WO2005111440A1

WO2005111440A1 - Releasable snap hook, and sailwing-control system and mounting device equipped with same

Info

Publication number: WO2005111440A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/051614
Authority: WO
Inventors: Serge Fechino
Original assignee: Serge Fechino
Priority date: 2004-04-13
Filing date: 2005-04-13
Publication date: 2005-11-24
Also published as: FR2868819A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a releasable snap hook (7) comprising a body (8) which is disposed between a fixed mounting part of a first piece and a releasable coupling part of a second piece. The coupling part comprises a ring (9) having at least one segment (10) which can rotate between an open position and a closed position. The segment is maintained in position by locking means comprising a stirrup piece (11) which is pivot-mounted to the above-mentioned body (8) and which recoils elastically to a locked position in which the movement of the aforementioned mobile segment (10) is blocked. The inventive snap hook (7) is equipped with a control means for controlling the locking means, which can oppose the elastic recoil of the stirrup in order to release the mobile segment (10), said control means comprising a shaft (14) which, when actuated, causes the stirrup (11) to rotate. The invention also relates to a device for mounting same to a harness belonging to a system for controlling a sailwing, as well as to the sailwing control system.

Description

Description "Releasable carabiner and mounting device and control system for a flying wing equipped with said carabiner"

The present invention first relates to a releasable carabiner for removable attachment by dropping a part.

It also relates to a device for mounting a control system of a flying wing on a harness.

Finally, it relates to a control system for a flying wing.

The invention will find its application in the field of sports using a flying wing and in particular a flying wing for the traction of the practitioner. The invention applies in particular to the association of a flying wing and a board for gliding on a snowy or aquatic surface.

The practice of such sports activities is currently spreading and has already been the subject of publications of patent applications. Thus, document US-A-2004 0004160 discloses a flying wing connected to the user via a plurality of wires organized in pairs, one pair of which is connected to a control bar allowing the user to control the flying wing. The other pair of wires is directly connected to a harness worn by the user.

In the context of this prior art, and in general, a security system is provided to be able to separate the pair of wires connected to the harness in the event of an incident. Then, the flying wing no longer has a wind resistance and no longer induces traction for the user.

Different release systems are currently known. In certain cases, a carabiner is used, in particular of the type presented in document US-A-4279 062. This carabiner has the advantage of having a wire enabling a pivoting stirrup to be actuated so as to open a hooking ring to release a piece hung in said ring. However, the release thus operated on command of the user does not prove completely satisfactory in the event of an emergency. In particular, it is necessary to exert a traction in a very precise orientation on a portion of wire often in movement during the practice of such sports. Consequently, the gripping and the actuation of the release system are not carried out in a safe and certain manner and can take a certain time damaging the safety of the release system.

The publication FR-A2.842.575 discloses a trigger system implementing a lever lever washer on a spring caliper. Such a system does not make it possible to trigger the release in multiple directions of stress on the washer.

The present invention proposes to improve existing dropping techniques. To this end, it ensures that a release is produced whatever the direction of actuation on the control means of the releasable carabiner.

Unlike the case of US-A-4 279 062, the release produced by the invention does not require a rope and has better compactness.

[01 1] Compared to FR-A-2,842,575, the invention guarantees a release whatever the mode of stress (translation, rotation) and the direction of the effort.

In preferred embodiments, the invention has other advantages, in particular with regard to the protection of the release control means in the position of normal use or even by the fixing of a safety wire ensuring that the user that the flying wing does not completely escape its control during a drop.

In general, the reliability of the security system produced by the carabiner is significantly improved by the present invention, whatever the application and particularly in the field of control of a flying wing.

Other objects and advantages will appear during the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is not, however, limiting.

The present invention relates to a releasable carabiner comprising a body between a fixed mounting part of a first part and a releasable hooking part of a second part, the hooking part having a ring of which a portion is movable in rotation between an open position and a closed position maintained by locking means provided with a stirrup mounted in rotation on the body with an elastic return in a locked position for blocking the movable portion, said carabiner having means for controlling the locking means capable of opposing the elastic return to release the movable portion. According to the invention, the control means comprises an axis passing through an opening of the carabiner by being applied to the body and to one face of the stirrup in opposition to the direction of the elastic return, the actuation of the axis causing the rotation of the stirrup.

