GB2485639A

GB2485639A - Remotely operable lifting shackle and actuation tool

Info

Publication number: GB2485639A
Application number: GB1116161.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Midson; David Neil Duncan Thomson
Original assignee: Balfour Beatty PLC
Current assignee: Balfour Beatty PLC
Priority date: 2010-11-17
Filing date: 2011-09-19
Publication date: 2012-05-23
Also published as: WO2012066340A1; GB201020806D0; GB201019438D0; GB201116161D0

Abstract

A remotely operable connecting device comprises a body or yoke 3, a shooting pin 5 and a locking carriage 7, the body 3 having a pair of parallel, spaced apart legs (15a, 15b fig. 1) for receiving a lifting eye therebetween and each of the legs having a hole (17a, 17b fig. 2) formed therein along a common axis for receiving a shooting pin 5, slidable between an open position in which the shooting pin 5 engages only one of the legs so that the lifting eye can be received into the device and a closed position in which the shooting pin 5 engages both of the legs, the shooting pin 5 also having locking recess (21 fig. 2) and actuation recess 23 spaced apart from each other and the locking carriage 7 being slidably mounted to one of the legs of the body and provided at a first end with an opening (29 fig. 1) for receiving the head 45 of a long-handled actuation tool 43 and provided at a second end with a locking feature (31 fig. 1) for engaging the locking recess (21 fig. 2) of the shooting pin 5. The locking carriage 7 is slidable along the leg between a locked position in which the locking feature (31 fig. 1) engages the locking recess (21 fig. 2) of the shooting pin 5 with the shooting pin in the closed position and in which the head 45 of the actuation tool 43 can be received into and removed from the opening (29 fig. 1) of the locking carriage 7 and an unlocked position in which the locking feature (31 fig. 1) does not engage the locking recess (21 fig. 2) of the shooting pin 5, allowing the shooting pin 5 to move between open and closed positions, and in which the head 45 of the actuation tool 43 is held captive by the device and cannot be removed. In the unlocked position, the shooting pin 5 can be moved between the open and closed positions by engagement of the actuation tool 43 within the actuation recess 23 of the shooting pin. The device may attach a chain to a rigid lifting eye (105 fig. 5) on a portable building (101 fig. 5).

Description

Remotely Operable Connecting Device

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a remotely operable connecting device. In particular, the invention relates to such a device for attaching a chain to a lifting eye provided on a heavy object, for example a lifting eye which is inaccessible or difficult to access. The invention also relates to method of attaching a chain to a rigid lifting eye using a remotely operable connecting device and an actuation tool.

Background to the Invention

It is well known for heavy loads which are to be lifted by cranes or other mechanical lifting equipment to be provided with at least one lifting eye. The lifting eye typically comprises a thick metal plate which is welded or bolted along one edge to the load and is provided with a through hole to enable a chain to be attached to the load for lifting purposes.

Various types of shackle are known for attaching a chain to a lifting eye. A known type of shackle comprises a clevis and a clevis pin. In use, a chain may be attached to a lifting eye by passing the clevis through a link of the chain, then sliding the legs of the clevis over either side of the lifting eye, and then threading the clevis pin through the lifting eye and holes formed in the legs of the clevis. The clevis pin may be secured in place by a threaded section of the pin and a nut or by a separate split pin which engages a transverse hole formed in the clevis pin.

Although the use of conventional shackles is an adequate means for attaching a chain to a lifting eye in most scenarios, such use can sometimes be problematic or awkward when the lifting eye is inaccessible or difficult to access. For example, portable buildings are typically provided with lifting eyes welded or bolted to the corners of their roof The use of conventional shackles for attaching chains to such lifting eyes may involve working at height, which is not only inconvenient and time consuming, but also brings a greater risk of accident or injury. In scenarios where multiple chains need to be attached to multiple lifting eyes, such as when lifting portable buildings, the use of conventional shackles can be particularly inconvenient.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention, there is provided remotely operable connecting device for attaching a chain to a rigid lifting eye, the device comprising: a body adapted to be attached to the chain and having a pair of parallel, spaced apart legs for receiving the lifting eye therebetween, each of the legs having a hole formed therein along a common axis; a shooting pin arranged to engage each of the holes formed in the legs of the body, the shooting pin being slidable between an open position in which the shooting pin engages only one of the legs so that the lifting eye can be received into the device and a closed position in which the shooting pin engages both of the legs, the shooting pin being provided with spaced apart locking and actuation features; and a locking carriage mounted to the body, the locking carriage being provided at a first end with an opening for receiving a head of an actuation tool and being provided at a second end with a locking feature for engaging the locking feature of the shooting pin, the locking carriage being movable between: a locked position in which the locking feature of the locking carriage engages the locking feature of the shooting pin with the shooting pin in the closed position and in which the head of the actuation tool can be received into and removed from the opening of the locking carriage; and an unlocked position in which the locking feature of the locking carriage does not engage the locking feature of the shooting pin, thereby allowing the shooting pin to move between open and closed positions, and in which the head of the actuation tool is held captive by the device and cannot be removed, wherein, in the unlocked position, the shooting pin can be moved between the open and closed positions by engagement of the actuation tool within the actuation feature of the shooting pin.

The invention thus provides a connecting device which can be operated remotely using an actuation tool, for example a long-handled actuation tool.

In use! the body is semi-permanently attached to the chain, for example by passing a shackle through a hole formed in the body. The head of the actuation tool is then received into the opening of the locking carriage and used both to manipulate the device with respect to the lifting eye and to move the locking carriage between the unlocked position and the locked position in which the shooting pin is physically locked closed.

