ISC introduces a unique and incredibly safe new karabiner gate mechanism to market in 2006.

Denny Moorhouse, the Chairman at International Safety Components in the UK and world renowned 'Wizard of Iron' started a project in 2004 to find a Karabiner gate that would not easily open when in contact with a rope under tension.

In the UK the Health and Safety Executive investigated the possibility that a rope under tension could inadvertently activate a twistlock (2,3,or 4-way) gate creating a potential hazard.

What was needed was a simple solution that would be strong, effective and easy to use. As the international Arborist industry had already identified this problem there have been attempts to provide a solution including karabiners with lockable gates, but most have proven to be too weak under load especially across the gate or in minor axis.

The new Springlock mechanism, whose gates are manufactured from super high strength aluminium alloy, combines 2 loosely rotating sleeves that act in opposition to each other. Regardless of whichever direction the rope slides against the barrel it cannot open the gate as the second barrel must be pushed in the opposite direction to open the gate. In addition, the rotating gates drastically reduce the chances of a rope generating the friction required to open the gate. The design also considerably improves the gate face and the minor axis loads as the gate hinges are completely encased. Trials have already found that although users find the gate opening action, strange at first most get used to it very quickly even with one hand!