Karabiners

Abstract

A karabiner or snap hook comprises a generally C-shaped body with its free ends curved towards each other and forming a gap therebetween, and a gate for closing the gap, the gate being located on one free end of the body and the other end of the body and a free end of the gate being shaped for mutual engagement when the gate is closed, wherein one of the free end of the body and the gate having a shaped end with a first part having converging sides leading to an enlarged end part, and wherein the converging part of the shaped end lies within a slot of the other of the body or gate when the gate is closed.

1 . A karabiner comprising:
 a generally C-shaped body with its free ends curved towards each other and forming a gap therebetween, and   a gate for closing the gap, the gate being located on one free end of the body, and the other end of the body and a free end of the gate being shaped for mutual engagement when the gate is closed, wherein one of the free end of the body and the gate having a shaped end with a first part having converging sides leading to an enlarged end part, and wherein the converging part of the shaped end lies within a slot of the other of the body or gate when the gate is closed.   
   
   
       2 . The karabiner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the slot has a first part with converging sides leading to a wider enlarged part to accommodate the shaped end of the body or the gate. 
   
   
       3 . The karabiner as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the gate has the slot. 
   
   
       4 . The karabiner as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the free end of the body has the slot. 
   
   
       5 . The karabiner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gate pivots in the plane of the body. 
   
   
       6 . The karabiner as claimed in  claim 1 , having locking means for locking the gate. 
   
   
       7 . The karabiner as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the locking means comprises a sleeve movable to prevent separation of the free end of the gate from the body. 
   
   
       8 . The karabiner as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the sleeve is resiliently biased towards a locking position. 
   
   
       9 . The karabiner as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the sleeve is rotatably mounted on the gate. 
   
   
       10 . The karabiner as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the sleeve is slidable along the gate. 
   
   
       11 . The karabiner as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the sleeve is screw-threadedly mounted on the gate. 
   
   
       12 . The karabiner as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the sleeve is relieved to allow the gate to be opened. 
   
   
       13 . The karabiner as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the sleeve is thicker on its side opposite to the opening direction of the gate when the sleeve is in a locking position. 
   
   
       14 . The karabiner as claimed in  claim 1 , having a ring at one end thereof. 
   
   
       15 . The karabiner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the free end of the body has convergent sides normal to the plane of the body.