GB2278630A

GB2278630A - Self releasing hook

Info

Publication number: GB2278630A
Application number: GB9311554A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Macdonald Mulholland
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-06-04
Filing date: 1993-06-04
Publication date: 1994-12-07
Also published as: GB9311554D0

Abstract

A self releasing hook has a body 1 and a mousing piece 2 which can be opened without manual assistance by lowering the hook until the load comes to rest. The hook is then further lowered until the striker 5 comes into contact with the load causing the mousing piece 2 to rise relatively to the body 1. The shorter leg of the mousing piece 2 recedes into the body and opens the gap 4. The end of the appropriate means of lifting the load previously trapped in the gap 4 can now fall clear of the self releasing hook and allow the self releasing hook to be lifted clear of the load and repositioned for its next lift. <IMAGE>

Description

SELF RELEASING HOOK This invention relates to a self releasing hook.

Hooks are widely used tools forming an integral part of most lifting or towing appliances. There is a special type of hook, known as a self opening, or quick release hook, which is specifically designed to be used where it may be necessary or desirable to release the load by remote means.

Existing self opening, or quick release hooks are relatively complex and expensive items.

According to the present invention there is provided a self releasing hook comprising a body including means to suspend the whole and a hook which slides vertically within the body and to which is attached a striker which enables the hook to rise within the body when it comes into contact with the load being moved.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective the self releasing hook in the closed position; Figure 2 shows in perspective the self releasing hook in the open position.

Referring to the drawing the self releasing hook comprises a body 1 into which is located the hook 2.

The self releasing hook is suspended from the eye 3 and the load is suspended from an appropriate means, one end of which passes through the closed gap 4 between the body 1 and the shorter leg of the hook 2.

The opposite end of the appropriate means of suspending the load may be attached to the eye 6 at the lower end of the longer leg of the hook 2.

In order to open the hook without the necessity for manual assistance the whole is lowered until the load comes to rest and its weight is taken off the self releasing hook. The hook is then further lowered until the striker 5 which is attached to the longer leg of the hook 2 just above the eye 6 comes into contact with the load. The body 1 continues to fall relatively to the hook 2, thereby causing the hook 2 to rise relatively to the body 1 and resulting in the opening of the gap 4. The end of the appropriate means of suspending the load previously trapped in the gap 4 then falls clear of the self releasing hook by gravity and the hook assembly can be lifted clear by the means of suspension attached to the eye 3.

The opposite end of the appropriate means of suspending the load remains attached to the self releasing hook at eye 6. The self releasing hook, together with the appropriate means of suspending the load, can now be lifted clear of the load and can be repositioned for its next lift.

Claims

CLAiMS

1. A self releasing hook comprising a body including means to suspend the whole and a hook which slides vertically within the body and to which is attached a striker which enables the hook to rise within the body when it comes into contact with the load being moved.

2. A self releasing hook as claimed in Claim 1 wherein suspension means is provided on the body above the means of attaching the load.

3. A self releasing hook as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the load to be carried is suspended from an appropriate means, one end of which passes through the closed gap between the body and the hook.

4. A self releasing hook as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the opposite end of the appropriate means of suspension of the load may be attached to the eye at the lower end of the longer leg of the hook.

5. A self releasing hook as claimed in Claim 4 wherein means are provided to open the self releasing hook without manual assistance by lowering it onto the load thereby arresting the movement of the striker but not the body, causing the hook to rise relatively to the body and opening the gap between the shorter leg of the hook and the body.

6. A self releasing hook substantially as described herein with reference to the Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing.