Abstract: The hoist clamp has a coupling eye (7) which has a gimbal-type connection by means of the shafts (5,6) to clamp operating crank (14). When a diagonal pull is exerted, the neck (42) of the coupling eye (7) engages against a bracing point (3,4) which is sufficiently high above the shaft (6) to ensure that the lever action provides extra clamping force between the clamps (11,12). When the coupling eye (7) swings about the shaft (5), the coupling eye engages against the upper edges (1,2) of the casing (8), said edges curving outwards, so that additional clamping force is also obtained when the pull exerted is diagonal. Said additional clamping force is only marginally affected by the load (32) held in the load aperture (37).