may be modified in order to be securely molded into the climbing hold body. The modifications may include a barrel shaped encasement being formed around the top end or button so that resin will not seep into the tubular or compression spring areas of the pin during the manufacturing process. The modifications may also include the addition of a cylindrical ring and ears, or other retaining features, to the top end so that the climbing hold body cannot be separated from or spin or rotate freely around the positive lock pin. Generally, climbing holds have a body made of molded resin, or cast material, such as synthetic plastic, polyurethane, metal ceramics, etc. The positive lock pin can be made of steel, aluminum or stainless steel, for example. 
   The positive lock pin utilizes a ball retained in a groove of the shaft portion of the pin. The ball is trapped between a spring biased movable plunger and the inside surface of the externally threaded female bore. In this configuration, the ball is free to move in and out radially with respect to the longitudinally axis of the hexagonal surface of the pin because of manufacturing tolerances and clearances. The ball is accordingly loose and free to move both axially and radially. Positive holding of the positive lock pin against an extraction force is not accomplished until sufficient axial movement of the plunger and compression spring has taken place to wedge the ball between the outside radius of the plunger and the inside surface of the female bore. 
   The positive lock pin of the present invention uses a combination of normal and tangential forces to hold the male component in place within the female bore. The normal tangential forces, as applied by the positive lock pin of the present invention, securely lock the male component to the female component without allowing longitudinally or axial movement of the male or female components. 
   Additional features of the present invention may include: 1) rubber or other flexible welting around the backside edge of the climbing hold in order keep pressure on the climbing hold and to fill any gaps between the wall and climbing hold aperture because not all climbing walls consist of a flat surface, 2) rubber or plastic plugs for the small passages on the front surface of the climbing hold in order to keep caulk or other debris from entering the mechanical device or positive lock pin, 3) an integrally molded diaphragm between the small passages on the front surface of the climbing hold and the mechanical device or positive lock pin in order to keep caulk or other debris from entering the mechanical device or positive lock pin. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where; 
       FIG. 1  is a side view in partial section of one embodiment of the present invention showing a climbing hold removably connected to a climbing wall and an activation tool used to connect and release the climbing hold from the wall. 
       FIG. 1A  is an exploded view of the climbing hold shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a mechanical device molded within the climbing hold shown in  FIG. 1 , and also showing a male component prior to securing to a climbing wall. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a barrel shaped encasement that may be used to partially enclose the mechanical device molded within the climbing hold of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the male component shown in  FIG. 2 , the alternative embodiment having a spline shaft portion. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view in partial section taken generally along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1 , showing the mechanical device having the male component disposed within the bore and releasably locked in place. 
       FIG. 5A  is a view in partial section of an alternate embodiment of a portion of the spindle illustrated in  FIG. 5   
       FIGS. 6A ,  6 B,  6 C are enlarged views in partial section of a portion of the mechanical device shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating the operation thereof. 
       FIGS. 7 ,  7 A, and  7 B are perspective views of activating tools that may be used with the present invention. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  are side and top plan views of a washer with outwardly projecting cleats. 
       FIG. 10  is a side view in partial section of an additional embodiment of the present invention showing a climbing hold removably connected to a climbing wall and an activating tool used to connect and release the climbing hold from the wall. 
       FIG. 10A  is an exploded view of the climbing hold shown in  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the mechanical pin molded within the climbing hold shown in  FIG. 10 , and also showing the female bore component prior to securing to a climbing wall. 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the mechanical pin shown in  FIG. 11 , the alternative embodiment having a spline shaft portion. 
       FIG. 13  is a side view in partial section of the climbing hold of  FIG. 10 , showing detail of the mechanical pin. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiments have been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
   Referring now to the Figures, an artificial climbing hold is illustrated which can be easily, quickly, and removably connected to a climbing structure. 
