Climbing safety device and safety system comprising such a device

Abstract

The invention relates to a climbing safety device (1) intended to be mounted on a wall provided with an automatic belay, the device comprising a housing fixed at the base of the wall and a lock movable between a carabiner-engagement position and a carabiner-release position, thereby forming a low anchor point for an intended strap, a presence sensor for detecting the presence of the carabiner, a proximity sensor for detecting the presence of a user, a radar for providing a point cloud corresponding to the positions of the user on the route, and a computer for analyzing the data from the presence sensors and the radar.

Description

SAFETY DEVICE FOR CLIMBING AND SAFETY SYSTEM INCLUDING SUCH A DEVICE

[0001] The present invention relates to the general technical field of sports equipment and in particular to equipment for practicing climbing and more specifically to equipment that increases the safety of athletes practicing climbing, in a sporting context or in a context of medical rehabilitation or health sport.

[0002] The invention relates to a safety device and a climbing system incorporating such a device, enabling athletes to avoid reducing the probability of users engaging on a climbing wall without being hooked.

[0003] The climbing system includes an automatic belay system for the climber. Such a belay system consists of a motorized or non-motorized reel positioned at the end of the climbing route, generally at the top of the climbing wall, which winds the sling to which the user is attached. The sling winds as the user progresses up the wall. The reel also locks the sling in case of a fall. Furthermore, for example, after prolonged tension on the sling, the reel can unwind the sling at a reduced speed to allow the user to descend to the ground.

[0004] In this document the term “strap” should be understood in a broad sense, and can therefore be replaced in particular by the term “rope” or “line”.

[0005] In the following, the term "user" or "carrier" or "climber" refers to a person secured by a strap, for example by means of a safety harness or a climbing harness, for the practice of sport climbing or for climbing sessions within the framework of a medical rehabilitation program.

[0006] The invention is suitable for all types of users, including people with disabilities (PSH) or reduced mobility and high-level athletes.

[0007] There is a constant effort to minimize the risks associated with the human factor in the practice of climbing, and in particular the risks associated with belaying errors or poor mastery of belaying techniques among beginners, which can sometimes be fatal.

[0008] In climbing practice, the use of automatic belay devices is common. One such automatic belay device is described in US patent 8,408,360 A1, which includes a sling reel, sensors to detect a malfunction of the reel, and a system to detect if the user has detached the reel sling from its lower anchor point on the climbing wall. The belay device described in this document, controlled by a processor, includes a sensor to detect the presence of the sling on its lower anchor point and a position sensor integrated into the wall at a specific height to detect when the user reaches that position. An alarm signal is generated by the processor based on the information read by the sensors.

[0009] However, such a belay device has drawbacks. Indeed, in the event of a belay failure, the alarm is only triggered once the climber reaches a certain height, which, in the event of a fall, even from a short height, can have serious consequences for the user. This is especially true for users who are elderly, disabled, or undergoing medical rehabilitation.

[0010] Furthermore, the device does not check that there is no one in the landing zone during a climber's descent.

[0011] Furthermore, the position sensor is integrated into the wall, which can be technically complex to implement, particularly to ensure optimal communication with the processor and to protect it from repeated contact and impacts with users. These same sensors can be obscured if a resin plug or a wooden structure were to block the passage detection sensor, which would either render the system inoperative or cause it to malfunction permanently. Moreover, access to the surface is required to perform inspection and maintenance on the sensors.

[0012] In the event of a power outage or the end of life of a possible backup battery, these known devices cease to provide their monitoring and therefore once again give way to the aforementioned risks related to the human factor.

[0013] Finally, such a belaying device can easily be fooled by the attachment to its anchor point of another reel, located for example on the next track.

[0014] We also know, through document FR 3 034 091 A1, of a safety device for a platform operator. This device comprises a lanyard attached to a fixed point on the platform and intended to be connected to a harness worn by the operator. A first and a second connecting element, attached respectively to the lanyard and the harness, are separably linked to each other when the lanyard is attached to the harness. A control unit is configured to trigger an alert when the two elements are separated.

[0015] US patent 2023 / 264053 A1 describes a fall protection system, specifically for individuals working on climbing walls. The system includes an automatic belay device with a lanyard attached to a reel and equipped with a carabiner at its free end. The carabiner is fitted with an RFID tag. A detection unit is mounted on the wall at a predetermined height. The detection unit includes an RFID reader and a thermal imaging camera. The system also includes a computer associated with these sensors.

