Author: claimsbot

1. A method for increasing a RNA interference (RNAi) effect of a molecule or composition that reduces expression of a selected gene or genes by RNA interference in cell(s) or an organism comprising
contacting the cell(s) or organism with (1) a first active component comprising an amount of one or more sulfated polysaccharides andor glycosaminoglycans that is effective to enhance the RNAi effect of a molecule(s) or a composition and (2) a second active component comprising a molecule(s) or a composition that reduces expression of a selected gene or genes by RNA interference.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the cell(s) or organism is contacted with the first active component
(i) before or after contacting the cell(s) or organism with the second active component,
(ii) simultaneously with contacting the cell(s) or organism with the second active component, or
(iii) before, simultaneously with andor after contacting the cell(s) or organism with the second active component.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting comprises applying or spraying the second active component and the effective amount of the first active component onto the target cell(s) or target organism or on food for the target organism.
4. A method for protecting plants or foodstuffs or substances from pest infestation or pathogen infection comprising
contacting the plant or the soil on which the plant is rooted, or foodstuff or substance with (1) a first active component comprising an amount of one or more sulfated polysaccharides andor glycosaminoglycans that is effective to enhance the RNAi effect of a molecule(s) or a composition and (2) a second active component comprising a molecule(s) or a composition that reduces expression of a selected gene or genes by RNA interference.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the plant or the soil on which the plant is rooted, or foodstuff or substance is contacted with the first active component
(i) before or after contacting the plant or the soil on which the plant is rooted, or foodstuff or substance with the second active component,
(ii) simultaneously with contacting the plant or the soil on which the plant is rooted, or foodstuff or substance with the second active component, or
(iii) before, simultaneously with andor after contacting the plant or the soil on which the plant is rooted, or foodstuff or substance with the second active component.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the contacting comprises applying or spraying the second active component and the effective amount of the first active component onto the plant or foodstuff or substance.
7. A method for treating a plant infection by a pathogen or plant infestation by a pest comprising
contacting the plant or the soil in which the plant is rooted with (1) a first active component comprising an amount of one or more sulfated polysaccharides andor glycosaminoglycans that is effective to enhance the RNAi effect of a molecule(s) or a composition and (2) a second active component comprising a molecule(s) or a composition that reduces expression of a selected gene or genes by RNA interference.
8. A method for increasing crop yield or reducing a decline in crop yield that results from pest infestation andor pathogen infection comprising
contacting the plant or the soil wherein the plant is rooted with (1) a first active component comprising an amount of one or more sulfated polysaccharides andor glycosaminoglycans that is effective to enhance the RNAi effect of a molecule(s) or a composition and (2) a second active component comprising a molecule(s) or a composition that reduces expression of a selected gene or genes by RNA interference.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the plant or the soil on which the plant is rooted is contacted with the first active component
(i) before or after contacting the plant or the soil on which the plant is rooted with the second active component,
(ii) simultaneously with contacting the plant or the soil on which the plant is rooted with the second active component, or
(iii) before, simultaneously with andor after contacting the plant or the soil on which the plant is rooted with the second active component.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein the contacting comprises applying or spraying the second active component and the effective amount of the first active component onto the plant or onto the soil wherein the plant is rooted.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first active component is as recited in claim 20 and the second active component comprises at least one RNA molecule of which at least a portion is a double-stranded (dsRNA) molecule.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first active component is as recited in claim 20 and the second active component is as recited in claim 20.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first active component and the second active component are combined in a composition as recited in claim 20.
14. A method for protecting a human or an animal from pest infestation or pathogen infection comprising
administering to the human or animal (1) a first active component comprising an amount of one or more sulfated polysaccharides andor glycosaminoglycans that is effective to enhance the RNAi effect of a molecule(s) or a composition and (2) a second active component comprising a molecule(s) or a composition that reduces expression of a selected gene or genes by RNA interference.
15. A method for treating a pest infestation or pathogen infection of a human or an animal, comprising administering to the human or animal an effective amount of
(1) a first active component comprising an amount of one or more sulfated polysaccharides andor glycosaminoglycans that is effective to enhance the RNAi effect of a molecule(s) or a composition, and
(2) a second active component comprising a molecule(s) or a composition that reduces expression of a selected gene or genes by RNA interference.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the human or animal is administered the first active component
(i) before or after administering the second active component to the human or animal,
(ii) simultaneously with administering the second active component to the human or animal, or
(iii) before, simultaneously with andor after administering the second active component to the human or animal.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the administering comprises topical, parenteral, enteral, transdermal, cutaneous, subcutaneous, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular or oral administration.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein the first active component is as recited in claim 20 and the second active component is as recited in claim 20.
19. The method of claim 14, wherein the first active component and the second active component are combined in a composition as recited in claim 20.
20. A composition comprising
a first active component comprising an amount of one or more sulfated polysaccharides andor glycosaminoglycans, wherein the amount of one or more sulfated polysaccharides andor glycosaminoglycans is effective to increase the RNAi effect of a molecule(s) or a composition on a selected gene or genes and
a second active component comprising one or more prokaryotic cells or eukaryotic cells or host organisms that express double-stranded RNA molecule(s) that reduce expression of a selected gene or genes by RNA interference (RNAi) in a target cell or target organism.
21. The composition of claim 20, wherein the first active component is a composition of one or more sulfated polysaccharides andor glycosaminoglycans.
22. The composition of claim 20, wherein the first active component is dextran sulfate.
23. The composition of claim 20, wherein the first active component is fucoidan.
24. The composition of claim 20, wherein the first active component is heparin.
25. The composition of claim 22, wherein the dextran sulfate has an average molecular weight of between 8 and 40 kilodaltons.
26. The composition of claim 20, wherein the one or more prokaryotic cells or eukaryotic cells or host organisms express at least one RNA molecule of which at least a portion is a double-stranded (dsRNA) molecule.
27. The composition of claim 20, wherein the one or more prokaryotic cells or eukaryotic cells or host organisms comprise at least one expression vector that expresses at least one RNA molecule of which at least a portion is a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecule.
28. The composition of claim 26, wherein the dsRNA molecule is a dsRNA molecule consisting of at least two separate strands, an siRNA molecule or a hairpin molecule.
29. The composition of claim 27, wherein the expression vector comprises at least one regulatory sequence operably linked to the nucleotide sequence encoding the at least one RNA molecule.
30. The composition of claim 20, wherein the prokaryotic cell is a bacterial cell chosen from the group comprising Gram positive and Gram negative cells comprising Escherichia spp. (e.g. E. coli), Bacillus spp. (e.g. B. thuringiensis), Rhizobium spp., Lactobacilllus spp., and Lactococcus spp.
31. The composition of claim 30, wherein the bacterial cell is inactivated by heat or by chemical treatment.
32. The composition of claim 20, wherein the eukaryotic cell is chosen from the group comprising mammalian cells and non-human mammalian cells.
33. The composition of claim 20, wherein the eukaryotic cell is a yeast cell.
34. The composition of claim 20, wherein at least one strand of the dsRNA comprises a nucleotide sequence that is complementary to a portion of the nucleotide sequence of a selected gene or genes from the target cell or target organism.
35. The composition of claim 20, wherein said gene or genes is essential for the viability, growth, development or reproduction of the target cell or target organism.
36. The composition of claim 20, wherein said gene or genes in the second active component comprises (a) the sequence of any of SEQ ID NOs 1 to 6, (b) the RNA equivalent thereof, (3) the complement of (a) or (b), or a fragment of any of (a) to (c) consisting of at least 17 contiguous nucleotides of any of (a) to (c).
