Chock for rock climbing

Abstract

A device includes a body having a top, a bottom, and a first and second side, the body further includes at least one attachment feature. The device includes a first pair and a second pair of raised contact points at diagonally opposite comers of the corresponding first side and second sides, the second side opposed to the first side, the first and second pairs of raised contact points at comers are diagonally opposed to one another. The device includes each raised contact point of one or the other of the first or second pair of raised contact points configured as a protrusion that is an initial point of contact with a plane, such that when the chock is placed on a side on the plane, the raised contact points of the chock contact the plane and adjacent portions of the body remain elevated above the plane.

Description

CHOCK FOR ROCK CLIMBINGCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 697,264, filed on September 20, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 791,930, filed on April 21, 2025, the entire disclosure of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.BACKGROUND

[0002] The development of climbing chocks, also known as nuts, began in the early 20th century with British climbers who initially used pebbles and small stones for protection. These climbers would slot the stones into cracks and tic them off with hemp cord, a method that was quite rudimentary and unreliable. By the 1950s, climbers discovered that machine nuts found along railway tracks could be repurposed for climbing. These nuts, with their hexagonal shapes and central holes, provided a more secure fit in rock cracks and could be pre-slung with cord for easier placement. This innovation marked a significant step forward in climbing protection, offering a more consistent and reliable method than the previously used pebbles.

[0003] The commercial production of climbing chocks took off in the 1960s and 1970s, driven by the growing emphasis on clean climbing techniques that minimized damage to the rock. Companies began manufacturing specialized chocks, including such iconic brand names as Black Diamond Stoppers, Wild Country Rocks, DMM Wallnuts, and Black Diamond Hcxccntrics. This innovation, along with the efforts of climbers like Royal Robbins, who advocated for the use of chocks over pitons, helped popularize clean climbing. Today, climbing chocks are made from materials like aluminum and brass, come in various shapes and sizes, and remain an essential piece of gear for climbers worldwide.

[0004] Though any sufficiently strong chock that is larger than the rock constriction below it will arrest a fall, a key concern for climbers is that the chock stay seated in place in the constriction, even while the motion of the climbing rope may be forcefully tugging the chock around in various directions. Towards this end, chocks are commonly designed with various wedge-like geometries so that they can be wedged into the crack more tightly. After placing the chock into the constriction, the climber will usually give it a gentle tug to seat it securely.

[0005] Commercially available chocks are designed to fit very particular types of crack geometries. Standard chocks arc shaped well to slot into cracks with sides that arc parallel in the depth dimension. So-called “offset” chocks are designed to slot into “flaring” cracks (non-parallel sides in the depth dimension). Natural crack geometries vary widely across the whole spectrum from parallel to flaring cracks, and current chocks generally do not seat well into the wrong types of cracks, i.e., cracks for which the chock was not designed.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is noted that various features may not be drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or decreased for clarity of discussion.

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a climbing chock placed in a constricting crack in a rock wall, along with two carabiners and a sling for safely attaching to the climbing rope.

[0008] FIGS. 2A-2F show an embodiment of the invention in different views.

[0009] FIGS. 3A-3F show an incremental series of snapshots of two views of an embodiment of a chock twisting during insertion into a constricting crack.

[0010] FIGS. 4A-4F show two views of an embodiment of the invention inserted into cracks of varying constriction angle and illustrates how as the chock rotates as seen from below, its profile translates to fit the shape of the crack.

[0011] FIGS. 5A-5F show two views of the same embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A-3F but inserted perpendicularly into a crack to show how in this alternative configuration, the chock rotates as seen from below (though in the opposite direction) to fit the shape of the crack.

[0012] FIGS. 6A-6D show an alternative embodiment of the invention.

[0013] FIGS. 7A-7E show another alternative embodiment of the invention.

[0014] FIGS 8A-8E show another alternative embodiment of the invention.

