And Position Locking-means For Gate Patents (Class 24/599.5)
  • Patent number: 7540074
    Abstract: Various embodiments for locking carabiners employing a reinforcing sleeve are described. The carabiners of the present invention include a C-shaped body having a nose region and an end region. A gate including a flanged region housing a receptacle configured to receive the nose region in a receptacle is pivotally mounted at the end region. A sleeve is movably mounted on the gate, allowing the nose region to be secured within the receptacle. The sleeve is closely fitted about the gate at the flanged region, providing support for the flanged region of the gate in a plurality of lateral directions while securing the nose region within the receptacle. The nose of the carabiner may be configured to be received entirely within the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Techxotic, L.C.
    Inventor: Rocke P. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7437806
    Abstract: A safety hook includes: a hook body having a base segment that has front and rear end portions, the rear end portion being formed with an elongate groove that is defined by a groove-defining wall which has a lower surface; a latch locking unit including a limiting rod that extends through the elongate groove and that is in sliding contact with the lower surface of the groove-defining wall; and a latch unit pivoted to the front end portion. The latch unit has a limiting arm unit extending toward the limiting rod, disposed above the limiting rod, and arrested by the limiting rod when moving downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Usang Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-Wen Lin
  • Publication number: 20080250615
    Abstract: A retainer apparatus and method for removably engaging a first article to a second article includes a beam having a first end portion sized and configured as an open ended hook and a second end portion that attaches to the first article. Also included in the retainer apparatus is a finger that has magnetic attraction to the second article, the finger is disposed adjacent to the second end portion of the beam, with the finger having an open state position allowing free passage of the hook through an aperture of the second article, the finger also having a closed state position wherein the finger is adjacent to the hook such that the hook and finger form a converging interface thereby engaging the first and second articles. Further included is structure for urging the finger from the open state position to the closed state position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Matthew C. Emenheiser
  • Publication number: 20080120818
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an automatically locking carabiner system including a frame, a gate, a gate biasing system, and a gate locking system. The frame and gate form a continuously enclosed inner region in a closed configuration with respect to the frame. When in an engaged state, the gate locking system is configured to automatically lock the gate in the closed configuration with respect to the frame. The gate locking system may include a trigger coupled to the frame such that the position of the trigger corresponds to the state of the gate locking system. The trigger may be positioned on an opposite side of the frame from the gate with respect to the inner region. The force required to disengage the gate locking system may be substantially opposite that which is required to transition the gate to the open configuration with respect to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: William R. Belcourt, Ben Walker, David Mellon, Jeremy Saxton, Brendan Perkins
  • Patent number: 7320159
    Abstract: A safety karabiner comprises a swivelling gate with a sliding locking ring operating in conjunction with a lock-bolt. The ring comprises a hole for receiving the lock-bolt at the end of the translation travel to the first locked position to constitute both a mechanical blocking device of the ring and a first visual indicator indicating the locked state. The lock-bolt is fitted on the movable gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Zedel
    Inventors: Paul Petzl, Pierre Plaze
  • Patent number: 6898829
    Abstract: A coupling device enabling rapid connection and disconnection of lifting wires or similar articles for attachment by an ROV to/from a submerged object comprising a main body portion (1), a hook potion (2), a closing member operated by a member (5) and a separate safety latch (4) arranged to lock the closing member when closed such that a load cannot escape the hook portion, the latch member and closing member being further arranged such that a gripping action (A, B) on two opposite sides of the body portion will automatically release said latch member and move the closing member into the open configuration while the device is held bodily under said gripping action, the closing member and latch member being spring biased so as to close and then lock the hook automatically when the grip is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignees: Stolt Offshore AS, Stolt Offshore Limited
    Inventors: Ola Loe, Jens C. Lindaas, Johannes H. Brodtkorb
  • Patent number: 6832417
    Abstract: A safety hook that includes a body having a hook portion and a shank portion, a gate that is pivotally mounted from a gate pivot point on the shank portion, and a locking element that is pivotally supported from the shank. The safety hook also includes a peninsular portion that extends between the locking element and the and the heel portion of the gate, and a spring, the spring being mounted between and against the locking element and the locking element, so that to release the gate the user simply rotates the locking element away from the peninsular portion and then rotates the closure portion in, towards the mouth of the hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventor: Gary E. Choate
  • Patent number: 6802109
    Abstract: A self-locking fixing loop with adjustment of an attachment strap comprises a base equipped with a clasp for hooking a retaining ring thereon, and an operating button movable between a closed position and an open position of the loop, respectively to hold and release said retaining ring. A spring locks the operating button in the closed position, and a ring adjusts the length of the strap, said ring being inserted between the button and the base opposite the clasp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Zedel
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Hede, Paul Petzl
  • Publication number: 20040078943
