Remote Karabiner Clipping Head for Self-Locking Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clip sticks designed for rock climbing are not ideally suited for working at height applications, as they struggle with the larger, bulkier self-locking karabiners and varying designs, leading to compatibility issues and increased risk of snagging, which can hinder rescue operations and rope access.

Innovation Solution

A remote clipping device with a head featuring first and second contact portions that contact the karabiner without passing through its load axis, coupled with a resilient clip to hold the karabiner gate open and a telescopic pole for reaching out-of-reach attachment points, allowing for universal compatibility with self-locking karabiners, including those with captive or rotatable eyes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing clip sticks designed for rock climbing are used, then they can clip small snap gate karabiners, but they are incompatible with larger self-locking karabiners and have increased risk of snagging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different karabiner typesVSAvoidrisk of snagging

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The arm is designed with specific local geometric features including a reduced section, notch, and rounded surfaces at the end section. These local quality modifications allow the arm to accommodate various karabiner sizes and shapes (including self-locking karabiners with captive or rotatable eyes) while reducing snagging risk through smooth transitions and avoided sharp edges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of designing the arm to pass through the load axis as in traditional clip sticks, the invention inverts the approach by having the arm extend around the karabiner without passing through the load axis. This inversion resolves the compatibility issue with self-locking karabiners while maintaining effective clipping function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If the arm passes through the load axis of the karabiner, then the structure is simplified, but compatibility with self-locking karabiners and rotatable eyes is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearm structureVSAvoidcompatibility with self-locking karabiners

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the traditional arm configuration by having it extend around the karabiner without passing through the load axis. This design choice, while slightly increasing structural complexity, enables universal compatibility with all karabiner types including self-locking karabiners with captive or rotatable eyes, resolving the adaptability issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The arm is segmented into distinct functional zones: a reduced section for flexibility, a notch for positioning, and a rounded end section for smooth contact. This segmentation allows the arm to adapt to various karabiner geometries while maintaining structural integrity and simplifying the overall design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If a resilient clip is added to hold the gate open, then ease of clipping is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of clippingVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient clip is designed to be self-actuating - it automatically opens the karabiner gate when the remote clipping device approaches and closes it when pulled away. This self-service mechanism improves ease of operation without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems, effectively managing the complexity trade-off.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient clip functionality is merged with the existing arm structure rather than being a completely separate component. The clip integrates with the arm's motion path, allowing the same pulling motion that detaches the arm to also actuate the gate closing, thereby reducing overall device complexity while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device provides stable and secure attachment and detachment of karabiners, reducing the risk of snagging and ensuring compatibility with a broader range of industrial karabiners, enhancing safety and efficiency in reach rescues and rope access operations.

Implementation Method 1

A resilient clip is configured to hold the gate of the karabiner open

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3831450A1Remote clipping device

Publication Date: 2021.06.09 BETA CLIMBING DESIGNS LTD

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AI summary

A remote clipping device for remotely clipping a karabiner to an attachment point (such as a harness or anchor point) when working at height. The remote clipping device has a head with first and second contact portions configured to support a karabiner. The first and second contact portions are coupled by an arm which extends around the karabiner without the arm passing through a load axis of the karabiner. A resilient clip holds the gate of the karabiner open during clipping of the karabiner to the attachment point.