GB1560598A

GB1560598A - Protective covering for a loadcarrying hook

Info

Publication number: GB1560598A
Application number: GB2815777A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Felix Boettcher GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Felix Boettcher GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 1976-07-06
Filing date: 1977-07-05
Publication date: 1980-02-06
Also published as: DE2630306C2; BE856503A; FR2357470A1; DE2630306B1

Description

(54) PROTECTIVE COVERING FOR A LOAD-CARRYING HOOK (71) We, FELIX BÖTTCHER GmbH & Co., a Company organised under the Laws of the German Federal Republic, of 351-353 Stolberger Strasse, 5000 Koln 41, German Federal Republic, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a protective covering for a load-carrying hook, particularly a substantially C-shaped hook.

In the transporting of e.g. coils of steel sheet or the like, for which purpose the coil is suspended from a load carrying hook in order to be transported by means of a crane, there is the danger than the load will be damaged by the load-carrying hook, which has to be of heavy construction.

In order to prevent such damage during transport it has already been proposed to provide the load-carrying hook with a protective covering which is placed around the exterior of the hook and secured to the latter by vulcanisation. A protective covering of this kind is, however, disadvantageous inasmuch as the load-carrying hook must be transported to the manufacturer of the protective covering for the purpose of fitting the latter, thoroughly cleaned by the said manufacturer before the protective covering is fixed in place, and then passed through various production stations and transported back to the user, while the latter must keep in reserve a number of loadcarrying hooks already provided with protective coverings in order to have an adequate number available at all times.In addition, the removal of a damaged protective covering from a load-carrying hook is a laborious operation.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a protective covering for a load-carrying hook, wherein the protective covering is of elastic material and is shaped to cover at least part of the external surface of the hook and at least part of the edges of the hook, and wherein a tensioning band is embedded in the elastic material and has two ends which are adapted to be detachably fastened to the hook, one of said ends carrying a tensioning device for the tensioning band by means of which it may be fastened to the hook.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided the combination of a load-carrying hook and the protective covering therefor just indicated.

In this arrangement it is preferred that the protective covering is U-shaped in crosssection, while in particular the internal contour of the protective coverings corresponds to the external contour of the loadcarrying hook, so that the protective covering bears positively against the hook. The arms of the protective covering may be a shorter distance apart at their free ends in the unfitted state than the corresponding thickness dimension of the load-carrying hook, in order to effect the pretensioning of the arms of the protective covering in relation to the load-carrying hook and thus to enable the protective covering to lie firmly in position after being fitted to the hook. In order to facilitate the mounting of the protective covering, the ends of the arms may be inwardly bevelled.

At its end remote from the tensioning device the tensioning band is preferably fastened over about one quarter to one third of its length in the elastic material, while the remainder of the tensioning band is slidable in the elastic material. The portion of the tensioning band which is fastened in the elastic material may be integrally moulded or incorporated by adhesive bonding or vulcanisation. Through the slidable arrangement of part of the tensioning band in the elastic material it is possible to permit shrinkage processes of the elastic material, particularly when the load-carrying hook is used in a hot environment, so that different coefficients of elongation will not adversely affect the tension of the protective covering.

For the protection of the inner side of the load-carrying hook the protective covering may have one or more extensions engaging over the inner side of the hook. Particularly in the region of these extensions, the protective covering may in addition have substantially U-shaped spring pretensioning elements embedded in the elastic material and prestressed in relation to the hook, the elements serving to assist the firm contact between the hook and the protective covering and the extensions.

In order to enable the invention to be more readily understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate diagrammatically and by way of example two embodiments thereof, and in which: Figure 1 is an elevational view of a load-carrying hook with a protective covering; Figure 2 is a section along the line II-II in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section similar to Figure 2 of the protective covering without the hook; and Figure 4 is a section of a modified form of the protective covering taken on a line corresponding to the line I-I in Figure 1.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a load-carrying hook 1 and which is C-shaped in elevation. The hook is positively enclosed over the greater part of its outer periphery by a protective covering 2 of elastic material, preferably a polyurethane, the protective covering being U-shaped in cross-section as shown in Figures 2 and 3. A tensioning band 3, such as one or more steel bands of a thickness of 0.5 mm. and a width of 50 mm. is embedded in the protective covering 2, the tensioning band 3 being detachably connected to the hook 1 at the front tip of the latter by means of a cylindrical pin 6 pressed into the hook 1.

The tensioning band may also consist of a plurality of steel bands, steel cords, textile bands, or cord. The tensioning band 3 may for example also be embedded in the form of a rope in the arms 2a of the protective covering. Other forms of fastening, for example screws or hooks, are also possible.

The protective covering 2 preferably surrounds the tip of the hook.

The other end of the tensioning band 3 projects out of the elastic material of the protective covering and in the embodiment illustrated is connected to the upper horizontal arm of the hook 1 by means of a tensioning device 4. In this arrangement, the tensioning device 4 consists of a threaded bolt 7 joined to the tensioning band 3 and fastened by means of a nut 8 to a projection 9 provided on the hook 1 and having a hole for the threaded bolt 7.

Instead of the tensioning device 4 illustrated, a toggle lever tensioning fastener or a turnbuckle may for example also be used.

When the tensioning band 3 is tensioned by means of the tensioning device 4 the protective covering 2 is applied firmly around the hook 1, so that the edges and the surfaces of the latter which could come into contact with the material to be transported are protected by the protective covering 2.

The arms 2a of the protective covering 2, which are made of elastic material, may be inclined inwards in the condition before they are fitted on the hook 1, as can be seen in Figure 3, the free ends of the arms 2a being a shorter distance apart than the respective thickness dimension of the hook 1. When the protective covering 2 is fitted on the hook 1, the arms 2a are thus prestressed in relation to the hook 1.