This carabiner may be presented according to the preferred variants introduced below: - the control means have a stop at each end of the axis, - each stop has a section which widens from the end of the axis outwards, - the length of the axis between the two stops is similar to the width of the stirrup, - the axis is of rectangular section, - the axis is of curvilinear section, - the width of l 'axis is little less than that of the opening it crosses. - a hook is carried by the movable portion and oriented towards the base of the body to receive a sitelink. - A connection element joins the stops bypassing the part of the body opposite the movable portion.

[017] The invention also relates to a device for mounting on a harness for a control system of a flying wing characterized in that it comprises a carabiner according to the invention.

This mounting device comprises the preferred embodiments introduced below: - it comprises attachment means fixed to the fixed mounting part of the carabiner at one of its ends and capable of being fixed to a harness bar at the other end, - it comprises a screen mounted on the attachment means to protect the axis of the carabiner, - the screen is pivotally mounted on the attachment means and it comprises a portion for fixing a wire safety, - it comprises an elastic return member of the screen in abutment on the base of the carabiner body. - the screen is a cup whose border goes up towards the carabiner. - It includes an arm pivotally mounted on the attachment means, said arm comprising a distal portion for fixing a safety wire.

The invention also relates to a control system for a flying wing comprising: - a pair of rear lines each capable of being fixed to the rear edge of a flying wing at one end and integral with a control bar at the other end, - a pair of front lines capable of being fixed on the front edge of the flying wing. This control system is such that it includes a device according to the invention capable of connecting the pair of front lines to a harness. [021] This system can, according to advantageous variants, be such that: - it comprises a connecting section hooked at one end to the carabiner and connected, at the other end, to the pair of front lines, said connecting section being guided in translation through the control bar between two abutment pieces, - the connecting section comprises a pivoting eyelet for hooking in the carabiner, - the connecting section comprises a pivoting connection for fixing the front lines, - it comprises a transverse rod integral in rotation with the pairs of lines front and rear to maintain their spacing, - it comprises a safety wire between the mounting device and one of the rear lines, - it compotes means for releasing the safety wire relative to the mounting device.

[022] The attached drawings are given by way of examples and are not limitative of the invention. They represent only one embodiment of the invention and will make it easy to understand it.

[023] Figures 1 to 8 show different operating states of the carabiner of the invention.

[024] Figures 9 and 10 show two alternative embodiments of the mounting device of the invention incorporating a carabiner.

[025] Figure 11 is an overview of a flying wing control system from the fixing part on a harness to the pairs of front and rear lines.

In a manner known per se, the control system 1 for flying wing comprises two pairs of lines connected at one end to the flying wing. A pair of front lines 4a, 4b is fixed to the front edge of said flying wing while the other pair of lines, rear 5a, 5b, is fixed to the rear edge of the flying wing relative to the direction of attack of the wind .

[027] At their other end, the rear lines 5a, 5b are each fixed to one end of a control bar 3, the other pair of lines, front lines 4a, 4b is connected to a harness worn by the user (not shown) by means of a connection assembly which will be described later.

[028] In the case shown in Figure 11, this connection is provided by means of an assembly strap 27 fixing the lower ends of the front lines 4a, 4b, a connecting section 23 passing through a hole 32 in the control bar 3 and ending with an eyelet 24 removably hooked in a carabiner 7.

The hole 32 formed in the control bar 3 ensures possible translation of the connecting section 23. This freedom of movement is limited by means of two abutment pieces 25a, 25b placed on either side of the hole 32 on section 23.

Below the abutment piece 25b, the eyelet 24 allows the attachment of the connecting section 23 in the carabiner 7, at a ring 9 as will be explained below.

[031] At the other end of the section 23, a pivoting connector 26 is made for connection with the assembly strap 27. This connector 26 may have the shape of a ball joint, as shown, or even be formed via an eyelet through which the assembly strap 27 passes and the base of which is pivotable relative to the core of the connecting section 23. [032] More specifically, a preferred configuration of the device for mounting the control system 1 on the harness is presented below. Firstly, this mounting device 6 comprises a snap hook 7 conventionally having a ring 9 at its upper end for a releasable attachment of a part here, preferably made up of the eyelet 24. The ring 9 is worn by a body 8 visible in Figure 1 secured at another end to a fixed mounting part, in particular, in the context of the application shown, for a fixed connection to the harness.

[033] The ring 9 has a mobile portion 10, pivoting about an axis 13 here positioned at the distal end of the carabiner 7. The freedom of movement in rotation of the mobile portion 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as well as in figure 7.

