NL2027934B1 - A snap hook device - Google Patents
A snap hook device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NL2027934B1 NL2027934B1 NL2027934A NL2027934A NL2027934B1 NL 2027934 B1 NL2027934 B1 NL 2027934B1 NL 2027934 A NL2027934 A NL 2027934A NL 2027934 A NL2027934 A NL 2027934A NL 2027934 B1 NL2027934 B1 NL 2027934B1
- Authority
- NL
- Netherlands
- Prior art keywords
- hook
- clip
- gate
- distal
- snap
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000002349 favourable effect Effects 0.000 description 14
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 13
- 229910000639 Spring steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920006324 polyoxymethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229930040373 Paraformaldehyde Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000004124 hock Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920002647 polyamide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000009877 rendering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000011888 snacks Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229920002994 synthetic fiber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000012209 synthetic fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001059 synthetic polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B45/00—Hooks; Eyes
- F16B45/02—Hooks with pivoting or elastically bending closing member
- F16B45/036—Hooks with pivoting or elastically bending closing member with an elastically bending closing member
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Hooks, Suction Cups, And Attachment By Adhesive Means (AREA)
Abstract
A snap hook device for suspending an object, such as a hammer or flash—light, the snap hook device comprising: 5 — a hook having a hook throat opening spanning between the first hook end portion and the second hook end portion, and — a hook gate that is movable between i) a closed first position and ii) an open second position; wherein the hook gate is biased to the first position. 10 To allow for both easily suspending the object and easily removing said object from the snap hook device, the hook gate is moveable to an open third position wherein the closed first position is between the open third position and the open second position.
Description
A snap hook device The present invention relates to a snap hook device for suspending an object, the snap hook device comprising: ~ a hook, wherein the hook comprises a hook main portion, a first hook end portion and a second hook end portion, wherein the hook main portion connecting the first hook end portion to the second hook portion; wherein said three portions define a hook throat and a hook throat opening spanning between the first hook end portion and the second hook end portion, and — a hook gate having a hook gate proximal end and a hook gate distal end, said hook gate being connected with the hook gate proximal end to the first hook end portion; wherein the hook gate is movable between i) a closed first position in which the hook throat opening is blocked and the hook gate distal end is relatively far from the hook main portion and ii) an open second position in which the hook gate is open and the hook gate distal end is relatively close to yet at a distance from the hook main portion; wherein the hook gate is biased to the first position.
Snap hooks for temporarily suspending objects are well known in the art. Snap hooks may be attached to for example walls, devices, cords, chains and belts. Such snap hooks thus often comprise attaching means for fastening it to aforementioned support means. The snap hook is suited to suspend a variety of equipment like tools, helmets or other gear. The variety of equipment is often provided with means for suspension such as loops, belts, clasps, holes, which means for suspension can be received by the snap hook by displacing the hook gate that is biased in a closed position to the second position. This is done by exerting a force on the hook gate to bring it to the open second position. This allows passage of the means of suspension between the distal end of the hook gate and the hook main portion so as to receive the means of suspension into the hook throat. The hook gate being biased to the closed first position will close the hook throat opening again and the eguipment is held securely. The equipment will be suspended from the main portion of the hook comprising a load bearing surface section facing the hook throat, the so-called saddle or bowl section.
A problem with the snap hook device according the prior art is that suspended equipment cannot be taken out easily.
The object of the present invention is to provide a snap hook device that allows for both easily suspending an object and easily removing said object from the snap hook device.
To this end, a snap hook device according to the preamble is characterized in that the hook gate is moveable to an open third position wherein the hook gate distal end is relatively far from Lhe hook main portion compared to the hook gate distal end in the closed first position, said closed first position being between the open third position and the open second position.
In this way an object suspended on the saddle section of the hook may be taken out in a single action using a single hand by grabbing an object held by the snap hook device and forcing the means for suspension of the object against the hook gate and moving the hook gate by force from the closed first position to the open third position, thus clearing the hook throat opening allowing passage of the means of suspension and releasing the equipment for use. The other hand of the user remains available for performing other actions.
