Abstract:
A belay device may include a front plate with a first lobe and a back plate with a second lobe. The belay device may be engageable and disengageable such that the first lobe is separated from the second lobe at a first distance and a second distance, respectively. The belay device may maintain ability to operate when the belay device is disengaged. The belay device may include a handle and cam pin that cooperate to create a mechanical advantage for controlling separation distance between the first and second lobe. The handle may prevent rotation in a first direction via a lockout protrusion. The handle may prevent rotation in a second direction via a handle stop and/or a retaining rib. The belay device may include an ergonomic feature to accommodate a user&#39;s hand placement and/or shroud rotation of the front plate.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No 62/360,838, filed Jul. 11, 2016, and which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Rock climbing involves the challenge of navigating a rock face which is often essentially vertical. Rock climbing and rappelling have recently become more popular, as have other so-called “extreme” sports. Rock climbing offers individuals an opportunity to be outdoors and participate in an activity that is both rewarding and challenging, while at the same time being non-destructive to the natural environment. 
         [0003]    At the start of the climb, the climber will determine the path to be taken as the climber ascends the rock face. The climber will generally need to use his or her entire body as that ascent takes place. Beyond the climber&#39;s body, a number of pieces of equipment are generally used by the rock climber. This equipment varies from climbing shoes equipped with tough rubber soles, to sewn harnesses, to special climbing rope. 
         [0004]    The sport of climbing or mountaineering typically requires a team of two people. To ensure the safety of the climber, the climber ties into a rope, via a harness worn by the climber, and is belayed by a partner (the “belayer”). While the climber ascends, the belayer takes up or lets out the rope such that the rope is maintained taut between the climber and belayer, preventing a fall of any great distance by the climber. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0005]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the more particular description of the embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  depicts a top plan view of a belay device, in embodiments. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  depicts a top perspective view of the belay device system, of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  depicts an exploded view of the belay device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  depicts the front-plate subassembly of the belay device, of  FIG. 1 , in further detail. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  depicts the back plate of the belay device of  FIG. 1 , in further detail. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  depicts the handle of the belay device of  FIG. 1 , in further detail. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 7A-B  depict the lobes of the belay device of  FIG. 1  in separated and unseparated distances, respectively. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 8A-B  depicts interaction between the handle stop protrusion and handle stop notch of the handle of the belay device of  FIG. 1 , in embodiments. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 9A-9D  depicts various views with the handle of the belay device of  FIG. 1  causing rotation of front plate with respect to the back plate, in embodiments. 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  depicts an exemplary handling placement of the belay device of  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  depicts back view of the belay device of  FIG. 1  illustrating an ergonomic finger groove, in embodiments. 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  depicts a side perspective view of the belay device of  FIG. 1 , in embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]      FIG. 1  depicts a top plan view of a belay device  100 , in embodiments.  FIG. 2  depicts a top perspective view of belay device system  100 , of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  depicts an exploded view  300  of the belay device system  100 , of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  depicts the front-plate subassembly of belay device  100 , in further detail.  FIG. 5  depicts the back plate  314  of belay device  100 , in further detail.  FIG. 6  depicts the handle  316  of belay device  100 , of  FIG. 1 , in further detail.  FIGS. 7A-B  depict the lobes of the belay device in separated and unseparated distances, respectively.  FIGS. 8A-B  depicts interaction between handle stop protrusion  508  and handle stop notch  604  of handle  316 , in embodiments.  FIGS. 9A-9D  depicts various views with handle  316  of belay device  100  causing rotation of front plate  308  with respect to back plate  314 .  FIGS. 1-9D  are best viewed together with the following description. 
