Hook of a hook loader

Abstract

The invention relates to a hook for a hook loader, comprising a shank for connecting the hook to a hook loader, a hook portion comprising a throat, and a wear indicator formed on the hook portion and configured to indicate wear on the hook portion. Also disclosed is a hook loader comprising a hook.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a hook of a hook loader. BACKGROUND

[0002] Hook loader vehicles are known which can pick up a container and tow it to the rear of the vehicle. Hook loader vehicles typically comprise a cab, a main chassis and a pivotable arm having a hook. One or more hydraulic cylinders are provided which can be actuated to pivot the arm relative to the main chassis.

[0003] A critical component of a hook loader is the hook itself which attaches an object to be lifted to the arm of the hook loader for lifting. If the hook fails during use, it can be very dangerous as the hook is carrying a significant load. A failing hook can cause the object being lifted to fall unsafely, causing damage to the hook loader and its surroundings and posing a risk of injury or death to any nearby personnel. Furthermore, the significant forces exerted can cause a weakened hook to fail catastrophically, potentially causing dangerous flying debris.

[0004] It will therefore be appreciated that there is a need for improvement in the field of hooks for hook loaders in order to minimise the risk of hook failure. SUMMARY

[0005] According to a first aspect, there is provided a hook for a hook loader, comprising: a shank for connecting the hook to a hook loader; a hook portion comprising a throat; and a wear indicator formed on the hook portion and configured to indicate wear on the hook portion.

[0006] The wear indicator can be formed around at least a portion of an inner circumference or perimeter (girth) of the throat.

[0007] The wear indicator can be formed around substantially the entire inner circumference or perimeter of the throat.

[0008] The throat can comprise an inner throat surface formed on an inner circumference or perimeter of the throat. The inner throat surface can be convex or substantially flat across its (entire) width. The wear indicator can be formed immediately adjacent to the inner throat surface or can be spaced apart from the inner throat surface. One or more wear indicators can be provided. The wear indicator can follow a curve or bend of the throat or the hook portion.

[0009] The hook can further comprise a supplementary wear indicator or a plurality of wear indicators.

[0010] The supplemental wear indicator can be disposed about the wear indicator. The supplemental wear indicator can be disposed immediately adjacent to the wear indicator, or can be laterally spaced apart from the wear indicator. The supplemental wear indicator can follow a substantially similar curve or bend as the wear indicator. The supplemental wear indicator can include one, some, or all of the features described herein with respect to the wear indicator, unless they are mutually exclusive. The wear indicator and the supplemental wear indicator can be formed continuously (in connection with) with the hook portion or as separate (discrete) components attached or secured to the hook portion. The wear indicator and the supplemental wear indicator can be formed of materials having one or more different properties so as to provide different wear characteristics.

[0011] The wear indicator can include a wear indicator element that is raised relative to an outer surface of the hook portion.

[0012] The wear indicator element can be formed continuously with the hook portion or can be a separate (discrete) element attached or secured to the hook portion. The wear indicator element can be superimposed on an outer surface of the hook portion. The wear indicator element can be formed of a material having one or more different properties than a material of the hook portion. The wear indicator element can have a substantially constant depth or height relative to an outer surface of the hook portion.

[0013] The wear indicator can include a substantially continuous wear indicator surface that is offset from an outer surface of the hook portion so as to form the wear indicator element.

[0014] The wear indicator element can be elongate and have a first dimension (or length) that can extend along a curve of the hook portion and a second dimension (or width) that is substantially perpendicular to the first dimension. The wear indicator can be substantially flat, convex, or concave along the second dimension. The wear indicator element can have a substantially constant second dimension substantially along its entire first dimension (i.e., the wear indicator can have a substantially constant width).

[0015] The wear indicator surface can be substantially planar.

[0016] A cross-section of the wear indicator element can be substantially square or rectangular.

[0017] The wear indicator surface can be offset from an outer surface of the hook portion by a predetermined distance such that the wear indicator surface has substantially the same outer profile as an outer profile of the outer surface of the hook portion.

[0018] The wear indicator surface can be inclined relative to an outer surface of the hook portion such that the wear indicator element has a decreasing depth along the inclination.

[0019] The wear indicator can be trapezoidal or triangular in cross-section.

