DESCRIPTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a fixing device suitable for climbing comprising a cam body, a cable and a locking module wherein the cam body is particularly configured to be inserted into a rock cavity.

PRIOR ART

In the sport field, climbing or mountaineering is a popular and risky activity consisting in attaining high points in mountainous regions. In order to reach those high points, there are a high amount of security devices needed for practicing such an activity. Sometimes, when climbing a wall or a mountain, some fixed anchors are already present and can be used by anyone who is climbing. Some other times, the wall can be clean and there are no anchors for attaching any lock which would secure an adequate progression.

These security devices are usually divided in two groups: the active security devices and the passive security devices. A security device is considered active when it presents moving parts such as cams, BallNutz and Big Bros which are devices already available on the market. On the other side, security devices are considered passive when they do not present any moving part and thus, pieces of said passive devices are wedged into cavities or crevasses already present in the rock of the wall.

Floating locks are the most common locks implemented in this field and it exists a multitude of devices available on the market such as pitons, friends or passive wallnut.

Pitons are ones of the most ancient devices used for climbing and, contrary to some other old-fashioned devices which ended disappearing, they are still used today due to their functionality where other devices are unable to perform as well as pitons do. Primarily, pitons are inserted by hammering the device in order to embed it in between rock imperfections. This device is usually left in the wall in a semi-permanent manner for securing a particularly laborious ascension in order to state the optimal way of climbing such wall.

Friends are characterized for having a mechanism which provide to a user the ability to be positioned and easily removed while withstanding heavy loads in case of falling. Its operation mode is based on the geometry of the cams and the location of its pivot point, whereby it can be achieved that an element tends to expand as more load in a given direction is applied to it; combining this effect with a rigid location such as a crack, the locking of the device and thus the load hanging on it is achieved.

Passive wallnut or crackers are rigid or semi-rigid devices made of a cable or a strip and a metal segment fastened to the first part. Said metal segment can be made in different shapes which consequently makes it more suitable for being located in one or another location of a wall following the necessity. The most commonly used shaped are pyramidal wedge, curved wedge, hexagonal or eccentric wedges, or asymmetric with protuberances.

Other known devices for securing ascensions while climbing are called Tricams and are active security mechanic elements. ATricam is made of a cam designed such as no spring is needed for being activated. The device is based on an anchor point which operate as a pivoting axis and when a loading is applied on the cam, its own geometry result in a pivoting of the cam and generates an even tighter blocking position in said cavity.

However, there is a need in the field for a device that could assemble the advantages of both devices previously mentioned such as wallnut and Tricams. On its own, wallnuts block a rigid element in the rock and have no operating mechanism and are generally not implemented for being located in a horizontal crack. On the other side, Tricams are perfect for being located in a horizontal crack but its use by climbers have been decreasing. Also, there is a need in the case of Tricam devices for implementing a way of extracting said devices from a rock cavity without using any additional external device.

Also, both crackers and Tricams have an elastic or non-elastic element for transmitting loads to the rope, which is usually attached parallel to a plane. This configuration facilitates the placement of the device, but at the same time makes it susceptible to accidental dislodgement by the mere friction or movement of the climbing rope, which would make the placement null and create a risky situation. Therefore, an improvement of a Tricam device that would be able to absorb or transmit these loads before a falling situation and without being susceptible of incidental displacements due to stresses generated by the rope.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a fixing device suitable for climbing. Advantageous embodiment are defined in the dependent claims.

In a first inventive aspect, the present invention provides a fixing device suitable for climbing, comprising: a cam body configured to be inserted into a rock cavity, the cam body comprising a housing, a support member adapted to be housed in the housing; a cable fixed at a first end to the support member, the cable being rotatable in respect to the cam body and adapted to withstand load; a locking module adapted to lock and unlock the orientation of the first end of the cable in respect to the cam body.

The present invention provides a fixing device suitable for climbing. Said device comprises at least a cam body, a cable and a locking module. Additionally, the cam body comprises a housing wherein a support member is adapted to be housed in said housing.

The cam body is configured to be inserted into a rock cavity and advantageously presents a shape that provides stability to the whole device when operating. The cam body is the element of the fixing device of the first inventive aspect responsible for locking the whole device in a rock cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the cam body is the only element of the whole device which is in permanent contact with the rock while operating.

