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  Camming device for climbing or use thereofUSPTO Application #: 20060231708Title: Camming device for climbing or use thereof Abstract: A camming device is provided that has a superior range of operation, is lighter and has lower internal compressive forces. The improvement is a result of using a composition having a co-efficient of friction ranging between 0.35-0.55 affixed to the contact area, for example, a semi-metallic composition. An improved method of fall protection is also provided, as is a method of manufacture. (end of abstract)
Agent: Scott Thumlert - Lethbridge, AB, CA Inventors: Bryson David Ross Robertson, Scott Jacob Thumlert, Reese Morley Dawes USPTO Applicaton #: 20060231708 - Class: 248231900 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Supports, Brackets, Specially Mounted Or Attached, In Aperture Of Support The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060231708. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/672569, filed 18 Feb., 2005, entitled Camming Device for Climbing and Use Thereof. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention is related to devices to assist rock and mountain climbers. Specifically, this invention is a climbing cam that has a superior range as a result of long-lasting high friction material on the face of the cam and low weight "rope" stem. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Mountain climbing is a sport of limits. Rock climbers are relentlessly striving to push these limits by enduring personal physical pain, improving technical climbing abilities and inventing innovative technical gear. Lowering weight and increasing strength of climbing gear are the fundamental improvements that are required to extend the limits of climbable routes. Fall protection is the key aspect to this. Fall protection is what a climber uses to secure himself/herself to the rock face while climbing. In the event of a fall, the "fall protection" will stop the climber falling to their death. Fall protection requires a delicate balance between strength requirements and weight conservation. [0004] A climbing camming device (cam or friend) is one type of device used as fall protection by mountain climbers. Primarily used for crack climbing, the cam is inserted into a crack and the safety rope is fixed to the stem loop. Friction from the rock/aluminum lobe interface and the outward normal force generated by the unique cam lobe shape holds the camming device in the crack when loaded by a fall. Camming devices have revolutionized rock climbing because climbing routes with parallel crack systems can now be protected. Also, unlike pitons or other forms of permanent protection, camming devices do not damage the rock and are easily placed and removed. [0005] Camming devices range in size and consist of two to four aluminum spring-loaded cams (lobes) with a logarithmic spiral contact shape. These cams are mounted onto a stainless steel axle and connected to a 3/16'' 302 stainless steel aircraft cable stem. The climbing rope is fixed to the stem with standard nylon webbing and when weighted the downward force on the stem forces the cams to spread and hold into the rock. [0006] When traveling to and from the climbing site, and while on a climb, a climber must carry a full range of camming devices in order to accommodate various crack sizes. For this reason, it is necessary to consider the weight of the rack of camming devices. Various approaches have been taken to reduce the weight. Firstly, aluminum is used as much as possible as it is lighter than steel. Second, the weight has been further reduced by introducing apertures into the camming devices. As the number of axles used also affects the weight of a camming device, weight can be reduced by using single axle camming devices, rather than the heavier double axle camming devices. These approaches reduce the weight of each camming devices, and therefore, the weight of the rack. [0007] An alternative approach to lightening the weight of the rack, is to reduce the number of camming devices that needed to be carried. This can be done by increasing the range a given camming device. Expansion range is the maximum minus the minimum crevice size a camming device will tolerate. Double axle camming devices have more expansion range than single axle camming devices, hence fewer camming devices need to be carried. However, this gain may be offset by the increased weight of the double axle camming devices over that of the single axle camming devices. [0008] The problem for climbers is how to reduce the weight required for climbing while remaining within an acceptable safety margin, based on fit of the camming device in the crack and strength of the camming device. It is an object of the present invention to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] An improved camming device is provided that has a superior range of operation, is lighter and has lower internal compressive forces. A camming device is for use as protection in cracks during rock climbing, and comprises at least one pair of lobes, one axle per pair of lobes, a stem, a loop and a release mechanism. The lobes comprise: a face having a contact area; an inside edge; an apical end; and a basal end, to define an inner surface and an outer surface. The improvement comprises a semi-metallic composition comprising at least one metal affixed to the contact area. [0010] The composition may comprise metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, brass, bronze and copper. The composition may be semi-metallic. By semi-metallic it is meant that a portion, ranging from a trace to a substantial amount of the composition is metal, but that it is only one component of the composition, which may comprise one or more other components. [0011] In another aspect of the invention the composition is housed in a recess in the face. [0012] In another aspect of the invention the recess extends substantially from the apical end to the basal end. [0013] In another aspect of the invention the recess terminates in a tab at the apical end and a tab at the basal end. [0014] In another aspect of the invention the composition has a co-efficient of friction in the range of 0.35-0.55. [0015] In another aspect of the invention the co-efficient of friction is in the range of 0.45-0.55. [0016] In another aspect of the invention the co-efficient of friction is about 0.46. [0017] In another aspect of the invention the composition is affixed with an adhesive. [0018] In another aspect of the invention the semi-metallic composition is additionally mechanically affixed. [0019] In another aspect of the invention, an improved camming device is provided that has a superior range of operation, is lighter and has lower internal compressive forces. A camming device is for use as protection in cracks during rock climbing, and comprises at least one pair of lobes, one axle per pair of lobes, a stem, a loop and a release mechanism. The lobes comprise: a face having a contact area; an inside edge; an apical end; and a basal end, to define an inner surface and an outer surface. The improvement comprises a semi-a composition having a co-efficient of friction ranging between 0.35-0.55 affixed to the contact area. [0020] In another aspect of the invention the composition is housed in a recess in the face. Continue reading... Full patent description for Camming device for climbing or use thereof Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Camming device for climbing or use thereof 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. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Camming device for climbing or use thereof or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Portable tree shelf Next Patent Application: Expansion bolt Industry Class: Supports ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Camming device for climbing or use thereof patent info. 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