Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Separable-fastener or required component thereof – With third detached member completing interlock
Patent
1988-07-07
1990-06-05
Brittain, James R.
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Separable-fastener or required component thereof
With third detached member completing interlock
245999, A63B 2900
Patent
active
049301942
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to an improvement in snap hooks used, among other things, in climbing and pot holing.
The snap hooks sold on the market until now have been conventionally constituted by a generally C-shaped body, the two ends of which are curved inward so as to be situated in a facing relationship, one with respect to the other, and by a finger mounted for pivoting about an axis, the axis mounted on one end of the body. A spring, placed inside the finger and resting at the other end against one end of the body, applies a constant force, thrusting the finger towards the outside against the other end of the body. Thus, during normal use, the user presses back the finger of the snap nap hook in order to place a rope in an inside space of the hook. Then he lets the finger return to its initial position, thereby confining the rope.
In order to avoid disadvantageous breaking of the snap hook, all currently used snap hooks present, in an opposite relationship to the axis on which the finger is pivotally mounted, a hook-shaped end, generally arranged on the body, and cooperating with a transversal key placed crosswise on the an fork of the finger. Accompanying FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate two embodiments of snap hooks according to the prior art.
This particular arrangement presents one major disadvantage; indeed, when the user tries to remove the strap or the rope which is inside the snap hook, the strap or rope often remains fastened to the hook of the body since the hook is placed inside the space between the body and the finger. Such fastening often occurs at a time when the user is in a precarious balancing position, which can endanger his safety.
According to a recent solution, it has been proposed to place the "hook" part on the finger instead of on the body. This eliminates the risk of the strap attaching to the hook, but the presence of the hook on the finger does not eliminate the aforementioned disadvantage. In addition, the hook is produced by milling with a milling cutter of small diameter which often breaks.
Besides the problem created by the presence of aggressive parts in the snap hook opening zone, there is also the problem of maintaining a high resistance to breaking which such an assembly should have, such resistance being balanced between the male part and the female part. Also, in addition to a resistance lengthwise, the hook should also possess a resistance crosswise in order to prevent it from opening and to avoid all risks of the male and female parts becoming uncoupled. Indeed, for example when a fall occurs, it can happen that the snap hook hits a rock and that under the impact of the shock, and despite the presence of the spring, the finger moves back. Over a long enough period of time, this may cause a release of the pin from inside the hook, hence opening the snap hook and increasing the risk of it breaking, considering that the snap hook's resistance is lessened as a result.
A new type of snap hook has now been invented, the object of the present invention, which makes it possible to solve all of the aforementioned problems. Furthermore, snap hooks can be produced by simple machining means (i.e., milling and boring).
In general, the invention, therefore relates to an improvement in snap hooks used in climbing, pot holing, and other similar activities, which are constituted: so as to be positioned in a facing relationship, one with respect to the other; the body, the arm being subjected to the action of an internal spring which tends to drive it outwardly against the other end of the body. light alloy of identical cross-section, substantially cylindrical and constant. The ends of the body and arm can be moved apart one from the other, and have complementary shapes, male and female, respectively, allowing them to fit inside one another.
The snap hook according to the invention is characterized in that: are inscribed inside the volume of revolution of the sectional pieces; in an arm articulation plane and extends over at least most of the length of the diameter of the sectional
REFERENCES:
patent: 827206 (1906-07-01), Billman
patent: 3677361 (1972-07-01), Bertin
patent: 4206940 (1980-06-01), Altabe
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