Snap hook with internal limiting device

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a carabiner used in the field of climbing and working at height. Prior art

[0002] Carabiners are commonly used in climbing and professional activities that require roped-in ropes. For example, they are used to connect a safety device to the loop of a rope harness or to a wall.

[0003] Carabiners generally have an asymmetrical shape, with one area of ​​the carabiner being specifically adapted to cooperate with a safety device, while another area is more suited to the use of a rope, for example.

[0004] However, during use, it is not uncommon for the carabiner to rotate on itself, for example when a user is belaying a third party climbing a wall. Indeed, during belaying, the belay system composed of the carabiner and the safety device moves as the user slides the safety device along the belay rope. As a result, the relative position of the safety device in relation to the carabiner may be modified, and impair the proper functioning of the belay system.

[0005] To address this problem, some carabiners have a bar mounted fixed to the carabiner to separate the space defined inside the carabiner into two separate areas. Its role is to prevent the movement of a device - for example, a safety device - beyond the area defined by the bar.

[0006] Some carabiners have a bar mounted so that it can rotate relative to the carabiner body. The bar is used as a lock to prevent the carabiner gate from accidentally opening. However, this type of device has the disadvantage of being bulky and impractical because there is no longer any separation of the space defined inside the carabiner when it is in an open position. Since the bar is mounted to form a lock, the areas defined in the carabiner are not optimized.

[0007] Other carabiners equipped with a bar are known. Some bars are attached to the carabiner by one of their ends, for example by inserting at least one of the ends into a hole made in the body of the carabiner. Since one or more openings have been made in the carabiner, the latter can be weakened and it is necessary to take special precautions when implementing its manufacturing process.

[0008] The bar can optionally be coupled to a spring so that it is returned to a predetermined position after being moved.

[0009] When the bar is attached to the carabiner body by only one of its ends, the connection of a device to the carabiner is facilitated, but the disadvantage is that this device can also inadvertently leave the area predefined by the bar.

[0010] Drilling a hole in the carabiner to accommodate the end of the bar can also be detrimental. This can lead to its weakening if not done with the correct degree of precision.

[0011] It is also known from document US 2016 / 0281766 to produce a bar carabiner equipped with a removable bar which defines two separate complementary spaces inside the internal surface of the carabiner. The bar is a single part which is fixed on the body of the carabiner in two separate zones, for example by clipping.

[0012] It turns out that in some uses this configuration is not practical. Subject of the invention

[0013] An object of the invention is to provide a carabiner configured to cooperate with a safety device permanently held in a predefined area of ​​the carabiner and which allows greater freedom of movement, in particular the assembly and / or disassembly of the safety device. A carabiner is therefore provided according to claim 1. According to one aspect, the carabiner comprises: a body, a finger mounted to rotate at a first end of the body between a closed position and an open position of the carabiner, the finger being in contact with a second end of the body when the carabiner is in the closed position, a delimiting member configured to form a first stop and a second stop projecting from the body, the delimiting member being mounted removable relative to the body, the delimiting member being fixed to the body by a first fixing element and a second fixing element, a connecting member connecting the first fixing element to the second fixing element to define the spacing between the first stop and the second stop.

[0014] The carabiner is remarkable in that the connecting member is pressed against the body. The body, gate, and connecting member define a carabiner with a single central ring.

[0015] Preferably, the first fixing element and / or the second fixing element completely surround the body.

[0016] According to a development of the invention, the connecting member is only in contact with an external face of the body between the first fixing element and the second fixing element.

[0017] Advantageously, the second fixing element is mounted to be removable relative to the first fixing element and relative to the connecting member.

[0018] Preferably, the first fixing element is monolithic with the connecting member. The second fixing element defines a through-hole cooperating with a second through-hole defined in the connecting member, a connecting element passing through the through-hole and the second through-hole to form a single-piece delimiting member.

[0019] In a particular embodiment, the connecting member is shaped to reproduce the shape of the external face of the body in a curved portion of the body, the connecting member being pressed against the curved portion of the body.

[0020] According to one development, the first fixing element, the second fixing element and the connecting member are made of polymer material.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the first fastener and the second fastener each define a through hole cooperating with first and second connecting elements selected from screws, rivets or clinched studs to close the first and second fasteners.

[0022] Advantageously, the first and / or second fixing elements are provided with an anti-rotation device relative to the body.