   One embodiment described herein comprises a first component (or first latching component) and a second component (or second latching component). The first component or the second component includes a climbing hold, and the other one of the first component or the second component includes a male component, the male component for attachment or securement to a climbing structure. The climbing hold has a quick connect mechanical device, which includes a spring biased sleeve having an inclined cam surface disposed against a ball or detent, and the ball in turn applies normal and tangential forces against a groove or indent in the male component to hold the male component in a bore. The sleeve is urged into contact with the ball by a compression spring disposed between a spindle and the sleeve. A ring secured to the spindle limits the movement of the sleeve in one direction, and the compression spring and the spindle limit the movement of the sleeve in the opposite direction. Through the cam surface, normal and tangential forces are applied by the ball against the groove in the male component to hold the male component firmly in the climbing hold bore to secure the climbing hold to the climbing structure. The holding action accomplishes a locking of the male component in place without allowing or permitting any longitudinal or axial movement. The holding action may be released by inserting an activating tool into the climbing hold which in-turn presses on the sleeve in a direction to offset the force of the spring and allowing the ball to return to a position which allows the male component to be removed from the bore of the climbing hold. 
     FIGS. 1 and 1A  show an embodiment of a climbing hold  400  having the features of the present invention as described above, and includes the female component  402 , male component  100 , climbing wall  406 , locking nut  410 , t-nut  408 , and activating tool  300 . The female component  402  includes a climbing hold body  403  and a mechanical device  10 . The climbing hold body  403  may be of any of a variety of amorphous design having a configuration in order to simulate a climbing formation, e.g., a natural rock formation. The climbing hold body  403  provides a surface to which a climber may either grab or stand upon in order to traverse the climbing wall. The climbing hold body  403  may be formed of a molded polyester resin, which allows the climbing hold body  403  to be formed in a wide variety of shapes and sizes in order to accommodate a particular design requirement. Generally, the climbing hold body  403  may be made of molded resin, or cast material, such as synthetic plastic, polyurethane, metal ceramics, etc. 
   The mechanical device  10  is securely molded into a cavity of the climbing hold body  403 . A barrel shaped encasement  40  surrounds the mechanical device  10  so that resin will not seep into the inner workings (e.g., spring  80 , ball  90 , and sleeve areas  60 ) of the mechanical device  10  during the molding process. The mechanical device  10  may also include retentive means, such as a spindle  12  with ears  14  and a cylindrical ring  16  so that the climbing hold body  403  cannot be separated from the mechanical device  10  (see  FIG. 2 ). The mechanical device  10  can be made of steel, aluminum or stainless steel, for example. The climbing hold  400  is secured to a climbing wall  406  by way of the female component  402  including the mechanical device  10  and the male component  100 , which is threadably engaged with a t-nut  408  or other fastener embedded in the wall. Locking nut  410  is then threaded on to male component  100  for additional anti-spin characteristics. Climbing wall  406  is typically a man made structure formed of a variety of materials such as wood, fiberglass, acrylic, polycarbonate, etc. 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the male component  100  and the mechanical device  10  molded within the climbing hold body  403 . The mechanical device  10  is shown spaced apart from the male component  100 , which is slidably insertable into the mechanical device  10 . The mechanical device  10  includes a spindle  12 . At the rear end of the spindle  12  are a plurality of radially outwardly extending ears  14 . The ears  14  prevent the relative rotation of the spindle  12  from the climbing hold body  403 , shown generally in phantom. Also, at the very rear end of the spindle  12  may be a cylindrical ring  16  in an outward circumference from the spindle  12 . The cylindrical ring  16  prevents the lateral release of the mechanical device  10  from the climbing hold body  403 . 
   The spindle  12  includes a front end  18 , which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spindle  12 . Extending rearwardly from the front end or front face  18  is an internal bore  20 . The internal bore  20  is illustrated as being of a hexagonal configuration. The male component  100  includes a hexagonal shank  102  which is adapted to be slidably received into, or to extend into, the hexagonal bore  20 . 
     FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the mechanical device  10  encased in the barrel shaped encasement  40 , shown generally in phantom view. The barrel shaped encasement  40  prevents resins from entering the sleeve  60 , spring  80 , and ball  90  located on the mechanical device  10 . 
     FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternative mechanical device  200 , which is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 2  except for a plurality of longitudinally axially extending flutes  202  at the protruding end of the male component  100 . The flutes  202  perform substantially the same function as the hexagonal configuration, namely preventing relative rotational movement between the mechanical device  10  and male component  100 . An alternative description may also be known as a spline shaft. 