The actuation tool is also engaged with the actuation feature of the shooting pin for moving the shooting pin between the open and closed positions.

In this way, the connecting device can be used to attach a chain to a lifting eye without the user having direct (manual) access to the lifting eye. Typically, the device can be operated up to several meters away from the user using a long-handled actuation tool.

The device is particularly suitable for attaching chains to lifting eyes provided on the corners of the roof of a portable building. Other uses, such as use with lifting eyes on containers, machinery and vehicles, will be apparent.

Furthermore, the device is arranged such that the head of the actuation tool is held captive by the device and cannot be removed when the shooting pin is in the unlocked position. In this way, a simple visual safety check can be performed whereby, if the actuation tool has been removed from the device, the user can be sure that the shooting pin is locked in the closed position.

The locking and actuation features of the shooting pin may comprise any structure which is capable of providing suitable engagement with corresponding features on the locking carriage and the actuation tool, respectively. In preferred embodiments, the locking and actuation features of the shooting pin are types of recesses, such as grooves, or protrusions, such as flanges. However, in some embodiments, features such as posts may be employed as locking and actuation features.

In preferred embodiments, the locking carriage is slidably mounted to the body, for example to one of the legs of the body, particularly the leg which is adjacent to the end of the shooting pin having the locking and actuation recesses. The slidable mounting may comprise at least one, preferably a pair, of elongate slots formed in the locking carriage, which slots are engaged by studs extending from the body. The studs may be provided with enlarged heads having a width greater than the slots formed in the locking carriage to thereby restrict lateral movement of the locking carriage. Other types of mounting for the locking carriage are envisaged in other embodiments, including pivotal or rotational mountings.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the locking feature of the locking carriage may comprise a par of spaced apart, parallel arms, which are arranged to engage opposite sides of the locking recess of the shooting pin. The locking feature may comprise a plate formed with an arcuate edge matching the shape of the locking recess.

The locking recess of the shooting pin may comprise a circumferential groove.

The locking carriage may comprise a base plate and a pair of spaced apart side plates each depending from the base plate, the plates together defining a U-shaped cross-section for receiving a shaft of the actuation tool. The opening of the locking carriage may comprise laterally-extending, aligned cut-outs formed in the side plates for receiving a transversely-extending head of the actuation tool. In use, the head of the actuation tool is inserted in the lateral direction into the opening of the locking carriage and may then be used to move the carriage between the locked and unlocked positions.

The body may comprise a shield portion arranged to cover the opening of the locking carriage when the locking carriage is in the unlocked position, such that the head of the actuation tool is held captive by the device and cannot be removed. The shield portion may be integrally formed with the rest of the body.

In one group of embodiments, the opening of the locking carriage may be arranged such that the actuation tool is able to pivot about its head when the head of the actuation tool is received therein and with the locking carriage in the unlocked position. The shield portion may include a cut-out or other opening to enable to actuation tool to be pivoted in this way.

The actuation recess of the shooting pin may comprise a deep groove formed in one side of the pin for receiving a shaft of the actuation tool. The width of the groove is preferably greater than the width or diameter of the shaft of the actuation tool. The shaft of the actuation tool may have a substantially circular or rectangular cross-sectional shape. In alternative embodiments, the actuation recess of the shooting pin may comprise a circumferential groove for engagement with the opposing edges of a slot formed in an actuation plate of the actuation tool. Such an arrangement may provide for easier control of the actuation tool with respect to the device.

In another group of embodiments, the body is provided with at least one guide feature for engaging with a guide feature of the actuation tool when the head of the actuation tool is received into the opening of the locking carriage, such that, when the head of the actuation tool is received in the opening of the locking carriage with the locking carriage in the unlocked position, the actuation tool is prevented from pivoting about its head relative to the body. This may allow for more accurate manipulation of the device using the actuation tool. The guide feature of the body may comprise at least one guide hole or guide recess formed in at least one of the legs of the body for engaging with a guide pin or guide flange of the actuation tool. In these embodiments, the actuation feature may comprise a circumferential flange formed at an end of the shooting pin for engagement with the actuation tool.

At least one of the shooting pin and the locking carriage may be retainable in either of its positions by the engagement of a spring-loaded retention element with recesses formed in the shooting pin and/or the locking carriage. The spring loaded retention element may be accommodated in the body of the device and provided with a rounded or angled head biased into engagement with the recesses. Such engagement would be retractable, against the biasing force, by applying a longitudinal force on the shooting pin and/or the locking carriage. In this way, the shooting pin and/or the locking carriage may be arranged to "snap" into each of their two positions.

The invention also provides a kit of parts for attaching a chain to a rigid lifting eye, the kit comprising the remotely operable connecting device described above and the long-handled actuation tool for remotely operating the device. The actuation tool preferably comprises a head for insertion into the opening of the locking carriage and a shaft suitable for engagement with the actuation recess of the shooting pin.

The invention also provides an actuation tool for use with the remotely operable connecting device described above. In one aspect, the actuation tool comprises: a first elongate member having a first end which defines the head of the tool and a second opposite end for a user to hold, the head being shaped to be received into the opening of the locking carriage; and a second elongate member pivotally mounted to the first member, the second member having a first end engagable within the actuation feature of the shooting pin and a second opposite end for the user to hold, wherein, in use of the actuation tool with the connecting device, relative movement of the second ends of the members held by the user causes the first end of the second member engaged with the actuation feature of the shooting pin to move relative to the head of the tool received into the opening of the locking carriage, thereby moving the shooting pin between the open and closed positions.