Particularly, the cam body is able to change the load orientation thanks to the cable adapted to withstand loads and at the same time the application point of said load on said cam body.

Thanks to the change of load orientation and the application point of said load, said preferred embodiment provides to the fixing device the ability to operate as a Tricam and as a cracker. At the same time, the fixing device is able to be replaced in optimal conditions in another cavity.

In preferred embodiment, the cam body has a reduced size in order to operate in cracks and marginal holes locations where pitons or crackers are currently used. Also, the fixing device suitable for climbing of the first inventive aspect is preferably operational in nonopen cracks.

Preferably, a user is able to actuate and operate the whole device by only using one hand.

Also, the fixing device comprises a cable which operates as a load transmission element between the cam body and the opposite part of the device.

In preferred embodiments, the cam body presents a narrower face and a wider face in order to be able to be operational in all sizes of cracks and cavities.

The housing of the cam body is made for housing the support member and the cable is fixed at a first end of said support member. The cable is rotatable in respect to the cam body in order to provide degrees of freedom to the support member and thus, to the cable being fixed to said support member.

Additionally, the locking module is adapted to lock and unlock the orientation of the first end of the cable in respect to the cam body.

Both the cable and the locking module provide to the cam body, and thus to the whole fixing device, an increased punctual rigidity on the whole said fixing device and ensures the positioning and safety of the device itself while in operating mode.

The fixing device of the first inventive aspect preferably presents a simple design, easy to produce and light compared to the devices already on the market. Also, it provides increased possibilities of positioning in different types of rock cavities.

Advantageously, the device of the present invention ensures stability to a user when placed inside a rock cavity since it can be easily removed from said cavity, avoiding null placement generated by known Tricams of the market and risky situations.

In a particular embodiment, the support member is housed in the housing in a rotatable manner in respect to the cam body wherein said support member is configured to rotate around a center point (C) or, the first end of the cable is rotatable fixed to the support member, wherein said first end of the cable is configured to be rotatable around a center point (C); and the locking module is adapted to lock or unlock the orientation of a portion of the cable located proximal to the first end of the cable in respect to the cam body.

The support member is defined by its center point (C) and the first end of the cable is rotatable around said center point (C) with respect to the support member.

The locking module permits the locking and unlocking of the cable, particularly the first end of the cable and the support member, in respect to the cam body and provides to the device the security of being locked at all time when in operating mode. Therefore, the locking module is an insurance of avoiding possible falls and increases security.

In a particular embodiment, the locking module comprises: a retainer fixed at one point of the cable at a predetermined distance from the first end of the cable; a jacket covering a segment of the cable, the jacket having a first end located proximal to the first end of the cable and a second end, opposite to the first end, located at a location between the first end of the cable and the retainer and, wherein the jacket is adapted to allow the slippage of the jacket on the cable; at least one locking part located at the cam body and adapted to lock the rotation of the jacket by engaging the first end of the jacket with the at least one locking part of the cam body; a handle fixed to the second end of the jacket; a spring located between the retainer and the handle adapted to exert a separating force between the retainer and the handle; wherein the locking module has at least two positions: a first position wherein the separating force of the spring causes the first end of the jacket to exert a force against the first locking part engaging said first end of the jacket to the locking part and then locking the orientation of the first end of the cable in respect to the cam body and, a second position wherein the handle is approximated towards the retainer causing the first end of the jacket to not be exerting force against the first locking part allowing the first end of the cable to rotate with respect to the cam body.

The device of the present invention presents a jacket which covers a segment of the cable and directly connected to a handle. Said jacket is adapted to allow the slippage of the jacket on the cable and at the same time provides security and protects the cable from wear and tear caused by the environment while climbing.

According to a preferred embodiment, in the direction of load transmission, which is oriented in the direction of the cable, said cable presents a higher rigidity than the jacket. In other directions, which are not the direction of the cable, the rigidity of each element, particularly the cable and the jacket, varies according to the materials implemented for manufacturing these elements.

Additionally, in preferred embodiments, the jacket may present at least a metallic part, be fully polymeric or made of a combination of both of these materials as a reinforcement.

Then, the handle is directly connected to a spring which is adapted to exert a separating force between the retainer and the handle. Advantageously, the handle presents an ergonomic shape which provides to a user the ability to properly and securely press said handle when needed.

