Locking Arm Swings In Plane Of Hook Patents (Class 294/82.19)
  • Patent number: 11987474
    Abstract: The rescue hook can be remotely attached to a load and can self-center to position the load in an optimal place on the hook. One embodiment of the rescue hook has an opening for a placement tool such as an extended stick so a user can place the rescue hook onto an attachment point of a harness or object remotely. The body of the rescue hook can form an elongated throat to hold the attachment point and a gate pivotably attached to the body to enclose the throat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Buckingham Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Passalacqua, Jonathan R. Andrews
  • Patent number: 11767198
    Abstract: Sling bars, lift systems, and methods of attaching a subject sling to a sling bar are disclosed. A sling bar includes a bar extending in a longitudinal direction, a protrusion extending from an upper part of the bar, a sling attachment portion extending to define a receiving aperture, a terminus of the sling attachment portion facing the protrusion, defining an opening into the receiving aperture, the protrusion defining an undercut portion of the receiving aperture, a retention latch pivotally coupled to the protrusion and defining an engagement face that selectively interfaces with a stop surface at the terminus in a closed position to cover the opening, the retention latch being constrained to pivot to an open position whereby the retention latch ceases to interface with the stop surface at the terminus, and a biasing mechanism coupled to the retention latch to force the retention latch toward the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: LIKO Research & Development AB
    Inventors: Alejandro Noe Conejo CastaƱo, Christian H. Reinke, Todd P. O'Neal, Nishita Vanita Shashikant, Scott M. Corbin, Katie Osborne, James Walke, Jeffrey Scott Jelinek, Marcus Linde
  • Patent number: 11667384
    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 lip on the housing beneath the slot, and wherein the slot is adapted to receive a handle of a payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Wing Aviation LLC
    Inventors: Andre Prager, Trevor Shannon
  • Patent number: 11390493
    Abstract: A hook assembly including a spring-biased safety latch that provides for installation of the latch onto the hook without spring tension. A fastener is configured to slide along an elongate slot when the latch is moved in translatory motion relative to the fastener. The fastener is configured to be inserted into the assembly in a first position while the tension on a biasing member is released. The first position is configured to allow the latch to rotate inward past the tip of the hook. The fastener is configured to move into a second position where it engages with a nut 53 that when installed is positioned in the portion and blocked by at least one shoulder such that the fastener is no longer able to slide in the slot preventing translator motion of the latch relative to the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Columbus McKinnon Corporation
    Inventors: Troy Allen Raines, Jr., Luke James Cox
  • Patent number: 11293478
    Abstract: A carabiner includes a swivel loop and a body rotatably coupled to the swivel loop about a rotational axis. The body includes a spine having a spine axis that intersects the rotational axis at an intersection point disposed within the connection between the swivel loop and the body. The carabiner also includes a captive eye formed completely within the spine. The body and the captive eye being both rotatable relative to swivel loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: TruBlue LLC
    Inventor: Ryan Daniel Walker
  • Patent number: 11203238
    Abstract: A lockable tow device for a vehicle includes a main portion defining a hook or shackle and a connector portion extending from the main portion and forming a receptacle. A pin is received in the receptacle, the pin forming a wrist joint of the tow device. An integral lock has a locked position that prevents removal of the pin and an unlocked position that enables removal of the pin, and can be spaced from the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott M. Town, Kyle R. Boyea
  • Patent number: 10822204
    Abstract: A hook assembly comprises a hook member and a pin assembly. The hook member defines a base portion, a hook, and first and second pin arms. The hook extends from the base portion and defines a first, second, third, and fourth hook portions and a hook opening. First and second lock projections extend from the second hook portion and fourth hook portions to define a lock gap. The hook opening has a first hook opening dimension extending between the second hook portion and the fourth hook portion and a second opening dimension extending between the third hook portion and the lock gap. The first and second pin arms extend from the base portion. The pin assembly engages the first and second pin arms. The first rope segment engages the pin assembly and the second rope segment engages the third hook portion to place the hook assembly under tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Samson Rope Technologies
    Inventors: Gabrielle Ona Maassen, Michael John Secrist, Kurt Robert Newboles, Gary Anthony Renner
  • Patent number: 10815105
    Abstract: A quick-connect connection system assembly for attaching attachments or tools to industrial and construction equipment for purposes of moving and placing materials and items, particularly heavy items, at varying heights relative to the ground. The connection system can have a mounting mechanism that generally comprises a rotatable latch that can be selectively retained in at least one of an open position and a closed position, including through the use of a magnet coupled with the mounting mechanism. The rotatable latch can be selectively rotated between the open and closed positioned via interaction with a cross member of the industrial equipment and the effect of forces acting upon the rotatable latch member, and with limited interaction by an operator of the industrial equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: ARROW ACQUISITION, LLC