[0020] The wear indicator surface can be inclined across (an entire) width of the wear indicator surface such that the depth of the wear indicator element varies across (an entire) width of the wear indicator element.

[0021] The surface can be inclined away from the throat such that the element has a maximum depth at a location closest to the throat; or can be inclined towards the throat such that the element has a maximum depth at a location furthest from the throat.

[0022] The wear indicator can be a substantially concave wear indicator recess relative to an outer surface of the hook portion.

[0023] The wear indicator recess can be elongate and have a first dimension (or length) which can extend along a curve of the hook portion and a second dimension (or width) which is substantially perpendicular to the first dimension. The wear indicator can be substantially flat, convex or concave along the second dimension. The wear indicator element can have a substantially constant second dimension (i.e. the wear indicator can have a substantially constant width) substantially along its entire first dimension. The wear indicator recess can be a groove formed in an outer surface of the hook portion.

[0024] The throat can comprise a vertex having a smaller radius of curvature relative to a remainder of the throat, and wherein the wear indicator is formed proximate the vertex of the throat.

[0025] The vertex can be formed at an opposite location to the shank portion. The throat can comprise a first vertex and a second vertex, and the wear indicator can be formed proximate one or both of these vertices. A respective wear indicator can be formed around each vertex.

[0026] The shank portion can be configured for releasable connection of the hook to a hook loader.

[0027] The hook can further comprise a throat opening for providing access to the throat, and a closure latch for selectively closing the throat opening.

[0028] According to a second aspect, there is provided a hook loader comprising a hook according to the first aspect and any features described in relation thereto.

[0029] The above aspects can include any combination of the features and / or limitations described herein, except for those that are mutually exclusive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] Embodiments of the application will now be described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1 A hook loader including a hook is schematically illustrated;

[0032] Figure 2 A perspective view of a hook of a hook loader is schematically illustrated;

[0033] Figure 3 A side view of a hook of Figure 2 is schematically illustrated;

[0034] Figure 4 An end view of a hook of Figure 2 is schematically illustrated;

[0035] Figure 4A and Figure 4B A detailed view of a portion of a hook as shown in Figure 4 is shown;

[0036] Figures 5A-5F Side views of various example hooks are schematically illustrated; and

[0037] Figures 6A-11B Various example hooks are schematically illustrated, "A" diagram shows a side view of a hook, and "B" diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the hook on line B-B shown in the "A" diagram. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Figure 1 A hook loader vehicle 10 is shown for picking up and towing a container (not shown) onto the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 includes a main chassis 16 defining a substantially flat bed 18 onto which a container (vessel) 12 can be towed. The vehicle 10 also includes wheels 20 and a cab containing an engine (not shown). The vehicle 10 has a longitudinal axis L V (front to back) along which the vehicle can travel, and a lateral axis L VThe vehicle 10 comprises an L-shaped arm 14 attached to the chassis 16. A proximal end 22 of the L-shaped arm 14 is pivotably attached to the chassis 16 about a pivot axis P. A distal end 24 of the L-shaped arm 14 is provided with a hook 100. The arm 14 is constrained to pivot in a vertical plane containing the longitudinal centreline of the vehicle 10. This means that the arm 14 and hook 100 are laterally constrained (i.e. prevented from moving sideways) so that they can only move in a direction parallel to the vertical plane containing the longitudinal centre axis of the vehicle 10. In this example, two parallel hydraulic cylinders 26 are coupled between the arm 14 and the chassis 16 and can be actuated to cause the arm 14 to pivot. The rear of the chassis 16 is also provided with one or more roller elements 28 which allow the easy towing of containers onto the flat bed 18 by the arm 14.

[0039] To pick up a container, the vehicle 10 is driven to a position in which the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 10 is approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container. The vehicle 10 is also positioned so that the arm 14 and hook 100 are in lateral alignment with a pick-up bar provided on the front of the container. The hydraulic cylinders 26 are then extended to cause the arm 14 to pivot away from the chassis 16 to a position in which the hook 100 is in vertical alignment with the pick-up height of the pick-up bar of the container. Figure 1 The vehicle 10 is then driven backwards until the hook 100 is close enough to the pick-up bar of the container to be attached. Once the hook 100 is attached to the pick-up bar of the container, the hydraulic cylinders 26 are retracted to cause the arm 14 to pivot back towards the flat bed 18 (clockwise about the axis P in the figure) and lift the container onto the flat bed 18. Figure 1

[0040] To remove the container from the hook loader vehicle 10, the above steps are essentially reversed.

