{{Short description|Climbing equipment, similar to a carabiner}} 300px|thumb|A maillon with the gate open and closed. A '''maillon''', '''maillon rapide''' or '''quick link''' is a metal link, similar to a carabiner.<ref name="tenyearsinthedark">{{Cite web | url=http://www.cavinguk.co.uk/book/index.php?chapter=15 | title=Ten years in the dark - Glossary}}</ref> Maillons have a '''threaded sleeve''' <!--target of redirect--> which tightens over a thread, as opposed to a hinged gate like a carabiner, making them stronger, but more difficult to use.<ref name="tenyearsinthedark" /> Like carabiners, maillons are available in a range of shapes and thicknesses (i.e., strengths), and often offer greater versatility over carabiners as their different shapes and lack of hinged gates allow them to be used in multi-directional load situations.<ref name="hitchnhike">{{Cite web |url=http://www.hitchnhike.co.uk/acatalog/maillon_rapides.html |title=Maillon Rapides |access-date=2011-01-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721000614/http://www.hitchnhike.co.uk/acatalog/maillon_rapides.html |archive-date=2011-07-21 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
The word ''maillon'' comes from the French language, meaning "link".<ref>{{cite web | title = maillon | url = http://www.collinslanguage.com/results.aspx?context=6&reversed=True&action=define&homonym=0&text=maillon | work = Collins Free French Online Dictionary | publisher = HarperCollins | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110722021138/http://www.collinslanguage.com/results.aspx?context=6&reversed=True&action=define&homonym=0&text=maillon | archivedate = 2011-07-22 | accessdate = 2014-05-05 }}</ref>
== Usage == Maillons are used primarily in climbing and caving. In caving, they are used to make secure and vital connections such as those required when using single rope technique,<ref name="c&c">http://www.cave-crag.co.uk/721/Maillon-Rapide-10mm-Semi-Circular.html{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> or for attaching ropes to anchor points. In climbing, they are used to construct leave-in-place abseil anchors. Maillons can also be used for fastening harnesses with a dual attachment point.
== Variations == * The length of the gate opening, and of the maillon itself, can be varied. Suppliers typically have a short and long (symmetrical) oval in their range, as well as other shapes. * "D" maillon: the central component of a caving harness or single rope technique kit on which all items of equipment are attached. So called because it is shaped like the letter D. * "Delta" maillon: a variation of the D maillon, the delta maillon is triangular in shape, rather than semi-circular. {{clear}}
== References == {{commons category|Maillons}} {{Reflist}} {{Climbing navbox}} Category:Climbing equipment Category:Caving equipment