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. The apparatus further includes a compression switch affixed to the housing at a position to be activated when a load of a predetermined weight is attached to the latch. The apparatus further includes at least one remote controlled
relay switches electrically connecting the compression switch, or alternatively a second compression switch, to the
power unit of an adjustable
clutch motor having a rotating
drive shaft. The apparatus also including a
remote control broadcasting device to emit predetermined signals to close at least one of the remote controlled
relay switches. The
drive shaft is attached a reel line affixed at its opposite end to the latch activating member. The
drive shaft when activated will cause the reel line retract to operatively cause the latch activating member to move and cause the latch to be positioned for releasing the sling from the latch.