[0016] Document WO 2023 / 203058 A1 describes an anchoring device for connecting a user working at height to a platform. The anchoring device comprises various components, including a position sensor and an inertial sensor to detect relative movement. Presentation of the invention

[0017] The object of the invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing a new safety device to reliably and simply detect a belaying failure in the practice of climbing.

[0018] The object of the invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing a new safety device which renders the use of the reel inoperative in the event of a power failure of the monitoring device.

[0019] The object of the invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing a security device that does not require sockets, and volumes made of wood or resin which could obscure the presence sensors.

[0020] The object of the invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing a safety device which has the capacity to alert a user who is under a climber in the process of descending in order to prevent the climber from falling on him.

[0021] The object of the invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing a new security device which creates a unique identifying marker of the reel to which it is associated, thus preventing any fraud by the installation of a neighboring reel on its anchor point.

[0022] Another object of the invention aims to propose a new safety device to be integrated into an automatic belaying system for the practice of climbing.

[0023] Another object of the invention aims to propose a new method of securing a climbing route which makes it possible to identify at least one additional user entering in an unsafe manner on the climbing route already occupied by a first user / climber.

[0024] The objects assigned to the invention are achieved by means of a climbing safety device intended to be mounted on a climbing wall equipped with an automatic belay device, comprising a housing intended to be fixed at the base of the climbing wall, said housing comprising: - a lock movable by means of a manual actuation member, between an attachment position and a release position of a sling carabiner, thus forming a low anchor point for a sling end intended to attach to the user, said lock being lockable in its attachment position, - a presence sensor to detect the presence of the carabiner and its attachment to the lock, - a proximity sensor to detect the presence of a user in front of the housing, - a Doppler radar to provide a three-dimensional point cloud corresponding to the positions of at least one user moving on the climbing route,and - a computer to analyze the data from the presence sensor, the proximity sensor and the Doppler radar and generate, via series of LEDs of different colors, information and / or warning light signals.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the housing comprises a basic structure having mounting elements for its attachment to the climbing wall via a rear face of said housing, said basic structure defining an anchoring opening accessible via a top face and a front face of said housing, the lock passing through said anchoring opening when it is in its hooked position.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the housing includes an electromagnet to lock the latch in its latching position in case of loss of electrical supply current, thus preventing the release of the carabiner with the manual actuation device.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the housing includes a torsion sensor located on or associated with the lock, to detect the presence of the carabiner by means of the tensile force exerted by said carabiner of the winder strap on the anchor point.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the housing includes a cover attached and fixed to the base structure to cover said base structure, the cover having a cutout whose shape corresponds to the shape of the anchoring opening and which is superimposed on said anchoring opening when the cover is attached to the base structure, to allow the carabiner to be engaged in said anchoring opening.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the cover has on a front face, a set of openings defining a pattern illuminated by a first series of LEDs arranged in the housing and thus providing the user with at least a light signal of the operating status and availability of said housing and / or a visual warning signal, in case of failure to secure when the user engages in the climbing route.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the cover has on its upper face at least one additional opening, illuminated by a second series of LEDs of different colours, arranged in the housing and thus projecting onto the climbing wall at least one red colour warning light signal in case of failure to belay.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the housing includes a compartment with an access hatch, into which a power supply battery is inserted.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the case includes a storage compartment for a mobile phone, the cover having a shutter flap, which can be locked in the closed position of said storage compartment, when the absence of a carabiner in the anchoring opening is detected.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the box includes a communication system based on WI-FI technology to exchange information and / or instructions with the computer and components of said box and / or with a communication network external to the box.

[0034] The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved using a safety system for a climbing wall comprising one or more climbing routes and an automatic belaying device or system equipping each of the climbing routes, characterized in that it includes for the or each of the automatic belaying devices or systems, a safety device as presented above.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the automatic belaying device or system includes a reel, the speed of unwinding or the speed of descent of the webbing during the descent of the user towards the ground is determined by a pad braking system or an electromagnetic braking system, said speed being compared by the computer to a nominal speed, the increase in said speed of unwinding or descent being linked to the degradation and / or wear of the braking system and the control of this speed of unwinding or descent allowing to implement a predictive maintenance procedure, the speed of unwinding or descent being determined by means of the Doppler radar associated with the computer.

[0036] The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved using a method for securing at least one climbing route on a climbing wall, implemented using at least one safety device as described above, comprising the steps: - detection of the presence and attachment of the carabiner to the lock, - detection of the proximity of a user in front of the housing and wishing to engage in the climbing route, - detection of the separation between the carabiner and the lock, - generation of a three-dimensional point cloud using Doppler radar, corresponding to the positions of at least one user moving in the climbing route, and - use of the computer to analyze the data from the detections and the three-dimensional point cloud to generate information and / or alert light signals.

[0037] According to one implementation example, the safety procedure includes the use of Doppler radar and a computer to analyze point clouds in order to identify at least one additional user engaging, in an unsafe manner, in the climbing route already used by a first user.

[0038] The safety device according to the invention has the significant advantage of being able to equip all types of climbing walls associated with an automatic belay device. The safety device can therefore be installed on new walls from the manufacturing stage, as well as on existing walls, without any structural modification required to integrate sensors, and this with or without the presence of a power supply.

[0039] Thanks to the safety device conforming to the invention, a sporting activity such as climbing is made safer at relatively low costs. It is indeed possible to remotely and centrally monitor the belaying operations of a set of climbing routes.

[0040] Another advantage of the safety device according to the invention lies in its perfect compatibility with a motorized climbing assistance system, particularly for people with reduced mobility or disabilities.

[0041] The safety device also has the enormous advantage of visually alerting the user to a belaying problem, simultaneously with the information received by the central monitoring station, without an audible signal disturbing other climbers engaged on other climbing routes.

[0042] The safety device also advantageously provides data that will be used to implement predictive maintenance of automatic belaying devices, in particular reels.

[0043] The safety device also advantageously provides data that will be used to analyze the kinematics of the climber's movements during the climber's progression on the route.

[0044] Another advantage of the safety device according to the invention lies in its integration into a housing, which, once fixed to the wall at the base of the climbing route, constitutes a hold on which the user can lean.

[0045] The safety device according to the invention also advantageously replaces the flag currently used to attach the automatic rope reel. This flag is a consumable item that each climber must step on to access the climbing route. It therefore generates a significant volume of waste annually. Thanks to the safety device according to the invention, the flags can be eliminated in favor of a robust and permanent attachment point that generates no further waste.

[0046] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, in which:

[0047] is an exploded and perspective front view of an example of an embodiment of a safety device according to the invention,

[0048] is an exploded and rear perspective view of the safety device of the, and

[0049] is a functional flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the safety device according to the invention.

[0050] Structurally and functionally identical or similar elements, present on several distinct figures, are assigned the same numeric or alphanumeric reference.

[0051] Figure 1 is an exploded and front perspective view of an example embodiment of a safety device 1 according to the invention and Figure 2 is an exploded and rear perspective view of said safety device.

[0052] The safety device 1 is designed to be mounted on a climbing wall equipped with an automatic belay device. The safety device 1 includes a housing 2 intended to be fixed at the base of the climbing wall.

[0053] The housing 2 includes a locking mechanism 3, for example a sliding pin, movable by means of a manual actuation device 4, for example a latch, between an attachment position and a release position of a webbing carabiner. The locking mechanism 3 thus forms a low anchor point for a webbing end intended to attach to the user when they are in an attachment position as illustrated in the figure. The locking mechanism 3 can be locked (blocked in the attachment position) in the event of a power failure by an electromagnet 3a, which prevents the release of the carabiner with the latch 4.

[0054] The housing 2 also includes a presence sensor to detect the presence of a carabiner attached to the lock 3. The presence sensor is, for example, a torsion sensor located on the lock 3 to measure the presence of the sling's carabiner and the tensile force exerted by said sling's carabiner on the lock 3 (anchor point).

[0055] The housing 2 also includes a proximity sensor 5 to detect the presence of a user in front of the housing 2.

[0056] The housing 2 also includes a Doppler radar 6 to detect the presence of one or more climbers above the housing 2. It includes, for example, a torsion sensor located on the lock 3 (axis), allowing the measurement of the pulling force exerted by the retractor carabiner on the lock 3 constituting the anchor point.

[0057] The enclosure 2 advantageously includes a computer or microprocessor to analyze the data from the presence and proximity sensors 5 and the Doppler radar 6. The microprocessor is, for example, from the STM32, ESP32, or Raspberry Pi family. Based on the analysis results, the computer generates instructions and / or signals. These signals are, for example, informational and / or warning lights from LEDs of different colors.