Furthermore, the handle is large enough to be operated by the user with only one hand while climbing. At the same time, the handle is small enough for the device to be compact.

Additionally, the spring is located in between the handle and a retainer, the retainer being fixed at one point of the cable, this point being located at the opposite end of the cam body. According to a preferred embodiment, particularly, the spring is placed around an end of the cable, preferably floating around said cable. The retainer is placed at the end of the cable and the spring is abutting the retainer allowing a compression force of the spring when a user press the handle. In some embodiments the retainer is connected to the spring.

Also, in preferred embodiments, the spring is designed to be compressed and become shorter when a user press the handle and consequently compress the spring. When the spring is compressed by the handle, the jacket slip over the cable and liberate the first end of the cable which was fully covered until then.

On the other hand, when a user let go of the handle, the spring provides an opposed force which provides to the device a tight fit of the first end of the jacket in a locking part of the cam body. Said locking part is adapted to lock the rotation of the jacket by engaging the first end of the jacket, previously tightly compressed by the retainer, the spring and the handle when locked into place.

In a stationary state of the spring, when the handle is not pressed by a user, the device is compact and provides stability to a user while climbing and this independently of the locking part of the cam body where is located the first end of the jacket and the orientation of the cable.

Advantageously, the jacket avoids any excessive spinning of the cable and protects it from wear and tear.

Also, pressing the handle provides to a user the ability to adapt the load received by the device and more particularly received by the cam body.

Additionally, the locking module presents at least two position. A first position where the handle and the spring are in their neutral states, which is when they are not pressed nor compressed, wherein the separating force of the spring causes the first end of the jacket to exert a force against the first locking part engaging said first end of the jacket to the locking part.

Also, said locking module is responsible for locking the orientation of the first end of the cable in respect to the cam body. Thus, the locking module ensures the correct locking and orientation of the first end of the jacket in the selected locking part, that is the orientation of the group of elements formed by the jacket, the cable, the handle, the spring and the retainer. Then, the locking module being in the second position, where the handle is approximated towards the retainer by a user, causes the first end of the jacket to not be exerting force against the first locking part of the cam body and thus allows the first end of the cable to rotate with respect to the cam body. By allowing the first end of the cable to rotate, it provides to the device the ability to switch from one locking part to another locking part in the embodiment of the device presenting more than one locking part.

In a particular embodiment, the device of the first inventive aspect further comprises a sleeve located at the first end of the jacket adapted to reinforce the first end of the jacket.

The sleeve, located at the first end of the jacket, is adapted to reinforce the first end of the jacket, that is, the end proximal to the cam body and covering the first end of the cable, i.e. the locking member.

The sleeve provides an additional force against the first locking part which engage the sleeve to said locking part and consequently lock the orientation of the first end of the cable in respect to the cam body. Therefore, by locking the orientation of the first end of the cable, the sleeve also provides additional locking to the support member fixed to the first end of the cable in the housing of the cam body.

Additionally, the sleeve avoids an excessive twisting of the cable, thus protecting said cable from premature wear and tear.

In a preferred embodiment, the jacket has a semi-flexible structure. The cable is a flexible element adapted to transmit a tensile strength but, when the cable is subjected to a compression force then the cable shows high bending deformation. The use of a semi-flexible jacket allows the cable transmit a compression force preventing a bending deformation caused by any instability and it also allows a limited bending of the combination of the cable and the jacket for adapting its shape to specific conditions.

In a particular embodiment, the support member comprises a pin wherein the rotation ability with respect to the cam body has one degree of freedom.

Prefera bly, the support member presents a pin in order to ease the connection with the locking module and the cable. Preferably, the pin of the support member is connected to the first end of the cable.

In a particular embodiment, the locking between the first end of the jacket and the housing is by housing said first end of the jacket into the locking part of the cam body.

According to an embodiment, the locking between the first end of the jacket and the housing is made by housing said first end of the jacket into the locking part of the cam body where the jacket presents a diameter essentially bigger than the diameter of the cable and substantially similar to the diameter of the locking part in order to provide a tight fit of one element with the other.

In a particular embodiment, the support member is a ball wherein the rotation ability with respect to the cam body is with at least two degrees of freedom, preferably with three degrees of freedom.

In the specific case of the support member being a ball, said ball provides a homogeneous repartition of loads on the inside of the cam body and in every degrees of freedom that the support member can allow.