37. The composition of claim 20, wherein the target organism is a pest species, a pathogen species, or a cell thereof.
38. The composition of claim 37, wherein said pest species or pathogen species is a fungus, an insect or a nematode.
39. A composition comprising
a first active component comprising an amount of dextrane sulfate having a molecular weight between 5 and 2000 kDA, preferably between 8 and 40 kDa, wherein the amount of dextrane sulfate is effective to increase the RNAi effect of a molecule(s) or a composition on a selected gene or genes and
a second active component comprising at least one RNA molecule of which at least a portion is a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecule.
40. The composition of claim 39 wherein the at least one RNA molecule in the second active compound is as recited in claim 28.
41. The composition of claim 20, wherein the first active component is present in an amount of 0.000001% to 99% by weight of the composition (WW), preferably 0.00001% to 99% by weight (WW), more preferably, 0.0001% to 99% by weight (WW), still more preferably 0.0002% to 99% by weight (WW).
42. The composition of claim 20, wherein the second active component is present in an amount of 0.0000000001% to 99% by weight (WW) of the composition, preferably 0.000000001% to 99% by weight (WW), more preferably 0.00000001% to 99% by weight (WW).
43. A kit comprising
a first container containing an amount of a first active component comprising one or more sulfated polysaccharides andor glycosaminoglycans as recited in claim 20, wherein the amount of one or more sulfated polysaccharides andor glycosaminoglycans is effective to increase the RNAi effect of a molecule(s) or a composition, and
a second container containing a second active component comprising a molecule(s) or a composition that reduces expression of a selected gene or genes by RNA interference (RNAi) in a target cell or target organism as recited in claim 20.
42. A method for making a RNAi composition comprising combining
a first active component comprising an amount of the one or more sulfated polysaccharides andor glycosaminoglycans as recited in claim 20, wherein the amount of one or more sulfated polysaccharides andor glycosaminoglycans is effective to increase the RNAi effect of a molecule(s) or a composition on a selected gene or genes, and
a second active component comprising a molecule(s) or a composition that reduces expression of a selected gene or genes by RNA interference (RNAi) in a cell or organism as recited in claim 20, to make a RNAi composition.
43. A medicament comprising an effective amount of:
(1) a first active component comprising an amount of one or more sulfated polysaccharides andor glycosaminoglycans that is effective to enhance the RNAi effect of a molecule(s) or a composition, wherein said first active compound is recited claim 20, and
(2) a second active component comprising a molecule(s) or a composition that reduces expression of a selected gene or genes by RNA interference, wherein said second active compound is recited in claim 20.
44. The medicament of claim 43 which is formulated for topical, parenteral, enteral, transdermal, cutaneous, subcutaneous, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular or oral administration.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of employing a Rake receiver in a wireless radio access system to a radio uplink link which results in a significant increase in data transference in a spread modulation signal, the method comprising:
(a) receiving a spread modulation signal and presenting it to a plurality of Rake fingers, wherein each Rake finger processes the spread modulation signal, each Rake finger delaying the spread modulation signal by a differing amount of time;
(b) multiplying the delayed spread modulation signal with a first reference signal producing a control bit signal;
(c) multiplying the delayed spread modulation signal with a second reference signal producing a data signal;
(d) delaying said data signal producing a delayed data signal;
(e) multiplying said delayed data signal with weights produced by a frequency offset estimator and a complex weight gain generator to produce a first set of data; and
(f) summing the outputs of all of the Rake fingers, producing data symbols and control bit symbols.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the frequency offset estimator performs a frequency offset estimation determined by averaging blocks of pilot signals.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein said frequency offset estimation is determined using a sliding window averaging algorithm.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein said frequency offset estimation is determined using a recursive filter.
5. A Rake receiver used in a wireless communications system, the Rake receiver comprising:
(a) means for receiving a spread modulation signal and presenting it to a plurality of Rake fingers, wherein each Rake finger processes the spread modulation signal, each Rake finger delaying the spread modulation signal by a differing amount of time;
(b) means for multiplying the delayed spread modulation signal with a first reference signal producing a control bit signal;
(c) means for multiplying the delayed spread modulation signal with a second reference signal producing a data signal;
(d) means for delaying said data signal producing a delayed data signal;
(e) means for multiplying said delayed data signal with weights produced by a frequency offset estimator and a complex weight gain generator to produce a first set of data; and
(f) means for summing the outputs of all of the Rake fingers, producing data symbols and control bit symbols.
