Hook Patents (Class 294/81.56)
  • Patent number: 11511860
    Abstract: Methods and systems for attaching and detaching an item satchel from an autonomous delivery unit. An attachment system includes an attachment system frame, and a satchel comprising a plurality of external pins. The attachment system also includes a plurality of hooks, mechanically attached to the frame, each hook including a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface, one or more electric actuators, mechanically attached to the frame, and mechanically connected to the plurality of hooks. Each of the first engagement surfaces engage a corresponding pin of the plurality of external pins at a first position between the horizontal and vertical positions, and each of the second engagement surfaces engage the corresponding pin of the plurality of external pins at the vertical position to secure an item satchel to an autonomous delivery unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Ryan M. Luckay, Robert E. Dixon, Jr., Gregory Cooil
  • Patent number: 10899449
    Abstract: Methods and systems for attaching and detaching an item satchel from an autonomous delivery unit. An attachment system includes an attachment system frame, and a satchel comprising a plurality of external pins. The attachment system also includes a plurality of hooks, mechanically attached to the frame, each hook including a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface, one or more electric actuators, mechanically attached to the frame, and mechanically connected to the plurality of hooks. Each of the first engagement surfaces engage a corresponding pin of the plurality of external pins at a first position between the horizontal and vertical positions, and each of the second engagement surfaces engage the corresponding pin of the plurality of external pins at the vertical position to secure an item satchel to an autonomous delivery unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Ryan M Luckay, Robert E Dixon, Jr., Gregory Cooil
  • Patent number: 10252891
    Abstract: An apparatus including a base, a guide arm pivotable relative to the base, the guide arm movable between a raised position and a lowered position. A tension linkage having a distal end extending away from the base, the tension linkage supported by the guide arm when the arm is in the raised position. A tension linkage guide disposed on the guide arm, the tension linkage guide movable along the tension linkage as the guide arm moves between raised and lowered positions. A lid hook connected to the distal end of the tension linkage. When the lid hook is engaged with a cargo vessel lid, the tension linkage forms a first tension angle and a second tension angle when the guide arm is in the raised position and the lowered position respectively, the second tension angle being less than the first tension angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Inventor: Shane Bakalyar
  • Patent number: 9434580
    Abstract: An apparatus including a base, a guide arm pivotable relative to the base, the guide arm movable between a raised position and a lowered position. A tension linkage having a distal end extending away from the base, the tension linkage supported by the guide arm when the arm is in the raised position. A tension linkage guide disposed on the guide arm, the tension linkage guide movable along the tension linkage as the guide arm moves between raised and lowered positions. A lid hook connected to the distal end of the tension linkage. When the lid hook is engaged with a cargo vessel lid, the tension linkage forms a first tension angle and a second tension angle when the guide arm is in the raised position and the lowered position respectively, the second tension angle being less than the first tension angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Inventor: Shane Bakalyar
  • Patent number: 9224510
    Abstract: A handling system including a tool for lifting the container, wherein the lifting tool includes a lifting carrier to be suspended and a member for gripping the container comprising removable devices for fastening the container onto the gripping member. According to one aspect of the invention, the gripping member is mounted so that it may rotate on the lifting carrier about a substantially horizontal rotation axis when the lifting carrier is suspended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: AREVA NP
    Inventors: Pierre Wegeler, Jacques Gauthier
  • Publication number: 20140042759
    Abstract: A grill grate lifting tool that engages the grill at three or more points. The grill lifter hooks between the tines of the grill grate at the rim and/or to a handle of the grill grate. The grill grate lifting tool includes a handle attached to three or more legs, which is generally central above the center of mass of the grill grate to provide a stable lifting point with or without food on the grate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventor: James K. Greer
  • Patent number: 8226137
