FR3124401A1 - Relay lanyard that can be used for abseiling - Google Patents

Abstract

Relay lanyard (11) suitable for use for rappelling down a wall comprising a strand (18) integrating a first end part (14) forming a first loop (15), and a second end part (16) forming a second loop (17), the belay lanyard (11) comprising a hooking means attached to the strand (18) between the first loop (15) and the second loop (17), the hooking means (30) being integral with the strand (18), and able to allow the establishment of a carabiner (29). Figure for abstract: [Fig. 3]

Description

Relay lanyard that can be used for abseiling

The present invention relates to the field of personal protective equipment for the practice of sports activities, in particular for climbing or canyoning. More particularly, the invention relates to lanyards, and in particular to belay lanyards that can be used for abseiling.

By lanyard, also called cow, it is referred to a link intended to be hooked on the one hand to a harnessing system of the practitioner, which is for example a harness (commonly referred to as a harness by practitioners) and on the other hand to a carabiner intended to be engaged in a secure attachment point placed on the wall, such an attachment point being called a relay.

Such a lanyard is, for example, defined in the UIAA 109 and EN 17520 standards.

The use of a lanyard allows a climber when he detaches himself from the rope connecting him to the person performing the belay at the time of the abseil, to self-belay by connecting directly to the belay.

Abseiling is a maneuver used to descend a wall in a controlled manner along a strand or more often two strands of rope. Such a maneuver is often used once the ascent route has been completed, i.e. when the climber has reached the belay.

Historically implemented without special equipment other than a rope, abseiling is nowadays carried out using dedicated equipment to guarantee the safety of the practitioner. Abseiling is generally performed using a descent device called a descender connected to the practitioner, in which two strands of rope move and rub, allowing the descent to be braked. A self-locking device is also used, generally formed using a cord tied around the strands of rope. The practitioner can thus decide to stop the descent along the strands of rope.

The equipment necessary to carry out the abseiling is put in place once the practitioner has reached the belay. In such a situation, the practitioner is located high above the ground, so that any manipulation requires being insured. To allow protection against any risk of falling, the practitioner uses a specific lanyard for abseiling use, referred to throughout the description as a "relay lanyard".

Traditionally, a relay lanyard is made from a portion of rope with a circular circumference, and comprising fibers based on synthetic polymers, generally Nylon. In this way, such ropes are able to stretch in the event of a fall.

It is known to use so-called double relay lanyards which define a Y or V shape. Such double lanyards have the particularity of having two strands and three loops: a loop common to the two strands allowing harnessing, a loop on the first strand in order to position a carabiner connecting the climber to the belay, a loop on the second strand called "rappel" in order to receive the descender.

Climbers can make their own belay lanyard themselves, for example by taking a predetermined length of rope, and forming the different loops using appropriate knots.

However, the repeated tightening and loosening of the knots during repeated use of the lanyard contributes to a reduction in the mechanical qualities of the lanyard. However, once tightened, the knot no longer participates in the damping of a possible shock and can constitute a preferential point of rupture. In addition, the practitioner must have prior knowledge of the feasible knots. Such a lanyard is therefore not accessible to most people. Finally, a non-negligible amount of rope must be used, which generates weight and bulk that can become significant.

In order to overcome this disadvantage, manufacturers have developed double rope lanyards called sewn. For example, the applicant offers Y-shaped abseiling lanyards, under the trade name DynaDoubleClip®. In such a double lanyard 1, illustrated , a first strand 2 comprises a relay loop 3, a second strand 5 comprises a harness loop 4 and a return loop 6. The relay loop 3 and the return loop 6 are formed by positioning each of the terminations 7 8 of the rope on respectively a separate location on the first strand 2 and on the second strand 5, while the harness loop 4 is made by folding the first strand 2 against the second strand 5. All the loops 3 , 4, 6 are each held closed by means of a seam 9.

Despite the undeniable improvements offered by double sewn rope lanyards compared to knotted double lanyards, in particular concerning the durability of the lanyards, the fact remains that their weight and size can be improved. Indeed, having two strands requires the user to attach each strand to a harness system with at least two available slots. However, a harness has a limited number of slots, which are also used to support all kinds of equipment such as short attachment devices, called quickdraws.