6. The receiver of claim 5 wherein the frequency offset estimator performs a frequency offset estimation determined by averaging blocks of pilot signals.
7. The receiver of claim 5 wherein said frequency offset estimation is determined using a sliding window averaging algorithm.
8. The receiver of claim 5 wherein said frequency offset estimation is determined using a recursive filter.
9. A wireless receivertransmitter unit (WTRU) used in a wireless communications system, comprising:
(a) means for receiving a spread modulation signal and presenting it to a plurality of Rake fingers, wherein each Rake finger processes the spread modulation signal, each Rake finger delaying the spread modulation signal by a differing amount of time;
(b) means for multiplying the delayed spread modulation signal with a first reference signal producing a control bit signal;
(c) means for multiplying the delayed spread modulation signal with a second reference signal producing a data signal;
(d) means for delaying said data signal producing a delayed data signal;
(e) means for multiplying said delayed data signal with weights produced by a frequency offset estimator and a complex weight gain (CWG) generator to produce a first set of data; and
(f) means for summing the outputs of all of the Rake fingers, producing data symbols and control bit symbols.
10. The WTRU of claim 9 wherein the frequency offset estimator performs a frequency offset estimation determined by averaging blocks of pilot signals.
11. The WTRU of claim 10 wherein said frequency offset estimation is determined using a sliding window averaging algorithm.
12. The WTRU of claim 10 wherein said frequency offset estimation is determined using a recursive filter.
13. A Rake receiver used in a wireless communications system, the Rake receiver comprising:
(a) a first combiner;
(b) a second combiner; and
(c) a plurality of Rake fingers for receiving and processing a spread modulation signal, each Rake finger comprising:
(i) a first despreader having a first input for receiving the spread modulation signal, a second input for receiving a pilot signal and an output for outputting despread pilot symbols;
(ii) a second despreader having a first input for receiving the spread modulation signal, a second input for receiving a data signal and an output for outputting despread data symbols;
(iii) a data bit processor having an input for receiving the despread pilot symbols and an output for outputting processed pilot symbols to be combined in the first combiner with other similarly processed pilot symbols outputted by other ones of the Rake fingers;
(iv) a frequency offset estimator having an input for receiving the despread pilot symbols and an output for outputting a frequency offset estimation signal;
(v) a complex weight gain generator in communication with the output of the first despreader and the output of the frequency offset estimator, the complex weight gain generator having a first input for receiving the despread pilot symbols, a second input for receiving the frequency offset estimation signal, and an output for outputting weighted symbols;
(vi) a delay element in communication with the output of the second despreader for delaying the despread data symbols, the delay element having an output for outputting the delayed despread data symbols; and
(vii) a multiplier in communication with the output of the delay element and the output of the complex weight gain generator, the multiplier having a first input for receiving the delayed despread data symbols and a second input for receiving the weighted symbols and outputting processed data symbols to be combined in the second combiner with other similarly processed data symbols outputted by other ones of the Rake fingers.
14. The Rake receiver of claim 13 wherein the pilot signal comprises a dedicated physical common channel (DPCCH).
15. The Rake receiver of claim 14 wherein the first despreader outputs despread DPCCH symbols.
16. The Rake receiver of claim 13 wherein the data signal comprises a dedicated physical data channel (DPDCH).
17. The Rake receiver of claim 16 wherein the second despreader outputs despread DPDCH symbols.
18. The Rake receiver of claim 14 wherein the data bit processor outputs transmit power control (TPC) and feedback information (FBI) used for closed loop transmission diversity.
