CARABINER HOOK

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a carabiner hook with a hook-shaped base body, a locking lever, a locking element, and an actuating lever, wherein the hook-shaped base body partially encloses a receiving opening of the carabiner hook, and the locking lever is pivotably mounted on the hook-shaped base body between a closed position and a maximum open position by means of a locking lever pivot axis, wherein the receiving opening is closed to the outside by the locking lever in the closed position and is maximally open to the outside in the maximum open position, wherein the locking lever can be locked in the closed position by the locking element, and the locking lever is pivotally mounted on the hook-shaped base body by means of an actuating lever pivot axis.The actuating lever can be pivoted from the closed position to the maximum open position, and the actuating lever acts on the closing lever by means of an actuating bolt guided in an actuating slot.

[0002] Carabiners are known in a wide variety of designs according to the prior art. For carabiners primarily intended for use on via ferratas, the prior art recommends that the locking lever should be as long as possible to prevent the fingers required to operate the locking lever from coming into contact with the steel cable to which the carabiner is to be attached. Such proposals are known, for example, from AT 511 633 B1.

[0003] However, there are already approaches in the prior art to equip carabiners with an actuating lever in addition to the locking lever, whereby the actuating lever pivots the locking lever when the user pivots the actuating lever with their fingers. Such carabiners are known, for example, from DE 10 2010 027 153 A1. Here, the locking lever and the actuating lever are located on opposite sides of the hook-shaped body of the carabiner.

[0004] Carabiner hooks of the type that also have a locking mechanism are found in the Figs. 4 and 5 shown in DE 10 2010 027 153 A1, where in Fig. 5 the locking part as a push button and in Fig. 4 are designed as a pivoting lever. Another carabiner of this type is shown in DE 20 2011 103255 U1.

[0005] The object of the invention is to further develop a generic carabiner hook in such a way that it is as easy to operate as possible.

[0006] For this purpose, the invention proposes a carabiner hook according to claim 1.

[0007] It is therefore provided according to the invention that, at least in the closed position, the distance of the actuating bolt from the actuating lever pivot axis is at least three times, preferably at least five times, greater than the distance of the actuating bolt from the closing lever pivot axis.

[0008] A fundamental aspect of the invention is therefore to make the distance between the actuating bolt and the actuating lever pivot axis significantly larger than the distance between the actuating bolt and the locking lever pivot axis, at least in the closed position of the locking lever, but preferably in all positions of the locking lever. This ensures that the actuating lever only needs to be pivoted by a relatively small angle around its pivot axis to move the locking lever from the closed position to its fully open position. Carabiners according to the invention can therefore be operated relatively easily, since the actuating lever only needs to be moved a relatively small amount to fully pivot the locking lever.

[0009] The invention thus achieves a relatively good translation between the pivoting movement of the actuating lever about the actuating lever pivot axis and the resulting pivoting movement of the closing lever about the closing lever pivot axis.

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the invention also provide that when the actuating lever is pivoted by an actuating lever pivot angle, the resulting closing lever pivot angle of the closing lever is at least six times, preferably at least seven times, as large as the actuating lever pivot angle.

[0011] A very intuitive and familiar type of operation for the user of carabiners is achieved when, as provided in preferred embodiments of the invention, the actuating lever pivot axis and the locking lever pivot axis are arranged on a first side of the hook-shaped base body, and the locking element is attached to the hook-shaped base body on a second side opposite the first side. This allows the carabiner to be actuated on the side for pivoting the locking lever, the same side on which the locking lever itself is located. One could also say that the actuating surface of the actuating lever is located on the first side of the hook-shaped base body, where the locking lever pivot axis is also located. The actuating surface is the surface of the actuating lever that the user presses with their fingers when actuating it.This allows the operator of the carabiner to actuate the locking mechanism on the same side as the locking lever, just as they are familiar with from simpler carabiner designs that don't have an operating lever at all. One could also say that the operating lever and the locking lever are located, at least in the closed position, on the first side of the hook-shaped body, and the locking element is attached to the hook-shaped body on a second side opposite the first.

[0012] Preferred embodiments of the invention provide in this context that the carabiner hook is extended longitudinally in one direction and that the first side and the second side are opposite each other with respect to an imaginary longitudinal center axis extending in the direction of the longitudinal extension.