It has been proposed to substitute the rope forming the lanyard with a strap of substantially flat shape, and obtained from fibers of very high molar mass polyethylene (UHMPE), also known under the name Dynemaa®. The lanyards produced in this way have less mass and less bulk.

However, they have been recognized as presenting a potential weakness for use in self-belaying ( Study on lanyards used in climbing , Laperrière et al., Fédération Québécoise de la Montagne et de l'Escalade, 2007). In addition, they have a lower shock absorption capacity, which can be detrimental if the user falls.

In the past, it has been proposed to use a strap comprising several sewn parts, such a type of strap being commonly referred to as “Daisy Chain”. However, it has been shown that the use of such a type of strap does not guarantee robustness in the event of a fall. Its use as a lanyard is therefore excluded.

The invention proposes to respond to the aforementioned drawbacks.

A first object of the invention is to provide a relay lanyard allowing use for abseiling.

A second object of the invention is to provide such a lanyard having a reduced size and a limited mass compared to existing abseiling lanyards.

A third object of the invention is to provide such an easy-to-use lanyard.

A fourth object of the invention is to provide such a lanyard offering safety conditions identical to those of double lanyards known from the state of the art.

To this end, a belay lanyard suitable for use for abseiling down a wall is proposed, the belay lanyard comprising a strand integrating a first end part integrating a first loop, and a second end part integrating a second loop, the belay lanyard comprising a hooking means attached to the strand between the first loop and the second loop, the hooking means being integral with the strand, and able to allow the installation of a carabiner.

The belay lanyard thus produced offers limited mass and bulk, is safe to use, and versatile.

Other additional features may be provided alone or in combination:

- the attachment means comprises two holding portions, each integral with the strand, and a connecting portion arranged between the holding portions so as to form an attachment loop;

- the holding portions take the strand in a vice, the attachment means comprising a seam securing together the holding portions to the strand;

- the first loop and the second loop extend coplanar in a loop plane, the attachment means defining a connection plane intersecting a plane orthogonal to the loop plane by forming an acute angle;

- the attachment means is in the form of a strip of fabric having a rectangular section;

- the attachment means comprises UHMPE fibers;

- the strand is in the form of a rope with a circular section, the rope comprises a core provided with Nylon, and a sheath composed of braided threads;

- the lanyard comprises a main part arranged between the first loop and the second loop, the loops each comprise a seam connecting an end and a main part;

- the loin comprises a single strand.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly and concretely on reading the following description of embodiments, which is made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

represents a schematic view of a double lanyard represented from the front according to the prior art;

represents a schematic view representing a user equipped with a harness and a relay lanyard;

shows a schematic side view of the relay lanyard;

shows a schematic front view of the belay lanyard, with an inset detail view of the attachment loop;

shows a schematic view of a user in the process of attaching the belay lanyard to a harness;

depicts a schematic view of a user in use from the belay lanyard to a harness;

shows a schematic view of a user in use of the relay lanyard;

shows a schematic view of a user in use of the relay lanyard;

depicts a schematic view of a user in use of the belay lanyard.

We refer to the representing a user provided with a relay lanyard 11.

The user includes a harness system, which in the embodiment shown is a harness 10.

Without this having any impact on the invention, in other embodiments, the harness system is a harness, which is for example more suited to the morphology of a young child.

As can be seen on the , a relay lanyard 11 is attached to the harness 10 on an attachment point 12, in this case a trigger guard.

Such a relay lanyard 11 is advantageously intended to be used for abseiling down a wall, but can be used for other maneuvers allowing belaying on an attachment point, for example the installation of a rope on a belay (maneuver to set up a “ top roping ”).

The relay lanyard 11 finds advantageous applications for the practice of sport climbing. By sport climbing, we mean any climbing activity on both natural and artificial walls. The 11 relay lanyard is particularly suitable for single-pitch or multi-pitch climbing (“multi-pitch climbing”), mountaineering, or canyoning.

As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the relay lanyard 11 comprises a main part 13. More particularly, the relay lanyard 11 comprises a first end part 14 comprising a first loop 15, intended to allow the attachment of the relay lanyard 11 to the harness 10. The relay lanyard 11 comprises a second end part 16 comprising a second loop 17. The main part 13 is arranged between the two end parts 14, 16.