19. An integrated circuit (IC) which processes spread modulation signals, the IC comprising:
(a) an input for receiving a spread modulation signal;
(b) a first combiner;
(c) a second combiner; and
(d) a plurality of Rake fingers for receiving and processing a spread modulation signal, each Rake finger comprising:
(i) a first despreader having a first input for receiving the spread modulation signal, a second input for receiving a pilot signal and an output for outputting despread pilot symbols;
(ii) a second despreader having a first input for receiving the spread modulation signal, a second input for receiving a data signal and an output for outputting despread data symbols;
(iii) a data bit processor having an input for receiving the despread pilot symbols and an output for outputting processed pilot symbols to be combined in the first combiner with other similarly processed pilot symbols outputted by other ones of the Rake fingers;
(iv) a frequency offset estimator having an input for receiving the despread pilot symbols and an output for outputting a frequency offset estimation signal;
(v) a complex weight gain generator in communication with the output of the first despreader and the output of the frequency offset estimator, the complex weight gain generator having a first input for receiving the despread pilot symbols, a second input for receiving the frequency offset estimation signal, and an output for outputting weighted symbols;
(vi) a delay element in communication with the output of the second despreader for delaying the despread data symbols, the delay element having an output for outputting the delayed despread data symbols; and
(vii) a multiplier in communication with the output of the delay element and the output of the complex weight gain generator, the multiplier having a first input for receiving the delayed despread data symbols and a second input for receiving the weighted symbols and outputting processed data symbols to be combined in the second combiner with other similarly processed data symbols outputted by other ones of the Rake fingers.
20. The IC of claim 19 wherein the pilot signal comprises a dedicated physical common channel (DPCCH).
21. The IC of claim 20 wherein the first despreader outputs despread DPCCH symbols.
22. The IC of claim 19 wherein the data signal comprises a dedicated physical data channel (DPDCH).
23. The IC of claim 22 wherein the second despreader outputs despread DPDCH symbols.
24. The IC of claim 19 wherein the data bit processor outputs transmit power control (TPC) and feedback information (FBI) used for closed loop transmission diversity.

1. A method for closing a hole in a vessel, comprising:
a. inserting through the hole an implantable closure device having proximal and distal ends and being expandable from a collapsed state to an expanded state, the expanded state providing a geometry sufficient to substantially occlude the hole;
b. inserting a distal portion of an elongate guiding member through the hole and into a vascular lumen formed by the vessel; and
c. controllably expanding the implantable closure device to the expanded state to occlude the hole, while leaving the distal portion of the elongate guiding member extending into the vascular lumen.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising inserting an introducer sheath through the hole, the introducer sheath defining an introducer lumen sized to accommodate insertion of the collapsed state of the closure device.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein inserting comprises advancing the implantable closure device relative to the hole with a deployment member having a proximal portion configured for manual manipulation and a distal portion configured to be removably coupled to the implantable closure device.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising controllably moving the collapsed closure device relative to the deployment member to place the closure device into a geometric configuration relative to the vascular lumen that is selected to prevent withdrawal of the closure device back out of the hole.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein controllably moving comprises rotating the collapsed closure device relative to the deployment member to place the closure device into a rotated orientation selected to prevent withdrawal of the closure device back out of the hole when the deployment member is withdrawn.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein controllably moving comprises translating the collapsed closure device relative to the deployment member to place the closure device into compression against a portion of the deployment member.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein translating causes the collapsed closure device to controllably rotate to a rotated orientation selected to prevent withdrawal of the closure device back out of the hole.