[0013] As is known from the prior art, the locking element in carabiners according to the invention can also be designed as a slider or a push button. However, preferred embodiments of the invention provide that the locking element is a locking lever pivotally mounted on the hook-shaped base body by means of a locking element pivot axis. Particularly preferred embodiments, in turn, provide that the locking element pivot axis is arranged on the second side of the hook-shaped base body. In these embodiments, the actuating lever pivot axis and the locking lever pivot axis are thus located on the first side of the hook-shaped base body, and the locking element pivot axis is located on the opposite second side of the hook-shaped base body.

[0014] It is also advantageous if, in embodiments of the invention, the locking lever rests against a freely projecting end of the hook-shaped base body in the closed position, and the locking lever is arranged, at least in the closed position, between the freely projecting end of the hook-shaped base body and the actuating lever. It can also be provided that, in the closed position, the locking lever rests against the freely projecting end of the hook-shaped base body, and the pivot axis of the locking lever is arranged between the freely projecting end of the hook-shaped base body and the pivot axis of the actuating lever. This, too, simplifies the intuitive operation of the carabiner hook.

[0015] In principle, the actuating bolt could be located on the locking lever and the actuating slot on the actuating lever. However, preferred embodiments of the invention provide that the actuating bolt is fixed to the actuating lever and the actuating slot is located, preferably formed, on the locking lever. To minimize the force required to actuate the actuating lever when pivoting the locking lever from the closed position to its fully open position, it is advantageous to minimize the friction between the actuating bolt and the walls defining the actuating slot. This can be achieved, for example, by minimizing the maximum displacement of the actuating bolt within the actuating slot, the distance by which the actuating bolt is displaced when pivoting the locking lever from its closed position to its fully open position.In this sense, preferred embodiments of the invention provide that the actuating bolt has a diameter measured in the actuating slot, and that the maximum displacement of the actuating bolt in the actuating slot is at most twice the diameter of the actuating bolt, preferably less than the diameter of the actuating bolt. This ensures that the actuating bolt is moved in the actuating slot only over a very small maximum displacement, so that very little friction loss can occur.

[0016] Preferably, the locking element acts on the locking lever by means of a locking bolt. If the locking element is a locking lever pivotable about a locking element pivot axis, it is advantageously provided that the locking bolt and the locking element pivot axis are spaced apart from each other. This also applies at least in the closed position of the locking lever, but preferably in all positions of the locking lever. A particularly stable locking of the locking lever by the locking element is achieved if the locking bolt is supported on the hook-shaped base body when the locking lever is locked.

[0017] Preferred embodiments of the invention provide that the carabiner hook additionally has a blocking element for blocking the locking element, wherein the locking element, blocked by the blocking element, locks the locking lever in the closed position. In such carabiners, a blocking element is thus provided in addition to the locking element. If the blocking element blocks the locking element, it is further ensured that the locking element locks the locking lever in the closed position and cannot accidentally release the locking lever. The blocking element could also, in principle, be designed as a blocking lever pivotable about a pivot axis of the blocking element. However, preferred variants of the invention provide that the blocking element is a slidably mounted blocking slide. It is preferred that the blocking slide is slidably mounted on the hook-shaped base body.It is particularly preferred that the locking element, preferably mounted on the hook-shaped base body, is movably mounted between two end positions. It may be provided that the locking element engages in the end positions.

[0018] To protect the carabiner hook against abrasion on steel cables and the like, preferred embodiments of the invention provide that the hook-shaped base body is coated, at least partially, with a polymer layer in an area adjacent to the receiving opening. This polymer layer, which can also be replaceably attached to the hook-shaped base body, can also significantly reduce noise when the carabiner hook slides along steel cables and the like.

[0019] Further features and details of preferred embodiments of the invention are explained below using an exemplary embodiment as an example.

