WO2018212703A1

WO2018212703A1 - Hook for securing a chain, hook assembly and method for fastening a chain on a hook

Info

Publication number: WO2018212703A1
Application number: PCT/SE2018/050495
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bo HJELM
Original assignee: Exte Fabriks Ab
Priority date: 2017-05-16
Filing date: 2018-05-14
Publication date: 2018-11-22
Also published as: SE1750610A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hook for securing a chain, comprising - a hook body (9) having a first end and a second end (3), wherein the first end is configured for connecting to a first body, - a hook portion (31) at the second end (3), the hook portion (31) comprising a receiving portion (4) for receiving a chain link, said receiving portion (4) having a protrusion (7) for preventing a release of a chain link held by the hook, - an elongated control pin (5) extending from the second end (3) of the hook body (9).

Description

HOOK FOR SECURING A CHAIN, HOOK ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR FASTENING A CHAIN ON A

HOOK

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a hook for securing a chain, a hook assembly and also to a method for fastening a chain on a hook.

BACKGROUND

In many technical fields, hooks are used for securing a chain or rope and thereby holding objects in place. Generally, the hook is inserted through a chain link and holds the chain in place thanks to a curved receiving portion in the hook or some kind of locking element, often spring biased, that prevents the chain link from slipping from the hook and coming loose.

Many hooks suffer from the drawback that the chain link can either be undesirably released, if a locking element is missing, or that the locking element itself becomes stuck or is difficult to handle. While an undesired release poses a safety risk, the presence of the locking element also causes problems during the normal operation and makes the hook cumbersome and time consuming to manoeuvre.

Many attempts have been made to provide reliable, sturdy and secure hooks for fastening a chain, for instance those disclosed by US 1,588,002 (Bishop) and US 1,256,105 (Brooks). However, there is still a need for an improved hook that can overcome the problems described above and provide a reliable hook that is strong, light and easy to handle. SUM MARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to eliminate or at least to minimize the problems mentioned above. This is achieved through a hook according to the appended independent claim. Thanks to the invention, a very strong and reliable hook can be provided and is able to secure the chain link without the need for additional locking elements. Thanks to the control pin extending in a direction away from the first end from the second end of the hook, the chain is held securely and the mounting can be performed easily using only one hand to operate the hook. Also, the cooperation of the control pin and the protrusion prevent the chain link from slipping from the receiving portion and thereby eliminates the risk of the chain coming loose.

According to an aspect of the invention, the angle between the first axis and the second axis is 10- 30°, preferably 15-25°, more preferably 19-21°. Thereby, the hook is aligned in a suitable position when securing the chain so that large forces can be directed through the hook without causing deformation or fatigue.

According to another aspect of the invention, the control pin has a length that is at least 0,5 times a length of the elongated body, preferably at least 0,6 times, more preferably at least 0,7 times. Thereby, the control pin is long enough to hold additional chain links that can be added to the hook..

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the holder is a through hole at the first end of the hook body. Thereby, an end of the chain can be fixedly attached to the first end of the hook, or alternatively the hook can be secured on another structure. According to a further aspect of the invention, the receiving portion forms a circular sector of at least 180°. Due to the shape of the receiving portion, the chain link can easily be received by the receiving portion, and the shape of the hook body is suitable for directing forces through the hook body from the holder to the contact point of the receiving portion in a straight line and allow the hook to handle very large holding forces without being deformed or breaking.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the control pin has a first diameter (di) and the receiving portion has a second diameter (d₂), said first diameter being smaller than or equal to the second diameter. Thereby, the control pin can be inserted into a chain link and the chain link be brought to enclose the receiving portion without getting stuck on the control pin. According to a further aspect of the invention, the control pin is integrated with the hook body. Thereby, moving parts that are prone to damaging or breaking can be avoided. The hook is also rendered stronger by the avoidance of moving parts, since a moving or pivoting of the control pin would require a joint of some kind that would have to be able to withstand the large forces that the hook is subjected to when in use. Thus, because the hook is provided as a single integrated component, a superior strength and durability can be achieved compared to the prior art.

