Releasable Cover for Climbing Hanger Device

Abstract

The invention relates to a releasable cover for a climbing hanger device such as a climbing hanger plate ( 28 ) having an aperture ( 36 ) therein which facilitates attachment of a climbing accessory such as a karabiner to the device. A cover ( 100 ) for the climbing hanger plate ( 28 ) is disclosed which releasably engages the climbing hanger plate ( 28 ) to at least partially cover the aperture ( 36 ), to thereby prevent a climber from inserting a digit into the aperture ( 36 ). This prevents accidental trauma associated with inappropriate use of climbing hanger devices of this type in the event of a fall.

1 . A releasable cover for a climbing hanger device of a type having an aperture therein which facilitates attachment of a climbing accessory to the device, the cover adapted to releasably engage the climbing hanger device to at least partially cover the aperture, to thereby prevent insertion of a digit into the aperture.  
   
   
       2 . A cover as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a first cover element and at least one further cover element, the first and further cover elements adapted to releasably engage the climbing hanger device to thereby at least partially cover the aperture in the device.  
   
   
       3 . A cover as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the cover is for an angled climbing hanger plate having an anchor portion adapted to be secured to a rock or wall face and a coupling portion extending from the face at an angle to the anchor portion, the coupling portion having an aperture which forms a loop for coupling of a climbing accessory to the plate, and wherein the first and further cover elements are adapted to straddle the coupling portion.  
   
   
       4 . A cover as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first and further cover elements are adapted to be directly releasably coupled together, to thereby indirectly releasably engage the climbing hanger device.  
   
   
       5 . A cover as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first and further cover elements are connected by a hinge.  
   
   
       6 . A cover as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the first and further cover elements are connected in a clam-shell type arrangement.  
   
   
       7 . A cover as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first cover element comprises a first engaging member and the further cover element comprises a further engaging member, the first and further engaging members adapted to be releasably coupled together to thereby releasably engage the cover with the climbing hanger device.  
   
   
       8 . A cover as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the first and further engaging members are adapted to be coupled together in a push fit.  
   
   
       9 . A cover as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein one of the first and further engaging members is a male member and the other a female member, the male and female members cooperating for releasably coupling the cover elements together.  
   
   
       10 . A cover as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the first and further engaging members is adapted to extend through the aperture of the device, to thereby releasably engage the cover to the device.  
   
   
       11 . A cover as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a first cover element and at least one further cover element, the first and further cover elements adapted to be directly releasably coupled to the device.  
   
   
       12 . A cover as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the first and further cover elements each comprise a respective engaging member shaped to engage the device.  
   
   
       13 . A cover as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein each cover element engaging member is shaped to engage within the device aperture.  
   
   
       14 . A cover as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the cover element engaging members is shaped to extend through the device aperture and to engage with a surface of the part of the device in which the aperture is formed.  
   
   
       15 . A cover as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first and further engaging members is shaped to have an outer perimeter matching a perimeter of the aperture.  
   
   
       16 . A cover as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cover is for an angled climbing hanger plate having an anchor portion adapted to be secured to a rock or wall face and a coupling portion extending from the face at an angle to the anchor portion, the coupling portion having an aperture which forms a loop for coupling of a climbing accessory to the plate, and wherein the cover comprises a first cover element and at least one further cover element, the cover elements each comprising an engaging element shaped to engage around at least part of an outer edge of the coupling portion of the device.  
   
   
       17 . A cover as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a body having a slot shaped to receive the device and at least one engaging member for releasably engaging in the aperture of the device.  
   
   
       18 . A cover as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the cover is for an angled climbing hanger plate having an anchor portion adapted to be secured to a rock or wall face and a coupling portion extending from the face at an angle to the anchor portion, the coupling portion having an aperture which forms a loop for coupling of a climbing accessory to the plate, and wherein the slot is shaped for engaging around at least part of an outer edge of the coupling portion of the device.  
   
   
       19 . A cover as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cover is shaped to cover the entire aperture of the device.  
   
   
       20 . A cover as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cover is shaped to cover a sufficient portion of the aperture so as to prevent insertion of a digit of a climber into the aperture.  
   
   
       21 . A cover as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cover has an outer perimeter shaped to match a perimeter of the aperture.  
   
   
       22 . A releasable cover for a climbing hanger device of a type having an aperture therein which facilitates attachment of a climbing accessory to the device, the cover comprising first and second cover elements, the first and second cover elements adapted to releasably engage the climbing hanger device to thereby cover and close the aperture.