DE20207771U1 - Climbing grip and climbing wall module - Google Patents

Description

-1 - KEIL&SCHAAFHAUSEN

patent attorneys

Climbing grip and climbing wall module

The invention relates to a climbing grip with a fastening element for attachment to a climbing wall and a grip element for gripping, as well as a climbing wall module for a climbing wall that can be constructed from at least one climbing wall module and has at least one grip fastening element. The present application also relates to a climbing wall constructed from several of the aforementioned climbing wall modules.

In nature, every climbing route only exists once. On an artificial climbing wall or climbing facility, the route depends on the type, position and setting of the climbing holds, as well as the incline and condition of the wall surface. When setting up the climbing route, an experienced climber must climb and evaluate the route on site after it has been set up. Other climbers must then test the route and confirm or re-evaluate the result. This applies to every route that is set up on a climbing wall. It is not possible to pass on precise information about the layout on this climbing wall.

It is also not possible for inexperienced climbers to determine routes themselves or to define them on an existing climbing wall. When creating a new artificial climbing facility, an experienced climber must always come and set up the routes. Exchanging routes and re-establishing a route after modifications is also not possible at present.

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-2- COOL&SHEEP EGG\USES

patent attorneys

The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a possibility that allows a reproducible construction of artificial climbing walls with specific climbing routes using simple means.
5

This task is essentially solved with a climbing hold of the type mentioned above in that the climbing hold has at least one marking and/or a locking element for aligning the climbing hold. Using this marking, the climbing hold on an artificial climbing wall can always be aligned identically, so that a climbing wall that has been built once can always be rebuilt identically. This is particularly advantageous after changes to the climbing wall or for climbing competitions taking place at several different locations at the same time. Furthermore, the new installation of an artificial climbing facility can also be carried out by inexperienced people, as it is possible to create a route plan that the customer can easily follow. This means that the customer knows immediately how demanding or difficult the climbing route will be and can set up the artificial climbing facility according to his clientele, for example. This makes it easy to set up or change special routes, for example for the rehabilitation sector or for students, without losing information about a route that has already been developed. Modifications to the routes can also be sent out by the manufacturer of the climbing facility without the manufacturer having to screw the handles on site. The locking element according to the invention allows the various climbing grip positions to be set particularly precisely. In addition, the locking mechanism protects the climbing grip against accidental twisting or slipping.

A particularly wide range of adjustment options can be achieved by providing several, preferably evenly spaced markings, such as dots, lines or the like, around the circumference of the climbing hold.

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-3- KEIL&SCHAAFHAUSEN

patent attorneys

To determine a particular preferred direction, a marking can be specially marked, for example as a thick dot or line.

A simple way of fastening the climbing grip in any position on the climbing wall can be achieved according to the invention by the climbing grip being rotatable about the fastening element and/or being able to be attached to the climbing wall. In the simplest case, the fastening element can be, for example, a screw that goes through a hole in the climbing grip and the climbing wall and is tightened by a nut.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the locking element can be secured to the climbing wall. For this purpose, the locking element can be, for example, a projection protruding from the base of the climbing grip intended for attachment to the climbing wall, in particular a pin and/or a polygon preferably arranged around the axis of the fastening element. With such a locking element, the options for aligning the climbing grip when attaching it to the climbing wall can be defined, so that accidents caused by incorrect attachment of the climbing grip are avoided. In addition, the climbing grip is secured against twisting by additional locking elements.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the locking element has two corresponding surfaces that can be fixed at certain distances, twisted relative to each other, preferably with corresponding openings and projections. The locking element is then constructed in two parts, for example, with one part being connected to the fastening element of the climbing grip and the other part to the grip element. These two parts can be twisted relative to each other at predetermined distances. This makes it possible to fasten the fastening element firmly and securely to the climbing wall. Then, by simply twisting the corresponding surfaces of the locking element, it is possible to fix the climbing grip in the desired position.

-4- KHL&SCHAAFHAUSEN

patent attorneys

desired orientation on the climbing wall without having to remove the fastening element of the climbing hold from the climbing wall. To secure it, the two parts of the locking element can be connected using a pin, a screw or similar.
5

The object of the invention is further achieved by a climbing wall module for a climbing wall that can be constructed from such modules with at least one grip fastening element, with at least one marking being provided on each grip fastening element on the wall surface for aligning a climbing grip that can be attached to the wall module. Using such modules, it is possible to create an artificial climbing facility with a reproducible surface (smooth wooden panels with a specified friction value or other prefabricated functional elements) with a specified grip fastening option and a defined inclination of the wall surfaces. For the sake of simplicity, the marking can be provided vertically above the fastening or screwing point. Each grip fastening option is given a unique identifier, for example in the form of an address. The route can thus be clearly defined by specifying the wall inclination, the grip elements and their position and location.