The first end of the first member may be provided with a guide pin for engaging with a guide pin hole formed in one of the legs of the body of the connecting device. At least one of the first and second members may be provided with a latching mechanism for locking the relative positions of the first and second members such that the shooting pin is maintained in the open position. The first end of the first member may be provided with a pair of transversely spaced apart guide plates, the guide plates having facing surfaces which are tapered with respect to each other and arranged for contact with transverse outer surfaces of the body of the connecting device for guiding the actuation tool into engagement with the connecting device.

In another aspect, the actuation tool comprises an elongate member having a first end for engagement with the device and a second opposite end for a user to hold, the actuation tool further comprising: a head provided at the first end of the elongate member and being shaped to be received into the opening of the locking carriage; at least one guide feature provided at the first end of the elongate member and spaced from the head for engagement with a guide feature provided in the body of the device when the head is received into the opening of the locking carriage, such that, when the head of the actuation tool is received in the opening of the locking carriage with the locking carriage in the unlocked position, the actuation tool is prevented from pivoting about its head relative to the body; a remote actuation mechanism comprising a slidable actuation member provided at the first end of the elongate member and arranged for engagement with the actuation feature of the shooting pin as the head of the actuation tool is received in the opening of the locking carriage and the locking carriage moved into the unlocked position, the mechanism further comprising a hand control provided at the second end of the elongate member and coupled to the actuation member for sliding the actuation member and thereby moving the shooting pin between the open and closed positions.

The actuation tool may further comprise a latching mechanism for locking the position of the remote actuation mechanism such that the shooting pin can be maintained in the open position. The actuation tool may also comprise a pair of transversely spaced apart guide plates, the guide plates having facing surfaces which are tapered with respect to each other and arranged for contact with transverse outer surfaces of the body of the connecting device for guiding the actuation tool into engagement with the connecting device.

The actuation tool may further comprise a head assembly which is pivotally mounted to the first end of the elongate member. The head, the at least one guide pin or guide flange and the slidable actuation member of the remote actuation mechanism may then be attached to the head assembly. Such an arrangement may enable the tool to be adjusted for providing improved access to various different lifting eyes. A locking mechanism for clamping the position of the head assembly relative to the elongate member may be provided.

The remote actuation mechanism of the tool may comprise a Bowden cable arranged between the hand control and the actuation member, the Bowden cable being arranged to move the actuation member in response to twisting of the hand control. Alternatively, the remote actuation mechanism may comprise a rotatable shaft coupled to the hand control and extending within the elongate member from the second end to the first end, wherein an end of the rotatable shaft adjacent to the actuation member is provided with a crank and a connecting member which couples the crank to the actuation member.

The coupling between the crank and the actuation member may comprise at least one of a ball joint and an extensible member. The elongate member and the rotatable shaft may each comprise telescoping mechanisms to enable adjustment of their length. A quick release-type clamping mechanism may be provided for fixing the telescoping mechanisms.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of attaching a chain to a rigid lifting eye using a remotely operable connecting device and an actuation tool, the device comprising: a body attached to the chain and having a pair of parallel, spaced apart legs for receiving the lifting eye therebetween, each of the legs having a hole formed therein along a common axis; a shooting pin arranged to engage each of the holes formed in the legs of the body, the shooting pin being slidable between an open position in which the shooting pin engages only one of the legs so that the lifting eye can be received into the device and a closed position in which the shooting pin engages both of the legs, the shooting pin being provided with spaced apart locking and actuation features; and a locking carriage mounted to the body, the locking carriage being provided at a first end with an opening for receiving the head of the actuation tool and being provided at a second end with a locking feature for engaging the locking feature of the shooting pin, the method comprising: inserting the head of the actuation tool into the opening of the locking carriage such that the actuation tool also engages the actuation feature of the shooting pin, the carriage being in a locked position in which the locking feature of the locking carriage engages the locking feature of the shooting pin with the shooting pin in the closed position; using the actuation tool to move the locking carriage into an unlocked position in which the locking feature of the locking carriage does not engage the locking feature of the shooting pin, thereby allowing the shooting pin to move between open and closed positions, and in which the head of the actuation tool is held captive by the device and cannot be removed; using the engagement of the actuation tool with the actuation feature of the shooting pin to slide the shooting pin into the open position, such that the shooting pin engages only one of the legs of the body; using the actuation tool to manipulate the device so that the lifting eye is received between the legs of the body; using the engagement of the actuation tool with the actuation feature of the shooting pin to slide the shooting pin into the closed position, such that the shooting pin engages both of the legs of the body and the lifting eye; and using the actuation tool to move the locking carriage back into the locked position such that the locking feature of the locking carriage engages the locking feature of the shooting pin to thereby lock the shooting pin in the closed position; and removing the actuation tool from the device.

Other features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will be come apparent

from the following detailed description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. I is a perspective view of a remotely operable connecting device according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 1; is Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a long-handled actuation tool for use with the device shown in Fig. 1; Figs. 4 and to 4b are perspective views of the device shown in Fig. I and the actuation tool shown in Fig. 3 for use in explaining their operation; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portable building suspended from chains which are connected to lifting eyes by remotely operable connecting devices according to the invention; Fig. 6 is a more detailed perspective view of one of the devices shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of another remotely operable connecting device according to the invention and a long-handled actuation tool for use with the device; Fig. 8a is a perspective view of an another long-handled actuation tool for use with the device shown in Fig. 7; Fig. Sb is an enlarged view of the head of the long-handled actuation tool shown in Fig. 8a; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another remotely operable connecting device according to the invention; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a long-handled actuation tool for use with the device shown in Fig. 9; Figs. II a and 11 b are perspective views of the device shown in Fig. 9 and the long-handled actuation tool shown in Fig. 10 for use in explaining their operation; and Figs. 12a and 12b are perspective views of another long-handled actuation tool for use with the device shown in Fig. 9.