[0041] Figure 2 and Figure 3 The hook 100 of the hook loader 10 is shown in detail.

[0042] The hook 100 comprises a shank 102 and a hook portion 104.

[0043] In this example, the shank 102 has a generally cuboid shape. At a first end 106, the shank 102 is configured to be attached to an arm of a hook loader, such as the arm 14 of the hook loader 10. A second end 110 of the shank 102 is fixed to the hook portion 104. In this example, the shank 102 and hook portion 104 are integrally formed as one cast item, but in other examples they can be integrally formed from a solid blank or plate (e.g. by milling), or formed separately and connected together during manufacture of the hook.

[0044] ​In this example, the hook 100 is configured to be removably attached to the arm of a hook loader. This is accomplished using two pin-receiving holes 108 formed through the shank 102 at the first end 106. To attach the hook 100 to the arm of a hook loader, the first end 106 of the shank 102 is inserted into a receiving housing 30 (see Figure 1 ) on the distal end of the arm of the hook loader. The receiving housing 30 has holes corresponding to the holes 108 on the shank 102. Once the holes of the housing 30 are aligned with the holes 108 on the shank 102, locking pins are inserted into the holes to attach the hook to the arm. If the hook needs to be removed (e.g., for maintenance or replacement), the locking pins can be removed, and the shank 102 removed from the housing 30. It should be understood that the hook disclosed herein can be removably attached to the arm of a hook loader in other configurations. Further, it should also be understood that the hook disclosed herein can be configured to be permanently or non-removably attached to the arm of a hook loader, e.g., via welding or via being integrally manufactured with the arm of the hook loader or a portion thereof, e.g., by casting.

[0045] The hook 100 also includes a hook portion 104 that includes a throat 112. The throat 112 is an open area that is generally encircled by an arcuate hook body 114. The hook portion 104 has first and second outer surfaces 113, 115 that face in opposite directions and are generally planar (see also Figure 4 ).

[0046] The throat 112 is used to receive a portion of an article to be lifted, such as a lifting bar of a container. To provide access to the throat 112, the hook portion includes a throat opening 116 that is a gap in the hook body 114 through which an article can pass into the throat 112. A closure latch 117 is provided to prevent accidental removal of an article in the throat 112. The closure latch 117 is pivotable about a pivot 119 from a closed position (as shown in Figure 2 ) in which it blocks the throat opening 116 to prevent removal of an article from the throat 112 to an open position (not shown, but in a clockwise direction in Figure 2 ) in which it is received in a recess 123 (see Figure 2 ) of the hook body 114 so that it does not block the throat opening 116 to allow an article to exit the throat 112. The closure latch 117 includes a stop and a counterweight 121 that are joined together, the counterweight 121 engages the hook body 114 in the closed position to prevent the latch from pivoting in a counterclockwise direction out of the throat opening, and the counterweight 121 also exerts a biasing force under the natural influence of gravity to return the latch 117 to the closed position.

[0047] With particular reference to Figure 3 , the throat 112 is generally elliptical in side view and has apices 118, 120 formed at opposite ends. The first apex 118 is formed at a position opposite the shank 102 and the second apex 120 is formed at a position proximate the shank 102. The apices 118, 120 are formed by portions of the hook body 114 having a smaller radius of curvature relative to the remainder of the hook body 114 that surrounds the throat.

[0048] The hook portion 104 includes an internal throat surface 122, which is a surface of the hook body 114 that faces inwardly towards the throat 112. The internal throat surface 122 is formed generally around the inner circumference of the throat 112 and is convex over its (entire) width (see Figure 6B ), although in other examples the internal throat surface 122 can be flat over its (entire) width. An article to be lifted by the hook 100 will typically primarily engage with the internal throat surface 122.

[0049] In accordance with the present disclosure, the hook portion 104 further includes a wear indicator 124 configured to indicate wear on the hook portion. In practice, in this example, two wear indicators 124 are provided, one on each of the opposite outer surfaces 113, 115 of the hook portion 104.

