Carabiner

Abstract

To provide a carabiner that enhances the safety.SOLUTION: A carabiner includes a frame including an engagement end and a pivoting end defining an opening therebetween; a lever including a top end and a lever connection element, the lever pivotably coupled to the pivoting end and configured to be pivoted between an open position and a closed position for detachable engagement of the engagement end and top end; a sleeve mounted movably on the lever and having a sleeve connection element corresponding to the lever connection element, where the threads are configured to move the sleeve along the lever sectionally between a first position and a second position, and the threads are disengaged in the second position; and a mechanical member configured for applying a force to the sleeve for avoiding an involuntary movement of the sleeve, where the sleeve surrounds at least a part of the top end in the second position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a carabiner including a frame having an opening, a lever rotatably coupled to the frame, and a sleeve movably mounted on the lever.

Background Art

[0002] Carabiners can be used in climbing applications and other applications where easily removable connections are required. A user of a carabiner may want to insert a rope through the opening into the frame so that the carabiner surrounds the rope. A sleeve may be used to selectively lock the lever to resist rotation relative to the frame. In known carabiners, a user may accidentally move the sleeve on the lever or rotate the lever.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a solution for enhancing the safety of a carabiner. In particular, it is an object to avoid or reduce the disadvantages of known solutions.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The object of the present invention is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are detailed in the dependent claims, the description, and the figures.

[0005] This object is a frame having an engagement end portion and a rotation end portion that define an opening therebetween, a lever having an upper end portion and a lever connection element, the lever being rotatably coupled to the rotation end portion and configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position for detachably engaging the engagement end portion and the upper end portion, A sleeve movably attached to a lever and having a sleeve connection element corresponding to a lever connection element, the screw being configured to move the sleeve partially along the lever between a first position and a second position, the screw being disengaged in the second position, the sleeve; A carabiner including a mechanical member configured to apply a force to the sleeve, particularly a force towards the second position, to avoid an unexpected movement of the sleeve; The sleeve is particularly configured to prevent the rotational movement of the lever around the pivot end in the second position. In particular, the sleeve achieves this by surrounding at least a part of the upper end in the second position.

[0006] Briefly, this object is particularly achieved by a carabiner including at least one of a frame, a lever rotatably coupled to the frame, and a sleeve movably attached to the lever to selectively take an upper or second position that fixes the lever against rotation. In particular, the sleeve is configured to be movable along the lever only in a portion away from the second position and / or a portion not including the second position when rotating the sleeve on the lever.

[0007] In particular, the present invention proposes a carabiner comprising a lever having a sleeve that can engage or interact with the lever via connection elements such as screws and / or engagement protrusions and / or grooves. When the sleeve is in the second position, the carabiner may be fixed such that the sleeve surrounds the frame, the carabiner is closed, and the lever cannot rotate. In this position, the sleeve blocks the lever. It is an idea of the present invention that when the sleeve is in the second position, the connection element of the sleeve does not engage with the connection element of the lever and the rotation of the sleeve does not release the fixing of the lever to the frame. Further, since a mechanical member pushes the sleeve towards the second position, the sleeve will not accidentally (involuntarily) drop or the connection elements will not accidentally engage or interact again. Rather, the user may need to push down, for example rotate, the sleeve to engage the connection elements again. The present invention is particularly such that the sleeve is movable along the lever, and at this time, the screw between the sleeve and the lever engages only in a part along the movable range.

[0008] The present invention addresses the fact that external forces such as wind, vibration, and rubbing of the rope against the carabiner itself may be the main cause of accidental opening of the sleeve. Here, the present invention provides an approach for improving the use when an external force occurs.

[0009] According to the present invention and according to the embodiments described herein, it is advantageously realized that the carabiner is easily fixed in the closed position and the possibility of accidental opening of the carabiner is made lower. This is because the sleeve can be moved from the second position only when the user forcibly engages the screw by pushing the sleeve downward against the force of the mechanical member. The present invention improves safety and can be easily implemented, for example, by restricting the extension of the screw along the lever.

