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‘Lockclip’ stars on ABC TV – The New Inventors

04 April 2005

According to ‘The New Inventors’ official ABC TV website (www.abc.net.au/newinventors) the TV show searches for “Australia’s most amazing inventions and trend-setting designs.” Last week, the ‘Lockclip’ made a starring appearance on the popular TV show.

Working in partnership with the inventor of the Lockclip, CobaltNiche delivered the product design expertise to bring David Anstee’s vision to market.

The Lockclip (www.Lockclip.com) is a coupling device, with an attachment eye and a closure shaft, that can be used for connecting to a loop or line, for use in mountaineering, cave diving or other situations where a secure but releasable connection is necessary. The user can release the lock one-handed, whilst tension of the line or rope is still high.

Inspiration:
While doing a cave diving course in Mexico, David’s instructor presented him with a set of poor quality clips that he thought were unreliable and dangerous. For a sport that depends on the reliability of attachment to lines and ropes as a lifeline, David thought there must be a better, safer way.

How does it work?:
The invention is a coupling device, consisting of an attachment eye and a closure shaft that can be used for connecting to a loop or line. The clip can be used for securing lines in mountaineering, cave diving or other situations where a secure but releasable connection is necessary.

The unique feature of the clip is that the user can release the lock easily in any critical circumstance. What separates this lock from others is the core of its design, a push button release embedded in a tactile launchslider. This launchslider is easily accessed for ambidextrous operation, by cold hands and even by fingers protected by gloves. The launchslider cannot be accidentally pulled when in lock mode and cannot be accidentally opened, as the lock requires two-step user intervention. Firstly the user must connect and depress the push button and then ,whilst holding the push button, the user must glide the lauchslider downward.

While weighted the Lockclip can be released, especially in cases where you cannot lift your own load. In some cases, you might have to twist other standard clips 180 degrees to release a rope or line. Manoeuvrability using standard clips might not be possible, but the design of the Lockclip means the user can easily operate the clip in awkward position. The clip has what David refers to as ‘positive closure’, which means that the locking pin actually mates with the body of the closure.

The Lockclip will perform under the most extreme conditions and is made from machined Titanium plates on both sides, for strength, and to conceal internal parts for longevity. The launchslider is designed in a way that no dirt, grit or debris can isolate the part, making for a smooth action each time the user needs to glide down. Standard clips are difficult to hold and open especially with gloves on, locklip’s design means you can open the lock in adverse conditions with ease.

The Lockclip replaces standard stainless steel carabina or brass dogclips.

The Lockclip:
- Is releasable under tension
- Securely locks through pin male to female connections and stays locked due to two-step opening process
- Is ergonomically designed and easy to use when wearing gloves or if your fingers are cold.
- Conforming to standards Australia and Britain’s equivalent, the Lockclip has exceeded performance requirements of its competitors. David has used research gathered from Standards Australia as a guide

More information:
For more information about the Lockclip visit www.lockclip.com or contact David Anstee at info@lockclip.com.

Source: 2005 ABC, The New Inventors – Lockclip, http://www.abc.net.au/newinventors/txt/s1330922.htm, accessed 31 March.