| Name: | DMM Wirelock |
| Category: | non-locking |
| Shape: | asymmetric D |
| Material: | aluminum |
| Gate Material: | multi: integrated aluminum & steel components |
| Profile: | hollow-trap |
| Nose: | reverse keylock |
| Nose Guard: | full |
| Rivets: | domed |
| Gate Shield: | none |
| Weight: | 44 g |
| Dimensions: | Length: 100 mm Width: 60 mm Depth (basket end): 8.74 mm Gate Opening: 23 mm |
| Strength Ratings: |  24 kN |  9 kN |  10 kN |
| Other Markings: | Forged: DMM | (ratings) Stamped: 0120 CE AAM |
| Batch Marking Location: | spine-exterior |
| Collection Criteria: | ★ Manufacturing, Engineering, or Design |
| Summary: | reverse keylock twisted wiregate |
| Description & Commentary: | The DMM Shield attempts to create a keylock wiregate carabiner but misses the mark somewhat. The twisted gate captures a small button, which provides the latching interface with blind keyway in the carabiner nose. The wiregate retains the traditional smooth feel of wiregate operation, but the twisted gate eliminates the easy clipping of a typical wiregate's flat-front if used on the rope end of a quickdraw. Employing the DMM Shield on the bolt side of quick draws, personal anchors etc would mitigate this downside, but the bulky nose may still cause issues. The DMM Shield is a first generation clean-nose wiregate, and it is difficult to see any significant benefits compared with modern designs such as the Wild Country Helium (same size nose) or Camp Dyon (smaller nose, lighter). This example is from the first generation of DMM Shields - it was later released with a lighter body updated using more advanced hot-forging techniques. |
| Relevant Patent: | US8108975 |