Angled Gate Carabiner

Abstract

Each embodiment relates to a carabiner comprising a carabiner body that forms an opening and includes a gate base, a gate rest, and a gate rest extension. In these embodiments, at least one pivotable gate is connected to the gate base at a pivot point and is configured to contact the gate rest when in a closed position. In each embodiment, the gate rest extension comprises a gate rest extension axis, and the angle between the gate rest extension and the gate when in the closed position is about 35 to 61 degrees.

Description

Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 350,162, filed on June 8, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

[0002] One embodiment generally relates to a carabiner.

Background Art

[0003] A carabiner is a special type of fastener generally realized as a metal loop with a spring - loaded gate, and is used to quickly and reversibly connect components to each other, especially in systems where safety is highly regarded. For various users such as hikers, fishermen, outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, etc., carabiners are useful in various scenarios. A carabiner can be used to tie objects together, connect one object to another, etc. There are many scenarios where a carabiner is used to hold items such as keys. However, the safety of items such as keys attached to the carabiner and the usability of the device become problems.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Each embodiment relates to a carabiner comprising a carabiner body forming an opening and including a gate base, a gate rest, and a gate rest extension. In these embodiments, at least one pivotable gate is connected to the gate base at a pivot point and is configured to contact the gate rest when in the closed position. In each embodiment, the gate rest extension has a gate rest extension axis, and the angle between the gate rest extension and the gate when in the closed position is about 35 - 61 degrees.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005] Further embodiments, details, advantages, and modifications will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] One embodiment is a carabiner having an angled gate or a plurality of such gates, each gate having a gate rest extension. Each embodiment is configured to hold a key and, by adding the other features disclosed below to the angled gate and the gate rest extension, holds the key in a secure manner.

[0021] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present disclosure will be referred to in detail. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments. As much as possible, the same reference numerals are used for similar elements.

[0022] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an angled gate carabiner 100 according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a side view thereof.

[0023] The carabiner 100 includes two spring-loaded gates 101, 102 that open and close two openings 103, 104. The carabiner 100 includes an upper portion 110 and a lower portion 111. Each of the portions 110, 111 forms a carabiner chamber 150, 151. The pivot axes of each gate 101, 102 are coupled to gate bases 125, 115, and when not bent by the user, the opposite sides of the gates are on gate rest notches 116, 117. Gate rest extensions 120, 121 (i.e., gate rests that are relatively longer than a normal gate rest) extend from each gate rest notch 116, 117.

[0024] Each embodiment of the present invention, including the carabiner 100 and other embodiments disclosed below, includes one or more angled gates and is characterized by directly receiving most keys and similar objects into the carabiner body. The carabiner body has a long end / long side / long axis when standing vertically (in the upright direction as shown in FIG. 1) and a short end / short side / short axis when standing horizontally. In each embodiment of the carabiner 100, the overall vertical length of the outer end (between lines 180, 181) is approximately 1.97 inches, and the horizontal width of the outer end (between lines 182, 183) is approximately 0.71 inches. In each embodiment, the cross-section of the carabiner body is sized optimally to receive a key (i.e., small dimensions that fit within the common holes / openings of a typical key). In one embodiment, the cross-section of the rectangular carabiner 100 is approximately 0.094 inches × 0.118 inches.

[0025] Each embodiment includes a novel feature that aids in firmly holding the key after attachment to the carabiner and enables the user to quickly and easily attach and remove the key to and from the carabiner.

[0026] When placing a key in the carabiner 100, the user slides the key onto the carabiner body at the carabiner body openings 103, 104. This causes each gate 101, 102 to bend open, and after sliding the key through the bent gates, the gate springs return to their original positions. To remove the key, the user bends the gates open and slides the key out of the carabiner body at the opening.

