FR3091823A1 - RETAINING DEVICE FOR ICE SPINDLE - Google Patents

Abstract

RETAINING DEVICE FOR ICE PITCH The retention device for a plurality of ice screws comprises a support (1), a plurality of tubes (2) fixed on the support (1) and a fixing system (3) for each tube (2). Each tube (2) defines an internal section intended to contain an ice screw. The fixing systems (3) are configured to define a local indentation of the internal section of each tube (2). The support (1) is flexible so that it can be folded back on itself. Each tube (2) has a wall made of a flexible material to fold back on itself and allow folding of the flexible support. Figure for the abstract: f igure 5

Description

RETAINER FOR ICE SCREW

The invention relates to a retention device for one or more ice screws.

In the field of glacier hiking, mountaineering and ice climbing, it is known to use ice screws to form anchor points.

An ice screw is a tubular element that consists of a threaded tube that is screwed by hand into the ice. One end of the tube is provided with a drill bit while the other end is advantageously provided with a crank in order to facilitate the introduction of the ice screw into the ice. The outer wall of the ice screw is circular, and the threaded portion usually covers only part of the front end of the ice branch.

In order to install several anchor points along its course, the user has a plurality of ice screws. The ice screws have different lengths in order to adapt to the different thicknesses of ice that can be found during the glacier race.

It is known to use ice screw retainers that are configured to define a plurality of tubes that each contain an ice screw. In this way, the user can have easy access to the ice screw which has the technical characteristics best suited to the configuration of the moment. The user does not have to remove several ice screws in order to reach the one with the desired length.

PETZL markets a retention device for ice screw under the name ICE FLUTE. This retention device comprises several tubes made of a rigid plastic material. Each tube is formed from a plastic material which defines a tubular and circular retention area for an ice screw. The plastic material is relatively rigid. The various tubes are associated with each other by a support also made from a strip of plastic material. This makes it possible to form a set of several tubes that contain an ice screw. The retention device thus formed can be attached to the harness of use. After use, the various tubes can be separated from each other by disconnecting them from the support.

This retention device also comprises a fastening system associated with each tube in the form of an elastic ring which sinks inside a notch defined in the tube so as to come into contact with the ice screw and to press the latter against the inner wall of the tube. During insertion and extraction of the ice screw, the ring made of elastic material opposes the passage of the threaded part, which requires the application of a considerable force to remove the ice screw from the tube. . This solution provides good results but the retention device appears to be bulky, especially when it does not include ice screws.

The black diamant company also markets a retention device for ice screws under the name ICE SCREWUP. This retention device is formed by two plastic films which are fixed to one another so as to define a plurality of tubes. This retention device being entirely made of a flexible material, it can be folded back on itself once the ice screws have been removed in order to be stored in a compact manner. However, such a retention device is not practical to use because it has no fixing system so that the ice screws can leave the tubes unexpectedly.

Object of the invention

The subject of the invention is a retention device for an ice screw which is easier to use than the devices of the prior art.

• un support,
• une pluralité de tubes fixés sur le support, chaque tube définissant une section interne destinée à contenir une broche à glace,
• une pluralité de systèmes de fixation configurés pour définir un renfoncement local de la section interne de chaque tube.

There is a tendency to solve the aforementioned drawbacks by means of a retention device for a plurality of ice screws comprising:

• a support,
• a plurality of tubes fixed to the support, each tube defining an internal section intended to contain an ice screw,
• a plurality of fastening systems configured to define a local recess of the internal section of each tube.

The retention device is remarkable in that the support is flexible so as to be able to fold back on itself and in that each tube has a wall made of a flexible material to fold back on itself and allow folding of the flexible support. .

In one development, one of the fastening systems is formed by a tongue made of flexible material placed inside one of the tubes, the tongue being movable to define a first position in which the tongue extends from an attachment zone towards a first end of said tube or a second position in which the tongue extends from an attachment zone towards a second end of said tube.

In a particular embodiment, the tongue is a strip which extends mainly along the longitudinal axis of said tube.

Advantageously, part of the tongue is fixed to the wall of the tube.

Preferably, the tongue is fixed to the wall of the tube by cooperation of a through notch defined in the wall of the tube and a zone of reduced width defined in said tongue, the zone of reduced width separating two zones of large width.

It is advantageous to provide that the tongue has a first zone of reduced width located inside the tube and a second zone of reduced width located outside the tube, the second zone of reduced width being mounted so as to move.