[0020] Figures show: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a carabiner hook according to the invention in a closed position of the locking lever, wherein the locking part is blocked by a blocking part; Fig. 2 shows the same carabiner hook as Fig. 1 in the closed position, whereby the blocking part releases the locking part and Fig. 3 the same carabiner hook as in Fig. 1 , however, in the maximum open position of the locking lever; Fig. 4 shows a longitudinal section. Fig. 1 ; Fig. 5 a longitudinal section to Fig. 2 ; Fig. 6 a longitudinal section to Fig. 3 ; Fig. 7 an enlarged section from Fig. 4Fig. 8 shows a schematic drawing of the relationship between the actuating lever pivot angle and the closing lever pivot angle of this carabiner hook, and Fig. 9 shows an enlarged section of Fig. 6 .

[0021] All Figs. 1 to 9 The illustrations show one and the same embodiment of a carabiner hook according to the invention. Figs. 1 to 3 show side views that Figs. 4 to 6 Sectional views, where Fig. 4 , Fig. 1 is assigned. Fig. 5 shows the cut in the position accordingly. Fig. 2 and Fig. 6 the cut accordingly Fig. 3 .

[0022] The carabiner 1 of this embodiment has a hook-shaped base body 2, a locking lever 3, a locking element 4, and an actuating lever 5. In this embodiment, the locking element 4 is designed as a locking lever. The hook-shaped base body 2 partially or completely encloses the receiving opening 6 of the carabiner 1. When the carabiner 1 is hooked onto a rope, bolt, or the like, the rope or bolt is located in the receiving opening 6, as is known per se. The locking lever 3 is pivoted by means of its locking lever pivot axis 7 between a [missing information] in the Fig. 1, 2 , 4 and 5 the depicted closing position and the one in the Fig. 3 and 6The locking lever 3 is pivotably mounted on the hook-shaped base body 2 in its maximum open position as shown. In its closed position, the locking lever 3 closes the receiving opening 6 to the outside. In the fully open position, the receiving opening 6 is open as far as possible to the outside, so that the carabiner hook 1 can be attached to a rope (not shown), bolt, or the like. The locking lever 3 can be locked in the closed position by the locking element 4. This means that when the locking element 4 holds the locking lever 3 in the closed position, the locking lever 3 cannot be pivoted out of the closed position.

[0023] While most carabiners on the market are designed to pivot the locking lever from its closed position to its fully open position by pressing directly on the locking lever, this embodiment according to the invention provides that the locking lever 3 is pivoted from its closed position to its fully open position via an actuating lever 5. The actuating lever 5 is pivotably mounted on the hook-shaped base body 2 by means of the actuating lever pivot axis 8. The movement is transmitted from the actuating lever 5 to the locking lever 3 by means of an actuating bolt 10 guided in an actuating slot 9.

[0024] In this embodiment, the actuating bolt 10 is fixed to the actuating lever 5, and the actuating slot 9 is formed on the closing lever 3. This is particularly evident in the sectional views according to the Figs. 4 to 6 .

[0025] In the Figs. 4 to 6 and especially in Fig. 7 It can be clearly seen that the distance 11 of the actuating bolt 10 from the actuating lever pivot axis 8 is significantly greater than the distance 12 of the actuating bolt 10 from the locking lever pivot axis 7. This applies first and foremost in the closed position, see Fig. 4, 5 and 7 This applies in preferred embodiments in all positions of the locking lever and especially also in the maximum open position according to Fig. 6 .

[0026] Fig. 7 shows an excerpt of Fig. 4The image is enlarged. Here, the distances 11 between the actuating bolt 10 and the actuating lever pivot axis 8, as well as the distance 12 between the actuating bolt 10 and the locking lever pivot axis 7, are shown. According to the invention, in this embodiment as well, the distance 11 of the actuating bolt 10 from the actuating lever pivot axis 8 is at least three times, preferably at least five times, greater than the distance 12 of the actuating bolt 10 from the locking lever pivot axis 7, at least in the closed position. In the embodiment shown, as well as in other preferred embodiments of the invention, the aforementioned distance 11 is even more than six times greater than the aforementioned distance 12. As already explained at the outset, this results in a particularly good transmission ratio when pivoting the locking lever 3.