[0010] The sleeve may in particular have at least one contact point, in particular in the form of at least one inner projection, in particular an upper and / or lower projection. The at least one contact point may have a first contact point and / or an upper contact point. The at least one contact point may have a second contact point and / or a lower contact point.

[0011] A carabiner, also called a biner or club, is also known as a clip or climbing clip. A carabiner is a type of shackle, a metal ring, usually with a spring-loaded gate or opening, used to reversibly connect components. Generally, carabiners are used in systems where safety is important, such as when a person must be secured to a certain height where there is a theoretical risk of falling.

[0012] Carabiners can be used in activities that make extensive use of ropes, such as climbing, fall prevention systems, arboriculture, caving, sailing, hot air balloons, rope rescue, construction, industrial rope work, window cleaning, swift water rescue, and / or acrobatics. Accordingly, as a possible solution provided by the present invention, the use of carabiners in one or more of the said applications / activities is disclosed.

[0013] The frame typically includes a bent or wound base portion that is, for example, substantially loop-shaped or ring-shaped. The frame is typically a one-piece metal product. The frame typically has two ends that define an opening or gate. The engaging end is configured to engage with the lever. The pivoting end is configured to be pivotally coupled with the lever, and in particular, is configured such that the lever can selectively engage with the engaging end (i.e., can pivot for either opening or closing the carabiner). Typically, the lever is configured to pivot inside the frame. When the lever is closed (closed position), the carabiner forms an essentially continuously closed loop. When the lever is open (open position), there is no closed position, and / or the lever pivots away from the engaging end, creating a distance between the upper end (lever) and the engaging end (frame). When closed, the upper end may engage with the engaging end in multiple directions.

[0014] The lever typically has an elongated base portion, for example, substantially in the shape of a pin or bolt. The lever can be understood as an elongated component. The lever is typically rigid. The lever typically supports and / or holds a sleeve. The lever may be composed of at least a surface with a cylindrical cross-section. The lever may be bent or composed of a curved surface. The lever and the frame may engage at the pivoting end and be designed to define a pivot axis at the pivoting end. The lever has a connecting element, for example, a screw or an external thread.

[0015] The sleeve or bush may be a rotating part. The sleeve may be configured in at least a substantially rotationally symmetric shape. Usually, the sleeve has an opening for the lever to pass through. The sleeve may be in a shape closed in the circumferential direction. The sleeve may be configured to rotate on the lever. The sleeve is provided with connection elements such as screws or internal threads, for example. Depending on the position of the sleeve on the lever, the connection element of the sleeve may engage and / or interact with the connection element of the lever. In particular, in order to avoid the sleeve moving along the lever by rotation when the sleeve is in the second position, an engagement exists when the sleeve is away from the second position. The screw may engage when the sleeve is in the first position, but the screw may not engage when the sleeve is in the first position. However, usually, the screw is arranged to engage somewhere between the first and second positions of the sleeve on the lever.

[0016] The screws referred to in this specification, in particular external and / or internal threads, are usually understood to be of a geometric shape such as metric screws and / or screws configured for mechanical engagement. The corresponding screws are usually configured to be of similar size in terms of diameter, pitch and / or length.

[0017] The sleeve that can move on the lever is related to the sleeve being able to change its position along the lever and / or being rotatable around the lever. When the connection elements engage and / or interact, the sleeve may be movable along the lever only as a function of the rotation of the sleeve. When the screw is disengaged, the sleeve can move along the lever independently of the rotation of the sleeve.

[0018] The mechanical member can be, for example, an energy storage means such as a spring, or can be constituted thereby. The mechanical member can be configured to store mechanical or potential energy. The mechanical member can be in the form of at least one, two, or more magnets. For example, magnets arranged to provide attraction and / or repulsion can store energy and / or provide a force to the sleeve.

[0019] The spring is usually in the form of a coil spring or a spiral spring. The spring is usually made of steel. The spring may have a shape with a substantially constant diameter. The spring may be made of a wire having a substantially constant wire diameter. The spring may be configured to surround the lever and / or to be accommodated within the sleeve. The spring is usually arranged between the sleeve and the lever. Usually, the spring is covered by the sleeve to protect the spring.

