Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd. Inc.

William R Belcourt

Ben Walker

Charles G Brainerd

Joseph Spataro

David Mellon

Jeremy Allen Saxton

Brendan Perkins

Joe Spataro

John Bercaw

Joseph Skrivan

David Sanders

One embodiment of the present invention relates to an automatic locking carabiner including a frame, a gate, a gate biasing system, and a gate locking system. The gate is pivotably coupled to the frame including a closed configuration within which the gate and frame form a continuously enclosed inner region, and an open configuration within which the gate is pivotably rotated within the inner region so as to form an opening. The gate locking system includes an engaged state within which the gate is locked in the closed configuration, and a disengaged state within which the gate is pivotably rotatable with respect to the frame. The gate locking system is biased toward the engaged state when the gate is in the closed configuration. The functionality and operation of the gate locking system is independent of the gate biasing system. The engaged state of the gate locking system includes a releasable magnetic coupling between the gate and the frame.

Magnetic carabiner system

One embodiment of the present invention relates to an automatically locking carabiner system including a frame, a gate, a gate biasing system, and a gate locking system. The frame and gate form a continuously enclosed inner region in a closed configuration with respect to the frame. When in an engaged state, the gate locking system is configured to automatically lock the gate in the closed configuration with respect to the frame. The gate locking system may include a trigger coupled to the frame such that the position of the trigger corresponds to the state of the gate locking system. The trigger may be positioned on an opposite side of the frame from the gate with respect to the inner region. The force required to disengage the gate locking system may be substantially opposite that which is required to transition the gate to the open configuration with respect to the frame.

Safety carabiner

An ice axe device has an adjustable grip. The ice axe includes an elongated shaft with opposite proximal and distal ends. A pick is disposed at the distal end of the elongated shaft, and a grip is disposed at the proximal end of the elongated shaft. A pommel is adjustably securable to the grip,. A spike can be disposed on the proximal end of the grip. At least one spacer can be selectively disposable on the grip to selectively shorten and lengthen the length of the grip.

Competition/leashless ice axe with adjustable grip

The present invention features an ice screw for use in ice climbing, wherein the ice screw comprises: a hollow shaft having a plurality of screw threads formed thereon for securing the ice screw to a body of ice; a hanger coupled to the hollow shaft for receiving a carabiner and supporting a climber; and a flexing crank handle coupled to an aperture or eye formed within the hanger, wherein the flexing crank handle functions as a crank arm for screwing the ice screw into the body of ice, and wherein the flexing crank arm displaces or flexes from a resting, cranking position to a plurality of flexed positions in response to a load induced thereon. The flexing crank handle reduces the chance for cross-loading of an attached carabiner due to the existence of a crank handle without requiring any manual manipulation (e.g., folding) of the crank handle once the ice screw is inserted into the ice structure.

Ice screw having breakaway or flexing crank handle

An ice axe device comprising a handle having a gripping end and a working end and an impact member attached at the working end. The gripping end is configured about its longitudinal axis with a smaller, forward curvature and a larger, rearward curvature. The smaller, forward curvature is approximately defined by a radius slightly smaller than a corresponding radius of an arc formed at an inner surface of the user's fingers when wrapped about that portion of the gripping end. The larger, rearward curvature is approximately defined by a larger radius which is slightly smaller than a corresponding radius of an arc formed by a users palm and a proximate inside portion of an extending thumb when wrapped around the gripping end.

Growing community of inventors

Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

William R Belcourt