Petzl Am'D Ball Lock (plastic sleeve v2)

Petzl
Am'D Ball Lock (plastic sleeve v2)

Name:Petzl Am'D (plastic sleeve v2)
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 g
Dimensions:Length: 110 mm
Width: 65 mm
Gate Opening: 23 mm
Strength Ratings:Major Axis: 28 kN | Minor Axis: 7 kN | Gate Open: 8 kN
Other Markings:Forged: PETZL Am'D Pat. | (ratings) CE0197
Injection Molded: (Petzl oval logo) (fingerprint texture) BALL LOCK PATENTED Ⓚ
Stamped: 02088H
Batch Marking Location:spine-exterior-left
MSRP:$17.50 (2004)
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.

This version lacks the Ball Lock and UIAA k-circle #1939 has forged onto the spine. It has them on the plastic sleeve instead. Batch marking is on the spine-exterior (read correctly when the gate faces left) rather than spine-left. These differences suggest later production than 1940.

Relevant Patent:US5608953