Here too, the invention provides that several, preferably evenly spaced markings can be provided around the handle fastening element. Preferably, one of the markings is specially marked.

According to a further development of the invention, the climbing wall module has a grip fastening grid on a grip fastening element, which can consist, for example, of openings for receiving a pin or a polygonal opening for receiving a correspondingly shaped locking element of the climbing grip. In this way, a climbing grip on the climbing wall module can only be

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-5- KEIL&SCHAAFHAUSEN

patent attorneys

They can be attached in a predefined way so that incorrect attachment is not possible. The locking mechanism also ensures that the climbing hold is held particularly securely.

In particular for teaching and training purposes or for competitions, signaling devices that can be assigned to a grip fastening element can be provided on the climbing wall module to specify a climbing route, e.g. lights, illuminated points or the like. If these signaling devices are individually controllable lamps, a route to be climbed can be easily specified on the climbing wall module and changed from climber to climber without great effort.

It is particularly advantageous to attach the climbing grips according to the invention to the climbing wall module according to the invention, whereby several of these modules can be put together to form a climbing wall. The individual climbing wall modules can be fixed at defined inclinations to one another.

Possible embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the drawing. This reveals further advantages and features of the invention.

Show it:

Fig. 1 a climbing grip attached to a climbing wall module according to

the present invention in plan view;

Fig. 2 shows a climbing grip according to the invention according to a first embodiment

shape in side view;

-6- KEL&SCHAAFHAUSEN

patent attorneys

Fig. 3 shows a climbing grip according to the invention according to a second embodiment

form in side view and

Fig. 4 shows a climbing wall module according to the invention in plan view.

The climbing grip 1 shown in Fig. 1 has a round base plate 2. In the middle of the base plate 2 there is a fastening element 3 designed as a fastening hole with a screw for fastening the climbing grip 1 to a climbing wall module 4. Above the fastening element 3 there is a grip element 5 that protrudes upwards from the base plate 2 and which the climber can hold on to when climbing up the climbing wall.

On the peripheral edge 6 of the climbing grip 1, markings are applied all the way around the base plate 2 at equal distances from one another. A marking 7 is replaced by a specially marked marking 8 to determine a defined direction. In total, twelve markings 7, 8 are applied to the climbing grip 1 at equal distances from one another, so that an angular resolution of 30° is achieved for the alignment of the climbing grip 1 on the climbing wall module 4.

In order to determine the orientation of the climbing grip 1 relative to the climbing wall module 4, a marking 9 in the form of an arrow is attached to the climbing wall module 4 in such a way that the arrowhead points straight at the peripheral edge 6 of the climbing grip 1. In the example shown, the climbing grip 1 is therefore secured in the three o'clock position.

Depending on the type of climbing grip 1, however, any other number of markings 7, 8 can be provided on the climbing grip 1. This is particularly advantageous for climbing grips 1 with specially shaped grip elements 5, which may only be arranged in very specific positions on a climbing wall. In this

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-7- KHL&SCHAAFHAUSEN

patent attorneys

In this case, the markings 7, 8 can also be unevenly spaced from one another. In extreme cases, there may even be only one marking 8 on the climbing hold 1.

Fig. 2 shows the climbing grip 1 in side view, with a locking element 11 in the form of a pin protruding from the base 10 intended for attachment to a climbing wall. This locking element 11 engages in an opening provided when the climbing grip 1 is attached to a climbing wall module 4. Openings for the pin 11 are provided in the climbing wall module 4 for the positions of the climbing grip 1 at which one of the markings 7, 8 of the climbing grip 1 corresponds to the marking 9 of the climbing wall module 4. This locking element 11 means that the climbing grip 1 can only be attached to the climbing wall module 4 in the positions intended for it. The pin 11 also secures the climbing grip 1 against twisting around the fastening element 3 if, for example, the screw intended for fastening the climbing grip 1 becomes loose.

As shown in Fig. 3, the locking element 12 in another embodiment is designed as a polygon arranged around the fastening element 3. This polygon 12 is inserted into a correspondingly square opening in the climbing wall module 4 during assembly of the climbing grip 1 and has the same effects as the pin 11 according to the embodiment in Fig. 2.