Detailed Description

The invention provides a remotely operable connecting device for attaching a chain to a rigid lilting eye. The device comprises a body, a shooting pin and a locking carriage.

The body is adapted to be attached to the chain and has a pair of parallel, spaced apart legs for receiving the lifting eye therebetween in the manner of a yoke, each of the legs having a hole formed therein along a common axis. The shooting pin is arranged to engage each of the holes formed in the legs of the body. The shooting pin is slidable between an open position in which the shooting pin engages only one of the legs so that the lifting eye can be received into the device and a closed position in which the shooting pin engages both of the legs. The shooting pin is provided with locking and actuation recesses spaced apart from each other. The locking carriage is slidably mounted to one of the legs of the body. The locking carriage is provided at a first end with an opening for receiving the head of a long-handled actuation tool and provided at a second end with a locking feature for engaging the locking recess of the shooting pin. The locking carriage is slidable along the leg between: a locked position in which the locking feature engages the locking recess of the shooting pin with the shooting pin in the closed position and in which the head of the actuation tool can be received into and removed from the opening of the locking carriage; and an unlocked position in which the locking feature does not engage the locking recess of the shooting pin, thereby allowing the shooting pin to move between open and closed positions, and in which the head of the actuation tool is held captive by the device and cannot be removed. In the unlocked position, the shooting pin can be moved between the open and closed positions by engagement of the actuation tool within the actuation recess of the shooting pin.

Figs. I and 2 show a first preferred embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention. Clearly visible in these drawings are the body 3, the shooting pin 5 and the locking carriage 7. The device I also includes a shackle 9 for attachment to a chain link (not shown). The shackle 9 has a pin which passes through a hole 11 formed in the body 3 and is secured by a threaded nut 13.

The body 3 defines a pair of parallel, spaced apart legs ISa, 15b for receiving a lifting eye (not shown) therebetween in the manner of a yoke. At the end of each of the legs ISa, 15b is formed a through hole 17a, 17b. The through holes 17a, 17b together define a common axis extending in the lateral direction with respect to the device 1. The body also comprises a shield portion 19 which protrudes laterally from an upper portion of the body 3 and extends downwards to define a partially enclosed space, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

The shooting pin S is an elongate component preferably having a substantially round cross-sectional shape. The shooting pin 5 passes through both holes 17a, 17b formed in the legs ISa, 15b of the body 3. The shooting pin 5 is slidable between a closed position, shown in the drawings, in which it bridges the legs ISa, 15b of the body and an open position in which it is withdrawn from one of the holes I 7b to enable a lifting eye to be received into the space between the legs iSa, 15b.

The shooting pin 5 is provided with spaced-apart locking and actuation features in the form of recesses 21, 23. The actuation recess 23 is in the form of a deep channel formed in one side of the shooting pin 5 at an end of the bolt 5. The locking recess 21 is in the form of a shallower circumferential groove arranged inwardly of the actuation recess 23.

The locking carriage 7 is mounted to one of the legs I 5a of the body 3 such that it is able to slide in the longitudinal direction with respect to the device 1. The locking carriage 7 is preferably formed of a base plate and a pair of side plates which depend from the base plate in a perpendicular direction to define a U-shaped cross-section for receiving a shaft of the actuation tool (not shown). The slidable mounting is provided by a pair of elongate slots 25 formed in the base plate which are engaged by studs 27 extending from the body 3. The studs 27 have enlarged heads to prevent movement of the locking carriage 7 in the lateral direction with respect to the device. The studs 27 are attached to the body 3 by a threaded portion.

An upper end of the locking carriage 7 is provided with a lateral opening in the form of cut-outs 29 formed in the side plates. The cut-outs are sized to receive a transversely-extending head of the actuation tool (not shown) such that the tool is able to pivot about Ii its head. A lower end of the locking carriage 7 is provided with a locking feature in the form of parallel, spaced apart arms 31 which extend from the base plate in the longitudinal direction of the device I and which are arranged to engage upper and opposite sides of the locking recess 21 of the shooting pin 5.

The locking carriage 7 is slidable between two positions: In a lower locked position, the arms 31 of the locking feature engage the locking recess 21 of the shooting pin 5, with the shooting pin 5 in the closed position, and the head of the actuation tool (not shown) can be received into and removed from the opening 29 of the locking carriage 7. In an upper unlocked position, the arms 31 of the locking feature do not engage the locking recess 21 of the shooting pin 5, thereby allowing the shooting pin 5 to move between its open and closed positions. With the locking carriage 7 in the unlocked position, the head of the actuation tool is held captive by the device 1, in particular the shield portion 19 of the body, and cannot be removed.

Each of the shooting pin 5 and the locking carriage 7 are provided with shallow recesses on their surfaces which face the body 3. Only the recesses 33a, 33b of the shooting pin are shown in Fig. 2. The recesses 33a, 33b are engagable by a spring loaded ball 35 which serves to maintain each of the shooting pin 5 and the locking carriage 7 in one of its two positions. The force provided by the spring of the spring loaded ball 35 can be overcome by sliding the shooting pin 5 or the locking carriage 7 with a predetermined force. In this way, the shooting pin 5 and the locking carriage 7 are arranged to "snap" into their two positions.