[0027] As disclosed, each embodiment includes one or more angled gates 101, 102. The angle of the gate in each embodiment is typically different from that of known carabiners. The gate angle 130 of the carabiner 100 is about 60 degrees. The gate angle 130 is measured from the gate rest extension 121 (or the outer long end of the carabiner body) (indicated by 140) to the gate 102. In each embodiment, the range of the gate angle is from about 35 degrees to 61 degrees, which is different from the gate angles of about 0 degrees to 15 degrees commonly found in known carabiners. Generally, in known carabiners, including known double-gate carabiners (i.e., carabiners having two chambers, two openings, two gates, etc.), the gates are aligned or substantially aligned with the carabiner opening or the outer long end of the carabiner body having the opening (end 140). On the other hand, in each embodiment, the gates are nearly perpendicular to the opening of the carabiner body (i.e., perpendicular is 90 degrees, but in the embodiment it is about 60 degrees).

[0028] In each embodiment, the gate angle 130 is achieved by arranging the connection between the gate and the gate bases 115, 125 on the side opposite to the opening side of the carabiner body. Generally, the gates of known carabiners rotate starting from a position on the same side as or near the opening of the carabiner body.

[0029] In combination with the gate angle, to prevent an object such as a key with an opening from accidentally coming off, each embodiment includes extended gate rest extensions 120, 121, which are part of the carabiner body extending towards the opening of the carabiner body beyond the gate rest notches 116, 117. This extended portion is relatively longer than the portion commonly found in known carabiners. In each embodiment, the length of each gate rest extension is between the straight portion 160 (substantially the end of the gate rest extension) and the straight portion 161 (substantially the center of the gate rest notch), and is about 0.186 inches to 0.232 inches in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2 - 5 below, and about 0.142 inches in the embodiment of FIG. 6 below.

[0030] The length of the gate rest extension in each embodiment is designed according to the opening size of the keyhole (or the size of the opening of a similar object for which the use and fixation of the embodiment are intended). When the opening or keyhole is circular, the minimum required length of the gate rest extension in each embodiment is approximately equal to the diameter of the opening or keyhole in the embodiment. When the opening or keyhole is irregular in shape, the minimum required length of the gate rest extension in each embodiment is approximately equal to the maximum inner dimension of the opening or hole. In the case of smaller embodiments, the gate rest extension can be made slightly shorter, such as about 90% of the diameter or maximum inner dimension of the opening or keyhole. If this minimum length requirement is met, when the key is placed such that one end of the keyhole or opening is in full contact with the inner end of the gate, the keyhole or opening within the carabiner chamber will not slip off the end of the gate rest extension.

[0031] In each of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 - 5, generally, the overall length in the vertical direction at the outer end is about 1.25 - 1.97 inches, and the horizontal width at the outer end is about 0.59 - 0.78 inches.

[0032] In each embodiment, together with the new gate base positions 115, 125 that facilitate an increase in the gate angle, the gate rest extension (and / or in combination with other functions) enables the carabiner body to function as a secure chamber for the key, or a "key trap". The term "carabiner chamber" refers to the area behind the gate where objects can be held or attached to other objects. For example, the embodiment of FIG. 1 has two chambers, while the embodiment of FIG. 3 disclosed below has only one chamber because one of the carabiner chambers has been replaced with a keyhole. Each embodiment functions as a "key trap" because when the key passes through the gate and slides onto the carabiner, the key is confined and cannot be removed from the carabiner unless an intentional removal action is taken.

[0033] Carabiner 100 further includes a "substantially larger" radius 170 at the ends of the gate rest extensions 120, 121 as compared to known carabiners. In one embodiment, the radius 170 is twice the size commonly used in known carabiners and is approximately 0.8 inches. Because of the large radius 170 at the inner corner and end of the gate rest extension, the gate rest can be extended to meet design requirements while increasing the effective opening of the carabiner body. Extending the gate rest portion has the effect of reducing the gate opening. However, the gate rest extension is an important part of the design for the safe functioning of the gate. Therefore, a "substantially larger" radius 170 is added to the inner end of the gate rest to effectively increase the gate opening while maintaining safety. The straight outer edge of the gate rest extension enhances the safety in each embodiment.

