Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Separable-fastener or required component thereof – Including member having distinct formations and mating...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-29
2002-03-26
Sakran, Victor N. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Separable-fastener or required component thereof
Including member having distinct formations and mating...
C024S11500R, C024S11500R, C024S598500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06360408
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a hook latch mechanism used to attach various cordage loops such as leashes, cables, ropes, rigging or like restraining devices; a protective sleeve covers the hook opening to prevent slippage of the cordage loop off the hook, wherein a spring loaded ball detent lock arrangement is employed to lock the sleeve over the hook opening preventing the cordage loop from slipping off the hook. The sleeve is quickly moved from the hook opening by depressing the ball lock, while simultaneously sliding the sleeve to uncover the hook opening to remove the cordage loop.
BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
Hook latches or like devices come in various sizes and configurations and are used in numerous applications to connect various cordage. Means of retaining the cordage loop onto the hook to prevent slippage, are spring loaded pivot retainers which bridge the hook opening, leaf spring retainers fastened at one end and butted up against the hook point to bridge the hook opening, bolted retainers which bridge the hook opening, spring loaded sliding pins used to bridge opening, locking chain links to bridge the hook opening, and short steel cables with I-bolts used to bolt the cable across the hook opening.
Hook latches require various methods of removing the bridge across the hook opening, and in some cases these retainer bridges interfere with the cordage loop making it difficult to remove the hoop from the hook. In the leaf spring concept, the leaf spring must be depressed out of the way, to remove the cordage loops off the hook, thus requiring both hands to accomplish the task. The bolt on type retainer bridge require that the bolts be removed before the bridge across the hook is removed.
Our invention provides a means to easily install and remove the cordage loop from the hook by depressing two ball detent while sliding the sleeve away from the hook opening, to remove or install cordage loop. The sliding cylindrical bridge is fitted to external surface of the cylindrical hook body and is easily slid away from the hook opening.
SUMMARY
Our new hook latch ball sliding sleeve retainer is designed for adaptation on all existing hook latch devices used in the industry, and can be easily retrofitted.
The general object of our invention is to secure various cordage loops over the hook latch from slipping off with the use of the ball lock sliding sleeve retainer, and to provide a quick, and safe means of disengaging the sleeve from the hook opening. The hook latch consists of six basic parts, comprising a swivel yoke (bail) permanently attached to the main cylindrical body of the lifting hook by a threaded means. A cylindrical sleeve fitted closely to the round body of the hook to cover the hook opening of said cordage loop. Two steel balls loaded by a singular compression spring engages the holes provided in the cylindrical sleeve to lock said sleeve to the said main cylindrical body of the lifting hook to cover the hook opening thus preventing slippage of the cordage loop off of the hook. A groove imbedded along the axis of the hook body provides a means to guide the sleeve and maintain alignment of the sleeve with the hook body, and ball locking mechanism.
By depressing the said locking balls manually to disengage said balls from the holes in said cylindrical sleeve and in the same motion sliding the cylindrical sleeve away from the hook opening the cordage loop may be lifted off the hook.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
Accordingly, a number of objectives and advantages of our invention follows.
To provide a means of sliding the said cylindrical sleeve covering the hook opening to remove the cordage loop without interference from the said sleeve. Prior art requires that the spring loaded hook covering be held away from the hook opening with one hand while attempting to remove the cordage loop from the hook.
To provide a means of inserting the cordage loop onto the hook opening free of encumbrances as used in prior art such as hook shackles, spring loaded pivoting hook bridges to cover the hook opening, bolted hook opening bridges, and chains to cover the hook opening, and like methods.
To provide a sure lock of the cylindrical sleeve over the hook opening with the spring ball lock arrangement used to prevent the cordage loop from slipping off the hook.
To provide a means to quickly slide said cylindrical sleeve away from the hook opening to remove the cordage loop from the hook regardless of the tension applied on the cable. The cylindrical sleeve is independent of the tension on our hook latch invention, and is permanently held in position onto the said cylindrical hook body by means of a groove and detent arrangement, which further prevents rotation of the cylindrical cylinder with respect to the said cylindrical body.
To provide a swivel means of the bail shackle to permit the hook assembly to rotate freely without twisting the cable.
Further objectives and advantages of our invention will become apparent from the considerations of the drawing and the ensuing description.
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Dykstra Penelope Rae
Moses Molly Jo
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