    Inventors: Ross T. Gault, Terrence S. Melvin
  • Patent number: 10814771
    Abstract: A carabiner includes a (a) a hook, (b) a gate including a cantilever spring and (c) a first pivot connecting the gate to the hook. A second pivot also connects the distal or free end of the cantilever spring to the hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Diego Fabricio Villacres Mesias, Eric Bryan Arellano Aguilar, Jose Nicolas Juarez Espinoza
  • Patent number: 10647551
    Abstract: A hook assembly comprises a hook member and a latch member. The hook member has a body and a hook point defined at one end of the body. The hook point is spaced apart from and opposite a catch tab protruding from the body at an intermediate point on the body. A hook gap is defined between the hook point and the catch tab. The latch member is pivotably coupled to the body and movable between an open position in which the latch member is retracted toward the body and a closed position in which the latch member is pivoted to contact the hook point and thereby close the hook gap. The latch member defines a latch engagement opening sized larger than at least a portion of the catch tab so that the latch member is retractable past the catch tab in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Ulven Forging Incorporated
    Inventors: Steve Fournier, Michael John Secrist
  • Patent number: 9463960
    Abstract: A lifting hook includes a hook body with a hook stem; a tip; a safety latch with a fastening end and a free latch end, the fastening end being pivotally fastened close to the stem for movement between an open and a closed position, the safety latch being in the open position substantially against the inside of the hook body in a position that leaves the hook jaw open while in a closed position the latch end extends across the hook jaw to the tip of the hook, closing the jaw from the inside; and an actuator of the safety latch arranged between the safety latch and the hook stem, the actuator of the safety latch including a delay mechanism configured to return the safety latch from the open position to the closed position in a delayed manner. A safety latch of a lifting hook is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: KONECRANES GLOBAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ville Pantsar, Risto Vilppo, Pekka Helenius
  • Patent number: 8905449
    Abstract: A carabiner includes a carabiner body, and a gate assembly coupled to the carabiner body. The carabiner includes a sleeve bracket, which includes first and second sleeve bracket bodies coupled to the gate assembly, and a stationary bracket, which includes first and second stationary bracket bodies coupled to a distal portion of the carabiner body. An elongate member extends through the sleeve bracket and stationary bracket, wherein the gate assembly is moveable between open and closed conditions in response to apply a force to the elongate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Chris Calvert
  • Publication number: 20140348627
    Abstract: A lifting assembly includes a link member defining a pivot axis and a latch axis. The lifting assembly also includes a latch pin and a jaw member. The jaw member is pivotally coupled to the link member about the pivot axis and selectively fixedly coupled to the link member about the latch axis by the latch pin. The jaw member defines a cam surface. Engaging the cam surface with a load rotates a portion of the jaw member into alignment with the latch axis, such that the latch pin may be received by the jaw member and the link member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Joseph A. Yustus
  • Patent number: 8888155
    Abstract: A hook for manipulation of lines, the hook comprising an aduncate body, the body defining an opening between at least two portions thereof, the body further comprising a first shaped opening including an entry of a first dimension and an enlarged portion of a second dimension, wherein the second dimension is larger than the first dimension, a second shaped opening including an entry of a first dimension and an enlarged portion of a second dimension, wherein the second dimension is larger than the first dimension, the respective entries to the first and second shaped openings oriented in different directions, the hook further comprising a shuttle including a first retention pin, a second retention pin and a spacing body to space the first retention pin and the second retention pin from one another, the first retention pin shaped to pass the entry of the first shaped opening when oriented in a first position and to be prevented passage when not in the first position and the second retention pin shaped to pass t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Happy Captain Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Arthur C. Nommensen, Murray Bragg
  • Patent number: 8746766
    Abstract: A load bearing hook assembly (e.g., an ROV hook or hoist hook) with (A) a main body operationally configured to attach to a support line, (B) a load bearing member attached to the main body and pivotal from a fully closed position to a fully open position, the load bearing member defining a gape of the hook assembly; and (C) a non-load bearing member pivotally attached to the main body operationally configured to obstruct the gape of the hook assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Randy Lewkoski
  • Publication number: 20140132016
