Abstract: A LAD assembly having a cam with engaging teeth rotatably mounted in a housing, the distal end of the cam assembly having an eye with a central opening. An axis passing through the central opening is parallel to parallel planes defined by the inside sides of the housing. This results in an eye that is rotated 90° relative to the eyes of other rope grabs. In addition, the cam assembly may be elongated, thereby placing the eye further from the body than the eyes of prior art rope grab devices. The orientation and optional extension of the eye allows a carabiner or the like attached to the eye to lie in a plane orthogonal to the plane of a carabiner attached to a prior art rope grab device. This, in combination with the extension of the eye away from the body, allows easier access to and operation of the cam assembly by a user.

Abstract: A buckle that is resistant to unintentional or accidental release for joining the distal ends of a web, having a first portion with a rigid, bifurcated tongue. A pair of outward-facing protrusions located on the edges of the tongue at its distal end are adapted for engagement with a locking mechanism disposed within a mating buckle component. The mating buckle component has a rigid block or key centrally located so that as the bifurcated tongue is inserted into the receiving buckle component, the central opening of the bifurcated tongue surrounds and fits snuggly against the rigid central block or key. Side-to-side movement of the tongue (i.e., cocking) is thereby prevented. This lack of side-to-side movement, in cooperation with the latching mechanism, helps prevent accidental unlocking of the buckle.