[0023] It is advantageous to provide a carabiner in which the first and / or second fixing elements respectively comprise first and second recesses having a shape complementary to that of the body.

[0024] The invention also relates to a belaying system which comprises a carabiner according to one of the preceding configurations and a belayer.

[0025] The invention also relates to a method for installing a safety device on a carabiner which is easy to implement.

[0026] According to the invention, this aim is achieved by a method according to claim 5. According to one aspect, a method successively comprises: Providing a carabiner, a safety device and a delimiting member, the delimiting member having a first fixing element, a second fixing element and a connecting member, the first or second fixing element being fixed to the body of the carabiner, Introducing the body of the carabiner into a connection hole of the safety device until reaching a work area, Fixing the other of the first or second fixing element on the body of the carabiner, the first and second fixing elements defining first and second stops at the ends of the work area, the first and second fixing elements being fixed together by a connecting member pressed against the body. Summary description of the drawings

[0027] Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the following description of particular embodiments and implementations of the invention given as non-limiting examples and represented in the appended drawings, in which: there figure 1 illustrates, schematically, a carabiner according to the invention provided with a member for delimiting a work zone; the figure 2 schematically represents different views of a first fixing element associated with a connecting member; the figure 3 schematically represents different views of a second fixing element. Description of the embodiments

[0028] Carabiners used in climbing are used to connect two or more devices together to ensure the safety of a user. For example, they can be used to connect the bridge of a rope harness and a belay device.

[0029] A carabiner 1, such as that shown in the figure 1 , comprises a body 2 advantageously metallic having a C shape, and a finger 3 mounted mobile in rotation and intended to close the carabiner 1. A first end 3a of the finger 3 is mounted mobile in rotation at a first end 2a of the body 2. The finger 3 is mounted mobile in rotation by means of a shaft whose longitudinal axis is orthogonal to a plane called the median plane of the carabiner. During its movement relative to the body 2, the finger 3 moves in the median plane.

[0030] A second end 3b of the gate 3 is in contact with a second end 2b of the body 2 when the carabiner 1 is in the closed position. The gate 3 can also adopt multiple opening positions in order to allow the introduction of a safety device X or a rope for example. The maximum opening position corresponds to that where the second end 3b of the gate 3 can touch a central part 2c of the body 2 or corresponds to the minimum distance between the end 3b and the central part 2c. A return spring (not shown) returns the gate 3 to the closed position of the carabiner 1, so that without the application of an external force the carabiner 1 is in the closed position.

[0031] Generally speaking, the shape of a carabiner 1 as shown in the median plane and on the figure 1is suitable for a given use, and this generally does not have a plane of symmetry that intersects the plane defined previously. Therefore, the connection between a carabiner 1 and a safety device X, for example a belayer, must be made in a specific area of ​​the carabiner 1 in order to use it in optimal safety conditions. For example, it is particularly advantageous to make the carabiner work along its major axis to avoid stressing the gate 3.

[0032] In order to make the carabiner work along its preferred axis, it is known to confine the safety device in a predefined zone by means of a bar fixed to the body 2 of the carabiner 1. The bar then defines, with the body 2 and the gate 3, two adjacent and distinct spaces inside the ring defined by the body 2 and the gate 3. In this way, the safety device X is confined in an internal space of the carabiner 1.

[0033] It appears that when the X safety device is large, it does not always fit into the working space defined by the bar and body 2 of the carabiner, which requires the use of another carabiner. It also happens that the X safety device does not define an openable connection hole. It is then necessary to install the X safety device by opening the gate of the carabiner and then install the bar afterwards. This operation can be tedious when the bar is removable and it proves impossible otherwise.

[0034] According to the invention, a carabiner 1 is therefore provided with a delimiting member 4 which defines a zone in which the safety device X will be able to move on a part of the body 2 without the delimiting member 4 defining a closed zone which requires the prior disassembly of the delimiting member 4 to install the safety device X. In other words, the delimiting member does not define a bar carabiner.

[0035] The delimiting member 4 is fixed to the body 2 by means of a first fixing element 4a and a second fixing element 4b distinct from the first fixing element 4a. The delimiting member 4 defines a first stop 4c and a second stop 4d distinct from the first stop 4c. Advantageously, the first fixing element 4a forms the first stop 4c and the second fixing element 4b forms the second stop 4d.

