Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Hook – hoistline – or grab type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-04
2001-07-31
Cherry, Johnny D. (Department: 3652)
Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
Hook, hoistline, or grab type
C294S066100, C294S097000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267424
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to grappling hooks. More specifically, this invention relates to a grappling hook arrangement which is light, robust and which can be folded into a compact arrangement that can be readily transported to and from a site at which entry/exit use is desired.
2. Description of the Related Art
Under specialized conditions such as encountered in tactical operations such as Mounted Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT), for example, the ability to be able to hurl a grappling hook up onto a roof or a high structure such as a building, tower or the like, is essential. However, currently available grappling hooks are heavy and cumbersome, and the entering/exiting of a site, such as a high building, can deteriorate into a debacle if there is a need to make multiple throws before a good hold is achieved. As will be appreciated, the above type of tactical operations require speed and stealth and the time needed to make a number of throws and to tolerate the noise produced by a throw which misses and clatters to the ground, can spell the difference between success and failure.
The ability to store the devices in a backpack or the like and to be able to carry this type of equipment to the site of use is also vital. Accordingly, the weight of a grappling hook must be small and the device highly compact to permit a person to carry it along with other equipment such as considerable lengths of rope, etc. However, the distribution of the weight is also important to ensure a good flight path after being propelled into the air.
A clear need for a lightweight, compact piece of equipment which can be hand thrown or fired from a launching device, therefore exists, especially under the above types of conditions. This need has not been satisfied by currently commercially available units.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is, in light of the above, directed to providing a light weight grappling hook which is suited for entry/exit of sites such as buildings, fences, towers and the like.
The present invention is further directed to providing a light weight grappling hook which can be folded into a compact arrangement suitable for easy transport to and from the site of use.
In addition to the above, the present invention is directed to providing a light weight grappling hook which can be fired from a device such as a grenade launcher, and which remains folded into its compact form until such time as it is in flight toward a target.
Still further, the present invention is directed to providing a light weight grappling hook which has blades which can be pivotally deployed from a folded state and which are shaped and/or serrated in a manner which provides maximum grip on surfaces such as concrete/steel and the like from which buildings are often made.
The present invention is also directed to providing a light weight grappling hook which has multiple applications and which can be fired or manually thrown to a target area and/or used to breach trip wires, antipersonnel and tilt-rod type anti-tank mines.
Additionally, the present invention is directed to providing a light weight grappling hook which has a flexible shaft and which facilitates getting good engagement even when the device does not have a 90° bite and which tends to eliminate the need to make second or third throws to obtain proper placement of the device.
In brief, in order to achieve the above objects a small head member is provided with a plurality of arms or blades which are serrated and/or provided with cutting surfaces/edges. A shaft which is connected to the head can be either rigid or flexible. In the case that the shaft is flexible, achieving a hold on surfaces which might otherwise be difficult, is facilitated. The arms or blades themselves are each pivotally supported on pairs of pins and can be spread from folded storage positions and locked in position prior to deployment, or can be spring biased so that spreading is achieved en route to the target.
More specifically, a first aspect of the invention resides in a grappling hook comprising: a head member; first and second pins; an arm pivotally mounted on the first pin, said arm being formed with a curved slot in which the second pin slides; and a shaft operatively connected with said head member.
The invention is further designed such that the head member is formed with a slot and wherein the arm has an end portion received in the slot, and wherein the head member has a manually operable locking device which allows the arm to be selectively locked in a predetermined position.
The invention further features biasing means for biasing the arm to pivot from a position wherein it is essentially parallel with the shaft, to a position wherein it is essentially perpendicular to the shaft. Another feature is that the shaft can be flexible and includes a connector at a lower end for connection with a rope or strap.
In instances where the invention is to be launched from a powered device, the arm can be provided with a hook member which is adapted to clip onto the mouth of a barrel of the launching device.
Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of an elastomeric sleeve which fits over a barrel of a device which launches the grappling hook toward a selected target. This sleeve has a toroidally shaped recess which extends about the barrel and which receives an end of the arm that is distal from the first and second pins and which retains the arm in a position wherein it is essentially parallel with the shaft until such time as the grappling hook is launched from the barrel.
In order to improve the grip and engagement on surfaces such as encountered in urban terrain, for example, the arm is provided with a plurality of serrations along a lower edge portion thereof. To complement this, the arm is provided with a first sharp cutting edge along an upper edge portion thereof to enable in-flight cutting of objects which are encountered along the way. In addition to the above, a second sharp cutting edge formed at a free end edge of the arm is provided, the first and second sharp cutting edges forming two sharp points which dig into surfaces engaged thereby.
A second aspect of the invention resides in a grappling hook comprising: a head member having a plurality of arm receiving slots; a plurality of arms respectively received in the plurality of slots, each of the arms having a round hole and a curved slot formed therein; a plurality of first and second pins, each of the first pins being disposed through a round hole formed in each of the arms, and each of the second pins being received in a curved slot formed in each of the arms, each of the slots being so dimensioned that when the arms assume a first folded position, each of the second pins is located at or proximate a first end of the respective slots, and when the arms are swung out from the first folded position to a second unfolded position, the second pins are located at or proximate a second end of the respective slots; and a shaft operatively connected with the head member, the shaft being rigid and flexible.
This second aspect, of course, also features locking means for locking the arms in their respective second unfolded positions. This locking means can also include a locking aperture formed in each of the arms.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1295076 (1919-02-01), Sherman et al.
patent: 2887980 (1959-05-01), Madden
patent: 3021812 (1962-02-01), Swails
patent: 3651777 (1972-03-01), Ehrlichmann
patent: 3766878 (1973-10-01), Hogue
patent: 4133569 (1979-01-01), Pavack et al.
patent: 4379580 (1983-04-01), Staempfli
patent: 4702507 (1987-10-01), Medendorp
patent: 151053 (1920-09-01), None
patent: 409995 (1945-03-01), None
Cherry Johnny D.
McDermott & Will & Emery
LandOfFree
Compact grappling hook particularly adapted for... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Compact grappling hook particularly adapted for..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Compact grappling hook particularly adapted for... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2559689