US2509225A

US2509225A - Quick releasing safety crane hook

Info

Publication number: US2509225A
Application number: US634959A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold H Gilbert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1945-12-14
Filing date: 1945-12-14
Publication date: 1950-05-30
Anticipated expiration: 1967-05-30

Description

flay U, 195@ GILBERT 2,509,225

QUICK RELEASING SAFETY CRANE HOOK Filed Dec. 14, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l gvwwwbo o HMRULD M. GULBERT T R E B m G H H QUICK RELEASING SAFETY CRANE HOOK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 14, 1945 T. W E B M W G Patented May 30, 1950 its rrss

TENT FHQE Application December 14, 1M5, Serial No. 634,959%

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 3'70 0. G. 757) 9 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for connecting one member to another for quick release and more specifically to a quick release hook associated with hoisting tackle for securely supporting a load during manipulation thereof but permitting quick release wh n desired.

In launching landing craft from a ship into the water, it is desirable to employ a quick release hook at the lower hoist block rather than the conventional open hook because the ring and slings, by which the landing craft suspended from the hook and hence the hoist block, are very heavy, and it is diilicult and hazardous for one to lift the ring off the hook especially when the craft is being tossed about by the surf. A quick release hook is likewise desirable wherever hoisting tackle is employed for transferring a load from one place to another since there is always the danger that the operator will be injured in disengaging the slings or similar tackle attached to the load from the hook. It is an object of the invention therefore to provide an improved type of quick release safety hook for securing a load to a conventional hoist block, the design of the hook being such that it will be secure but readily releasable and simple in construction.

In its broader aspect, novelty resides in a device for releasably connecting one member to another, for example, a hoist block to tackle attached to a load comprising a bar from which the tackle is suspended one end of which is pivotally connected to the hoist block and the free end of which is adapted to releasably be locked to the hoist block whereupon release of the free end of the bar from the block will allow the tackle supported hereby to slide oil. As illustrated, the bar is pivoted between the lower ends of a pair of links, the upper ends of which are pivctally attached to the bottom side of the hoist block, and its free end is releasably supported at substantially the same level as its pivoted end by a bearing block fixed between the lower ends of a second pair of links also pivotally attached to the hoist block. A keeper pivoted adjacent to the free end of the bar on the second pair of links is adapted to bear against the same and to hold it in engagement with the bearing block and hence against movement normal to the bearing block. The bearing block and bar have interlocking mating surfaces so that when they are held in engagement by the keeper movement of the bearing block laterally with respect to the bar is prevented. A bale shaped lever is connected to the aforesaid keeper and serves initially to move the same to an out of the way position and upon further movement to swing the second pair of links about their pivot 2 to move the bearing block laterall from beneath the end of the bar. Associated with the hoist block is a stop adapted to prevent the pairs of links from movement inwardly toward each other or distortion of the Whole device in one direction or the other and associated with one pair of links is a stop adapted to limit tilting movement of the bar about its pivoted end when its free end is released from support by the bearing block.

The invention will now be described in detail references to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure l is a side elevation showing the invention as employed with a hoist block and tackle for releasably suporting a landing craft from a ring and sling;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the quick release hook partly brokenaway and showing the ring to which the sling is attached supported on the bar and;

Figure 3 is an end view taken from the left side or the hook as seen in Figure 2.

Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated a landing craft H} which is provided with ropes 12 attached at one end to eyes it fixed to the landing craft and at their opposite ends to a ring it. The ropes l2 and ring it constitute what is ordinarily known as a sling by which the landing craft is suspended from a hook til, the hook in turn being fixed to the lower block it of a block and tackle. The hook it which forms the subject matter of this invention is of the quick release type, the details of which will now be described.

