U.S. patent application number 11/111470 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-10 for karabiner.
This patent application is currently assigned to DMM Engineering Limited. Invention is credited to Brown, Kevin.
Application Number | 20050246875 11/111470 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9896963 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050246875 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brown, Kevin |
November 10, 2005 |
Karabiner
Abstract
A karabiner including a generally C-shaped body having opposed
free ends with a gap therebetween and a gate for closing the gap
through constraint. The gate is formed of a wire member located on
one free end of the body and includes a shaped free end. The other
free end of the body is configured to receive the shaped free end
of the gate, and includes a shape that corresponds substantially
with the shape of the shaped end of the gate. In one embodiment,
the loop is oriented substantially transversely to the plane of the
karabiner body, and in another embodiment, the second free end of
the body includes a recessed seat. A locking means on the gate or
karabiner body is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Brown, Kevin; (Warrington,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE WEBB LAW FIRM, P.C.
700 KOPPERS BUILDING
436 SEVENTH AVENUE
PITTSBURGH
PA
15219
US
|
Assignee: |
DMM Engineering Limited
Llanberis
GB
|
Family ID: |
9896963 |
Appl. No.: |
11/111470 |
Filed: |
April 21, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11111470 |
Apr 21, 2005 |
|
|
|
09922496 |
Aug 3, 2001 |
|
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
24/600.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/45366 20150115;
F16B 45/02 20130101; Y10T 24/45277 20150115; Y10T 24/45414
20150115; Y10T 24/45372 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/600.2 |
International
Class: |
F16B 045/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 4, 2000 |
GB |
0019136.1 |
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A karabiner comprising: a generally C-shaped body having opposed
free ends with a gap therebetween; and a gate for closing the gap
such that it is constrained to close the gap; wherein the gate is
formed of a wire member located on one free end of the body, the
gate being in the form of a loop oriented substantially
transversely to a plane, in which the karabiner body lies, and
having a shaped free end, wherein the other free end of the body
has a slot for receiving the shaped free end of the gate and shaped
to correspond substantially with the shape of the shaped end of the
gate.
2. The karabiner of claim 1, wherein the slot has a peg therein
over which the loop locates.
3. The karabiner of claim 2, wherein the peg has a surface adapted
to engage the gate end, the surface being in a plane substantially
normal to a longitudinal axis of the gate.
4. The karabiner of claim 3, wherein the free ends of the body are
adapted to be drawn inwards and to cause the surface to slope
upwards in the direction of the opening of the gate when loads are
applied to opposite ends of the karabiner body.
5. The karabiner of claim 1, wherein the gate is formed by a wire
that is bent and has each free end further bent inwards towards the
other to locate in a different hole on opposite sides of the free
end of the body, one hole spaced above the other hole.
6. The karabiner of claim 1, wherein the gate is shaped by one of
folding and bending the wire to form a shaped end at a free
end.
7. The karabiner of claim 6, wherein the end of the gate is bent
over sideways.
8. The karabiner of claim 1, wherein the loop at the end of the
gate is enlarged.
9. The karabiner of claim 1, wherein, from the free end of the
body, the slot includes a first narrow part to accommodate the wire
gate and leading to a wider second part to accommodate the shaped
end of the gate.
10. The karabiner of claim 9, wherein a ledge is provided between
the wide and narrow parts of the slot.
11. The karabiner of claim 10, wherein the ledge is in a plane
substantially normal to a longitudinal axis of the gate.
12. The karabiner of claim 1, wherein at least one of the gate and
the free end of the body carries additional locking means for use
when the gate is closed.
13. The karabiner of claim 12, wherein a thimble is provided on the
gate that can be moved up the gate to overlap at least partially
the free end of the body.
14. The karabiner of claim 13, wherein an outwardly screw-threaded
sleeve is provided on the gate and an internally screw-threaded
thimble is provided on the sleeve.
15. The karabiner of claim 12, wherein a locking ring is mounted
rotatably on the free end of the body, the ring having a slot
therein, whereby in one position the gate can pass through the slot
of the ring for its shaped end to locate in the slot of the free
end of the body, and by rotating the ring, the slot therein is no
longer accessible to the gate.
