Magnet-assisted automatic locking mechanisms for use on a sailboat are disclosed herein. One such mechanism includes: a housing having an internal space and configured to receive a slug that moves along a path through the housing, the slug being operably connected to the halyard, the housing including a first housing side and a second housing side coupled to one another; first and second flippers rotatably disposed in the housing, the first and second flippers configured to rotate between at least a cocked position in which the slug is inserted into the housing, a locked position in which a surface of the first and second flippers receive the slug and impede the slug from exiting the housing along the path, wherein the halyard is tensioned in the locked position, and a neutral position in which the first and second flippers allow movement of the slug; and a magnet assembly configured to effect rotation of the first and second flippers.

Magnet-assisted automatic locking mechanisms for use on a sailboat are disclosed herein. One such mechanism includes: a housing having an internal space and configured to receive a slug that moves along a path through the housing, the slug being operably connected to the halyard, the housing including a first housing side and a second housing side coupled to one another; first and second flippers rotatably disposed in the housing, the first and second flippers configured to rotate between at least a cocked position in which the slug is inserted into the housing, a locked position in which a surface of the first and second flippers receive the slug and impede the slug from exiting the housing along the path, wherein the halyard is tensioned in the locked position, and a neutral position in which the first and second flippers allow movement of the slug; and a magnet assembly configured to effect rotation of the first and second flippers.

A positioning apparatus mounted with at least one linear axis or axis of rotation and a robot on a base and mounted with vibration isolators and the robot includes vibration isolators that are capable of seating and suspending the base and a controller that controls suspension and seating of the vibration isolators in accordance with an operating condition of the robot.

A wire rope entanglement avoidance device includes a guide component including a top portion and bottom portion, the top portion and bottom portion shaped along a curvature, the top portion and bottom portion arranged in rotational opposition along a length of material and adapted to fit around the wire rope and a sheath, disposed at an offset from the guide component, adapted to fit over a dead end of the wire rope.

A wire rope entanglement avoidance device includes a guide component including a top portion and bottom portion, the top portion and bottom portion shaped along a curvature, the top portion and bottom portion arranged in rotational opposition along a length of material and adapted to fit around the wire rope and a sheath, disposed at an offset from the guide component, adapted to fit over a dead end of the wire rope.

A rope clasp device for securing a rope eliminates the need for a knot in a rope by selectively clasping and encasing at least one portion of a rope in a toothed clamp. The rope clasp device comprises a base, at least one, but generally two swinging doors, and a lock. The swinging doors are pivotably coupled to the base in order to be moved between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, a pair of channels for passage of a rope is defined between the base and the doors. The channels are defined by a plurality of clasping teeth to retain the rope therein.

The present invention extends to a carabiner intended for use as an adjustable anchor. In general, embodiments of the invention include a carabiner that includes a pinching mechanism. More specifically, some embodiments of the invention include a carabiner having a pinching mechanism that includes one of a slidable pin, a rotatable cam, or a pivotable block. Additionally, some embodiments of the invention include a rope, whereas other embodiments can be used with a rope supplied by a climber.

There is provided a string stopper including: a plug including: a plug base portion which includes plate-shaped portions and connection portion connecting the plate-shaped portions; a leg portion which includes a protruding portion; and a plug opening which is formed from the connection portion to both sides of the leg portion; and a socket including: a socket base portion; and a socket opening which is formed of a hole having an inclined surface, and which is configured to accommodate a tip end of the protruding portion. When a string-shaped member is installed, the string-shaped member passes between the protruding portion and the inclined surface, the string-shaped member passing through the plug opening, exiting from the plug through a side of the leg portion, passing through the socket opening and exiting from the socket.

There is provided a string stopper including: a plug including: a plug base portion which includes plate-shaped portions and connection portion connecting the plate-shaped portions; a leg portion which includes a protruding portion; and a plug opening which is formed from the connection portion to both sides of the leg portion; and a socket including: a socket base portion; and a socket opening which is formed of a hole having an inclined surface, and which is configured to accommodate a tip end of the protruding portion. When a string-shaped member is installed, the string-shaped member passes between the protruding portion and the inclined surface, the string-shaped member passing through the plug opening, exiting from the plug through a side of the leg portion, passing through the socket opening and exiting from the socket.

A connecting device (10) is disclosed for connecting an article (12) to a support (14). The connecting device (10) comprises a flexible elongate member (20) and a clamping arrangement (18) for clamping the flexible elongate member (20) around the article (12). The clamping arrangement (18) comprises a body (22) and a clamping element (34). The clamping element (34) is movable between clamping and non-clamping positions. In the clamping position, the clamping element (34) clamps the flexible elongate member (20) to the body (22), thereby attaching the article (12) to the clamping arrangement (18). In the non-clamping position, the flexible elongate member (20) is movable through the body (22).