[0020] Generally, the carabiner can include at least one magnet for providing a stop function, for example, with respect to the position of the sleeve on the lever and / or the lever of the frame.

[0021] At least one contact point, for example, the first contact point of the sleeve and / or the upper inner protrusion, may be configured to withstand the mechanical member. For example, at all positions where the sleeve can be positioned relative to the lever, it may be seated on the mechanical member, particularly via the first contact point. At least one contact point may be configured to withstand the influence of the force generated by the mechanical member. The sleeve does not necessarily have to be seated on the mechanical member, and in particular, the first contact point does not necessarily have to be seated on the mechanical member at the second position. The first contact point may be a shoulder, particularly a circumferential shoulder. The first contact point, at least in cross-section, may extend radially inward and / or circumferentially. There may be a plurality of first contact points. The first contact point can advantageously center the sleeve with respect to the lever and make the carabiner relatively compact.

[0022] The sleeve has at least one contact point, and among them, the upper or first contact point and / or the lower or second contact point are configured to stop along the lever from the lower or first position to the upper or second position. For example, the lever may have means that mechanically correspond to at least one protrusion of the sleeve for the sleeve to stop on the lever. This means may be embodied on the lower side of the connection element / connection elements of the lever, or may be embodied in a lever with a geometric design of the lever, for example, above the connection element / connection elements of the lever, towards the upper end, and in a direction away from the pivoting end, having corresponding stop elements. Thereby, the sleeve is easily fixed on the lever.

[0023] The lever may have at least one contact point or lever contact point, particularly in the form of at least one outer protrusion. At least one contact point of the lever, particularly at least one outer protrusion, may be configured to cooperate with the first contact point. At least one lever contact point may be formed at the upper end or may be formed between the upper end and the pivoting end. At least one lever contact point may be a shoulder, particularly a circumferential shoulder. At least one lever contact point may extend radially outwards and / or circumferentially, at least in cross-section. There may be a plurality of lever contact points. At least one lever contact point facilitates the centering of the sleeve with respect to the lever and can make the carabiner relatively compact. At least one lever contact point may be arranged above at least one contact point, towards the upper end, and in a direction away from the pivoting end. In the sense of mechanical cooperation, at least one contact point may be configured to stop at at least one lever contact point. Thereby, an easy-to-use and compact carabiner is obtained.

[0024] The first contact point may be arranged in the first region or upper region of the sleeve. That is, considering that the sleeve usually has two opposite ends, the first contact point may be arranged at or near the end of the sleeve. Thereby, a space for accommodating the mechanical member along the sleeve is ensured to protect the mechanical member. This also gives mechanical stability to the cooperation between the lever and the sleeve and prevents jamming of the sleeve.

[0025] At least one protrusion, in particular, at least one contact point and / or at least one lever contact point can be integrally formed on the sleeve and / or the lever. The sleeve / lever may be machined at least in part by turning and / or milling. In this way, the sleeve / lever is easy to machine. Furthermore, each protrusion is robust in that it does not easily break. This enhances safety.

[0026] The second contact point may be arranged in the second region or lower region of the sleeve. The second contact point may be designed in a similar way (with respect to the individual features described herein) as the first contact point or at least one protrusion described herein. Considering that the sleeve usually has two opposite ends, the second contact point may be arranged at or near the end of the sleeve. Thereby, a space for accommodating the mechanical member along the sleeve is ensured to protect the mechanical member. Also, mechanical stability is given to the cooperation between the lever and the sleeve and jamming of the sleeve is prevented.

[0027] The mechanical member may be configured to apply a force to the sleeve as a function of gravity. For example, gravity may serve to automatically push the sleeve towards the second position. The mechanical member may be configured to apply a force to the sleeve based on the energy stored in the mechanical member. In particular, the mechanical member can store energy from a user input, such as which user moves the sleeve away from the second position.