In a preferred configuration, the flexible material is mounted to move on either side of a point of attachment of the flexible material with the wall of the tube. It is particularly advantageous to provide for the flexible material to be pivotally mounted around the point of attachment of the flexible material to the wall of the tube.

In an advantageous embodiment, one of the fastening systems is formed for an elastic material extending around the outer wall of one of the tubes.

Brief description of the drawings

• Fig 1 : la figure 1 représente, de manière schématique, en coupe, une première configuration du dispositif de rétention pour broche à glace ;

• Fig 2 : la figure 2 représente, de manière schématique, en coupe, une deuxième configuration du dispositif de rétention pour broche à glace ;
• Fig 3 : la figure 3 représente, de manière schématique, en coupe, une position configuration du dispositif de rétention pour broche à glace ;
• Fig 4 : la figure 4 représente, de manière schématique, une vue de face, d’un tube avec la languette qui dépasse de la face externe du tube ;
• Fig 5 : la figure 5 représente, de manière schématique, en coupe, une languette disposée dans la position d’insertion orientée de gauche à droite avec insertion d’une broche à glace selon la même direction;
• Fig 6 : la figure 6 représente, de manière schématique, en coupe, une languette disposée dans une position de gauche à droite avec insertion d’une broche à glace selon la direction opposée ;
• Fig 7 : la figure 7 représente, de manière schématique, en coupe, une languette disposée dans la position d’extraction de droite à gauche avec insertion d’une broche à glace de gauche à droite.

Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the following description of particular embodiments and implementations of the invention given by way of non-limiting examples and represented in the appended drawings, in which:

• Fig 1: Figure 1 shows, schematically, in section, a first configuration of the ice screw retention device;

• Fig 2: Figure 2 shows, schematically, in section, a second configuration of the ice screw retention device;
• Fig 3: Figure 3 shows, schematically, in section, a configuration position of the ice screw retention device;
• Fig 4: Figure 4 schematically shows a front view of a tube with the tab protruding from the outer face of the tube;
• Fig 5: Figure 5 shows, schematically, in section, a tab arranged in the insertion position oriented from left to right with insertion of an ice screw in the same direction;
• Fig 6: Figure 6 shows, schematically, in section, a tongue arranged in a position from left to right with insertion of an ice screw in the opposite direction;
• Fig 7: Figure 7 shows, schematically, in section, a tab arranged in the extraction position from right to left with insertion of an ice screw from left to right.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the ice screw retention device comprises a support 1 which is associated with a plurality of tubes 2. Each tube 2 is intended to contain an ice screw. To have a retention device which is practical to use, it is particularly advantageous to produce a retention device which is formed by flexible materials which makes it possible to form one or more protective tubes 2 adapting to the shape of the pin ice cream.

The support 1 is made of a foldable material, for example a flexible material so that the support 1 can be folded on itself or can be unfolded. The support 1 being flexible, it can fold up in order to gain in compactness when the retention device is not used. By folding on itself, it is also meant that the support can be rolled so that several thicknesses of support are superimposed. For example, the support is made of a film, a fabric, a coated fabric. The fabric is advantageously made of a plastic material. It is also envisaged to form the support 1 by means of a net which can deform to fold up.

The retention device defines a plurality of tubes 2 which each cooperate with an ice screw. Each tube 2 is formed by a side wall made of a flexible material. The tube 2 can fold back on itself. In this way, it is possible to fold up the support 1 and to fold up the side wall forming the tubes 2 so that the entire retention device takes up less space when not in use.

In the illustrated embodiment, the various tubes 2 are formed by a side wall which is fixed to the support 1. Alternatively, the support 1 forms part of the wall of the tube 2. Advantageously, the walls defining the tubes 2 are mounted in a non-removable manner with respect to the support 1. Advantageously, the fixing of the tubes 2 on the support 1 provides increased rigidity of the support 1 in the longitudinal direction of the various tubes 2 in comparison with the rigidity in the perpendicular direction. The various tubes 2 are preferably installed parallel to each other on the support. In other words, the longitudinal axes of the tubes are parallel to each other.