[0027] To pivot the locking lever 3 from the closed position to the maximum open position, a relatively small actuating lever pivot angle 13 is sufficient to achieve the locking lever pivot angle 14 required for the complete opening of the locking lever 3. Fig. 8 This embodiment of a carabiner hook 1 according to the invention shows only the locking lever pivot axis 7 and the actuating lever pivot axis 8, as well as the actuating bolt 10 in its two end positions. The in Fig. 8 The actuating bolt 10 assumes the end position shown on the left when the locking lever 3 is in the closed position. The position of the actuating bolt 10 shown on the right corresponds to its relative position to the locking lever pivot axis 7 and the actuating lever pivot axis 8 in the maximum open position of the locking lever 3. The following are shown in Fig. 8The actuating lever pivot angle 13 and the corresponding closing lever pivot angle 14 are also correspondingly affected. As already explained at the outset, it is advantageously provided, as also shown in this example, that when the actuating lever 5 is pivoted by the actuating lever pivot angle 13, the resulting closing lever pivot angle 14 of the closing lever 3 is at least six times, preferably at least seven times, as large as the actuating lever pivot angle 13.

[0028] In preferred embodiments, such as the one implemented here, the actuating lever pivot axis 8 and the locking lever pivot axis 7 are arranged on a first side 15 of the hook-shaped base body 2. The locking element 4, on the other hand, is attached to the hook-shaped base body 2 on a second side 16 opposite the first side 15 in preferred embodiments. This can be clearly seen in the Figs. 1 to 6 In Fig. 1The longitudinal center axis 17 of this carabiner hook 1, which extends lengthwise in a corresponding direction, is also shown. It is clearly visible that the first side 15 and the second side 16 are opposite each other with respect to the imaginary longitudinal center axis 17 running in the direction of the carabiner hook 1's longitudinal extension. In preferred embodiments, such as the one shown here, it is advantageous that the actuating surface 28 of the actuating lever 5, which the user of the carabiner hook 1 presses to pivot the actuating lever 5, is located on the first side 15 of the carabiner hook 1. The actuating surface 29 of the locking element 4 or the locking lever, which must be pressed to pivot the locking lever, is advantageously located on the opposite second side 16, as is also the case here.Accordingly, in this embodiment, the locking part pivot axis 18, about which the locking part 4, here the locking lever, can pivot, is also located on the second side 16 of the hook-shaped base body 2.

[0029] In the Figs. 1 to 6 It is also clearly visible that the locking lever 3, in the closed position, rests against a freely projecting end 19 of the hook-shaped base body 2. The locking lever 3 is thus located between the freely projecting end 19 and the actuating lever 5. Furthermore, in this embodiment as well, the locking lever pivot axis 7 is arranged between the freely projecting end 19 of the hook-shaped base body 2 and the actuating lever pivot axis 8.

[0030] While the pivoting of both the actuating lever 5 and the locking element 4 (or, in this case, the locking lever) is achieved by pressing on the corresponding actuating surfaces 28 and 29, a return spring 25 or 26, supported on the hook-shaped base body 2, is provided for the return of these levers 4 and 5, respectively. When the user releases the actuating surface 28 of the actuating lever 5, the first return spring 25 pushes the actuating lever 5 back into its initial position. Fig. 1, 2 , 4 and 5 . By means of the coupling via the actuating slot 9 and the actuating bolt 10, this reset of the actuating lever 5 also ensures that the locking lever 3 is returned from the maximum open position by means of the first return spring 25 in accordance with the Fig. 3 and 6 automatically into the closed position according to the Fig. 1, 2 , 4 and 5The locking element 4 is pivoted back when the actuating surface 28 of the actuating lever 5 is released. The second return spring 26 ensures that the locking element 4, designed as a locking lever, returns to its original position when the actuating surface 29 is released.

[0031] The actuating lever 5 can only be actuated to pivot the locking lever 3 into its maximum open position once the locking element 4, in this case the locking lever, releases the locking lever 3. In preferred embodiments, such as the one shown here, the coupling between the locking element 4 and the locking lever 3 is provided by means of a locking bolt 21, which acts on the locking lever 3 to lock it. In this embodiment, as in other preferred embodiments, the locking bolt 21 is slidably mounted in a locking slot 24. In the variant shown here, the locking bolt 21 is fixed to the locking element 4, i.e., to the locking lever, while the locking slot 24 is located in the locking lever 3. This is not mandatory; an arrangement reversed is also conceivable.It would even be possible to implement design variants in which the locking slot 24 or the locking bolt 21 is formed on or fixed to the actuating lever 5.