[0050] The wear indicators 124 are formed around at least a portion of the inner circumference or perimeter of the throat 112, and in this example, around the entire circumference of the throat 112.

[0051] In this example, each wear indicator 124 is formed immediately adjacent to the lateral edge of the internal throat surface 122, although can alternatively be spaced apart from the surface 122. Here, a single wear indicator 124 is provided on each opposite side of the throat 112, although in other examples to be described below, more than one wear indicator can be provided. As can be seen from Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the wear indicators 124 generally follow the arcuate shape of the throat 112 and hook body 114.

[0052] Referring now to Figure 4 , Figure 4A and Figure 4B , in this example, the wear indicators 124 take the form of wear indicator elements 124, in which each wear indicator element 124 respectively protrudes relative to the outer surfaces 113, 115 of the hook portion 104.

[0053] Figure 4The hook 100 is shown in an end view along the plane of the outer surface 113, 115. Here, it should be understood that the outer surfaces 113, 115 are non-parallel and taper apart toward the shank 102. Of course, within the principles of the present disclosure, the outer surfaces can be parallel, taper in the other direction, or non-planar.

[0054] Referring to the detailed view showing the indicated portion of Figure 4 Figure 4A The wear indicator element 124 is shown in greater detail. Here, it should be understood that the wear indicator element 124 is a raised portion relative to the outer surface 113 of the hook portion 104. The wear indicator element 124 is offset from the outer surface 113 by a substantially constant depth (or height) d. Here, the wear indicator element 124 has a substantially rectangular cross-section, and forms a substantially continuous wear indicator surface 126 that is offset from the outer surface 113 by the depth d. Since the outer surface 113 is substantially planar in this example, the wear indicator surface 126 is also substantially planar. However, it should be generally understood that the wear indicator surface can be offset from the outer surface of the hook portion by a predetermined distance such that the wear indicator surface has substantially the same profile as the outer surface of the hook portion. Thus, if the outer surface 113 is non-planar, the wear indicator surface can be a raised surface that follows the profile of the non-planar surface.

[0055] Figure 4B Another detailed view of the hook 100 is shown on the opposite side having the outer surface 115. It can be appreciated that the wear indicator element 124 on this side is formed in the same manner as the other wear indicator element 124 (i.e., as a raised element having a wear indicator surface 126 that conforms to the outer surface 115).

[0056] In the example of Figures 2-4 the wear indicator element 124 is formed continuously with the hook portion 104. In particular, the wear indicator element 124 is integrally cast with the hook 100. However, in other examples, the wear indicator element can be a separate element that is attached or secured to the hook portion. When integrally cast with the hook 100, the wear indicator element 124 is formed of the same material as the hook portion 104. However, in other examples, the wear indicator element can be formed of a material having one or more different properties than the material of the hook portion.

[0057] Referring again to Figure 3 ​It will be appreciated that the wear indicator elements 124 are generally elongate, having a length L extending along the curve of the hook portion 104 and a width W substantially perpendicular to the length L. As noted above, the wear indicators have substantially planar surfaces 126, meaning that they are substantially flat across their (entire) width. It will also be appreciated that the wear indicator elements 124 have a substantially constant width along substantially their entire length. Of course, in other examples the width of the wear indicators can vary along their length.

[0058] Referring to Figure 5A which shows a side view of another example of a hook 200. Some common features between the hook 100 and the hook 200 are denoted by the difference 100 in reference numerals. The hook 200 has a shank portion 202 and a hook portion 204 including a throat 212. The hook 200 also includes a wear indicator 224 which, like the wear indicator 124 of the hook 100, encircles the throat 212 and forms a raised wear indicator surface 226. However, unlike the wear indicator 124, the wear indicator 224 has a varying width. In this particular example, the wear indicator 224 has a minimum width W1 at a location proximate the throat apex 218 and a maximum width W2 at a location proximate the throat apex 220, and gradually increases in width therebetween around the throat 212. In other examples, the width of the wear indicator can vary along its length in different ways. Adjusting the width of the wear indicator for different regions around the throat (which can experience different degrees of wear or have different wear tolerances) can provide an improved wear indication.

