Abstract: An end piece arranged to be detachably fixed to a bar, the end piece including: a groove intended to house the bar; a rotating part able to pivot about an axis parallel to the bar between a locking position, in which the rotating part prevents the bar from leaving the groove, and a release position, in which the rotating part allows the bar to be respectively introduced into or extracted from the groove; and a locking mechanism arranged to block the rotation of the rotating part. This end piece can be handled by the user, who can fix it to a bar and detach it from the bar without requiring any tooling.

Abstract: A main body provided with a pocket for accommodating a first chain link of another chain, and a lock lever which is capable of switching between a locked state and an unlocked state by pivoting, and which restricts disengagement of the first chain link from the pocket in the locked state, and allows the first chain link to disengage from the pocket in the unlocked state, which is resisted by an urging force of an urging member, wherein the lock lever is provided with a locking piece which projects from a pivot point toward the pocket side, and the locking piece projects toward a position in which movement of a second chain link in an escaping direction is restricted, a first operating piece extending to the side of the pivot point on which one chain is coupled, and a second operating piece extending to the opposite side.

Abstract: A payload coupling apparatus is provided that includes a housing. The housing is adapted for attachment to a first end of a tether. The apparatus further includes a slot extending downwardly from an outer surface of the housing towards a center of the housing thereby forming a lower lip on the housing beneath the slot. The slot is adapted to receive a handle of a payload. The apparatus further includes a sensor configured to detect touchdown of the payload and a transmitter configured to send a touchdown confirmation signal to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based on a touchdown detection by the sensor.

Abstract: Techniques are described for monitoring and controlling fall protection equipment. For example, the techniques of this disclosure may be used to monitor the connection status of fall protection equipment, e.g., whether or not the fall protection equipment is connected to a support structure. The techniques described in the disclosure may determine whether the fall protection equipment is connected to a support structure based on changes in a resonant frequency of an electronic circuit of an inductive sensor within the fall protection equipment. The inductive sensor may be formed from sets of one or more coils, where a first set of one or more coils and a second set of one or more coils are wound in opposite directions.

Abstract: A key ring comprising a ring portion having a first end and second end, a rigid loop affixed to the first end, and a catch affixed to the second end for securely engaging and disengaging the rigid loop affixed to the first end is disclosed. The rigid loop and the catch can be typically disposed apart from each other with the ring portion in a relaxed state such that engaging the catch and the rigid loop holds tension between the first end and the second end to secure engagement of the catch and the rigid loop. The catch can be a hook having a tip extending into an enclosed area of the hook. The catch and the rigid loop can be oriented either in or transverse to the plane of the ring portion.

Abstract: A tool holder with a J-shaped body. A gate includes an arm that is pivotally attached to a finger at the top of the body. The gate pivots between a closed position where the gate spans the opening between the two free ends of the body, an inside position where the gate is pivoted into the inside the body, and an outside position where gate is pivoted to outside the body. A biasing mechanism biases the gate to the closed position. An optional gate lock prevents the gate from opening when engaged. A barrel either rotates or slides, depending in the configuration, on the arm between an unlocked position where the gate can move between the inside, closed, and outside positions, and a locked position where the gate is retained in the closed position. An attachment secures the tool holder to flat webbing.

Abstract: A payload coupling apparatus is provided that includes a housing. The housing is adapted for attachment to a first end of a tether. The apparatus further includes a slot extending downwardly from an outer surface of the housing towards a center of the housing thereby forming a lower lip on the housing beneath the slot. The slot is adapted to receive a handle of a payload. The apparatus further includes a sensor configured to detect touchdown of the payload and a transmitter configured to send a touchdown confirmation signal to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based on a touchdown detection by the sensor.

Abstract: A payload coupling apparatus is provided including a housing, wherein the housing is adapted for attachment to a first end of a tether, a slot extending downwardly from an outer surface of the housing towards a center of the housing thereby forming a lower tip on the housing beneath the slot, and wherein the slot is adapted to receive a handle of a payload. A method of delivering a payload using the payload coupling apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: In the disclosed devices formed from interconnected components, each includes a yoke component, a boss component and an axle bolt. The yoke component includes: a carabiner body with a back, an opening, and a yoke formation. The yoke formation includes a U-shaped section open to the outside of the body, defining a space between two legs, the legs having bearing surfaces through each of which a respective axle bore is formed. The back extends from the yoke formation. A spur extends from the yoke formation. A gate on the body pivots between closed and open positions. The boss component has flat, parallel external bearing surfaces, an axle bore extending through the boss component, the axle bore opening at each bearing surface. The axle bolt passes through the axle bores in the yoke and boss component.

