Abstract: A release system for a tether line includes a housing having a side that is at least partially open. A tether lead within the housing is adjacent to the side of the housing. A release mechanism in the housing includes a shackle having a closed end and an open end. The shackle is disposed in the housing at a portion therein that is lower than that of the tether lead. The release mechanism also includes a hinge for mounting the shackle within the housing. In a tether-retention mode, the open end of the shackle faces the top of the housing and the shackle is prevented from rotation about the hinge. In a tether-release mode, the shackle is free to rotate about the hinge under gravity wherein the open end of the shackle rotates to face the side of the housing.

Abstract: Wall mounting assemblies and methods are disclosed. The assembly includes a bracket that has two frame members coupled at a hinge. Each frame member has a hook for engaging a recess or slot on a panel. Rotating the two frame members causes the hooks to lock into the slots on the panel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a safety attachment for a bolt snap (e.g., a swivel bolt snap) is provided that prevents unintentional opening of a bolt action gate. The safety attachment includes a body with an integral top ring, an integral bottom ring, and a hollow center cavity. The body may have a convex outer surface that extends beyond a release button of the bolt action gate. The integral top ring may contact the release button. The integral bottom ring may prevent movement of the safety attachment along a shaft of the bolt snap. The hollow center cavity may accommodate the shaft of the bolt snap. The body and its integral top ring and bottom ring may be constructed of a durable, flexible, elastic material that can, in response to pressure on the release button, permit motion of the release button and bolt action gate while increasing the force required.

Abstract: An insulating carabiner hook is characterized in that a free end of an insulating gate includes a first insulating section and a second insulating section. A color of the second insulating section is different from a color of the first insulating section. A restricting sleeve could move along an axial direction of the insulating gate. When the free end abuts against an abutting portion of an insulating body, and the restricting sleeve completely covers the second insulating section, the restricting sleeve is located at a safe position and cannot freely pivot. When at least a part of the second insulating section is exposed via the restricting sleeve, the restricting sleeve is located at a warning position. An insulating gate and a manufacturing method thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: Wall mounting assemblies and methods are disclosed. The assembly includes a bracket that has two frame members coupled at a hinge. Each frame member has a hook for engaging a recess or slot on a panel. Rotating the two frame members causes the hooks to lock into the slots on the panel.

Abstract: Wall mounting assemblies and methods are disclosed. The assembly includes a bracket that has two frame members coupled at a hinge. Each frame member has a hook for engaging a recess or slot on a panel. The assembly further includes a panel that has edges that are configured to engage the edges of adjacent panels, without the need for tilting the panel to engage. Each panel has two slots for receiving the bracket. Bending the two frame members on the bracket causes the bracket's hooks to lock into the slots on the panel.

Abstract: A connector for an animal has a stopper mechanism for enabling or disabling a slide bar to be pushed back. The connector for an animal includes a hook member; a stem portion extending from an end of the hook member in a first direction; a slide bar for being reciprocated in the first direction to open or close the hook member; a lock member for being installed around the stem portion to rotate therearound with the first direction as a rotation axis; and an operating member for being connected to the slide bar so as to protrude in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the lock member including a cylindrical member with a cylindrical space formed therein for housing the stem portion rotatably and projection extending from a part of the hook member side end of the cylindrical member toward the hook member by a predetermined length.

Abstract: A roller guide for supporting and facilitating the manipulation of cable(s) and wire(s) is presented. The roller guide include a frame and a roller assembly disposed along a length of the frame. The roller assembly includes one or more adjacently disposed roller bearings positioned between at least two stop collars. Each of the roller bearings include a housing disposed in a surrounding relation to a corresponding portion of the frame, and a plurality of rollers rotationally disposed within the housing. The rollers include a convex outer engaging surface structured to substantially matingly align with an inner longitudinal concave surface of the corresponding portion of the frame.

Abstract: A lockable snap-clip fastener (10) has two spring-biased jaw members (12, 14) and a slidable locking bar (16). The same spring (13) that biases the jaws (12, 14) holds the locking bar (16) in either an open or a closed position with one of its arms. Since the bar (16) is held in either the locked or unlocked position, it is more secure and must be positively actuated in order to transition from one configuration to the other.

Abstract: An automatically locking carabiner system including a frame, a gate, a gate biasing system, and a gate locking system. The frame and gate form a continuously enclosed inner region in a closed configuration with respect to the frame. When in an engaged state, the gate locking system is configured to automatically lock the gate in the closed configuration with respect to the frame. The gate locking system may include a trigger coupled to the frame such that the position of the trigger corresponds to the state of the gate locking system. The trigger may be positioned on an opposite side of the frame from the gate with respect to the inner region. The force required to disengage the gate locking system may be substantially opposite that which is required to transition the gate to the open configuration with respect to the frame.

