GB2335950A

GB2335950A - Snap hook

Info

Publication number: GB2335950A
Application number: GB9907149A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John James Lindsay
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-03-28
Filing date: 1999-03-29
Publication date: 1999-10-06
Anticipated expiration: 2019-03-29
Also published as: GB9907149D0; GB2335950B

Abstract

A snap hook comprises a main body (4) aid a gate (6). The gate (6) is movable between a closed position spring-biased against the main body (4) to form a secure enclosure (7) within the hook, and a tensioned open position which creates a passage (10) to the enclosure (7). The main body (4) includes an outstanding nib (8) at or near the entrance to the passage (10) which forms a ramp to guide an anchoring means eg. a rope, towards and into the enclosure (7). The gate (6) is formed by a handle. Constructions are disclosed in which the gate is releasably latched in the open position.

Description

2335950 IMPROVED SNAP HOOK This invention relates to an improved snap

hook.

Snap hooks for securing an attached rope to another rope, or an eye or rail, etc- are well known, particularly in yachting and mountaineering. One such hook is a 1 spring hook', having a simple metal pear-shaped ring surround, a part of which is a spring-biased gate. Such hooks are generally opened by forcing the means to which the hook is to be secured, (hereinafter termed "anchoring means"), e-g. a rope, against the spring-biased gate, and the gate closes once the anchoring means is located within the hook. However, such hooks usually require two hands to locate and co-ordinate the gate and the anchoring means together, and to guide and secure the anchoring means within the hook.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a snap 1 look corriprising a main body and a gate, the gate being rr.ovalu-le bet-ween a closed position biased against the main body to form a secure enclosure within the hook, and a tensioned open position which creates a passage to the enclosure, wherein the main body or gate includes an outstanding nib at or near the entrance to the passage which forms a ramp to guide an anchoring means towards and into the enclosure.

The guidance provided by the nib overcomes the need to locate accurately, usually very accurately, the anchoring means against the gate or openable passage This is beneficial not only in general, but especially in those situations where sight or vision may be difficult (e.g. in the dark, in smoke or under water), or where full concentration cannot be applied (e.g. in a desperate or dangerous situation)- The nib is preferably attached to the main body of the hook, and mor preferably is an integral part of the main body. Also preferably the nib is a direct extension of the part of the main body next to the passage, such that the anchoring means can slide a)ong it when the passage is open- This further assists guidng the anchoring means into the hook's enclosure.

The main body and gate may be of any shape and relative proportion of the hook which form a secure enclosure for the anchoring means when the gate is in its closed position. Preferably the main body has a hook-like head with an elongate shank. with the nib extending from the free end of the head.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the biased gate is movable to the open position using only one hand once a secure anchoring means located against the nib. In this way, the hook may be secured to or released from the anchoring means using only one hand, leaving the other hand free.

Preferably, the hook includes a handle, and more preferably the handle is integral with the gate or the handle is the gate. The gate is preferably spring-biased, and the spring is conveniently located within the gate- The gate is preferabIy movabe along a linear part of the main body.

The snap hook may include means for connecting it to or so as to allow its connection to another aCticle such as a rope or a shackle. Such means (hereinafter 2 0 termed "connecting means") may be one or more holes at the base or at one end of the hook. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the main body of the snap hook and the connecting means are integral. Thus any load bearing on the snap hook from the anchoring means passes directly through the main body of the is hook to the connecting means. and is not load bearing on the gate andfor the handle.

The snap hook may also be lockable in its open or closed position. e.g. by a locking means preventing relative movement of the main body and gate. Locking in the closed position provides security and safety- Locking in the open position aHovvs 1 1 1 1 11 attachment or detachment of the hook and anchoring means without having to manually maintain the gate in its tensioned open position- The locking mechanism may be a biased pawl means or latch means attached to the gate andlor handle which co-ordinates with one or more notches or indentations in the main body.

The anchoring means as defined herein is intended to cover any means to which a hook, link or other fastening means can be secured, whether fixed or moving, and whether allowing relative movement of the hook etc. and anchoring means once secured- The main body of the hook may be made from any suitable material such as metal, e.g. stainless steel. The gate may be metal also, or it may be formed from moulded plastics if the gate is also the handle.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a snap hook comprising a main body, a gate biased against the main body to form a secure enclosure therewith, and a handle, wherein movement of the handle creates an open passage to the enclosure for an anchoring means.