Advantageously, the relay lanyard 11 comprises a strand 18, which is preferably a rope. For example, the rope offers a cross-section with a substantially circular circumference, which allows simple gripping, and a high resistance to tensile stress.

Advantageously, a rope used for the strand 18 comprises a core (not shown in the figures) provided with threads (not shown), the core being surrounded by a sheath composed of braided threads (not shown).

Advantageously, the strand 18 comprises nylon fibers such as polyamide. Such a rope is commonly referred to as a " dynamic rope ", since it has a capacity for elongation under the effect of a tensile stress. A strand 18 made in such a rope lengthens in response to a force caused by the fall of a climber, allowing the absorption of the energy associated with the fall. The user is thus protected from a shock which could be physically damaging to him. Such a property gives relay lanyard 11 great safety in use, similar to that of double lanyards of the state of the art.

As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the strand 18 advantageously comprises a first end 19 curved and secured to the main part 13 so as to form the first loop 15 via a seam 9. The strand 18 advantageously comprises a second end 20 curved and secured to the main part 13 so as to form the second loop 17 via a seam 9. In this way, the relay lanyard 11 is devoid of knots, allowing easy use of the belay lanyard 11. A user with basic knowledge of knots can use the lanyard. In addition, the absence of knots maximizes the life of the relay lanyard 11.

As it can be observed , when the relay lanyard 11 is arranged flat, that is to say by stretching the loops 15,17 on either side in opposite directions so as to give the main part 13 a linear shape, the length of the main part 13 is greater than the projection length of the first loop 15 or the second loop 17 on a plane P perpendicular to a loop plane 21, which is defined by the loops 14, 16.

As shown , the first loop 15 advantageously defines a first internal space 22, and an outline 23 having a dimension having a value greater than the dimension of the second loop 17. In this way, the second loop 17 and the main part can be inserted within of the first internal space 22 of the first loop 15. In this way, it is possible to fix the relay lanyard 11 on an attachment point 12 of the harness 10, for example the trigger guard thanks to a lark's head knot such as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Such a knot can be achieved with a minimum number of movements, making the use of the relay lanyard 11 accessible to the greatest number of practitioners.

In the embodiments shown, the second loop 17 defines a second internal space 24 as well as a closed perimeter 25 having a curvature. Advantageously, the periphery 25 offers a complementary shape to the section of a carabiner body 26 of relay. In this way, a carabiner 26 relay when snapped within the second loop 17 can be immobilized by friction of the periphery 25 on the body of said carabiner 26 relay. This limits any risk of involuntary detachment of the carabiner 26 of the relay. In this way, the relay lanyard 11 can be hung on a relay 27 in a secure manner, as can be seen in Figures 7 to 9.

In order to be able to set up a descender 28, for example by means of a descender carabiner 29 (visible in FIGS. 7 to 9), the relay lanyard 11 is equipped with a means of attachment such that a hooking loop 30, attached, added to the strand 18. In other words, the hooking means is separate from the strand 18, in the sense that the latter is not made with the rope of the strand 18.

Adding the attachment loop 30 makes it possible to limit the length of rope required. In addition, there is no need for an additional strand, which would need to be attached to the harness 10, when the climber climbs a wall and therefore does not abseil. The mass of the relay lanyard 11 is reduced, and the handling of the relay lanyard 11 is facilitated.

Preferably, the attachment loop 30 comprises two retaining portions 31 and a connecting portion 32 arranged between the retaining portions 31, the retaining portions 31 being secured to the strand 18, advantageously to the main part 13 by means of seams 9. Such an arrangement is advantageous because it facilitates the manufacture of the relay lanyard 11, while limiting its size. In addition, such a method of securing offers great robustness and durability.

In order to further increase the robustness of the fixing of the attachment loop 30, the holding portions 31 extend on either side of the strand 18, symmetrically to one another with respect to the strand 18 , so as to take the strand 18 in a sandwich or vice.

Advantageously, the attachment loop 30 is in the form of a band, or strap having a rectangular section with a width much greater than the height, so as to limit the size of the relay lanyard 11.

Advantageously, the attachment loop 30 is made of fabric, which makes it possible to limit the mass of the relay lanyard 11. In such a configuration, the attachment loop 30 is made of a strip, for example a piece of strap , which makes it easier to sew.