Abstract: A fastening system for a zipper is disclosed which includes locking or interlocking first and second zipper pull tabs. A first zipper pull tab comprises a first base, a hook extending from the first base, and a moveable gate coupled to the first base. A second zipper pull tab comprises a second base, a cover coupled to the second base, and a post extending between the second base and the cover. For interlocking, the moveable gate and hook are further coupled around the post to provide the interlocking configuration of the first and second zipper pull tabs. The first zipper pull tab may be utilized separately from the second zipper pull tab, such as to lock to a coupling ring or another component of a carrying bag.

Abstract: A hook with a latch and trigger mechanism assembly. The assembly includes a hook having a body and an open saddle. A latch is pivotable between a closed position and an open position. A finger handle extends from the body. A finger trigger entirely within a space between the finger handle and the body is movable between a closed rest position and a retracted position permitting movement of the latch to the open position.

Abstract: A snap-hook comprising: a hook-shaped body having a throat opening and a shank end, wherein the hook-shaped body includes a primary aperture located at the shank end suitable for attaching a primary line and a secondary aperture located approximately opposite the throat opening suitable for attaching a secondary line; and a dual-direction latch pivotally attached to the hook-shaped body such that the dual-direction latch spans the throat opening when in a neutral position and is capable of pivoting into and out of the throat of the hook-shaped body, wherein the dual-direction latch comprises a bent wire having two free ends, each end inserted in a different hole of two holes in the hook-shaped body that are non-axially-aligned resulting in a spring force that biases the dual-direction latch toward the neutral position and resists pivotal movement of the dual-direction latch both into and out of the throat.

Abstract: A lifting hook, its safety latch and a locking and releasing device of the safety latch are disclosed. The lifting hook includes a hook body having a hook stem and tip. The safety latch has a fastening end and a free latch end, the fastening end of the safety latch being pivotally fastened close to the stem so as to move the safety latch between an open position and a closed position, the safety latch being in its open position substantially against the inside of the hook body in a position that leaves a hook jaw free, while in the closed position the latch end extends across the hook jaw to the hook tip, closing the jaw on the inside thereof. A spring arranged between the safety latch and hook body forces the latch end into the closed position.

Abstract: Use of a snap hook requires the capture loop to be cradled in a joint of the index finger to prevent it from rolling in the hand. Hooks having a cylindrical body roll easily, and those having an oval section capture loop, roll more easily. When a hook rolls, its loop can move to a position where it blocks access to the gap, requiring it to be repositioned in the hand. Ergonomic requirements provided in this hook include: spacing the hand a maximal distance from the gap, stability from rolling in the hand, and minimal movement of the hand members in operation. The hand does not close around the hook; it may be held between the thumb and a finger, a natural configuration in which the hand retains the lie of its usual open form. Stability from rolling results from the forces of contact being directed within the borders of the wide contact surfaces of the body and the button. The larger the contact forces, the more stable the hook is.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chain hook which reduces the risk of disengagement of one or more chains connected thereto. The chain hook comprises an elongate body, a first hook at a first end of the elongate body for connection to a load and a second hook at a second end of the elongate body for connection to at least one chain, wherein the first and second hooks are in different planes.

Abstract: A locking carabiner having an eccentric pivot that when rotated causes a reciprocating motion that moves the opening end of the gate into or out of locking engagement with the carabiner body. Rotation of the eccentric is controlled by a short lever that can be easily moved by a fingertip, consequently the gate can be conveniently manipulated and locked with the fingers of one hand. The locking mechanism adds negligible weight and bulk to the carabiner. The locking mechanism can be incorporated on bent gate, straight gate and wire gate carabiners.

Abstract: A safety hook includes a main body defining an inner space and an opening, a latch unit pivoted to the main body, an operable unit pivoted to the main body, and a safety lock unit. The latch unit is normally at a closed position for blocking the opening. When the operable unit is pressed, the safety lock unit is co-rotatable with the operable unit with respect to the main body from a locked position, where the safety lock unit abuts against the latch unit to retain the latch unit at the closed position, to an unlocked position, where the safety lock unit is removed from the latch unit to allow the latch unit to rotate from the closed position to an opened position allowing access into the inner space through the opening.