[0036] The first and second stops 4c and 4d project from the body 2 to define the ends of a working area of ​​the safety device X along the body. In other words, in operation, the body 2 passes through a connection hole of the safety device X and the two stops complicate or prevent the movement of the safety device X along the body 2 beyond the stop.

[0037] Advantageously, at least one stop has a shape that cooperates with the shape of the connection hole to allow the insertion of the safety device X into the work area and extraction from the work area. The stop complicates the passage of the safety device X without preventing it, for example by imposing a predefined angular position for insertion or extraction from the work area. The two stops protrude from the body and are directed towards the inside of the carabiner. The two stops have free apexes, i.e. without mechanical connection with another element of the carabiner.

[0038] In a particular embodiment, the two stops have a shape that cooperates with the shape of the connection hole to allow insertion into the work area and its extraction. It is then possible to install and remove a safety device without having to disassemble the delimiting member. Preferably, a single stop allows the extraction and insertion of the safety device. The stop allowing insertion and extraction can be the stop closest to the finger 3 or the stop furthest from the finger.

[0039] The delimiting member 4 does not prevent the opening of the gate 3 and does not form a lock preventing the opening of the gate 3. Since the delimiting member does not define a bar inside the ring of the carabiner 1, any safety device X having a width less than the width of the working area can be mounted, it is no longer necessary to be concerned with the height from the connection hole with respect to the height of the bar.

[0040] In operation, the safety device X will press on one or other of the stops 4c and 4d which encourages the stop 4c / 4d to move along the body 2. By moving, the stop 4c / 4d will increase the working area and will end up allowing a reversal of the carabiner 1 which can then work outside the desired configuration. One of the stops 4c / 4d can also come to totally or partially block the opening of the gate 3.

[0041] To avoid displacement of the stops 4c / 4d along the body 2, it is advantageous to fix the first stop 4c with the second stop 4d. It is particularly advantageous to use a connecting member 5 which connects the first stop 4c to the second stop 4d. The connecting member 5 defines the spacing between the first stop 4c and the second stop 4d, i.e. the working area along the body 2. The connecting member 5 covers a curved portion of the body 2 so as not to define a bar. Advantageously, the connecting member 5 only covers the curved portion of the body 2. The two stops define a working area which corresponds to a curved portion of the body 2.

[0042] When the safety device X presses on one of the stops 4c and 4d, the connecting member 5 causes the other stop to also be subjected to the force and opposes the movement. By forming a single-piece delimiting member 4, the friction forces with the body 2 are increased, which makes it easier to hold the two stops 4c and 4d in place.

[0043] To install or remove the safety device X, it may be necessary to slide it between the working area and the opening of the carabiner, i.e. the space between the gate 3 and the body 2 when the gate 3 is open. To allow the safety device X to slide along the carabiner, it is important that the safety device X is not enclosed in a closed ring separate from the gate as is the case in prior art bar carabiners.

[0044] The connecting member 5 which connects the first and second stops 4c and 4d does not define a ring inside the ring formed by the body 2. The connecting member 5 does not oppose the movement of the safety device X along the body 2.

[0045] Whereas in the configurations of the prior art, the bar of the carabiner rests on two distinct points of the body to divide the interior surface of the carabiner into two complementary surfaces, according to the invention, the connecting member 5 does not act as a bar and does not delimit two distinct spaces in the interior space of the carabiner.

[0046] In the embodiment illustrated in the figure 1 , the connecting member 5 is entirely arranged outside the interior space of the carabiner. The connecting member 5 only covers the external face of the body 2 to connect the two stops 4c and 4d. It is advantageous for the connecting member 5 to be pressed against the body 2.

[0047] This configuration is particularly advantageous because the safety device X rests on the body 2 of the carabiner as in a standard configuration. The safety device X does not force the connecting member 5 against the body 2.

[0048] In an alternative embodiment, the connecting member 5 only covers the internal face of the body 2 to connect the two stops. It is advantageous for the connecting member 5 to be pressed against the body 2. In this case, the user is not encouraged to install the safety device X or any other element between the body 2 and the connecting member 5.

[0049] When the connecting member 5 is arranged inside the ring defined by the body 2, the connecting member 5 can define a working surface which has a texture different from that provided by the body 2. The working surface makes it possible, for example, to reduce the sliding of the safety device X. The working surface defined by the connecting member 5 covers the surface of the body 2 intended to be in contact with the safety device X.

