BD belay device similar to GriGri?

I don't suppose anyone has heard of BD coming out with a lock-assist belay device that looks kinda like a GriGri? I haven't kept up with gear development as close as I used to, but was rather surprised to run across a patent application assigned to BD entitled "Systems for Assisted Braking Belay with a Cam-Clutch Mechanism" with these pics:

google.com/patents/US201402…

Patent US20140262611A1 pic 1

Patent US20140262611A1 pic 2

EDIT: Looks like there's similar pics in another patent application entitled "Systems for Assisted Braking Belay with a Lever Disengagement Mechanism", also assigned to BD:

google.com/patents/US201402…

Nice work, you may get that detective badge sooner than you think cracking cases like this.

So.... Sarcastic response and I missed news from the latest OR (quite possible), or serious reply and this actually is news? I honestly can't tell which! :)

Either way, I was simply killing time on Google Patents and stumbled across it.

I don't think they've released any info on such a device, but I don't think anyone should be too surprised to hear they are working on one.. Frankly I'm surprised they haven't released one yet. Petzl, Trango, Mammut, Edelrid, Wildcountry, and the ClickUp people all have some version of auto/assisted belay devices. Aside from BD are they any major companies that don't have such a product?

That's cool
It seems to have almost the same features as an Edelrid Eddy!

On a side note, notice the Priority Date on the patent application.... 14 March 2013. This has been kicking around for at least 2 years, so there's likely physical specimens being tested. Hence thinking this might be old news... So... Anyone have pics? :)

Christopher Gibson wrote: as well as re-engaging the brake if the belayer cranks the lever back to far.

That's a tricky technology to get right. The Petzl ID has this feature and it completely sucks. The thing inadvertently engages all the time when I dont want it to, so much so that Petzl actually installed an override button on the handle (which also doesent work that well).

I wouldn't be surprised if this didn't make it past the concept stage. Using a pulley with a centrifugal clutch as a backup way to engage the cam is a really neat idea, but it means lots of small moving parts which won't do anything for reliability, manufacturability, cost, or weight. I'd be a bit leary about using anywhere dirty or cold, where the clutch could get jammed (although even with a jammed clutch it should arguably not be any worse than a grigri). If it does go into production my guess is that it'll be aimed at liability conscious gyms and the like.