[0015] FIGS. 9A-9E show a hexagonal alternative embodiment of the invention.DEFINITIONS

[0016] “Bump”: A prominent or raised portion of a chock’s surface, which, when the chock is laid on a flat plane, will contact that flat plane first, bearing the weight of the chock, and preventing the nearby surfaces of the chock from touching that flat plane.

[0017] “Lateral”: The width dimension (opening) of a crack in a cliff.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The following disclosure provides different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Many other embodiments are possible. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and / or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or configurations discussed.

[0019] Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper”, “right”, “left”, “front”, “back”, “top”, “bottom”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

[0020] Herein we disclose a new chock geometry that adaptively twists as the chock is pulled into a constriction to conform to a broad spectrum of crack geometries, seat itself securely in those cracks, in order to protect climbers from falls, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0021] The following paragraphs describe one or more embodiments of a chock that is able to adaptively fit into constrictions of various geometries. One or more objectives are accomplished with a chock having one Bump or point of contact on a bottom right front face of the chock, a second Bump on a bottom left back face of the chock, a third Bump on a top left front face of the chock, and a fourth Bump on a top right back face of the chock. This configuration causes the chock to twist as the chock is inserted into the constriction, narrowing the distance between thetwo points of contact at the bottom while simultaneously expanding the distance between the two points of contact at the top of the chock until all four points contact the walls of the crack, adapting to the geometry of the crack.

[0022] As the chock is pulled into a tapering constriction, the walls push against the two lower Bumps first, compressing them towards each other in the horizontal Lateral dimension. Because these two Bumps are not directly across from each other, this compression creates a torque around the central vertical axis of the chock, rotating the chock in a clockwise direction (looking upwards). This compression of the bottom two Bumps allows the chock to sink deeper into the constriction. At the same time, this clockwise rotation causes the two upper Bumps to move away from each other in the horizontal Lateral dimension until they ultimately contact both walls of the crack above. Once all four Bumps are in this position and contacting the sides of the crack (two on the bottom on opposite sides, and two at the top on opposite sides), then the chock has four maximally separated points of contact which, when seated into the rock with a gentle tug, will maximize the stability of the placement.

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a chock 102 placed in a constricting crack. Chocks are slung with either steel cables or other strong material 104 to provide a separate loop which can be clipped with a carabiner outside of the crack. Standard practice is then to clip a carabiner 106 into a cable 104, clip a loop of webbing 108 into carabiner 106, clip a second carabiner 110 into the other end of webbing 108, and clip the climbing rope (not shown) into carabiner 1 10, which allows the climbing rope to travel up through carabiner 110 as the climber ascends.

[0024] FIGS. 2A-2F are views of an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2A is a side view of the chock 200 showing a front side 202. FIG. 2B is a view showing a bottom 204 of the chock 200. FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the chock 200. FIG. 2D is a side view of the chock showing a right side 208. A Bump 210 provides a convex point of contact on a top, left, front corner of the chock. A Bump 212 is diagonally across from Bump 210 on a top face of the chock and provides a convex point of contact on a top, right, back corner of the chock 200. A Bump 214 is diagonally across from Bump 210 on the front face of the chock 200 and provides a convex point of contact on the bottom, right, front corner of the chock. A Bump 216 is diagonally across from Bump 214 on the bottom face and provides a convex point of contact on the bottom, left, back corner of the chock 200. In at least one embodiment, front side 202 and a corresponding back side are convexsurfaces when viewed without Bumps thereon. In at least one embodiment, Bump 210 is separated from Bump 214 on front side 202 of chock 200. In at least one embodiment, Bump 210 is separated from Bump 214 by two connected edges along the perimeter of front side 202 of chock 200. Similarly, Bump 214 is separated from Bump 216 by two connected edges along the perimeter of bottom surface 218 of chock 200. A same relation between Bumps on a same surface applies in some embodiments.

[0025] The left side and right side 208 of the chock 200 are rotation-symmetric.

[0026] Two bores 218 extend completely through the body of the chock 200 to enable a cable to pass through and secure the chock. In at least one embodiment, bores 218 extend from the bottom face to the top face of the chock 200. In at least one embodiment, greater or lesser number of bores 218 are present in chock 200. In at least one embodiment, bores 218 are referred to as an attachment feature. In at least one embodiment, bores 218 extend at an angle to a centerline vertical axis through the body of the chock 200. In at least one embodiment, one or both of two bores 218 do not extend entirely through the body of the chock 200. In at least one embodiment, the bores 218 extend partway into the body from the bottom of the chock 200. In at least one embodiment, bores 218 are formed as part of a mold forming chock 200. In at least one embodiment, the attachment feature is a cable or cord welded to the chock. In at least one embodiment, the attachment feature is offset from a centerline axis of the chock 200 body.

[0027] FIG. 2E is a view showing the upper surface 220 (top face) of the chock 200. FIG. 2F shows the chock 200 with a cable 224 passing through and securing the chock. When climbing, the chock 222 is placed in a crack vertically and a carabiner 106 clipped to the end of cable 224 as described above in FIG. 1. The load on the chock when a climber falls should be in the downward direction, parallel to the bores 218, and towards the constriction in the crack in which the chock 200 is placed.

[0028] Bumps 210, 212, 214, and 216 may take any shape such that they are sufficiently raised above the surrounding body of the chock that they will generally be expected to contact the walls of the crack before other parts of the chock. In some embodiments, each of the four Bumps or points of contact are the same size and shape. In other embodiments, the four Bumps are of different sizes and / or different shapes. In still other embodiments, pairs of the four Bumps are thesame size and / or shape. Tn still further embodiments, three of the four Bumps are the same size and / or shape.

[0029] In at least one embodiment, placement of chock 200 in a crack causes a pair of Bumps to contact a plane of the crack such that the chock solely contacts the plane via the pair of Bumps while adjacent portions, e.g., faces / sides of chock 200 facing the plane, remain elevated above the plane.

[0030] FIGS. 3A-3F depict snapshots in time as chock 302 (an embodiment of chock 200 (FIG. 2A)) is inserted further and further into a constricting crack.

[0031] FIG. 3A is a side view of the chock 302 in a “neutral” orientation (not rotated) at height 304, which is the height at which the bottom two Bumps first contact the walls of the constriction. FIG. 3B is a view from below of chock 302, showing zero angular rotation about a vertical axis 330.

[0032] As the chock moves further into the constriction, the two bottom Bumps slide down the walls and are compressed or pushed towards each other in the Lateral direction by the walls of the constriction, causing the chock to rotate about the vertical axis 330. FIG. 3C is a side view of chock 302 partially pulled downwards into the constriction, at height 310 where the narrowing walls have started to force the two bottom Bumps inwards, rotating the chock clockwise around its vertical axis 330 (looking upwards). The upper Bumps of chock 302 can be seen to be camming outwards Laterally due to this twisting motion, moving those upper Bumps towards the walls of the crack. FIG. 3D shows a view of chock 302 looking from below at the bottom surface of the chock, giving a clearer view of the clockwise rotation about the vertical axis 330.

[0033] As the chock moves even further into the constriction, the rotation continues until finally the upper two Bumps cam outwards in the Lateral direction sufficiently to come in contact with the walls of the crack. FIG. 3E is a side view of chock 302 in this condition, where it has moved downwards as far as the constriction will allow. This is at height 316, where all four Bumps are in contact with the walls of the crack. FIG. 3F is a view of chock 302 looking from below at the bottom surface of the chock, giving a clearer view of the final rotated state of the chock.

[0034] FIGS. 4A-4F illustrates how the chock 402 (an embodiment of chock 200 (FIG. 2A)) twists to fit in cracks of varying taper angles of constriction. As the taper angle of constrictionincreases, the chock will rotate more and more about its vertical axis (in a clockwise direction looking upwards) to accommodate the taper angle of the constriction.

