Interlocking Climbing Chock

Abstract

An Interlocking Climbing Chock 10 is disclosed having at least one pair of opposing sides with complementary interlocking projections and recesses. Two instances of this Interlocking Climbing Chock 10 may be interlocked to form a larger interlocked climbing chock. The flexibility, provided by the subject invention, to form various sizes of climbing chocks while on a climb in order to meet the needs of that particular climb, offers the climber advantages both in safety and economy.

1 .- 13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . An interlocking climbing chock capable of stacking with one or more similar climbing chocks to form a larger climbing chock; said interlocking climbing chock comprising a polygonal front face and a polygonal back face; said front face and said back face having the same number of sides; 
 a number of side surfaces equal to the number of sides of either said front face or said back face; each side surface extending from a side edge of said back face to a corresponding side edge of said front face; at least one pair of two opposing side edges of said front face being of smaller length than the corresponding opposing side edges of said back face, yielding two opposing surfaces generally forming a wedge;    complementary shaped interlocking projections and recesses, on the two opposing wedge surfaces, extending between said back face and said front face wherein said projections of one wedge surface are positioned directly across from said recesses of its opposing wedge surface; said projections being wider at a point near their termination than at a point near the surface from which they project; said recesses being wider at a point near their termination than at a point near the surface from which they recede;    a mechanical stop means; said mechanical stop means preventing said interlocking climbing chock from slipping free from a similar climbing chock when said interlocking climbing chock and said similar climbing chock have been stacked and interlocked to form a larger climbing chock;    and a flexible line with a closed loop; said closed loop positioned at one end of said flexible line; the other end of said flexible line being attached to said front face.    
   
   
       15 . The interlocking climbing chock of  claim 14  wherein said mechanical stop means comprises a surface terminating said recesses, on one of said two opposing wedge surfaces, toward said front face.  
   
   
       16 . The interlocking climbing chock of  claim 14  wherein said mechanical stop means comprises a forward facing surface, extending outward from the wedge surface from which extend said projections, and positioned toward said back face.  
   
   
       17 . The interlocking climbing chock of  claim 14  wherein the widths of at least one of said projections and its complementary recess are narrower at the ends nearest said front face than at the ends nearest said back face; the general taper of both recess and projection thus causing said mechanical stop means to be comprised of the walls of said recess and its complementary projection.  
   
   
       18 . The interlocking climbing chock of  claim 14  wherein said mechanical stop means comprises a surface terminating said recesses, on one of said two opposing wedge surfaces, toward said back face.  
   
   
       19 . The interlocking climbing chock of  claim 14  wherein said mechanical stop means comprises a rear facing surface, extending outward from the wedge surface from which extend said projections, and positioned toward said front face.  
   
   
       20 . The interlocking climbing chock of  claim 14  wherein the widths of at least one of said projections and its complementary recess are narrower at the ends nearest said back face than at the ends nearest said front face; the general taper of both recess and projection thus causing said mechanical stop to be comprised of the walls of said recess and its complimentary projection.  
   
   
       21 . The interlocking climbing chock of  claim 14  wherein all side surfaces are generally flat.  
   
   
       22 . The interlocking climbing chock of  claim 14  wherein said two opposing wedge surfaces are curved, one such wedge surface being concave and the other such wedge surface being convex but of like curvature to the concave wedge surface.  
   
   
       23 . The interlocking climbing chock of  claim 14  further comprising one or more openings which pass entirely through said interlocking climbing chock; said openings positioned and dimensioned so as to provide weight reduction without compromising the effectiveness and strength of said interlocking climbing chock.