Fig. 3 shows a long-handled actuation tool 41 suitable for use with the device I described hereinabove. The actuation tool 41 comprises a longitudinally-extending shaft 43, only part of which is shown, and a transversely-extending head 45. The shaft 43 may have a length, measured as a straight line from the head 45 of up to several metres, preferably, 0.3m to 2m, more preferably 0.5m to 1.5m and most preferably about im.

The shaft 43 has a diameter which is smaller than the width of the actuation recess 23 formed in the shooting pin 5. The shaft 43 may also be provided with some bends adjacent to the head 45 to enable a portion of the shaft 43 to be more easily inserted into the actuation recess 23 of the shooting pin 5 with the head 45 received into the opening 29 of the locking carriage 7.

Use of the device 1 and actuation tool 41 will now be described with reference to Figs. 4a to 4c.

In a first step, the head 45 of the actuation tool 41 is inserted into the opening of the locking carriage 7 and the shaft 43 of the actuation tool 41 is inserted into the actuation recess 23 of the shooting pin 5, as shown in Fig. 4a. The locking carriage 7 is in the lower locked position, such that the locking feature is engaged with the locking recess 21 of the shooting pinS.

In a second step, the actuation tool 41 is used to move the locking carriage 7 from the lower locked position, shown in Fig. 4a, to the upper unlocked position, as shown in Fig. 4b. This is achieved by pushing upwards on the actuation tool 41. In the unlocked position, the locking feature does not engage the locking recess 21 of the shooting pin 5, thereby allowing the shooting pin 5 to move between open and closed positions. With the locking carriage 7 in the unlocked position shown in Fig. 2, the head 43 of the actuation tool 41 is held captive by the shield portion 19 of the body 3 and cannot be removed.

In a third step, the actuation tool 41 is used to move the shooting pin 5 from the closed position, shown in Fig. 4b, to the open position, shown in Fig. 4c. This is achieved by pivoting the shaft 43 of the actuation tool 41 about its head 45, so that the shaft 43 bears against and displaces an internal surface of the actuation groove 23 of the shooting pin 5, thereby causing the shooting pin 5 to slide with respect to the device 1.

In a fourth step, the actuation tool 41 is used to manipulate the device 1 so that the lifting eye of a load to be lifted (not shown) is received between the legs I 5a, I Sb of the body 3.

In a fifth step, the actuation tool 41 is used to move the shooting pin S from the open position, shown in Fig. 4c, to the closed position, shown in Fig. 4b, thereby attaching the lifting eye to the device 1. In this position, the shooting pin 5 engages both of the legs iSa, iSb of the body 3, as well as the lifting eye. This is achieved by pivoting the shaft 43 of the actuation tool 41 about its head 45, so that the shaft 43 bears against and displaces the internal surface of the actuation groove 23 of the shooting pin 5, thereby causing the shooting pin 5 to slide with respect to the device 1.

In a sixth step, the actuation tool 41 is used to move the locking carriage 7 back into the locked position, shown in Fig. 4a, such that the locking feature engages the locking recess 21 of the shooting pin 5 to thereby Jock the shooting pin 5 in the closed position.

In this position, the actuation tool I can be, and is, removed from the device 1.

The connecting device I can be used to attach a chain to a lifting eye without the user having direct (manual) access to the lifting eye. Typically, the device 1 can be operated up to several meters away from the user by providing the actuation tool 41 with a long handle or shaft 43. The device I is particularly suitable for attaching chains to lifting eyes provided on the corners of the roof of a portable building.

Furthermore, the device is arranged such that the head 45 of the actuation tool 41 is held captive by the device I and cannot be removed when the shooting pin 5 is in the unlocked position. In this way, a simple visual safety check can be performed whereby, if the actuation tool 41 has been removed from the device 1, the user can be sure that the shooting pin 5 is locked in the closed position.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portable building 101 suspended from chains 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d which are connected to lifting eyes 105a, 105b, 105c, 105d the by remotely operable connecting devices Ia, lb, lc, ld. Fig. 6 is a more detailed perspective view of one of the devices shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a further remotely operable connecting device 201 and further actuation tool 241 according to the invention. The further device 201 is similar to the device I described hereinabove with reference to Figs. I and 2. The further device 201 differs from the first device 1 in that the actuation recess 223 of the shooting pin 205 is in the form of a circumferential groove rather than a deep channel in one side of the shooting pin. The further device 201 also differs from the first device 1 in that one of the legs is provided with a guide pin hole for engagement by a guide pin of an actuation tool, as will be explained below.

The further actuation tool 241 shown in Fig. 7 is also similar to the actuation tool 41 shown in Fig. 3. However, actuation tool 241 shown in Fig. 7 differs from that in Fig. 3 in that it is provided with a keyhole plate 247. The keyhole plate 247 is a thin plate provided with an elongate slot which is enlarged at one end. The enlargement enables the end of the shooting pin 205 to be received into the slot and the narrower opposing sides of the slot engage the actuation recess 223 for moving the shooting pin 205 between the open and closed positions.

In some embodiments, the keyhole plate 247 may be hinged to the actuation tool 241 and, optionally, maintained in a neutral position by biasing springs. In this way, the tool 241 may be easier to manoeuvre, in particular when engaging and disengaging the actuation recess 223 of the shooting pin 205. The actuation tool 241 may also be provided with a mechanism (not shown) for moving the keyhole plate 247 relative to the head 245. In this way, the need for the tool 241 to be pivoted about its head 245 may be reduced.