In the present case, the snap hook device may comprise a belt clip for attaching the hook to a belt or safety harness and allowing objects to be carried along whilst having hands free for performing other actions in, thus a person using the belt clip has both the advantage of having suspended the object in his vicinity, even when mobile, and always have at least one hand free to perform other actions.
Objects to be suspended may have means of suspension like a hole, a band, a ring or anything alike available for suspending the object, or the object may alternatively be provided with a dedicated loop for suspending the object to the snap hook device. A saddle section or bowl of the hook is a surface of the hook facing the hook throat defined by the hook and said saddle section is intended for supporting the suspension means of the object to be suspended. It is preferred that the hook gate in the closed first position spans at least 90%, more preferably at least 94% or even more preferably more than 96% of the hook threat opening, in this way the hook throat opening is rendered blocked.
According to a favourable embodiment, the hook gate is resilient.
In this way the snap hook device is simple and robust. There is no need for a hinge and biasing means to move the hook gate to the first, second and third positions and keep it biased in or move it to the closed first position. A resilient metal hook gate or resilient plastic hook gate may be attached to the hook (first hook end portion). Alternatively, the hook gate and the hook may be moulded as one piece, wherein said resilient hook gate is in the first position while resilience of the hook gate may be obtained by using relatively thin material for the hook gate compared to the hook, which is rigid on order to support the suspended object. This avoids the need for a hinge that allows for hinging of the hook gate in between the closed first position to the open second or third position. It also avoids the need for a biasing means (such as a spring, rubber block etc.) that biases the hook gate in the closed first position, and thus allows moving the hook gate back to the closed first position when the hook gate is either in the open second position or the third position in order to close the hook throat opening.
According to a favourable embodiment, the resilient hook gate has a dimension in a first direction that is parallel to the centreline of the hook throat that is larger than the dimension in a second direction that perpendicular to 1) the first direction and ii) the centreline through the hook gate.
Such a flat hook gate reduces the chance of accidental release of the suspended object from the hook throat as the risk of the hook gate moving sideways is reduced. Thus a object suspended from the snap hook device moving about (e.g. because the user is walking) and acting upon the hook gate with forces parallel to the centreline of the hook throat have a reduced chance of forcing the hook gate open and accidentally be released of the object from the hook threat. A user's manipulation of the object along the main centre-plane of the hook primarily acting on the hook gate distal end of the hook gate forcing it toward the third position will however result in a desired release from the object from he hook. It is preferred that the hook gate is made of spring steel, it is further preferred that gate if made from spring steel is between 0.2 to 0.6 mm, more preferably between 0.3 to
0.5, and most preferably 0.4 mm thick, wherein the spring steel has a tensile strength between 1100 to 1320 N/m’.
According to a favourable embodiment, the hook main portion comprises a friction providing surface facing the throat.
In this way sliding of a suspended object along the surface of hook main portion is reduced, reducing the chance of accidental release of the object suspended. Dry friction caused by the surface of the hook main portion facing the hook throat may thus be improved by providing knurls, a roughened surface, or any materials with a relatively high friction coefficient compared to the friction coefficient of the material of the hook itself, for example rubber. Due the friction provided by a friction providing surface the suspended object, suspended by its means for suspension, will travel less far along the hook when the object is for example swinging about in the hook. It is therefore less likely to reach the hook gate and even more so to provide sufficient force to accidentally force open the hook gate to the third position and allow the object to be released from the hook throat.
According to a favourable embodiment, the hook gate has a rounded hook gate distal end.
In this way the release from or the entering of the object in the hook throat is facilitated. A rounded hook gate distal end allows the suspension means of the object to smoothly slide along the hook gate distal end without said distal end snagging onto the suspension means of the object. It also reduces the chance of damage to suspension means constructed from relatively soft fabrics like bands, loops and cords made from natural fibers, synthetic fibers or polymers because rounded distal ends cannot snag onto these relatively soft fabrics such as cotton, polyamide and rubber.