[0028] The mechanical member may be incorporated into the sleeve. For example, the mechanical member may be formed together with the sleeve. The mechanical member and the sleeve may be provided as an assembly and / or as a common component. The mechanical member and the sleeve may be provided as a plastic assembly, especially when the mechanical member is a spring means or a spring formed together with the sleeve. In particular, the sleeve can be a plastic sleeve especially including the mechanical member.

[0029] The sleeve may be provided with a ring element for forming at least one contact point. The ring element may be inserted into a groove of the raw part forming the sleeve. The ring element and the sleeve may form an effective shape with each other, at least along the lever.

[0030] The lever may have a shoulder disposed between the lever connection element and the upper end. Alternatively or additionally, the lever may have a shoulder disposed between the lever connection element and the upper end. The mechanical member may be able to withstand against the shoulder and / or may be configured to withstand against the shoulder. The shoulder may be disposed adjacent to the lever connection element or the connection element of the lever. The shoulder may be disposed adjacent to the upper part / axially of the lever connection element with respect to the mechanical member so as to be adjacent to the upper part / axially of the lever connection element. Thereby, a compact design with a robust enclosure of the mechanical member is realized.

[0031] The engagement end may particularly have a tapered and / or chamfered tip. The engagement end may be composed of a bulge and / or a thickened portion for engaging with the lever. Thereby, the engagement is strengthened and the risk of injury during use is reduced.

[0032] The upper end may have a recess and is configured to surround the engagement end, especially the tip, from at least two particularly opposite sides in the closed position. In this way, the lever is not pushed laterally or obliquely against the engagement end.

[0033] The recess may be tapered and / or chamfered substantially corresponding to the shape of the engaging end portion. The upper end portion may be designed to engage with a bulge and / or a thickened portion so as to form-fit along the engaging end portion and the lever. This is useful when the carabiner is overloaded and undergoes severe deformation.

[0034] The sleeve may have a substantially conical and / or tapered inner surface and may be configured to surround the engaging end portion. Thereby, the upper end portion of the sleeve facing the upper end portion of the lever is designed to smoothly engage with the engaging end portion of the frame. The sleeve can be easily movable so as to surround the engaging end portion and can have a substantially funnel-shaped cross-sectional shape in order to enable automatic positioning / centering of the lever with respect to the frame when fixing the carabiner (moving the sleeve to the second position).

[0035] The sleeve may have ripples on its outer side. For example, the sleeve may have small grooves and / or indentations on the outer side with a depth in the range of, for example, 0.1 to 1 mm in order to provide a better grip by the user's finger.

[0036] The lever may be biased by a spring with respect to the frame so as to automatically rotate from the open position towards the closed position. For example, the lever automatically closes unless manually pushed actively. A mechanical member and / or a spring may be incorporated into the frame at the rotating end, for example, in the form of a leaf spring.

[0037] Optionally, the frame, the lever and / or the sleeve are made of an aluminum alloy, and in particular, are anodized. The sleeve may be provided in a different color with respect to the lever so that the position of the sleeve on the lever can be easily visually recognized. Such a color can be realized by anodization and / or painting.

[0038] There may be bolts and / or rivets that serve to rotatably couple the lever and the frame, and they may be made of a metal different from aluminum to provide wear resistance, and the metal different from aluminum may be steel. The mechanical members may be made of a similar material, particularly steel.

[0039] Throughout the present disclosure, the term "or" can be replaced with "and / or". Therefore, when "or" is used, it does not necessarily mean that only alternatives are being referred to.

[0040] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the embodiments described below.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0041]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0042] This description includes procedures or methodological aspects in describing the structural features of the present invention. The structural features can be well understood in this way. It is emphasized that such structural features may be lifted out of the described context without doubt about confusion or intermediate super-conceptualization in order to form aspects of the present invention. Also, despite the possibility of being lifted out of the context, it is emphasized that any of the structural features described below can be understood as individual aspects of the present invention to distinguish it from known solutions.

