FR2520712A1 - Lifting hook with safety closure - has arm locked in lifting position by spring loaded catch - Google Patents

Abstract

A lifting hook, which is made from an S-shaped flat piece of metal and is closed by a U shaped arm (2). This is attached to the hook by a pivot (8) and fits over both sides of the hook. The U shaped arm is locked by a spring loaded catch (7) which is also U shaped and mounted on a pivot (9). Rotating the catch against the spring force enables the edge (11) to clear the shoulder (14) and allow the U shaped arm to be pressed inwards to open the hook.

Description

Safety hook.

The present invention relates to a safety hook in which a closure member is pivotally mounted on a base member for opening and closing an opening in the hook portion of the base member and in which the closure member can be locked in the closed position using a locking device, which comprises a pivoting locking element, the closing element and the locking element being returned by springs in the closed position.

Safety hooks are used in many different applications and are available in many different designs. The closure element is usually held only by a spring in the position where it closes the opening. However, it may result that the closure element is opened involuntarily if it is subjected to a particular force, for example by coming into contact with an object. The result may be an accident or a near-accident.

Safety is increased in the case of a safety hook of the type described in the introduction, when the closing element is locked, using a locking device, in a position where it closes the opening. However, it is often difficult to manipulate the locking device and to keep the closure element in the open position without partially closing the opening in the hook portion with the hand. This is particularly the case when the safety hook has to be handled with only one hand, which can also be gloved.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved safety hook, which is simple and reliable, and easy to handle with one hand.

This object is achieved, according to the invention, by the fact that the closing element and the locking element are arranged to pivot in opposite directions so as to move the closing element in its open position and by the fact that this closure element extends, at least partially, outside the large side of the base element turning its back to the opening, a grip facilitating the user holding the closure element in open position,
A particularly advantageous embodiment is obtained when the locking element is pivotally mounted on the closing element and when a first locking portion of the locking element is arranged to cooperate with a first locking means on the ididt basic.

According to a variant of this embodiment, the locking element may have an active portion extending outside the closure element in the direction of the hook portion when the closure element is in its closed position. , this active portion being adapted to form another grip, movable relative to the closure element, for pivoting the closure element from its closed position & its open position.

Advantageously, the active portion is adapted to cooperate with the edge surface of the base element turning its back to the opening, to pivot the closing element from its closed position to its open position.

The use of a safety hook of this type is facilitated by the various grips offered by the user's hand.

The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description, given below by way of example only, of several preferred embodiments, in connection with the attached drawing, in which FIG. 1 shows a safety hook according to invention, the closure element being in the closed position; Figure 2 shows the hook of Figure 1, the closure member being in the open position; Figures 3 to 5 show different parts of the hook of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a section along line VI-VI of Figure 1; Figure 7 shows a variant of the hook of Figure 1; Figure 8 shows a detail of the hook of Figure 1; Figure 9 shows another variant of the safety hook according to the invention, the closure element being in the closed position; Figure 10 shows the hook of Figure 9, seen from the left; Figure 11 shows the hook of Figure 9, seen from the right; Figures 12 to 15 show the hook of Figure 9 in different positions of use; and Figure 16 schematically shows how the base and locking elements can cooperate to maintain the closure element in the open position.

In the production of a safety hook according to the invention, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, a metal element 2 is pivotally mounted on a base element 3, to open and close an opening in a portion of hook 5 of the basic element, this opening opening onto a large side of the safety hook. The closing element 2 has an end portion 10, moving over this opening when the closing element pivots from its closed position to its open position. A locking device 6 makes it possible to fix the closing element 2 in a position in which it closes the opening. The closure element 2 is mounted, movable, on the base element 3, by means of a spindle and can thus pivot around a closure axis 8 perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 1. correspondingly, a locking element 7, incorporated in the locking device 6, is pivotally mounted on the closing element 2 by means of a pin so that it can pivot around an axis of locking 9 parallel to the closing axis 8.

The closure element 7 comprises a first locking portion 11 provided to cooperate with a first locking means 14 on the base element 3. The projection 13 of the locking portion 11 on a central plane 12 containing the axis of closure 8 and the locking pin 9 is located between these axes when the closing element 2 is in its locked position (see FIG. 1). In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the locking portion 11 is constituted by an end portion of the locking element 7, and the first locking means 14 is constituted by a stop on the base element 3, looking towards the hook portion 5. As can be seen, the end portion 10 of the closing element 2 and the first locking portion 11 of the locking element 7 are located on either side of the central plane 12.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, the closing element 2 comprises two cheeks 16, 17 directly opposite one another on either side of the base element 3, these cheeks being joined by a side piece 18, at least on the long side of the base element 3, turning their back to the opening 4. A portion of the side piece 18 constitutes a stop 19 cooperating with the element of base for stopping the movement of the closing element when the locking position has been reached A particularly advantageous structure is obtained when the closing element 2, as in the example shown, has the shape of a man chçn. Between the stop 19 and the end portion 10 of the closure element 2, there is a socket 20 whose purpose is to facilitate the maintenance by the user of this element in the open position. For this purpose, in its open position, the closing element 2 extends at least partially outside the long side of the base element 3, turning its back on the opening 4, with its socket 20 ( see figure 2).