According to a favourable embodiment, the first hook end portion of the hook is provided with an attachment means.
Thus, when the snap hook device is attached with the attachment means to, for example, a belt, the snap hook device will remain in place and provide an effective counterforce when releasing an object from the snap hook device, The attachment means is for example a body comprising a slot for a belt.
According to a favourable embodiment, the attachment means is a clip for attaching to a belt, said clip comprising: - a first clip member connected to the hook, ~ a hinge element connected to a first clip member proximal end of the first clip member, — a second clip member connected to the hinge element with a proximal end of a second clip member, ~ a clip throat defined by the first clip member, the hinge element and the second clip member, — a clip snap lock wherein: 5 — a first clip member distal end comprises a first snap lock element, and ~ a second clip member distal end comprises a second snap lock element matching the first snap lock element for engagement; said clip being movable between 1) an open clip state wherein the first clip member distal end and the second clip member distal end are spaced apart and define a clip throat opening for access to the clip throat, and ii) a closed clip state wherein the first clip member distal end and the second clip member distal end are contacting and the first snap lock element and the second snap lock element are engaged; wherein the clip threat opening and the hook throat opening face the same direction.
This is an important application of the snap hook device.
The term the clip throat opening and the hook throat opening face in the same direction means that the openings are at the same side of the belt clip, i.e. the clip will be attached to a pant belt by moving the belt clip upwards.
In use the clip can be operated and released with a easy manipulation of the clip lock at the upper side of a belt, even when objects are suspended on the hook (which are not in the way). It is preferred that first hook end portion is connected to the first clip member, and it is further preferred that the first hock end portion in its entirety is located at a distance from the clip snap lock in the direction of the clip hinge element.
With respect to the clip snap lock, the clip hinge element may be located closer to the hook main portion than the clip snack lock is.
According to a favourable embodiment, the second clip member comprises a lever, In this way the clip can be easily opened and removed with one hand only aliowing the other hand to remain engaged in other operations.
According to a favourable embodiment, a normal of a throat facing surface of the first clip member intersects with the hook gate proximal end.
In this way its easier to release a suspended object from the snap hook. Preferably the hook gate proximal end intersects with a normal that is located within 2 cm of, even more preferably within 1 cm of, most preferably at, the centre of the throat facing surface.
According to a favourable embodiment, at least one elevation is provided on at least one surface chosen from 1) a surface of the first clip member and ii) a surface of the second clip member, said at least one surfaces facing the clip throat.
In this way the snap hook device it is more easy to insert or release an object from the hook throat with one hand because the clip will not move along a belt Lo which the snap hook device is attached. The elevation is advantageously a ridge The ridge is preferably aligned longitudinally parallel to an axis running from the hinge to clip snap lock. The elevation is preferably provided with protrusions to help reduce the risk of sliding along the belt. According to a favourable embodiment, the belt clip is biased to be in an open clip state. In this way it is easier to attach the belt clip onto a belt as no force is required to keep the clip in an open state. It is preferred that the open clip state provides for a clip throat opening wherein the first clip member distal end and the second clip member distal end are at a distance in a range of 0.5 - 2 cm. According to a favourable embodiment, at least one groove is provided at the first clip member distal end wherein a groove opening of the at least on groove faces the clip throat in a direction towards the hinge. In this way an accidental opening of the clip does not result in the release of the clip from the belt. The top edge of a belt is housed in the groove which prevents the clip from sliding down and being released from the belt, thereby securing the clip and optionally a suspended object from falling down. A wall of the groove may be discontinuous. Preferably the at least one groove has a width of at least 3 mm, more preferably at least 5 mm. Preferably, the at least one groove has a depth of at least 2 mm, more preferably the depth is in a range of 3 - 10 mm, and even more preferable in a range of 4-8 mm. According to a favourable embodiment, the hook gate distal end of the hook gate in the first position is relative close to and the hook gate proximal end is relatively far away from the hook main portion.