In a particular embodiment, the cam body comprises a guiding surface and the support member comprises a prolongation adapted to slip on the guiding surface such that the rotation ability of the support member with respect to the cam body has one degree of freedom.

Preferably, the diameter of the prolongation is smallerthan the external diameter of the guiding surface in order to provide the slipping of said prolongation of the support member in between the guiding surface.

In a particular embodiment, the cam body further comprises a resting surface adapted to allow the sliding of the first end of the jacket and the cable to rotate with respect to the cam body, the resting surface being connected to the first locking part through a connecting groove; the first locking part and the resting surface being located in a plane (P) wherein the first locking part, the center point (C) and the connecting groove are in such plane (P); and the first end of the jacket is adapted to be moved between the first locking part and the resting surface.

The device, once the first end of the jacket switches from the first locking part to the resting surface, presents new features for climbing and for placement into rock cavities.

Particularly, the device switches from presenting features of a passive walnut to presenting features of a Tricam device. Specifically in the Tricam position, the device provides an easier and higher protection while being placed in cracks or crevasses since, in that particular position, the device is completely immobilized and shows no moving parts.

More particularly, the first locking part is a first position that provides to the device the ability to be placed as a support mode in a rock cavity or crack. Then, the resting surface is a second position that provides to the device the ability to be placed as an anchoring mode. Finally, the device of the present invention provides an easy manner for switching from a device capable of being used as support mode to a device capable of being used as anchoring mode, both necessary in the climbing field.

According to an embodiment, the first locking part and the resting surface are connected through a connecting groove which provides an easier way of switching from one position to the other and reciprocally.

Also according to an embodiment, the first locking part and the resting surface are located in a same plane (P) in which the center point (C) of the support member and the connecting groove, previously mentioned, are included in such plane (P). By having the first locking part, the resting surface, the center point (C) and the connecting groove in the same plane (P), the device is provided with an optimal balance and a repartition of loads that helps and secures the user while climbing.

In a preferred embodiment, the first end of the jacket is adapted to be moved between the first locking part and the resting surface through the connecting groove based on the allowed slippage of the jacket on the cable which permits said cable to be released and, thanks to its smaller diameter, to be moved or slide through the connecting groove of the cam body. In a particular embodiment, the cam body further comprises a second locking part connected to the first locking part and the resting surface through the connecting groove, the second locking part is located approximately diagonally opposite of the first locking part with respect to the center point (C) wherein the first locking part and the center point (C) define an axis X-X'; the second locking part is adapted to lock the rotation of the jacket by engaging the first end of the jacket with the second locking part of the cam body; and the first end of the jacket is adapted to be moved between the first locking part, the resting surface and the second locking part.

The cam body further comprises a second locking part connected to the first locking part and the resting surface through the connecting groove and preferably the second locking part, the first locking part and the resting surface are located in a plane (P).

Also, the second locking part is located approximately diagonally opposite of the first locking part with respect to the center point (C) of the support member in order to provide to the second locking part the ability to unlock the device from the rock cavity where it has been placed previously and thus the second locking part is the antagonist position of the device of the present invention.

Advantageously, by being diagonally opposite with reference to the cam body, while the first end of the jacket is locked in the second locking part, the repartition of loads coming from the force applied by the user in order to eject the device from the rock cavity is optimal in order to ease the process of ejection.

Therefore, the first locking part being considered as support mode provides to its antagonist position the ability to the device for being easily ejected from its placement and recover the device in its optimal state. Thus, the device can be reused and said invention avoids leaving the device in the rock cavity as which sometimes happens with passive walnut nowadays.

Also, the first locking part and the center point (C) define an axis X-X' and said axis X-X' is the axis where opposite load are located while the device in the first position (support mode) or in the antagonist position (ejecting mode).

Then, the second locking part is adapted to lock the rotation of the jacket by engaging the first end ofthe jacket with the second locking part of the cam body as also performed when the first end of the jacket in the first locking part when the device is used as support mode.

In some embodiments, the first end of the jacket is adapted to be moved between the first locking part, the resting surface and the second locking part and allow slippage in between each position allowed by the device of the present invention when the handle is pressed and the cable released.

In a particular embodiment, the second locking part is located on the axis X-X' approximately in a range of [-20; +20] degrees with respect to the center point (C).

