FINSTERWALDER AND CHARLY HKar130 Paralock 3 Paragliding Carabine Instruction Manual

FINSTERWALDER AND CHARLY HKar130 Paralock 3 Paragliding Carabine

Product Information

Paragliding Carabiner
Paralock 3| A universal air sports carabiner for mono and tandem use
Paragliding Carabiner| A carabiner designed specifically for paragliding
HKar130| Product model number for the Paralock 3 Paragliding
Carabiner

Product Usage Instructions

1. Caution: It is strongly recommended that the Paralock should not be operated during the approach unless a water landing is unavoidable. The Paralock should also remain closed during flight unless the reserve is fully deployed.

2. To install the Paralock on the harness, follow these steps:

3. The lock of the Paralock must be closed. Only then can the release lever be unblocked by moving the securing pin.

4. Unlock the release lever: Grasp the release button with three fingers and turn it counter-clockwise a quarter of a turn until it stops. This will pull the knob bolt out of the hole. The release lever is now free and you can swivel it upwards against friction and spring force in an anti-clockwise direction.

5. Once the securing pin has been removed, unlock the lock of the Paralock by turning the release lever upwards as far as it will go.
   You can now open the unloaded lock fully by hand against the spring force. In this position, it remains open and you can attach the harness or risers.

6. The Paralock is suitable for paraglider risers with a width of up to 26 mm. To attach the risers, open the lock completely. Then place it on the lever bearing and bring it into the locking position.

7. To close and lock the Paralock, turn the release lever to the upper stop and release it so that it snaps shut and locks into place. The knob bolt will slide over the ramp and automatically secure the lever.

8. When using the Paralock on a paraglider with a speed system, it is strongly recommended to install a system that automatically disconnects the speed system when the Paralock is released. Suitable separation systems are available from the FINSTERWALDER & CHARLY webshop.

OVERVIEW

Operating limitations

Breaking load: 2,800 DaN (1 DaN corresponds to approx. 1 kg)
Working load limit: 1 20 DaN
Replacement interval from commissioning: 8 years mono, 5 years tandem When using the Paralock on a paraglider with a speed system, it is strongly recommended to install a system that automatically disconnects the speed system when the Paralock is released. Suitable separation systems are available from the FINSTERWALDER & CHARLY webshop

Intended use

• The Paralock is a universal air sports carabiner for mono and tandem use, which allows a quick separation between the pilot’s harness and the glider, even under load. This separation can be useful and life-saving in many situations:
• Disconnecting the paraglider after deploying the reserve prevents unwanted interaction between the paraglider and the reserve. This avoids a dangerous down-plane configuration or pendulum and shearing movements between the paraglider and the reserve.
• A paraglider separated on one side or completely allows you to take advantage of the lift-generating lateral drift of modern reserve parachutes. The drift significantly reduces the rate of descent, increases the deceleration distance in an inclined impact and reduces the forces on the spine.
• The ability to select a landing site with a steerable reserve is an important safety feature. If the paraglider is not disconnected, this option is not used.
• A rescue option is available in the event of a landing in surf and flowing water.
• The paraglider/reserve can be disconnected after landing in strong winds or when hanging in trees.
• A paraglider that has been disconnected will collapse very quickly and is easy to recover.
• Caution: It is strongly recommended that the Paralock should not be operated during the approach unless a water landing is unavoidable. The Paralock should also remain closed during flight unless the reserve is fully deployed.

Functionality of the securing pin

• When the Paralock is closed, the securing pin can be moved along the axis by gripping it firmly with two fingers and it will lock in two positions. Moving the securing pin towards the release knob will block the release lever. When the Paralock is open, the securing pin cannot be moved. This prevents the securing pin from being operated before the release lever snaps shut and locks into place.
• Caution: The blockage of the securing pin when the Paralock is open can be overcome and damaged by the use of force. Therefore, do not attach anything to the securing pin to make it easier to operate.

Installation of the harness

• To install the Paralock on the harness, the securing pin can be removed without tools. Proceed as follows:

1. The lock of the Paralock must be closed. Only then can the release lever be unblocked by moving the securing pin.
2. Unlock the release lever: Grasp the release button with three fingers and turn it counter-clockwise a quarter of a turn until it stops. This will pull the knob bolt out of the hole. The release lever is now free and you can swivel it upwards against friction and spring force in an anti-clockwise direction.
3. Hold the lever in a swung-out position of approximately 30°. In this position, you can push the securing pin completely out of the Paralock (Fig. 1).
4. Once the securing pin has been removed, unlock the lock of the Paralock by turning the release lever upwards as far as it will go. You can now open the unloaded lock fully by hand against the spring force. In this position, it remains open and you can attach the harness or risers. When the Paralock is under load, pulling on the risers will open the lock at approximately 80° of deflection of the release lever. It may be necessary to make a shaking movement to release the risers when the lock is open.
5. To reinsert the securing pin, close the lock and swing the release lever upwards until the hole for the securing pin is free. When reinserting the securing pin, ensure that the side of the pin with the two grooves is inserted first.

Suitable harnesses

• The Paralock is suitable for all straps, as long as they fit into the harness strap chamber below the securing pin. 45 mm wide straps are folded over to reduce their width. The loops of the main suspension of the harness must be at least 28 mm long to allow the Paralock to pass through. The harness is hooked in with the release lever pointing towards the pilot, i.e. to the right for right-handed pilots and to the left for left-handed pilots (Fig. 2). Some harnesses (e.g. Advance’s Impress) have a separate suspension for the cocoon. This can be attached above the securing pin as long as it does not apply a lateral load of more than 100 DaN to the Paralock. If the paraglider is equipped with a speed system, an appropriate separation link should be installed.
• Operation and release test after installation on the pilot’s harness
• The function test must be carried out by hanging it near the ground. Check that the release lever can rotate freely. The separation link’s release line must not be under tension when the speed system is at full travel.
• Caution: The Paralock is not designed to be released frequently under full load as this may cause excessive wear on the knob bolt. Such wear will not occur if the Paralock is activated after an emergency deployment or after landing, as the Paralock is then largely unloaded. Replacing a worn knob bolt is straightforward and is described later in this manual.

Attaching the risers

• The Paralock is suitable for paraglider risers with a width of up to 26 mm. To attach the risers, open the lock completely. Then place it on the lever bearing and bring it into the locking position (Fig. 3).
• To close and lock the Paralock, turn the release lever to the upper stop and release it so that it snaps shut and locks into place. The knob bolt will slide over the ramp and automatically secure the lever.
• Caution: The correct sliding and engagement of the knob bolt must be routinely checked by pressing against the release lever!

Modes of operation

• Depending on personal preference, the Paralock can be used in two different operating modes:

Operation with unblocked release lever

• Unlike conventional carabiners, it is not possible to launch with a riser caught in the lock. The Paralock’s lock is either securely closed or fully open. When it is open, the pilot remains on the ground. When you release the lever from the open position, the
• Paralock locks automatically, and after checking that the knob bolt is securely engaged by applying counter-pressure, the Paralock is secured and ready for flight. It is not possible to unlock it by simply pushing against the release button. Additional securing of the release lever is thus not required. The securing pin remains in the open position on the side opposite the release lever. The connection can then be released at any time without delay, even when wearing gloves. This mode of operation is recommended for safety training, in developing emergency situations, or for ground handling of the paraglider in strong winds.

Operation with blocked release lever

• Most paraglider pilots rarely find themselves in a situation where they need to deploy their reserve or disconnect from the glider under load Fig. 4.
• Towing with the Paralock Towing requires the use of a towing adapter or a towing release with an integrated towing adapter.
• For them, the advantage of the Paralock, apart from its ease of use and long replacement interval, is that they do not need to carry an emergency knife. If you are uncomfortable with the Paralock’s quick-release feature, you should use the blocking option of the release lever. In tandem use, however, the blocking of the release lever is mandatory in any case. It is part of the
• Paralock’s security concept is that the securing pin can only be operated by gripping it with two fingers. With a little practice, blocking and unblocking can usually be done in seconds, even when wearing gloves. Unintentional operation of the securing pin, while the release lever is snapping shut, is impossible with this mode of operation, as this would require the use of a second hand.
• Caution: Blocking the release lever is no substitute for routinely checking that the knob bolt slides and engages properly!

Care and maintenance

• The hard anodized bearing of the release lever is virtually maintenance-free. In case of soiling, acid-free oils or greases, e.g. WÜRTH HSS Lube, can be used as a lubricant. When the lever is deflected 30-45°, it should reliably return to the locked position when released.

Replacing the knob bolt

1. Remove the Phillips screw from the release button.
2. Carefully unlock the release lever and turn it out.
3. Hold the knob and eject it by turning the release button.

• Caution: Carefully tighten the Phillips screw during assembly to avoid damaging the thread in the plastic.

Dismounting the lock

• Push out the locking joint axle, taking care not to lose the ball inside the joint.
• Removing and reinstalling the release lever to clean the release lever bearing

1. Unscrew the spring cover on the release lever bearing with a 3 mm hex wrench.
2. Remove the leg spring.
3. Push the 2 mm hollow splint into the spring chamber. The release lever can now be removed.
4. To secure the lever, insert the hollow splint from the outside and allow it to protrude 1 mm.
5. Insert the lower arm of the leg spring into the hole of the hollow splint and tighten and hook in the upper arm as shown in

Fig. 5. Provided that the lower arm of the leg spring is correctly seated in the hole of the hollow splint (and not next to it), the release lever should now be under tension when it is turned. Finally, press the hollow splint in until it is flush.

• Version 09/2023
• The latest version is available at: www.finsterwalder-charly.de
• Finsterwalder GmbH
• Charly Produkte
• Pagodenburgstr. 8
• 81247 Munich
• GERMANY
• Phone +49 89 8116528
• E-mail office@finsterwalder-charly.de
• Website www.finsterwalder-charly.de Webshop shop.finsterwalder-charly.de

References

• Die Domain charly.de steht zum Verkauf
• Finsterwalder & Charly Webshop
• News - finsterwalder-charly.de

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)  >>

Download This Manual (PDF format)

Download this manual  >>