16. The karabiner of claim 12, wherein the gate is provided with a
slidable locking member.
17. The karabiner of claim 16, wherein the locking member is
slidable upwards when the gate is closed, the locking member having
a finger that extends over the opposite side of the body to that of
the slot opening to prevent the gate from being pushed open.
18. The karabiner of claim 12, further comprising a locking pin
that is insertable through the free end of the body of the
karabiner and one of into and through the end of the gate to
prevent it from being pushed open.
19. The karabiner of claim 18, wherein the locking pin is on at
least one of a flexible and spring-biased tab attached to the
gate.
20. The karabiner of claim 18, wherein the pin is rotatably mounted
in the slot of the free end of the body between a first position,
wherein a lip on the end of the pin can pass through a loop of the
wire gate, and a second position, wherein the lip retains the loop
of the gate in the slot.
21. The karabiner of claim 1, wherein the slot of the free end of
the body faces inwards towards the body of the karabiner.
22. The karabiner of claim 1, wherein the slot is on the side of
the free end of the body.
23. A karabiner comprising: a generally C-shaped body having
opposed free ends with a gap therebetween; and a gate for closing
the gap such that it is constrained to close the gap; wherein the
gate is formed of a wire member located on one free end of the
body, the gate being in the form of a loop having a shaped free
end; and wherein the other free end of the body has a recessed seat
for receiving the shaped free end of the gate and shaped to
correspond substantially with the shaped end of the gate.
24. The karabiner of claim 23, wherein the recessed seat is in a
substantially horseshoe shape.
25. The karabiner of claim 23, wherein the recessed seat is at
least partially bounded by at least one wall, such that when the
gate is in a closed position and the shaped free end of the loop is
contacting the recessed seat, the at least one wall protects at
least an end portion of the shaped free end of the loop from
contact.
26. The karabiner of claim 25, wherein the contact of the at least
one wall protects the end portion of the shaped free end of the
loop from is at least one of rope contact, line contact, impact,
substantially sideward impact and outward object impact.
27. The karabiner of claim 23, wherein the free end of the body
having the recessed seat further comprises: an outer wall
configured to at least partially bound an outer side of an end
portion of the loop when the gate is in a closed position and the
shaped free end of the loop is contacting the recessed seat; and an
inner wall configured to at least partially bound an inner side of
the end portion of the loop when the gate is in a closed position
and the shaped free end of the loop is contacting the recessed
seat.
28. The karabiner of claim 23, wherein the free end of the body
having the recessed seat includes at least one outer wall
positioned substantially adjacent the recessed seat and configured
to at least partially shroud an end portion of the loop when the
gate is in a closed position and the shaped free end of the loop is
contacting the recessed seat.
29. The karabiner of claim 23, wherein the free end of the body
having the recessed seat includes at least one inner wall
positioned substantially adjacent the recessed seat and configured
to receive the shaped free end of the loop thereover, such that the
when the gate is in a closed position and the shaped free end of
the loop is contacting the recessed seat, the shaped free end of
the loop at least partially surrounds the inner wall.
30. The karabiner of claim 23, wherein the recessed seat includes a
shaped groove at a base portion thereof, the shaped groove shaped
to correspond substantially to an end portion of the shaped free
end of the loop.
31. The karabiner of claim 23, wherein the free end of the body
having the recessed seat comprises at least one outer wall, such
that when the gate is in a closed position and the shaped free end
of the loop is contacting the recessed seat, the at least one wall
protects at least an end portion of the shaped free end of the loop
from contact.
32. The karabiner of claim 31, wherein the contact of the at least
one outer wall protects the end portion of the shaped free end of
the loop from is at least one of rope contact, line contact,
impact, substantially sideward impact and outward object
impact.
33. The karabiner of claim 23, wherein the free end of the body
having the recessed seat includes at least one wall at least
partially surrounding the recessed seat, such that recessed seat is
at least partially bounded and in a substantially horseshoe
shape.
34. The karabiner of claim 23, wherein at least one of the gate and
the free end of the body carries additional locking means for use
when the gate is closed.