[0058] The housing 2 advantageously includes a basic structure 7 comprising mounting elements for its attachment to the climbing wall via a rear face 7a of said housing 2. The mounting elements include, for example, standard M10 screws for climbing as well as wood screws.

[0059] The basic structure 7 defines an anchoring opening 8 accessible via a top face and a front face of the housing 2. The width of the opening only slightly exceeds the width of standard carabiners on the market in order to prevent the carabiner from being detached by any means other than manipulating the locking lever (manual actuation device 4). Thus, when the locking electromagnet of the latch 3 is in the locked position (attachment position), the user cannot extract the carabiner from the anchoring opening 8.

[0060] The locking mechanism 3 passes through the anchor opening 8 when in its engaged position, thus locking the belay sling's carabiner in that position. Manipulating the actuation device 4 allows the locking mechanism 3 to be moved; when in its carabiner release position, its free end is then positioned away from one edge of the anchor opening 8.

[0061] The housing 2 also includes a cover 9 attached and fixed to the base structure 7 to cover said base structure 7. The cover 9 has a cutout 10 whose shape corresponds to the shape of the anchor opening 8 to allow the carabiner to be engaged in said anchor opening 8. The shape of the cutout 10 is also provided to allow access to the manual actuation member 4.

[0062] The cover 9 has, on its front face 11, a set of openings defining a pattern 12, illuminated by a first series of LEDs 13 arranged in the housing 2, specifically on the base structure 7. This first series of LEDs 13 can thus provide the user with a visual signal indicating the operating status and availability of the housing 2. The first series of LEDs 13 can also provide the user with a warning signal in the event of a belay failure when the user begins climbing the route, or when one or more additional, unbelayed users begin climbing the route. The first series of LEDs 13 is, for example, integrated into a PMMA layer 13a.

[0063] The cover 9 has on its upper face at least one additional opening 14, illuminated by a second series of LEDs 15 of different colors, arranged in the housing 2. The additional opening 14 is, for example, provided at the interface of the base structure 7 and the cover 9. The second series of LEDs 15 makes it possible to project onto the climbing wall, on at least a portion of the climbing route, a red light signal as a warning in case of a belay failure or a green light signal allowing the user to start their climb.

[0064] According to one example of implementation, the light signals are for example associated with sound signals from a siren 18 integrated into the housing 2.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the housing 2 includes a compartment with an access hatch 16, into which a power supply battery 17 is inserted.

[0066] The box 2 includes a communication system based on Wi-Fi technology to exchange information and / or instructions with the computer, components of said box 2 and / or with a communication network external to the box 2. The communication network external to the box 2 allows in particular communication with a centralized control station of a climbing hall with several climbing routes and is positioned on the back of layer 13a in PMMA.

[0067] According to one embodiment, an audible alarm 18 of the alert siren type allows a safety alert audible to all persons located in the nearby area, including the climber who is the subject of the safety defect.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the housing 2 includes a storage compartment for a mobile phone and the cover 9 then includes a shutter flap that can be locked in the closed position of said storage compartment when the absence of a carabiner in the anchoring opening 8 is detected.

[0069] According to an example of an embodiment, the computer determines, using the point cloud provided by the Doppler radar 6, an indirect measurement of the user's descent speed after reaching the top of the climbing route.

[0070] The invention also relates to a safety system for an automatic belaying climbing wall equipping each of the climbing routes.

[0071] Each of the automatic belaying devices or systems advantageously includes a dedicated safety device 1 for each of the said climbing routes.

[0072] The automatic belaying device or system advantageously includes a reel, the speed of which of unwinding or descent of the strap during the descent of the user towards the ground, limited by a pad or electromagnetic braking system, is compared by the computer to a nominal speed.

[0073] An increase in the aforementioned unwinding speed is linked to the degradation (wear) of the brake pads. Monitoring this unwinding speed then allows for the implementation of a predictive maintenance procedure. The unwinding or descent speed is, for example, determined via the Doppler radar 6 connected to the computer.

[0074] The safety device is used, for example, in conjunction with a safety harness and a motorized support and traction system. Such a motorized system can, for example, provide traction to reduce the effort required from the user when climbing a climbing wall.