The edge 18 of the closing element 2 has an actuating opening 21 enabling the locking element 7 to be actuated to bring it into the rest position. The locking element 7 has a U-shaped cross section and, after assembly, it is at least partially inside the closing element 2, its two branches surrounding the base element ( see figure 6). The closing element 2 and the locking element 7 are both returned by spring to the closed position. This can be achieved, for example, by means of a first spring 22 mounted on the basic element to act on the closing element 2 and thanks to a second spring 23 pressing against this basic element and acting on the locking element 7.

In FIG. 1, the closing element 2 is held by the spring 22 in a position in which it closes the opening 4 of the hook portion 5 of the base element 3.

The locking 616-nt 7 is simultaneously returned by the spring 23 so as to pivot in an anti-clockwise direction, so that the locking portion
It of the locking element is directly in opposition to the locking means 14 of the base element 3.

The locking device 6 now prevents any involuntary pivoting of the closing element in the anticlockwise direction, which prevents it from pivoting in the open position. To allow the closing element 2 to pivot anticlockwise from the initial position shown, the locking element 7 must first be pivoted clockwise. that its locking portion 11 can move away from its position vis-à-vis the locking means 14 of the base element 3. For this, the portion of the locking element 7 in the opening of actuation 21 of the closing element must be subjected to a pressure to rotate the locking element 7 clockwise. It is only after the closing element 2 can pivot clockwise to release the opening 4.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the safety hook 1 according to the invention is perfectly suitable for being handled with one hand. By placing the third finger in the actuating opening 21 of the closing element 2, the locking element 7 can be actuated and, with the help of the thumb, the closing element can then be easily pivoted in its open position, tan
o say that the index can be placed in the socket 20 to maintain nir-in the open position this closing element. The hook hook S can then be easily hung on an object or be detached from it. The operation being completed, the closing element 2 and the locking element 7 are returned by the springs to their locked position.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, the locking element 7 is pivotally mounted on the base element 3, at the same time that a locking portion 11 of the locking element is adapted to cooperate with a locking means 14 of the closing element 2. The end portion 10 of the closing element 2 and the locking portion 11 of the locking element 7 are located in this case on the same side of the central plane 12 containing the closing pin 8 and the locking pin 9. In this case, too, the projection 13 of the locking portion 11 on this plane is located between the closing pin 8 and the locking pin 9 when the closing element 2 is in its locked position. The locking portion is here constituted by a lateral surface of a recess 15 of the locking element 7, while the locking means 14 is constituted by a stop on closure element 2, which can be at least partial LEMENT be introduced into this recess. As in the previous embodiment, the locking element 7 must first be pivoted clockwise in order to be able to pivot the closing element 2 anticlockwise.

The operation is thus carried out in the same manner as in the previous embodiment.

Figures 9 to 16 show a preferred embodiment of the invention. The safety hook according to the embodiment of FIGS. 9 to 16 differs from the safety hook according to FIGS. 1 to 6, mainly in that the closing element 2 has a different shape, while at the same time the locking element 7 has a slightly different purpose, as will become apparent below. The corresponding parts are identified by the same references as above.

As can be seen in Figures 9 to 11, the two cheeks 16 and 17 of the closure element 2 are joined by edges 18 and 24 and the closure element 2 thus has the appearance of a yoke. As before, a socket 20 allows the user to keep the closure element in the open position.

The locking member 7 has an active portion 25 which extends outside the closure member towards the hook portion when the closure member is in. its closed position. This active portion is adapted to form an other socket which can move relative to the closure element, to pivot this closure element a from its closed position to its open position. The locking element 7 has a U-shaped cross section and, after assembly, is at least partially inside the closing element 2, its two branches surrounding the base element 3. The closing element 2 and locking element 7 are both returned by spring to the closed position (see FIG. 9).

In Figure 9, the closure element is held in its locked position by the cooperation of the locking element 7 and the base element 3. To rotate the closure element 2 from its initial position represents up to 'from its open position, the first locking portion 11 of the locking element 7 must first be moved away from its position vis-à-vis the first locking means 14 of the base element 3. This may be effected by subjecting the active portion 25 of the locking element 7 to a pressure in order to rotate this element clockwise, at the same time as the closing element 2 pivots anticlockwise d 'a watch.

The safety hook 1 shown in Figures 9 to 11 can be used in two different ways, one being shown in Figures 12 and 13, and the other in Figures 14 and 15. In the first, the hook 1 is held in such a way that the fingers surround the edge of the hook where the locking element is located 7. Using the index finger, as seen in FIG. 12, to press on the active portion 25, at the same time time that the thumb is used to press the closing element 2, the latter can be gradually brought to its fully open position, shown in FIG. 13, on which the thumb has been moved so as not to block the opening 4. In the position shown in FIG. 13, the locking element 7 has moreover pivoted into a position in which a gripping surface 26 on the active portion 25 is almost flush with the edge 27 of the closing element 2 forming the socket 20. By rotating the element t closing 2 from its closed position to its open position, at least the active portion 25 of the locking element 7 forms a movable grip relative to the closing element. It can also be seen in FIGS. 12 and 13 that the end of the locking element 7 projecting upwards of the closing element can be used as another socket. To obtain an even more effective hold, the closure element 2 can be modified by removing the corner portion 28 and the associated side piece 18. The entire surface of the edge of the closure element 7 can then be used as another grip. .

