Maillon
A maillon, maillon rapide or quick link is a metal link, similar to a carabiner.[1] Maillons have a threaded sleeve which tightens over a thread, as opposed to a hinged gate like a carabiner, making them stronger, but more difficult to use.[1]
The word maillon comes from the French language, meaning "link".[2]
Usage
[edit]Maillons are used primarily in climbing and caving. In caving, they are used to make secure and vital connections such as those required when using single rope technique,[3] or for attaching ropes to anchor points. In climbing, they are used to construct leave-in-place abseil anchors. Maillons can also be used for fastening harnesses with a dual attachment point.
Variations
[edit]- The length of the gate opening, and of the maillon itself, can be varied. Suppliers typically have a short and long (symmetrical) oval in their range, as well as other shapes.
- "D" maillon: the central component of a caving harness or single rope technique kit on which all items of equipment are attached. So called because it is shaped like the letter D.
- "Delta" maillon: a variation of the D maillon, the delta maillon is triangular in shape, rather than semi-circular.
References
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Maillons.
- 1 2 "Ten years in the dark - Glossary".
- ↑ "maillon". Collins Free French Online Dictionary. HarperCollins. Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
- ↑ http://www.cave-crag.co.uk/721/Maillon-Rapide-10mm-Semi-Circular.html[permanent dead link]