[0035] FIG. 4A is a side view of the right side of chock 402 in a vertical, parallel- sided crack. FIG. 4B is a view from below of chock 402, showing zero angular rotation about the vertical axis. It is important to note that no chock will work in a parallel-sided crack with no constriction below it to block its downward travel. These views (FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B) are only provided to show the chock in a “neutral” position, in contrast to the following views (FIGS. 4C-4F showing how the chock rotates to adapt to the various angles of different constricting cracks.

[0036] FIG. 4C is a side view of the right side of chock 402 in a vertical, moderately-constricting (approximately 8-degrees) crack. The chock has twisted ten degrees clockwise around its vertical axis (looking upwards) to accommodate the narrower bottom and wider top of the crack. FIG. 4D shows a view of chock 402 looking from below at the bottom surface of the chock, giving a clearer view of the rotation. The distance between the two vertical lines 414 shows the horizontal, Lateral extent of the two bottom Bumps, which is mildly narrower than the horizontal, Lateral extent 416 of the two upper Bumps due to the mild ten-degree rotation.

[0037] FIG. 4E is a side view of the right side of chock 402 in a vertical, severely-constricting (approximately 24-degrees) crack. The chock has twisted twenty degrees clockwise around its vertical axis (looking upwards) to accommodate the narrower bottom and much wider top of the crack. FIG. 4F shows a view of chock 402 looking from below at the bottom surface of the chock, giving a clearer view of the rotation. The distance between the two vertical lines 414 shows the horizontal, Lateral extent of the two bottom Bumps, which is much narrower than the horizontal, Lateral extent 416 of the two upper Bumps due to the large twenty-degree rotation.

[0038] The arrangement of the Bumps, or convex points of contact, may be reversed to accomplish the same objective. For example, a chock with a first Bump or point of contact on the top, right, front, a second Bump on the top, left, back, a third Bump on the bottom, left, front, and a fourth Bump on the bottom, right, back will produce a mirror image of the chock in FIGS. 2A- 2E, which will perform equally well in constricting cracks. This mirror image version will cause the chock to rotate in the opposite direction (counterclockwise around its vertical axis when looking upwards), producing the same ultimate result — compressing the Lateral distance between the bottom two Bumps 414 while expanding the Lateral distance between the top two Bumps 416.In at least one embodiment, compression of the Lateral distance includes the understanding that the distance between the bottom two Bumps 414 and expansion of the distance between the top two Bumps 416 is when viewed from Lateral perspective of the chock.

[0039] Indeed, the Bumps on the front and back of chock 200 protrude past the front and back faces, overhanging the left and right faces of the chock, creating a mirror image version of the Bump pattern when considering the left and right opposing sides of the chock. This allows chock 200 to be rotated 90 degrees about its vertical axis and placed in its “wide orientation” in the crack as shown in FIGS. 5A-5F. In this orientation, the contact pattern of the Bumps is reversed, causing the chock to twist in a counterclockwise direction around its vertical axis when looking upwards at the bottom of the chock.

[0040] FIG. 5A is a side view of the front side of chock 502 in a vertical, parallel-sided crack. FIG. 5B is a view of the chock 502, showing the chock in a “neutral” position before it is pulled into a constriction.

[0041] FIG. 5C is a side view of the front side of chock 502 in a vertical, moderately-constricting crack. The chock has twisted ten degrees counterclockwise around its vertical axis (looking upwards) to accommodate the narrower bottom and wider top of the crack. FIG. 5D shows a view of chock 502 looking from below at the bottom surface of the chock, giving a clearer view of the rotation.

[0042] FIG. 5E is a side view of the front side of chock 502 in a vertical, severely-constricting crack. The chock has twisted twenty degrees counterclockwise around its vertical axis (looking upwards) to accommodate the narrower bottom and much wider top of the crack. FIG. 5F shows a view of chock 502 looking from below at the bottom surface of the chock, giving a clearer view of the rotation.