    Abstract: A hook for manipulation of lines, the hook comprising an aduncate body, the body defining an opening between at least two portions thereof, the body further comprising a first shaped opening including an entry of a first dimension and an enlarged portion of a second dimension, wherein the second dimension is larger than the first dimension, a second shaped opening including an entry of a first dimension and an enlarged portion of a second dimension, wherein the second dimension is larger than the first dimension, the respective entries to the first and second shaped openings oriented in different directions, the hook further comprising a shuttle including a first retention pin, a second retention pin and a spacing body to space the first retention pin and the second retention pin from one another, the first retention pin shaped to pass the entry of the first shaped opening when oriented in a first position and to be prevented passage when not in the first position and the second retention pin shaped to pass t
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: HAPPY CAPTAIN PTY LTD
    Inventors: Murray Bragg, Arthur Charles Nommensen
  • Patent number: 8607418
    Abstract: A latching mechanism for use in securing a boat that is afloat, includes a main body having a channel for accepting a line that will hold the boat. A latching member is pivotally secured within the main body and is movable between a position that closes off the channel and movable to a position which opens the channel, the latching member being pivotable about a pivot point on the main body. A spring force holds the latching member in a closed position and a cable attached to the latching member at a location on an opposite side of the pivot point pivots the latching member to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Mark Ebbenga
  • Patent number: 8240727
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hook (10), which may for example be used with a crane to lift heavy loads. In one embodiment, the hook may have a load-bearing portion (12) and an arm portion (14) where the arm portion can pivot relative to the load-bearing portion between open and closed configurations and may have a locking mechanism (20, 21, 29, 30, 32) that can lock the arm portion with respect to the load-bearing portion in the open configuration of the hook, in which configuration the arm portion and the load-bearing portion together define a discontinuous boundary. The hook may also be provided with a suspension portion (74), and the suspension portion, the load-bearing portion and the arm portion may be pivotally coupled with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Nautilus Rigging LLP
    Inventor: John Toon
  • Patent number: 8234761
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an improved wire-gate carabiner system including a frame, gate, and gate biasing system. The gate is pivotably coupled to the frame across an opening to form a continuously enclosed inner region in a closed configuration. The gate may be referred to as a wire-type gate in that it includes an arch and two ends. The arch is looped over a hook disposed on the keyed region of the frame in the closed configuration. The two ends are pivotably coupled to the frame at two independent gate coupling points on the pivot region so as to utilize the torsional rigidity of the gate structure as the gate biasing system. The keyed region of the frame includes a hook and a cover. The cover is oriented and shaped to laterally shield the arch and hook from undesirable couplings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Black Diamond Equipment Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter T. Gompert, Jacob Hall, Paul Terry, Benjamin Walker, Bill Belcourt
  • Patent number: 8100448
    Abstract: A self-locking lifting hook is disclosed, of the kind having and arcuate hook body and an upper, pivotable lever with one arm forming a suspension and a second arm forming a closure for the hook opening. A finger element is pivotably mounted at the upper part of the hook so as to close the hook opening, under the influence of a spring, irrespective of the pivotal position of the lever, so that the hook opening is always kept closed, unless the closure arm is swung into its fully open position and, thereafter, the finger element is operated so as to be retracted into its opening position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Gunnebo Industrier AB
    Inventor: Mikael LƤhdesmaki Holmstrƶm
  • 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 Hytƶnen
  • Patent number: 7976086
    Abstract: A safety locking device for a lifting hook comprising a lifting part and a hook part having a first and a second shank arranged in the same plane, the first shank being attached to the lifting part. The safety-locking device is pivotably attached to either of the shanks or the lifting part and comprises a spring means formed integrally with the safety locking device, one end of which is attached to the safety locking device diametrically opposed its fastening point to either shank or the lifting part and the other end is arranged to bear on the opposite shank or the lifting part, to which the safety locking device is pivotably attached to automatically bring the safety locking device to bear on the lifting part or the opposite shank so as to prevent unhooking of a hoisting cable or similar means introduced into the hook part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Liko Research & Development AB
    Inventor: Gunnar Liljedahl
  • Patent number: 7946006
    Abstract: Various embodiments for carabiners include two gates. The carabiners include a C-shaped body having a nose region and an end region. An inner gate is configured to pivot about the end region from a closed position in contact with the nose region, and an open position, wherein the inner gate pivots toward the spine of the C-shaped body. An outer gate is configured to pivot about the end region from a closed position in contact with the nose region, and an open position, extending away from the C-shaped body. The inner and the outer gate may each comprise wire gates, alternatively one gate may comprise a generally cylindrical gate and the other gate may comprise a wire gate. Methods include preventing a carabiner from opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Techxotic, L.C.