In the method of using the safety hook shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the hook is held so that the thumb can be used to exert pressure on the active part 25. The handling is here facilitated if the surface of gripping 26 of the active portion 25 is made non-slippery, for example by knurling or the like. The pressure on the closing element 2, required to open it, is obtained by the fact that the safety hook is pushed against the object to which it is to be hung. After the locking element 7 has come into a position in which the closing element 2 can be pivoted, it is not necessary to exert continuous pressure on the active portion 25, but the socket shown on the FIG. 14 has proved to be favorable. The closure element 2 can easily be held in the fully open position as shown in FIG. 15.

 As can be seen in the drawing, the active portion 25 of the locking element 7 is adapted, when the closing element is pivoted from its closed position to its open position, to cooperate with the surface 30 of the edge of the base element 3 turning the back to the opening 4 so that the active portion slides along this edge surface 30 at the same time as the closing element 2 pivots. By providing, as seen in FIG. 16, a second locking means 31 on the base element 3, this second means 31 being adapted to cooperate with a second locking portion 32 on the locking element 7, l the closing element 2 can be kept in the open position with the aid of the locking element 7.

The second locking means 31 can be a recess in the edge surface 30, for example, while the second locking portion 22 can be an edge on the active portion of the locking element. The locking thus obtained can easily be stopped by exerting pressure on the locking element 7 so as to rotate it in an anticlockwise direction. The closing element 2 thus pivots under the return of the spring to return to the closed position, in which the different parts return to the initial positions shown in FIG. 9.

The compact embodiment shown, without projecting parts, is particularly advantageous in that it reduces the risk that the safety hook becomes entangled in other objects. In addition, this embodiment makes it possible to hold the safety hook in different ways, which can greatly facilitate its use. In addition, a great advantage is that it can be used with one hand, even when wearing gloves.

Claims (13)

Claims. 1. Safety hook in which a closure element (2) is pivotally mounted on a base element (3) to open and close an opening (4) in the hook portion (5) of the base element, and in which this closing element can be locked in the closed position using a locking device (6) which comprises a pivoting locking element (7), the closing element and the locking element being returned by springs closing position, characterized in that the closing element (2) and the locking element (7) are arranged to pivot in opposite directions so as to move the closing element into its open position, and in that this element extends at least partially outside the long side of the base element turning its back on opening, a grip (20) facilitating the maintenance by the user of the closure element in the open position . 2. Hook according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking element (7) is pivotally mounted on the base element (3) and in that a locking portion (11) of the element locking is arranged to cooperate with a locking means (14) on the closure element (2), this locking portion (11) being constituted by a lateral surface of a recess (15) of the locking element ( 7) and this locking means (14) being constituted by a stop on the closing element, which can be introduced, at least partially, into the recess. 3. Hook according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking element (7) is pivotally mounted on the closing element (2), a first locking portion (11) on the locking element being arranged to cooperate with a first locking means (14) on the base element to maintain the closure element in the closed position. 4. Hook according to claim 3, characterized in that the first locking portion (11) is constituted by an end portion of the locking element (7), the first locking means (14) being constituted by a stop on the basic element, looking at the hook portion. 5. Hook according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking element (7) has an active portion (25) extending outside the closing element in the direction of the hook portion (5) when the closure element is in its closed position, this active portion being adapted to form another grip, movable relative to the closure element, for pivoting this closure element from its closed position to its open position. 6. Hook according to claim 5, characterized in that the active portion (25) is adapted to cooperate with the edge surface (30) of the base element (3), turning its back on the opening, to make pivot the closing element (2) from its closed position to its open position. 7. Hook according to claim 5, characterized in that the locking element (7) can pivot to a position in which a gripping surface (26) on its active portion (25) is almost flush with the edge (27) forming the grip (20) on the closure element when the latter is in its fully open position. 8. Hook according to claim 5, characterized in that there is on the base element (3) a second locking means (31), adapted to cooperate with a second locking portion (32) on the element locking (7) to lock the closing element (2) in its open position. 9. Hook according to claim 8, characterized in that the second locking means (31) is constituted by a recess in the edge surface (30) of the base element, turning the back when opened, and in that the second locking portion (32) is constituted by an edge portion of the active portion (25) of the locking element.  10. Hook according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure element (2) has two facing cheeks (16, 17) arranged on either side of the base element (3) and joined by an edge portion, at least on a large side of this basic element. 11. Hook according to claim 10, characterized in that the closure element (2) has the shape of a sleeve. 12. Hook according to claim 10, characterized in that the locking element (7) has a U-shaped cross section and is located at least partially inside the closing element (2), while that its two branches surround the basic element (3). 13. Hook according to claim 3, characterized in that at least a portion of the socket (20) on the closure element (2) is in the immediate vicinity of the mounting of the locking element (7) on the element closing.