Camming stem system

Abstract

An improved camming stem system including a head member, a plurality of cam lobes, a connection system, and a retraction system. The cam lobes may be selectively rotatable between an extended state and a retracted state with respect to at least one axle of the head member. The connection system may create an elongated, substantially rigid region by intercoupling the head member with a loop. The connection system is configured to create an elongated partially rigid region by intercoupling the head member with a loop, wherein the connection system comprises a twisted cable coupled between the head member and the loop, and wherein the loop is oriented substantially parallel to the at least one axle, and wherein the twisted cable includes a twisting radial angle of at least 90 degrees.

Claims

1. An active camming device system comprising: a head member comprising at least one axle; a plurality of cam lobes rotatably coupled to the at least one axle, wherein the plurality of cam lobes are rotatable between an extended state and a retracted state with respect to the at least one axle, and wherein the cam lobes are spring biased toward the extended state; a retraction system configured to selectively engage the retracted state, wherein the retraction system includes fixably coupling the plurality of cam lobes with a trigger, and wherein the trigger is slidably externally coupled to a connection system; and wherein the connection system is configured to create an elongated partially rigid region by intercoupling the head member with a loop, wherein the connection system comprises a twisted cable coupled between the head member and the loop, and wherein the loop is oriented substantially parallel to the at least one axle, and wherein the twisted cable includes a twisting radial angle of at least 90 degrees.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein a first and second end of the twisted cable are coupled to the head member in an orthogonal orientation to the axle, and wherein the first and second end of the twisted cable are oriented orthogonally with respect to the loop.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the coupling between the cable and the head member includes a swage coupling.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cam lobes includes four cam lobes.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cam lobes includes three cam lobes.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one axle includes two axles.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one axle includes one axle.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the elongated partially rigid region includes a lengthwise rigidity greater than the cable.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the elongated partially rigid region is disposed between the loop and the head member.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the rigidity of the elongated partially rigid region corresponds to the trigger assembly.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the loop includes a cable cover and a sling, and wherein the cable cover and thumb rest substantially encase a portion of the cable forming the loop.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the retraction system includes a trigger assembly over the cable disposed between the trigger and the head member.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the twisted radial angle of at least 90 degrees comprises a twist in the cable disposed between the trigger and the loop in the extended state.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the cable includes a plurality of fibers.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the trigger is oriented parallel to the loop.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the cam lobes are spring biases to the extended state via a plurality of biasing spring coupled to the at least one axle.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein head member further includes a plurality of plates disposed on the end of the at least one axle.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the head member intercouples the cable and the axle.

19. An active camming device system comprising: a head member comprising at least one axle; a plurality of cam lobes rotatably coupled to the at least one axle, wherein the plurality of cam lobes are rotatable between an extended state and a retracted state with respect to the at least one axle, and wherein the cam lobes are spring biased toward the extended state; a retraction system configured to selectively engage the retracted state, wherein the retraction system includes fixably coupling the plurality of cam lobes with a trigger, and wherein the trigger is slidably externally coupled to a connection system; and wherein the connection system is configured to create an elongated partially rigid region by intercoupling the head member with a loop, wherein the connection system comprises a twisted cable coupled between the head member and the loop, and wherein the loop is oriented substantially parallel to the at least one axle, and wherein the twisted cable includes a twisting radial angle of at least 90 degrees, and wherein a first and second end of the twisted cable are coupled to the head member in an orthogonal orientation to the axle, and wherein the first and second end of the twisted cable are oriented orthogonally with respect to the loop.