Abstract: A locking hook includes a hook member, a lock member, and a latch member. The lock member is pivoted on the first portion of the hook member to be turned between a first position and a second position. The latch member is provided on the operating portion of the hook member to be moved between a lock position and an unlock position to secure and release the lock member. The hook member further has a gripping portion for a user to grip the hook member. Therefore, the user grips the gripping portion instead of the hook member, and this may prevent the user from being hurt accidentally by the object hung on the hook member.

Abstract: A snap hook is provided. A body of the snap hook includes a generally hooked shaped mid portion positioned between a nose portion and a connection portion. The body further has an opening to an inner edge that is positioned between the nose end and the connection portion. A gate has a first end pivotally coupled proximate the connection portion of the body and a second end configured and arranged to engage the nose portion of the body to selectively close an opening in the body. A locking member has a first end that is selectively received in a slot in the nose portion of the body. A trigger has an end that engages a second end of the locking member to disengage the first end of the locking member from the slot of the nose portion of the body.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching items includes a body, first hook, and second hook oriented on a first side and a second side of the body. The apparatus further includes a first gate and a second gate, the first gate attached to the body and oriented to close the first hook, and the second gate attached to the body and oriented to close the second hook. The apparatus further includes a first sliding lock and a second sliding lock, the first and second sliding locks oriented on the first and second gates, respectively; the first and second sliding locks having a first position, being a locked position, where the sliding lock is positioned in a first notch and a second notch in the body, and a second position, being an unlocked position, where the first and second sliding locks are distal from the first and second notches.

Abstract: A safety hook includes a hook body defining a front opening, a swivel ring coupled to a rear side of the hook body, a latch pivotally connected to the hook body and movable between a latched position and an unlatched position to close/open the front opening of the hook body, a spring member stopped between the hook body and the latch to support the latch in the latched position, and a safety locking member mounted in the latch and movable between a locking position to lock the latch in the latched position and an unlocking position for allowing the latch to be moved from the latched position to the unlatched position.

Abstract: A lockable snap-clip fastener with two spring-biased jaw members and a slidable locking bar. The locking bar is held in position by the same spring that biases the jaws. As the bar is held in either the locked or unlocked position, it must be positively actuated in order to transition from one configuration to the other.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching items includes a body and a first and second hook oriented on a first and second side of the body. The apparatus further includes a first and second gate, the first gate attached to the body and oriented to close the first hook, and the second gate attached to the body and oriented to close the second hook. The apparatus further includes a first and second sliding lock, the first and second sliding locks oriented on the first and second gates, respectively, the first and second sliding locks having a first position, the first position being a locked position where the sliding lock is positioned in a first and second notch in the body, and a second position, the second position being an unlocked position where the first and second sliding locks are distal from the first and second notches.

Abstract: Carabiners have a gate that is movable between a closed position and an open position, and a locking member that prevents opening of the gate when the gate is in the closed position and the locking member is in a locked position. The locking member is biased to the locked position. The locking member is also movable to a retainable unlocked position. Methods of manufacturing such carabiners include configuring a locking member of a carabiner to move between a locked position and a retainable unlocked position, and biasing the locking member to the locked position. Methods of using a carabiner include positioning a locking member in a retainable unlocked position, opening a gate of the carabiner, and allowing the locking member to at least substantially automatically move to a locked position as the gate is closed.

Abstract: A connector that includes a carabiner and an insert is provided. The base of the insert has a length that extends between a first end and a second end and a width that extends between a first side edge and a second side edge. A barrel connector of the insert centrally extends from the first side edge of the base. The barrel connector receives a barrel of a gate of the carabiner. A first ear extends from the second side edge of the base proximate the first end of the base. The first ear includes a first carabiner retaining channel that selectively engages a first portion of the carabiner. A second ear extends from the second side edge of the base proximate the second end of the base. The second ear includes a second carabiner retaining channel that selectively engages a second portion of the carabiner.

Abstract: A belaying system includes a fastening component suspended on a securing means. The fastening component secures a load connected to the fastening component. The fastening component includes a bar. The fastening component and the bar hold the securing means. When unlocked, the bar rotates to enable the fastening component to be removed from the securing means. When locked, the bar cannot rotate and the fastening component cannot be removed from the securing means. The bar is unlocked with an unlocking element. The bar is locked with a locking element. The unlocking element and the locking element are fastened directly or indirectly by and/or on the securing means separately from one another. When the unlocking element is fastened to the fastening component the bar is unlocked and the fastening component remains suspended from the unlocking element. When the locking element is fastened to the fastening component the unlocking element is unfastened.