         [0019]    Belay device  100  clips to a user&#39;s harness (not shown) via carabiner clip aperture  102 . Belay device  100  includes one or more of a front-plate subassembly  302 , a back-plate/handle subassembly  304 , and a final assembly portion  306 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , front-plate subassembly  302  includes some or all of front plate  308 , cam pin  310  and friction pin  312 . Back-plate/handle subassembly  304  includes some or all of back plate  314 , handle  316 , handle standoff  318 , spring  320 , screw  324 , and handle cap  326 . It should be appreciated that screw  324  and/or handle standoff  318  may be replaced by a rivet without departing from the scope hereof. In embodiments including final assembly  306 , final assembly  306  includes thumb rest  325 , washer  328 , push nut  330 , wave spring  332 , and rivet  334 . 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , front plate  308  of front-plate subassembly  302  may include cam-pin aperture  402 , friction pin aperture  404 , and boss aperture  406 . Front plate  308  may be formed of a hardened metal, plastic, resin, or other material having sufficient load bearing properties. 
         [0021]    Cam pin aperture  402  receives cam pin  310  for attachment of cam pin  310  to front plate  308 . Thus, cam pin  310  may be welded, bonded, threaded or otherwise attached to front plate  308  via cam pin aperture  402 . It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, cam pin aperture  402  is not necessary because cam pin  310  is formed integrally to, and thus from the same material as, front plate  308 . 
         [0022]    Friction pin aperture  404  receives friction pin  312 . Thus, friction pin  312  may be welded, bonded, threaded or otherwise attached to front plate  308  via friction pin aperture  404 . It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, friction pin aperture  404  is not necessary because friction pin  312  is formed integrally to, and thus from the same material as, front plate  308 . Friction pin  312  may thus be replaceable as friction pin  312  wears due to use of belay device  100 . 
         [0023]    Boss aperture  406  receives boss  502  (discussed below) of back plate  314 . Therefore, front plate  308  rotates about boss  502  with respect to back plate  314 . 
         [0024]    Front plate  308  may further include a first lobe  408 . Separation between first lobe  408  and a second lobe  504  (discussed below) of back plate  314  as front plate  308  rotates about boss  502 . For example, referring to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , view  700  of  FIG. 7A  depicts first lobe  408  separated from second lobe  504 . On the other hand, view  750  of  FIG. 7B  depicts first lobe  408  adjacent second lobe  504  based on rotation of front plate  308  to back plate  314  about boss  502 . 
         [0025]    Front plate  308  may further include a lockout stop  410 . Lockout stop  410  interacts with lockout protrusion  602 , discussed in further detail below, to prevent handle  316  from further rotation in a counter-clockwise direction  104  (referring to  FIG. 1 ). Handle  316  may interact with both lockout stop  410  and cam pin  310  in a lockout position. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , back plate  314  may include boss  502 , second lobe  504 , and handle stop protrusion  506 . Back plate  314  may be formed of a hardened metal, plastic, resin, or other material having sufficient load bearing properties. Back plate  314  may be made of the same or a different material than front plate  308 . The arrow between boss  502  and second lobe  504  indicates the direction of rope during use of belay device  100 . The rope (not shown) goes through the channel defined by boss  502 , second lobe  504 , and first lobe  408 , and then above the climber for anchoring to the climbing surface. 
         [0027]    Boss  502  couples with boss aperture  406  of front plate  308  such that front plate  308  may rotate about boss  502 . 
         [0028]    Second lobe  504  cooperates with first lobe  408  to apply pressure on rope within the channel defined thereby. Accordingly, when the climber falls, the separation distance between first lobe  408  and second lobe  504  decreases thereby applying friction on the rope to stop the climber&#39;s fall. 
         [0029]    Handle stop protrusion  506  interacts with handle stop notch  604  of handle  316 . View  800  of  FIG. 8A  shows handle  316  separated from back plate  314 . On the other hand, view  850  of  FIG. 8B  shows handle  316  including handle stop notch  604  interacting with handle stop protrusion  506  such that handle  316  cannot rotate any further in clockwise direction  106 . Handle stop protrusion  506  may further including a retaining flange that provides a front plate channel  508  in which an edge of front plate  308  passes through. For example, referring to  FIGS. 9A-9B , edge  902  of front plate  308  is passing through front plate channel  508 . 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , handle  316  includes one or more features enabling functionality of the handle. For example, handle  316  may include lockout protrusion  602 , handle stop notch  604 , and cam pin interface  606 . Handle  316  may be formed of a hardened metal, plastic, resin, or other material having sufficient load bearing properties. Handle  316  may be made of the same or different material as front plate  308  and back plate  314 . 