[0032] In the embodiment shown here, one can see in particular in the Fig. 4, 5 and 7 that the locking slot 24 has a curved section and an angled end section. It is located as in Fig. 4, 5 and 7 As shown, the locking bolt 21 is positioned in the angled end region of the locking slot 24, so that the locking part 4 locks the locking lever 3, preventing it from moving out of the closed position according to the Fig. 4, 5 and 7 can be swung out. Preferably, in this position, the locking bolt 21 is also supported on the hook-shaped base body 2. This can also be clearly seen in the Fig. 4, 5 and 7Only when the locking element 4 is actuated accordingly, i.e., in this case by pivoting the locking lever against the preload of the second return spring 26, the locking bolt 21 is moved into the curved area of ​​the locking slot 24, can the locking lever 3 be moved from the closed position to the open position by means of the actuating lever 5. Fig. 6 The maximum open position shown can be swivelled.

[0033] Especially in the sectional views according to the Figs. 4 to 6 It is clearly visible that this carabiner 1 is equipped with a locking element 22 in addition to the locking element 4. This locking element 22 serves to lock the locking element 4, as shown in the Fig. 1 and 4 is shown. In the position blocked by the blocking part 22, the locking part 4 permanently locks the locking lever 3 in its closed position. Only when the blocking part 22 is in the Figs. 2 and 3When the locking element 4 is shifted to the position shown in Figures 5 and 6, in which it no longer blocks the locking lever 4, the locking lever 3 can be released by actuating the locking element 4 and then pivoted into the fully open position. Although not strictly necessary, in this embodiment the blocking element 22 is designed as a blocking slide. This slide is slidably mounted on the hook-shaped base body 2. In this embodiment, the blocking element 22, i.e., the blocking slide, can be moved back and forth between two end positions on the hook-shaped base body 2. One end position is in the Fig. 1 and 4 , the other final position in the Fig. 2, 3as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Preferably, as also implemented here, the locking element 22 is designed to engage in its end positions. In the embodiment shown here, the locking element 22 has a locking lug that can engage in the corresponding recesses in the hook-shaped base body 2. Of course, corresponding locking functions can also be implemented in other, known ways.

[0034] Especially in the sectional views according to the Figs. 4 to 6It can also be seen that in this embodiment, the hook-shaped base body 2 is coated, at least partially, with a polymer layer 23 in an area adjacent to the receiving opening 6. This polymer layer 23 reduces abrasion on the hook-shaped base body 2 when the carabiner 1 is attached to a steel cable or the like. Furthermore, the polymer layer 23 also achieves a corresponding reduction in noise when the carabiner 1 is attached to and moved along a steel cable. The polymer layer 23 can be attached to the hook-shaped base body 2 in a replaceable manner, so that it can be easily replaced when worn.

[0035] Fig. 9 The figure now shows the area around the actuating bolt 10 in the actuating slot 9. Fig. 6enlarged. It is clearly visible that the maximum displacement 27 of the actuating bolt 10 in the actuating slot 9 is even smaller in this embodiment than the diameter 20 of the actuating bolt 10 in the actuating slot 9. Therefore, when pivoting the lever 3 from the closed position to the fully open position, in preferred embodiments such as the one shown here, the actuating bolt 10 moves only very slightly along the actuating slot 9. Consequently, relatively little friction is generated. This contributes to the fact that the closing lever 3 can be actuated with relatively little effort using the actuating lever 5. Key to the reference numbers: 1 carabiner hook 25 first return spring 2 hook-shaped base 26 second return spring 27 Shifting distance 3 Locking lever 28 Operating area 4 locking part 29 Operating area 5 Actuating lever 6 opening 7 Locking lever pivot axis 8 Actuating lever pivot axis 9 Actuating slot 10 Actuating bolt 11 Distance 12 Distance 13 Actuating lever swivel angle 14 Locking lever swivel angle 15 first page 16 second page 17 Longitudinal center axis 18 Locking part swivel axis 19 freely projecting end 20 diameter 21 Locking bolt 22 Blocking part 23 Polymer layer 24 Locking slot