Of course, in a simpler and more cost-effective embodiment, it is also possible to provide climbing grips 1 with markings 7, 8 and without locking elements 11, 12. These climbing grips 1 also have the advantage that they can be attached to any climbing wall.

Fig. 4 shows a climbing wall module with a plurality of grip fastening elements 13, which are designed as through holes for the passage of a screw.

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- 8 - KHL&SOIAAFHAUSEN

patent attorneys

An arrow-like marking 9 is applied above each handle fastening element 13.

Climbing grips 1 are attached to some grip fastening elements 13 of the climbing wall module 4, whereby the marking 9 on the climbing wall module points to a marking 7, 8 of the climbing grip 1.

A climbing wall according to the present invention is then assembled from a plurality of such climbing wall modules 4, wherein the individual climbing wall modules 4 can be fixed at defined inclinations to one another.

The cataloging letters and numbers in Fig. 4 give an example of how the route structure can be described. The letters A, B, C and D indicate the various columns of the grip fastening elements 13 and the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 indicate the corresponding rows. In this way, the exact definition of the route can be specified by specifying the wall inclination of the climbing wall module 4, a grip ID to identify the climbing grip and its position and location. For the example shown, the information could look like this:

Wall inclination 0° Handle ID position position 30 B2 12 76 C3 3 102 C7 6 220 B8 11

This means that the routes can be catalogued and, for example, restored at a later date.

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1fi May 9009 T45G3

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KEIL&SCHAAFHAUSHSi

PATENT ATTORNEYS

With this invention, even inexperienced climbers can, for the first time, set up or exchange routes themselves. The climbing routes can also be passed on in written form and the personal presence of an experienced climber to try out the routes is no longer necessary.

16 May 2002

T 45 G 3

-10- KEIL&SCHAAFHAUSENr

PATENT ATTORNEYS

List of reference symbols:

1 climbing hold

2 Base plate

3 Fastening element

4 Climbing wall module

5 Handle element

6 Perimeter edge

7 markings

8 specially marked marking

9 Marking

10 Floor area

11 Locking element, pin

12 locking element, polygon

13 handle fastening elements

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Claims (14)

1. Climbing hold with a fastening element ( 3 ) for attachment to a climbing wall and a grip element ( 5 ) for gripping, characterized in that the climbing hold ( 1 ) has at least one marking ( 7 , 8 ) and/or a locking element ( 11 , 12 ) for aligning the climbing hold ( 1 ). 2. Climbing hold according to claim 1, characterized in that several, preferably evenly spaced markings ( 7 , 8 ) are provided all around the peripheral edge ( 6 ) of the climbing hold ( 1 ). 3. Climbing hold according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a marking ( 8 ) is specially marked. 4. Climbing grip according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the climbing grip ( 1 ) can be attached and/or fixed to the climbing wall so as to be rotatable about the fastening element ( 3 ). 5. Climbing hold according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element ( 11 , 12 ) can be fixed to the climbing wall. 6. Climbing grip according to claim 5, characterized in that the locking element is a projection protruding from the base surface ( 10 ) of the climbing grip ( 1 ) intended for contact with the climbing wall, in particular a pin ( 11 ) and/or a polygon ( 12 ). 7. Climbing hold according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the locking element has two corresponding surfaces that can be fixed at certain distances from one another, rotated, preferably with corresponding openings and projections. 8. Climbing wall module for a climbing wall that can be constructed from at least one climbing wall module ( 4 ) with at least one grip fastening element ( 13 ), characterized in that at least one marking ( 9 ) for aligning a climbing grip ( 1 ) is provided on each grip fastening element ( 13 ) on the wall module surface. 9. Climbing wall module according to claim 8, characterized in that several, preferably evenly spaced markings are provided around the handle fastening element ( 13 ). 10. Climbing wall module according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that a marking is specially marked. 11. Climbing wall module according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the climbing wall module ( 4 ) has a handle fastening grid on a handle fastening element ( 13 ), preferably openings for receiving a pin or a polygonal opening for receiving a correspondingly shaped locking element ( 11 , 12 ) of a climbing grip ( 1 ). 12. Climbing wall module according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that signaling devices, preferably lights, luminous points or the like, which can be assigned to a handle fastening element ( 13 ) are provided on the climbing wall module ( 4 ) to indicate a climbing route. 13. Climbing wall module according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized by at least one climbing grip ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7 attached to the climbing wall module ( 4 ). 14. Climbing wall made of several climbing wall modules ( 4 ) according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the climbing wall modules ( 4 ) can be fixed at defined inclinations to one another.