Tie back snap

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.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of my provisional application having Ser. No. 60 / 314,405, filed Aug. 23, 2001, now abandoned.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002](a) Field of the Invention[0003]This invention generally relates to a safety hook and attachment system for connecting the safety hook to a harness.[0004]More particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a hook with a gate that prevents unwanted release of the hook and allows the gate to cooperate with the hook in a synergistic manner.[0005](b) Discussion of Known Art[0006]There is a large variety of safety hooks or “tie back” snap hooks that are designed for use as safety equipment. These hooks typically include a J-shaped hook portion that includes a gate that closes the mouth of the hook in order to prevent the inadvertent release of the hook.[0007]The primary purpose of these hooks is to tether a worker to a support structure in order to prevent an unrestrained fall to the ground...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a new and better way to make a tie back snap for fall arrest applications. It is lightweight, can be made with existing manufacturing technology, can be snapped directly onto its own lanyard without any risk of the webbing slipping behind the gate, and can be done at a cost no higher than existing standard locking snap hooks. The invention also includes a new method for designing a locking anchorage snap that can be tied back onto its own lanyard without damaging it, and a new and unique method for engaging and disengaging the snap gate to reduce the applied gate loads. Additionally, the invention includes a new method to prevent rollout (accidental disengagement) of the locking snap. The flat widened portion of the snap hook body helps distribute tension in the webbing during fall arrest, and the method to soften the edge of the snap prevents damage to the webbing while moving through the snap.

Problems solved by technology

Because of the variety of attachment points and work condition present during an instance where the safety hook and fall arrest systems must be deployed, the actual fall path and restrain conditions are rather unpredictable.

In the second application the lanyard is looped over the pipe or beam and then the snap is connected or snapped back around the lanyard itself This type of application has several inherent problems.

The first problem is that the lanyard webbing can lie across the inside of the snap gate.

Therefore standard, double action, single locking snaps will not work for this type of application.

Another danger with the use of snap hooks is that a snap, when looped over an I-beam with the edge of the gate against the flange of the I-beam, can fail by forces on the gate which can open by the due to the action of the I-beam pressing against the gate during fall arrest.

All of which adds greatly to the cost and weight of the product.

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