    Abstract: A dual chain hoist having a lifting beam that can be telescopically extended and contracted, wherein load chains respectively extend to hook blocks suspended beneath the lifting beam in the vicinity of the ends of two telescoping sections that form the lifting beam. The distance between the telescoping sections can be varied with another chain. The chain for varying the length of the lifting beam extends over a chain wheel that is connected without rotational play to another chain wheel from which the load chain of the hook block of the respective telescoping lifting beam section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Konecranes Plc
    Inventors: Jürgen Kasper, Peter Kittsteiner
  • Patent number: 8079799
    Abstract: A lifting apparatus is adapted for use in lifting a container having a pair of channels, each of the channels having a pair of open ends. The lifting apparatus includes an elongated support bar and a hook assembly mounted on each end of the support bar. Each of the hook assemblies includes a pair of hooks and a hydraulic cylinder and piston for rotating the hooks between open and closed positions. The container is lifted by lowering the support bar with the hooks in the open position until the hooks can be rotated into the open ends of the two channels. The hooks are then rotated to the closed position so that the hooks extend into the channels. The lifting apparatus is then raised to lift the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Petersen Industries, Inc
    Inventors: Lee F. Rathbun, David H. Osburn
  • Publication number: 20110286826
    Abstract: A substrate support apparatus which can support a substrate having a center hole, comprises a support portion which can support the substrate. The support portion includes a support groove with a cross-sectional shape in which a groove width gradually increases in a counter-gravitational direction, and a width of the support groove between two end portions is larger than a width of the support groove at the center thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: CANON ANELVA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadashi Ikeda, Gen Goshokubo, Hiroshi Sone
  • Patent number: 7997634
    Abstract: A lifting hook is arranged to grab an object to be lifted by a cylindrical lifting surface formed thereto, the lifting hook having a hook shank, a hook part joining the hook shank and a locking device arranged to lock the lifting hook to the object to be lifted. To allow the lifting hook to be reliably attached to the piece to be lifted, a mechanical control device is mounted above the hook part to co-operate with the upper surface of the lifting surface for guiding the hook part to a lifting position onto the lower surface of the lifting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Konecranes PLC
    Inventors: Hannu Piispanen, Ari Lehtinen, Jarmo Nikkola, Kimmo Hytönen
  • Patent number: 7988214
    Abstract: The cargo spreader bar (100) is a rectangular frame with longitudinal sides (120) that are longer than the lateral sides (118e). Hooks (102) are attached to the frame along the longitudinal sides (120). The hooks (102) hold cargo hoisting chains (CH) and include actuator (206) controlled, pivoting safety locks (208) that close to secure the chains (CH) to the hooks (102). A tubular chain lifter (104) pivotally mounted to the frame extends along one of the longitudinal frame members (120). A second chain lifter (104) extends along the remaining longitudinal frame member (120). Inside sections of the tubular chain lifters (104) are pivotally coupled to a chain lifter actuator (400). When safety locks (208) are disengaged, an actuator arm (401) can be commanded to pivot the outside sections of the lifters (104) to swing upward to release the chains (CH) from the hooks (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventor: Roger D. Grizzle
  • Patent number: 7891718
    Abstract: Provided as a hoist system for installing a plurality of panels of a panel set onto a building structure at a jobsite. The hoist system comprises a beam assembly configured to hoist the panels and sequentially offload the panels from the beam assembly onto the building structure. The beam assembly comprises an elongate hoist beam, a lifting lug, a plurality of trolleys mounted on one of the opposing ends of hoist beam, and a drive mechanism operative to reposition the lifting lug along the hoist beam such that the hoist beams maintain a substantially horizontal or level orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Heinaman Contract Glazing, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Heinaman
  • Publication number: 20100187844
    Abstract: A lifting hook is arranged to grab an object to be lifted by a cylindrical lifting surface formed thereto, the lifting hook having a hook shank, a hook part joining the hook shank and a locking device arranged to lock the lifting hook to the object to be lifted. To allow the lifting hook to be reliably attached to the piece to be lifted, a mechanical control device is mounted above the hook part to co-operate with the upper surface of the lifting surface for guiding the hook part to a lifting position onto the lower surface of the lifting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Konecranes Plc