35. The karabiner of claim 34, wherein a thimble is provided on the
gate that can be moved up the gate to overlap at least partially
the free end of the body.
36. The karabiner of claim 35, wherein an outwardly screw-threaded
sleeve is provided on the gate and an internally screw-threaded
thimble is provided on the sleeve.
37. The karabiner of claim 34, wherein a locking ring is mounted
rotatably on the free end of the body, the ring having a slot
therein, whereby in one position the gate can pass through the slot
of the ring for its shaped end to locate in the slot of the free
end of the body, and then by rotating the ring, the slot therein is
no longer accessible to the gate.
38. The karabiner of claim 34, wherein the gate is provided with a
slideable locking member.
39. The karabiner of claim 38, wherein the locking member is
slideable upwards when the gate is closed, the locking member
having a finger that extends over the opposite side of the body to
that of the slot opening to prevent the gate from being pushed
open.
40. The karabiner of claim 34, further comprising a locking pin
that is insertable through the free end of the body of the
karabiner and one of into and through the end of the gate to
prevent it from being pushed open.
41. The karabiner of claim 40, wherein the locking pin is on at
least one of a flexible and spring-biased tab attached to the
gate.
42. The karabiner of claim 40, wherein the pin is rotatably mounted
in the slot of the free end of the body between a first position,
wherein a lip on the end of the pin can pass through a loop of the
wire gate, and a second position, wherein the lip retains the loop
of the gate in the slot.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/922,496, filed Aug. 3, 2001, which claims
priority to United Kingdom Patent No. UK 0019136.1, filed Aug. 4,
2000, which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention concerns snap hooks, also known as
karabiners, for use in climbing and other activities requiring
connections to be made to ropes, cables and carrying loops for
equipment.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Karabiners generally comprise a C-shaped body with its ends
curved towards each other and forming a gap closed by a spring
loaded gate pivotally mounted on one body end and urged into
engagement with the other body end. A thimble or other locking
member may be provided either on the gate or the free body end and
which is movable, say slidably or along screw threading, to lock
the gate in a closed position.
[0006] When unlocked, the gate of a karabiner is urged closed and a
rope or loop can be snapped into the karabiner by pushing it
against the gate to open it. Once the rope or loop is in the
confines of the C-shaped body, the gate can spring back to its
closed position, where it can be locked, if desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] There are a number of problems associated with currently
available karabiners, such as, the number of components required
particularly in providing a spring-loaded gate and in the gate or
body having a hooked end on which ropes or other items can
snag.
[0008] An object of this invention is to provide an improved
karabiner. In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, there is
provided a karabiner comprising a generally C-shaped body, with its
free ends curved towards each other and forming a gap therebetween,
and a gate for closing the gap, the gate being formed of a wire
member shaped and located on one free end of the body, such that it
is constrained to close the gap and the other end of the gate
having a slot for receiving a shaped end of the gate.
[0009] In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the gate is
preferably formed by a wire that is bent double and has each free
end further bent inwards toward each other to locate in a different
hole on opposite sides of the free end of the body, one hole being
above the other. From its locations in the free end of the body,
the two strands of the wire are bent toward each other to
approximately a mid-point of the gate until they overlap in a plane
of the body. At its free end the gate may be shaped by folding or
bending of the wire to form a shaped end. For example, the end of
the gate may be bent over sideways or the loop at the end of the
gate enlarged. An alternative may be to use the loop formed where
the wire is bent double to capture a shaped nut that can locate in
the slot of the free end of the body. Yet again, the nut may be
shaped to be slid onto the gate.
[0010] The slot preferably has, from the free end of the body, a
first narrow part to accommodate the shaped end of the gate.
Between the wide and narrow parts of the slot a ledge may be
provided. The ledge is preferably in a plane substantially normal
to a longitudinal axis of the gate. Thus, when forces are applied
to opposite ends of the karabiner, the ends of the body will tend
to bend inward even only to a slight extent which will cause the
ledge to be angled upwardly relative to the gate and thus help to
retain the shaped end of the gate in the slot of the free end of
the body.
