GB2536615A

GB2536615A - Connector for rapid attachment

Info

Publication number: GB2536615A
Application number: GB1501835.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Sewell George
Original assignee: Heightec Group Ltd
Current assignee: Heightec Group Ltd
Priority date: 2015-02-04
Filing date: 2015-02-04
Publication date: 2016-09-28
Also published as: GB201501835D0

Abstract

A connector 1 for supporting a load comprises a hook portion 2 and a gate member 6, operably connected to an operating member 4. An additional operating member 5 may also be provided, having an operative connection to member 4 so that member 4 may only be actuated when operating member 5 is actuated concurrently. The connector is selectively configurable between an open and a closed position. If the connector is opened when a load bearing member is attached, a member 7 urges the load bearing member out of the hook. The gate may be urged towards the closed position by a spring when the operating member is released.

Description

The invention relates to connector for joining 2 load bearing parts.

Devices for joining 2 load bearing parts such as hooks, karabiners, shackles etc. (collectively referred to herein after as connector) are known. There are also variations of connector adapted to specific functions.

Connectors for Rapid attachment or release are known but both functions are not normally contained within the same unit. Such connectors also have the additional problem that they are designed to release under load which can have obvious safety implications if the connection is safety critical (such as one involving a person), such connectors may also be released accidentally if the operator or user holds the wrong part of the connector thus inadvertently operating the release mechanism. This is particularly likely if the connector is being used in a moving environment such as a ship.

Additionally, the complex mechanisms incorporated in such connectors can be prone to stick and consequently not engage fully with obvious safety implications. Conversely the mechanism may not release when required, most connectors releasing under the weight of the attached part and not actively separating the two. An additional problem with such configurations is that the load is held by the release mechanism and so the connector has no inherent strength should there be a problem or malfunction with the mechanism.

When making the connection in certain circumstances it is preferable to have either a rapid attachment or rapid disconnection. For example, when connecting or releasing a load passed between 2 entities with the potential to move relative to each other. It is potentially dangerous to have a load or person connected to one entity whilst supported by the other, such as a helicopter and the ground or 2 ships. If, for example, a first ship were to move away from the second ship whilst attached to a load resting thereupon the load could be dragged along the deck of the second ship or the load bearing connection placed under exceptional load leading to failure.

The invention seeks to solve these problems by providing a connector which will connect or disconnect quickly with a single action and using only one hand whilst also offering protection from accidental release.

According to the present invention there is provided a connector, selectively configurable between an open configuration for receiving or releasing another load bearing part and a closed configuration wherein said load bearing part is held in operative connection with said connector; said connector being moved between said open configuration and said closed configuration via at least one operating member; when said connector is moved to said open configuration said another load bearing part is forcibly ejected from said operative connection.

Preferably said connector may support the load applied to it when not in fully engaged in the closed configuration.

Preferably said connector is urged toward the closed configuration when said at least one operating member is released.

Preferably additional operating members may be provided, said members requiring substantially concurrent actuation in order to release the load.

Preferably said at least one operating member is directly connected to the forcible ejection means such that the operator may feel the level of resistance when moving to said open configuration.

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of the connector in the open configuration Figure 2 is a side view of the connector in the closed configuration Figure 3 is a side view of the connector being moved to the open configuration to release a load bearing part contained therewithin.

Connector 1 comprises a hook like portion 2 and a gate member 6 operably connected to at least one operating member 4. At least one additional operating members is also provided, said members having operative connection to said operating member 4 such that said operating member 4 may only be actuated when said operating members is actuated concurrently with operating member 4. Said gate member 6 is urged towards the closed configuration by a spring or similar means. Said hook like profile of the connector allows the load to be substantially held by the body land not across said gate member 6.

When the user wishes to connect to another load bearing part, operating members 4, 5 are actuated moving said gate member 6 to a position spaced from the end of said hook like portion 2 allowing said another load bearing part to pass therebetween. The user then releases said operating members 4, 5 so that gate member 6 may move to the closed configuration under the force of said spring or similar means. The other load bearing part now being in operative connection with the connector allows a load to be supported.

When said other load bearing part is to be released said operating members 4, 5 are actuated moving said gate member 6 towards the open configuration. Member 7 is additionally operatively connected to first operating member 4 such that it also moves in the same direction as gate 6 urging said other load bearing part out of operative contact with said body 1 thereby releasing the load. The end 9 of said hook like portion 2 is substantially smooth such that said other load bearing part may pass unhindered.

To prevent accidental release, movement to the open configuration may only be achieved when the force applied between the connector and the other load bearing part is below a predetermined threshold. Surface 10 of hook like portion 2 is substantially concave such that if the force applied to member 7 via operative member 4 is insufficient member 7 will not be able to push said other load bearing part clear. Said predetermined threshold may be varied by changing the degree of curvature of surface 10, a higher degree of curvature requiring a higher force from member 7 to push said other load bearing part clear.

An aperture 3 is provided in the body 1 to enable connection to further load bearing parts such a rope or safety harness.

In a further embodiment of the invention, not described, the connector is urged into the closed configuration but is held in the open configuration until it is released by either a load applied to member] or at least one of said operative members is actuated.

Claims

Claims 1. A connector, selectively configurable between an open configuration for receiving or releasing another load bearing part and a closed configuration wherein said load bearing part is held in operative connection with said connector; said connector being moved between said open configuration and said closed configuration via at least one operating member; when said connector is moved to said open configuration said another load bearing part is forcibly ejected from said operative connection.
2. A connector according to claim 1 wherein said connector is urged toward the closed configuration when said at least one operating member is released.
3. A connector according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said additional operating members may be provided, said members requiring substantially concurrent actuation in order to release the load.
4. A connector according to any preceding claim wherein said at least one operating member is directly connected to the forcible ejection means such that the operator may feel the level of resistance when moving to said open configuration.
5. A connector according to claim 1 wherein movement from said closed configuration to said open configuration is only possible when the load applied to the connector is below a predetermined threshold.
6. A connector according to claim 6 wherein said predetermined threshold may be varied with the profile of the surface of said connector in operative connection with said another load bearing part.
7. A connector according to any preceding claim wherein the hook shaped profile of the connector substantially supports the load applied to it when not fully engaged in the closed configuration.
8. A connector according to any preceding claim wherein the profile of the surfaces of said connector in operative connection with said another load bearing part are substantially smooth to ease the release of said another load bearing part when said connector is in the open configuration.
9. A connector according to any preceding claim wherein the connector urged into the closed configuration but is held in the open configuration until it is released.
10. A connector according to claim 9 wherein the connector is released into the closed configuration when said load bearing part is moved into operative connection with said connector.
11. A connector according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the connector is released into the closed configuration when at least one operative member is actuated.
12. A connector substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.