Rock-anchoring devices with non-metal components

Abstract

Devices for attaching to rock that have non-metal components and can be used for rock climbing. Embodiments include passive chocks, active camming devices, passive camming devices, and sliders. Lightweight materials used in place of more dense materials like steel result in lighter weight devices. Geometry of parts are changed to reduce weight, reduce manufacturing cost, and increase functionality. Higher friction materials against the rock allow greater expansion ranges, less stress in the rock, and increased holding power. Many embodiments have a head attached to a stem and a loop. Various embodiments feature nonmetallic tensile members, tubular plastic semi-rigid stems, polymer cams, hollow or non-metallic axles, biasing mechanisms, high-friction materials on one side or both, or combinations of these and other features.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for anchoring to natural features in rock, said device comprising: 
 a head;    a stem: 
 attached to said head,  
 being at least semi-rigid,  
 having a tensile strength greater than 1500 pounds, and  
 comprising at least one polymer tensile member, said tensile member substantially providing said tensile strength; and  
 a loop:  
 joined with said stem, and  
 configured to attach to a carabiner.  
   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , said head being substantially a single piece of material.  
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , said head substantially comprising polymer material.  
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , said polymer material being fiber reinforced.  
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , said device being a spring-loaded camming device, said device comprising: 
 at least three cams;    at least one axle;    a plurality of springs; and    a trigger mechanism.    
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1:   said loop substantially comprising said tensile member;    said stem comprising said tensile member; and    said tensile member passing around said axle.    
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , said stem comprising a hollow plastic tube, said tensile member passing through said tube, said tensile member being substantially flexible.  
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 7 , said tube and said head being configured so that said tube is attachable to said head with an interference fit, said tube being color coded to indicate the size of said head.  
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , said stem substantially comprising fiber-reinforced plastic.  
     
     
         10 . A camming device configured to attach to natural features in rock, said device comprising: 
 a head having at least one cam, said cam comprising at least ten percent by weight a non-metallic material; and    a stem attached to said head, said stem comprising at least one non-metallic tensile member.    
     
     
         11 . The camming device of  claim 10 , said head further comprising a biasing mechanism.  
     
     
         12 . The camming device of  claim 10 , said non-metallic material being a high-friction material.  
     
     
         13 . The camming device of  claim 10 , said head further comprising: 
 at least one axle;    at least three cams on said at least one axle, each said cam substantially comprised of a non-metallic material; and    a trigger mechanism.    
     
     
         14 . The camming device of  claim 13 , said axle being hollow.  
     
     
         15 . The camming device of  claim 13 , said axle being substantially comprised of aluminum.  
     
     
         16 . The camming device of  claim 13 , said axle being substantially comprised of a polymer material.  
     
     
         17 . The camming device according to  claim 13 , said stem comprising a hollow plastic tube containing said tensile member, said tensile member being substantially flexible, and said tensile member forming a loop configured to attach to a carabiner.  
     
     
         18 . The camming device according to  claim 13 , said trigger mechanism comprising a plurality of substantially non-metallic trigger leads attached to said cams.  
     
     
         19 . A device for attaching to a feature in rock, the feature having at least a first side and a second side, the first side being substantially opposite the second side, said device comprising at least: 
 a head having at least a first surface and a second surface, said first surface and said second surface being on substantially opposite sides of said head;    a tensile member attached to said head;    said device being configured to anchor to the feature with at least said first surface in contact with the first side and at least said second surface in contact with the second side; and    said first surface comprising a high-friction material.    
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 17 , said second surface being metal.  
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 18 , said tensile member being proximate said second surface.  
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 17 , said second surface comprising a high-friction material.  
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 17 , said device further comprising a biasing mechanism.  
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 17 , said first surface being movable with respect to said second surface.  
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 17 , said device being configured to anchor to the feature wherein the first side is substantially parallel to the second side.