The snap hook is suitable for may different situations and uses, depending upon it size and load-bearing capacity. It could be used in mountaineering, sailing, fire brigade and other rescue work, jewellery, fishing., indeed, anywhere hooks are currently used.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:Fig. 1 is a side view of a snap hook according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing internal parts in broken line., Fig - 2 is a front view of the hook of Fig. 1.1 Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are side views of snap hooks according to a second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention respectively:

Fig. 6 is a back view of the hook in Fig. 51 4 Fig. 7 is a side view of a snap hook according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.. and Figs. 8 and 9 are side views of a snap hook according to a sixth and seventh embodiment respectively.

1 2 Referring to the drawings, a first embodiment is shown in Figs 1 and 2 which show a first snap hook 2 comprising a main body 4, and a gate 6 biased thereagainst which form a secure enclosure 7. The main body 4 has a hook-hke head and elongate shank- Outstanding from the main body 4 is a nib 8 next to the entrance to the passage 10 formed upon opening of the gate 6, The nib 8 is a direct extension of the main body 4 and provides a smooth surface from outside the gate 6 to inside the gale 6 and vice versa. Thus the nib 8 forms a ramp towards and into the enclosure 7 for an anchoring means (not shown), such as a rope or a rail.

The gate 6 is shaped to be a handle also. The main body 4 moves within a slot in the gate 6, and within a corresponding elongate aperture 12 in the shank of the main body 4. is a spring 14 to bias the gate 6 to a closed pos!tion against the main body 4. At the top of the spring 14 and through the aperture 12 is a pin 16 located wilihin the gate 6 agains, which 'the spring 14 operates, the bottom of the spring 14 abutting against the bottom of the aperture 12 and the pin 16 anchorina the main body 4 and gate 6 together to prevent their separating.

The gate 6 has a ribbed portion 18 to assist grip of the gate 6 by a hand. The main body 4 extends completely through the gate 6, and has a number of holes 20 at the end of its shank to act as connecting means for the connection of e.g- a shackle or rope (not shown). Where it is desired to ock the snap hook in its closed position, e.g. for security or safety reasons, a locking device such as a padlock or pin could be located through the top hole 20 to prevent relative opening movement of the main body 4 and gate 6.

1 In use. 3n anchoring means, preferably a secure anchoring means such as a solid bar or tensioned rope, is located against any part of the inner face of the nib 8 1 () y) facing the gate 6, and the gate 6 is pulled back using one hand against the bias of the spring 14 and the force of the anchoring means against the nib 8. Movement of the gate 6 creates the passage 10 to the enclosure 7 and allows the anchoring means to enter the enclosure 7, e.g. by sliding it along the smooth inner surface of the nib 8 and main body 4. Once in the enclosure 7, release of the gate 6 closes the passage 10 between the gate 6 and the main body 4 and secures the anchoring means within the enclosure 7.

To release the; anchoring means from the snap hook 2, the gate handle 6 is pulled back against the force of the spring 14 and the anchoring means against the top of the main body 4 again to create the open passage 10 for the anchoring means. The snap hook 2 is then pulled away from the anchoring means, generally by sliding the anchoring means along the smooth inner surface of the main body 4 and nib 8 until the anchoring means is free.

Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment having like parts in which a second snap hook 30 is shown similar to the first snap hook 2 in Figs. 1 and 2. The second snap hook 30 of Fig. 3 however includes a locking mechanism 32 in the gate 34, and a notch, 2.1)6 in the back of the main body 38 at it passes through the gate 13A. The locking mechanism 32 is a spring-biased pawl 40, having a catch 42 at one end and pivoted by pin 44 through the pawl 40 and gate 34. Upon retraction of the gate 34 to open the snap hook 30, the catch 42 becomes caught in the notch 36, and retains the gate 34 in its open position until released by pressure on the spring biased end of the pawl 40. This releases the catch 40 and the gate 34 can be returned to its closed position.

Fig- 4 shows a third embodiment having like parts in which a third snap hook 46 is provided in which the main body 48 is truncated and does not extend below the 6 gate 50, compared with the hooks in Figs. l-'). The gate 50 includes a hole 52 to act as a connecting means for the attachment of a line, rope or string, etc- The load bearing capacity of the third snap hook 46 may be less than those shown in Figs. 1-3, but the third snap hook 46 is more compact.

Figs. 5 and 6 show a fourth embodiment having like parts in which a fourth snap hook 54 is provided having a main body 56 with a single eyelet 58 at its bottom end for use as a connecting means. The gate 60 includes a second form of locking mechanism, being a centrally pivoted pawl 62. The pawl 62 is spring-biased at one end 64. and had a transverse pin 66 between the pawl sides at the other end. As the io gate 60 is moved downwardly along the main body 56, the pin 66 slides on the curved edge of the main body 56 uAil it is located in a notch 68 in the main body 56, having a projecting shoulder 70 thereabove. The pin 66 is held in the notch 60 by the shoulder 70, thus holding the g2Le 66 in an open position. Once the anchoring means is taken into or out of the snap hook 54, the pin 66 is easily released by pressure on the 1 spring-biased end 64 of the pawl 62.