The invention also comprises a hook assembly wherein the hook is combined with a chain having a plurality of chain links, and wherein at least one of the chain links has an inner diameter (d₃) that is larger than the second diameter (d₂) of the receiving portion. Thereby, the chain is able to cooperate with the hook and the chain link can be secured against the contact point and prevented from disconnecting from the hook by the contact pin.

According to an aspect of the invention, the control pin is configured for contacting at least one of the chain links in at least one point. Thereby, the chain can be kept tight and prevented from slipping from the hook, especially through the cooperation of the receiving portion and the control pin in holding the chain in place. In the event that at least one further chain link is mounted on the control pin, that further chain link can alternatively serve as contact for the at least one chain link that is to be contacted by the control pin. As long as a contact is established between the control pin or control pin and further chain link and the chain itself this function is achieved.

The invention further comprises a method for mounting a chain on a hook according to the invention, as will be described in detail below. Thanks to the method, the chain can be secured on the hook in an easy and convenient way using only one hand to operate the hook and establishing a secure hold that will withstand wear and tear as well as dirt and movements or vibrations of the objects held in place.

Many additional benefits and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to the person skilled in the art in view of the detailed description below. DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings, wherein

Fig. la discloses a planar view from above of a hook according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig- lb discloses a planar view from the side of the hook of Fig. la;

Fig- 2a discloses a planar view from above of the hook of Fig. 1 mounted on a chain;

Fig- 2b discloses a planar view from the side of the hook and chain of Fig. 2a; and

Fig. 3a-3f disclose a method for mounting the hook according to the preferred embodiment of the invention on a chain and securing additional links of the chain to the hook.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. la discloses a hook 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with a hook body 9 having a first end 2 and a second end 3. A holder 6 is placed at the first end 2 and is in this embodiment in the form of a through hole. The first end is configured for connecting to a first body that may be a chain or another body onto which it is desired to fasten a hook. In another embodiment the holder 6 could alternatively be a fastening element on which a chain end or another holder could be fixedly mounted in order to secure the first end 2 to another structure, as will be described in more detail further below.

At the second end 3 of the hook body 9, a hook portion 31 is formed, comprising a receiving portion 4 is formed for receiving and holding a chain link on the hook 1. The receiving portion 4 has a contact point 8 against which the chain link would lie in a secured state, and at an end of the receiving portion 4 that faces away from the first end 2 a protrusion 7 is provided for preventing the chain link from slipping from the contact point 8. From the second end 3 a control pin 5 extends in a direction away from the first end 2. The control pin 5 has a first diameter di and the second end 3 of the hook body 9 has a second diameter d₂ at the receiving portion 4, wherein the first diameter di is preferably smaller than or equal to the second diameter d₂ to prevent the chain link from getting stuck on the control pin 5 and thereby be unable to reach the receiving portion 4. The receiving portion 4 is preferably in the form of a semicircle or comprises a circular sector of at least 180°. The hook body 9 extends from the first end 2 towards the second end 3 along a first axis A and the control pin 5 extends along a second axis B in such a way that the first and second axes A, B intersect at an angle a, that angle a being 10-30°, preferably 15-25°, more preferably 19-21°. Thanks to this angle, the hook 1 is formed to be able to accommodate very large forces and direct them from the first end 2 towards the contact point 8 in an efficient way. With an angle of about 20°, the hook 1 is of an especially suitable shape that can withstand large forces without deformation and that can be reliably secured to the chain and minimize the risk of unintentional removal of the chain.