   As seen in  FIG. 2 , the hexagonally shaped internal bore  20  extends rearwardly from the front end  18  of the spindle  12 . The longitudinal axis of the bore  20  is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the spindle  12 . The front end  18 , which defines a front face, is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of both the spindle  12  and the bore  20 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 5 , the bore  20  includes a rear end  22 . The rear end  22  defines a rear face, which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bore  20  and is substantially parallel to the front end or face  18  of the spindle  12 . 
   Extending radially inwardly on the spindle  12  from a front cylindrical portion  24  is a shoulder  25 . The cylindrical portion  24  and the shoulder  25  are disposed just rearwardly of the front end  18 . Rearwardly of the shoulder  25  is a circular or cylindrical portion  26 . The diameter of the cylindrical portion  26  is less than the diameter of the front cylindrical portion  24 . Rearwardly of the cylindrical portion  26  is an external threaded portion  28 . 
   At about the juncture of the threaded portion  28  and the circular or cylindrical surface  26  is a radially extending bore  30 . The bore  30  communicates with the bore  20 . The bore  30  extends through the cylindrical portion  26  of the spindle  12 . 
   At the juncture of the bores  20  and  30  there is a retainer lip  32 . The retainer lip  32  extends inwardly to decrease the diameter of the radial bore  30  at the juncture of the bores  20  and  30 . A ball  90  is disposed in the bore and is retained in the bore  30  by the retainer lip  32 , or is prevented from falling out of the bore  30  by the lip  32 . However, as shown in  FIG. 6A , the lip  32  allows the ball  90  to extend a substantial distance into the bore  20 . 
   The diameter of the ball  90  is slightly less than the diameter of the radial bore  30 . There is accordingly very little side-to-side movement of the ball  90 . However, the ball  90  moves axially in the bore  30 , as will be discussed below. The axis of the bore  90  is substantially perpendicular to, and is centered on, one of the hexagonal flats or faces of the bore  20 . 
   The barrel shaped encasement  40  is disposed about the spindle  12  on the threaded portion  28 . The barrel shaped encasement  40  includes an internally threaded bore  42 , which threadably engages the externally threaded portion  28  of the spindle  12 . 
   At the inside of the barrel shaped encasement  40  is a front face  44 . The front face  44  is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spindle  12 . Extending rearwardly from the front face  44  is a relatively short cylindrical portion  46 . At the rear of the cylindrical portion  46  is a radially outwardly extending ring  48 . An inwardly cylindrically bore  55  extends rearwardly from the front face  59 . A rear face  52  extends from the outer cylindrical portion  54  to the threaded bore  42 . The rear face  52  is substantially parallel to the front face  44 . Two cylindrical shaped access holes  50  penetrate the barrel shaped encasement  40  from the rear face  52  to radially outwardly extending ring  48 , in order to insert the fingers  307  of the activating tool  300 . The activating tool applies a forward pressure against the rear end face  64  of sleeve  60  to provide freedom of movement of ball  90 . 
   After the barrel shaped encasement  40  is secured to the spindle  12 , by the threaded engagement of the threaded portion  28  and threaded bore  42 , the internal mechanisms are protected from resins during the molding process of the climbing hold body  403 . 
   A moveable sleeve  60  is disposed about the spindle  12  and forwardly inside the barrel shaped encasement  40 . The sleeve  60  includes a front end face  62 . The face  62  is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spindle  12 , as are the outer faces or front and rear surfaces as indicated herein. Parallel to the front end face  62  is a rear end face  64 . The rear end face  64  is facing the shoulder  48  of the barrel shaped encasement  40 . 
   Between the front end face  62  and the rear end face  64  is a cylindrical center section or portion  66 . Relatively short cylindrical portions are disposed between the center cylindrical portion  66  and the faces  62  and  64 . The relatively short cylindrical portions have diameters preferably slightly greater than the diameter of the center cylindrical portion  66 . 
   Within the sleeve  60  is a front bore  68 . The bore  68  extends rearwardly from the front face  62 . The diameter of the bore  68  is slightly larger than that of the relatively short cylindrical portion  24  of the spindle  12 , and the diameter of the bore  68  is accordingly substantially larger than that of the circular or cylindrical surface  26  of the spindle  12 . 
   At the rear of the bore  68 , remote from the front end face  62 , is a radially inwardly extending shoulder  70 . The shoulder  70  extends between the front bore  68  and a center bore  72 . The diameter of the center bore  72  is slightly larger than that of the cylindrical portion  26  of spindle  12 . The center bore  72  extends rearwardly from the shoulder  70  a relatively short distance. 
   Extending rearwardly from the center bore  72  is conically tapered bore  74 . The conical bore  74  tapers outwardly and rearwardly from the center bore  72  to an enlarged diameter rear cylindrical bore  76 . The diameter of the cylindrical bore  76  is slightly greater than that of the cylindrical portion  46  of the barrel shaped encasement  40 . The cylindrical portion  46  of the barrel shaped encasement  40  is disposed partially within the bore  76 . 
   A compression spring  80  extends between the shoulder  25  of the spindle  12  and the shoulder  70  of the sleeve  60 . The spring  80  is disposed about the cylindrical portion  26  of the spindle  12 , and within the front bore  68  of the sleeve  60 . The spring  80  urges the sleeve  60  rearwardly against the shoulder  48  of the barrel shaped encasement  40 . 
