FR2790968A1 - Adjustable foot lock for climbing along rope - Google Patents

Abstract

The foot lock comprises a pivoting strike plate (20) and fasteners comprising a first upper loop (36,38) for the passage and adjustment of a first horizontal strap (14). A second lower loop (42) is for the passage and adjustment of a second vertical strap (16). The loops extend orthogonally to each other and are integrated into the plane part of the lock between the chute and the strike plate articulation axis.

Description

Adjustable blocker for climbing along a rope Technical area

  of the invention The invention relates to a blocker for climbing along a rope, comprising: - a blocking element having a metal body equipped with a chute for guiding the rope, - a movable trigger mounted to pivot on the body between a closed position and an open position, respectively to press the rope against the bottom of the chute when the body is stressed in the direction of descent, and to unlock the rope in the opposite direction of the ascent ,

  - And means of attachment to at least one strap.

  Such a blocker can be attached to the shoe of the right or left foot, and allows an easier ascent along a rope, in the area of

  mountaineering, climbing, speleology, or work at height.

  STATE OF THE ART Known foot blockers generally make use of fastening straps fixed to the metal body by riveting. The length adjustment requires the presence of special loops on the straps, which do not allow to obtain a fine adjustment and an adequate positioning of the blocker according to the type of shoes. In the event of premature wear of the straps, replacement by the user is not possible due to

assembly by riveting.

  OBJECT OF THE INVENTION A first object of the invention consists in producing a compact foot blocker allowing precise adjustment and easy change of the attachment straps. A second object of the invention consists in making a blocker easily

  adaptable to a harness or the user's leg.

  The device according to the invention is characterized in that the attachment means comprise at least a first upper pass for the passage and the adjustment of a first horizontal strap, and at least a second lower pass for the passage and the adjustment of a second vertical strap, said first and second loops extending substantially orthogonally to one another by being integrated in the part

  plane of the body between the chute and the axis of articulation of the trigger.

  According to a characteristic of the invention, the first upper pass comprises at least two vertical slots arranged perpendicularly

  with respect to two horizontal slots of the second lower loop.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the first loop is formed by four parallel slots through which the horizontal strap alternately passes. The various passers-by are produced by cutting and stamping the body in aluminum sheet, which comprises

  advantageously a hole allowing the hooking of a carabiner.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the trigger is associated with a 1 O return device composed of two torsion springs of different diameters, mounted coaxially on the articulation axis, the most flexible spring ensuring contact with the rope, and the spring of higher hardness

  limiting the total opening of the trigger.

  1 5 Such a blocker is advantageously used as a foot blocker. In this case, the first horizontal strap surrounds the kick, and is associated with a tightening loop, while the second vertical strap passes under the shoe while being secured to the first strap opposite

from the second passerby.

  The blocker can also be secured to a harness, or directly to the

user's leg.

Brief description of the drawings

  Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the

  description which will follow of an embodiment of the invention given as

  non-limiting example, and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of the foot blocker according to the invention; - Figures 2 and 3 respectively show an elevational view and a rear view of the blocking element without the straps; Figure 4 shows the establishment of the horizontal strap in the upper loops of the blocking element, the trigger being held in the open position; - Figure 5 shows the threading of the vertical strap in the lower loop of the blocking element, the trigger being in the closed position; - Figure 6 is an identical view to Figure 3 of an alternative embodiment; - Figure 7 shows the trigger spring return device; - Figures 8 to 11 illustrate different assemblies and settings of the blocker

on boots or shoes.

  Description of a preferred embodiment

  Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a foot blocker, designated by the general reference 10, comprises a blocking element 12 associated with a pair of straps 14, 16 for attachment to a shoe. The blocking element 12 is provided with a metal body 18 folded in the shape of a C, inside which is articulated a pivoting trigger 20 allowing the rise along a rope. The trigger 20 comprises a wedging surface 22 with spikes, intended to press the rope against a chute 24 when the body 18 of the blocking element 12 is biased downward by the weight of the user. During the ascent along the rope, the trigger 20 pivots around the axis 26 in a clockwise direction towards an open position to release the rope. A tightening loop 28 is associated with the strap

  horizontal 14 for fixing the assembly to the foot of the user.