The control pin 5 has a length I as shown in Fig. la, and the second end 3 of the hook body 9 has a maximum diameter d₄ at the protrusion 7. The length I of the control pin 5 is at least twice the maximum diameter d₄. This enables the secure holding of a chain and minimizes the risk of the chain coming loose, since the control pin is long enough to extend over at least one but often two chain links and prevent them from moving in such a way that they may slip past the protrusion 7 and be unintentionally removed from the hook 1, as will also be discussed below with regard to the length of the control pin compared to the length of the hook as a whole. When the hook is used to secure a chain and the chain is pulled tight, the control pin 5 extends in parallel with the tightened chain and contacts the chain in at least one point along the length of the control pin 5. This creates a force on the chain that is essentially perpendicular to the traction force exerted by the hook to tighten the chain. Due to the perpendicular force, the tightened chain is held in place along the control pin 5 and the unintentional loosening of the chain from the hook 1 can be efficiently prevented. Through a cooperation of the receiving portion holding the chain link, the control pin 5 contacting the chain in at least one point and the protrusion 7, an especially secure hold of the chain is achieved. In the event that the control pin 5 is inserted through at least one further chain link as described below, the control pin 5 pushes the further chain link towards the chain and thereby exerts the perpendicular force. The control pin 5 is integrated with the hook body 9, thereby eliminating the need for moving parts that would weaken the hook 1 and be prone to damage or breaking. Through the integrated formation of the control pin 5 with the hook body 9, the strength of the hook 1 is significantly increased and allows for the use of the hook 1 as described herein to securely hold the chain in place regardless of vibrations or temperature changes, as well as other factors. Fig. lb discloses the hook from the side, showing how the hook in this preferred embodiment is manufactured from a single flat piece of material, such as a metal sheet. Preferably, the hook 1 is made through cutting a desired shape in the metal sheet and will require no further modifications before being ready for use.

Fig. 2a discloses a hook arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the hook 1 mounted on a first end of a chain 10' and with a chain link 10 secured on the second end 3 of the hook 1. The holder 6 is in this embodiment a through hole through which the first end of the chain 10' is mounted, and the chain link 10 has been mounted by threading on the control pin 5 as will be described further below. Fig. 2b shows the arrangement of Fig. 2a from the side and discloses how the chain link 10 is secured around the receiving portion 4 of the second end 3 of the hook body 9. The protrusion 7 acts together with the control pin 5 to prevent the chain link 10 from being released from the hook 1, although the control pin 5 itself will also be able to provide this effect on its own thanks to its shape and orientation.

The chain link 10 has an inner diameter d₃ that is larger than the second diameter d₂ of the receiving portion, allowing the chain link 10 to enclose the second end 3 of the hook 1 and be held in place there.

The control pin 5 is in this embodiment at least 0,5, preferably at least 0,6 and more preferably at least 0,7 times the length of the hook body 9 and it is advantageous that the control pin 5 has a length I that exceeds the length of the chain link 10. Thereby, the control pin 5 is able to contact both the chain link 10 and another link 11, meaning that movements or vibrations of the chain will not be able to release it from the hook by making the chain link 10 slip or tug past the protrusion 7.

The use of the hook 1 will now be described with reference to Fig. 3a-3f. Before securing a chain with the hook 1, the first end 2 is preferably attached to one end of the chain in question or to another structure that will be able to provide a secure hold for the hook 1 and withstand a pulling force from the chain link 10 in the mounted state. In a first step (Fig. 3a), the control pin 5 of the hook 1 is inserted through a chain link 10, preferably while the chain 100 itself is wound around objects that are to be kept in place. Such objects can be logs, crates, or any other objects that need to be held firmly and prevented from moving. The insertion of the control pin 5 can be performed using only one hand, leaving the other hand free to tighten the chain and hold it in place for the insertion of the hook 1. For the first step, the hook is preferably held essentially perpendicular to the chain 100.