[0043] Figures 1 and 2 show a carabiner 2 including a frame 20 having an engaging end 22 and a pivoting end 24. The ends 22 and 24 define an opening 4 therebetween.

[0044] The carabiner 2 further includes a lever 40 having an upper end 44 and an external thread as a lever connection element 46. The lever 40 is pivotally coupled to the pivoting end 24 via a steel bolt and / or rivet. The lever 40 is configured to be pivotable between an open position and a closed position for the engaging end 22 and the upper end 44 to engage detachably. In Figures 1 and 2, the lever 40 is in the closed position. Based on the figures shown in Figures 1 and 2, when the lever 40 is rotated in the clockwise direction, the lever 40 can take the open position.

[0045] The carabiner 2 further includes a sleeve 60 movably mounted on the lever 40 along the lever 40. The sleeve 60 has an internal thread as a sleeve connection element 66 corresponding to the lever connection element 46. The threads 46 and 66 are configured to move the sleeve 60 partially between a first position and a second position along the lever 40.

[0046] In Figure 1, the sleeve 60 is in the second position. In this position, the threads 46 and 66 are disengaged to prevent the sleeve from moving downward and / or along the lever 40 when the sleeve 60 is rotated.

[0047] In Figure 2, the sleeve 60 is in the first position. In this position, the screws 46 and 66 are engaged, fixing the sleeve 60 against axial movement, particularly as long as the sleeve 60 does not rotate.

[0048] In both Figures 1 and 2, particularly at all positions that the sleeve 60 can assume, the sleeve 60 is spring-biased in the direction along the lever 40 and in the direction towards the second position. This includes, for example, biasing the sleeve 60 in the same direction in the second position, as shown in Figure 1, in order to hold the sleeve 60 in a predetermined position and reduce play. The spring biasing is provided by a mechanical member 80, particularly a spring, and more particularly a coil spring.

[0049] In particular, the carabiner 2 includes a mechanical member 80 configured to push the sleeve 60 towards the second position. In the second position, the mechanical member 80 constantly pushes the sleeve 60 so that the sleeve 60 remains in the second position.

[0050] The mechanical member 80 is configured to apply a force to the sleeve 60 to avoid an unexpected movement of the sleeve 60, and that force is directed towards the second position.

[0051] The mechanical member 80 holds the screws 46 and 66 at a distance 6 from each other, as shown in Figure 1 and particularly depicted in Figures 3 and 4.

[0052] In the second position, as shown in Figure 1, the sleeve 60 surrounds a part of the upper end 44. In the first position, as shown in Figure 2, the sleeve 60 does not surround a part of the upper end 44 that is surrounded in the second position.

[0053] In Figure 2, while the sleeve 60 is in the first position, the mechanical member 80 is compressed and the screws 46 and 66 are arranged to hold the sleeve 60 along the lever 40. Rotating the sleeve 60 in that position causes the sleeve 60 to move along the lever 40. On the other hand, rotating the sleeve in the second position, as shown in Figure 1, does not cause the sleeve 60 to move along the lever 40.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 2, the sleeve 60 has two contact points 61, 62, of which the first contact point 61 is configured to withstand against the mechanical member 80, and the second contact point 62 is configured to stop along the lever 40 in the direction from the first position to the second position on the lever 40. Thus, the second contact point 62 is configured to cooperate with the lever.

[0055] As a specific feature of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, the second contact point 62 stops at a stop element 52 provided on the lever 40. In this case, the stop element 52 is provided as a ring attached on the lever 40.

[0056] The first contact point 61 is arranged in the upper region as the first region 64 of the sleeve 60. The first contact point 61 is integrally formed with the sleeve 60. The sleeve 60 is a machined aluminum part.

[0057] Here, the mechanical member 80 applies a force to the sleeve 60 based on the energy stored in the mechanical member 80. The mechanical member 80 is incorporated in the sleeve 60.

[0058] Optionally, a magnet can be incorporated into the carabiner 2 to apply a force to the sleeve 60 and avoid involuntary movement of the sleeve 60 towards the second position.