         [0031]    Referring back to  FIG. 3 , handle  316  may be secured to back plate  314  via handle standoff  318  and spring  320 , screw  324  and handle cap  326 . It should be appreciated that a rivet may alternatively be used instead of standoff  318  and/or screw  324  to secure handle  316  to back plate  314  without departing from the scope hereof. For example, handle standoff  318  may provide a separation distance between back plate  314  and handle  316 . Spring  320  may bias handle  316  against back plate  314 . For example, spring  320  may bias handle  316  such that handle stop notch  604  is biased against handle stop protrusion  506  as discussed below. Screw  324  (and/or a rivet) may secure handle  316  to back plate  314 . Handle cap  326  may cover spring  320  and/or screw  324  from view by the user. 
         [0032]    Referring now back to  FIG. 6 , as discussed above, lockout protrusion  602  interacts with lockout stop  410  to prevent handle  316  from rotating further in a first direction (i.e. counter clockwise direction  106 ). It should be appreciated that lockout protrusion  602  may be a lockout notch, or other shape or configuration without departing from the scope hereof. Accordingly, lockout stop  410  may also have various shapes and configuration that complement the given shape/configuration of lockout protrusion  602  without departing from the scope hereof 
         [0033]    Further, handle stop notch  604  interacts with handle stop protrusion  506  to prevent handle  316  from rotating further in a second direction (i.e. clockwise direction  104 ). It should be appreciated that handle stop notch  604  may be a protrusion, or other shape or configuration without departing from the scope hereof. Accordingly, handle stop protrusion  506  may be a notch, or other shapes or configuration complementing the given shape/configuration of handle stop notch  604  without departing from the scope hereof. Handle stop notch  604  may be flush with a plane defined by the bottom surface  608 . Alternatively (or additionally), handle may include a retaining rib  610  that extends beyond surface  608  to further prevent handle  316  from rotating in the second direction, even if handle is pulled in a third direction orthogonal to the second direction (e.g., away from back plate  314 ). In embodiments, retaining rib  614  may be a protrusion that extends substantially the same height as lockout protrusion  602 . Retaining rib  610  is shown in  FIG. 12  as separate from lockout protrusion  602 . It should be appreciated, however, that retaining rib  610  may be integral with lockout protrusion  602 . 
         [0034]    Cam pin interface  606  interacts with cam pin  310  to minutely control the separation distance between first lobe  408  and second lobe  504 . In one example, cam pin interface  606  is a notch within handle  316  that interacts with cam pin  310 . As discussed above, when the climber falls, or otherwise puts weight on the rope, the separation distance between first lobe  408  and second lobe  504  is reduced, thereby causing the surface of friction pin  312  to clamp, or otherwise “brake,” on the rope and stop the climber from falling. In order for the climber to reduce this braking action, the front plate  308  must be counter rotated with respect to the back plate  314  such that the separation distance increases. To illustrate this counter-rotation, view  900  of  FIG. 9A  compared to each of views  920 , and  930 , of  FIGS. 9B-C , respectively shows front plate  308  rotating in a clockwise direction  106  with respect to back plate  314 . As handle  316  is rotated in a counter clockwise direction  104 , cam pin interface  606  interacts with cam pin  310  to cause front plate  308  to rotate in a clockwise direction  106 . View  930  is depicts a top view, and view  940  of  FIG. 9D  depicts a bottom view, of the full rotation of handle  316  until lockout protrusion  602  interacts with lockout stop  410  thereby preventing further rotation of front plate  308  with respect to back plate  314 . 
