Latching S hook

Details Latching S hook Latching S hook

1999-07-23

2001-05-15

Brittain, James R. (Department: 3626)

Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.

Separable-fastener or required component thereof

Including member having distinct formations and mating...

Reexamination Certificate

active

06230375

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of connecting hooks, and, more particularly to a latching “S” hook of a type which may be typically used for attaching a trailer safety chain to a truck, for example, and in which the latch portion can be adapted to retrofit or upgrade an existing hook without weakening the hook. The structural design of the new hook keeps the latch closed even if the chain pulls against the latch, because the latch will strike against the hook in the closed position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Previous trailer hooks have taken a number of forms, with various benefits and disadvantages. The commonly used S hook, if not provided with a latch of some sort, is used with the risk that it can release from its connection site, simply due to bumps and vibrations which occur in normal use. Thus, some sort of mechanism, such as a latch, is needed to keep the trailer hitch or other connector secured within the open end of the hook. A variety of attempts have been made to address this need. In some cases adding a “keeper” latch to a hook requires replacing the entire hook. In other cases, adding a latch requires weakening the existing hook by drilling a hole through the hook material in order to fix or hold the latch on the hook.
The majority of known closing hooks are snap hooks, which are not of an “S” shape. Rather, they take the form of snap hooks with an eye formed through the hook at some point to connect the latch directly to the hook. Such structures are necessarily weak, because of the material integrity being disrupted by the formed eye. These known wire form hooks are not as strong as standard traditional trailer safety hooks and can pose a significant consumer safety risk.
There are also forged snap hooks presently on the market, which have a closed forged eye. However, these hooks require a secondary means of attachment in order to connect a chain to the eye. This additional requirement introduces an element of potential weakness, and entails greater expense.
One example of a known locking S hook is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,797,229, for an S hook with a connector link which engages opposed portions of the hook to cause resistance of a mutual spreading or parting under pulling forces. This function is quite different from that of the new latching S hook, as further described below.
Other known latching hooks are also less than perfect because they are structurally weak, will break down upon extended exposure to sunlight, and heat or extreme cold. Other known hooks with latches are designed such that the latch can inadvertently release if pushed by the chain or hook within the latching connecting hook. Thus, there has been a need in the market place for a durable latching hook which is suitable for uses requiring strength and movement, such as for connecting a trailer to a trailer hitch. The required hook must be strong, durable, and not subject to opening accidentally. Also, the latch portion of the new hook should be adaptable to or capable of being retrofit to existing “wire form” trailer safety hooks without damage to or weakening of the hook.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The new latching S hook is a wire-form S Hook with a spring latch formed of stamped metal and attached to the hook in a unique manner. The latch of the new hook is connected more or less as a cuff mechanism secured by squeezing it around a central portion of the hook and holding it in such a position with at least one brad (or a rivet, bolt, screw, or other securement device), which runs beneath the hook, from one side to the other of the latch sleeve. The moveable arm of the latch pivots away from the connecting sleeve to contact the free end of the S hook.
The latch described below does not require a specially designed hook, but rather can simply be attached to a known, standard “wire form” hook, such as a trailer safety hook or the like. This allows more flexibility of use of the product, since it can be utilized on hooks made by different manufacturers and retrofit or used to upgrade existing hook equipment. By contrast, known hook/latch designs require replacement of the whole hook, in order to add a safety latch, requiring extensive costs and time to accomplish the installation. This procedure also normally entails equipment being removed from use for a time. With the new hook, retrofitting or replacement of the latch can be done in the field in a matter of minutes, without the necessity of replacing the entire hook and latch assembly, and such potential latch replacement does not weaken the hook or chain assembly.
In order to connect the new latch to an S hook there is no need for drilling, welding or other weakening types of attachment to the hook. With addition of the new latch to an S hook, the hook's strength is not compromised in any way by the new latch, thus allowing for standard hooks to be used for any specific class of chain needed for a particular job.
The latch of the new hook described herein is formed of metal such a steel and thus is not prone to breakdown due to sunlight or exposure to environmental conditions, in contrast to known latches formed of rubber or plastic. Thus the new latch is very durable and the construction thereof is also inexpensive as compared to those formed by other possible methods, such as forging latching hooks. Further, inventory investment is decreased because the new latch can be used on existing trailer safety hook designs. No special hook is required to accommodate the new latch structure.
In view of the above shortcomings of the known art it is among the several objects of the present invention to provide a latch for a trailer safety hook and a latching S hook with such a latch, which latch and hook are durable, inexpensive to produce and facile to operate. It is further among the objects of the present invention, having the features indicated, that the new latch be useful for retrofitting to existing wire form hooks without weakening the hook and that the latch be mounted to the hook and structured so that when pushed upon by a chain or hitch within the new hook that the latch will not release, but will instead stay secure.
Accordingly, in view of the above goals and advantages, the present invention is, briefly, a latch for use on a S hook. The latch includes a cuff portion for mounting the latch on a S hook. The cuff portion has an elongated body with a first end and a second end, and a pair of walls extending longitudinally from the elongated body in the same direction as one another, to thereby flank a straight portion of the S hook when the latch is mounted in operative position on the S hook. A lever of the latch has a first end and a second end, and is lever pivotally connected at the first end thereof to the first end of the elongated body of the cuff portion. The second end of the lever is free and positioned inside of an open end of the S hook when the latch is mounted in operative position on the S hook and a spring mechanism is connected to the latch to thereby bias the latch lever away from the latch cuff portion and against the internal aspect of the open end of the S hook.
These and other goals and advantages of the new latching S hook will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinbelow.


REFERENCES:
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