8. The method of claim 2, further comprising advancing an assembly of a delivery sheath and collapsed implantable closure device, at least a portion of which is removably positioned within the introducer lumen, to a deployment position within the vascular lumen wherein reconfiguration of the implantable device from the collapsed state to the expanded state is desired, and maintaining the position of the collapsed implantable device while retracting the delivery sheath to expose the collapsed implantable device to the vascular lumen.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising selecting the deployment position based at least in part upon an indication from a bleedback indicator channel.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising urging the expanded implantable closure device toward the hole, wherein the expanded state is configured to contact at least 90 degrees of an inner surface of the vessel adjacent the hole relative to a longitudinal axis of the vascular lumen, and to restrict fluids from exiting the vascular lumen through the hole.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the closure device is a self expanding structure configured to expand itself from the collapsed state to the expanded state when not restrained in the collapsed state.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein controllably expanding comprises moving a portion of a deployment tensile element relative to the self expanding structure to allow the self expanding structure to expand itself to the expanded state.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the closure device expanded state forms a substantially cylindrical shape defining a lumen therethrough.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the elongate guiding member comprises a guidewire.
15. The method of claim 3, wherein inserting the elongate guiding member through the hole comprises advancing the elongate guiding member through a lumen defined through the deployment member.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the elongate guiding member is removably coupled to the implantable closure device.
17. The method of claim 3, further comprising decoupling the deployment member from the implantable closure device while leaving the distal portion of the elongate guiding member extending into the vascular lumen.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising engaging the elongate guiding member to re-enter the vascular lumen in an over-the-wire configuration.
19. The method of claim 17, further comprising removing the elongate guiding member from the vascular lumen.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein at least the distal portion of the elongate guiding member comprises a radioopaque material selected to be visible with fluoroscopic imaging.
21. The method of claim 1, wherein the implantable closure device is inserted through the hole before the elongate guiding member.
22. The method of claim 1, wherein the elongate guiding member is inserted through the hole before the implantable closure device.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the implantable closure device is inserted through the hole and over the elongate guiding member in an over-the-wire configuration.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. An anti-balling system configured to be used with a crampon to prevent balling and snow accumulation during snow and ice climbing, the system comprising:
a) a plate, attached to the bottom of the crampon, having a lower surface formed of a thermoplastic material configured to prevent sticking of snow or ice to the lower surface of the plate, and thus to the crampon; and
b) the plate further including at least one loop integrally formed at a front of the plate configured to receive a front point of the crampon to attach the plate to the crampon.
2. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lower surface of the plate further includes a plurality of protrusions extending therefrom forming a plurality of raised sections and a plurality of edges forming a nonskid surface configured to prevent the lower surface of the plate from sliding with respect to another object.
3. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plate is configured to be removably attachable to the crampon.
4. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plate is rigid.
5. An anti-balling system configured to be used with a crampon to prevent balling and snow accumulation and to prevent sliding or skidding during snow and ice climbing, the system comprising:
a) a plate, attached to the bottom of the crampon, having a lower surface formed of a thermoplastic material configured to prevent sticking of snow or ice to the lower surface of the plate, and thus to the crampon; and
b) a plurality of raised sections, formed on the lower surface of the plate and extending therefrom, formed of a thermoplastic elastomer or urethane material different from the thermoplastic material of the plate forming a nonskid surface configured to prevent the lower surface of the plate from sliding with respect to another object.
6. A system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the lower surface of the plate further includes a plurality of protrusions extending therefrom forming the plurality of raised sections and a plurality of edges forming the nonskid surface configured to prevent the lower surface of the plate from sliding with respect to another object.
7. A device in accordance with claim 5, wherein the plate is configured to be removably attachable to the crampon.
8. A system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the plate is rigid.
9. An anti-balling system configured to be used with a crampon to prevent balling and snow accumulation during snow and ice climbing, the system comprising:
a) a crampon having a bottom and a plurality of points extending downwardly therefrom to form an interior space, including at least one front point extending generally downwardly and forwardly;
b) a plate, attached to the bottom of the crampon, having a lower surface formed of a thermoplastic material configured to prevent sticking of snow or ice to the lower surface of the plate, and thus to the crampon; and
c) the plate further including at least one loop integrally formed at a front of the plate and receiving the at least one front point of the crampon to attach the plate to the crampon.
