Carabiner hook for a top-rope belay

Abstract

Carabiner hook for a top-rope belay for redirecting a safety rope, wherein the carabiner hook (100) consists of a C-shaped hook body (1) and a spring-loaded gate. consisting of and a deflection section (12) for the safety rope is provided on a leg (4b) of the hook body (1), characterized in that a removable deflection element (11, 13) is provided on the leg (4b), which serves to extend the deflection section (12) and essentially determines the deflection radius of the safety rope, wherein a wear mark is attached to at least one of the deflection elements (11, 13).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a carabiner hook for a top-rope belay according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] In climbing gyms, climbers always follow predetermined routes on a climbing wall. A top-rope belaying method is often used. In this method, the climber is secured from the ground with a belay rope that runs through a pulley system. The belayer on the ground slowly takes in the rope as the climber ascends. If the climber falls, the belayer keeps the rope taut. A certain amount of friction at the pulley system is desirable to minimize the rope drag on the belayer in the event of a fall. This is particularly important when climbers are significantly heavier than their belayer.

[0003] The rope redirection point is located at the highest point of the climbing route. It usually consists of a carabiner hooked to a fixed point.

[0004] The safety rope provided by the climbing gym operator is usually permanently threaded. This means it doesn't need to be rethreaded by each climber and can be used by several people in succession. Once a climber reaches the end of the route, they can simply be rappelled down. Rappelling, in particular, puts significant stress on the safety rope and carabiner due to friction. This can lead to considerable wear and tear, such as material loss on the carabiner. As a result, the carabiner's safety-relevant strength and maximum load capacity are reduced.

[0005] The operator of a climbing hall must therefore regularly check the proper condition of the carabiners for top-rope belays.

[0006] DE 25 32 251 A1 discloses a carabiner hook with an interchangeable rounding plate. EP 1 384 497 A1 discloses a carabiner hook with an interchangeable roller element. DE 20 2013 102 438 U1 discloses a hook-roller combination.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a carabiner hook for a top-rope belay system that reduces wear on the carabiner hook and the belay rope and is simple and cost-effective.

[0008] This problem is solved by the features specified in claim 1.

[0009] Advantageous further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0010] The essential idea of ​​the invention is to increase the contact area and thus the deflection radius of a carabiner used for top-rope belaying in the area of ​​the belay rope's redirection by means of separate, removable, and replaceable deflection elements, thereby eliminating friction on the actual carabiner. The additional deflection elements completely cover the carabiner in the redirection area. The rope does not come into contact with the carabiner body. Abrasion of the carabiner body is thus prevented. The carabiner used for top-rope belaying can be used indefinitely. The belay rope is also significantly protected.

[0011] By attaching a wear indicator to the deflection element, the user can be notified in good time that the deflection element needs to be replaced.

[0012] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing.

[0013] They show: Fig. 1 Conventional carabiner hook in overhead view Fig. 2 Top-rope climbing tour with one climber and one belaying rope partner Fig. 3. Perspective view of a carabiner hook for a top-rope belay. Fig. 4 Exploded view of a carabiner hook for a top-rope belay Fig. 5 carabiners for a top-rope belay in use Fig. 6a, b Deflection element with a wear mark

[0014] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a conventional carabiner 10 with a C-shaped hook body 1 and a self-closing gate 3 in the secured closed position. The gate 3 is actuated by a spring located in a recess on the gate 3, which is not visible in this view. The gate 3 consists of a pivot arm 5, which is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis 5a provided on a first leg 4a of the hook body. A movable sleeve 7 serves as a locking element 8 to prevent unintentional opening; the leading edge 7a of this sleeve projects beyond the end of an opposing second leg 4b of the C-shaped hook body 1 in the secured closed position.

[0015] The sleeve 7 is mounted to be displaceable relative to the longitudinal axis of the pivot arm 5 against a second, invisible spring and can be displaced so far that the front edge 7a of the displaceable sleeve 7 no longer extends beyond the leg end of the second leg 4b and thus the catch 3 can be easily pivoted, thereby releasing a hook opening 9.

[0016] The hook body 1, as well as the catch 3 with swivel arm 5 and sleeve 7, are made of aluminum, for example. The hook body can also be made of steel.