The walls which define the tubes 2 are made of flexible materials, preferably elastic materials. It is particularly advantageous to provide for the walls to be made of fabrics, coated fabrics or films made of plastic materials. The use of walls made of flexible materials makes it possible to define tubes 2 having shapes which vary according to requirements. It is then possible to define a tube 2 having a circular or substantially circular section so as to be able to introduce an ice screw therein as shown in FIG. 1. It is also possible to define a tube 2 which is almost closed by folding the wall side on itself for example when the support is also folded on itself. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the closure of the tubes 2 before folding the retention device. This makes it possible to form an ice screw retention device which occupies a reduced volume when no ice screw is installed in the tubes 2. The support can be rolled on itself, the rolling is carried out according to

Figure 1 illustrates a configuration in which the multiple tubes 2 are in the open position so as to allow the introduction of an ice screw or the extraction of the ice screw out of the tube. The tubes define, in section, a circular or substantially circular section and the surface defined by the section is maximum or substantially maximum. Figure 2 illustrates a configuration in which the multiple tubes 2 are partially flattened so that the volume occupied by the retention device decreases. Figure 3 illustrates a configuration in which the multiple tubes 2 are even more flattened. It is possible to have the side walls of the tubes 2 which reproduce almost identically the shape of the face of the support 1.

Advantageously, the tubes 2 are through, that is to say that the two opposite ends of the tube 2 are open. It is possible to introduce an ice screw through one of the two opposite ends of the tube 2. In this way, depending on his practice, the user can decide to install the ice screw with the head up or the head down. low or independently for example in order to be able to differentiate ice screws of different lengths.

It is particularly advantageous to use a fixing system 3 which is configured to block an ice screw in each tube 2. The fixing system 3 will make it possible to fix the ice screw inside the tube 2 and prevent its separation not sought regardless of the position of the retention device.

The fixing system 3 is configured to define a local recess in the internal section of the tube 2. The local recess is arranged to locally reduce the section of the tube 2 which forms a privileged point of contact with the threaded part of the ice screw. . The contact point rests on the threaded part of the ice screw.

When moving the ice screw to extract it from the tube 2, the thread of the threaded part comes into contact with the fixing system 3 which opposes the movement of the ice screw. The application of a force on the ice screw beyond a threshold value makes it possible to move the fixing system and authorize the extraction of the ice screw.

In a particular embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, at least one of the fixing systems 3 is formed by a tongue of flexible material which extends along the longitudinal axis of the associated tube 2. The tongue is movably mounted along the longitudinal axis of the tube 2 so as to define a position for inserting the ice screw and a position for extracting the ice screw. The longitudinal axis connects the insertion opening to the opposite end of the tube. According to the embodiments, the opposite end can be open or closed. The tongue is inside tube 2 and is wedged between the inner wall of the tube and the ice screw to block the ice screw.

The insertion position and the extraction position are chosen from a first position and a second position of the tongue. The tongue is movable relative to a reference position which is advantageously a fixed position of the tongue relative to the tube, for example the point of attachment of the tongue to the tube 2.

In the first position, the axis which starts from the reference position to reach the opposite end of the tongue in the tube is oriented towards the first end. In the second position, the axis which starts from the reference position to reach the opposite end of the tongue in the tube is oriented towards the second end. In the first and second positions, the tab extends along the longitudinal axis of the tube but in two opposite directions.

The tongue has a length greater than the width and the width is greater than the thickness. The tongue is formed in a flexible material, for example one of the materials presented to form the support 1 or the side wall of the tube 2.

The tab is able to move to occupy the first and second positions. Depending on the position of the tab, inserting an ice screw into tube 2 may cause the tab to move.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the ice screw is introduced into the tube from left to right, from the first end towards the second end of the tube 2. The tongue is oriented in the same direction, that is to say say that the free end is closer to the second end of the tube 2.

During the introduction of the ice screw, the threaded part slides on the tongue which defines a friction force relating to the insertion of the screw in the tube 2.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the ice screw is introduced into the tube from right to left, from the second end towards the first end of the tube 2. The tongue is oriented in the opposite direction, that is to say say that the free end is closer to the second end of the tube 2.

When inserting the ice screw, the threaded part comes into contact with the tongue and pushes on the tongue which deforms in front of the ice screw as the spit advances (dotted tongue) . The tab deforms until it switches to the other position. The threaded part slides on the tongue, which defines the frictional force relating to the insertion of the pin into the tube 2 as for Figure 5. In this configuration, the tongue moves by means of the first thread of the ice screw. which leaves a substantial volume to facilitate the deformation of the tab and its reversal to pass from the extraction position to the insertion position.

This embodiment makes it possible to insert the ice screw into the tube 2 with a single movement and according to a single action, which facilitates the use of the tube with a single hand which holds the ice screw independently of the orientation of the tongue in the tube 2. This mode of inserting the ice screw into the tube can be obtained for all the openings for inserting the ice screw into the tube.