20. An active camming device system comprising: a head member comprising at least one axle; a plurality of cam lobes rotatably coupled to the at least one axle, wherein the plurality of cam lobes are rotatable between an extended state and a retracted state with respect to the at least one axle, and wherein the cam lobes are spring biased toward the extended state; a retraction system configured to selectively engage the retracted state, wherein the retraction system includes fixably coupling the plurality of cam lobes with a trigger, and wherein the trigger is slidably externally coupled to a connection system; and wherein the connection system is configured to create an elongated partially rigid region by intercoupling the head member with a loop, wherein the connection system comprises a twisted cable coupled between the head member and the loop, and wherein the loop is oriented substantially parallel to the at least one axle, and wherein the twisted cable includes a twisting radial angle of at least 90 degrees, and wherein the twisted radial angle of at least 90 degrees comprises a twist in the cable disposed between the trigger and the loop in the extended state.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The following description of the invention can be understood in light of the Figures, which illustrate specific aspects of the invention and are a part of the specification. Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of the invention. In the Figures, the physical dimensions may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals in different drawings represent the same element, and thus their descriptions will be omitted.

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a single stem active camming system in an extended state in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a single stem active camming system in a retracted state in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional perspective view of a single stem active camming system in an extended state in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional perspective view of a single stem active camming system in a retracted state in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative, cross sectional perspective view of a single stem active camming system in an extended state in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative, cross sectional perspective view of a single stem active camming system in a retracted state in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) The present invention relates to active camming systems. One embodiment of the present invention relates to an improved camming stem system including a head member, a plurality of cam lobes, a connection system, and a retraction system. The cam lobes may be selectively rotatable between an extended state and a retracted state with respect to at least one axle of the head member. The connection system may create an elongated, substantially rigid region by intercoupling the head member with a loop. The connection system is configured to create an elongated, partially rigid region by intercoupling the head member with a loop, wherein the connection system comprises a twisted cable coupled between the head member and the loop, and wherein the loop is oriented substantially parallel to the at least one axle, and wherein the twisted cable includes a twisting radial angle of at least 90 degrees. The first and second end of the twisted cable may be coupled to the head member orthogonal to the axle such that the first and second end of the twisted cable are oriented orthogonal to the loop. Also, while embodiments are described in reference to a single stem active camming system, it will be appreciated that the teachings of the present invention are applicable to other areas, including but not limited to other camming systems.

(9) The following terms are defined as follows:

Definitions

(10) Twisted cable—a cable having two ends, a loop, and a radial twisting angle of at least 90 degrees between the two ends and the loop.

(11) Reference is initially made to FIGS. 1-2, which illustrate perspective views of a single stem active camming system in the extended and retracted states, respectively.

(12) Reference is initially made to FIG. 1, which illustrates an active camming system designated generally at 100. The system includes a head member 120, cam lobes 140, a retraction system 160, and a connection system 180. The head member 120 further includes a first and second axle 124, a head (See FIG. 5), and a set of plates or axle separators 128. The head member 120 intercouples the cable 182 (described below with reference to connection system 180) and the axles 124. Non-illustrated alternative embodiments may incorporate a single axle without a plate or axle separator. The axles 124 are rigid cylindrical members which facilitate the rotation of the cam lobes 140 between extended and retracted states. The orientation of the axles refers to the lengthwise orientation. The Figures illustrate the cam lobes 140 in both the extended state (FIGS. 1,3, and 5) and the retracted state (FIGS. 2, 4, and 6). The axles 124 may comprise a rigid metal material configured to withstand various operational forces, including but not limited to shearing. The plates 128 rigidly intercouple the end regions of the axles 124 so as to support a particular spacing therebetween. The plates 128 are disposed on either side of the head member 120. The plates 128 may be composed of aluminum or steel and shaped in an oval configuration. The head is configured to at least partially cover a coupling region of the axles 124 between the cam lobes 140 and resist translation and rotation of the axles 124. The head 126 may be substantially T-shaped and composed of a rigid plastic or metal material.

(13) The cam lobes 140 include independent lobes 142 and biasing springs 144. It will be appreciated that alternative non-illustrated embodiments may include other lobe configurations, including but not limited to two or three lobe systems. The lobes 142 are rotatably coupled to the axles 124 to facilitate rotation between the extended and retracted states (i.e. axis of rotation). The cam lobes 142 are each substantially quarter circle-shaped with a curved camming surface and are configured to rotate about a rotation point mathematically corresponding to the shape of the curved camming surface. The cam lobes 142 may be composed of a metal material including but not limited to aluminum and may incorporate various internal recesses, depressions, etc. The cam lobes 142 are biased in the extended state with respect to the axles with the biasing springs 144. The biasing springs 144 are intercoupled between the cam lobes 142 and the axles 124.