    Abstract: A self-locking fixing loop with adjustment of an attachment strap comprises a base equipped with a clasp for hooking a retaining ring thereon, and an operating button movable between a closed position and an open position of the loop, respectively to hold and release said retaining ring. A spring locks the operating button in the closed position, and a ring adjusts the length of the strap, said ring being inserted between the button and the base opposite the clasp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Hede, Paul Petzl
  • Patent number: 6725506
    Abstract: A standardized attachment system for an object holding system or object displaying system which is easily assembled, comprising a base section made of one or more pieces that engages a cord and an attachment section that secures the object to be held or displayed, such as an identification badge, key ring, and so forth. The standardized attachment system has a structure for coupling attachment sections and base sections that rotatably couples the attachment sections to the base sections and accommodates different configurations for base sections and attachment sections, as well as different cords and objects for display. Since different configurations of base sections and attachment sections can be used with the same coupling structure, an attachment system can be provided which is both flexible for use in various situations and easy to assemble. The attachment system may be made from an elastically deformable material such as molded plastic in a lightweight, cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph Anscher
  • Patent number: 6718601
    Abstract: A snap hook having a J-shaped body, a gate that is pivotable about a pivot point that is near the first end of the shank, and a movable locking pin located near the second end of the shank. The locking pin is moved by least one parallel bar that is generally parallel to the shank and extends along the shank. Connected to the locking pin is a movable thumb grip that when moved urges the parallel bar to move the locking pin. The locking gate further having a recessed portion positioned near the second end of the shank and a closure portion positioned near the nose of the hook body, the closure portion and the recessed portion being at about the same distance from the pivot point, the recessed portion being adapted to cooperate with the locking pin so that when the locking pin is moved by the parallel bar the gate is released so that the gate can pivot about the pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Gary E. Choate
  • Patent number: 6588075
    Abstract: A fish-hook clasp with a rotating mechanism or “small jack” whose shape forms two activating wings which protrude respectively from the side edges of the clasp's shell. It is possible to act on at least one of the wings to cause the rotating mechanism to rotate therefore bringing the rotating mechanism from the closed position, towards which the rotating mechanism is normally pushed by the internal spring, to the open position. The rotating mechanism is also supplied with contact surfaces, which are there to interact with the closed part of the edge of the shell of the clasp which defines the position of an arm of the rotating mechanism when the clasp is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Enio Calvani
  • Patent number: 6536081
    Abstract: The present invention, also known as the equalizer, is a novelty device offering a challenging and entertaining environment when played. This particular novelty toy is designed and configured for use by a singular person. This novelty device comprises a substrate having a first end, a second end, an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface is flat and the upper surface includes a plateau area. From the plateau area the upper surfaces incline downward to the first end. The first end constitutes the holding area when utilizing the present invention. The object of the novelty device of the present invention is to balance an object, such as a belt, large paper clip, substantially flat pencils, or bookmarkers one the plateau area while holding the first end and maintaining the lower surface to be parallel to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventors: Otis P. Allen, Elby L. Williams
  • Patent number: 6421888
    Abstract: A static line snap comprising an elongated body including a handle portion and an opposing C shaped portion for attachment to an anchor. The attachment portion includes a cavity with a load end and a lock end, and opposing arms defining a slot. A keeper with two gates is movably mounted adjacent the slot. The keeper has a lock position and a load position, with a first gate partitioning the load end from the lock end in the keeper load position and a second gate partitioning the load end from the lock end in the keeper lock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Capewell Components Company Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Todd M. Grenga, John R. Schumann, Mark N. Heflin
  • Patent number: 6363589
    Abstract: This invention relates to a rescue hook assembly that utilizes a spring-loaded gate across the opening into the hook and has an improved safety locking mechanism to prevent accidental opening of the gate. The locking mechanism works independently from the gate, thus allowing the gate itself to be opened and closed multiple times while the locking mechanism is disengaged. With the locking mechanism engaged, however, the gate is kept in its closed position. The locking mechanism can be operated with one hand and color-coded indicators let the operator know if the mechanism is in the locked or unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Aerial Machine & Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Charles H. Calloway, John D. Marcaccio
  • Patent number: 6347693
    Abstract: An article-holding device is connected to the shell of a piece of luggage to facilitate the carrying of an article along with the luggage. The device is formed of a base plate, a hooked plate, and a fastening piece. The base plate is provided with two protruded blocks for fastening pivotally to the fastening piece, and a cross seat block for fastening pivotally to the hooked plate. The base plate is provided with a cross hole for enabling the hooked plate to swivel upward to connect to the base plate. The fastening piece is provided with a retaining hole and a folding hole. The hooked plate is provided in the underside with two retaining hooks to facilitate the folding or the unfolding of the hooked plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Wei-Chih Chen