   The diameter of the ball  90 , which ball is disposed within the radially extending bore  30  of the spindle  12 , is substantially greater than the thickness of the cylindrical portion of the spindle  12  through which the bore extends. It follows that the diameter of the bore  30  is greater than the overall length of the bore. The ball  90  accordingly extends partially out of the bore  30  and into the bores  74  and  76  of the sleeve  60 , partially into the hexagonal bore  20  of the spindle  12 . 
   Under the urging of the compression spring  80 , the conically tapered surface  74  of the sleeve  60  urges, by a spring  80 , the ball  90  downwardly through the bore  30  of the sleeve  12  and into the hexagonally configured internal bore  20 . Under the urging or bias of the spring  80 , the ball  90  is cammed downwardly by the conical surface  74  until the ball is stopped in its radially inward or downward movement into the bore  20  by the retainer lip  32 , and the male component  100 , disposed within the bore  20 . 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 5A , the shoulder  25  of the spindle  12  is substantially eliminated, and the cylindrical surface  26  accordingly extends forwardly to the front face  18 . A groove  36  extends radially inwardly into the spindle  12  just rearwardly of the front face  18  and at the front part of cylindrical surface  26 . 
   To retain the compression spring  80  on the cylindrical surface  26 , a flat washer  84  is disposed about the cylindrical surface  26  of the spindle  20  and is retained there by a fastener, such as a retainer ring  86 , which may be a “C” ring, a circlip, etc. The spring  80  accordingly extends between the washer  84  and the shoulder  70  of the sleeve  60 . 
   The male component  100  includes a hexagonal shank  102  and a radially inwardly extending circumferential groove  104 . The groove  104  is of a predetermined width and a predetermined depth. The groove  104  includes a pair of radius portion  106  and  108 , and a bottom surface  110  between the radius portions  106  and  108 . At the rear end of the male component  100  is a rear face  114 . Between the groove  104  and the rear face  114  is a rear shank portion  112 . 
   The distance between the rear face of end  114  of the male component shank  102  and the groove  104  is, like the dimensions of the groove  104 , including the radii  106  and  108  and the surface  110 . An important exception, however, is the distance between the location of the radial bore  30  and back surface  22  of the bore  20 . The dimension between the radial bore  30  and the back surface  22  of the bore  20  has been reduced to assure that the ball  90  bears against the rear radius  108  of the groove  104 . This is of fundamental importance in achieving the locking action described herein. 
   The correlation of the dimensions of both the male component  100  and the mechanical device  10  results in the ball  90  bearing against the rear radius  108  of the groove  104 , or against its upper extremity at the juncture of the radius  108  and the exterior of the rear shank portion  112 . The ball  90  accordingly extends into the groove  104  and against the rear radius  108  of the male component  100  to hold the male component  100  in the bore  20 . 
   The insertion, removal, and locking of the male component  100  is illustrated in  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B, and  6 C. 
   With the male component  100  removed from the bore  20 , the ball  90  extends downwardly into the bore  20  from the radial bore  30 . The ball  90  extends downwardly a predetermined distance into the bore  20  according to the limitations of the retainer lip  32  at the juncture of the bore  30  and the bore  20 . This is best shown in  FIG. 6A . The ball  90  is cammed into that position in response to the urging of the spring  80  against the shoulder  70  of the sleeve  60 . 
   In order to insert or to remove the male component  100  from the bore  20 , the sleeve  60  is moved manually forwardly against the urging of the spring  80  so that the bore  72  is moved from the ball  90  to allow the ball  90  to move upwardly into the conical bore  74  and the cylindrical bore  76  of the sleeve  60 . The ball  90  is moved substantially completely outwardly from the bore  20  and into the radial bore  30  and into the bores  74  and  76  by the camming of the end  114  of the male component shank  102  as the male component  100  is inserted into the bore  20 . When the male component  100  is inserted fully into the bore  20 , the rear end  114  of the male component shank  102  is disposed against the rear wall of face  22  of the bore  20 , as shown best in  FIG. 5 . 
   When the sleeve  60  is released by the user of the mechanical device  10  after the male component  100  is placed in the bore  20 , the compression spring  80  urges the sleeve  60  rearwardly. Under the rearward bias of the sleeve  60 , the conical bore  74  of the sleeve  60  cams the ball  90  radially inwardly through the bore  30  and into the groove  104  against the radius  108  at the rear end of the groove  104  of the male component shank  102 . The contact between the sleeve  60 , the ball  90 , and the male component  100  causes both frictional and normal forces to act on the male component  100  to hold the male component  100  securely in the spindle  12  of the mechanical device  10  and to prevent movement of the male component  100  within the bore  20 . 