[0034] The above functions, particularly the combination of the novel gate angle and gate rest extension, function to lock most keys in the carabiner and prevent the keys from being removed or accidentally dropped unless the gate is intentionally opened to remove the key.

[0035] During operation, in each embodiment, the key is normally blocked by the gate, gate extension, and carabiner body, so the key cannot come out of the carabiner no matter how it is shaken, rotated, twisted, or moved in other ways. In addition to the safety function, another advantage of each embodiment is that due to the design shape, the gate is not subjected to a large stress by the key, so the gate does not open, twist, bend, or break under force. Instead, most of the force is applied to the stronger carabiner body, the force applied to the gate is minimized, and the gate is further supported by the carabiner body. The key is mechanically locked by the gate and gate rest extension and does not fall out. This is in contrast to known carabiners and double carabiners in which the key is optimized (i.e., having a carabiner body thin enough to directly receive the key), and in these carabiners and double carabiners, when the key is placed near the opening of the carabiner due to normal use or irregular movement, the key easily falls out just by being twisted.

[0036] The concept of each embodiment can be further visualized by imagining a case where the gate rest extension is much longer than shown in the embodiment. In this case, it becomes easier to understand that the only way for the key to pass through the gate is (due to the angle with respect to the gate rest extension) to intentionally open the gate. With a virtual (very long) extended gate rest extension, there is no way to pass the key even by sliding the keyhole / aperture of the key to the end of the gate rest. The only way to get the key out is to open the gate. This forms the key trap function of each embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] In each embodiment, the gate rest extension is not particularly long, and the end of the gate rest extension (gate opening) is made to a length such that it does not reach completely from the key opening / hole designed to be used and fixed together. Therefore, from the perspective of the key, there is no ability to pass through the gate and the gate rest extension. In these designs, the gate rest extension is made to a length sufficient to ensure complete safety and to a length short enough to provide an opening of a useful size (sufficiently large) in the carabiner body. The size of the gate angle 130 on the gate rest further optimizes and enlarges the opening.

[0038] Each embodiment is considered to be "optimized for keys" because if the cross-sectional dimensions of the carabiner body are thinner / narrower, most keys can be directly received into the carabiner body, or any object with an opening the size of a key can be received. In each embodiment, a common opening size of 0.235 inches in the longest dimension is considered when determining the size / length. On the other hand, known carabiners usually have cross-sectional dimensions that are too large to directly attach a key, and the user has to attach the key to a keyring or split ring and then attach that keyring to the carabiner. Due to this key optimization function, according to each embodiment, unlike a carabiner that is not key-optimized and cannot directly hold a key in the carabiner body, it can directly function as a keyring.

[0039] Figure 2A is a perspective view of the angled gate carabiner 200 according to one embodiment, and Figure 2B is a side view thereof. Different from the carabiner 100 having each opening on opposite sides of the carabiner body, in the carabiner 200, both openings are on the same side. In other respects, the carabiner 200 has the same features as those disclosed above in relation to the carabiner 100. In each embodiment of the carabiner 200, the overall length in the vertical direction at the outer end is about 1.75 inches, and the horizontal width at the outer end is about 0.78 inches.

[0040] Figure 3A is a perspective view of the angled gate carabiner 300 according to one embodiment, and Figure 3B is a side view thereof. The carabiner 300 has the same features as those disclosed above in relation to the carabiner 100, but instead of the second carabiner chamber, it has a keyhole 301 or an opening at one end. In each embodiment of the carabiner 300, the overall length in the vertical direction at the outer end is about 1.25 inches, and the horizontal width at the outer end is about 0.6 inches.