Referring to Figure 2, the lower block if! of the block and tackle is of the usual construction having a pair of spaced walls 22 (Figure 3). In the lower portion of the walls 22 pairs of the opposed openinsg 24 are formed which are adapted to receive the opposite ends of a pair of bolts 2%. The bolts 25 are retained in place by washers 28 which engage the outside of the block and cotter pins 30. Between the walls 22 two pairs of links 32 and 3d are suspended on the bolts 25 and are held in spaced relation by collars (56 disposed on the bolts between the links. At the lower ends of one of the pairs of links 32, there are formed openings 38 for receiving pin it and on this pin ill there is pivotally mounted a bar. The opposite end of the bar G2 is enlarged to form a mad lit and has on its lower side a concave surface and on its upper side concave surface 53. A hearing block 56 having a convex surface 52 is fixed between the lower ends of the other pair of links 34 as by a pin is in a position to be engaged by the concave surface M on the lower side of the bar 42 and hence to support this end of the 3 bar. A bolt 55 is mounted between the links 34 above the free end of the bar 42 and on this bolt there is pivotally mounted a bar 54, the lower or outer end 48 of which is convex and is adapted to cooperate with the concave surface 58 of the upper or inner side of the bar 42. When the keeper 54 is hanging in a substantially vertical position from its pivot bolt 56, the lower surface 48 thereof will engage the surface 58 of the bar 42 and prevent movement of the free end of the bar 42 normal to the supporting surface 52 and will also prevent outward lateral movement of the links 34 with respect to the head of the bar 42. Thus the bar 42 is locked to the links 34 so that the ring I6 is held in place. In order to release the bar 42 and in turn to release the ring I6 so that the landing craft may be released from the block and tackle, means is provided for moving the keeper 54 to an out of the way position. This comprises a pair of arms 6t pivotally attached by a bolt 62 to the keeper 54 at one end and at their opposite ends to a pair of arms $5. The arms 66 are pivotally attached by bolts 68 to the spaced links 34. These arms form a continuation of a bail shaped member iii which constitutes a handle and are integral therewith. By pulling he handle IS in a clockwise direction about its pivot bolts 58 the arms 63 are caused to move upwardly and to the left which swings the keeper 54 clockwise about its pivot bolt 55 to an out of the way position as shown in dotted lines. Further movement of the handle 'lEl will swing the links 34 in a clockwise direction to disengage the support 52 from the convex surface 44 and hence from the head 4* of the bar 42. In order to prevent swinging of the links 32 in response to the pull on the handle IQ and to prevent distortion of the whole coupling due to side sway a stop 78 in the form of a plate is fixed between the two pairs of links to the underside of the hoist block in a position to engage and prevent swinging movement of either pair of links toward the other. A stop 12 is also provided for preventing the bar 42 from tilting more than just enough to allow the ring it to slide off easily. The stop '52 comprises a plate fixed between the links 32 and its lower edge 74 is adapted to engage the rear end E6 of the bar 42 as soon as the bar has tilted a predetermined amount.

In operation of the device, that is to release the bar 42 from its locked position as shown in Figure 2, the operator grasps the handle iii and swings it the left as seen in Figure 2 about its pivot points on the bolts 38. The initial movement of the arms (56 move the arms 60 to the left and upwardly so as to swing the arm 54 in a clockwise direction about the bolt 56. As soon as the keeper 54 has moved to an out of the way position as shown in dotted lines the bar 42 is, of course, unlocked. Further movement of the handle 70 to the left will then swing the links 34 about the bolt 26 thereby to disengage the supporting surface 52 laterally from beneath the convex surface 44 of the bar. As soon as the head 46 of the bar 42 is withdrawn from the links 34 the weight of the landing craft and tackle will cause the bar 42 to tilt downwardly until its rear end 15 engages the stop 14 whereupon the ring IE will slide toward the head of the bar and in doing so will push the links 34 ahead of it. The ring [6 upon clearing the head of the bar 42 will fall away from the bar, hence releasing the landing craft and the links 34 will then swing back into contact with the end of the bar 42.

In the claims the terms inner and "outer are used alternatively with upper and lower respectively, as referring to the hook position of Fig. 2.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

I claim:

1. A device for releasably supporting a load comprising a bar from which the load is suspended, first link means for pivotally supporting one end of the bar, second link means arranged to engage the outer side of free end of the bar to hold it at substantiall the same level as the pivoted end, a keeper means releasably engaging the inner side of said free end of the bar to hold the outer side of the bar against the second link means, actuating means for moving the keeper means to a position out of engagement with the inner side of the bar and th reafter moving said second link means laterally from beneath the under side of the bar.

