Systems for protecting climbing devices

Abstract

A system for protecting a climbing device from contacting a wall includes a barrier device defining an eyelet, an anchor anchored to the wall, and a cord. The barrier device is configured to wrap around the climbing device such that the barrier device extends between climbing device and the wall and forms a sleeve that encircles the climbing device. The barrier device protects the climbing device from the wall. The cord extends through the eyelet and is coupled to the barrier device and the anchor such that the barrier device is anchored to the wall and in a desired position relative to the wall. The barrier device is configured to move relative to the climbing device, and the cord limits movement of the barrier device relative to the climbing device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for protecting a climbing device from contacting a wall, the system comprising:
 a barrier device configured to couple to the climbing device such that the barrier device is positioned between the climbing device and the wall and protects the climbing device from the wall; and   a cord coupled to the barrier device and configured to also couple to the wall such that the cord anchors the barrier device to the wall and maintains the barrier device in a desired position relative to the wall.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising an anchor configured to be anchored in the wall, and wherein the cord is coupled to the anchor such that the barrier device is anchored to the wall. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the climbing device is a climbing rope. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the anchor is piton. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the barrier device is configured to move relative to the climbing device. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein the cord limits movement of the barrier device relative to the climbing device. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the cord is stretchable. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the barrier device defines an eyelet through which the cord extends. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the barrier device has a perimeter edge around the eyelet and a border member that extends along the perimeter edge to thereby reinforce the eyelet. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the barrier device is configured to wrap around the climbing device such that the barrier device forms a sleeve that encircles the climbing device. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the barrier device has a first surface configured to face the climbing device and an opposite second surface configured to face the wall;
 wherein the first surface and the second surface each extend between a first side and an opposite second side and between a first end and an opposite second side;   wherein the barrier device has a first fastener on the first surface that extends along the first side and a second fastener on the second surface that extends along the second side; and   wherein the first fastener couples to the second fastener when the barrier device is wrapped around the climbing device.   
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the first fastener and the second fastener are hook-and-loop strips. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the first fastener and the second fastener are fixedly coupled to the barrier device. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the barrier device has a first surface configured to face the climbing device and an opposite second surface configured to face the wall;
 wherein the first surface and the second surface each extend between a first side and an opposite second side and between a first end and an opposite second side;   wherein the barrier device has:
 a first fastener on the first surface that extends along the first side; 
 a second fastener on the second surface that extends along the second side; 
 a third fastener on the first surface that extends along the second side; and 
 a fourth fastener on the second surface that extends along the first side; and 
   wherein the first fastener couples to the second fastener or the third fastener couples to the fourth fastener when the barrier device is wrapped around the climbing device.   
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the first fastener is spaced apart from the third fastener and the second fastener is spaced apart from the fourth fastener. 
     
     
         16 . A system for protecting a climbing device from contacting a wall, the system comprising:
 a barrier device defining an eyelet, wherein the barrier device is configured to wrap around the climbing device such that the barrier device extends between the climbing device and the wall and forms a sleeve that encircles the climbing device, and wherein the barrier device protects the climbing device from the wall;   an anchor configured to be anchored to the wall; and   a cord extending through the eyelet and being coupled to the barrier device and the anchor such that the barrier device is anchored to the wall and in a desired position relative to the wall; and   wherein the barrier device is configured to move relative to the climbing device, and wherein the cord limits movement of the barrier device relative to the climbing device.