The free ends of the arms 2a may have inwardly directed bevels 5, which facilitate the fitting of the protective covering 2 on the hook 1.

As shown in Figure 4, the protective covering 2 may have one or more extensions 2b which engage round the inner side la of the mouth of the hook 1, in order to serve as protection for the mouth of the hook. The extensions 2b are here continuations of an arm 2a of the protective covering of the U-shaped cross-section.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A protective covering for a loadcarrying hook, wherein the protective covering is of elastic material and is shaped to cover at least part of the external surface of the hook and at least part of the edges of the hook, and wherein a tensioning band is embedded in the elastic material and has two ends which are adapted to be detachably fastened to the hook, one of said ends carrying a tensioning device for the tensioning band by means of which it may be fastened to the hook.

2. A protective covering as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the protective covering is substantially U-shaped in cross-section.

3. A protective covering as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the arms of the substantially U-shaped section protective covering are a shorter distance apart at their free ends than the respective thickness measurement of the hook.

4. A protective covering as claimed in Claim 3, wherein, at their free ends, the arms have inwardly directed bevels.

5. A protective covering as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the internal contour of the covering corresponds to the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. elastic material it is possible to permit shrinkage processes of the elastic material, particularly when the load-carrying hook is used in a hot environment, so that different coefficients of elongation will not adversely affect the tension of the protective covering. For the protection of the inner side of the load-carrying hook the protective covering may have one or more extensions engaging over the inner side of the hook. Particularly in the region of these extensions, the protective covering may in addition have substantially U-shaped spring pretensioning elements embedded in the elastic material and prestressed in relation to the hook, the elements serving to assist the firm contact between the hook and the protective covering and the extensions. In order to enable the invention to be more readily understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate diagrammatically and by way of example two embodiments thereof, and in which: Figure 1 is an elevational view of a load-carrying hook with a protective covering; Figure 2 is a section along the line II-II in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section similar to Figure 2 of the protective covering without the hook; and Figure 4 is a section of a modified form of the protective covering taken on a line corresponding to the line I-I in Figure 1. Referring now to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a load-carrying hook 1 and which is C-shaped in elevation. The hook is positively enclosed over the greater part of its outer periphery by a protective covering 2 of elastic material, preferably a polyurethane, the protective covering being U-shaped in cross-section as shown in Figures 2 and 3. A tensioning band 3, such as one or more steel bands of a thickness of 0.5 mm. and a width of 50 mm. is embedded in the protective covering 2, the tensioning band 3 being detachably connected to the hook 1 at the front tip of the latter by means of a cylindrical pin 6 pressed into the hook 1. The tensioning band may also consist of a plurality of steel bands, steel cords, textile bands, or cord. The tensioning band 3 may for example also be embedded in the form of a rope in the arms 2a of the protective covering. Other forms of fastening, for example screws or hooks, are also possible. The protective covering 2 preferably surrounds the tip of the hook. The other end of the tensioning band 3 projects out of the elastic material of the protective covering and in the embodiment illustrated is connected to the upper horizontal arm of the hook 1 by means of a tensioning device 4. In this arrangement, the tensioning device 4 consists of a threaded bolt 7 joined to the tensioning band 3 and fastened by means of a nut 8 to a projection 9 provided on the hook 1 and having a hole for the threaded bolt 7. Instead of the tensioning device 4 illustrated, a toggle lever tensioning fastener or a turnbuckle may for example also be used. When the tensioning band 3 is tensioned by means of the tensioning device 4 the protective covering 2 is applied firmly around the hook 1, so that the edges and the surfaces of the latter which could come into contact with the material to be transported are protected by the protective covering 2. The arms 2a of the protective covering 2, which are made of elastic material, may be inclined inwards in the condition before they are fitted on the hook 1, as can be seen in Figure 3, the free ends of the arms 2a being a shorter distance apart than the respective thickness dimension of the hook 1. When the protective covering 2 is fitted on the hook 1, the arms 2a are thus prestressed in relation to the hook 1. The free ends of the arms 2a may have inwardly directed bevels 5, which facilitate the fitting of the protective covering 2 on the hook 1. As shown in Figure 4, the protective covering 2 may have one or more extensions 2b which engage round the inner side la of the mouth of the hook 1, in order to serve as protection for the mouth of the hook. The extensions 2b are here continuations of an arm 2a of the protective covering of the U-shaped cross-section. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A protective covering for a loadcarrying hook, wherein the protective covering is of elastic material and is shaped to cover at least part of the external surface of the hook and at least part of the edges of the hook, and wherein a tensioning band is embedded in the elastic material and has two ends which are adapted to be detachably fastened to the hook, one of said ends carrying a tensioning device for the tensioning band by means of which it may be fastened to the hook.

external contour of the hook which is to be covered.

6. A protective covering as claimed in anyone of Claims 1 to 5, wherein at the end remote from the tensioning device, the tensioning band is fastened to the elastic material over about one quarter to one third of its length, the remainder of the tensioning band being slidable in the elastic material.

7. A protective covering as claimed in anyone of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the protective covering has one or more extensions intended to engage over the inner side of the hook.

8. A protective covering as claimed in anyone of Claims 1 to 7, wherein substantially U-shaped spring pretensioning elements are at least partly embedded in the elastic material.

9. A protective covering as claimed in anyone of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the elastic material is a polyurethane.

10. A protective covering for a loadcarrying hook substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or 4 of the accompanying drawings.

11. The combination of a load-carrying hook and a protective covering therefor as claimed in any preceding claim.

12. The combination as claimed in claim 11, wherein the hook is substantially G shaped in elevation.

13. The combination as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the hook is provided with means to which the tensioning device is fastened.

14. The combination of a load-carrying hook and a protective covering therefor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or 4 of the accompanying drawings.