| Name: | Petzl Am'D (plastic sleeve v1) |
| Sub Item: | Ball Lock |
| Category: | triple-action twist lock |
| Locking Type: | full-auto |
| Locks: | double |
| Unlock Style: | press-and-twist |
| Sleeve Rotation: | 45° (unlocked) | 45° (maximum) |
| Shape: | asymmetric D |
| Material: | aluminum |
| Profile: | flat |
| Nose: | keylock |
| Nose Guard: | none |
| Rivets: | domed |
| Gate Shield: | relieved: blocked |
| Weight: | 75.0 g |
| Dimensions: | Length: 110.42 mm Width: 63.10 mm Depth (basket end): 10.0 mm Gate Opening: 23.5 mm |
| Strength Ratings: |  28 kN |  7 kN |  8 kN |
| Other Markings: | Forged: PETZL Am'D Ball Lock Pat. | (ratings) Ⓚ (ce-logo) 0197 Stamped: 97037B [doubled] Injection Molded (recessed): (Petzl oval logo) (fingerprint texture) BALL LOCK PATENTED (fingerprint texture) |
| Batch Marking Location: | spine-left |
| Collection Criteria: | ★ Mechanically Interesting |
| Summary: | plastic sleeve button-lock |
| Description & Commentary: | Introduced in 1997, the Ball lock was Petzl's first triple action auto locking mechanism (predating the Triact), which operates quickly with a button press and 45 degree twist. The plastic sleeve has finger grooves with a molded fingerprint texture. The button protrudes significantly more than the metal sleeved version and I find it more difficult to depress fully. Petzl's similar manual locking Spinball was introduced later and uses a 120 deg twist. Differences from #1940: Ball Lock and UIAA |
| Relevant Patent: | US5608953 |
forged onto the spine, and not on the plastic sleeve. Batch marking is on the spine-left rather than spine-exterior. These differences suggest earlier production than 1940.