Fig. 8a is a perspective view of another long-handled actuation tool 341 for use with the device shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 8b is an enlarged view of the head of the tool 341.

The actuation tool 341 comprises a pair of elongate members 343, 345. A second one of the members 345 is pivotally mounted approximately at its midpoint to a short bracket 347 extending perpendicularly from a first one of the members 343. The second member 345 is provided with a slight bend approximately at the location of its pivotal mounting so that the second member 345 does not cross the first member 343 when it is rotated about the pivotal mounting.

The first elongate member 343 has a first end which defines the head 349 of the tool. A second opposite end 351 may be adapted for a user to hold, for example by being provided with a hand grip profile. The head 349 comprises a transversely extending member shaped to be received into the opening of the locking carriage of the connecting device.

The second elongate member 345 has a first end 353 which is engagable within the actuation feature of the shooting pin of the connecting device. The first end 353 in particular comprises a plate provided with a longitudinally-extending slot which is open at one end. The edges of the slot are arranged to engage the actuation feature of the shooting pin, which is a circumferential groove formed in the shooting pin, as described hereinabove.

The first end 353 of the first member 343 is also provided with a longitudinally extending guide pin 357 for engaging with the guide pin hole formed in one of the legs of the body of the connecting device. The first end 353 of the first member 343 may also be provided with a pair of transversely spaced apart guide members 359. The guide members 359 have facing surfaces which are angled with respect to each other and arranged for engagement with outer surfaces of the body of the connecting device for guiding the actuation tool 341 into engagement with the connecting device.

One of the members, in this case the first member 343 may be provided with a latching mechanism 361 for locking the relative positions of the first and second members 343, 345 such that the shooting pin of the connecting device is maintained in the open position. The latching mechanism 361 comprises an arm which is pivotally mounted to the first member 343. The arm is movable between an undeployed position in which it extends parallel to the first member 343 and a deployed position in which it extends substantially perpendicularly to the first member 343. In the deployed position the arm prevents the first end 353 of the second member 345 engaged with the actuation feature of the shooting pin from moving away from the head 349 of the tool engaged with the locking carriage.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another remotely operable connecting device 401 according to the invention. The device 401 is similar to the device I described hereinabove with reference to Figs. I and 2. The device 401 differs from the first device I in that the actuation feature of the shooting pin 405 is in the form of a circumferential flange 423 at an end of the pin rather than a deep channel in one side of the pin. The device 401 also differs from the first device I in that one of the legs is provided with guide recesses 437 in opposite transverse surfaces of one of the legs of body for engagement by guide flanges of an actuation tool, as will be explained below.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a long-handled actuation tool 441 for use with the device 401 shown in Fig. 9. The actuation tool 441 is similar to the tool 341 shown in Figs. 8a and 8b except that, instead of a scissor-type mechanism for moving the shooting pin, there is a provided remote actuation mechanism comprising a Bowden cable 443. The actuation tool 441 comprises an elongate member 445 and a head assembly 447 which is pivotally mounted to a first end of the elongate member 445. A clamping mechanism is provided for fixing the angle of the head assembly 447.

The head assembly 447 comprises the head 449 of the actuation tool 441 which is shaped to be received into the opening of the locking carriage of the device 401. The head assembly 447 also comprises a pair of guide flanges (not visible) which are spaced from the head 449 and arranged for engagement with the guide recesses 437 of the device 401 when the head 449 is received in the opening of the locking carriage and the carriage is moved to the unlocked position. The guide flanges function to prevent pivoting of the head assembly 447 relative to the device 401 when the tool 441 is engaged with the carriage in the unlocked position.

The head assembly 447 also comprises a slidably mounted actuation member 451. The actuation member 451 is shaped and positioned to engage with the actuation feature 423 of the shooting pin as the locking carriage is moved to the unlocked position. With the actuation tool 441 and device 401 in this arrangement, the actuation member 451 is substantially coaxial with the shooting pin. The Bowden cable 443 couples a rotatable hand control 453 provided at a second end of the elongate member 445 and the actuation member 451.

Use of the actuation tool 441 with the device 401 is similar to that of the tools and devices described above. The head 449 of the actuation tool 441 is firstly placed into the opening of the locking carriage of the device 401, with a lateral movement of the tool 441, as shown in Fig. ha. The actuation tool 441 is then moved upwards to move the locking carriage from the locked position to the unlocked position. Simultaneously, the guide flanges of the actuation tool 441 engage with the guide recesses 437 to prevent pivoting of the head assembly 447 relative to the device 401 and the actuation member 451 engages with the actuation feature 423 of the shooting pin, as shown in Fig. lib.

The shooting pin is then moved from the closed position to the open position by twisting the hand control 453, which by the Bowden cable coupling causes the actuation member 451 to slide.

The shooting pin may be returned to the closed position and the actuation tool 441 disengaged from the device 401 by the reverse of this procedure. To maintain the shooting pin in the open position, the remote actuation mechanism comprising the Bowden cable 443 may be provided with a latching mechanism for locking its position.

To assist in guiding the actuation tool 441 into engagement with the device 401, the head assembly 447 of the actuation tool is provided with a pair of transversely spaced apart guide plates 455. The guide plates 455 having facing surfaces which are tapered with respect to each other and arranged for contact with transverse outer surfaces of the body of the device 401 for guiding the actuation tool 441 into engagement with the device 401.