Preferably, as not being aligned with the center point of the support member when located in the first locking part, the second locking part and the first locking part are safe positions for locking the device and avoid any sliding of the support member from one position to the other without being properly intended by the user, that is by pressing the handle.

In a particular embodiment, the cable comprises a loop located at the opposite end of the first end of the cable and is configured to receive a load.

Additionally, the loop located at the opposite end of the first end of the cable provides to a user the ability to position the device in a rock cavity, place any type of rope or carabiner inside said loop and ease the removal of the device from the rock cavity.

Also, the loop located at the opposite end of the first end of the cable provides to a user the ability to place and remove the device with only one hand

In a particular embodiment, the cam body further comprises a shoulder located at the opposite side of the resting surface with respect to the cam body, wherein the shoulder is configured to lock the cam body into a rock cavity.

The shoulder of the cam body provides to the device a facility for being safely and tightly placed in a rock cavity until the change position from one locking part to another. In a particular embodiment, the cam body is wedge shaped.

In preferred embodiments, the cam body is wedge shaped and more particularly presents a shoulder and a curved support area.

Advantageously, the device presents an asymmetric shape which provides a more effective gripping and locking of the device inside the rock cavity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the invention will be seen more clearly from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment provided only by way of illustrative and non-limiting example in reference to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 This figure shows a three quarter view of a fixing device suitable for climbing according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 This figure shows an upper view of a fixing device suitable for climbing wherein the first end of the jacket is locked in the first locking part.

Figure 3a, 3b This figure shows a sectional view of one embodiment of the fixing device suitable for climbing.

Figure 4a, 4b This figure shows a sectional view of one embodiment of the fixing device suitable for climbing.

Figure 5 This figure shows a three quarter view of one embodiment of the fixing device suitable for climbing wherein the first end of the jacket is located on the resting surface.

Figure 6 This figure shows an upper view of the same embodiment wherein the first end of the jacket is located in the resting surface.

Figure 7 This figure shows a side view of one embodiment of the invention wherein the first end of the jacket is locked in the second locking part. Figure 8 This figure shows a side view of one embodiment of the invention wherein the first end of the jacket is located on the resting surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a fixing device (100) suitable for climbing and presents a cam body (1) connected to a first end of a cable (5). Said cable (5) is partially covered by a jacket (4) proximal to the first end of the cable (5) and further, the first end of the jacket (4.1) covering the first end of the cable (5) is the element directly connected to the cam body (1).

The device also presents a handle (6) fixed to the second end of the jacket (4) and covering another part of the cable (5). Then, the device shows a retainer (7) fixed at a predetermined distance from the first end of the cable (5) and said cable (5) is being partially covered by the jacket (4) and the handle (6). The remaining cable (5) surface located between the handle (6) and the retainer (7) is covered by a spring (9).

The spring is adapted to exert a separating force between the retainer (7) and the handle (6). In a resting position, the spring (9) is extended and the device is locked in the position as shown in the embodiment of Figure 1. In an actuated position, the spring is squeezed thanks to the actuation of the handle (6) and provokes that the spring (9) can compress until entering in contact with the retainer (7) if necessary.

Therefore, the cable (5) is completely covered and cannot be visibly seen by a user in the present position as shown in Figure 1. Once a user actuates the handle (6) in order to switch from one position of the cam body (1) to another, the cable (5) is visible until the first end of the jacket (4.1) is newly locked to the desired position.

The first end of the jacket (4.1) is securely engaged and locked in the first locking part (not shown in this figure) which presents a locking module adapted to lock and unlock the orientation of the first end of the cable (5), consequently the orientation of the first end of the jacket (4.1), in respect to the cam body (1). Thus, in other words, it exists a first position wherein the separating force of the spring (9) causes the first end of the jacket (4.1) to exert a force against the first locking part (not shown) engaging said first end of the jacket (4.1) to the first locking part (not shown) and then locking the orientation of the first end of the cable (5) in respect to the cam body (1) and it exists a second position wherein the handle (6) is approximated towards the retainer (7) causing the first end (4.1) of the jacket (4) to not be exerting force against the first locking part (1.2) allowing the first end of the cable (5) to rotate with respect to the cam body (1).

Furthermore, the device (100) presents a loop (8) located at the opposite end of the first end of the cable (5) and is configured to received load once a user placed the device (100) in a rock cavity and slide a rope or a ring inside said loop (8).