[0043] FIGS. 6A-6D is an alternative embodiment of the chock 600 having the two appropriately placed Bumps 602 or convex points of contact on the front side and two Bumps 604 on the back side. FIG. 6A is a side view of the alternative embodiment, FIG. 6B is a view from below, FIG. 6C is a perspective view, and FIG. 6D is an orthognal side view. Front side and back side of chock 600 have a primarily concave surface.

[0044] FIGS. 7A-7E is an alternative embodiment of the chock 700 having the two appropriately placed Bumps or convex points of contact on the front side and two Bumps on the back. FIG. 7A is a view from above of the alternative embodiment, FIG. 7B is a view from the side, FIG. 7C is a perspective view, and FIG. 7D is an orthogonal side view. FIG. 7E shows chock 700 with a cable passing through and securing it.

[0045] FIGS. 8A-8E is an alternative embodiment of the chock 800 having the two appropriately placed Bumps 802 on the front side and two Bumps 804 on the back. FIGS. 8A-8E employs a light-weight truss structure to connect the four Bumps rather than a solid body, which saves weight and / or is useful for larger embodiments. In accordance with this embodiment, the body of chock 800 has a non-solid structure including one or more openings. FIG. 8A is a view from above of the alternative embodiment, FIG. 8B is a side view, FIG. 8C is a perspective view, and FIG. 8D is an orthogonal side view. FIG. 8E shows chock 800 with a cable passing through and securing it.

[0046] Chocks 200, 600, 700, and 800, and the chock of FIGS. 9A-9E, can be placed in a crack in two orientations as shown in FIGS. 4A-4F (the narrow orientation, which causes the chock to twist in a clockwise direction) and FIGS. 5A-5F (the wide orientation, which causes the chock to twist in a counterclockwise direction). This enables the same chock to accommodate two different sizes of cracks — one narrow and one wide. This ability to accommodate multiple sizes of cracks makes one or more embodiments of the invention much more versatile to climbers.

[0047] In at least one embodiment, the chock body is approximately cube-shaped (top, bottom, and 4 orthogonal sides) and the Bumps are at comers as described above with respect to FIGS. 2A-2E.

[0048] Other embodiments of the invention may have more than two orientations possible, provided a complementary diagonally-opposed Bump pattern is present on each pair of opposing faces. For example, FIGS. 9A-9E is an embodiment with a generally hexagonal shape having diagonally-placed spherical Bumps on each pair of opposing faces, providing three different orientations for crack placements with potentially three differing widths. FIG. 9 A is a view showing the top of a hexagonal embodiment of the chock, FIG. 9B is a side view showing the right side, FIG. 9C is a perspective view, and FIG. 9D is a side view showing the front side. FIG. 9E shows the hexagonal chock with a cable passing through and securing it.

[0049] Embodiments of the invention may be produced in various sizes to accommodate various size cracks.

[0050] Though the example embodiments were semi-symmetrical, other embodiments may be asymmetric in any dimension.

[0051] A chock having a Bump arrangement that causes the chock to rotate clockwise about a vertical axis, compressing the bottom two Bumps and expanding the top two Bumps until they match the geometry of the crack is disclosed in connection with one or more embodiments.

[0052] A chock having a reverse arrangement of Bumps for counter-clockwise rotation is disclosed in connection with one or more embodiments.

[0053] The protrusion of a single Bump across two different faces in two dimensions (front and side) that allows the chock to be placed in two different orientations (wide and narrow) is disclosed in connection with one or more embodiments.

[0054] Versions with more than two orientations (in particular hexagonal versions), with each pair of opposing faces having corresponding Bump patterns, are disclosed in connection with one or more embodiments.