[034] The end of the movable portion 10 forms a blocking zone 12 for maintaining the ring 9 in the closed position.

FIG. 3 illustrates the formation of a stirrup 11 for producing the locking means in the closed position of said movable portion 10. The stirrup 11 is mounted in rotation on the body 8 and has an application area on the blocking zone 12 of the movable portion 10 as also shown in FIG. 4.

An elastic return in the closed locking position is provided for the caliper 11. It may be a return spring or else the assembly presented in FIGS. 1 to 8 in which the caliper 11 is a substantially part U-shaped whose free ends are folded without being vis-à-vis each other to engage on either side of the body 8 in housings 34, 35 vis-à-vis which a freedom in rotation is preserved. This offset of the axis of rotation between the two sides of the caliper 11 ensures a slight elastic deformation of the latter when it is rotated, producing an elastic return in the closed position. The stirrup 11 is controlled to be moved so as to slip out of the blocking zone 12.

[037] According to the invention, the control means for the mobility of the stirrup 11 comprises a control pin 14 passing through the body 8 of the carabiner 7 through an opening 2 and being applied to a portion of the caliper 11 in opposition to the direction of the elastic return.

[038] In the case shown in the different figures, the axis 14 has a circular section and has a length equivalent to the thickness of the carabiner 7 at the opening 2. At its ends, the control axis 14 is connected to two stops 15a, 15b having a conical profile or other shape such as a trapezoid widening outwards from the edge of the axis 14. A progressive increase in diameter or thickness is thus produced. The actuation in rotation of the control axis 14 makes it possible to lever and produce a rotational movement of the stirrup 1 1 in order to open the movable portion 10.

[039] In addition, the stops 15a, 15b make it possible to produce the same opening by means of a translational movement along the axis of symmetry of the control axis 14 by the user. In the figures and ergonomically, the stops 15a, 15b have a spherical outer surface for good contact with the user.

In a version not illustrated, the axis 14 is of rectangular section and the stops 15a, 15b are zones of progressive increase in the thickness of the axis 14.

[041] According to another possibility not illustrated, a connection element is integral at its ends with each of the stops 15a, 15b and bypasses the body 8 opposite the movable portion 10. The connection element is advantageously a part of curved metal rod joining the stops 15a, 15b. This element further improves the grip for the release and increases the torque produced during a rotation along the longitudinal axis of the axis 14.

[042] The movable part 10 may in turn have a hook oriented towards the outside of the carabiner 7 and towards the locking zone 12. The hook allows the reception of a possible side link such as a cable or rope serving as " big end ”in the field of windsurfing or other. In this way, the release of the carabiner 7, driving the pivot of the movable part 10 and, consequently the change of orientation of the hook, also allows the release of this side link simultaneously.

[043] Figure 8 illustrates the movement performed by the axis 14 so as to induce a thrust on the caliper 11 opposite to the elastic return in the locked position. In doing so, the blocking zone 12 is released and the movable portion L0 can move. Under the exercise of a traction produced at the level of the eyelet 24, the mobile portion 10 pivots about its axis 13 until producing the detachment of the eyelet 24.

[044] The following describes more precisely an embodiment of the mounting device 6 ending in a carabiner of the type described above under reference 7, the mounting device 6 ensuring the connection to a harness not shown.

[045] Usually, a harness includes a crossbar for hooking. The mounting device 6 thus preferably comprises consequently a rider 21 preferably made of plastic material being in the form of a part preserving a residual central passage of circular section and a longitudinal slot opening into the central passage and conferring elasticity on the device so as to allow the passage of the harness bar through the rider 21 to the through hole in its center. The rider 21 also cooperates with a distal fixing portion 20 formed at the end of a cable 16 connected at its other end to the carabiner 7.

[046] The distal portion 20 has, in the case shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a final stop making it possible to block the portion 20 in the rider 21. After this blocking, the securing is finalized via a nut 22 mounted on the cable 16 and cooperating with the thread of the rider 21 to tighten it so as to maintain the harness bar and the distal fixing portion 20.

[047] At its other end, the cable 16, which may be of any kind and in particular in the form of a braided metal cable, comprises a threaded crimp 17 capable of cooperating with a tapping formed at the base of the carabiner 7. This produces a non-removable attachment to the carabiner 7 but removable.