Abstract: A carabiner equipped with a swivelling gate formed by a rigid metal wire of smaller diameter than that of the body. The wire is provided with a protuberance at one of the ends to form a male latching element and an articulation loop at the opposite end for passage of the swivel-pin. A flexible return device for returning the gate to the closed position comprises a compression spring operating in conjunction with an intermediate transfer stirrup inside a housing of the body.

Abstract: A safety hook includes a hook body comprising a recess at back of an intermediate portion, a locking dog at one end, a ring at the other end, and a front opening; a spring depressible latch member having a U section and comprising a plate interconnecting two side walls, the latch member being pivotably disposed on the back of the intermediate portion of the hook body with the plate being seated upon a flat portion of the recess; and a spring depressible lock member having a U section and comprising two side walls and a through hole on a groove portion. The lock member is pivotably disposed on a front side of the hook body with the side walls thereof partially straddled the hook body to be seated upon a portion of the plate. The locking dog is inserted into the through hole when the safety hook is locked.

Abstract: A locking mechanism is contained within a carabiner's straight or bent gate. The locking mechanism incorporates a pivoting link that can be moved to abut against a transverse pin, thereby immobilizing the gate return spring, which prevents opening movement of the gate. The transverse pin is a material able to resist and distribute forces attempting to open the locked gate. The spring pin is notched to engage the transverse pin thereby simplifying assembly of the carabiner. A low profile protrusion is pushed in the direction of opening the gate to switch the mechanism to the unlocked position. Similarly, another low profile protrusion is pushed in the direction of closing the gate to switch the mechanism to the locked position. The locking and unlocking protrusions are located adjacent the gate hinge so that the gate can be conveniently unlocked, opened, closed and relocked with the fingers of one hand.

Abstract: A coupling device for engagement with an anchor member is provided. The coupling device includes a lever that moves between a closed position that substantially covers the mouth of the device and an open position in which the mouth is substantially uncovered by the lever. The lever may be moved to the open position by camming forces or by direct manipulation of a portion of the lever by a user. The coupling device may include a cover with a recognizable shape such as a pet or fictional character. The protruding ears and/or head of the recognizable shape aid in the gripping and operation of the device and the mouth receives the anchor member.

Abstract: A safety hook includes a hook body, a pivotable safety retainer biased to a locking position, and a pivotable latch member biased to abut against a distal end of a hook portion of the hook body to thereby close a hook mouth defined by the hook body. The safety retainer includes a stop portion and an abutment face unit. When the safety retainer is disposed in the locking position, the stop portion abuts against the latch member, and the abutment face unit is adjacent to and spaced apart from a stop block of the hook body. In the locking position, if an external force is applied to pivot the latch member away from the distal end of the hook portion, the abutment face unit will come into contact with the stop block to prevent further pivoting movement of the latch member.

Abstract: A hook is capable of hooking a chain at a desired length. The hook comprises a hook body, and a buckle above the hook body. The buckle has a U shape opening. Width of the shape opening is confined by the size of a chain to be hung. The buckle, has a penetrating groove which penetrates two inner sides of the buckle and one outer side of the buckle. A spring and a movable shaft pass through the penetrating groove. The movable shaft is positioned by a pin so that the spring is compressed by the movable shaft and the movable shaft will not drop out of the buckle. A notch is formed at a predetermined portion of the movable shaft. A semi-round groove is formed at a coupling portion of the buckle and the notch, and the semi-round groove is positioned across the two inner sides of the buckle.

Abstract: A carabiner designed for use with strap or webbing is disclosed. The carabiner includes a trimmed feature that is incorporated into a straight portion of the body where strap or webbing can be attached. The strap or webbing can be looped around the trimmed feature and sewn tight, thereby effecting a permanent and slip-free attachment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a static line snap comprising an elongated body having front and rear portions separated by an attachment portion. The attachment portion defines an attachment cavity with a lock end. A slot is defined by the front portion for entry to and exit from the cavity. An outer gate is mounted to the body front portion for pivotal movement between a lock position and a load position. An inner gate is mounted to the body rear portion for pivotal movement between a lock position and a load position. Pivotal movement of the outer gate toward the load position forces the inner gate toward the load position. Each gate is independently biased toward the lock position.