Abstract: A snap hook includes a hook member having a gap formed by an attaching end and a receiving end, a pivotal gate pivotally secured to the hook member and having a notch for receiving the receiving end of the hook member, a locking member is rotatably and slidably engaged onto the pivotal gate and includes a slot for aligning with the notch of the pivotal gate for allowing the pivotal gate and the locking member to be rotated relative to the hook member from the locking position to the unlocking position, and the locking member includes a guiding channel for guiding the locking member to slide longitudinally and to rotate relative to the pivotal gate and the hook member for a limited moving distance and for a limited rotational angle.

Abstract: A carabiner includes a fixed C-shaped body equipped with a securing part, and a gate movable around a pivoting axis between a closed position and an open position. The gate includes a latching part and a locking ring fitted coaxially around the gate. An end head of the gate partially surrounds the securing part in the closed position, and includes a shoulder acting as end-of-travel stop for the ring in the locked position.

Abstract: A carabiner comprises a locking part elastically biased to a locked position for automatic locking of the pivoting gate in the closed position. The locking part is associated with an actuating ring coaxially surrounding the gate and used only when opening of the carabiner is performed for the gate to pivot to the unlocked position. The first end of the fixed body comprises a ramp to automatically unlock the locking part before the gate reaches the end of closing travel.

Abstract: A snap hook that includes gate that includes and aperture that accepts a male portion that protrudes from the nose portion of the hook is disclosed. The coupling of the nose portion and the gate prevents the unwanted opening of the gate while the hook is under extreme loads. Still further, the use of a slide bar that is moved through translation and rotation when opening the gate of the hook is also disclosed. The translation and rotation motion provides improved cooperation of the components and improves the resistance of undesired movement of the slide bar by forces against a protrusion on the slide bar, and thus provides greater resistance to unwanted opening of the gate.

Abstract: A snap hook includes a channel and an orifice of different height formed in an attaching end of a hook member and a latching cavity formed in a receiving end of the hook member, a pivotal gate having one end attached to the attaching end with an axle, and a latch member attached to the other end for engaging with the latching cavity of the hook member, the axle includes one or more flat surfaces for engaging into the narrower channel of the hook member and for selectively moving the latch member to engage with the latching cavity of the hook member and to lock the pivotal gate to the hook member, and for preventing the pivotal gate from being unlocked or opened inadvertently.

Abstract: Carabiners have a gate that is movable between a closed position and an open position, and a locking member that prevents opening of the gate when the gate is in the closed position and the locking member is in a locked position. The locking member is biased to the locked position. The locking member is also movable to a retainable unlocked position. Methods of manufacturing such carabiners include configuring a locking member of a carabiner to move between a locked position and a retainable unlocked position, and biasing the locking member to the locked position. Methods of using a carabiner include positioning a locking member in a retainable unlocked position, opening a gate of the carabiner, and allowing the locking member to at least substantially automatically move to a locked position as the gate is closed.

Abstract: A safety hook for mounting on the extremity of a spreader bar of a patient lift is secured to a base member that is connected to or integral with the spreader bar. A load-bearing hook member is pivotally suspended from the base member to allow the hook member to move in the plane of the hook member between an open position and a closed position in which the free end of the hook member engages the base member at an engagement point. The hook member is shaped such that it is urged to the closed position when a downward load is applied to it, and that it is urged to the open position when an upward load is applied to it. Under normal circumstances the safety hook closes automatically because of the weight of the load.

Abstract: A retractable hook is used to couple a portable article to another thing. The retractable hook has an attachment section that at least partially extends from and at least partially retracts into a housing section. The attachment section has a gate with open and closed positions. The housing section typically is affixed to a portable article. To couple the portable article to another thing, the attachment section is at least partially extended from the housing section and the gate is opened. The attachment section is then engaged with the other thing and the gate is closed. The attachment section is then at least partially retracted into the housing section.

Abstract: Various embodiments for locking carabiners employing a reinforcing sleeve are described. The carabiners of the present invention include a C-shaped body having a nose region and an end region. A gate including a flanged region housing a receptacle configured to receive the nose region in a receptacle is pivotally mounted at the end region. A sleeve is movably mounted on the gate, allowing the nose region to be secured within the receptacle. The sleeve is closely fitted about the gate at the flanged region, providing support for the flanged region of the gate in a plurality of lateral directions while securing the nose region within the receptacle. The nose of the carabiner may be configured to be received entirely within the receptacle.