[048] Before this fixing, it is advantageous to thread a sheath 18 around the cable 16 to ensure its protection and a better visual appearance to the assembly. Preferably, a relatively thick sheath 18 of plastic or polymer foam can be formed. Still advantageously, a pivoting arm 19 or a screen 33 is present in the upper part of the cable 16, for example blocked between the underside of the carabiner 7 and the upper flank of the sheath 18, through a hole through which passes cable 16.

[049] Figure 9 illustrates the embodiment in which a pivoting arm 19 is formed. This pivoting arm 19 has a central hole for pivoting mounting relative to the carabiner 7 and to the cable 16. It further comprises a hole 36 near its distal end for receiving a fastening element for a safety wire 30 shown in FIG. 11 and connecting the pivoting arm 19 to one of the ends of the control bar 3.

The pivoting arm 19 not only makes it possible to offset the mounting of the safety wire relative to the axis of the carabiner 7 (so as not to hinder the actuation of the release control means) and, on the other hand , allows freedom of movement in rotation of the safety wire 30 relative to the assembly assembly 6. The safety wire 30 can thus rotate during the figures produced by the user.

[051] According to an alternative shown in Figure 10, a screen 33, for example in the form of a cup of circular section and thin, is produced and mounted similarly to the pivoting arm 19 relative to the rest of the mounting device 6 .

[052] Still similarly, a hole 37 is formed on the screen 33 to receive a fastening element for the safety wire 30. This fastening element can be a snap hook of common design, a knot formed at the end of the safety wire 30 or a removable attachment by means of a pin at the end of which a trigger button is provided for a final release of the entire flying wing.

[053] In addition to the functions previously indicated for the control arm 19, the screen 33 provides protection for the control means to prevent any accidental release. Indeed, placed immediately under the control axis and stops 15a, 15b, the screen 33 prevents accidental percussion during the movements of the user.

[054] If the carabiner has a hook as described above, the screen allows in addition to closing off the opening or placing it nearby so as to prevent any untimely exit from the link it retains. Note that the screen 33 may have in addition to its. circular section, a V-shaped or concave profile so that its edges rise towards the carabiner part of the mounting device 6. It thus forms a cup. [055] Additionally, an elastic member placed between the nut 22 and the base of the screen 33, such as a compression spring or an elastomer part having a silentbloc function ensures elastic support of the screen 33 on the bottom of the body 8 of the carabiner 7. [056] In this way the screen 33 is pressed by default towards the carabiner 7, in particular to prevent the annex link from coming out of the hook. It will be noted that this hook, the arrangement of the screen 33 under the carabiner 7 and the formation of an elastic member are characteristics which can be implemented, together or separately, with a carabiner provided with other types of control means of the locking means. Note that, to avoid lateral movement of the axis 14 in the opening 2, it is advantageous to form, although not shown, an axis 14 of rectangular section or of flattened curvilinear section so that the width of the axis 14 is little less than that of the opening through which it passes. [059] Additionally, the control system 1 of the invention may have a transverse rod 28 fixed and integral in rotation with the assembly strap 27 at a fixing point 31 and integral with each of its ends , of a rear line 5a, 5b, for example by threading through eyelets 29a, 29b presented in FIG. 1 1. [060] The transverse rod 28 makes it possible, in particular figures, to keep the lines 4a untangled, 4b, 5a, 5b. [061] Note that the control system 1 proposed here provides increased security for the release of the front lines 4a, 4b but also better ergonomics avoiding hampering the movements of the user. [062] In addition, the pivoting connector 26 and the lever 24 advantageously pivotally mounted on the rest of the connecting section 23 preserve a significant freedom of movement between the mounting device 6 and the lines 4a, 4b. [063] The various characteristics allowing this freedom of movement, as well as the production of a transverse rod 28 could be used in combination with the carabiner 7 presented here or with other release means. [064] REFERENCES