   It will be noted that the compression spring  80  need not be a very strong spring. A relatively light spring is sufficient to provide the necessary bias between the sleeve  60  and the spindle  12 , and against the ball  90 , to securely lock the male component  100  within the internal bore  20  of the mechanical device  10 . The frictional and normal forces applied are sufficient to cause the male component  100  to be locked or held securely in the bore  20 . In actuality, the greater the longitudinally outward pull on the male component, the great the lock up forces acting through the ball  90  between the spindle  12  and the sleeve  60  against the radius  108  of the male component shank  102  to secure the male component  100  within the bore  20 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 6B , when the male component shank  102  of the male component  100  is disposed fully within the bore  20 , and the sleeve  60  is released so that its conical bore  74  is providing a rearward camming bias against the top or outer portion of the ball  90 , the ball  90  contacts the rear surface of the bore  30  and the radius  108 . Depending on the distance between the bore  30  and the end  22  of the bore  20 , if the radius of the ball  90  is substantially the same as that of the radius  108 , or if the radius of the ball  90  is slightly less than the radius  108 , there in contact between the ball  90  and the radius  108  within the radius portion  108 . Again, depending on the distance between the bore  30  and the end  22 , if the radius of the ball  90  is greater than the radius portion  108 , then contact between the ball  90  and the shank  102  will probably be at the juncture of the radius  108  and the outer periphery of the rear portion  112  of the male component shank  102 . The radius of the ball  90  is preferably the same as the radius  108 , or slightly less. 
   To remove the male component  100  from the bore  20 , the sleeve  60  is moved forwardly, as indicated by the large arrow on the sleeve  60  in  FIG. 6C , using an activating tool  300 . The activating tool  300  is inserted into the two small holes  310  of the climbing hold body  403  and through the holes  50  of the barrel shaped encasement  40  and thereby applying a forward biasing pull on sleeve  60 . A forward biasing pull is placed on the male component  100  at the same time the sleeve  60  is moved forwardly. This is shown in  FIG. 6C  by the large arrow on the male component  100 . As the male component  100  is moved forwardly, the radius  108  of the groove  104  causes the ball  90  to be cammed upwardly within the radial bore  30  and upwardly within the conical bore  74  and the cylindrical bore  76 . This is shown in  FIG. 6C  by the large arrow on the ball  90 . When the ball  90  completely clears the bore  20 , the male component  100  is free from the ball and is thus able to be removed from the bore  20 . After the male component  100  is removed from the bore  20 , the sleeve  60  may be released, and the ball  90  will be cammed downwardly into the radial bore  30  and partially into the hexagonal bore  20 , as shown in  FIG. 6A . 
   Returning again to  FIG. 6B , arrows illustrating the frictional and normal forces are involved in the locking of the male component  100  in the mechanical device  10 , are shown. It will be remembered that the drawing comprises a two-dimensional representation, while the actual elements involved are three-dimensional, and circular surfaces are involved. Accordingly, there is actually only single point contact between the ball  90 , the radius  108  of the male component shank  102 , and the bore  30  of the spindle  12  and the conical bore  74  of the sleeve  60 . It will also be remembered that the bore  20  is hexagonal and that the male component shank  102 , including its rear portion  112 , is hexagonal. Thus, the hexagonal or non-circular configuration of both the bore  20  and the shank  102  prevents relative rotation between the spindle  12  and the male component  100 . 
   In  FIG. 6B , the point of contact between the ball  90  and the radius  108  of the groove  104  in the male component shank  102  of the male component  100  is identified by the letters PC. If forces are placed on the climbing hold  400 , there will be a longitudinally outward pull on the male component  100  that is transferred from the male component  100  to the mechanical device  10  through the ball  90 . The ball  90 , in response to the outward pull, moves only a distance to the difference between its diameter and the diameter of the bore  30 . And that difference, as stated above, is very small. The climbing hold  400  also moves that same distance. For all practical purposes, the ball  90  and the male component  100  do not move; rather they remain locked together in the spindle  12  of the mechanical device  10 . 
   The pulling force exerted by the male component  100  is identified in  FIG. 6B  by the arrow identified as F.sub.P. The pulling force F.sub.P is, of course, opposed by an equal and opposite force acting through the ball  90  and against the mechanical device  10  through the point of contact PC. In addition to this opposing force acting in the longitudinal or axial direction, the reaction of the ball against mechanical device  10  will have a force component in the radial direction towards the axis of the tool. The reaction forces against the male component shank  102 , the spindle bore  30 , and conical sleeve bore  74  are shown by arrows in  FIG. 6B . The arrows are for illustration purposes only, and are not scaled to each other. 
   For illustration purposes, as shown in  FIG. 6B , the static analysis, based on the summation of orthogonal forces and moments about a center, gives the following relationship between the pull force F.sub.P and the various reaction forces: 
   