[0050] In another embodiment, the connecting member 5 can partly cover the internal face and partly the external face of the body 2 to connect the two stops.

[0051] The first and second fastening elements 4a and 4b are connected by the connecting member 5. To ensure increased retention of the delimiting member 4 on the body 2, the first fastening element 4a and the second fastening element 4b are configured to prevent rotation of the delimiting member 4 relative to the body 2.

[0052] For optimal fixing of the delimiting member 4, it is advantageous to provide that at least the first fixing element 4a or the second fixing element 4b completely surrounds the body 2, i.e. forms a ring around a section of the body 2.

[0053] In a particular embodiment, the two fixing elements 4a and 4b each form a ring, rotation of the delimiting element 4 is impossible. Rotation is also impossible when the ring is not complete but is sufficiently covering to prevent a clipping-type operation on the body. By completely surrounding the body 2, the delimiting member 4 is more solid and its service life is improved.

[0054] It is particularly advantageous to provide that the cross-section of the body 2 is not circular and that the first fixing element 4a and / or the second fixing element 4b define a shape which cooperates with the non-circular section to form an anti-rotation device of the first stop 4c and the second stop 4d relative to the body 2. It is particularly advantageous to provide that the first fixing element 4a and / or the second fixing element 4b define a shape complementary to the section of the body 2 to prevent rotation. figures 2 And 3 schematically illustrate an embodiment of the first fixing element defining the first stop and of the second fixing element defining the second stop. The Figures 2B, 2D and 2E illustrate a first fixing element which defines an internal housing section of the body 2 which is non-circular. The Figures 3A, 3D and 3Eillustrate a second fastening element which defines an internal housing section of the body 2 which is non-circular.

[0055] In an advantageous configuration, the first fastening element 4a and / or the second fastening element 4b are made by an openable shell. The shell defines a ring which opens to allow the insertion of the body 2 into the shell. Advantageously, the shell defines two half-rings which are mounted to move relative to each other to open the shell when the body 2 is inserted into the shell or when it is extracted. By half-shell is advantageously meant an element which represents half of the shell or substantially half of the shell. It is also possible for one half-shell to represent less than half of the shell and for the other half-shell to represent the remainder.

[0056] The first fixing element 4a advantageously defines a first recess 6a and a first inlet 7a capable of allowing the introduction of the body 2 until it arrives in the first recess 6a. Similarly, it is advantageous to provide that the second fixing element 4b defines a second recess 6b and a second inlet 7b allowing the introduction of the body 2 into the second recess 6b as illustrated in the different views of the figures 2 and the different views of the figure 3 . These two fixing elements are each advantageously configured to clip onto the body 2 by elastic deformation. Advantageously, the first and second entries 7a and 7b are defined by slots in a ring completely surrounding the body 2. These two slots define two planes which are preferably coplanar. The slots are illustrated in Figures 2A, 2D and 2E as well as to Figures 3A, 3B, 3D and 3E .

[0057] Advantageously, the first and / or second fixing elements 4a and 4b are configured to deform plastically and thus allow the introduction of the body 2 through the slot.

[0058] The use of a first and / or a second fixing element 4a, 4b provided with a slot and deformable is particularly advantageous because this facilitates the formation of a single-piece delimiting member.

[0059] If a slot is used, it is particularly advantageous to place this slot opposite the external part of the body 2 of the carabiner, that is to say in the external part of the space delimited by the body 2. It has been observed that the placement of the slot on the internal part of the metal body 2 results in accelerated weakening of the fixing elements because the slot undergoes numerous impacts with the safety device X during its use.

[0060] In the closed position, it is advantageous to ensure that both sides of the slot are in contact for better mechanical strength.

[0061] To prevent any untimely opening of the first and / or second fixing elements 4a / 4b of the delimiting member 4 on the body 2, each entry 7a and 7b can be kept closed by at least one connection element 8a / 8b (cf. figure 1 ). This connection element may for example be a clamp enclosing the external faces of the strip 4 in the vicinity of the inputs 7a and 7b (embodiment not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, a screw closes the two fixing elements 4a and 4b.