    Inventors: Hannu Piinspanen, Ari Lehtinen, Jarmo Nikkola, Kimmo Hytönen
  • Patent number: 7654593
    Abstract: A safety hook for mounting on the extremity of a spreader bar of a patient lift is secured to a base member that is connected to or integral with the spreader bar. A load-bearing hook member is pivotally suspended from the base member to allow the hook member to move in the plane of the hook member between an open position and a closed position in which the free end of the hook member engages the base member at an engagement point. The hook member is shaped such that it is urged to the closed position when a downward load is applied to it, and that it is urged to the open position when an upward load is applied to it. Under normal circumstances the safety hook closes automatically because of the weight of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Ergolet A/S
    Inventor: Mogens Hjort
  • Patent number: 7503606
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a lifting assembly has a frame structure with a translatable support element. The support element has a load-bearing surface and a screw-form. The screw-form is threadedly connected to a gear which is in mechanical communication with a power source, which may be an electric motor. The load-bearing surface is fixed to a shaft of the translatable support element and at least a portion of the load-bearing surface is angularly oriented with respect to the shaft. A guide with at least one end fixed to the frame structure is adapted to adjust the rotational orientation of the load-bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Jay Reynolds, David Fox, Thomas Morris
  • Patent number: 7434787
    Abstract: The invention relates to a winch (6) for raising and lowering persons, of the type that comprises a housing with an attachment member (16), an electric motor (39) driving a reel (27), a lifting strap (7) connected to the reel for winding and unwinding the lifting strap whereby the lifting strap is guided through one of two openings (17,19) formed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Ergolet A/S
    Inventor: Mogens Hjort
  • Patent number: 7399019
    Abstract: A device for lifting oversized pieces of material. The device includes a spreader bar capable of attaching to a lifting vehicle. At least two cross members are attached to the spreader bar along with at least one cross-member power source. The at least one cross-member power source is connected to at least one drive mechanism which in turn is connected to at least one of the at least two cross members. A load-pick power source is attached to each of the at least two cross members and well as to at least one load-pick drive mechanism. The at least one load-pick drive mechanism is connected to each of the at least two load pick points, and the cross-member and the load-pick power sources are each electrically connected to an operating or control panel in a cab of the lifting vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Mi-Jack Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Malmgren, Daniel Brian Zakula, Sr., Myron Glickman
  • Patent number: 7159912
    Abstract: Transport device for an object, in particular for a pressing tool with a large weight, with a plurality of cable elements, which comprise a securing element, to which the object to be transported can be releasably fastened. According to the invention, a spreader device is provided, which is configured with a spreader weight, which is fastened to a chain hoist, which is movable in vertical direction by a drive unit, and with struts articulated to the spreader weight, wherein on the side opposite to the spreader weight each strut is fixedly connected to a cable element having the securing element on the free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt Gerhäusser
  • Patent number: 7093729
    Abstract: The device combines ballast blocks (3) that can be stacked onto a base frame of the crane, and a gripper (2) for handling these blocks, the gripper being designed to be connected, during use, to a handling means. This device comprises means of nonpermanent connection, by hooking, between the gripper (2) and a ballast block (3) and means (34, 37, 38) for centering the stacked ballast blocks (3) relative to one another. The aforementioned connection means are constituted by two opposed gripping hooks (15, 16) mounted pivotably at the ends of a lifting beam (4) of the gripper (2) and interacting with transverse pins (35) of a block (3). The rear part of each hook (15, 16) is attached to a sling (27, 28), and a lock (21, 22) is assigned to it. The invention applies in particular to the ballasting of tower cranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Potain
    Inventors: Philippe Monteil, Yves Millet
  • Patent number: 6991274