[0075] According to one example of an embodiment, the support and traction system is automated and includes a calculator to determine traction assistance to be provided based on the traction effort provided by the user during their movements, or also to offer permanent balancing of all or part of the load suspended from it.

[0076] This is a functional flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of security device 1.

[0077] The security device 1 operates in an environment sensitive to alert triggers 20, which is itself located in a network communication environment 30. An example of the operation of the security device 1 is thus schematically illustrated with box states EB0 to EB5, external actions AE1 to AE4 and logical questions Q1 to Q4.

[0078] The safety device 1 allows communication, for example via a Wi-Fi link, with an external station 40 to transmit operating parameters and data from sensors, for example the frequency of use of the route, the number of accidents avoided thanks to the device, the pulling force of the spiral spring which is in the winder, the state of wear of the winder braking system by measuring the descent speed of the climber and other information related to the use of the climbing hall.

[0079] Starting from a state of EB0, in which the first series of green LEDs flashes at a slow frequency close to the resting respiratory rate of a person, the safety device 1 enters standby state EB2 (LEDs off) if no movement is detected for a specified period. If movement is detected in front of the device by the proximity and / or motion sensor 6, following logic question Q2, the device remains in its state of EB0.

[0080] After an initialization corresponding to the EB1 state and a check of the peripherals of the box 2 corresponding to the logical question Q3, the device is put into its home state EB0 after opening of the electromagnet which releases the mechanical use of the latch.

[0081] In the event of a technical problem, such as a sensor malfunction corresponding to an external action AE1, housing 2 is placed in a maintenance state EB3 and the electromagnet is released to mechanically lock the latch. Resolving the problem following the logical question Q4 returns housing 2 to its initial state EB0. Otherwise, it remains in its maintenance state EB3.

[0082] If an unbelayed climber is detected, corresponding to an external action AE2, the safety device 1 emits an alarm signal, including a rapid flashing of the second set of red LEDs 15 and, if applicable, also a rapid flashing of the first set of red LEDs 13. The emission of this alarm signal corresponds to the alert state EB4. The alarm signal may also include an audible alert. These alerts are advantageously transmitted to a climbing route control station, allowing the user to be warned that they cannot begin their climb because their belay is not operational.

[0083] When the safety device 1 detects that the carabiner is removed from its anchor point in the housing 2 to be attached to the harness of the user in front of the housing 2, a situation corresponding to an external action AE3, the first set of LEDs 13 illuminates the pattern 12, for example in blue, with a slow flashing frequency, indicating that the lane corresponding to the dedicated housing 2 is occupied and that the belay is operational. This situation corresponds to the occupied state of the housing EB5.

[0084] When the carabiner is reattached to the lock 2 after the user has returned to the base of the climbing route, corresponding to an external action AE4, the safety device 1 (housing 2) returns to its home state EB0. In this home state, the mobile phone compartment cover is advantageously unlocked automatically.

[0085] Advantageously, for each climbing route, the precise measurement of the spiral spring tension represents the equivalent of a unique identifying marker specific to each winder, like a unique identification code to be recognized by the housing 2.

[0086] The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved using a safety system for a climbing wall comprising one or more climbing routes and an automatic belaying device or system equipping each of the climbing routes, characterized in that it includes for the or each of the automatic belaying devices or systems, a safety device as presented above.

[0087] The invention also relates to a method for securing at least one climbing route on a climbing wall. The securing method is implemented using at least one safety device 1 and comprises the following steps: - detecting the presence and attachment of the carabiner to the locking device 3, - detecting the proximity of a user in front of the housing 2 who wishes to start climbing, - detecting the separation between the carabiner and the locking device 3, this separation being detectable by means of a presence sensor or by means of a torsion sensor associated with the locking device 3, - generating a three-dimensional point cloud corresponding to the positions of at least one user moving on the climbing route, by means of the Doppler radar 6, and - using the computer to analyze the data from the detections and the three-dimensional point cloud, to generate information and / or warning light signals.

[0088] In one example of implementation, the safety procedure involves using Doppler radar and a computer to analyze point clouds in order to detect at least one additional user entering, unsafely, a climbing route already used by a first user. The safety procedure then generates a distinctive visual warning signal. This signal can, if necessary, be combined with an audible warning signal.