In the insertion position, the direction of insertion of the ice screw into the tube 2 is identical to the direction which starts from the point of attachment between the tongue and the tube and which joins the free end of the tongue. On the contrary, in the extraction position, the direction of extraction of the ice screw in the tube is opposite to the direction which starts from the point of attachment between the tongue and the tube and which joins the other free end of the tongue

In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the ice screw is extracted from the tube 2, the orientation of the tab is identical to the orientation of the axis connecting the crank to the bit of the ice screw. The free end of the tongue moves from left to right to follow the movement of the ice screw as shown in figure 6. However, in this case, the tongue is wedged between the side wall of the tube and the ice spit, which makes it more complicated to deform the tongue to follow the movement of the spit.

During extraction, when the end of the tongue reaches the first thread of the threaded part, the tongue will seek to follow the movement of the ice screw. However, the free space between the side wall of the tube and the ice screw is small so that the tongue cannot easily deform which will form a non-return ratchet. A movement of the ice screw so as to extract it from the tube results in a deformation of the tongue which braces on the thread of the screw. For the tongue to tilt into the extraction position, it is necessary to apply a greater force to the tongue and possibly to elastically deform the side wall of the tube 2.

The movement of the tab in two opposite directions makes it possible to define two friction forces of different intensities depending on whether the ice screw is inserted into the tube or the ice screw is extracted.

With this embodiment, the insertion of the pin into the tube 2 pushes on the tab which results in a relatively low frictional force. The user is not bothered to insert the pin into the tube 2. On the other hand, the extraction of the ice screw induces a deformation of the tongue which is wedged between the ice screw and the side wall of the tube. It is then necessary to apply a very significant force to tilt the tab so that it extends from the area of attachment with the tube and in the direction of movement of the ice screw.

This configuration is particularly advantageous because the force to be overcome to obtain the tilting of the tongue from the insertion position to the extraction position depends on the width of the tongue with respect to the perimeter of the tube, the length of the tongue, the stiffness of the tongue and the stiffness of the sidewalls of the tube. Of course, the force to be overcome to obtain the tilting of the tab from the direction of insertion to the direction of extraction also depends on the spacing which exists between the internal wall of the tube and the external wall of the pin to ice. The smaller the spacing, the more difficult it will be to bend the tab to change position. It is easily possible to adapt the force which blocks the ice screw by adapting the dimensions of the tongue and the material forming the tongue.

It appears that the direction of insertion is not defined by the tube but by the relative position of the tab with respect to the entry hole of the pin in the tube 2 during insertion. In this way, the same fastening system can define lower insertion forces than extraction forces regardless of the insertion hole of the ice screw in the tube when the tube is open on both sides.

In one embodiment, the free end of the tab is a physical end of the tab. In an alternative embodiment, the movable tongue is defined by a loop, the two ends of which are fixed to the tube 2 or to the support 1. The central part of the loop forms the free end which moves according to the direction of movement of the spindle ice cream.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tongue is attached to the side wall of the tube fixed to the support. If the support 1 forms part of the tube 2, it is possible to fix the tab on the support 1. The fixing can be obtained by glue, a seam, a hanging fabric system such as that marketed under the Velcro ® brand. .

The use of a tab makes it possible to adapt the fixing system to ice screws which have different diameters, which is more practical than a fixing system whose diameter of the tube, defined by the side walls, is fixed. which determines the diameter of the associated ice screw.

Advantageously, the fastening zone of the tab with the tube is beyond the first third along the length of the tube and according to the direction of insertion of the ice screw. This arrangement makes it possible to insert the ice screw over a first distance before reaching a greater friction force. This configuration facilitates the insertion of the ice screw. Preferably, the fixing zone is located in the middle of the tube along the longitudinal axis, for example between 40% and 60% of the length of the tube 2.

When the tube 2 is open at both ends, it is advantageous to install the fixing zone between the first third and the last third of the tube along the longitudinal axis, preferably in the center of the tube. This configuration makes it possible to use the tube 2 and the fastening system with pins of different lengths insofar as the threaded part of the pin comes into contact with the fastening zone between the tongue and the tube.

Advantageously, the tab is in the form of a strip which extends mainly along the longitudinal axis of the tube 2. This configuration makes it possible to achieve a frictional force which prevents the unexpected exit of the ice screw without set too high a friction force that makes it difficult to insert the ice screw.

It is particularly advantageous for the width of the strip to be less than a diameter of the circular section of the tube 2 so as not to interfere with the flattening of the tube 2 during the folding of the retention device as illustrated in FIG. It is even more advantageous to provide for the width of the strip to be less than one third of the perimeter of the tube when the latter defines a circular section. It is particularly interesting to provide that the width of the strip is at least greater than a quarter of the perimeter.