     
       
         
             
             
           
             
                 
                 
             
           
          
             
                 
               F.sub.NT = 
             
          
         
         
             
             
          
             
                 
               1.2 F.sub.P 
             
          
         
         
             
             
          
             
                 
               F.sub.NS = 
             
          
         
         
             
             
          
             
                 
               .40 F.sub.P 
             
          
         
         
             
             
          
             
                 
               F.sub.NB = 
             
          
         
         
             
             
          
             
                 
               .90 F.sub.P 
             
          
         
         
             
             
          
             
                 
               F.sub.TT = 
             
          
         
         
             
             
          
             
                 
               .15 F.sub.P 
             
          
         
         
             
             
          
             
                 
               F.sub.TS = 
             
          
         
         
             
             
          
             
                 
               .12 F.sub.P 
             
          
         
         
             
             
          
             
                 
               F.sub.TB = 
             
          
         
         
             
             
          
             
                 
               .27 F.sub.P 
             
             
                 
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   In the above notation, “F” refers to the various forces. The first subscript “N” refers to normal forces and the first subscript “T” refers to tangential forces. For the second subscripts, “T” refers to the male component  100 , “S” refers to the sleeve  60 , and “B” refers to the spindle  12 . 
   The reaction tangential force F.sub.TS on the conical surface  74  of the sleeve  60  tends to cause the sleeve  60  to be moved to the left in  FIG. 6B . This force, as well as the other reaction forces, is observed to be proportional to the pull force on the male component  100 , thus increasing with increases in F.sub.P the proportionality factors are a function of the dimensional and material parameters of the embodiment. This tangential reaction force F.sub.TS thus causes a “frictional backlash” resulting or causing a jamming action to hold the male component  100  in place. 
   It will be noted that in  FIG. 6A  there is shown a space between the ball and the right side of the radial bore  30 . When a pulling force on applied on the male component  100  to the right as shown in  FIGS. 6B and 6C , i.e., and outward pulling force, the ball  90  contacts the right side or front portion of the radial bore  30 , as shown in  FIG. 6C . When the male component  100  is inserted into the bore  20 , and while the male component  100  is in use in the mechanical device  10 , the ball  90  will be contacting the left or rear side of the bore  30 , as shown in  FIG. 6B . However, when an outward pull is exerted on the male component  100 , as when a climber pulls on the climbing hold, then there will be a displacement of the ball  90  from the rear portion of the bore  30  to the front portion of the bore  30 , which is a slight displacement to the right as shown in  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B, and  6 C. This displacement is shown in  FIG. 6C , where the ball  90  is contacting the front or right side of the bore  30 , and the ball  90  is accordingly spaced slightly from the left or rear portion of the bore  30 . However, as stated earlier, the diameter of the bore  30  is only slightly larger than the diameter of the ball  90 , and the displacement of the ball from one side of the bore to the other is virtually unnoticeable. 
   While the male component  100  referred to above has been discussed herein, and illustrated in the Figures, it is to be understood that the mechanical device of the present invention will work with any male component having a non-circular shank configuration and with a groove extending circumferentially about the shank such that the radius of the groove, or the width of the groove along with radius portions thereof, allows a ball, having about the same radius as that of the groove, to extend into the groove. The phrase “about the same radius” encompasses the three examples of ball radii as discussed above, namely substantially the same as, slightly larger than, and slightly less than, the radius of the groove. Similarly, the reference to the diameter of the ball  90  being “substantially the same as” that of the radial bore  30  refers to the fact that the diameter of the ball  90  is slightly less than the diameter of the bore  30 , so that the ball  90  moves freely in the bore  30 , but that the difference in the diameters is minimal so that there is no appreciable or noticeable longitudinal movement of the male component  100  in the bore  20  as a longitudinally axial pull is placed on the male component  100  and the ball  90  shifts from bearing against the rear wall of the bore  30  to bearing against the front wall of the bore  30 . 
