The present invention pertains to snap-hooks or similar apparatus used for securing and suspending workers and, more particularly, to a linkless apparatus for use therewith allowing direct connection of different attachment mechanisms without need of an intermediate attachment link.
Locking snap-hooks and similar devices are well known and are used in myriad service industries. Such devices are widely used by workers in at least the electric utility, arborist and construction industries.
Most snap-hook or similar devices in use today feature locking mechanisms. Locking apparatuses have innumerable design variations. Each design, however, has as its main objective providing a snap-hook that is easily snapped into place, but which will not prematurely or unintentionally release. Although most snap-hooks work reasonably well, some hook mechanisms work better than others.
Further, snap-hook devices currently in use have an eye at an end of a body member for threading through and attaching various devices, ropes or webbings.
The present invention provides a linkless connection apparatus that is incorporated into the body of a locking snap-hook design. A unique configuration of the snap-hook body member allows direct connection of different attachment mechanisms without need of an intermediate attachment link.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,722,943, entitled SAFETY HOOK and issued to John Kalua, Jr. on Mar. 27, 1973, a safety hook release mechanism is illustrated which has a recessed actuator. The purpose of this recessed actuator is to release the end portion of the keeper member, thus opening the hook apparatus. This apparatus reflects the need to recess the release mechanism, so as to prevent accidental or incidental opening of the keeper member. The aforementioned KALUA safety hook has several disadvantages. The release trigger is a single acting member, thus presenting greater opportunity for accidental or inadvertent actuation. Additionally, the keeper member of KALUA opens outwardly, creating greater opportunity for the keeper to be snagged or damaged.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,564, entitled LOCKING SNAP-HOOK and issued to James J. Rullo et al. on Dec. 3, 1996, a safety hook is shown wherein the keeper member opens inwardly in relation to the hook eye, a distinction that provides safety advantages over the KALUA patent. This Rullo et al. actuation is dependent on the simultaneous depression of interacting grips. Except for a small, oval aperture in a sidewall member, all internal mechanisms are shielded.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,230,375 for LATCHING S HOOK, issued May 15, 2001 to Timothy J. Catlett discloses an add-on latch for use with an S-hook wherein one end of the S-hook is enclosed by the latch body.
U.S. Design Pat. Nos. D407,300 and D444,052, both for LATCHING S HOOK and issued Mar. 30, 1999 and Jun. 26, 2001 to Timothy J. Catlett, disclose a design for an add-on latch for use with an S-hook wherein one end of the S-hook is enclosed by the latch body
None of these patents, taken singly or in any combination are seen to teach or suggest the novel linkless apparatus of the present invention.
The snap-hook of the present invention features a unique body member configuration allowing direct attachment of different attachment mechanisms directly to the body member without need of an intermediate connection link.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a linkless attachment for use with snap-hooks or similar devices. Snap-hooks typically include a locking mechanism and release mechanism requiring the simultaneous depression of interacting grips. The keeper grip member of the hook apparatus functions in a dual-purpose capacity. It forms the eye of the hook loop, and it functions as one of the grip members of the release mechanism. Further, the body member features an open attachment loop terminating in a slot, whereby various attachment devices may interchangeably be added to the novel linkless snap-hook at the time of its assembly.
A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent detailed description, in which:
The present invention features a locking snap-hook for workers in service industries. The locking snap-hook apparatus has dual-actuated, simultaneously active release grips. It's unique body member allowing selective attachment of different attachment mechanisms without need for an intermediate linking mechanism.
Referring first to
The materials used to fabricate the body portion 102 of locking snap-hook 100 are preferably forged or stamped heat-treated metal.
Referring now also to
Referring now also to
Body member 202 differs significantly from body member 102. While body member 102 has a closed loop 106 formed at the proximal end 108 thereof, body portion 202 has an open loop portion 204 disposed at proximal end 206. Open loop portion 204 is connected to a slot 208 disposed at a rear side of open loop portion 204 and extending therefrom towards the distal end of body portion 202 and terminating at an opening 210. Opening 210 and slot 208 are sized and configured so that a loop 300a . . . 300c (
Referring now also to
Conventional wisdom has limited the design of attachment loops (e.g., eyelet attachment 106 of snap-hook 100) to closed loops to maximize the strength of the attachment point. The novel design of body member 202, including open loop portion 204 and slot 208, uses material having inherent strength as well as careful size and orientation choices for slot 208 and opening 210 such that snap-hook 200 formed from body member 202 can meet all applicable safety standards currently in force.
While a particular locking snap-hook incorporating the novel body portion configuration has been chosen for purposes of disclosure, it will be recognized by those of skill in the art that the body portion design concepts may be applied to bodies for other types of snap-hooks or similar devices. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to the particular locking snap-hook chosen for purposes of disclosure. Rather, the invention is considered to include any type of locking or non-locking snap-hook or any similar device that may benefit from including an interchangeable attachment apparatus.
Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the examples chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.
Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.
This patent application is related to a Continuation-In-Part U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/417,674, filed Apr. 3, 2009 and is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,564 for LOCKING SNAP-HOOK issued to Rullo, et al. on Dec. 3, 1996, both are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1879167 | Freysinger | Sep 1932 | A |
3317972 | Harley | May 1967 | A |
3722943 | Kalua, Jr. | Mar 1973 | A |
3949451 | Bunn | Apr 1976 | A |
5579564 | Rullo et al. | Dec 1996 | A |
5664304 | Tambornino | Sep 1997 | A |
5735025 | Bailey | Apr 1998 | A |
D407300 | Catlett | Mar 1999 | S |
5896630 | Smith et al. | Apr 1999 | A |
5937490 | Mihailovic | Aug 1999 | A |
6161264 | Choate | Dec 2000 | A |
6230375 | Catlett | May 2001 | B1 |
D444052 | Catlett | Jun 2001 | S |
6283523 | Simond | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6283524 | Simond | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6718601 | Choate | Apr 2004 | B1 |
6898829 | Loe et al. | May 2005 | B2 |
7353572 | Claus et al. | Apr 2008 | B2 |
7437806 | Lin | Oct 2008 | B2 |
7636990 | Choate | Dec 2009 | B1 |
8007015 | Coulombe | Aug 2011 | B2 |
20080104809 | Lin | May 2008 | A1 |
20080174130 | Lin | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20080184540 | Coulombe | Aug 2008 | A1 |
20090049663 | Hong | Feb 2009 | A1 |
20110138587 | Walker et al. | Jun 2011 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
WO9519505 | Jul 1995 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 12417674 | Apr 2009 | US |
Child | 13021824 | US |