Figs. 12a and 12b are perspective views of another long-handled actuation tool 541 for use with the device 401 shown in Fig. 9. The actuation tool 541 is similar to the tool 441 shown in Fig. 10 except that, instead of a Bowden cable, the remote actuation mechanism comprises a rotatable shaft (not visible) extending within the elongate member 545 and coupling the rotatable hand control 553 to a crank 555 which is positioned adjacent to the slidably mounted actuation member 551. The crank 555 is coupled to the actuation member 551 by a connecting member 557, which includes a ball joint and a length adjuster.

The actuation tool 541 operates in a similar manner to the tool 441 shown in Fig. 10, except that the shooting pin is moved between the closed and open positions by rotating the hand control 553, rotatable shaft (not visible) and crank 555 in either direction. The length of the tool 541 may be varied by using a quick release clamp 559 to adjust a telescoping mechanism of the elongate member 545. In this arrangement, the rotatable shaft is also provided with a telescoping mechanism to accommodate this variation in length.

Specific, preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove. Various changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A remotely operable connecting device for attaching a chain to a rigid lifting eye, the device comprising: a body adapted to be attached to the chain and having a pair of parallel, spaced apart legs for receiving the lifting eye therebetween, each of the legs having a hole formed therein along a common axis; a shooting pin arranged to engage each of the holes formed in the legs of the body, the shooting pin being slidable between an open position in which the shooting pin engages only one of the legs so that the lifting eye can be received into the device and a closed position in which the shooting pin engages both of the legs, the shooting pin being provided with spaced apart locking and actuation features; and a locking carriage mounted to the body, the locking carriage being provided at a first end with an opening for receiving a head of an actuation tool and being provided at a second end with a locking feature for engaging the locking feature of the shooting pin, the locking carriage being movable between: a locked position in which the locking feature of the locking carriage engages the locking feature of the shooting pin with the shooting pin in the closed position and in which the head of the actuation tool can be received into and removed from the opening of the locking carriage; and an unlocked position in which the locking feature of the locking carriage does not engage the locking feature of the shooting pin, thereby allowing the shooting pin to move between open and closed positions, and in which the head of the actuation tool is held captive by the device and cannot be removed, wherein, in the unlocked position, the shooting pin can be moved between the open and closed positions by engagement of the actuation tool within the actuation feature of the shooting pin.
2. A remotely operable connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the locking feature of the shooting pin comprises a locking recess or a locking flange and the actuation feature of the shooting pin comprises an actuation recess or an actuation flange.
3. A remotely operable connecting device according to claim I or 2, wherein the body is provided with a through hole for attachment to the chain, the device optionally further comprising a shackle engaged with the through hole for attachment to the chain.
4. A remotely operable connecting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking carriage is slidably mounted to one of the legs of the body.
5. A remotely operable connecting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking feature of the locking carriage comprises a pair of spaced apart arms which are arranged to engage opposite sides of the locking feature of the shooting pin.
6. A remotely operable connecting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking feature of the locking carriage comprises a plate formed with an arcuate edge which is arranged to engage the locking feature of the shooting pin.
7. A remotely operable connecting device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the locking feature of the shooting pin comprises a circumferential groove.
8. A remotely operable connecting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking carriage comprises a base plate and a pair of spaced apart side plates each depending from the base plate, the plates together defining a U-shaped cross-section for receiving a shaft of the actuation tool.
9. A remotely operable connecting device according to claim 8, wherein the opening of the locking carriage comprises laterally-extending, aligned cut-outs formed in the side plates for receiving a transversely-extending head of the actuation tool.
10. A remotely operable connecting device according to claim 9, wherein the body comprises a shield portion arranged to cover the opening of the locking carriage when the locking carriage is in the unlocked position, such that the head of the actuation tool is held captive by the device and cannot be removed.
11. A remotely operable connecting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the opening of the locking carriage is arranged such that the actuation tool is able to pivot about its head when the head of the actuation tool is received therein and with the locking carriage in the unlocked position.
12. A remotely operable connecting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the actuation feature of the shooting pin comprises a groove formed in one side of the pin for receiving a shaft of the actuation tool.
13. A remotely operable connecting device according to any of claims I to 11, wherein the actuation feature of the shooting pin comprises a circumferential groove for engagement with the edges of a slot formed in an actuation plate of the actuation tool.
14. A remotely operable connecting device according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the body is provided with at least one guide feature for engaging with a guide feature of the actuation tool when the head of the actuation tool is received into the opening of the locking carriage, such that, when the head of the actuation tool is received in the opening of the locking carriage with the locking carriage in the unlocked position, the actuation tool is prevented from pivoting about its head relative to the body.
15. A remotely operable connecting device according to claim 14, wherein the guide feature of the body comprises at least one guide hole or guide recess formed in at least one of the legs of the body for engaging with a guide pin or guide flange of the actuation tool.
16. A remotely operable connecting device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the actuation feature comprises a circumferential flange formed at an end of the shooting pin for engagement with the actuation tool.
17. A remotely operable connecting device according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the shooting pin and the locking carriage is retainable in either of its positions by engagement of a spring-loaded retention element with recesses formed in the shooting pin and/or the locking carriage, the spring loaded retention element being accommodated in the body.
18. A kit of parts for attaching a chain to a rigid lifting eye, the kit comprising the remotely operable connecting device according to any preceding claim and the actuation tool for remotely operating the device.