[0041] Using the keyhole 301, the carabiner 300 can be placed on a split ring, whereby a user can easily and safely insert and remove a key without opening the split ring, which can be difficult. The keyhole 301 can also be used to attach a handle of a keyholder or a string used as a fob. The shape of the keyhole 301 can be various shapes instead of circular. For example, in one embodiment, the keyhole 301 can be in the shape of a slot, whereby, for example, a loop of a strap or webbing can be attached to the keyhole to function as a handle or a fob of a keyring.

[0042] Figure 4A is a perspective view of an angled-gate carabiner 400 according to one embodiment, and Figure 4B is a side view thereof. The carabiner 400 can utilize the angle of the wire gate to add a punching function 402 to the area of the gate opening. The punching 402 can be used without opening the gate. Further, when lifting the cap of the bottle, by lifting the rear end upward, the carabiner 400 can also be used as a more conventional punch. A large round opening 401 at one end of the carabiner 400 can attach a keyring or a carabiner with or without a key, and functions as a keychain or key fob. In other respects, the carabiner 400 has the same features as those disclosed above in relation to the carabiner 100. In each embodiment of the carabiner 400, the overall vertical length at the outer end is about 2.27 inches, and the horizontal width at the outer end is about 0.7 inches.

[0043] Figure 5A is a perspective view of an angled-gate carabiner 500 according to one embodiment, and Figure 5B is a side view thereof. The carabiner 500 generally differs from the carabiner 100 of Figure 1 and the carabiner 200 of Figure 2 in terms of the positions of the gate bases 515, 525, the gate angle 503, and the length of the gate rest extension 521. In each embodiment of the carabiner 500, the overall vertical length at the outer end is about 1.73 inches, and the horizontal width at the outer end is about 0.68 inches.

[0044] Specifically, compared with the carabiners 100-400, the carabiner 500 has a gate angle 503 that has decreased to 35 degrees, and the gate bases 515, 525 are accordingly closer to the center or centerline of the carabiner body. As the gate bases 515, 525 move away from the opening of the carabiner body, the gate angle becomes smaller. Even so, the carabiner 500 can function safely as in other embodiments, showing a range of gate rest positions corresponding to the gate angles that can be used in the embodiments while maintaining functionality. In each embodiment, when the gate length is changed, the gate angle is also changed according to the shape. Generally, the length of the gate needs to be of sufficient length to swing appropriately and ensure an opening of sufficient size in the carabiner body for the intended use.

[0045] The differences of the carabiner 500 when compared with other embodiments are that while maintaining other features and advantages such as ease of use and safety, the carabiner chamber becomes slightly larger and the aesthetic appearance is different.

[0046] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an angled-gate carabiner 600 according to an embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a side view thereof. The carabiner 600 is mainly different from the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 in the overall shape and the shape and size of the two carabiner chambers. Due to these differences, a different aesthetic appearance is obtained with a smaller carabiner with smaller chambers while maintaining other functions and advantages such as ease of use and safety. The chambers 610, 611 of the carabiner 600 are reduced in size and optimized to receive keys and other thin objects such as belt loops of trousers, straps, rings, etc. Since the overall size is reduced, it is easy to carry in a pocket. The shape of the chamber is further specially designed as a curved elongated hole shape to keep keys and other objects adjacent to each other in an organized arrangement.

[0047] FIG. 7 shows different views of the carabiner 400 of FIGS. 4A and 4B according to an embodiment, with a plurality of other carabiners 701 attached like pigeon eyes.

[0048] Figure 8 shows different views of the carabiner 300 of FIGS. 3A and 3B according to an embodiment, and is an embodiment having a dove's eye 801 of a rectangular slot.

[0049] Figure 9 shows different views of the carabiner 300 of FIGS. 3A and 3B according to an embodiment, and is an embodiment in which a plurality of other carabiners 901 are attached to the dove's eye of the rectangular slot.

[0050] Figure 10 shows different views of the carabiner 300 of FIGS. 3A and 3B according to an embodiment, and is an embodiment in which a fob / strap 1001 is attached to the dove's eye of the rectangular slot and has a circular carabiner 1002 at an open position (i.e., a position where the gate is exposed and accessible) attached to the fob 1001.