[0055] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a climbing chock comprising: a body having a top, a bottom, and a first and second side, the body further comprising at least one attachment feature for securing a cable or cord; a first pair of raised contact points at diagonally opposite comers of the first side; and a second pair of raised contact points at diagonally opposite corners of the second side, the second side being opposed to the first side; wherein the first and second pairs of raised contact points at comers are diagonally opposed to one another, and each raised contact point of one or the other of the first or second pair of raised contact points is configured such that when the first or second side of the chock is against a plane, the raised contact points of the chock contact the plane and adjacent portions of the first or second side are distal from the plane.

[0056] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a climbing chock wherein the raised contact points on opposed first and second sides are arranged to induce a rotational motion of the body responsive to a downward force pulling the chock into a constricting crack, such that the chock wedges itself more securely into the constricting crack by converting vertical loadinginto torque, dynamically adjusting rotational engagement of the chock based on the geometry of the crack, thereby enhancing mechanical engagement with the surfaces of the constricting crack.

[0057] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a climbing chock wherein the chock is configured such that a degree of rotational motion varies in response to a shape of the crack, such that an orientation of the chock dynamically adjusts to conform to flared, parallel, or irregular crack profiles, thereby maximizing engagement of the raised contact points with the surfaces of the crack.

[0058] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a climbing chock wherein each raised contact point tapers downwardly in a direction from the top to the bottom and is configured to direct force toward the crack surfaces, thereby facilitating vertical wedging and / or rotational engagement.

[0059] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a climbing chock wherein the body comprises a non-solid structure connecting the raised contact points, the non-solid structure including one or more openings.

[0060] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a climbing chock wherein the body comprises: a third and a fourth side, the third side being opposed to the fourth side, the third and fourth sides being approximately orthogonal to the first and second sides, a third pair of raised contact points at diagonally opposite comers of the third side; and a fourth pair of raised contact points at diagonally opposite corners of the fourth side; the raised contact points of the third and fourth sides being at comers distal from each other, each raised contact point on the third and fourth side is configured as an initial point of contact, such that when the third or fourth side of the chock is against a plane, the raised contact points of the chock contact the plane and adjacent portions of the third or fourth side are distal from the plane.

[0061] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a climbing chock wherein at least one raised contact point of the first through fourth pairs of raised contact points extends beyond an intersection of two orthogonal sides, such that a single raised contact point is the initial point of contact for two orientations of the chock.

[0062] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a climbing chock wherein the first and second sides and the third and fourth sides differ in width, such that the chock presentsdistinct engagement profiles depending on an orientation, thereby enabling selective placement into cracks of varying widths while maintaining contact on the raised contact points.

[0063] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a climbing chock wherein the body comprises: three or more pairs of opposed surfaces to form a multi-faceted geometry, wherein the three or more pairs of opposed surfaces includes the first and second side, wherein each opposed pair of the three or more pairs of opposed surfaces have a respective pair of raised contact points at diagonally opposite corners, the chock being placeable in three or more orientations in relation to a crack, each raised contact point on the three or more pairs of opposed surfaces being configured such that in each of the multiple orientations the raised contact points of one of the three or more pairs of opposed surfaces of the chock contact the plane and adjacent portions of the one of the three or more pairs of opposed surfaces are distal from the plane.

[0064] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a climbing chock wherein the attachment feature is offset from a centerline axis of the body.

[0065] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a climbing chock wherein the pairs of raised contact points on the first and second sides are rotation-symmetric.

[0066] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method of using a climbing chock in a rock formation, comprising: orienting a climbing chock having a body with opposed surfaces and raised contact points positioned at diagonally opposite corners of said surfaces such that the contact points engage interior surfaces of a constricting crack of the rock formation; applying a downward force to the chock, causing it to rotate and wedge into the constricting crack via torque generated by the contact point geometry; and allowing the chock to dynamically translate orientation to the conform to a shape of the constricting crack, wherein the shape has one of a flared, parallel, or irregular profile, such that the chock rests on the contact points and achieves mechanical engagement with the rock formation.

