Abstract: The present invention features an ice screw for use in ice climbing, wherein the ice screw comprises: a hollow shaft having a plurality of screw threads formed thereon for securing the ice screw to a body of ice; a hanger coupled to the hollow shaft for receiving a carabiner and supporting a climber; and a flexing crank handle coupled to an aperture or eye formed within the hanger, wherein the flexing crank handle functions as a crank arm for screwing the ice screw into the body of ice, and wherein the flexing crank arm displaces or flexes from a resting, cranking position to a plurality of flexed positions in response to a load induced thereon. The flexing crank handle reduces the chance for cross-loading of an attached carabiner due to the existence of a crank handle without requiring any manual manipulation (e.g., folding) of the crank handle once the ice screw is inserted into the ice structure.

Abstract: An anti-balling system for a crampon (10) to prevent balling and snow accumulation during snow and ice climbing includes a plate (46, 50) attached to the bottom of the crampon. The plate can be rigid and can have a lower surface (54, 58) formed of a material configured to prevent sticking of snow or ice to the lower surface of the plate. The plate can include at least one loop (62) integrally formed at a front of the plate to receive a front point (38) of the crampon. The plate can have a loop or window (96 or 232) to receive the center strap (22 or 220) of the crampon. The plate can be attached with bail ends (222 and 224) of a bail (214). The lower surface of the plate can include a plurality of protrusions (100) extending therefrom forming a plurality of raised section (104) and a plurality of edges (108) forming a nonskid surface configured to prevent the lower surface of the plate from sliding with respect to another object.

Abstract: An anti-balling system for a crampon (10) to prevent balling and snow accumulation during snow and ice climbing includes a plate (46, 50) attached to the bottom of the crampon. The plate can be rigid and can have a lower surface (54, 58) formed of a material configured to prevent sticking of snow or ice to the lower surface of the plate. The plate can include at least one loop (62) integrally formed at a front of the plate to receive a front point (38) of the crampon. The plate can have a loop or window (96 or 232) to receive the center strap (22 or 220) of the crampon. The plate can be attached with bail ends (222 and 224) of a bail (214). The lower surface of the plate can include a plurality of protrusions (100) extending therefrom forming a plurality of raised section (104) and a plurality of edges (108) forming a nonskid surface configured to prevent the lower surface of the plate from sliding with respect to another object.

Abstract: An ice axe which includes a handle/shaft having a gripping end and a working end, an axe head attached to the working end, and a grip attached to the gripping end. The working end of the handle/shaft is configured with a shorter cross-sectional dimension along an axis parallel to a plane in which the axe would be swung when used. The axe head includes a pick end and an oppositely disposed hammer end, with the hammer end including a sharp ridge protruding generally in the direction of the handle/shaft and transversely thereof so as to allow the hammer end to be used as a hook for ice pockets, rock ledges, etc.

Abstract: A lugged ice axe head including a head portion which may have accessories, such as an ice pick, attached thereto; and a lug sleeve attached to and extending generally downwardly from the ice axe head. The lug sleeve has a hollow central portion with an open lower end which is formed to receive a top end of a handle so that the handle securely nests within the central hollow. The handle is anchored within the elongate sleeve such that the sleeve inhibits damaging of the handle by misplaced blows.

Abstract: A gate for carabiners is disclosed including a first wing, a second wing and a bridge connecting the two. The first wing, the second wing and the bridge are stamped or otherwise cut out of a sheet of metal or other durable, bendable material. The wings are then bent relative to the bridge so that they oppose one another and form sides of the gate. One end of the gate is attached to the carabiner, while an opposing end of the gate is provided with a catch to selectively close an opening in the carabiner, and thereby selectively hold ropes or other items within the carabiner. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a liner is disposed about the carabiner gate to limit wear caused to ropes, etc., by the carabiner gate. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the area between the wings is filled with a filler to increase the strength of the gate.

Abstract: An integrated modular ice axe head is disclosed including a first base member fixedly attached to a handle and a second base member, attachable to the first base member, which has an accessory, such as a hammer head or adze formed integrally therewith. Preferably, the two base members form a receiving slot when they are attached to one another for receiving and holding the base of an accessory, such as an ice pick. Because the first and second base members can move toward and away from one another before attachment is completed, the receiving slot is of variable width and facilitates pieces having loose tolerances.

Abstract: An ice axe device comprising a handle having a gripping end and a working end and an impact member attached at the working end. The gripping end is configured about its longitudinal axis with a smaller, forward curvature and a larger, rearward curvature. The smaller, forward curvature is approximately defined by a radius slightly smaller than a corresponding radius of an arc formed at an inner surface of the user's fingers when wrapped about that portion of the gripping end. The larger, rearward curvature is approximately defined by a larger radius which is slightly smaller than a corresponding radius of an arc formed by a users palm and a proximate inside portion of an extending thumb when wrapped around the gripping end.

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.