[0051] Figure 11 shows different views of the carabiner 300 of FIGS. 3A and 3B according to an embodiment, and is an embodiment in which a fob / strap 1001 is attached to the dove's eye of the rectangular slot and has a circular carabiner 1002 at a closed position (i.e., a position rotated so that the gate is not exposed) attached to the fob 1001.

[0052] Figure 12 shows different views of a plurality of carabiners 300 of FIGS. 3A and 3B according to an embodiment, and is connected to a split ring 1201.

[0053] Figure 13 shows different views of a plurality of carabiners 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B according to an embodiment, and is connected to a split ring 1301.

[0054] Figure 14 shows different views of a plurality of carabiners 200 of FIGS. 2A and 2B according to an embodiment, and is connected to a split ring 1401.

[0055] In each embodiment, each gate is realized using a spring wire. However, in other embodiments, as long as it functions in a similar manner (i.e., it swings open when a force is applied and closes automatically by the spring force or other means when the opening force is removed), it may be of a different design and material. Further, the cross-sectional dimensions and shape of the carabiner body in each embodiment can be of any shape as long as they are small enough to receive a key that can be directly fitted into the carabiner body or an object intended to be used with the key.

[0056] As disclosed, each embodiment generally includes a modification to the unique design of a conventional carabiner, thereby adding a specific locking function (such as a slide lock) to the carabiner so that the user does not need to intentionally operate or perform a specific action to lock or unlock it each time it is used, and it is natural and inherently safe during daily use. The advantage of each embodiment for a carabiner with a locking function is generally that it is always safe. In the case of a locked carabiner, if the user forgets to lock it each time it is used or the lock bumps and accidentally opens on its own, it becomes unsafe and unable to fulfill its original purpose. Also, each embodiment does not require additional procedures to achieve enhanced safety and does not require an additional procedure to unlock the lock before opening, so it can be used more easily and comfortably.

[0057] The novel angle of the gate in combination with the extended gate rest portion, and even alone without the gate rest, provides additional safety when these carabiners are attached to objects other than keys such as belt loops, ropes / cords, chains, loops, rings, carabiners. The gate angle eliminates many of the possibilities for these objects to inadvertently fall out of a typical carabiner by twisting or slipping past the end of the gate, and also makes the gate bend sideways and accidentally difficult to open. The resistance to this bending is partially due to the fact that in these designs, a shorter gate that is inherently more stable and less prone to twisting or bending than the long gates of conventional carabiners is required. As the gate angle increases to a novel angle, various objects are less likely to pass under the gate and become detached from the carabiner. The gate rest notch also contributes to the stability and safety of this novel design by connecting to the end of the gate and stabilizing it so that the gate does not twist or bend sideways. In the area of the gate rest notch, the connection angle between these two parts (regardless of whether there is an actual notch or a deeper notch) prevents lateral movement by the carabiner body. Compared to known carabiners, the end of the gate that connects to the carabiner body when in the closed position leans against the body and has a high degree of freedom to rotate, twist, or bend laterally.

[0058] Each embodiment provides an improvement over known carabiners in general use even when using only the novel gate angle function (without an extended gate rest or key optimization). This is because the novel gate angle improves the safety of the carabiner in various ways as described above compared to conventional carabiners.

[0059] The extended gate rest, as disclosed above, in addition to its primary function for safety, reduces the opening of the carabiner body and makes accidental drops less likely, thereby improving the overall safety against other objects than keys, such as belt loops, key rings, straps, ropes, etc. The extended gate rest portion makes it difficult for various objects to pass under the gate and become detached from the carabiner.