[0062] Advantageously, first and / or second through holes 9a and 9b can be made in the vicinity of the first and second inlets 7a and 7b, so that first and / or second connection elements 8a and 8b (cf. figure 1) such that screws, rivets or clinching studs can cooperate with the first and second through holes 9a and 9b and prevent unintentional opening of the inlets 7a and 7b and securely hold the delimiting element 4 on the body 2. In a particular embodiment, the first and second connecting elements 8a and 8b extend over the entire length of the first and second through holes 9a and 9b. The first and second through holes 9a and 9b may also have axes of revolution orthogonal to the first and second inlets 7a and 7b respectively. When the inlets 7a and 7b are coplanar, the first and second through holes 9a and 9b may be orthogonal to this plane.

[0063] Closing the first and second entrances 7a and 7b makes it possible to hold the delimiting element 4 securely on the body 2, and to avoid any unexpected unclipping which could lead to incorrect use of the safety device X connected to the carabiner 1.

[0064] In an alternative embodiment which can be combined with the previous embodiments, the fixing element 4a / 4b provided with a deformable entry, for example a slot, can also be provided with a clipping system with a protruding zone formed on a first side of the slot and a hole formed in the second side of the slot and cooperating with the protruding zone to ensure the closing of the slot by clipping. The clipping system can be configured to form a hard point facilitating the maintenance of the closed position or to permanently close the fixing member.

[0065] In an alternative embodiment, the first fixing element 4a or the second fixing element 4b is formed by a ring without means for opening said ring. In this case, the ring is not deformable and this fixing element is mounted first in the carabiner. The other fixing element is an openable element in order to introduce the body 2.

[0066] The first and / or second fixing elements 4a, 4b may comprise anti-rotation means relative to the body 2. In this way, the fixing element 4a / 4b intrinsically opposes the rotation of the delimiting member 4 without particularly stressing the connecting member or the opposite fixing element.

[0067] The use of one or two fixing elements equipped with anti-rotation means makes it possible to reinforce the mechanical strength of the delimiting member 4.

[0068] In an advantageous embodiment, the shape of the first and / or second recesses 6a and 6b may be complementary to that of the body 2. This may be particularly advantageous when the section of the body 2 is not circular, as in the embodiment illustrated in the different views of the figures 2 And 3 . It should also be noted that the fixing elements 4a and 4b do not bear on the finger 3.

[0069] In an alternative embodiment, the anti-rotation means is configured to allow rotation in an angular range substantially equal to 10° so as to allow the delimiting member to be mounted on a greater number of carabiners.

[0070] After being positioned in the first and second recesses 6a and 6b, the body 2 is surrounded by the first and second fixing elements 4a and 4b. The latter have the property of preventing rotation of the delimiting member 4 relative to the body 2. To achieve this, the interior of the first and second recesses 6a and 6b may for example be covered with a non-slip film or roughness intended to prevent movements of the delimiting member 4 relative to the body 2.

[0071] To improve the mechanical strength of the delimiting element 4, it is particularly advantageous to provide that the first fixing element 4a defines a contact zone which cooperates with the body 2 to allow or prevent the placement of the first fixing element 4a at certain locations of the body 2 and on the finger 3. The shape of the first recess 6a and / or the shape of the second recess 6b are advantageously configured to allow the installation of the first fixing element 4a and / or the second fixing element 4b only in a curved zone of the body 2. This configuration makes it possible to prevent a fixing element from being mounted in the rectilinear zone which is an area where it is difficult to prevent movement along the body 2.

[0072] According to the invention, the body 2 has portions with variable radii of curvature. By defining the desired radius of curvature in the recesses, it is possible to impose the position of the first fixing element 4a and the second fixing element 4b on the body 2 and to limit its movement along the body 2.

[0073] In an alternative embodiment, the body 2 may be provided with one or more protruding zones which will block the sliding of the first fixing element 4a or the second fixing element 4b along the body 2. However, this configuration is not preferred because it requires modifying the shape of the surface of the body.

[0074] As illustrated in the figure 1 and to the Figure 2C, it is particularly advantageous to provide that the connecting member 5 has a shape which reproduces the shape of a curved part of the body 2. In this way, the application of a force on one of the fixing elements to move it results in the application of a force on the other fixing element as well as the application of a force which seeks to deform the connecting member 5. This configuration makes it very difficult for the safety device X to move the delimiting member 4.

[0075] In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting member 5 covers the external face of the body 2 and defines edges 9 which prevent the connecting member 5 from sliding around the body 2 or transversely relative to the body 2. The edges 9 prevent the connecting member 5 from being stressed transversely. The same may be true when the connecting member only covers the internal face of the body 2.