[0067] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a climbing chock comprising: a body having at least two opposed surfaces, the body comprising: two pairs of raised contact points, a first pair of raised contact points on a first of the at least two opposed surfaces and a second pair of raised contact points on a second of the at least two opposed surfaces, the first pair of raised contact points at diagonally opposite corners of the first surface, the second pair of raised contact points at diagonally opposite comers of the second surface, the first pair of raised contactpoints at corners of the first surface distal from the second pair of raised contact points, and the body having an attachment feature for securing a cable or cord.

[0068] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a climbing chock wherein at least one of the at least two opposed surfaces has a convex surface.

[0069] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a climbing chock wherein the arrangement of the raised contact points on the at least two opposed surfaces are arranged to induce a rotational motion of the body responsive to a downward force pulling the chock into a constricting crack, such that the chock wedges itself more securely into the constricting crack by converting vertical loading into torque, dynamically adjusting rotational engagement of the chock based on a geometry of the crack, thereby enhancing mechanical engagement with a surface of the constricting crack.

[0070] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a climbing chock wherein the chock is configured such that a degree of rotational motion varies in response to a shape of a constricting crack, such that an orientation of the chock dynamically adjusts to conform to a crack profile, thereby maximizing engagement of the raised contact points with the surfaces of the crack.

[0071] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a climbing chock wherein the body further comprises two opposed side surfaces connecting the at least two opposed surfaces, and at least one raised contact point of the two pairs of raised contact points extends from at least one of the two opposed side surfaces and from at least one of the at least two opposed surfaces.

[0072] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a climbing chock wherein at least two edges separate each raised contact point of a pair of raised contact points on the first or second surface.

[0073] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a climbing chock wherein the attachment feature is offset from a centerline axis of the body.

[0074] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a climbing chock wherein the pairs of raised contact points on the first and second opposed surfaces are rotation-symmetric.

[0075] The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifyingother processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and / or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A climbing chock comprising: a body having a top, a bottom, and a first and second side, the body further comprising at least one attachment feature for securing a cable or cord; a first pair of raised contact points at diagonally opposite corners of the first side; and a second pair of raised contact points at diagonally opposite comers of the second side, the second side being opposed to the first side; wherein the first and second pairs of raised contact points at comers are diagonally opposed to one another, and each raised contact point of one or the other of the first or second pair of raised contact points is configured such that when the first or second side of the chock is against a plane, the raised contact points of the chock contact the plane and adjacent portions of the first or second side are distal from the plane.

2. The climbing chock of claim 1, wherein the raised contact points on opposed first and second sides are arranged to induce a rotational motion of the body responsive to a downward force pulling the chock into a constricting crack, such that the chock wedges itself more securely into the constricting crack by converting vertical loading into torque, dynamically adjusting rotational engagement of the chock based on the geometry of the crack, thereby enhancing mechanical engagement with the surfaces of the constricting crack.

3. The climbing chock of claim 2, wherein the chock is configured such that a degree of rotational motion varies in response to a shape of the crack, such that an orientation of the chock dynamically adjusts to conform to flared, parallel, or irregular crack profiles, thereby maximizing engagement of the raised contact points with the surfaces of the crack.

4. The climbing chock of claim 2, wherein each raised contact point tapers downwardly in a direction from the top to the bottom and is configured to direct force toward the crack surfaces, thereby facilitating vertical wedging and / or rotational engagement.

5. The climbing chock of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a non-solid structure connecting the raised contact points, the nonsolid structure including one or more openings.

6. The climbing chock of claim 1, wherein the body comprises: a third and a fourth side, the third side being opposed to the fourth side, the third and fourth sides being approximately orthogonal to the first and second sides, a third pair of raised contact points at diagonally opposite corners of the third side; and a fourth pair of raised contact points at diagonally opposite corners of the fourth side; the raised contact points of the third and fourth sides being at corners distal from each other, each raised contact point on the third and fourth side is configured as an initial point of contact, such that when the third or fourth side of the chock is against a plane, the raised contact points of the chock contact the plane and adjacent portions of the third or fourth side are distal from the plane.