10. A system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the crampon further includes side points on either thereof, the side points each including an aperture therethrough; and wherein the plate further includes apertures on either side thereof located to align with the apertures of the side points; and further comprising fasteners extending through the apertures in the side points and the apertures in the plates to attach the plate to the crampon.
11. A system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the lower surface of the plate further includes a plurality of protrusions extending therefrom forming a plurality of raised sections and a plurality of edges forming a nonskid surface configured to prevent the lower surface of the plate from sliding with respect to another object.
12. A system in accordance with claim 9, further comprising:
a plurality of sections, formed on the lower surface of the plate, formed of a material different from the material of the plate forming a nonskid surface configured to prevent the lower surface of the plate from sliding with respect to another object.
13. A system in accordance with claim 9, further comprising:
a plurality of raised sections, formed on the lower surface of the plate and extending therefrom, formed of a thermoplastic elastomer or urethane material different from the thermoplastic material of the plate forming a nonskid surface configured to prevent the lower surface of the plate from sliding with respect to another object.
14. A system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the plate is removably attachable to the crampon.
15. A system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the plate is rigid.
16. A method for attaching an anti-balling plate to a crampon, the method comprising the steps of:
a) providing a crampon having a bottom and a plurality of points extending downwardly therefrom to form an interior space, including at least one front point extending generally downwardly and forwardly, and side points each having an aperture extending therethrough;
b) providing an anti-balling plate having a lower surface formed of a thermoplastic material configured to prevent sticking of snow or ice to the lower surface of the plate, and thus to the crampon, and having at least one loop integrally formed at a front of the plate and apertures formed in sides thereof;
c) positioning the plate at the bottom of the crampon and sliding the at least one front point of the crampon through the at least one loop of the plate to secure the front of the plate to the front of the crampon;
d) aligning the apertures of the plate with the apertures of the side points; and
e) securing the sides of the plate to the sides of the crampon by inserting fasteners through the apertures in the side points and the apertures in the plate.
17. A method in accordance with claim 16, further comprising:
removing the plate from the crampon by removing the fasteners and sliding the front point back out of the loop.
18. An anti-balling system configured to be used with a crampon to prevent balling and snow accumulation during snow and ice climbing, the system comprising:
a) a crampon having a bottom and a plurality of points extending downwardly therefrom to form an interior space;
b) a plate, attached to the bottom of the crampon, having a lower surface formed of a material configured to prevent sticking of snow or ice to the lower surface of the plate, and thus to the crampon; and
c) a bail, attached to the crampon, to secure a user’s boot to the crampon, and having an end portion to secure the plate to the crampon.
19. A system in accordance with claim 18, wherein the crampon further has a center strap connecting front and rear rails; and wherein the plate further includes a loop to receive the center strap therethrough to further attach the plate to the crampon.
20. A system in accordance with claim 18, wherein the plate is rigid.
21. A system in accordance with claim 18, wherein the plate is formed of a thermoplastic material.
22. A method for attaching an anti-balling plate to a crampon, the method comprising the steps of:
a) providing a crampon having a bottom and a plurality of points extending downwardly therefrom to form an interior space, and having a bail attached thereto to secure a user’s boot to the crampon;
b) providing an anti-balling plate having a lower surface formed of a material configured to prevent sticking of snow or ice to the lower surface of the plate, and thus to the crampon;
c) positioning the plate at the bottom of the crampon; and
d) securing the plate between the crampon and an end portion of the bail.
23. A method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the crampon includes a center strap connecting front and rear rails; and wherein the plate has at least one loop to receive the center strap therethrough; and further comprising the step of:
sliding the center strap of the crampon through the at least one loop of the plate to secure the plate to the crampon.
24. An anti-balling system configured to be used with a crampon to prevent balling and snow accumulation during snow and ice climbing, the system comprising:
a) a rigid plate, attached to the bottom of the crampon, having a lower surface formed of a material configured to prevent sticking of snow or ice to the lower surface of the plate, and thus to the crampon.
25. A system in accordance with claim 24, wherein the plate is formed of a thermoplastic material.