[0076] As illustrated in the figure 1 , the body 2 defines a general C-shape in the median plane. However, it is advantageous for the body 2 to have a straight zone facing the finger 3 generally forming the central zone 2c facing the finger 3. The straight zone and the finger 3 are connected by two curved zones. It is particularly advantageous for the first fixing element 4a to be configured to prevent it from sliding in the straight zone by means of the recess 6a. The same is advantageously true for the second fixing element 4b.

[0077] In a particular embodiment, the delimiting member 4 is monolithic, that is to say that the first fixing element 4a, the second fixing element 4b and the connecting member 5 cannot be dismantled from one another.

[0078] However, to facilitate the assembly of the delimiting member 4, it is advantageous to be able to separate the first fixing element 4a and the second fixing element 4b. In the illustrated embodiment, the first fixing element 4a and the connecting member 5 are produced monolithically. In an alternative embodiment, the connecting member is configured to be removable relative to the first fixing element 4a and the second fixing element 4b.

[0079] It is particularly advantageous to produce the delimiting member 4 in at least two parts, but preferably in two parts. It is possible to install the first fastening element 4a with the first stop 4c or the second fastening element 4b with the second stop 4d on the body 2 of the carabiner. The safety device X is then installed in the working area of ​​the body 2. Finally, the other fastening element is installed and fixed to the already mounted fastening element. In this way, the safety device X is housed in the working area and only one fastening element is mounted after the safety device X.

[0080] This configuration is particularly advantageous when the safety device X defines a connection hole that is smaller than the first stop 4c and the second stop 4d. Once installed in the work area, the safety device X can no longer leave the work area because of the stops. This configuration makes it possible to block the position of the safety device X in a part of the carabiner without the presence of a bar. In carabiners with a bar, the bar defines two separate spaces. There is a compromise to be made between the space defined by the bar to install equipment and the dimensions of the bar to withstand mechanical forces without preventing the actuation of the gate 3. The configuration illustrated makes it possible to do without the bar. The carabiner defines a functional space by means of the body 2 and the gate 3; advantageously, this space is unique.The delimiting member forms a blocking element for the safety device X in the work area without forming a bar carabiner.

[0081] In order for each fixing element 4a, 4b to be clipped without undergoing plastic deformation which could lead to its weakening, it is advantageous to choose a material having a suitable breaking strain value, for example at least 50%.

[0082] The material forming the fixing element 4a, 4b is advantageously chosen from injectable thermoplastic materials and more particularly from polyamide. The clipping of the fixing element 4a, 4b can thus be carried out by elastic deformation of the two fixing members 4a and 4b, to install and uninstall the delimiting element on the body 2.

[0083] Advantageously, when the connecting member can be disassembled from the second fastening element 4b, it is advantageous for the connecting member to have a through hole 10 which cooperates with the through hole 9. Thus, when closing the second fastening element 4b with the connecting element 8, the connecting element 8 also provides the mechanical connection between the connecting member 5 and the second fastening element 4b.

[0084] The invention also relates to a belaying system comprising a safety device X, for example a belayer and a carabiner 1 having the characteristics which have just been described. The invention can, for example, be used in the context of professional use for performing abseiling descents.

[0085] In order for the user to correctly install the safety device X on the carabiner 1, the following steps are carried out: providing the safety device X and a carabiner 1 according to any of the preceding configurations, introducing the body 2 of the carabiner 1 through a connection hole of the safety device X and sliding the safety device X along the body 2, passing one of the stops through the connection hole of the safety device X so that the safety device X is located in the working area delimited by the two stops 4c and 4d.

[0086] The safety device X is associated with the carabiner 1 after the installation of the delimiting member on the body 2 when the safety device X defines a non-openable connection hole larger than one of the stops.

[0087] In another embodiment where the safety device X defines a non-openable connection hole smaller than the two stops, the following steps are performed: providing a carabiner 1 according to any of the preceding configurations with only one of the fixing elements installed on the body 2 of the carabiner 1, introducing the body 2 of the carabiner 1 through a connection hole of the safety device X and sliding the safety device X along the body 2 until reaching the work area, fixing the other fixing element on the body 2, the first and second fixing elements being connected by the connecting member 5. The safety device X is located in the work area delimited by the two stops 4c and 4d.