[0017] When the carabiner is used as a redirect in a top-rope belay, the belay rope is guided along a redirect section 12. The redirect radius is typically 8-12 mm, depending on the thickness of the leg 4b, which also depends on the material used.

[0018] Fig. Figure 2 shows a climber using a top-rope belay. At the highest point of the climbing route, there is a redirect point where the belay rope is deflected. The redirect point consists of a carabiner clipped into a fixed point on the climbing wall. The belay rope runs from the climber, over the redirect point, to the belayer on the ground. If a conventional carabiner 10 is used as the redirect point, the belay rope and the carabiner are subjected to considerable stress during rappelling. Particularly in the area of ​​the redirect point 12, significant material loss can occur even after a short period of use, especially in climbing gyms, due to refracting effects. This can lead to a dangerous situation because the carabiner loses strength and its maximum load-bearing capacity, especially for longitudinal forces, decreases.

[0019] Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a carabiner hook according to the invention. The carabiner hook 100 differs from the one in Fig. The carabiner 10 shown in Figure 1 is constructed in several parts. It consists of two side elements 30, 50 and a movable central element 7, which serves as a spring-loaded gate. The two side elements 30, 50 together correspond to the hook body 1 of the carabiner 10. The tensile strength of the carabiner is essentially determined by the two relatively narrow side elements 30, 50. These can be easily manufactured as stamped sheet metal parts. Each of the side elements 30, 50 has deflection elements 11, 13, which are fixed to each other by means of two through bolts 15, 17.

[0020] A bracket 200 serves as a fixed point for connection to a climbing wall, which allows the carabiner hook 100 to swivel freely around 3 axes.

[0021] Fig. Figure 4 shows the carabiner hook 100 according to the invention. Fig. 3 in exploded view. In this view, the multi-part construction of the carabiner hook 100 and the arrangement of the deflection elements 11 and 13 with the corresponding rope bearing surfaces 11a, 13a are particularly easy to see.

[0022] Fig. Figure 5 shows a carabiner 100 according to the invention for a top-rope belay, into which the belay rope S is inserted. A gate 7 closes the hook opening 9, so that the belay rope is securely fixed in the carabiner 100.

[0023] The function of the invention is explained in more detail below.

[0024] Under load, particularly during the climber's descent, the belay rope rests exclusively on the rope bearing surfaces 11a, 13a of the respective redirection elements 11, 13. Compared to a conventional carabiner 10, the redirection section 12 on which the belay rope rests, and thus the redirection radius, is significantly increased. This eliminates friction on the redirection section 12 of the actual carabiner. The redirection elements can be easily replaced when worn. At least one of the redirection elements has a wear indicator that shows when it needs to be replaced. The wear indicator can, for example, consist of a groove 13b provided at the end edge of the rope bearing surface 13a ( Fig. 6a). If the abrasion becomes too great, the groove is no longer visible.

[0025] Alternatively, it can also consist of a color marking provided in a blind hole drilled below the rope support surface 13a ( Fig. 6b). The marking will only become visible when the thickness of the rope bearing surface has decreased accordingly.

[0026] Advantageously, the deflection elements 11,13 are made of a high-strength material, e.g. ceramic or steel.

[0027] Hall operators can use the carabiners for top-rope belay devices almost indefinitely. Furthermore, safety is increased because wear indicators signal when replacement is necessary. The hall operator only needs to replace the significantly less expensive redirecting elements, not the carabiner itself. This eliminates the possibility of the carabiner's load-bearing capacity being reduced due to wear.

Claims

[1] Carabiner hook for a top-rope belay for redirecting a belay rope, wherein the carabiner hook (100) consists of a C-shaped hook body (1) and a spring-loaded gate consists and a deflection section (12) for the safety rope is provided on one leg (4b) of the hook body (1), characterized by , that a removable deflection element (11, 13) is provided on the leg (4b) which serves to extend the deflection section (12) and essentially determines the deflection radius of the safety rope, wherein a wear mark is attached to at least one of the deflection elements (11, 13). [2] Carabiner hook according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the deflection elements (11,13) are made of steel or ceramic.

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