Preferably, the fabric of the attachment loop 30 comprises very high molar mass polyethylene fibers (UHMPE), making it possible to offer high resistance, of the order of 12kN, while limiting the weight gain of the lanyard relay 11.

Such a material is known to have less shock absorption capacity than a dynamic safety rope. However, its use to form an attachment loop 30 does not have a deleterious effect on the general damping capacity of the belay lanyard 11. Indeed, in the event of a fall, the strand 18 absorbs the energy linked to the fall, and thus ensures too great a shock for the climber. Thus, such a relay lanyard 11 offers identical security to lanyards formed solely from dynamic rope.

Advantageously, the curved connecting portion 31 defines a connecting plane 33, which intersects the normal plane P to the loop plane 21.

Advantageously, the attachment loop 30 has a section complementary to a carabiner body 29 for recall, which can be done for example by adjusting the length of the connecting portion 32. In this way, the risk of displacement of a recall carabiner 29 within the attachment loop 30 is considerably limited, avoiding accidental opening of said carabiner.

Without this being limiting, the attachment loop 30 is located at a distance closer to the first loop 15 than to the second loop 17. This allows the user to have the possibility of placing a descender 28 at a distance optimal hands.

An example of the use of the relay lanyard 11 will now be described with reference to Figures 5 to 9.

For example, before positioning himself close to a place near a belay, the user attaches the belay lanyard to his harness 10. To do this, the user grasps the belay lanyard, passes the second loop 17 within the first loop 15 by rotating around the attachment point 12 of its harness 10. In other words, the first end part 14 is fixed to the attachment point 12 of the harness 10 by a lark's head knot . Such a positioning maneuver is represented And .

The second extreme part 14 is equipped with a relay carabiner 26, which is snapped then locked on a relay 27. At this moment, the user is skirted, or cowed, that is to say connected the relay lanyard 11 to the relay 27. The user is able to install rappelling equipment in a secure manner.

More specifically, the user has his hands free to be able to put a descender on a rappel rope 34, and snap the descender 28 onto the attachment loop 30, by means of a rappel carabiner 29, then install a braking system 35. Such a situation is represented .

Since the user is now securely connected to the abseiling rope 34, he can, as illustrated remove relay carabiner 26 from relay 27.

The user can for example snap the belay carabiner 26, suitably free on the abseiling rope 34, above the descender 28. Once the maneuver has been carried out, the user is ready to abseil, situation represented .

The relay lanyard 11 described above offers many advantages, in particular:

• easy manufacturing,
• easy to use,
• a limited size, limiting the number of strands to be handled by the user,
• great versatility, such a lanyard can be used both for lanyard on a belay, for example for the installation of a rope on a belay, and for abseiling,
• reduced weight compared to other lanyards known from the state of the art, which facilitates the transport of the lanyard when climbing a wall by the user.

Claims (9)

Relay lanyard (11) adapted to be used for abseiling down a wall, the relay lanyard (11) comprising a strand (18) integrating a first end part (14) integrating a first loop (15), and a second end part (16) integrating a second loop (17), the belay lanyard (11) being characterized in that it comprises a hooking means attached to the strand (18) between the first loop (15) and the second loop (17), the attachment means (30) being integral with the strand (18), and able to allow the installation of a carabiner (29). Relay lanyard (11) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the attachment means comprises two holding portions (31), each secured to the strand (18), and a connecting portion (32) arranged between the portions of holding (31) so as to form a hooking loop (30). Relay lanyard (11) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the holding portions (31) grip the strand (18) in a vice, the attachment means comprising a seam (9) securing together the holding portions (31 ) to the strand (18). Relay lanyard (11) according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first loop (15) and the second loop (17) extend coplanar in a plane of the loop (21), the attachment means defining a connecting plane (33) intersecting a plane orthogonal to the loop plane (17) forming an acute angle A. Relay lanyard (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment means is in the form of a strip of fabric having a rectangular section. Relay lanyard (11) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the attachment means comprises UHMPE fibres. Relay lanyard (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strand (18) is in the form of a rope having a circular section, the rope comprises a core provided with Nylon, and a sheath composed of braided threads. Relay lanyard (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a main part (13) placed between the first loop (15) and the second loop (17), the loops (15, 17 ) each comprise a seam (9) connecting a tip (19, 20) and a main part (18). Relay lanyard (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a single strand (18).