         [0035]    Cam pin interface  606  may interact with the cam pin  310  for an entire useable range of motion until lockout protrusion  602  interacts with lockout stop  410  thereby preventing further rotation of handle  316 . 
         [0036]    Cam pin interface  606  provides a mechanical advantage to the amount of braking force applied between cam pin  310  and second lobe  504 . In one embodiment, this mechanical advantage is a non-variable mechanical advantage. In another embodiment, this mechanical advantage is a single-stage, continuously variable mechanical advantage. In another embodiment, mechanical advantage is a variable mechanical advantage in that the mechanical advantage changes for a first portion of notch  606 , and then plateaus for a second portion of notch  606 , and then additionally changes for a third portion of notch  606 . As such, in embodiments, cam pin interface  606  may provide a mechanical advantage changing from less than one to greater than one. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , front plate subassembly  302  and back-plate subassembly  304  may be secured together via final assembly  306 . For example, boss  502  may be inserted into boss receiving aperture  406 . Rivet  334  may then be placed within rivet receiving aperture  510  ( FIG. 5 ) and riveted around washer  328  such that front plate  308  is secured around boss  502  to back plate  314 . 
         [0038]    In embodiments including thumb rest  325 , thumb rest  325  may secure to push nut  330  with wave spring  332  there between. 
         [0039]    Belay device  100  may, in embodiments, further include various ergonomic features for handling the belay devicehandle cap  326   
         [0040]      FIG. 10  depicts an exemplary handling placement  1000 , in one embodiment.  FIG. 11  depicts back view of belay device  100  illustrating an ergonomic finger groove  1102 .  FIGS. 10-11  are best viewed together with the following description. 
         [0041]    Thumb rest  325 , discussed above with respect to at least  FIG. 3 , provides an intuitive handling placement easing the use of belay device  100  by the user. For example, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the user&#39;s hand  1002  is placed with thumb  1004  on thumb rest  325 . This instinctively requires the user&#39;s other fingers  1006  to wrap at least partially around belay device  100 . Referring now to  FIG. 11 , as the user&#39;s other fingers  1006  wrap around the belay device  100 , the user&#39;s index or forefinger will instinctively reside in finger groove  1102 . Finger groove  1102  is integral to back plate  314 . This placement  1000  provides an ergonomic handling of belay device  100  that is not present in prior belay devices. 
         [0042]    In addition, placement  1000  allows front plate  308  to freely rotate during handling of device  100  according to placement  1000 . Further, handle  316  may be sized and shaped such that handle  316  shrouds the rotation of front plate  308 , thereby increasing reliability and ease of use of belay device  100 . This ability to freely rotate while still handling the device provides many advantages. 
         [0043]    At least one of which is the ability to disengage the device  100  from the rope, while maintaining operation of the device. In certain circumstances, it may be desirable for the climber to make a fast movement, such as various dyno moves, that would otherwise cause the belay device  100  to engage (i.e. separation between first lobe  408  and second lobe  504  to decrease, thereby braking the device to the rope). One such way to disengage the device  100 , while referring to  FIG. 10 , is to, using the device user&#39;s palm of his or her left hand (not shown) counter rotate front plate  308  in a clockwise direction  106  while holding the rope, exiting the device in the top of the figure, with the fingers of his or her left hand. Should the climber fall, the movement in the rope will cause the user&#39;s left hand to travel with the rope and thereby remove the palm from the front plate  308 . At this time, the device  100  will re-engage and prevent the climber from falling. 
         [0044]    This is a significant departure from prior art belay devices. In the prior art belay devices, the user would have to physically clamp two or more plates of the device such that the separation distance always is apart. The user, with these prior art devices, had to render the device inoperable in order to disengage it. This led to unnecessary falls and injuries of the climbers being supported by the prior art belay devices. 
         [0045]    Changes may be made in the above methods and systems without departing from the scope hereof. It should thus be noted that the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present method and system, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.