[0059] The second contact point 62 is arranged in the lower region as the second region 65 of the sleeve 60. A ring element 68 forms the second contact point 62. The ring element is inserted into the sleeve.

[0060] The second region 65 faces the pivoting end 24. The first region 64 faces the engaging end 22 and / or the upper end 44. The lever 40 passes through the sleeve 60 through both regions 64, 65.

[0061] In particular, the first region 64 and / or the second region 65 each extend along the lever 40 for at least about 1%, for example up to a maximum of 10%, of the length of the sleeve 60 starting from the end of the sleeve 60.

[0062] In particular, the first contact point 61 travels along the sleeve 60 and, for example, centers the sleeve 60.

[0063] The first contact point 61 forms an inner diameter that is at least as large as the outer diameter of the lever 40. In particular, the inner diameter of the contact point 61 is at least 1% larger than the outer diameter, especially up to a maximum of 10%.

[0064] The lever 40 has a shoulder 42 disposed between the lever connection element 46 and the upper end 44. The mechanical member 80 is configured to resist the shoulder 42 and the first contact point 61, whereby the sleeve 60 is spring-biased along the lever towards the second position.

[0065] The engaging end 22 has a tapered and chamfered tip. The engaging end 22 is provided with a bulge and / or a thickening that extends substantially obliquely with respect to the lever 40.

[0066] The upper end 44 has a recess 50 and is configured to surround the engaging end 22 from two opposing sides that are oblique to the lever in the closed position. Due to the bulge and / or the thickening, the upper end 44 surrounds the engaging end 22 from two other opposing sides along the lever 40 in the closed position. The recess 50 is tapered and chamfered to substantially correspond to the shape of the engaging end 22.

[0067] The sleeve 60 has a substantially conical and / or tapered inner surface 70. The inner surface 70 is configured to surround the engaging end 22. Further, the sleeve 60 has ripples on its outer side.

[0068] The lever 40 is spring-biased with respect to the frame 20 and automatically rotates from the open position towards the closed position, i.e., automatically closes.

[0069] The frame 20, the lever 40, and the sleeve 60 are made of an aluminum alloy. The aluminum alloy is anodized in each case assuming corrosion prevention and color.

[0070] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention that is exactly the same as FIGS. 1 and 2. The second contact point 62 stops at the stop element 52 of the lever 40, and this stop element 52 is embodied by the lever connection element 46. (In particular, as a difference from FIGS. 1 and 2, there is no separate stop element 52 provided in a ring shape).

[0071] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention that is exactly the same as FIGS. 1 and 2. The sleeve 60 has only a single contact point 61 (instead of the two contact points 61, 62 as in FIG. 1). In this regard, the lever 40 has a different design from FIG. 1. The lever 40 in FIG. 4 has an outer protrusion as a contact point or lever contact point 48 that is not employed in FIGS. 1 to 3. The lever contact point 48 is integrally formed with the lever 40 itself. The contact point 61 of the sleeve 60 can stop at the lever contact point 48. In this case, the lever contact point 48 of the lever 40 has a larger diameter than the first contact point 61.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention enables a method of using a carabiner 2. This method can be initiated when the lever 40 is closed. The first step includes manually (i.e., by hand) moving the sleeve along the lever 40 towards the pivot end 24, where the sleeve connection element 66 contacts the lever connection element 46 at the position of the sleeve 60 between the second position and the first position, and the sleeve 60 at least partially surrounds the engagement end 22. The first step typically includes that the mechanical member 80 is compressed. The second step includes rotating the sleeve on the lever 40 so that the screws 46, 66 engage with each other, which includes rotating the sleeve with the inclination of the screws 46, 66. Of course, both steps may overlap in time. By further rotating the sleeve 60, the sleeve 60 no longer surrounds the engagement end 22 and / or the upper end 44, and / or the sleeve 60 may take the first position. Optionally, the third screw rotates the lever 40 to the open position.