In this way the chance of an accidental release of a suspended object from the snap hook is reduced.
When a suspended object is moving about, the suspension means by which the object is suspended, a loop, band or ring for example, may be forced against the hook gate and cause the undesirable opening of said hook gate and result in a accidental release of the object from the snap hook.
Relatively far away 1s a first distance between the hook gate proximal end and a distant point at the hook main portion furthest removed from said proximal end.
A relatively close distance is a second distance between said distant point and the hook gate distal end.
In case of a belt clip, it is a preferred embodiment of the snap hook device that the hook gate in the first position is at an sharp hook gate angle with the a longitudinal axis of the first clip member wherein the hook gate angle is typically in the range of 10° to 80°, preferably in the range of 20° to 70°, more preferably in the range of 30° to 60°, and most preferably 40° to 50°. The present invention will now be illustrated with reference to the drawing where Fig. 1 shows an isometric view of the snap hook with belt clip; and Fig. 2 shows a sideway view of snap hook with belt clip.
Isometric view of a snap hook device 100 comprising a belt clip 102 and a snap hook 103. The snap hook 103 is composed of a hook main portion 110, with at one end of the hook main portion 110 a first hook end portion 111 and at the other end of the hook main portion a second hook end portion 112. The three portions define the hook throat 113 with a hook throat opening 114 spanning between the first hook end portion 111 and the second hook end portion 112. The throat defines the coincident main centre-plane.
The saddle surface 115 of the hook main portion 110 serves as a support for suspending objects when the snap hook device 100 is suspended on a belt using the clip 102. An oval shaped hook gate 120 made of 4 mm spring metal is connected with its hook gate proximal end 121 to the first hook end portion 111 using a self locking bolt 125. The hook gate proximal end 121 comprises an oblong shaped extension and is held by two ridges 118 each ridge 118° and 118'' comprising a holding groove holding opposite edges of the hook gate proximal end 121 of the hook gate 120. The hook gate 120 comprises a bend allowing the hook gate main portion 122 to span the hook throat 113 along the hook throat opening from the first hook end portion 11 towards the second hook end portion 112 where the hook gate distal end 123 of the hook gate 120 is at a distance of 1-3 mm. The hook gate 120 has a first hook gate surface 121 and a second hook gate surface 122. The hook gate 120 is biased in this first position due the spring steel characteristics. The first hook gate surface 121 is facing the hook throat 113 and a second position which is located in the throat. The second hook gate surface 122 is facing away from the hook throat 113 and is facing a third position which third position is located outside the throat. The hook gate 120 can only displace in the main centre-plane of the snap hook device between the first, second and third positions due its flat structure; the rigidity being caused by the width of the hook gate being wider than thick prevents movement of the hook gate 120 away from the main centre-plane. The hook main portion also comprises a plurality of grooves 140 allowing the hook to bend slightly under exertion of force thereby reducing the chance of breaking.
The belt clip 102 comprises a first clip member 150, a second clip member 160 and a clip hinge element 170. The belt clip 102 shares the main centre-plane of the snap hook 103. The first clip member 150 is connected to the first hook end portion 111, the clip hinge element 170 is connected to the first clip member proximal end 151, and the second clip member 160 which is connected by its second clip member proximal end 161 to the clip hinge element 170 and as thus coupled to the first clip member 150 thus allowing the clip members to move relative to each other pivoting about the hinge element. The first clip member 150, the second clip member 160 and the clip hinge element 170 define a clip throat 175 designed to hold at least a heavy duty tool belt about 75 mm wide. A clip throat opening 176 is located at the first clip member distal end 152 and the second clip member distal end 162, both said distal ends located opposite respective proximal clip member ends 151, 161 which are connected to the clip hinge element 170. The belt clip 102 is oriented such in the main centre-plane that the hinge element 170 is located at a relative small distance and the clip throat opening is located at a relative large distance from the hook main portion 110. The first clip member 150 and second clip member 160 are biased by the clip hinge element 170 in such that the clip throat opening 176 is in an open clip state. This facilitates the insertion of a belt into the clip throat 175 through the clip throat opening 176. A clip snap lock is composed by the first clip member distal end 152 comprising a first snap lock element 153, and the second clip member distal end 162 comprising a second snap lock element 163 for engaging with the first snap lock element 153. The clip snap lock can be operated using lever 180. The lever 180 is provided with a rough surface 181 for providing grip to the user. The lever 180 also acts as a guide for guiding a belt into the clip throat opening 176 when mounting the belt clip 102 on a belt.