[0011] The gate or the free end of the body may carry additional
locking means for when the gate is closed. In one preferred
embodiment, a thimble may be provided on the gate that can be moved
up the gate to overlap at least partially the free end of the body.
Conveniently, an outward positioned screw threaded sleeve may be
provided on the gate and an internally positioned screw threaded
thimble may be provided on the sleeve.
[0012] In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, a locking
ring may be mounted rotatably on the free end of the body, the ring
having a slot therein, whereby in one position the gate can pass
through the slot of the ring for its shaped end to locate in the
slot of the free end of the body and then by rotating the ring, the
slot therein is no longer accessible to the gate.
[0013] In yet another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the
gate may be provided with a slidable locking member that, for
example, can be slid upwards when the gate is closed, the locking
member having a finger or the like that extends over the opposite
side of the body to that of the slot opening to prevent the gate
from being pushed open.
[0014] Another preferred embodiment provides a locking pin that can
be inserted through the free end of the body of the karabiner and
into or through the end of the gate to prevent it from being pushed
open. The locking pin can be on a flexible or spring-biased tab
attached to the gate. Alternatively, the pin can be rotatably
mounted in the slot of the free end of the body between a first
position wherein a lip on the end of the pin can pass through a
loop of the wire gate and a second position wherein the lip retains
the loop of the gate in the slot. The slot of the free end of the
body preferably faces inwards (i.e., towards the body of the
karabiner). In some embodiments, however, the slot may be on the
side of the free end of the body. In yet other embodiments, the
slot may be shaped with a part that interengages with the wire
gate, especially through a loop thereof.
[0015] According to a second embodiment of this invention there is
provided a karabiner comprising a generally C-shaped body with its
free ends curved toward each other and forming a gap therebetween
and a spring-biased gate for closing the gap located on one free
end of the body and the other free end having a wire cage thereon
for receiving the gate. The gate of the second embodiment of the
invention may be a conventional karabiner gate, such as of metal
bar or the like.
[0016] According to a third embodiment of this invention, there is
provided a karabiner comprising a generally C-shaped body with its
free ends curved towards each other and forming a gap therebetween
and a spring-biased gate for closing the gap located on one free
end of the body and means for locking the gate in a closed
position. In this embodiment, the gate may be a conventional
karabiner gate, such as of metal bar or the like. The locking means
may be a slidable locking member that, for example, can be slid
upwards on the gate and that has a finger or the like to extend
over the opposite side of the body to that of the direction of
opening on the gate. Alternatively, a locking pin is provided on a
flexible or spring-biased tab attached to the gate, which pin can
be inserted through a hole in the free end of the karabiner body
and into a hole or slot of the gate when closed.
[0017] According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention,
the karabiner includes a generally C-shaped body having opposed
free ends with a gap therebetween and a gate for closing the gap,
such that it is constrained to close the gap. The gate is formed
with a wire member located on one free end of the body, and the
gate is in the form of a loop having a shaped free end. The other
free end of the body has a recessed seat for sealing the shaped
free end of the gate. It is this other free end of the body having
the recessed seat that is shaped to correspond substantially with
the shaped end of the gate. In one preferred and non-limiting
embodiment, the recessed seat is in a substantially horseshoe
shape. The recessed seat may also be partially bounded by one or
more walls, such that when the gate is in a closed position, and
the shaped free end of the loop is contacting the recessed seat,
the wall or walls protect an end portion of the shaped free end of
the loop from contact. For example, the wall or walls would protect
the end portion of the shaped free end of the loop from rope
contact, line contact, impact, sideward impact, outward object
impact, etc.