[0089] It is evident that the present description is not limited to the explicitly described examples, but also includes other embodiments or other implementation methods. Thus, a described technical feature may be replaced by an equivalent technical feature without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. A described implementation step may be replaced by an equivalent implementation step without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

Climbing safety device (1), intended to be mounted on a climbing wall equipped with an automatic belay device, comprising a housing (2) intended to be fixed at the base of the climbing wall, said housing (2) comprising: - a lock (3) movable by means of a manual actuation member (4), between an attachment position and a release position of a sling carabiner, thus forming a low anchor point for a sling end intended to attach to the user, said lock (3) being lockable in its attachment position, - a presence sensor to detect the presence of the carabiner and its attachment to the lock (3), - a proximity sensor (5) to detect the presence of a user in front of the housing (2), - a Doppler radar (6) to provide a three-dimensional point cloud corresponding to the positions of at least one user moving on the climbing route,and - a computer to analyze the data from the presence sensor, the proximity sensor (5) and the Doppler radar (6) and generate, via series of LEDs (13, 15) of different colors, information and / or warning light signals. Safety device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (2) comprises a base structure (7) having mounting elements for its attachment to the climbing wall via a rear face (7a) of said housing (2), said base structure (7) delimiting an anchorage opening (8) accessible via a top face and a front face of said housing (2), the lock (3) passing through said anchorage opening (8) when it is in its hooked position. Safety device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing (2) includes an electromagnet (3a) to lock the latch (3) in its latching position in the event of loss of electrical supply current, thus preventing the release of the carabiner with the manual actuation member (4). Safety device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the housing (2) includes a torsion sensor located on or associated with the lock (3), for detecting the presence of the carabiner by means of the tensile force exerted by the carabiner of the winder strap on the anchor point. Safety device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the housing (2) comprises a cover (9) attached and fixed to the base structure (7) covering said base structure (7), the cover (9) having a cutout (10) whose shape corresponds to the shape of the anchoring opening (8) and which is superimposed on said anchoring opening (8) when the cover (9) is attached to the base structure (7), to allow the carabiner to be engaged in said anchoring opening (8). Safety device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the cover (9) has on a front face (11) a set of openings defining a pattern (12), illuminated by a first series of LEDs (13) arranged in the housing (2) and thus providing the user with at least one light signal of operating status and availability of said housing (2) and / or a visual warning signal, in the event of a failure to secure when the user engages in the climbing route. Safety device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the cover (9) has on its upper face at least one additional opening (14), illuminated by a second series of LEDs (15) of different colours, arranged in the housing (2) and thus projecting onto the climbing wall at least one red colour warning light signal in case of failure to belay. Safety device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the housing (2) has a housing provided with an access hatch (16), in which a power supply battery (17) is inserted. Safety device (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the housing (2) has a storage compartment for a mobile phone, the cover (9) having a shutter flap, lockable in the closed position of said storage compartment, when the absence of a carabiner in the anchoring opening (8) is detected. Safety device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the housing (2) includes a communication system based on WI-FI technology for exchanging information and / or instructions with the computer and components of said housing (2) and / or with a communication network external to the housing (2). Safety system for a climbing wall comprising one or more climbing routes and an automatic belay device or system equipping each of the climbing routes, characterized in that it comprises for the or each of the automatic belay devices or systems, a safety device (1) conforming to any one of claims 1 to 10. Safety system according to claim 11, characterized in that the automatic belaying device or system comprises a reel, the speed of unwinding or the speed of descent of the strap during the descent of the user towards the ground is determined by a pad braking system or an electromagnetic braking system, said speed being compared by the computer to a nominal speed, the increase in said speed being linked to the degradation and / or wear of the braking system, the control of this speed allowing to implement a predictive maintenance procedure, the speed of unwinding or descent being determined by means of the Doppler radar (6) associated with the computer. A method for securing at least one climbing route on a climbing wall, implemented using at least one safety device (1) conforming to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising the steps: - detecting the presence and attachment of the carabiner to the lock (3), - detecting the proximity of a user in front of the housing (2) wishing to start on the climbing route, - detecting the separation between the carabiner and the lock (3), - generating a three-dimensional point cloud corresponding to the positions of at least one user moving on the climbing route, by means of Doppler radar (6), and - using the computer to analyze the data from the detections and the three-dimensional point cloud to generate information and / or warning light signals. A safety method according to claim 13, characterized in that it includes the use of Doppler radar and computer to analyze point clouds so as to identify at least one additional user entering, in an unsafe manner, the climbing route already used by a first user.

Images