[0073] In another method, it can be initiated when the lever 40 is open and / or when the sleeve 60 is in the first position. In the first optional step, the lever 40 is moved to the closed position and the sleeve 60, if still in the case, may be moved to the first position. In the second step, the sleeve 60 can be rotated away from the first position, and the engagement screws 46, 66 cause the sleeve 60 to move along the lever 40 towards the upper end 44 and / or the engagement end 22. In the third step, the engagement between the screws 46, 66 is lost. In the third step, the mechanical member 80 pushes and / or moves the sleeve 60 along the lever 40, and the sleeve 60 automatically assumes the second position. Usually, the sleeve is spring-biased by the mechanical member 80. Finally, upon reaching the second position, the sleeve 60 at least partially surrounds the engagement end 22 and / or the upper end 44. In this way, the carabiner 2 is fixed in an advanced manner by the method of the present invention.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0074] 2 Carabiner 4 Opening 6 Distance 20 Frame 22 Engagement End 24 Rotation End 40 Lever 42 Shoulder 44 Upper End 46 Connection Element 48 Lever Contact Point 50 Recess 52 Stop Element 60 Sleeve 61 Contact Point 62 Contact Point 64 First Region 65 Second Region 66 Connection Element 68 Ring Element 70 Surface 80 Mechanical Member

Claims

1. a frame having an engagement end and a pivot end defining an opening therebetween; a lever having an upper end and a lever connecting element, the lever pivotally coupled to the pivot end and configured to pivot between an open position for releasable engagement of the engagement end and the upper end and a closed position; a sleeve movably mounted on the lever and having a sleeve connecting element corresponding to a lever connecting element, the connecting element configured to move the sleeve partially along the lever between a first position and a second position, the connecting element being disengaged in the second position; [0023] a mechanical member configured to apply a force to the sleeve to prevent inadvertent movement of the sleeve; A carabiner, wherein the sleeve is configured to prevent pivotal movement of the lever about the pivot end.

2. 2. The carabiner of claim 1, wherein the sleeve has at least one contact point, a first of which is configured to bear against the mechanical member.

3. 3. The carabiner of claim 1, wherein the sleeve has at least one contact point, of which a first contact point or a second contact point is configured to come to a stop along the lever in a direction from the first position to the second position.

4. 2. The carabiner of claim 1, wherein the lever has at least one lever contact point configured to cooperate with the at least one contact point of the sleeve, in particular the lever contact point being formed in the upper end or between the upper end and the pivot end.

5. 2. The carabiner of claim 1, wherein the first contact point is located in the first region of the sleeve and / or the second contact point is located in the second region of the sleeve.

6. 2. The carabiner of claim 1, wherein the first contact point is integrally formed on the sleeve.

7. 2. The carabiner of claim 1, wherein the mechanical member is configured to apply a force to the sleeve as a function of gravity and / or based on energy stored in the mechanical member.

8. 2. The carabiner according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical member is integrated into the sleeve, in particular the sleeve and the mechanical member are provided as a plastic assembly.

9. 2. The carabiner of claim 1, wherein the sleeve has a ring element for forming the at least one contact point.

10. 2. The carabiner of claim 1, wherein the lever has a shoulder disposed between the lever connection element and the upper end or between the lever connection element and the pivot end, and the mechanical member is configured to bear against the shoulder.

11. 2. The carabiner according to claim 1, wherein the engagement end has, in particular, a tapered and / or chamfered tip.

12. 2. The carabiner according to claim 1, wherein the upper end portion has a recess and is configured to surround the engagement end portion, in particular the tip portion, from at least two, in particular opposite, sides in the closed position.

13. 2. The carabiner of claim 1, wherein the recess is tapered and / or chamfered to substantially correspond to the shape of the engagement end.

14. 2. The carabiner of claim 1, wherein the sleeve has a substantially conical and / or tapered inner surface configured to surround the engagement end and / or the sleeve has ripples on an exterior thereof.

15. 2. The carabiner according to claim 1, wherein the lever is spring-loaded to automatically pivot relative to the frame from the open position towards the closed position, and / or the frame, the lever and / or the sleeve are made of an aluminium alloy, in particular anodised.

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