In a second step (Fig. 3b), the hook 1 is turned clockwise to bring the control pin 5 up towards the chain 100 and slip the chain link 10 around the receiving portion 4 where the chain link 10 or an adjacent link is brought into contact with the contact point 8. In a third step (Fig. 3c), the hook 1 is released and left in place to hold the chain 100 and the contact pin 5 itself or in combination with the protrusion 7 prevents the chain link 10 from being released, even if the hook arrangement is subjected to vibrations or to additional forces. The only way to release the chain link 10 is to manually rotate the hook 1 in the counterclockwise direction and separating the control pin 5 and the chain link 10. It is to be noted that the rotational directions given herein (clockwise and counterclockwise) can just as well be the opposite, depending on the insertion direction of the control pin 5 through the chain link 10. For the mounting or securing, however, the hook 1 will always be rotated to bring the control pin 5 towards the chain 100 in such a way that is lies adjacent to the chain on an upper side of the chain link 10. For the release or removal, the hook 1 will instead be rotated to bring the control pin 5 back towards a direction perpendicular to the chain 100.

When securing the chain link 10 on the hook 1, a chain end 110 is often formed that is not fixed but may move freely in relation to the hook 1 and those parts of the chain 100 that are kept secured by the hook 1. In order to prevent such movements, additional chain links 110' can be mounted on the control pin 5 (Fig. 3d, Fig. 3e), thereby preventing them being damaged and also preventing them causing damage to their surroundings. This is especially beneficial during transport or handling of the objects that are secured by the hook assembly. Fig. 3f show the hook 1 mounted on the chain link 10 and holding two additional chain links 110' on the control pin 5, creating a secure hold on the chain 100.

Another suitable use for the present invention is when connecting one chain to another. In such cases, the holder 6 of the hook 1 is fixedly connected to a first chain, and a second chain is secured by the hook 1 as described above.

It is to be noted that features from the embodiments described herein may freely be combined with each other unless it is expressly stated that such a combination would be unsuitable.

Claims

1. Hook for interconnecting a first body and a chain, comprising

a hook body (9) having a first end (2) and a second end (3), wherein the first end (2) is configured for connecting to a first body,

- a hook portion (31) at the second end (3), the hook portion (31) comprising a receiving portion (4) for receiving a chain link, said receiving portion (4) having a protrusion (7) for preventing a release of a chain link held by the hook,

an elongated control pin (5) extending from the second end (3) of the hook body (9), wherein the control pin (5) extends in a direction away from the first end (2) along an axis (B) and has a length (I) of at least twice a maximum diameter (d₄) of the hook portion (31).

2. Hook according to claim 1, wherein the elongated hook body (9) extends along a first axis (A) and the elongated control pin (5) extends along a second axis (B) in such a way that an angle (a) is formed between the first and second axes, said angle being 10-30°, preferably 15-25°, more preferably 19-21°.

3. Hook according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length (I) of the control pin (5) is at least 0,5 times a length of the hook body (9) from the first to the second end (3), preferably at least

0,6 times, more preferably at least 0,7 times.

4. Hook according to any of the previous claims, wherein the first end (2) of the hook body (9) comprises a through hole (6) for holding a first body.

5. Hook according to any previous claim, wherein the receiving portion (4) forms a circular sector of at least 180°.

6. Hook according to any previous claim, wherein the control pin (5) has a first diameter (di) and the receiving portion (4) has a second diameter (d₂), said first diameter being smaller than or equal to the second diameter.

7. Hook according to any previous claim, wherein the control pin (5) is integrated with the hook body (9).

8. Hook assembly, comprising a hook according to any of the claims 1-7 and a chain (100)

comprising a plurality of chain links (10), wherein at least one of the chain links (10) has an inner diameter (d₃) that is larger than the maximum diameter (d₄) of the hook portion (31).

9. Hook assembly according to claim 8, wherein the control pin (5) is configured for contacting at least one of the chain links (10) in at least one point.

10. Method for fastening a chain on a hook, comprising the steps of

providing a hook (1) and a chain (100),

inserting a control pin (5) of a second end (3) of the hook body (9) through a chain link (10) to bring the chain link (10) into a receiving portion (4) at the second end (3) of the hook body (9),

turning the hook (1) to bring the control pin (5) into contact with the chain (100).

11. Method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of

after fastening of the chain (100) inserting the control pin (5) through at least one further chain link (10).