On the face of second clip member 160 facing the clip throat 175 a first and a second ridge 190 each with a plurality of knobs 191 are provided. The protrusions in the clip throat 175 serve for engaging the clip 102 with the material of a belt when in the belt clip 102 is in a closed state and aids in maintaining a position of the belt clip 102 on the belt.
The snap hook device 100, save the hook gate 120 and self locking bolt 125, is moulded from plastic (POM (polyoxymethylene)) and has a slight resilient character, this allows the clip hinge element 170 and the clip snap lock to be biased but also to slightly deform in order to open and close the clip 102. This also allows the snap hook 103 to slightly yield under application of force so that it does not readily break, In an open state of the belt clip 102 the first snap lock element 53 comprises a curvilinear guide surface 254 facing the clip throat opening 176 and a first flat engagement surface 255 at a sharp angle with the curvilinear guide surface 254, which first flat engagement surface 255 faces away from the clip throat opening 176. The second snap lock element 163 comprises a flat guide surface 264 facing the clip throat opening 176 and a second flat engagement surface 265, When closing the belt clip 102 from the open state to a closed state the curvilinear guide surface 254 and the flat guide surface 264 contact each other and cause displacement of the second clip member distal end 62 which end biases back to its initial biased position relative to the second clip member 60 once the curvilinear guide surface 254 and the flat guide surface 264 slid over each other and have stopped contacting. This renders the belt clip 102 in a locked state, in which the first flat engagement surface 255 and the second flat engagement surface 265 are engaged.
The bias of the first clip member 50 and the second clip member 60 towards the open clip state further secures the engagement of the first and second flat engagement surfaces 255, 265. The favourable embodiment of the hook gate 120 according Fig. 1 is defined a furthest point 295 on a surface of the hook main portion 110 facing the hook throat 113, which furthest point 29% is furthest removed from the hook gate proximal end 121. The furthest distance between the furthest point 295 and the hook gate proximal end 121 is considered 100%, the length of the hook gate 120 is about 55% of the furthest distance, providing a clearance in the hook throat 113 for suspending objects on the hook main portion 110 and allowing the hook gate 120 to move in between the second position and the first position through the hook throat 113 while objects are suspended.
A favourable inclination of the hook gate 120 rendering the hook gate 120 less susceptible to accidental opening by a suspended object moving about in the snap hook 103 is defined by the hook gate distal end 123 being at 63% of the furthest distance which equals a sharp angle of 50° between the hook gate 120 and the first hook end portion 111, which first hook end portion 111 runs parallel to the first clip member 150 and is thus at the same angle with the hook gate 120.
Claims (13)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NL2027934A NL2027934B1 (en) | 2021-04-07 | 2021-04-07 | A snap hook device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NL2027934A NL2027934B1 (en) | 2021-04-07 | 2021-04-07 | A snap hook device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NL2027934B1 true NL2027934B1 (en) | 2022-10-20 |
Family
ID=83742543
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
NL2027934A NL2027934B1 (en) | 2021-04-07 | 2021-04-07 | A snap hook device |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
NL (1) | NL2027934B1 (en) |
-
2021
- 2021-04-07 NL NL2027934A patent/NL2027934B1/en active
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