Abstract: A snap hook has a body, a sliding latch, a resilient element, a swivel and a connector. The body has a shaft and a hook. The shaft is tubular and has an upper end and a lower end. The hook is connected to and extends from the upper end of the shaft. A guide slot is defined longitudinally the shaft and communicates with the lower end of the shaft. Accordingly, no sharp edges are formed near the sliding latch so a person opening the snap hook will not be injured. In addition, assembling the snap hook is easy.

Abstract: A snap hook includes a hook member having a gap formed by an attaching end and a receiving end, a pivotal gate pivotally secured to the attaching end of the hook member with an axle and having a latch pin attached to a latching end for selectively engaging with the hook member, and a locking member slidably engaged onto the pivotal gate and having one end movable to engage with the hook member and to lock the pivotal gate to the hook member. The locking member may be forced to engage with the hook member by a spring member in order to solidly lock the pivotal gate to the hook member at the locking position.

Abstract: A safety karabiner comprises a swivelling gate with a sliding locking ring operating in conjunction with a lock-bolt. The ring comprises a hole for receiving the lock-bolt at the end of the translation travel to the first locked position to constitute both a mechanical blocking device of the ring and a first visual indicator indicating the locked state. The lock-bolt is fitted on the movable gate.

Abstract: Various embodiments for carabiners employing a pivoting gate and having a captive eye opening are disclosed. The carabiners of the present invention employ an arm laterally extending from the body of the carabiner to define a major opening and a captive eye opening within the interior of the carabiner. Some of the inventive carabiner designs provide the capability of opening the gate while the captive eye opening is maintained. Methods of fabrication and use of the carabiners are also disclosed.

Abstract: A snap hook having a J-shaped body, a gate that is pivotable about a pivot point that is near the first end of the shank, and a movable locking pin located near the second end of the shank. The locking pin is moved by least one parallel bar that is generally parallel to the shank and extends along the shank. Connected to the locking pin is a movable thumb grip that when moved urges the parallel bar to move the locking pin. The locking gate further having a recessed portion positioned near the second end of the shank and a closure portion positioned near the nose of the hook body, the closure portion and the recessed portion being at about the same distance from the pivot point, the recessed portion being adapted to cooperate with the locking pin so that when the locking pin is moved by the parallel bar the gate is released so that the gate can pivot about the pivot point.

Abstract: A snap-hook comprising a fixed hollow C-shaped body, a mobile finger pivoting around a spindle, and an operating ring mounted around the finger between a first locked position for positive locking of the finger in the closed position, and a second unlocked position enabling the finger to move to the open position. The operating ring is equipped with a bar salient from the lateral surface to come, in the first locked position, up against the part of the fixed body situated facing the finger arranging two openings in the body. In the second unlocked position, the bar is situated in a different plane from that of the body and defines a single opening in the snap-hook.

Abstract: A carabiner having a gate with a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a cylindrical locking element that must be rotated in order to release the gate, a guide pin that extends from the gate, and a guide that cooperates with the guide pin. The guide includes a jogged portion that prevents free rotation of the cylindrical locking element.

Abstract: A karabiner comprises a generally C-shaped body, with its free ends curved towards each other and forming a gap therebetween, and a gate for closing the gap, the gate being formed of a wire member shaped and located on one free end of the body, such that it is constrained to close the gap and the other end of the gate having a slot for receiving a shaped end of the gate.

Abstract: An over-center pelican hook includes a hook body having an attachment end which fixably attaches the pelican hook to a threaded cable and a hooked end configured for selectively retaining and releasing an anchoring member in the pelican hook. The hook-shaped second end carries a tensile load when the pelican hook is connected between the cable and the anchoring member. A hinged keeper is pivotally mounted to the second end and moves from a closed position in which the anchoring member is retained within a closed eye formed by the hook body and the hinged keeper, to an open position which opens the eye and allows the anchoring member to be released from the pelican hook. The hinged keeper has an extractor claw which engages the anchoring member as the hinged keeper is moved from the closed position to the open position to facilitate the release of the anchoring member from the pelican hook.

Abstract: A snap hook having a J-shaped body, a gate that is pivotable about a pivot point that is near the first end of the shank, and a movable locking pin located near the second end of the shank. The locking pin is moved by least one parallel bar that is generally parallel to the shank and extends along the shank. Connected to the locking pin is a movable thumb grip that when moved urges the parallel bar to move the locking pin. The locking gate further having a recessed portion positioned near the second end of the shank and a closure portion positioned near the nose of the hook body, the closure portion and the recessed portion being at about the same distance from the pivot point, the recessed portion being adapted to cooperate with the locking pin so that when the locking pin is moved by the parallel bar the gate is released so that the gate can pivot about the pivot point.