2. In combination with a block and tackle, a hook for releasably suporting a load from the block comprising a plurality of pairs of spaced members pivotally suspended from the block, a bar pivotally attached to one pair or members, a bearing block attached to the second pair of members upon which the free end of the bar is adapted to rest, a keeper pivoted on said second pair of members, the outer end of which is adapted to engage and hold the free end of the bar against movement normal to the bearing block and hence to lock the bar in a substantially horizontal position, a toggle linkage on the secand pair of members for moving said keeper to an out of the way position and said second pair of members laterally to move the bearing block out of engagement with the free end of the bar and a stop on said first pair of members adapted to limit the tilt of the unsupported end of the bar a predetermined amount.

3. In combination with a block and tackle, a hook for releasably supporting a load from the block comprising two pairs of parallel links suspended from the under side of the block and spaced from each other, a bar pivoted between the lower ends of one pair of links, a bearing block having an upper curved bearing surface fixed between the lower ends of the other pair of links, said curved surface being adapted to engage and support the free end of the bar at substantiallythe same level as the pivoted end of the bar, and

said bar having a surface mating with said curved supporting surface, a keeper pivoted on said second pair of links adapted to hold the bar in engagement with the curved supporting surface or the block thereby to prevent both normal and lateral movement of the bar with respect to the support block and means for moving said keeper to an out of the way position to release the bar, said means serving also to swing the second pair of links ina direction to move the support block laterally from beneath the end of the bar and means to prevent movement of the first pair oi links in the direction of the applied force.

4. A device for releasabl connecting one mem-' her to a second member, comprising a bar engageable with the second member, a pair of links pivotally secured to the first of said members to pivotally support one end of the bar, a second pair of links pivotally mounted on said first member to support the free end of the bar, a keeper for holding said bar in engagement with the second pair of links, and a toggle linkage for releasing the keeper from the bar and moving said second pair of links to a position of non-support of the bar permitting the bar to drop disengaging the load.

5. A device for releasably supporting a load comprising a body member, a bar from which the load is suspended, first link means carried by the body member for pivotally supporting one end of the bar, second link means pivotally connected to the body member for supporting the free end of the bar, a keeper for locking said bar in engagement with said second link means, and a toggle linkage for moving said keeper to a position to unlock the free end of the bar from its supporting link means to free the load.

6. A device for releasably supporting a load comprising a bar from which the load is suspended, first link means pivotally supporting one end of the bar, second link means pivotally engaging the outer side of the bar to hold it at substantially the same level as the pivoted end, a pivoted keeper engaging the inner side of the bar to prevent lateral movement of the second link means with respect to the bar, and a toggle linkage to disengage the keeper from the bar to free the load.

7. A device for releasably supporting a load comprising a, bar from which the load is suspended, first link means pivotally supporting one end of the bar, a curved surface on the outer side of the bar, second link means having curved surfaces complementing the surface Of the bar for holding the free end of the bar at substantially the same level as the pivoted end, a keeper for holding said mating surfaces in engagement, and means for releasing the keeper to free the mating surfaces whereby movement of the bar is permitted.

8. A device for releasably supporting a load comprising a bar from which the load is suspended, a pair of links pivotally supporting one end of the bar, a, second pair of links engaging the underside of the free end of the bar, a keeper releasably engaging the top of the free end of the bar to hold it in contact with the second pair of links, toggle means for moving the keeper out of engagement with the bar and for moving the second pair of links to permit the bar to drop about its pivot to free the load, and a stop for limiting the movement of the bar.

9. A device for releasably connecting a first member to a second member, comprising a bar engageable with the second member, first link means secured to the first member to support permanently and pivotally one end of the bar, second link means pivotally mounted on said first member to support detachably the free end of the bar, a keeper for holding said bar in engagement with the said second link means, and preventing axial and lateral displacement thereof and actuating means for releasing the keeper from engagement with the bar and moving said second link means to a position of non-support of said bar whereby said second member is disengaged.

HAROLD H. GILBERT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 472,353 Hilton Apr. 5, 1892 1,079,297 Jacques Nov. 18, 1913 1,251,531 Hunt Jan. 1, 1918 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 481 Great Britain Mar. 10, 1858