Preferably, a part of the flexible material is fixed to the wall of the tube 2. In this way, the tongue is always fixed to the wall whatever the position of the wall, which facilitates the insertion and the extraction of the pin at ice with a tube defined by means of a flexible wall.

In an advantageous embodiment, the tongue is fixed to the wall of the tube 2 by cooperation of a through notch defined in the wall of the tube 2 and a zone of reduced width defined in said flexible material, the zone of reduced width separating two zones of considerable width. The notch is then wedged between the two areas of significant width.

The tongue forming the retention system can be mounted removable which facilitates its replacement in case of wear.

The tab can be effective even when thin, for example with a thickness of less than 1.5 mm or even less than 1 mm.

To ensure very good operation of the retention device, it is particularly interesting to fix the two ends of the tubes with the supports so that the tube does not deform too much during insertion and extraction, which facilitates good mastery of the associated efforts.

The fixing system is also able to give interesting insertion and extraction forces on a tube made of a rigid material as in the prior art.

As illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, it is advantageous to provide that part of the tab projects beyond the tube. The reversal of the tongue from the first position to the second position or vice versa also causes a rocking of the portion of the tongue which projects out of the tube. This makes it possible to visualize the position of the tab in the tube. Figure 4 shows the two positions taken by the protruding portion of the tab (solid area and dotted area). The fixing of the protruding portion on the tube or the support does not modify the operation of the part of the tongue which is in the tube 2.

It is particularly advantageous to provide that the flexible material is mounted to move on either side of a point of attachment of the flexible material with the wall of the tube. Such a configuration makes it possible to use the same flexible material as the blocking element regardless of the opening for introducing the pin into the tube.

It is, moreover, particularly interesting to consider that the flexible material is pivotally mounted around the point of attachment of the flexible material with the wall of the tube. When pivoting the flexible element around the fixing point, a hard point forms which prevents the pin from coming out easily.

To produce a compact retention device after use, it is also possible to use a fastening system formed by an elastic means which reduces the section of the tube in comparison with the maximum section which can be defined by the side walls made of flexible material. .

The elastic means is fixed to the support 1 or to the side walls of the tube 2 and it defines a section less than or equal to the section of the ice screw so as to press the ice close against a part of the internal side wall of the tube. In a particular embodiment, the elastic means goes around the tube so as to apply a continuous stress over the entire periphery of the ice screw.

The retention system being made by an elastic means, the latter can deform during the folding of the support 1. The elastic means can define a ring around the tube 3. Alternatively, the elastic means defines a ring in association with the support of so as to press the ice screw against the support or the side wall which separates the support and the ice screw.

This embodiment is less advantageous than the previous one because the ice screw insertion and extraction forces are substantially identical. The elastic means can be in direct contact with the ice screw by means of an opening formed in the side wall of the tube 2. However, it is particularly advantageous to provide that the elastic means is separated from the ice screw by the wall of the tube. The side wall being flexible, it will deform to constrain the ice screw. The threads of the threaded part of the ice screw will form beads which will prevent the displacement of the ice screw unless a force greater than a threshold value is applied.

Whatever the embodiment envisaged for forming the fixing system, it is particularly advantageous to provide that the tubes have a sufficient length to prevent the bit of the ice screw from coming out of the tube when the two ends of the tube 2 are open.

Claims (6)

Retention device for a plurality of ice screws comprising:
- a support (1);
- a plurality of tubes (2) fixed on the support (1), each tube (2) defining an internal section intended to contain an ice screw;
- a plurality of fixing systems (3) configured to define a local recess of the internal section of each tube (2),
characterized in that the support (1) is flexible so as to be able to fold up on itself and in that each tube (2) has a wall made of a flexible material to fold up on itself and allow the support to be folded up flexible. Retention device according to Claim 1, characterized in that one of the fixing systems (3) is formed for a flexible material extending along the longitudinal axis of the associated tube (2), the flexible material moving in two opposite directions along the longitudinal axis. Retention device according to Claim 2, in which the flexible material is a strip extending mainly along the longitudinal axis of the associated tube (2). Retention device according to one of Claims 2 and 3, in which a part of the flexible material is fixed to the wall of the tube (2). A retention device according to claim 4, wherein the tube (2) is open at its ends and the flexible material is mounted to move across a point of attachment of the flexible material to the wall of the tube ( 2). A retention device according to claim 5, wherein the flexible material is pivotally mounted around the point of attachment of the flexible material to the wall of the tube (2).