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Climbing aidClimbing aid description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20090134294, Climbing aid. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
The present invention relates to a climbing aid, particularly but not exclusively a spring loaded camming device for rock climbing. Spring loaded camming devices (SLCDs or cams) were invented by Ray Jardine in the late 1970s to provide a safety protection device for rock climbing (U.S. Pat. No. 4,184,657). The device enables an rope to be anchored within a narrow gap or crevasse in a rockface and has the advantage of causing no damage to the rock face in contrast to earlier types of anchoring device that were physically jammed into the rock surface causing scarring of the face on their removal. The camming device comprises two to four cams mounted on an axle such that pulling on the axle forces the cams to spread apart. The cams are pivotally mounted on a spindle carried by a support bar and are adapted to engage opposing walls of a crack in a rockface, the cams being biased towards the open position. A trigger linked to the cams via cabling is provided to enable the cams to be pulled into the closed position to allow insertion into a crack or pocket in a rock. Once inserted, release of the trigger causes the cams to expand and hold on to the rockface. Pulling further on the support bar increases the counter-pressure of the cams on the rockface, thereby strengthening the grip of the SLCD. Removal of the SLCD is achieved by pulling the trigger to rotate the cams to their closed position. A climbing rope can be attached to a sling and carabiner at the end of the support bar. Whilst the aforementioned cam is extremely popular and entirely fit for purpose, its use is limited to cracks or holes in rocks or other climbing structures that are of a small dimension (generally less than 100 mm, more often less than 50 mm). It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved climbing aid, in particular a spring loaded camming device, that aims to overcome or at least alleviate the abovementioned drawbacks. Accordingly, the present invention provides a climbing aid comprising two support arms rotatably mounted about an axis, each arm having at its free end at least one pivotally mounted cam, and locking means for preventing rotation of the arms on reaching a predetermined angle with respect to each other. Ideally, each arm carries two cams more preferably two parallel cams. The cams should be spring mounted and lie in the same plane as the arms. Preferably, the arms are locked in position when the intended lower faces of the arms are at an angle of approximately 180 degrees, more preferably exactly 180 degrees. The arms are preferably the same length, being mounted about a central axis. It is envisaged that the maximum length of the climbing aid, i.e. when the arms are in the locked position, will be at least 100 mm, more preferably at least 150 mm. It is to be appreciated that camming devices of different sizes may be provided according to the present invention. It is preferable for the intended upper faces of the arms to be angled such that, in the locked position, the upper faces lie parallel with the bracing angle of the cams. This angle will depend upon the type of cam to be used, with the angle being set to the definitive bracing angle of the cams. For example, if a proprietary cam of Wild Country (Trade Mark) is used, the angle should be 13.75 degrees. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each arm comprises a limb having a cylindrical spindle extending transversely thereto at one end and a circular disc extending transversely thereto at the other end. Preferably, the arm is formed as an integral unit. A cam may be spring mounted at each end of the spindle by suitable means. The disc is preferably approximately half the breadth of the limb of the arm and provided with a groove in the intended upper region thereof. More preferably, the discs of the two arms are located on opposing sides of their respective limbs to enable the discs to abut together in the assembled device. Each disc is preferably provided with a bore through the centre thereof for receiving an axle. Preferably, locking of the arms is achieved automatically upon reaching the predetermined angle. For example, in one embodiment the locking means is such that it can locate in the grooves of the discs when they become aligned thereby preventing further rotation of the arms with respect to each other. More preferably, the locking means comprises a stop member that is slidably mounted with respect to the discs of the arms. In a preferred embodiment, the stop member is slidably located within a housing that bridges the arms of the device. More preferably, the housing is in the general shape of a letter “n” having two legs that lie parallel to the face of the discs and a crosspiece that lies above the top of the discs, each leg having a longitudinal slot for passage of the stop member. The stop member is provided with means for its operation, such as a strap or cable. More preferably still, the stop member is biased towards its lowered or locked position, for example by means of a spring, with the strap or cable being required to pull the member upwardly out of the grooves. The axle upon which the arms are mounted preferably extends between the legs of the housing, being secured thereto by suitable means. A further crosspiece may be provided for attachment of cabling, preferably being situated towards the free ends of the legs of the housing. It is preferable to provide means for affecting rotation of the cams. More preferably a cable or strapping is attached to each cam to allow manual rotation of the cams. Preferably, the cable is attached to the limb of its respective arm at a point along its length. It is preferable to provide a finger loop in the end of each cable. The profile of the periphery of the cams may be chosen depending upon the type of surface between which they are to be mounted. For example, cams having a ribbed surface may be used for rock climbing purposes but spices may be provided if the device is to be used for glacier climbing. In the latter case, it is preferable to provide a cover for the spikes, such as a rubber cap. The climbing aid according to the present invention may be constructed of any suitable materials that provide the requisite strength but with consideration to weight limitations. It is envisaged that steel or other alloys would be used in its construction. Most preferably, the arms are constructed from Aerospace Grade 7075 stem alloy. Preferably, components of the device, such as the arms and cams, are provided with weight-saving holes tberethrough at appropriate locations. For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which: Continue reading about Climbing aid... Full patent description for Climbing aid Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Climbing aid patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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