[0018] The present invention, both as to its construction and its
method of operation, together with the additional objects and
advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following
description of exemplary embodiments when read in connection with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a side view of a karabiner according to the
present invention in a closed position;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the karabiner of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a front view of the karabiner of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a side sectional view on line A-A of the karabiner
of FIG. 3;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view from one side and the front of
the karabiner of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view from the rear and opposite
sides of the karabiner of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a side view of the karabiner of FIG. 1 in an open
position;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the karabiner of FIG. 7;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a front view of the karabiner of FIG. 7;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a side sectional view on line B-B of the
karabiner of FIG. 9;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a perspective view from one side in the front of
the karabiner of FIG. 7;
[0030] FIG. 12 is a perspective view from the rear and opposite
sides of the karabiner of FIG. 7;
[0031] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a gate receiving free end
of the karabiner of FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 14 is a front view of the gate receiving free end of
the karabiner of FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the gate receiving free end
of the karabiner of FIG. 1 with the gate in a closed position;
[0034] FIG. 16 is a front view of the gate receiving free end of
the karabiner of FIG. 1 with the gate in a closed position;
[0035] FIG. 17 is a side sectional view on line C-C of the
karabiner of FIG. 16;
[0036] FIG. 18 is a perspective view from one side and the front of
a further embodiment of the karabiner according to the present
invention;
[0037] FIG. 19 is a perspective view from one side and the front of
a further embodiment of the karabiner according to the present
invention;
[0038] FIG. 20 is a perspective view from one side and the front of
a further embodiment of the karabiner according to the present
invention;
[0039] FIG. 21 is a perspective view from one side and the front of
a further embodiment of the karabiner according to the present
invention;
[0040] FIG. 22 is a perspective view from one side and the front of
a further embodiment of the karabiner according to the present
invention;
[0041] FIG. 23 is a perspective view from one side and the front of
a further embodiment of the karabiner according to the present
invention;
[0042] FIG. 24 is a perspective view from one side and the front of
a further embodiment of the karabiner according to the present
invention;
[0043] FIG. 25 is a perspective view from one side and the front of
a further embodiment of the karabiner according to the present
invention;
[0044] FIG. 26 is a perspective view from one side and the front of
a further embodiment of the karabiner according to the present
invention;
[0045] FIG. 27 is a perspective view from one side and the front of
a further embodiment of the karabiner according to the present
invention;
[0046] FIG. 28 is a perspective view from one side and the front of
a further embodiment of the karabiner according to the present
invention;
[0047] FIG. 29 is a perspective view from one side and the front of
a further embodiment of the karabiner according to the present
invention;
[0048] FIG. 30 is a perspective view from one side and the front of
a further embodiment of the karabiner according to the present
invention;
[0049] FIG. 31 is a perspective view from the rear and one side of
a still further embodiment of a karabiner according to the present
invention in an open position;
[0050] FIG. 32 is a magnified perspective view of circle A of the
karabiner of FIG. 31;
[0051] FIG. 33 is a perspective view from the rear and side of the
karabiner of FIG. 31 in a closed position;
[0052] FIG. 34 is a magnified perspective view of circle A of the
karabiner of FIG. 33;
[0053] FIG. 35 is a side sectional view of the karabiner of FIG.
34; and
[0054] FIG. 36 is a rear perspective view of the karabiner of FIG.
34.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 1-36, a karabiner 10 comprises a
generally C-shaped body 12 having its free ends 14, 16 generally
facing each other but leaving a gap 18 therebetween. Pivotally
mounted on one free end 14 of the body 12 is a gate 20. The body 12
of the karabiner 10 is shaped, where it curves, to provide
locations for ropes or the like. As shown in FIGS. 1-17, at its top
is a slight recess 21 and at the bottom a portion curved upwards at
a more acute angle than at the top to provide a relatively confined
location for a rope or the like.
[0056] In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the gate 20 is
formed of wire bent substantially and doubly over. The wire is bent
such that it forms two strands 22, 24 with a loop 26 between them.
The two strands 22, 24 overlie each other for a first part from the
loop 26, so that in the karabiner they are in the plane of the body
12. From the end of the first part, the two strands diverge to
opposite sides of the body 12 before bending inwards to form ends
28, 30 that each locate in separate holes 32, 34 one above the
other in the free end 14 of the karabiner body 12. From the end of
the first part, the two strands 22, 24 diverge to opposite sides of
the body 12 before bending inwards to form ends 28, 30 that each
locate in separate holes 32, 34 one above the other in the free end
14 of the karabiner body 12. The shaping of the gate 20 and the
offsetting of its pivot points urge the gate 20 to a closed
position as shown in FIGS. 1-6 of the drawings. Once pressure is
applied to the gate 20 inwardly, it will open but always spring
back to a closed position when the pressure is removed. Thus, a
rope or the like can be pushed in the karabiner 10 through the gate
20 which then snaps back to close the karabiner 10 and retain the
rope or the like therein.