19. An actuation tool for use with the remotely operable connecting device of any of claims I to 17, the actuation tool comprising: a first elongate member having a first end which defines the head of the tool and a second opposite end for a user to hold, the head being shaped to be received into the opening of the locking carriage; and a second elongate member pivotally mounted to the first member, the second member having a first end engagable within the actuation feature of the shooting pin and a second opposite end for the user to hold, wherein, in use of the actuation tool with the connecting device, relative movement of the second ends of the members held by the user causes the first end of the second member engaged with the actuation feature of the shooting pin to move relative to the head of the tool received into the opening of the locking carriage, thereby moving the shooting pin between the open and closed positions.
20. An actuation tool according to claim 19, wherein the first end of the first member is provided with a guide pin or guide flange for engaging with a guide pin hole or guide recess formed in one of the legs of the body of the connecting device.
21. An actuation tool according to claim 19 or 20, wherein at least one of the first and second members is provided with a latching mechanism for locking the relative positions of the first and second members such that the shooting pin is maintained in the open position.
22. An actuation tool according to any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the first end of the first member is provided with a pair of transversely spaced apart guide plates, the guide plates having facing surfaces which are tapered with respect to each other and arranged for contact with transverse outer surfaces of the body of the connecting device for guiding the actuation tool into engagement with the connecting device.
23. An actuation tool for use with the remotely operable connecting device of any of claims I to 17, the actuation tool comprising an elongate member having a first end for engagement with the device and a second opposite end for a user to hold, the actuation tool further comprising: a head provided at the first end of the elongate member and being shaped to be received into the opening of the locking carriage; at least one guide feature provided at the first end of the elongate member and spaced from the head for engagement with a guide feature provided in the body of the device when the head is received into the opening of the locking carriage, such that, when the head of the actuation tool is received in the opening of the locking carriage with the locking carriage in the unlocked position, the actuation tool is prevented from pivoting about its head relative to the body; a remote actuation mechanism comprising a slidable actuation member provided at the first end of the elongate member and arranged for engagement with the actuation feature of the shooting pin as the head of the actuation tool is received in the opening of the locking carriage and the locking carriage moved into the unlocked position, the mechanism further comprising a hand control provided at the second end of the elongate member and coupled to the actuation member for sliding the actuation member and thereby moving the shooting pin between the open and closed positions.
24. An actuation tool according to claim 23, further comprising a latching mechanism for locking the position of the remote actuation mechanism such that the shooting pin can be maintained in the open position.
25 An actuation tool according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the actuation tool further comprises a pair of transversely spaced apart guide plates, the guide plates having facing surfaces which are tapered with respect to each other and arranged for contact with transverse outer surfaces of the body of the connecting device for guiding the actuation tool into engagement with the connecting device.
26. An actuation tool according to any of claims 23 to 25, wherein the actuation tool further comprises a head assembly which is pivotally mounted to the first end of the elongate member, wherein the head, the at least one guide pin or guide flange and the slidable actuation member of the remote actuation mechanism are attached to the head assembly.
27. An actuation tool according to claim 26, further comprising a locking mechanism for clamping the position of the head assembly relative to the elongate member.
28. An actuation tool according to any of claims 23 to 27, wherein the remote actuation mechanism comprises a Bowden cable arranged between the hand control and the actuation member, the Bowden cable being arranged to move the actuation member in response to twisting of the hand control.
29. An actuation tool according to any of claims 23 to 27, wherein the remote actuation mechanism comprises a rotatable shaft coupled to the hand control and extending within the elongate member from the second end to the first end, wherein an end of the rotatable shaft adjacent to the actuation member is provided with a crank and a connecting member which couples the crank to the actuation member.
30. An actuation tool according to claim 29, wherein the coupling between the crank and the actuation member comprises at least one of a ball joint and an extensible member.
31. An actuation tool according to claim 29 or 30, wherein the elongate member and the rotatable shaft comprise telescoping mechanisms to enable adjustment of their length.
32. A method of attaching a chain to a rigid lifting eye using a remotely operable connecting device and an actuation tool, the device comprising: a body attached to the chain and having a pair of parallel, spaced apart legs for receiving the lifting eye therebetween, each of the legs having a hole formed therein along a common axis; a shooting pin arranged to engage each of the holes formed in the legs of the body, the shooting pin being slidable between an open position in which the shooting pin engages only one of the legs so that the lifting eye can be received into the device and a closed position in which the shooting pin engages both of the legs, the shooting pin being provided with spaced apart locking and actuation features; and a locking carriage mounted to the body, the locking carriage being provided at a first end with an opening for receiving the head of the actuation tool and being provided at a second end with a locking feature for engaging the locking feature of the shooting pin, the method comprising: inserting the head of the actuation tool into the opening of the locking carriage such that the actuation tool also engages the actuation feature of the shooting pin, the carriage being in a locked position in which the locking feature of the locking carriage engages the locking feature of the shooting pin with the shooting pin in the closed position; using the actuation tool to move the locking carriage into an unlocked position in which the locking feature of the locking carriage does not engage the locking feature of the shooting pin, thereby allowing the shooting pin to move between open and closed positions, and in which the head of the actuation tool is held captive by the device and cannot be removed; using the engagement of the actuation tool with the actuation feature of the shooting pin to slide the shooting pin into the open position, such that the shooting pin engages only one of the legs of the body; using the actuation tool to manipulate the device so that the lifting eye is received between the legs of the body; using the engagement of the actuation tool with the actuation feature of the shooting pin to slide the shooting pin into the closed position, such that the shooting pin engages both of the legs of the body and the lifting eye; and using the actuation tool to move the locking carriage back into the locked position such that the locking feature of the locking carriage engages the locking feature of the shooting pin to thereby lock the shooting pin in the closed position; and removing the actuation tool from the device.
33. A remotely operable connecting device or a method of operating a remotely operable connecting device substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.