Also, the cam body (1) presents a shoulder (1.6) configured to lock the cam body (1) of the device (100) into a rock cavity. Said shoulder (1.6) provides to the device (100) a wedge shape which is used as a curved support area for resting over the rock of a rock cavity, crack or crevasse.

Additionally, the device (100) presents a locking module located in the first locking part (1.2) and is adapted to lock and unlock the orientation of the first end of the cable (5) in respect to the cam body (1).

Figure 2 shows an upper view of the same embodiment as shown in Figure 1 wherein the spring (9) and the jacket (4) are not shown. Thus, in Figure 2, the cable (5), normally covered by the spring (9) and the jacket (4), is now revealed.

Additionally, the cam body (1) of the device (100) comprises a first locking part (1.2), a support member (2) and a connecting groove (1.3). The support member (2) is adapted to be housed in a housing (not shown). In an embodiment, the support member (2) presents a prolongation adapted to slip on a guiding surface (not shown) such that the rotation ability of the support member (2) with respect to the cam body (1) has one degree of freedom.

In a preferred embodiment, the support member (2) is housed in the housing in a rotatable manner with respect to the cam body (1) and said support member (2) is configured to rotate around a center point (C) or, the first end of the cable (5) is rotatable fixed to the support member (2), wherein said first end of the cable (5) is configured to be rotatable around a center point (C).

In a more preferred embodiment, the support member (2) is a ball wherein the rotation ability with respect to the cam body (1) is with at least two degrees of freedom and more preferably with three degrees of freedom.

Figures 3a and 3b show a split upper view and a split sectional view of an embodiment of the cam body (1) of the device (100).

Figure 3a shows a split upper view of the cam body (1) where the support member (2) is shown outside of its housing (1.1) where it is normally located. The cam body (1) presents the first locking part (1.2), the connecting groove (1.3), a resting surface (1.4) and a second locking part (1.5).

The resting surface (1.4) is a second position which a user can select locking in. In the first position when the support member is locked in the first locking part (1.2), the device (100) is used as a passive walnut. Nevertheless, the device (100) provides to a user the ability to switch from said first position to a second position where the jacket (not shown in the Figure) is in contact and locked on the resting surface (1.4). In that case, and in order to switch from the first locking part (1.2) to the resting surface (1.4), the support member (2) rotates along the axis of the connecting groove (1.3).

Preferably, the support member (2) presents a pin having a rotation ability with respect to the cam body and has one degree of freedom. Said support member is defined by its center point (C).

In addition, an as shown in the sectional view of Figure 3b, the support member (2) is hollow in order to let the cable (not shown) to be introduced, fixed and locked in thanks to the locking module.

The second locking part (1.5) is a third selectable position from a user which provides the ability to eject the device (100) after being operative and avoid leaving the device (100) in the rock cavity, crack or crevasse. The second locking part (1.5) is connected to the first locking part (1.2) and the resting surface (1.4) through the connecting groove (1.3). Said second locking part (1.5) is located approximately diagonally opposite of the first locking part (1.2) with respect to the center point (C) of the support member (2).

Preferably, the second locking part (1.5) of the cam body is located on an axis X-X' approximately in a range of [-20; +20] degrees with respect to the center point (C).

Also, the cam body (1) presents a guiding surface (10) located on the inside faces of the connecting groove (1.3) and which provide support to the cable (5) when the user switch from one position to another by sliding said cable (5) through said connecting groove (1-3).

Figures 4a and 4b show the steps of the locking and unlocking from the position where the first end of the jacket (4.1) is located in the first locking part (1.2). In these particular Figures, the cable (5) in order to let the connection in between elements of the device (100) to be visible.

In Figure 4a, the first end of the jacket (4.1) is locked in position inside the first locking part (1.2) and connected to the support member (2) which means that the user in operating the device (100) in a support mode.

In Figure 4b, the first end of the jacket (4.1) is not in contact with the support member (2) which means that the user pressed the handle (not shown in this figure) and the spring is compressed in order to let the cable being slide throughout the connecting groove (1.3) and let the user choose between the second position or the third position,

Additionally, the first end of the jacket (4.1) presents a sleeve (3) which is adapted to reinforce the first end (4.1) of the jacket (4) and provides a secured fit while locking the jacket (4) in the first locking part (1.2). The sleeve (3) provides an additional force against the first locking part (1.2) which engages the sleeve (3) with said first locking part (1.2) and consequently lock the orientation of the first end of the jacket (4.1) with respect to the cam body (1). The sleeve (3) also provides the locking of the support member (2) fixed to the first end of the cable (4.1) in the housing (1.1) of the cam body (1). Additionally, the sleeve (3) avoids an excessive twisting of the cable (not shown), thus protecting said cable from premature wear and tear.

