New Titanium Prototype from Suncor:

Comparison with existing 'biners

CAD Drawings and explaination of features:

Bead-Lock Carabiner in "locked" condition
 

Bead-Lock Carabiner in "unlocked" condition
 

Bead-Lock Carabiner - Open

For Rotating Image Click HERE
 

     This Bead-Lock Carabiner has a unique combination of Gate, Torsion Spring and Sleeve (bead lock). The torsion spring is utilized for closing the Gate as well as retaining the bead lock in either un-locked or locked modes. The tip of the carabiner hook has a flared and expanded shoulder that is concentric to the bead lock and of equal or slightly larger diameter to the bead lock. This protects the bead lock from contacting external objects  from a direction  which could force the bead lock from the locked position. The latching mechanisim of gate end to hook can be of conventional methods which would allow the gate side to bear some of the load on the carabiner in the locked or unlocked position. As drawn, there is a simple complimentery overlap of gate end and hook tip that would allow for load bearing of the gate if the bead lock is in the locked mode where it overlaps both hook end and gate end. Also as drawn, the the carabiner body has increased cross-sectional mass on the fixed side and an assymetric geometry which would allow for load to be directed primarily to this side.

     This design allows for the carabiner to be easily attached and removed with a one handed and quick operation when the carabiner is in the unlocked mode. After attachment, a simple one handed function of sliding the bead into the locked position locks the carbiner. If the carabiner is attached in the locked mode, a simple onehanded two step procedure is used to remove the carabiner: 1- unlock, 2- open gate and remove.

     The bead lock's travel on the gate is limited by a longitudinal flat under cut on the gate where a dimpled section of the bead lock or pressed stop pin in the bead lock is present without interference. Interference occurs if an attempt is made to slide the bead lock beyond the flat under cut.