    Abstract: The multipurpose spreader attachment includes in a first preferred embodiment projections on an underside that define sockets to be engaged with complimentary bosses located on the upper surface of a cargo cage. A latching mechanism is provided to effect a locked arrangement between the spreader and the cargo cage to couple to the cargo cage reliably and securely. The cargo cage is adapted to accommodate both the heavy lifting equipment as well as the pallets of goods to be unloaded, such that the need to change riggings for moving the fork lift and moving the cargo is eliminated. Moreover, the multipurpose spreader is equipped with cables that preferably include actuable hooks that suspend from the spreader and can be opened and closed via an actuator on the spreader. The hooks are adapted to cooperate with connectors such as rings on the preslung pallets, allowing the crane and multipurpose spreader to lift the preslung pallets in addition to the cargo cages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Metropolitan Stevedore Company
    Inventor: Leonard W. Brooks
  • Patent number: 6957838
    Abstract: A stiffener device for use in moving a truss is disclosed. A crane lift cable is attached to a spreader bar. Two lines from the spreader bar attach to the truss to move the truss using a crane. A stiffener body attachable to the truss by brackets allows the stiffener body to hang on the bottom chord of the truss. The stiffener body provides a significantly increased resistance to bending along the length of the truss. This stiffening prevents bending and flexing of the truss which can reduce the numbers of damaged trusses that can occur when setting trusses to a building structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: Clarence Nowak
  • Patent number: 6729666
    Abstract: A combination hanging and dragging hunting aid comprises a handle having a pair of opposing free ends. The handle has means for supporting the handle such as a loop or other surface. A pair of removable hooks are attached to each free end of the handle, with the hooks being adapted to hook to an animal so that the animal can be hung via the handle. One or more flexible members are provided that can extends from one or more end of the handle. The flexible member terminates in a hook for attaching to a portion of an animal to allow the animal to be dragged using the handle. By selecting the proper position of the hooks, the animal can be first dragged to a site, and then, by repositioning the hooks, the animal can be hung up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: James Mullis
  • Patent number: 6640880
    Abstract: A cover for a heat exchange element basket assembly includes a metal sheet and at least one lifting lug. A vertical groove extends inward from the outer surface of the metal sheet. Each lifting lug is a horizontal plate having an opening extending vertically there through, an outer edge, and a shape which is substantially complementary to the cross-sectional profile of the groove. The lifting lug is mounted within the groove, such that the outer edge of the lifting lug does not extend beyond the outer surface of the metal sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd
    Inventors: William D. Slocum, Clair F. Updyke
  • Patent number: 6427955
    Abstract: Bulk bag loop retainers used in conjunction with bulk bag lifting frames. Each retainer includes opposed retainer plates secured to the lifting frame. The plates are shaped and dimensioned and aligned relative to one another to define a non-linear passage into a retainment area which receives and retains the bag loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Flexicon Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Sterner, John F. Simonof, Jr., David R. Gill
  • Patent number: 6357810
    Abstract: A hoist assembly 10 for lifting an object 12 includes a support fixture 14 having three elongated support rails or members 16, 18, and 20, a movable lever assembly 24, which is mounted upon a spanning member 22, and three interconnecting chains, members or assemblies 26, 28, and 30 which are coupled to fixture 14 and to object 12. Movable lever assembly 24 moves from a first position to a second position when object 12 is lifted, thereby shifting the center of gravity 142 of the fixture 14 and allowing fixture 14 and object 12 to remain in a level or horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle E. Schwulst
  • Patent number: 6283700
    Abstract: A tool for removing tie down cables from a center beam rail car loaded with cargo, the apparatus comprising a support beam having a width selected to be greater than the span between a number of tie down cables on the center beam rail car. A plurality of hook-shaped cable claws are rigidly attached in a spaced apart, downwardly extending manner to the support beam. At least one lift sleeve rigidly attached to the support beam and having a receiving end for attaching to an external lift mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Safety Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Oltrogge