[0059] Referring now to Figure 5B which shows a side view of another example hook 300. Some common features between the hook 100 and the hook 300 are denoted by the difference 200 in reference numerals. In this example, the hook portion 304 includes a primary or inner wear indicator 324 encircling the throat 312 and a supplemental or outer wear indicator 328 arranged around and thus encircling the primary wear indicator 324. It will be appreciated that the supplemental wear indicator 328 follows a substantially similar curve or bend as the primary wear indicator 324. The primary wear indicator 324 and the supplemental wear indicator 328 are arranged immediately adjacent to one another and share a common lateral edge 330. The primary wear indicator 324 and the supplemental wear indicator 328 can be formed of materials having different properties in order to provide different wear characteristics. The supplemental wear indicator 328 can include one, some or all of the features described herein in relation to wear indicators, unless mutually exclusive. It will be appreciated that more than one supplemental wear indicator can be provided.

[0060] In Figure 5CFIG. 3 shows a side view of yet another example hook 300. Some common features between hook 100 and hook 300 are indicated by reference numerals differing by 200. In this hook 300, like the hook 100, Figure 5B As with the hook 300, the hook 400 includes both a primary wear indicator 424 and a supplemental wear indicator 428. However, unlike the hook 300, on the hook 400 the wear indicators 424, 428 are spaced apart from one another in the lateral direction to provide a spaced gap 432 therebetween. In certain circumstances, this arrangement can provide improved wear indication.

[0061] In Figure 5D FIG. 4 shows a side view of another hook 500. Common features between hook 100 and hook 500 are indicated by reference numerals differing by 400. The hook 500 includes a first wear indicator 524 extending around the throat 512 near the throat apex 518 and a second, separate wear indicator 528 extending around the throat 512 near the throat apex 520. Providing a respective wear indicator at each of the throat apexes can provide targeted wear indication in areas that are more prone to or susceptible to excessive wear. It will be appreciated that, more generally, hooks according to the present disclosure can include more than one wear indicator, with each wear indicator being arranged in a particular location where wear indication is desired.

[0062] Figure 5E FIG. 5 shows a side view of yet another hook 600. Common features between hook 100 and hook 600 are indicated by reference numerals differing by 500. In this example hook 600, a plurality of discrete wear indicators 624 are provided in an array around the throat 612 of the hook 600. As can be seen, Figure 5E It will be appreciated that the spacing between the wear indicators can vary around the throat 612 (or, more generally, around the hook portion 624). In this example, the wear indicators 624 are configured to have a tighter spacing near the throat apexes 618, 620 than near the remainder of the throat 612. More generally, providing wear indicators that are spaced more closely in areas that are more prone to excessive wear can provide improved hook wear indication overall. Although the wear indicators 624 are circular or dot-like in this example, other shapes are contemplated, such as square or triangular indicators.

[0063] In Figure 5F In another example hook 700 shown, the wear indicators 724 do not follow the smooth arcuate shape of the throat 712, but rather have a serpentine shape that wraps around the throat 712.

[0064] It should be understood from the range of different example hooks 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 that wear indicators according to the present disclosure can take a wide variety of shapes, arrangements, and configurations. It should be understood that wear indicators according to the present disclosure can not include features of the example wear indicators shown, or can include one, some, or all of the features of the example wear indicators shown, unless mutually exclusive.

[0065] Figure 3 and Figure 5A Examples of -F show different example shapes of wear indicators in plan view. Wear indicators can also have different cross-sectional shapes, which will now be described with reference to Figures 6A-11B These cross-sectional shapes are described in more detail. In these figures, the dimensions of the wear indicators can have been exaggerated in order to provide an easier understanding of the concepts being discussed.

[0066] Figure 6A and Figure 6B An example hook 800 is shown. Figure 6A A side view of the hook is shown, and Figure 6B A cross-sectional view through the hook portion 804 in the plane BB as seen in the direction of the arrow is shown.