Claims

1. A carabiner hook (1), comprising a hook-shaped main body (2), a closing lever (3),a retaining part (4) and an actuating lever (5), wherein the hook-shaped main body (2) partially surrounds a receiving opening (6) of the carabiner hook (1), and wherein the closing lever (3) is mounted on the hook-shaped main body (2) by a closing lever pivot (7) so as to be pivotable between a closed position and a maximum open position, wherein, in the closed position, the receiving opening (6) is closed with respect to an outside by the closing lever (3) and, in the maximum open position, the receiving opening (6) is opened to the maximum extent with respect to the outside, wherein the closing lever (3) is retainable in the closed position by the retaining part (4), and the closing lever (3) is pivotable from the closed position into the maximum open position by the actuating lever (5), which is mounted pivotably on the hook-shaped main body (2) by an actuating lever pivot (8) and the actuating lever (5) exerts a pivoting action on the closing lever (3) via an actuating pin (10) guided in a slotted actuating hole (9), characterized in that, at least in the closed position, a distance (11) between the actuating pin (10) and the actuating lever pivot (8) is at least three times, preferably at least five times, greater than a distance (12) between the actuating pin (10) and the closing lever pivot (7).

2. The carabiner hook (1) according to claim 1, wherein, as the actuating lever (5) pivots through an actuating lever pivoting angle (13), a closing lever pivoting angle (14) of the closing lever (3) which is thereby brought about is at least six times, preferably at least seven times, as great as the actuating lever pivoting angle (13).

3. The carabiner hook (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuating lever pivot (8) and the closing lever pivot (7) are arranged on a first side (15) of the hook-shaped main body (2), and the retaining part (4) is secured on the hook-shaped main body (2) on a second side (16) of the hook-shaped main body (2), which is opposite the first side (15).

4. The carabiner hook (1) according to claim 3, wherein the carabiner hook (1) is elongate in one direction, and the first side (15) and the second side (16) lie opposite one another with respect to a longitudinal center line (17) extending in a direction of longitudinal extent.

5. The carabiner hook (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the retaining part (4) is a retaining lever mounted pivotably on the hook-shaped main body (2) by a retaining part pivot (18).

6. The carabiner hook (1) according to one of the claims 3 or 4 and claim 5, wherein the actuating lever pivot (18) is arranged on a second side (16) of the hook-shaped main body (2).

7. The carabiner hook (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein in the closed position, the closing lever (3) rests against a freely projecting end (19) of the hook-shaped main body (2), and the closing lever pivot (7) is arranged between the freely projecting end (19) of the hook-shaped main body (2) and the actuating lever pivot (8).

8. The carabiner hook (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the actuating pin (10) is fixed on the actuating lever (5), and the slotted actuating hole (9) is arranged on, preferably formed on, the closing lever (3).

9. The carabiner hook (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the actuating pin (10) has a diameter (20), measured in the slotted actuating hole (9), and a maximum displacement travel (27) of the actuating pin (10) in the slotted actuating hole (9) is no more than twice as great as the diameter (20) of the actuating pin (10), preferably smaller than the diameter (20) of the actuating bolt (10).

10. The carabiner hook (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the retaining part (4) exerts a retaining action on the closing lever (3) via a retaining pin (21), preferably wherein the retaining pin (21) is adapted to be supported on the hook-shaped main body (2) when retaining the closing lever (3).

11. The carabiner hook (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 10, further comprising a blocking part (22) for blocking the retaining part (4), and the retaining part (4) blocked by the blocking part (22) retains the closing lever (3) in the closed position.

12. The carabiner hook (1) according to claim 11, wherein the blocking part (22) is a blocking slide, which is slidably mounted, preferably on the hook-shaped main body (2).

13. The carabiner hook (1) according to one of the claims 11 or 12, wherein the blocking part (22) is mounted, preferably on the hook-shaped main body (2), such that the blocking part (22) is movable backward and forward between two end positions.

14. The carabiner hook (1) according to claim 13, wherein the blocking part (22) latches in the end positions.

15. The carabiner hook (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 14, wherein the hook-shaped main body (2) is covered, at least in some region or regions, with a polymer layer (23) in a region adjoining the receiving opening (6).