[065] 1. Control system

[066] 2. Opening

[067] 3. Control bar [068] 4a, 4b. Front line

[069] 5a, 5b. Back line

[070] 6. Mounting device

[071] 7. Carabiner

[072] 8. Body

[073] 9. Ring

[074] 10. Mobile portion

[075] 11. Stirrup

[076] 12. Blocking area

[077] 13. Axis of rotation of the movable portion

[078] 14. Control axis

[079] 15a, 15b. stopper

16. Cable

[081] 17. Threaded crimp

[082] 18. Sheath

[083] 19. Pivoting arm

[084] 20. Distal fixation portion

[085] 21. Horseman

[086] 22. Nut

[087] 23. Connection section

[088] 24. Eyelet

[089] 25a, 25b. Stopper piece

26. Swivel coupling

[091] 27. Assembly strap

[092] 28. Cross rod

[093] 29a, 29b. eyecup

[094] 30. Security thread

[095] 31. Fixing point

[096] 32. Hole in the control bar

[097] 33. Screen

[098] 34. Housing

[099] 35. Housing

[100] 36. Hole

[101] 37. Hole

Claims

claims

Releasable carabiner (7) comprising a body (8) between a fixed mounting part of a first part and a releasable hooking part of a second part, the hooking part having a ring (9) of which a portion (10) is movable in rotation between an open position and a closed position maintained by locking means provided with a stirrup (11) mounted in rotation on the body (8) with an elastic return in a locked locking position of the movable portion (10), said carabiner (7) having means for controlling the locking means capable of opposing the elastic return to release the movable portion (10), characterized in that the control means comprises a axis (14) passing through an opening (2) of the carabiner (7) by applying to the body (8) and to one face of the stirrup (11) in opposition to the direction of the elastic return, the actuation of the axis (14) causing the rotation of the stirrup (1 1) and by the fact that the means d e control have a stop (15a, 15b) at each end of the axis (14).

[002] Carabiner (7) according to claim 1 characterized in that each stop (15a, 15b) has a widening section from the end of the axis (14) outwards.

[003] Carabiner (7) according to claim 2 characterized in that the length of the axis (14) between the two stops (15a, 15b) is similar to the width of the stirrup (H). [004] Carabiner (7) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the axis (14) is of rectangular section. [005] Carabiner (7) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the axis (14) is of curvilinear section. [006] Carabiner (7) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the width of the axis (14) is little less than that of the opening (2) which it crosses. Carabiner (7) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 having a hook carried by the movable portion (10) and oriented towards the base of the body (8) to receive a side link. Carabiner (7) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a connecting element joins the stops (15a, 15b) bypassing the part of the body (8) opposite the movable portion (10). [009] Device for mounting on a harness for a control system of a flying wing characterized in that it comprises a carabiner (7) according to any one of claims 1 to 8. [010] Device according to claim 9 characterized in that it comprises attachment means fixed to the fixed mounting part of the carabiner (7) at one of its ends and adapted to be fixed to a harness bar to the 'other end.

[01 1] Device according to claim 10 characterized in that it comprises a screen (33) mounted on the attachment means to protect the axis (14) of the carabiner (7).

[012] Device according to claim 11 characterized in that the screen (33) is pivotally mounted on the attachment means and it comprises a portion for fixing a safety wire (30).

[013] Device according to any one of claims 1 1 to 12 comprising an elastic member for returning the screen (33) in abutment on the base of the body (8) of the carabiner (7).

[014] Device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the screen (33) is a cup whose edge rises towards the carabiner (7).

[015] Device according to claim 10 characterized in that it comprises a pivotally mounted arm (19) on the attachment means, said arm (19) comprising a distal fixing portion (20) of a safety wire (30).

Control system of a flying wing comprising: a pair of rear lines (5a, 5b) each capable of being fixed to the rear edge of a flying wing at one end and integral with a control bar (3 ) at the other end, a pair of front lines (4a, 4b) capable of being fixed on the front edge of the flying wing, characterized in that it comprises a device according to any one of claims 9 to 15 able to connect the pair of front lines (4a, 4b) to a harness.

[017] System according to claim 16 characterized in that it comprises a connecting section (23) hooked at one end to the carabiner (7) and connected, at the other end, to the pair of front lines (4a, 4b), said connecting section (23) being guided in translation through the control bar (3) between two stop parts (25a, 25b).

[018] System according to claim 17 characterized in that the connecting section (23) comprises a pivoting eyelet (24) for attachment to the carabiner (7).

[019] System according to claim 17 or claim 18caractérisé in that the connecting section (23) comprises a pivoting connector (26) for fixing the front lines (4a, 4b).

[020] System according to any one of claims 16 to 19 characterized in that it comprises a transverse rod (28) integral in rotation with the pairs of lines before (4a, 4b) and rear (5a, 5b) to maintain their spacing.

[021] System according to any one of claims 16 to 20 characterized in that it comprises a safety wire (30) between the mounting device and one of rear lines (5a, 5b). System according to Claim 21, characterized in that it comprises means for releasing the safety wire (30) relative to the mounting device.