[0060] Furthermore, since the radius of the end of the gate rest extension is "large", embodiments can be used with a wider range of objects and keys of various sizes while maintaining the high level of safety disclosed above. As disclosed above, the outer end of the gate rest extension partially realizes the enhancement of safety and general functions. As long as a material with sufficient strength is used for the gate rest extension, there is an advantage of increasing the clearance for attaching and detaching objects to and from this new carabiner by increasing the large inner radius as in the parts of the figure. A large inner radius is one way to remove unnecessary material and increase the effective opening of the carabiner body. This material can also be removed in various ways, such as using straight lines or contour lines.

[0061] The features, structures, or characteristics of the disclosure described throughout this specification can be combined in any suitable way in one or more embodiments. For example, the use of terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "specific embodiments", "specific multiple embodiments", or other similar terms throughout this specification indicates the fact that the specific functions, structures, or characteristics described in relation to the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Therefore, when terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "specific embodiments", "specific multiple embodiments", or other similar terms appear throughout this specification, they do not necessarily all refer to the same group of embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable way in one or more embodiments.

[0062] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that each of the embodiments described above can be implemented using steps in a different order and / or elements having a configuration different from those disclosed. Therefore, while considering the embodiments outlined in the present disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain modifications, changes, and alternative configurations are obvious within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims to determine the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A carabiner, comprising: A carabiner body that forms an opening and includes a gate base, a gate rest, and a gate rest extension; A pivot gate pivotally connected to the gate base at a pivot point and configured to contact the gate rest when in a closed position; The gate rest extension includes a gate rest extension axis, and the angle between the gate rest extension and the gate when in the closed position is about 35 to 61 degrees.

2. The carabiner body includes a long side, a short side, and an axis, and the gate rest extension axis is along the long side. The carabiner according to claim 1.

3. The carabiner according to claim 1, wherein the pivotable gate contacts the gate rest at a gate rest notch.

4. The carabiner body has a size suitable for accommodating an opening of an object. The opening has an inner diameter, and the length of the gate rest extension extending beyond the gate rest notch is substantially equal to the inner diameter. The carabiner according to claim 3.

5. The object is a key. The carabiner according to claim 4.

6. The length of the gate rest extension extending beyond the gate rest notch is about 0.186 inches to 0.232 inches. The carabiner according to claim 4.

7. The overall vertical length at each outer end is about 1.25 to 1.97 inches, and the overall horizontal length at each outer end is about 0.59 to 0.78 inches. The carabiner according to claim 6.

8. The cross-section of the carabiner body is about 0.094 inches × 0.118 inches. The carabiner according to claim 4.

9. The carabiner according to claim 1, further comprising two openings, two gate rests, two gate rest extensions, and two gate rest extensions.

10. The carabiner according to claim 1, further comprising a lanyard eye.

11. The carabiner according to claim 1, further comprising a keyhole.

12. A method of connecting an object to a carabiner, comprising: A step of providing a carabiner comprising a carabiner body that forms an opening and a chamber, a gate base, a gate rest, a gate rest extension, and a pivot gate pivotally connected to the gate base at a pivot point and configured to contact the gate rest when in a closed position, wherein the gate rest extension comprises a gate rest extension axis, and the angle between the gate rest extension and the gate when in the closed position is about 35 to 61 degrees. A step of disposing the gate rest extension on the object through the opening of the object, wherein the opening has an inner diameter, and the length of the gate rest extension is substantially equal to the inner diameter. A method comprising rotating the gate to an open position and sliding the object into the chamber.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the pivotable gate contacts the gate rest at a gate rest notch.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the object is a key.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the length of the gate rest extension extending beyond the gate rest notch is about 0.186 inches to 0.232 inches.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the overall vertical length at each outer end is about 1.25 to 1.97 inches, and the overall horizontal length at each outer end is about 0.59 to 0.78 inches.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the cross-section of the carabiner body is about 0.094 inches × 0.118 inches.

18. The carabiner The method according to claim 12, further comprising two openings, two gate rests, two gate rest extensions, and two gate rest extensions.

19. The method according to claim 12, wherein the carabiner further comprises a lanyard eye.

20. The method according to claim 12, wherein the carabiner further comprises a corkscrew.

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