     FIGS. 7 ,  7 A, and  7 B are perspective views of activating tools used in conjunction with the present invention. The activating tool  300  shown in  FIG. 7  comprises two forks  307  coupled to a cross member  306 , a stem  304 , and a holding knob  302 . The activating tool  300  is inserted into two relatively small holes  310  located on the outer surface of the climbing hold body  403  (see  FIG. 1 ). Activating tool  606  shown in  FIG. 7A  comprises a holding knob  607  and a stem  609 . The activating tool  606  is inserted into a small hole  611  located on the outer surface of the climbing hold body  603  (see  FIG. 10 ). Activating tool  700  shown in  FIG. 7B  comprises a magnet. The magnet  700  may be used to activate the mechanical device  10  of climbing hold  400  or the positive lock pin  602  of climbing hold  600 . The use of magnet  700  would eliminate the need for one or more small holes in the climbing hold body. When activating tool  700  is used, an additional magnet may also be included within the climbing hold body to work in coordination with the activating tool  700  to activate the mechanical device  10  or the positive lock pin  602 . 
     FIG. 8 and 9  is a side view and top view of the washer  500  with outwardly projecting cleats  502 . The bore  506  of the washer  500  is slipped onto the threaded end of the male component  100  with the cleats  502  facing the wall front surface (see  FIG. 5 ). When the male component  100  is tightened, the cleats  502  will be embedded into the wall front surface and the diagonal lock grooves  119  of the male component  100  will be embedded into the washer face  504  thereby providing a further means for resisting any left handed rotational forces of the climbing hold. 
   An additional embodiment  600  comprises a first component (or first latching component) and a second component (or second latching component). The first component or the second component includes a climbing hold, and the other one of the first component or the second component includes a female bore, the female bore sized and configured to be attached to a climbing structure. The climbing hold has a quick connect positive lock pin, which includes a spring biased plunger having an inclined cam surface disposed against a ball or detent, and the ball in turn applies normal and tangential forces against a circumferential groove or indent in the female bore to hold the male positive lock pin in the bore. The plunger is urged into contact with the ball by a compression spring disposed between a plunger and the tube. The plunger is activated and deactivated by pressure being applied to the button of the pin within the climbing hold aperture using an activating tool. The activating tool engages the plunger to move laterally wherein the balls are retracted substantially within the tube to unlock the positive lock pin from a mating bore or the balls are moved outwardly a sufficient distance to lock the positive lock pin within a mating bore. The holding action accomplishes a locking of the climbing hold, which includes the positive lock pin in place without allowing or permitting any longitudinal or axial movement. 
     FIGS. 10 and 10A  show an additional embodiment  600  of the present invention including the male component  605 , positive lock pin  602 , female bore  604 , climbing wall  406 , lock nut  410 , washer  411 , and activating tool  606 . The male component  605  includes the climbing hold body  603  and the positive lock pin  602 . Similar to the climbing hold  400 , the climbing hold body  603  may be of any of a variety of amorphous designs, and molded of various materials having a configuration in order to simulate a natural rock formation. The positive lock pin  602  is securely molded into the climbing hold body  603 . A barrel shaped encasement  608  surrounds the button  610  of the positive lock pin  602  SO that resin will not seep into the shaft  622 , plunger  636 , ball  628 , and spring  646  areas during the molding process. The small hole  611  may be later drilled after the molding process through the climbing hold body  603  and the barrel shaped encasement  608 . The positive lock pin  602  may also include retentive means, such as a spindle portion with ears  612  and a cylindrical ring  614  SO that the climbing hold body  603  cannot be separated from the positive lock pin  602 . The positive lock pin  602  can be made of steel, aluminum or stainless steel, for example. 
   The climbing hold  600  is secured to the climbing wall  406  by way of a male shaft component or positive lock pin  602  and a female bore  604 , which is threadably secured to the climbing wall  406  with a nut fastener  410 . When the nut fastener  410  is tightened, protruding cleats  616  on the cylindrical ring  618  of the female bore  604  will be embedded into the wall front surface  404  for additional anti-spin characteristics. Climbing wall  406  is typically a man made structure formed of a variety of materials such as wood, fiberglass, acrylic, polycarbonate, etc. The activating tool  606  is inserted into the climbing hold  600  followed by pressure being applied to the button  610  of the positive lock pin  602  in order to engage or disengage the locking climbing hold pin  602 . The activating tool  606  (see  FIG. 7A ) may include a holding knob  607  and a stem  609 . 
     FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the positive lock pin  602  and the female bore  604 . The female bore  604  includes protruding cleats  616 , which embed into the wall front surface when tightened, which eliminates rotation of the climbing hold. The positive lock pin  602  is shown spaced apart from the female bore  604 , which is useable with the positive lock pin  602 . The positive lock pin  602  includes a spindle  620 . Retaining means may be included near the head of the spindle  620 , such as a plurality of radially outwardly extending ears  612 . The ears  612  prevent the relative rotation of the spindle  620  from within the climbing hold body  603 . Also, at the head of the spindle  620  is a cylindrical ring  618  in an outward circumference from the spindle  620 . The cylindrical ring  618  prevents the lateral release of the spindle  620  from the climbing hold body  603 . 
   The spindle  620  includes a button  610 , which is surrounded by a barrel shaped encasement  608 . Extending rearwardly from the button  610  is a tubular shaft pin  622 . The shaft pin  622  is illustrated as being of a hexagonal configuration, although any polygon or spline shape may be used. The female bore  604  includes a matching shaped receiver  605 , e.g., hexagonal, which slidably receives the male tubular shaft pin  622  of the climbing hold aperture and locks or unlocks the climbing hold  600  in place. 
     FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an alternative positive lock pin  625 , which is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , except for a plurality of longitudinally axially extending flutes  624  on the shaft  622  of the lock pin  625 . The flutes or splines  624  perform substantially the same function as the hexagonal configuration, namely preventing relative rotational movement between the female component  604  and the lock pin  602 . 
   As can be seen in  FIG. 13 , the tubular shaft pin  622  may include a plurality of ball apertures  626  through the shaft wall  630  adjacent to the tip  632 . Each ball aperture  626  having at its outer side one or more restricting projections  634 . The outer hexagonal surface  630  of the shaft pin  622  is hardened and smooth in order to slide easily into the receiver  605  of the female bore  604 . Within each of the ball apertures  626  is a small hardened steel detent ball  628  of sufficient diameter to be restricted from escape by the restricting projections  634 . The surface of the balls  628  projects through and sufficiently beyond the outer hexagonal surface of the tubular shaft wall  630  to serve as detent means for the positive lock pin  602 . Within the tubular shaft pin  622 , a reciprocal plunger  636  is slidingly received. In the side surface of the plunger  636  adjacent to its tip is machined an angular cam notch  638 . It includes a relatively shallow portion  640  nearer the tip, of such depth as to cause the balls  628  to project radially beyond the hexagonal shaft wall surface  630 ; and a deeper portion  642  there adjacent, of a depth sufficient to permit the balls  628  to retract or recede inwardly as far as the hexagonal tubular shaft wall surface  630 . 
   The length of the plunger  636 , measured outwardly and opposite from its cam notch  638 , is substantially greater than the length of the shaft pin  622 , measured outwardly from the ball apertures  626 , so that the plunger  636  extends well beyond the outer end of the shaft pin  622 . Beyond the shaft pin  622  outer end but inward of the plunger button end  610 , the plunger  636  has an angularly enlarged portion  644  faced on its inner side by an inward facing abutment  648 , against which a compression spring  646  bears and presses it outwardly from the pin button end  610 . On the outer side of the angular enlarged portion  644  is an outward facing angular shoulder  650 , which serves as one of two mating surfaces for excluding foreign matter. The button  610  of the positive lock pin  602  in enclosed inside of the barrel shaped encasement  608  in order to prevent resins from entering the tubular or compression spring areas of the positive lock pin  602  during the manufacturing process. The small hole  611  may be later drilled after the molding process through the climbing hold body  603  and the barrel shaped encasement  608 . 
   To engage the climbing hold positive lock pin  602  through the female bore  604  secured to a climbing wall, the plunger button  610  is depressed against the compression spring  646  permitting the detent balls  628  to retract or recede inwardly into the deeper portion of the cam notch  638 . When pressure on the plunger button  610  is released, the compression spring  646  draws the plunger  636  outward so that the detent balls  628  extend outwardly to lock the tubular shaft pin  622  inside the groove  652  of the female bore  604 . The hexagonal shape of the tubular shaft pin  622  restricts any rotational movement. 
   While the principals of the invention have been made clear in illustrative embodiments, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modification or structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, material, and components used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted for specific environments and operative requirement without departing from those principles. The appended claims are intended to cover and embrace any and all such modifications within the limits only of the true spirit and scope of the invention.