Abstract
The invention relates to a novel carabiner that can create sparks or a sustained flame in order to ignite material during outdoor activities. The carabiner has utility as a connecting device as well as its ability to ignite materials. The carabiner can contain a fold out utility blade which may be used to cut materials the user intends to ignite. The fire starting capability may be conducted with one hand which is a clear benefit to any user.
Claims
1) A carabiner with fire starting implement comprising: a) a spark wheel connected to the carabiner frame by a spring pin b) a gate which is moveable to allow the carabiner to be closed off and connect to clothing or equipment c) a ferro rod compressed by a spring and set screw and connected to the base of the carabiner frame and residing within a hollow portion of the carabiner frame
2) carabiner with fire starting implement of claim 1 wherein the spark wheel must be disposed within a hollow portion in the carabiner frame.
3) carabiner with fire starting implement of claim 1 wherein the top portion of the carabiner frame allows a gate to rest around and close the carabiner off into a continuous loop so that the carabiner remains hooked to any item a user connects it to.
4) carabiner with fire starting implement of claim 1 wherein a ferro rod is compressed by a spring and set screw which resides within a hollow portion of the carabiner frame and wherein the set screw holds the spring and ferro rod within the carabiner frame, and wherein the set screw may be tightened or loosened to provide optimum pressure from the spring to the ferro rod so as to provide adequate friction to create sparks.
5) A carabiner with fire starting implement wherein a hollow portion of the carabiner frame can serve as a reservoir for fuel to create a sustained flame in response to a striker that is depressed, causing the spark wheel to rotate and allowing release of the fuel to combust with the sparks created by the spark wheel and ferro rod.
6) A carabiner with fire starting implement wherein an optional utility blade can be connected to the carabiner frame in a fixed manner or be able to rotate on an axis of a screw which holds the blade in place and allows for rotation outward of the utility blade from a recess within the carabiner body.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The invention is disclosed in the following drawings which are sufficient to disclose the nature of the invention and embodiments claimed.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective of the carabiner with fire starting implement;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a right side perspective of the carabiner with fire starting implement;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an internal view of the carabiner with fire starting implement illustrating the internal components;
[0015] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the carabiner with spark wheel and spring pin;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a fully exploded view of the carabiner showing all of the necessary parts as well as the cutting tool; and
[0017] FIG. 6 is a view of the carabiner embodiment with stored fuel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION, INCLUDING BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0018] In FIG. 1, the basic frame 10 of the carabiner is shown as from a forward perspective. The gate 20 attaches to the lower part of the carabiner and serves as the locking mechanism when pressed inward to hook onto the top of the carabiner frame (not shown in this Fig). The spark wheel 30 is connected via a spring pin in the lower part of the carabiner frame, also not visible in this Fig.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a side view of the carabiner frame 10 and the gate 20 which hooks on the inside of the top of the frame 40. A user simply presses inward on the gate to release the carabiner, whereby the gate simply rotates in an orifice 50 that allows the gate to rotate within that orifice. Again the spark wheel 30 is shown as it connects to the lower part of the carabiner via a spring pin 60.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows the internal view of the spring 70 that compresses in response to predetermined pressure from a set screw 80. The user spins the spark wheel with a thumb to rotate the spark wheel and strikes upon a ferro rod 90 that is pressed against the spark wheel in response to the pressure from the spring and set screw. During this application a series of short sparks occurs and a user may then ignite materials. The spring, set screw, and ferro rod are all housed within a hollow cylindrical cavity in the frame of the carabiner.
[0021] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the components in FIG. 3. These components reside within the hollow portion of the carabiner frame, and as such, the only visible items to the user will be the spark wheel and the spring pin 60. The spark wheel 30 is at the top and connects to the ferro rod 90 by a friction fit as caused by the spring 70 and wherein the ferro rod will then be forced against the spark wheel. This Fig. serves to illustrate how the components are placed in order within that hollow cylindrical cavity in the frame of the carabiner.
[0022] FIG. 5 is another perspective of an exploded view again showing the spark wheel 30, the spring pin 60, the spring 70, and the ferro rod 90. This Fig. discloses the optional cutting tool 100 which folds out of the carabiner frame as a blade does from a pocket knife. A screw 110 both connects the cutting tool as well as allows rotation outward of the blade. Thus, the user can now cut material and ignite it with the same tool as well as combing the utility of the carabiner itself. A user may have the carabiner attached to clothing or a piece of equipment wherein the carabiner is easily accessed and utilized.
[0023] FIG. 6 shows the carabiner as described above, with the added feature of a sustained flame application. Fuel may be stored within the hollow carabiner frame in a small reservoir 120, and will ignite a sustained flame as driven by the application of the spring 70 and set screw 80. When the user presses the striker 130 with a thumb, the striker contacts with the spark wheel 30 wherein the wheel turns rapidly over the ferro rod 90, and creates sparks. The striker also depresses a small spring 140 which causes the reservoir of fuel to be exposed to the spark when the striker moves a valve 150 and the fuel is then ignited by the sparks to create a flame 160, which is sustainable in an effort to light materials that may require more ignition than a short series of sparks.
