Patent · US Active

Universal belay device

US8316989B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
28References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 12, 2009
Grant dateNov 27, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 12, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA63B29/02
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

The present invention provides a universal belay device for providing safety to mountain and rock climbers. The belay device allows a belayer to selectively operate the device in any of a plurality of modes. In an auto-locking mode, a fall by a climber automatically stops the rope without requiring the belayer manually apply any holding or stopping force. In a frictional mode, a fall by a climber is stopped by the belayer applying a minimal amount of pressure. The belay device includes a housing in which a rope pin and cam are contained. The cam is rotable to a first position which allows the rope pin to frictionally secure the rope against the housing and stop the rope. The cam is rotable to a second position which substantially prevents the rope pin from fully securing the rope and requires the user to apply a stopping force to stop the rope.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.