[0057] The free end of the gate 20 has located in the loop 26, a
nut 36 and the free end 16 of the karabiner body 12 has a shaped
slot 38, which receives the nut 36 when the gate 20 is closed. The
slot 38 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 13-17. The slot 38 has a
first narrow part 40 open to the end of the free end 16 of the body
12 and leading to a wide part 42 forming ledges 44 on opposite
sides of the slot. The ledges 44 are generally normal to a
longitudinal axis of the gate 20 to the extent that the ledges 44
slope upwardly in the direction of the gate 20 opening thus
rendering it more difficult to be opened inadvertently in a load
situation. This is an important safety feature of the illustrated
embodiment of the karabiner 10 of the present invention.
Furthermore, as can be seen, the free end 16 of the karabiner 10
has a generally smooth profile, which advantageously can avoid the
risk of snagging ropes, etc. thereon.
[0058] FIGS. 18-31 show variations on the basic karabiner 10 of
FIGS. 1-17 and only the differences will be described in detail
hereinafter. Like parts have been given the same reference numbers
throughout for ease in understanding.
[0059] In FIG. 18, instead of a generally circular nut, nut 60 at
the end of the gate 20 is generally semi-circular in side view. In
FIG. 19, the karabiner 10 has a rectangular nut 64 at the end of
the gate 20. FIG. 20 shows a karabiner 10 with a different means of
forming the slot 38 for receiving the free end of the gate 20. The
slot 38 is provided by a wire cage 66 fixed to the free end of the
body 12. The cage 66 is formed of a wire bent to form two opposed
U-shaped sides 68. The sides 68 converge outwardly of the karabiner
10, so that nut 36 can snap into the cage 66, but not pass through
it. The nut 36 can have annular grooves 70 on either side of the
gate 20 to locate on the wire of the cage 66. In FIG. 21, the end
74 of the gate 20 is folded over sideways instead of using a nut 36
and slot 38 in the free end of the body 12 and shaped to correspond
to the shape of the end of the gate 20.
[0060] FIG. 22 shows a karabiner 10 with a slot 80 for the gate 20
accessible from the side of the free end of the body 12. The gate
20 has a slightly larger loop 82 at its free end that fits over peg
84 and into groove 86 in the top surface of the spigot. To open the
gate 20, it has to be pulled sideways initially. FIG. 23
illustrates a karabiner 10 with a safety lock in the form of
rotatable thimble 90 on the free end of the body 12. The thimble 90
has a slot 92 therein that, when aligned inwardly with the gate 20,
allows the gate 20 to be opened and closed but when rotated out of
that alignment locks the gate 20 closed.
[0061] In FIG. 24, the gate 20 of the karabiner 10 has a nut 100
that is slid onto the gate 20. FIG. 25 illustrates how the nut 36
used in the karabiner 10 of FIG. 1 may be formed in two parts, one
male 102 and the other female 104. Turning to FIG. 26, a karabiner
of the type of FIG. 1 has a sliding locking member 110 on the gate
20, so that when the gate 20 is closed, the locking member 110 can
be slid up towards the free end 16 of the body 12. The locking
member 110 has a finger 112 that then overlies the body 12 on the
opposite side to the slot 38, so that the gate 20 cannot be opened
inadvertently.
[0062] FIG. 27 shows how the slot 38 may be shaped to correspond to
the shape of the gate end. In this case, the gate end is in the
form of a transverse loop 120 and the slot has a peg 122 therein,
over which the loop 120 locates. In FIG. 28, the slot 38 at the
free end of the body 12 of the karabiner 10 has a rotatable locking
pin 130 through the end of the body 12. The gate 20 has a loop 132
at its free end that locates over the pin 130. The pin 130 has a
lip 134, so that with the lip downwards, as illustrated, the loop
132 can locate on the pin 130, but when the pin 130 is rotated
through 180.degree., the lip 134 prevents the loop 132 from being
freed.