  In FIG. 3, the body 18 of the blocking element 12 is made of cut sheet metal, stamped and folded, and comprises two fastening devices 30, 32 arranged in the flat part to allow the passage and the adjustment of the straps 14, 16. The upper fastening device 30 is provided with four substantially parallel vertical slots 34 defining two loops 36, 38 for the passage of the horizontal strap 14. The lower fastening device 32 has two horizontal and parallel slots 40 forming a loop 42 for the passage of the vertical strap 16. A hole 44 is formed in the body 18 to allow the hooking of a carabiner. A return device 46 is mounted on the axis 26 to urge the trigger 20 towards the

  closed position illustrated in Figure 2.

  The operations of fitting and adjusting the useful length of the straps 14, 16 according to the type of shoe, are illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5: 1 5 The horizontal strap 14 is threaded alternately in the successive slots 34 of the two passers-by 36, 38 by maintaining the trigger 20 in the open position (Figure 4). After adjusting the useful length, the trigger 20 is released, which automatically returns to the closed position. The presence of the two loops 36, 38 increase the friction forces on the strap 14, making it possible to obtain a precise adjustment, and preventing

  thereafter any involuntary adjustment.

  Figure 5 shows the installation of the lower strap 16 in the pass 42

and its setting.

  The useful length of the two straps 14, 16 is adjusted by a simple sliding in the loops 36, 38, 42, and does not require any additional adjustment element on the straps. Depending on the wear, the damaged straps can be easily disassembled and replaced by

news.

  FIG. 6 represents a blocking element 112 with two fastening devices 130, 132 produced in a different way. They have two loops 136, 142 in the form of stirrups respectively creating a groove

  horizontal and a vertical groove.

  In FIG. 7, the return device 46 of the trigger 20 comprises two torsion springs 46a, 46b of different diameters, mounted coaxially on the axis 26. The hardness of the two springs 46a, 46b is also different, the external spring 46b more flexible ensuring contact with the rope, while the

  more rigid internal spring 46a limiting the total opening of the trigger 20.

  Figures 8 to 11 show different assemblies and adjustments of the blocker 1 0 on boots 49 or shoes 51. Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a mounting of the blocking element 12 on the side of a boot 49, respectively with a low setting and a top adjustment of the vertical strap 16. In FIG. 10, the blocker 10 is adaptable to any type of shoe 51 with a low or high upper. In FIG. 11, the blocking element 12 is positioned on the forefoot,

  the strap 16 being mounted in a ring.

  It is clear that the blocking element 12, 112 can be fixed to a harness or

  directly to one of the user's legs.

  The fixing of the blocker can be done by means of cords instead

straps 14, 16.

Claims (8)

Claims   1. Blocker for climbing along a rope comprising: 1 5 - a blocking element (12, 112) having a metal body (18) equipped with a chute (24) for guiding the rope, - a trigger ( 20) movable pivotally mounted on the body (18) between a closed position and an open position, respectively to press the rope against the bottom of the chute (24) when the body (18) is biased in the direction of the descent, and to unlock the rope in the opposite direction of the ascent, - and means of attachment to at least one strap (14, 16) or cord, characterized in that the attachment means comprise at least a first upper loop (36, 38, 136) for the passage and adjustment of a first horizontal strap (14), and at least one second lower loop (42, 142) for the passage and adjustment of a second strap (16 ) vertical, said first and second loops extending substantially orthogonally relative to the aut re, being integrated in the flat part of the body (18)   between the chute (24) and the axis (26) of articulation of the trigger (20.   2. Blocker according to claim 1, characterized in that the first upper loop (36, 38) comprises at least two vertical slots (34) arranged perpendicularly to two horizontal slots (40)   of the second lower pass (42).   3. Blocker according to claim 2, characterized in that the first pass (36, 38) is formed by four slots (34) parallel in which   alternately passes the horizontal strap (14).   4. Blocker according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the   loops (36, 38, 42) are produced by cutting and stamping the body (18) in aluminum sheet.   5. Blocker according to claim 4, characterized in that the body (18)   has a hole (44) allowing the hooking of a carabiner.   6. Blocker according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the   trigger (20) is associated with a return device (46) composed of two torsion springs (46a, 46b) of different diameters, mounted coaxially on the axis (26) of articulation, the most flexible spring ensuring contact with the cord, and the spring of higher hardness limiting the total opening of the trigger (20)   7. Blocker according to any one of claims 1 to 6, used as   as a foot blocker for attachment to a shoe, characterized in that the first horizontal strap (14) surrounding the kick is associated with a tightening loop (28), while the second vertical strap (16) passing under the shoe is secured to the first strap (14) at   opposite of the second passer-by (42).   8. Blocker according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in   what it is attached to a harness, or directly to the user's leg.