In a preferred embodiment, the jacket (4) has a semi-flexible structure allowing the cable to work under a tensile stress and also under a compression force, at least for unlocking the orientation of the cam.

Moreover, the sleeve (3) preferably shows a flat surface on the end that is shared with the first end of the jacket (4.1), that is the surface which enters in contact with the first locking part (1.2) of the cam body (1) in order to insure optimal locking of said sleeve (3) in the first locking part (1.2). Additionally, said flat surface of the sleeve (3) ensures the optimal fit of the first end of the jacket (4.1) in every available position provided by the device (100). In particular, the flat surface of the sleeve (3) enters in contact with the flat surface of the resting surface (1.4) when the anchoring mode is selected or the flat surface of the sleeve (3) enters in contact with the flat surface of the second locking part (1.5) when the ejecting mode is selected by the user.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment of part of the invention when the anchoring mode is selected by the user which is when the user pressed the handle (6) and slide the cable (not shown) from the support mode when the first end of the jacket (4.1) is locked in the first locking part (1.2) to the anchoring mode when the first end of the jacket (4.1) is in contact with the resting surface (1.4). In that case, the flat surface of the sleeve (3) is in contact with the flat surface of the resting surface (1.4). Also, in that position, the support member (2) which is housed in the housing (not shown) rotated around its center (C) and further rotates the first end of the jacket, and thus the cable covered by the jacket (4) and the handle (6) in order to be placed in the anchoring mode.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the anchoring mode is locked since the first end of the jacket (4.1) is in tight contact with the resting surface (1.4).

Additionally, in order to switch from the first locking part (1.2) to the resting surface (1.4), the support member, preferably the pin, enters in contact and is guided by the guiding surface (10) which ensures the rotation of the group of elements: the support member (2), the first end of the jacket (4.1), the jacket (4) and the handle (6), in the correct plane which is the plane (P), the plane of the connecting groove (1.3).

The correct alignment of the elements: the support member (2), the first end of the jacket (4.1), the jacket (4) and the handle (6), ensures the correct repartition of load when the device (100) is operating.

Figure 6 shows an upper view of the same embodiment shown in Figure 5 when the device (100) is in the anchoring mode. In that view, it shows the alignment of the group of elements: the support member (2), the first end of the jacket (4.1), the jacket (4) and the handle (6). Also, said Figure 6 shows the second locking part (1.5) which is preferably located approximately diagonally opposite of the first locking part (1.2) with respect to the center point (C).

Figure 7 depicts the embodiment when the device (100) is in the ejecting mode which is when the first end of the jacket (4.1) is placed in the second locking part (1.5) and the flat surface of the sleeve (3) enters in contact with the flat surface of the second locking part (1.5) ensuring the correct fit and locking the group of elements (3, 4, 4.1, 6).

In order to switch from the embodiment of the previous Figure 6 to the embodiment of the present Figure 7, the user previously pressed the handle (6) which results in a compression of the spring (not shown) and allowed the liberation of the cable (also not shown) by sliding the jacket (4) over said cable and in the direction opposite to the cam body (1). The diameter of the cable being smaller than the diameter of the jacket (4) and smallerthan the diameter of the connecting groove (1.3) permits the switching from the anchoring mode, when in contact with the resting surface (1.4) as shown in Figure 6, to the ejecting mode, when locked in the second locking part (1.5) as shown in Figure 7.

Figure 8 shows a three quarter view of the device (100) when in the anchoring mode, which is when the first end of the jacket (4.1) is in contact with the resting surface (1.4). Said Figure shows the perfect alignment of the jacket (4), the handle (6), the spring (9), the retainer (7) and the loop. These cited elements are also aligned in the axis of the support member when the pin consequently rotate from one position to another. In that particular positioning, the user could switch from the resting surface (1.4) to the second locking part (1.5) by pressing the handle (6) which consequently compress the spring (9) and liberate the cable (not shown) from the jacket (4).