Abstract: A lifting hook (14) provided with a remotely operated safety latch (12), wherein remote operation is used to both open and close the latch. The latch can be magnetically held (36) in the open position to connect and disconnect the load from the hook. Furthermore, an indicator (42) can be provided to indicate when the latch is latched and unlatched. The latch can be operated with lines with a first line (62) controlling one direction of movement of the latch and a second line (64) controlling a second direction of movement of the latch.

Abstract: A quick release weight retaining device may include a grapple which may be removably engaged to a retainer. The grapple may include a seat and an ejector, and the retainer may include an arm. The grapple may be coupled to objects, such as a lifting bar, preferably via a securement fastener. The retainer may be coupled to objects, such as weight plates and the like, via a retainer body and a weight saddle. The arm may rest in the seat and be maintained therein by a desired weight, such as the weight of the weight saddle. When the weight is relieved from the retainer, such as by the weight saddle resting on a ground surface, the ejector may force the arm out of the seat thereby disengaging the grapple and retainer.

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.

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.

Abstract: A safety hook includes a hook body defining a front opening, a swivel ring coupled to a rear side of the hook body, a latch pivotally connected to the hook body and movable between a latched position and an unlatched position to close/open the front opening of the hook body, a spring member stopped between the hook body and the latch to support the latch in the latched position, and a safety locking member mounted in the latch and movable between a locking position to lock the latch in the latched position and an unlocking position for allowing the latch to be moved from the latched position to the unlatched position.

Abstract: A shackle is provided that is fixedly mounted to a surface. The shackle can have a body, a hasp, and a locking pin. The body can define at least one mounting bore that is configured for mounting the shackle to the surface. The proximal end of the hasp is configured to rotate relative to the body and the distal end of the hasp is configured to selectively engage the locking pin, such that an enclosed area is defined. A tethering device can be attached to the shackle via cooperative engagement with the selectively enclosed area.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for securing rescue operations by helihoisting that comprises three attachments to the helicopter, the lifeguard and the belay tether. A trigger control mechanism includes a mobile pawl pivotally mounted on the hook between a closing position and a release position of the opening, respectively for maintaining the tether in the hook and for releasing the same, and a latch submitted to the action of a polarisation spring for locking the pawl in the closed position in the absence of a tension on the first attachment, and for unlocking the pawl when the force applied on the first attachment exceeds that of the polarisation spring. The assembly is arranged for triggering the automatic release of the belay tether that remained attached when the tensioning by the helicopter traction cable exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A manually actuated hydraulic cylinder with a retractable piston for varying the distance between two cables secured to a barge attachment ring on the end of the cylinder and a pelican hook and keeper disposed on the end of the piston as used in the marine industry for coupling barges.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for latching and unlatching a load from a sling comprises a housing attachable to a load lift line extending from a crane or other similar equipment. Contained at least partially within the housing is a load engaging assembly including a latch, such as a conventional sling hook used to attach a load containing sling. The load engaging assembly further includes a latch attachment assembly and an unlatching trigger assembly. The apparatus further includes a load activated lock operatively attached to the latch attaching assembly to latch and unlatch the load engaging assembly. The load activated lock includes a support structure affixed to the housing, a latch activating member slidably mounted on the support structure and a movable locking structure positioned within the housing and operatively adjacent the latch activating member to engage and prevent latch activating member from sliding movement when a load is applied to the latch.

Abstract: A tool (1) for connection and disconnection of a cargo item (8), in which the tool (1) comprises a suspension (2) and a lifting hook (4), and in which the lifting hook (4) is rotatably connected, about its suspension axis (40), to the suspension (2), wherein the lifting hook (4) is connected to an actuator (22, 28, 32, 70) via a transmission (44, 46, 48, 50, 54, 60), the actuator (22, 28, 32, 70) being arranged to allow it to rotate the lifting hook (4) about the suspension axis (40).

Abstract: An apparatus for the loading and unloading of material is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a latching and unlatching mechanism that safely and efficiently releases an attached load from a sling after the load has been transported to the desired location. The apparatus further comprises a load-activated locking mechanism that prevents inadvertent release of the attached load, yet is adjustable to the weight of the lifting slings and hardware so as to prevent a premature locking.

Abstract: A quick-release hook comprising a latching hook locker, a spring, a pair of latching hooks, a pull lever and a main body. One end of the latching hook locker is shaped into a cylinder and the other end is shaped into a frustum. The latching hook locker also has a groove slot on the side of the cylinder section close to the frustum. The spring is fastened to the cylindrical end of the latching hook locker. The two latching hooks each has a U-shaped profile and is in contact with the frustum of the latching hook locker. One end of the pull lever has a protruding section for inserting into the groove slot of the latching hook locker. The main body encloses the latching hook locker, the spring, the pull lever and the two latching hooks but exposes a portion of the two latching hooks and a portion of the pull lever. The pull lever has a protruding section that links up with the main body. The other end of the pull lever remains outside the main body and is free to rotate in an arc.

Abstract: An over-center pelican hook includes a hook body having an attachment end which fixably attaches the pelican hook to a threaded cable and a hooked end configured for selectively retaining and releasing an anchoring member in the pelican hook. The hook-shaped second end carries a tensile load when the pelican hook is connected between the cable and the anchoring member. A hinged keeper is pivotally mounted to the second end and moves from a closed position in which the anchoring member is retained within a closed eye formed by the hook body and the hinged keeper, to an open position which opens the eye and allows the anchoring member to be released from the pelican hook. The hinged keeper has an extractor claw which engages the anchoring member as the hinged keeper is moved from the closed position to the open position to facilitate the release of the anchoring member from the pelican hook.