Fig. 7 shows a fifth embodiment having like parts in which a fifth snap hook 72 is provided. It is similar to the snap hook in Figs. 5 and 6, but the locking mechanism is replaced by a pivoted latch 74, having a distal pin 76 movable between a free position and a held position within a notch 78 and projecting shoulder 80 at the bottom of the main body 82.

Figs. 8 and 9 show a sixth and seventh embodiments having like parts in which respectively a sixth and seventh snap hook 84, 96 are provided. The main body 86 in Fig. 8 is formed from a single length of elongate material such as wire, to create a nib, hook, shank and lower ring. Within a void 88 in the gate 90, there is a 2i spring 92 and collar 94. The collar 94 may be crimped around the main body shank 86- Such a snap hook may be more suitable for light duties. The main body 96 in Fig, 9 is formed similarly to that in Fig. 8 but the length of wire is greater and is 7 returned parallel to the shank, the end of the wire forming an anchorage for spring 92 thereby dispensing with the collar 94 as shown, the spring 92 abutting against a shoulder provided at the top of the void 88.

The present invention provides a hook which is very easily and quickly attachable and detachable from an anchohng means- Assuming the main body and/or nib is holdable against an anchoring means, the gate as shown in all the embodiments in the drawings can be moved to its open position with one hand only. This has clear benefit over many current snap hooks which require two hands- The locking mechanisms shown herein are also all operable with the same hand, to io maintain the gate in its open position. The locking mechanism could be operated before the snap hook is brought near to the anchoring means.

-)o The outstanding nib provides clear and easy guidance for the anchoring means towards and into the hook enclosure. Less accuracy for attachment is therefore required. The spring biasing of the gate provides automatic closure of the entry/exit passage.

The main body is formed from any suitable material, preferably metal, e.g. stainless steel and may be of cast construction or formed of wire. The gate may also be of metal or of moulded plastics material. The gate may be formed in two halves secured together.

Variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention described above and as claimed hereafter.

R,

Claims

1. A snap hook comprising a main body and a gate, the gate being movable between a closed position biased against the main body to form a secure enclosure within the hook, and a tensioned open position which creates a passage to the enclosure, wherein the main body or gate includes an outstanding nib at or near the entrance to the passage which forms a ramp to guide an anchoring means towards and into the enclosure.

2_ A snap hook as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the nib is provided on the main body of the hook.

A snap hook as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the main body has a hooklike head with an elongate shank, with the nib extending from the free end of the head, the hook-like head forming the secure enclosure for the anchoring means when the gate is in its closed position.

4. A snap hook as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the biased gate is movable to the open position using only one hand once a secure anchoring means is located 20 against the nib.

5_ A snap hook as claimed in Claim 1, 2. 3 or 4, wherein the hook includes a handle.

6_ A snap hook as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the handle is integral with the gate.

9 7. A snap hook as claimed in anyone of the preceding Claims, wherein the gate is spring-biased against the main body and the spring is located within the gate.

8_ A snap hook as claimed in anyone of the preceding Claims, wherein the gate is movable along a linear part of the main body.

g- A snap hook as claimed in anyone of the preceding Claims. wherein connecting means is provided including one or more holes at one end of the hook- 10- A snap hook as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the main body of the snap hook and the connecting means are integral, whereby any load bearing on the snap hook from the anchoring means passes directly through the main body of the hook to the connecting means.

11. A snap hook as claimed in anyone of the preceding Claims, wherein the snap hook lockable in its open or closed position by provision of a locking means to prevent relative movement between the main body and gate.

12. A snap hook as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the locking mechanism is a 20 biased pawl means or latch means attached to the gate andlor handle which coordinates with one or more notches in the main body.

13. A snap hook as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the main body of the hook is made from any suitable material- 14. A snap hook as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the gate is formed from moulded plastics and is formed in two parts secured together.

1 () 15. A snap hook comprising a main body, a gate biased against the main body to form a secure enclosure therewith, and a handle, wherein movement of the handle creates an open passage to the enclosure for an anchoring means.

16. A snap hook substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, Fig 3, Fig. 4, Figs 5 and 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 or Fig. 9 of the accompanying drawings.