Abstract: A carabiner includes an elongate extension formed generally into a prolate loop having a curved spine with an upper end and a lower end, an upper finger extending forwardly and downwardly from the upper end of the spine to terminate in a free end, a lower finger extending forwardly and upwardly in the shape of a hook to terminate in a free end, and an elongate pivot finger pivotally attached at a lower end to the free end of the lower finger to pivot between a closed position, in which an upper end of the pivot finger contacts the free end of the upper finger, and an open position, in which the upper end of the pivot finger is pivoted away from the free end of the upper finger toward the spine. The spine includes a fin or rib extending rearwardly therefrom, with the fin having a contact surface against which a person's thumb may rest when gripping the spine from the rear. This allows the person to orient, by feel, the carabiner for subsequent use.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 17, 1992
Date of Patent:
July 19, 1994
Assignee:
Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd.
Inventors:
Andrew McLean, John Bercaw, Charles Brainerd, Jonny Woodward