7. The climbing chock of claim 6, wherein at least one raised contact point of the first through fourth pairs of raised contact points extends beyond an intersection of two orthogonal sides, such that a single raised contact point is the initial point of contact for two orientations of the chock.

8. The climbing chock of claim 6, wherein the first and second sides and the third and fourth sides differ in width, such that the chock presents distinct engagement profiles depending on an orientation,thereby enabling selective placement into cracks of varying widths while maintaining contact on the raised contact points.

9. The climbing chock of claim 1, wherein the body comprises: three or more pairs of opposed surfaces to form a multi-faceted geometry, wherein the three or more pairs of opposed surfaces includes the first and second side, wherein each opposed pair of the three or more pairs of opposed surfaces have a respective pair of raised contact points at diagonally opposite corners, the chock being placeable in three or more orientations in relation to a crack, each raised contact point on the three or more pairs of opposed surfaces being configured such that in each of the multiple orientations the raised contact points of one of the three or more pairs of opposed surfaces of the chock contact the plane and adjacent portions of the one of the three or more pairs of opposed surfaces are distal from the plane.

10. The climbing chock of claim 1, wherein the attachment feature is offset from a centerline axis of the body.

11. The climbing chock of claim 1, wherein the pairs of raised contact points on the first and second sides are rotation- symmetric.

12. A method of using a climbing chock in a rock formation, comprising: orienting a climbing chock having a body with opposed surfaces and raised contact points positioned at diagonally opposite comers of said surfaces such that the contact points engage interior surfaces of a constricting crack of the rock formation; applying a downward force to the chock, causing it to rotate and wedge into the constricting crack via torque generated by the contact point geometry; and allowing the chock to dynamically translate orientation to the conform to a shape of the constricting crack, wherein the shape has one of a flared, parallel, or irregular profile,such that the chock rests on the contact points and achieves mechanical engagement with the rock formation.

13. A climbing chock comprising: a body having at least two opposed surfaces, the body comprising: two pairs of raised contact points, a first pair of raised contact points on a first of the at least two opposed surfaces and a second pair of raised contact points on a second of the at least two opposed surfaces, the first pair of raised contact points at diagonally opposite corners of the first surface, the second pair of raised contact points at diagonally opposite comers of the second surface, the first pair of raised contact points at comers of the first surface distal from the second pair of raised contact points, and the body having an attachment feature for securing a cable or cord.

14. The climbing chock of claim 13, wherein at least one of the at least two opposed surfaces has a convex surface.

15. The climbing chock of claim 13, wherein the arrangement of the raised contact points on the at least two opposed surfaces are arranged to induce a rotational motion of the body responsive to a downward force pulling the chock into a constricting crack, such that the chock wedges itself more securely into the constricting crack by converting vertical loading into torque, dynamically adjusting rotational engagement of the chock based on a geometry of the crack, thereby enhancing mechanical engagement with a surface of the constricting crack.

16. The climbing chock of claim 13 wherein the chock is configured such that a degree of rotational motion varies in response to a shape of a constricting crack, such that an orientation of the chock dynamically adjusts to conform to a crack profile, thereby maximizing engagement of the raised contact points with the surfaces of the crack.

17. The climbing chock of claim 13, wherein the body further comprises two opposed side surfaces connecting the at least two opposed surfaces, and at least one raised contact point of the two pairs of raised contact points extends from at least one of the two opposed side surfaces and from at least one of the at least two opposed surfaces.

18. The climbing chock of claim 13, wherein at least two edges separate each raised contact point of a pair of raised contact points on the first or second surface.

19. The climbing chock of claim 13, wherein the attachment feature is offset from a centerline axis of the body.

20. The climbing chock of claim 13, wherein the pairs of raised contact points on the first and second opposed surfaces are rotation- symmetric.

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