[0063] FIG. 29 shows a locking thimble 150 provided on the gate 20.
There is an outwardly screw-threaded sleeve 152 on the gate 20 and
the thimble 150 is correspondingly threaded, so as to move upwards
or downwards when rotated. When the thimble 150 is moved upwards,
it partly overlies the free end of the body 12, so that the gate 20
cannot be opened. Finally, FIG. 30 shows a karabiner 10 having a
gate 20 with a loop 160 at its free end 16 and there is a hole 162
through the free end 16 of the body 12 in the region of the gate
receiving slot 38, so that when the gate 20 is closed, the loop 160
and hole 162 coincide. A strap 164 attached to the gate has a pin
166 to lock the gate 20 closed.
[0064] A still further and preferred non-limiting embodiment of the
present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 31-36. Like parts have
been given the same reference numbers throughout for ease in
understanding.
[0065] In particular, the karabiner 10 of this embodiment includes
the generally C-shaped body 12 having a first free end 14 and a
second free end 16, which results in a gap 18 therebetween. A gate
20 effectively closes the gap 18 upon constraint. As discussed
hereinabove, the gate 20 is formed of a wire member or wire strands
22, 24 located on the first free end 14 of the body 12. The gate 20
is in the form of a loop 26 that includes a shaped free end. The
second free end 16 of the C-shaped body 12 includes a recessed seat
168 for receiving the shaped free end of the gate 20. Further, this
recessed seat 168 is shaped to correspond substantially with the
shaped end of the gate 20. In one preferred embodiment, the
recessed seat 168 is in a substantially horseshoe shape.
[0066] As seen in the figures, the karabiner 10 of this embodiment,
and in particular the recessed seat 168, is bounded by one or more
walls 170. In operation, when the gate 20 is in a closed position,
and the shaped free end of the loop 26 is contacting the recessed
seat 168, the wall or walls 170 protect an end portion 172 of the
shaped free end of the loop 26 from contact. For example, the wall
or walls 170 protect the end portion 172 of the loop 26 from
contact or snagging with the rope, a line or similar object. In
addition, the wall or walls 170 protect the end portion 172 of the
loop 26 from impact, such as sideward impact or outside or outward
object impact, such as a boot, a rock, etc. Therefore, the
structure of this embodiment serves to prevent the accidental
opening of the gate 20 by protecting the end portion 172 of the
loop 26 from contact.
[0067] In a further embodiment, the second free end 16 of the body
12, which includes the recessed seat 168, also includes an outer
wall 174 that at least partially bounds an outer side of the end
portion 172 of the loop 26 when the gate 20 is in the closed
position and the shaped free end of the loop 26 is contacting the
recessed seat 168. In addition, an inner wall 176 is provided and
at least partially bounds an inner side of the end portion 172 of
the loop 26 when the gate is in a closed position and the shaped
end of the loop 26 is contacting the recessed seat 168. In this
manner, the walls 170 (such as the outer wall 174 and the inner
wall 176) at least partially shroud the end portion 172 of the loop
26 when the gate is in the closed position.
[0068] As best seen in FIGS. 32, 34 and 36, the inner wall 176 is
positioned substantially adjacent the recessed seat 168 and is
configured to receive the shaped end of the loop 26 thereover. In
addition, in a further embodiment, the recessed seat 168 includes a
shaped groove 178 at a base portion of the recessed seat 168. The
shape of the shaped groove 178 corresponds substantially to the
shape of the end portion 172 of the loop 26. In particular, the
shaped groove 178 allows the end portion 172 of the loop 26 to
better engage and contact the recessed seat 168.
[0069] As discussed above in connection with the previous
embodiments of the karabiner 10 of the present invention, the
present embodiment may also be fitted with or manufactured with the
various locking means discussed above. These locking means operate
in substantially the same manner as discussed above in connection
with karabiner 10 of this embodiment.
[0070] This invention has been described with reference to the
preferred embodiments. Obvious modifications and alterations will
occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding
detailed description. It is intended that the invention be
construed as including all such modifications and alterations.
* * * * *