Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Combined diverse multipart fasteners – Hook
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-17
2001-03-06
Sakran, Victor N. (Department: 3725)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Combined diverse multipart fasteners
Hook
C024S338000, C024S600900, C024S716000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195851
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The preset invention relates to hooks for supporting retractable roof coverings used on greenhouses. More specifically, the invention relates to such hooks which have are designed to separate the roof covering and/or any reinforcing tape material from the suspension wire and a locking means to prevent unfastening and to increase the hook's holding capacity.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In greenhouses, it is common for the roofs to be retractable and made of a fabric covering which can be pleated or folder Such roof coverings are typically made of woven polyethylene or polypropylene and are suspended, by means of hooks, from wires or rods extending along the top of the greenhouse. Normally, such hooks are connected to a reinforcing tape which is then attached to the roof fabric.
In greenhouses having such a fabric roof covering, it is common for wind to cause the roof covering material to billow or flap thereby causing that part of the covering or reinforcing tape material which is joined to the book to rub against the suspending rod or wire, which, in turn, damages such material due to abrasion. Hooks having a means of separating the fabric from the wire have been proposed but involve a complicated method of assembly or use. Further, since many of the known hooks do not have a locking means, it is also common for such hooks to be disengaged from the supporting rod or wire or for the roof covering to slip off. In addition, those hooks that do have a locking means can only be locked on site which, as discussed below, results in various disadvantages.
Various hooks have been proposed to address these individual problems; however, no one device has provided an adequate solution to both.
For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,776 (which is commonly owned with the present invention), there is described a hook having an integral separator. Although such hook achieves the stated purpose, the means for attaching the hook to the reinforcing tape of the roof covering requires manual manipulation of the pin in a plane perpendicular to that of the hook. Due to the required strength of the hook material, such manipulation is rendered difficult.
Another disadvantage with this hook is that the locking of the pin prevents both the roof covering as well as the suspension wire from being disengaged. Thus, the pin may only be locked after the hook is attached to the suspension wire thereby causing the manipulation of the pin to be more difficult since it must be done onsite and overhead. Further, the Red manipulation of such hook makes it difficult to design a machine to perform the required manipulations.
Therefore, a need exists for an improved hook for roof coverings and the like which overcomes the disadvantages of the known devices.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention provides a hook for suspending a fabric roof covering from a support, said hook comprising:
a generally planar C-shaped body, having front and rear ends, said body being defined by first and second opposed members and a third member connecting said first and second members, said first, second and third members defining a cavity with an opening on the front end of the body; and,
a pin extending from the first member, said pin extending away from said opening and towards the rear end of the body;
wherein said third member includes a means for locking the pin and wherein said means for locking the pin faces the rear end of the body.
REFERENCES:
patent: 0025082 (1859-08-01), Pollak
patent: 2357478 (1944-09-01), Koch
patent: 3561037 (1971-02-01), Hachtel
patent: 4464813 (1984-08-01), Bakker et al.
patent: 4691416 (1987-09-01), Nakayama et al.
patent: 5469607 (1995-11-01), Henningsson et al.
patent: 5761776 (1998-06-01), Vollebregt
patent: 2626748 (1977-12-01), None
patent: 1188738 (1959-09-01), None
patent: WO 9212621 (1992-08-01), None
Brochure: LS Americas Accessories, P.O. Box 19548, Charlotte, NC 29219.
Durning Daniel
Vollebregt John
Chari Santosh K.
Orange & Chari
Sakran Victor N.
Volco Inc.
LandOfFree
Hook with locking means does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Hook with locking means, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hook with locking means will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2516798