[0088] In a final alternative embodiment, the two stops are fixed to the body 2 after the installation of the safety device X in the carabiner.

[0089] To remove the safety device X from the carabiner 1, the following steps are carried out: providing the safety device X and a carabiner 1 according to any of the preceding configurations with the safety device X installed in the work area, passing one of the stops through the connection hole of the safety device X so that the safety device X leaves the work area delimited by the two stops 4c and 4d. sliding the safety device X along the body 2 until the body 2 of the carabiner 1 leaves the connection hole of the safety device X.

[0090] In another embodiment where the safety device X defines a non-openable connection hole smaller than the two stops, the following steps are performed: providing the safety device X and a carabiner 1 according to any of the preceding configurations with the safety device X installed in the work area, disassembling one of the fastening elements defining one of the stops and removing the safety device X from the work area. sliding the safety device X along the body 2 until the body 2 of the carabiner 1 leaves the connection hole of the safety device X.

[0091] In a final alternative embodiment, the two fixing elements are dismantled before extracting the X safety device from the carabiner.

[0092] These different steps can also be carried out for the installation of an X safety device such as a belayer, a lanyard, a pulley or a blocker.

Claims

1. Carabiner (1) comprising : - a body (2) having a non-circular cross-section and portions with variable radii of curvature, - a gate (3) rotatably mounted at a first end (2a) of the body (2) between a closed position and an open position of the karabiner (1), the gate (3) being in contact with a second end (2b) of the body (2) when the carabiner (1) is in the closed position, - a delimiting member (4) configured to form a first abutment (4c) and a second abutment (4d) projecting from the body (2), the delimiting member (4) being removably mounted with respect to the body (2), the delimiting member (4) being secured to the body (2) by a first fastening element (4a) and a second fastening element (4b), wherein the first fastening element (4a) and the second fastening element (4b) each define a recess for completely surrounding the body (2), wherein the recesses of the first fastening element (4a) and the second fastening element (4b) each define a shape which co-operates with the non-circular cross-section of the body (2) to form an anti-rotation device for the first abutment (4c) and the second abutment (4d) relative to the body (2), characterized in that the delimiting member (4) defines an evolution zone for a safety device (X) without defining a closed zone; wherein the recesses of the first fastening element (4a) and of the second fastening element (4b) each define a radius of curvature of the zone with variable radii of curvature imposing a position of the first fastening element (4a) and of the second fastening element (4b) on the body (2) and limiting a displacement along the body (2).

2. Carabiner (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first fastening element (4a) and the second fastening element (4b) each define a through hole (9a, 9b), first and second connecting elements (8a, 8b) selected from screws, rivets or crimping studs being inserted into the through holes (9a, 9b) to close the first and second fastening elements (4a, 4b).

3. Carabiner (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the first and / or second fastening elements (4a, 4b) respectively comprise first and second recesses (6a, 6b) having a shape complementary to that of the body (2).

4. A belay system comprising a karabiner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and a safety device (X) chosen, for example, from a belay device, a blocker, a lanyard or a pulley.

5. A method of fitting a safety device (X) to a carabiner (1), comprising the following steps: - providing a carabiner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a safety device (X) and a delimiting member (4), wherein the body (2) has a non-circular cross-section and portions with different radii of curvature, wherein the delimiting member (4) having a first fastening element (4a), a second fastening element (4b) which each define a recess to completely surround the body (2), the first or second fastening element (4a, 4b) being secured to the body (2) of the carabiner (1) to form one of a first abutment (4c) or a second abutment (4d) projecting from the body (2), wherein the first fastening element (4a) and the second fastening element (4b) each define a shape which cooperates with the non-circular cross-section of the body (2) to form an anti-rotation device for the first abutment (4c) and the second abutment (4d) relative to the body (2), the delimiting member (4) being removably mounted relative to the body (2), - insert the body (2) of the carabiner (1) into a connection hole of the safety device (X) until reaching a working area, - securing the other of the first or second fastening elements (4a, 4b) to the body (2) of the carabiner (1), the first and second fastening elements (4a, 4b) defining first and second abutments (4c, 4d) at the ends of the working area, the first and second fastening elements (4a, 4b) being fixed to the body (2) and wherein the recesses of the first fastening element (4a) and the second fastening element (4b) each define a radius of curvature imposing a position of the first fastening element (4a) and the second fastening element (4b) on the body (2) and limiting displacement along the body (2).