(14) The retraction system 160 is coupled between the connection system 180 and the cam lobes 140 and is configured to enable the selective engagement of the retracted state from the biased extended state. The retraction system includes a trigger 164 and a trigger assembly 170. The trigger 164 is slidably coupled over the twisted cable 182 of the connection system 180. The trigger 164 is shaped to include two finger regions orthogonally extending from the elongated region of the connection system 180. The trigger 164 may be composed of a rigid plastic material. The trigger wires and trigger assembly 170 are coupled to the individual cam lobes 142 via retraction wires, but it will be appreciated that numerous non-illustrated couplings configurations may be incorporated. Although the illustrated embodiment includes a specific type of retraction system, it will be appreciated that the teaching of the present invention pertaining to the twisted cable may be implemented with other non-illustrated retraction systems such as direct trigger cables. The trigger 164 is configured to slide along the elongated region of the connection system 180 corresponding to the extended and retracted states of the cam lobes 140. In operation, a user may retract the trigger 164 away from the head member 120 to overcome the biasing force of the cam lobes 140 toward the extended state (FIG. 2). As the user continues to retract the trigger 164, the cam lobes 142 rotate about the axles 124 toward the retracted state.

(15) The novel connection system 180 includes a twisted cable 182 with a set of ends, a loop 190, and a partially rigid region between the loop 190 and the head member 120. The twisted cable 180 may also be referred to simply as the cable 180. The two ends of the twisted cable 182 are coupled to the head portion of the head member 120 in a particular orientation. The twisted cable 182 also forms a loop 190 opposite the head member 120 on the system 100. It will be appreciated that the orientation of the loop 190 is parallel to the orientation of the axles 124 and orthogonal to orientation of the cable ends 184.

(16) The components of the connection system 180 function synergistically for optimal operation of the retraction system 160. The twisted cable 182 is flexibly biased toward an elongated straight configuration as shown. The region between the loop 190 and the head member 120 may be referred to as a partially rigid region because of the optimal flexibility created by the retraction system 160. The twisted cable 182 may optionally route through a Y-shaped or V-shaped member or thumb rest 194 in which two portions of the twisted cable are initially separated. The medial portion of the twisted cable 182 forms the loop 190 within an optional U-shaped cover member 192. The optional U-shaped cover member 192 may assist in forming the loop 190 and protecting the loop 190 portion of the twisted cable 182 during operation. The twisted cable 182 is disposed within an internal channel of the optional U-shaped cover member 192.

(17) Reference is next made to FIG. 3-6, which illustrate various cross-sectional perspective views of the single stem active camming system 100 of FIGS. 1-2. FIGS. 3-4 illustrate vertical cross-sections of the extended and retracted states, while FIGS. 5-6 illustrate horizontal cross-sections of the extended and retracted states. The cross-sectional figures illustrate one embodiment of the twisted cable 182, forming the loop 190 and coupling with the head member 120. The novel orientation of the twisted cable 182 enables the unique functionality that creates the optimal lengthwise rigidity and flexibility of the connection system 180 for operation of the retraction system 160. The novel orientation includes coupling the cable ends 184 to the head member 120 in an orientation orthogonal to both the axles 124 and the loop 190. The novel orientation of the twisted cable 182 further includes orienting the loop 190 parallel to the axles 124. The annotated dashed lines in FIGS. 1 and 5 illustrate the novel inherent geometrical relationship between the cable end 184 couplings, axle 124 orientation, and loop 190 orientation.

(18) It should be noted that various alternative system designs may be practiced in accordance with the present invention, including one or more portions or concepts of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 or described above. Various other embodiments have been contemplated, including combinations in whole or in part of the embodiments described above.