We disclose an invention that eases and assists a climber in the handling of a rope. This invention may be affixed to the climber at a suitable height and location on the climber's body to hold the rope, allowing the climber to take another section of the rope with the only other available hand. The invention is adapted for a quick and easy insertion and release of the rope from the device with the same upward movement that is performed to secure the rope to an upper anchor. The core components of the invention are a casing, a spring-loaded linkage assembly, and a toothed plate, which are configured as follows: a casing having a slot configured to receive a rope includes a hollow interior portion; the toothed plate is disposed within the hollow interior portion of the casing and is pivotably attached to the casing by the spring-loaded linkage assembly.

We disclose an invention that eases and assists a climber in the handling of a rope. This invention may be affixed to the climber at a suitable height and location on the climber's body to hold the rope, allowing the climber to take another section of the rope with the only other available hand. The invention is adapted for a quick and easy insertion and release of the rope from the device with the same upward movement that is performed to secure the rope to an upper anchor. The core components of the invention are a casing, a spring-loaded linkage assembly, and a toothed plate, which are configured as follows: a casing having a slot configured to receive a rope includes a hollow interior portion; the toothed plate is disposed within the hollow interior portion of the casing and is pivotably attached to the casing by the spring-loaded linkage assembly.

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to carabiners, carabiner retrieval devices and systems, and methods of retrieving a carabiner. In an embodiment, a carabiner retrieval device includes a neck, a retention device, and a retrieval cord retention structure. The neck has a length and includes a first end spaced from a second end along the length. The retention device extends from the first end of the neck at an obtuse angle relative to the length of the neck, and is configured to be attached to a gate of a carabiner. The retrieval cord retention structure extends from the second end of the neck, and is configured to retain a retrieval cord. When the retrieval cord is coupled to the retrieval cord retention structure and the retrieval cord retention device is attached to the gate of the carabiner, the gate opens responsive to the retrieval cord being pulled in a predetermined direction.

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to carabiners, carabiner retrieval devices and systems, and methods of retrieving a carabiner. In an embodiment, a carabiner retrieval device includes a neck, a retention device, and a retrieval cord retention structure. The neck has a length and includes a first end spaced from a second end along the length. The retention device extends from the first end of the neck at an obtuse angle relative to the length of the neck, and is configured to be attached to a gate of a carabiner. The retrieval cord retention structure extends from the second end of the neck, and is configured to retain a retrieval cord. When the retrieval cord is coupled to the retrieval cord retention structure and the retrieval cord retention device is attached to the gate of the carabiner, the gate opens responsive to the retrieval cord being pulled in a predetermined direction.

The invention relates to a carabiner including a metal body, and a gate rotatably assembled to a first end of the metal body between a closed position and an open position of the carabiner, the gate being in contact with a second end of the metal body when the carabiner is in closed position. The carabiner is provided with a separation bar fastened to the metal body and configured to define two distinct confinement areas. The bar is assembled by clipping onto the metal body at first and second opposite ends of the bar, the first end comprising a first fastener totally surrounding the metal body, and the second end comprising a second fastener totally surrounding the metal body. The separation bar being configured to authorize the opening of the gate when the first and second fasteners surround the metal body.

The invention relates to a carabiner including a metal body, and a gate rotatably assembled to a first end of the metal body between a closed position and an open position of the carabiner, the gate being in contact with a second end of the metal body when the carabiner is in closed position. The carabiner is provided with a separation bar fastened to the metal body and configured to define two distinct confinement areas. The bar is assembled by clipping onto the metal body at first and second opposite ends of the bar, the first end comprising a first fastener totally surrounding the metal body, and the second end comprising a second fastener totally surrounding the metal body. The separation bar being configured to authorize the opening of the gate when the first and second fasteners surround the metal body.

A backpack including a body including a first enclosure defining a first compartment and an opening, an inflatable balloon positioned within the compartment, a zipper, a balloon inflation system, and an actuator. The first enclosure includes at least a first restricting element. The zipper includes first and second fastener tapes attached to the enclosure at the opening. The zipper includes at least a first targeted zipper separation location aligned with the first restricting element. The balloon inflation system is coupled to the body and the inflatable balloon. The actuator is operably coupled to the balloon inflation system, such that upon actuation of the inflation system with the zipper in a closed position, the first restricting element concentrates a zipper separation force in a direction generally perpendicular to an engagement line of the zipper to separate the first and second fastener tapes of the zipper at the first targeted zipper location.

A backpack including a body including a first enclosure defining a first compartment and an opening, an inflatable balloon positioned within the compartment, a zipper, a balloon inflation system, and an actuator. The first enclosure includes at least a first restricting element. The zipper includes first and second fastener tapes attached to the enclosure at the opening. The zipper includes at least a first targeted zipper separation location aligned with the first restricting element. The balloon inflation system is coupled to the body and the inflatable balloon. The actuator is operably coupled to the balloon inflation system, such that upon actuation of the inflation system with the zipper in a closed position, the first restricting element concentrates a zipper separation force in a direction generally perpendicular to an engagement line of the zipper to separate the first and second fastener tapes of the zipper at the first targeted zipper location.

A portable device for inflating an inflatable bag (60) comprises at least one inlet (46), for forming a fluid connection to a gas source. The gas source is attached or attachable to the inlet. The device further comprises an air intake chamber (32) which has an opening allowing atmospheric air to be admitted and an outlet intended to be connected to the bag to be inflated. The gas source comprises a first and at least a different second gas component. The first component is stored at least partially in liquid form; preferably, the first component is carbon dioxide. The gas source contains at least 10%, preferably more than 30% and most preferably more than 60% of the first component. The second component is gaseous or supercritical at a temperature of 243K and up to a pressure of 200 bar, preferably, the second component has a critical temperature below 243K.

A lockable anti-fall catch connector includes a catch member, a locking shaft, and a locker unit. The catch member includes a retention arm and two sleeve members provided at two ends of the retention arm, wherein a first locking portion is provided at one of the sleeve members. The locking shaft is slidably extended between the sleeve members, wherein the locking shaft has a second locking portion detachably coupled with the first locking portion to lock up the locking shaft at the retention arm. The locker unit includes a locking element slidably coupled at one of the sleeve members to engage with the locking shaft, wherein after said locking element is disengaged with the locking shaft, the locking shaft is actuated to disengage the second locking portion with the first locking portion in order to slide the locking shaft with respect to the catch member.