    Inventor: Rocke P. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20100289284
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hook (10), which may for example be used with a crane to lift heavy loads. In one embodiment, the hook may have a load-bearing portion (12) and an arm portion (14) where the arm portion can pivot relative to the load-bearing portion between open and closed configurations and may have a locking mechanism (20, 21, 29, 30, 32) that can lock the arm portion with respect to the load-bearing portion in the open configuration of the hook, in which configuration the arm portion and the load-bearing portion together define a discontinuous boundary. The hook may also be provided with a suspension portion (74), and the suspension portion, the load-bearing portion and the arm portion may be pivotally coupled with respect to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: Nautilus Rigging, LLP
    Inventor: John Toon
  • Patent number: 7757360
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventor: Rong-Der Hong
  • 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: 7607707
    Abstract: The invention concerns a load hook with a hook fastened to a hook tackle that can be safely handled. A cover region is arranged at least partially between the hook tackle and the hook, such that the hook is covered starting at the outer contour of the hook tackle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Demag Cranes & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Eising, Udo Gersemsky, Uwe Lichtenvort, Thilo Walloschek
  • Patent number: 7255381
    Abstract: A hook comprises a pair of hook bodies, a pair of hook portions, a movable pressing portion, an operating portion and a link unit. The hook bodies are formed of two plates disposed apart from each other, respectively. The hook portions are integrally fixed to lower ends of the hook bodies, respectively. The movable pressing portion is rotatably supported between the hook portions. The operating portion is subject to a tension load of a hoist. The link unit has one end rotatably connected to the movable pressing portion and another end rotatably connected to the operating portion. When the operating portion is pulled upward, the movable pressing portion presses a wire harness, which is hooked to the hook portion, against the hook portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Komizo, Hiroaki Arai, Katsuhiro Shin, Takefumi Nagoshi, Hatsuo Tsuyama
  • Patent number: 7077445
    Abstract: A dual lever locking hook comprises a hook member having a mounting portion and a catching portion, first and second locking levers, and a connecting member rotatably coupled to the hook member. The locking levers are affixed to the hook member at the mounting portion and latch onto the hook member at the catching portion. The arrangement of the locking levers at the mounting portion provides a biasing condition which prevents a breach of the locking hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Luggage America, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris Yu
  • Patent number: 6945676
    Abstract: Structure for supporting a lighting fixture includes a connector hook assembly releasably connected to a connector element extending from a support canopy. The connector hook assembly includes two relatively moveable connector hook members biased to a closed condition by a spring. One of the connector hook members has an internally threaded base for connection to a lamp suspension arm. Wiring passes from the suspension arm through an area formed by the internal threads of the base and through an aperture formed in the internally threaded connector hook member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventor: Dennis J. Scott
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040036303
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dual lever locking hook configured to securely hold an article and for preventing the article from being separated from the hook. The dual lever locking hook comprises a hook member having a mounting portion and a catching portion, first and second locking levers, and a connecting member rotatably coupled to the hook member. The locking levers are affixed to the hook member at the mounting portion and latch onto the hook member at the catching portion. The arrangement of the locking levers at the mounting portion provides a biasing condition which prevents a breach of the locking hook.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: Luggage America, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris Yu
  • Patent number: 6647674
    Abstract: An erection anchor having a forged unitary body that includes a substantially cylindrical shank with one end embedable in a concrete panel and an opposite end extending into a recess in an end of the concrete panel. The forged unitary body also has a substantially cylindrical foot integrally formed with the one end of the shank and a shackle-engageable, planar head integrally formed with the opposite end of the shank. The planar head has first and second opposed substantially planar surfaces and a boss integrally formed with the planar head and extending outward from the first planar surface. The boss provides bearing surfaces that interlock the erection anchor with the concrete panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Dayton Superior Corporation
    Inventors: Harry B. Lancelot, III, Sidney E. Francies, III
  • Patent number: 6631539
    Abstract: A hook device has a main body having a pair of arm portions, a connection portion and a hook portion, a block mount disposed on the main body, a fastener seat disposed on the block mount, and a torsion spring. The block mount has a generally U-shaped middle portion, a pair of side collars connected to the generally U-shaped middle portion, and a positioning through hole. The fastener seat has a pivot pin support portion, a through aperture, a proximal end, and a distal end. Each side collar surrounds one of the arm portions of the main body. The torsion spring is disposed in the fastener seat. The pivot pin support portion of the fastener seat is inserted in the generally U-shaped middle portion of the block mount. A pivot pin fastens the block mount, the fastener seat, and the torsion spring together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: Vincent Chang
  • Patent number: 6422625
    Abstract: Lifting hook having a control line connected by a resilient and smooth connecting piece to the end of a hook point. The control line is fed through the lifting eye or lifting sling(s) and by then pulling on the line a hook point will be guided by the connecting piece into the lifting eye or lifting sling(s) and hook into the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: IMC Group B.V.
    Inventor: Markus Van Der Laan
  • Patent number: 6193432
    Abstract: A hook and unhooking coupling device for enabling a user to easily attach or remove a latch hook from a boat or other object. The inventive device includes a pole member, and an engaging member having an opening and a tongue member secured to the distal end of the pole. The engaging member comprises a first member secured to a second member having an open V-shaped cross sectional area. A first edge is secured to the first member and a second edge is secured to the second member while leaving the opening unobstructed. The engaging member is removably positionable about the eyelet member of a latch hook for opening the spring latch while simultaneously retaining the latch hook firmly thereby allowing the user to manipulate the pole member so that the latch hook is positioned about a desired hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventor: William R. Kampfert