[0067] The wear indicator 824 of the hook 800 is substantially the same as the wear indicator 124 described above with respect to Figure 2 and Figure 3 It can be clearly seen here that the wear indicator 824 is formed on the respective outer surface 813, 815 immediately adjacent to either side (both sides) of the inner throat surface 822. When viewed along the length of the wear indicator 824, the wear indicator 824 has a substantially rectangular cross-section. In this example, the wear indicator 824 is formed of a material having one or more different properties than the main hook portion body 814, although it should be understood that in other examples they can be formed of the same material.

[0068] Figure 7A and Figure 7B An example hook 900 is shown. Figure 7A A side view of the hook is shown, and Figure 7B A cross-sectional view through the hook portion 904 in the plane BB as seen in the direction of the arrow is shown.

[0069] The hook 900 includes a wear indicator 924 on its outer surfaces 913, 915. In this example, the wear indicator surface 926 defined by the wear indicator 924 is inclined relative to the outer surface of its respective hook portion 904 such that the wear indicator element 924 has a depth that decreases along the inclination (direction). In this example, the wear indicator element 924 has a maximum depth at a location proximal to the inner throat surface 922 and a minimum depth at a location distal from the surface 922. In this example, the wear indicator element 924 has a triangular cross-section, with the depth of the wear indicator element 924 relative to the outer surfaces 913, 915 approaching zero as it moves away from the throat surface 922. However, the minimum depth of the wear indicator element 924 can not be zero, such that the wear indicator 924 has a trapezoidal cross-section with an inclined wear indicator surface.

[0070] In the example hook 900, the wear indicator surface 926 is inclined away from the throat 912 such that the wear indicator element 924 has a maximum depth at a location closest to the throat 912. However, in other examples, the wear indicator surface can be inclined towards the throat such that the element has a maximum depth at a location furthest from the throat. In this example, the wear indicator surface 926 is inclined over the (entire) width of the wear indicator surface such that the depth of the wear indicator element varies over the (entire) width of the wear indicator element, although it will be appreciated that the wear indicator surface can alternatively or additionally be inclined in other directions.

[0071] The hook 900 also illustrates a further feature, namely that the wear indicator element 924 comprises first and second portions 924a, b formed from materials having different properties. Although this feature need not necessarily be implemented in conjunction with an inclined wear indicator surface 926 and can be used with a flat surface, it can provide a further advantage in that the extent of wear can be more clearly indicated if the materials of the portions 924a, b are visibly different. For example, once the outer portion 924b starts to exhibit wear, this can indicate that the hook is more worn than if only the inner portion 924a is worn. Of course, more than two portions having different materials can be provided to give a more precise indication of the extent of wear.

[0072] Figure 8A and Figure 8B An example hook 1000 is shown. Figure 8A A side view of a hook is shown, Figure 8BA cross-sectional view through the hook portion 1004 in the plane BB as seen in the direction of the arrow is shown. The hook 1000 has a wear indicator element 1024 with a flat wear indicator surface 1026 and two portions 1024a and 1024b formed of different materials. As will be appreciated in this example, the different portions 1024a, b are stacked in the depth direction of the wear indicator element 1024, meaning that the inner portion 1024b is completely encapsulated by the outer portion 1024a. If the materials of the portions 924a, b are significantly different, e.g. visually different, then the extent of wear can be more clearly indicated by this arrangement. For example, if any of the inner portion 1024b is visible (once the outer portion 924b), then this can indicate that the hook has experienced a predetermined amount of wear, e.g. reached an acceptable wear limit. As with the hook 900, the wear indicator 1024 of the hook 100 can have more than two portions with different materials to give a more precise indication of the extent of wear.

[0073] Figure 9A and Figure 9B An example hook 1100 is shown. Figure 9A A side view of the hook is shown, Figure 9B A cross-sectional view through the hook portion 1104 in the plane BB as seen in the direction of the arrow is shown. In this example, the wear indicator surface 1126 of the wear indicator element 1124 is convex.

[0074] Figure 10A and Figure 10B An example hook 1200 is shown. Figure 10A A side view of the hook is shown, Figure 10B A cross-sectional view through the hook portion 1204 in the plane BB as seen in the direction of the arrow is shown. In this example, the wear indicator surface 1226 of the wear indicator element 1224 is concave.

[0075] Providing a convex or concave wear indicator surface according to Figures 9A-10B the examples can enable a more detailed understanding of how uniform or non-uniform wear has occurred on the hook.

[0076] Figure 11A and Figure 11B An example hook 1300 is shown. Figure 11A A side view of the hook is shown, Figure 11BA cross-sectional view is shown through the hook portion 1304 on the plane BB as seen in the direction of the arrow. Unlike the other examples described above, in the hook 1300, the wear indicator 1324 is a wear indicator recess 1324 that is recessed substantially relative to the respective outer surface 1313, 1315 of the hook portion 1304.

[0077] Although the recess 1324 in this example is directly adjacent to the inner throat surface 1322, in other examples, the wear indicator recess can be formed as a groove in the outer surface of the hook portion that is spaced apart from the inner throat surface.

[0078] Unlike the protruding elements according to other examples described herein, because the depth of the recess can decrease as wear increases, the wear indicator recess can indicate wear.

[0079] It will be appreciated that, except where mutually exclusive, wear indicators having a selection of the various features disclosed in the different examples described above can be provided (e.g., selected in a “mixed and matched” fashion).

[0080] As with the hooks disclosed herein, the wear indicators formed on the hook portions are configured to indicate wear on the hook portions. The various wear indicators disclosed can generally provide an additional dedicated sacrificial element that can be worn during use of the hook and thereby can indicate the amount of wear that has occurred on the hook. Some of the wear indicators disclosed can be configured to receive wear and indicate wear on the hook without significantly altering the structural properties or load capacity of the hook itself. Thus, it will be appreciated that the wear indicators disclosed herein can help users of hook loaders more accurately assess wear that has occurred on the hooks, thereby more clearly indicating when a hook can need to be replaced or repaired. This can, for example, improve the safety or reliability of hook loaders.

Claims

1. A hook for a hook loader, comprising: A handle for connecting the hook to a hook loader; A hook portion, the hook portion including a throat, and having an inner throat surface for engaging with an article to be lifted and two outer surfaces located on either side of the inner throat surface, wherein the inner throat surface faces inward toward the throat, and the two outer surfaces face in opposite directions; and A wear indicator is formed on at least one of the two outer surfaces of the hook portion and is configured to indicate wear on the hook portion, wherein the wear indicator is formed on one or both sides adjacent to the inner throat surface or spaced apart from the inner throat surface.

2. The hook for a hook loader according to claim 1, wherein, The wear indicator is formed on at least one of the two outer surfaces, surrounding at least a portion of the periphery of the throat.

3. The hook for a hook loader according to claim 2, wherein, The wear indicator is formed on at least one of the two outer surfaces, surrounding the entire periphery of the throat.

4. The hook for a hook loader according to any one of claims 1-3, further comprising a supplementary wear indicator.

5. The hook for a hook loader according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The wear indicator includes a wear indicator element that is raised relative to the outer surface of the hook portion.

6. The hook for a hook loader according to claim 5, wherein, The wear indicator includes a continuous wear indicator surface that is offset from the outer surface of the hook portion to form the wear indicator element.

7. The hook for a hook loader according to claim 6, wherein, The surface of the wear indicator is flat.

8. The hook for a hook loader according to claim 6, wherein, The wear indicator surface is offset from the outer surface of the hook portion by a predetermined distance, so that the wear indicator surface has the same outer contour as the outer surface of the hook portion.

9. The hook for a hook loader according to claim 6, wherein, The wear indicator surface is inclined relative to the outer surface of the hook portion, such that the wear indicator element has a depth that decreases along the inclination.

10. The hook for a hook loader according to claim 9, wherein, The wear indicator surface is inclined across the width of the wear indicator surface, such that the depth of the wear indicator element varies across the width of the wear indicator element.

11. The hook for a hook loader according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The wear indicator is a wear indicator recess that is recessed relative to the outer surface of the hook portion.

12. The hook for a hook loader according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The throat includes a vertex having a smaller radius of curvature relative to the rest of the throat, and wherein the wear indicator is formed near the vertex of the throat.

13. The hook for a hook loader according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The handle is configured to releasably connect the hook to a hook loader.

14. The hook for a hook loader according to any one of claims 1-3, further comprising: A throat opening for providing access to the throat; And a closing latch for selectively closing the throat opening.

15. A hook loader comprising a hook according to any one of claims 1-14.

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