Hoist hook and method for transporting items using the hoist hook

Abstract

This hoist hook comprises a main plate, a first slide plate and a second slide plate, a first base and a second base, a pair of hooks, an electricity generator, and a rack. The first slide plate and the second slide plate are configured to be hung from a radio-controlled unmanned aircraft, fixed to each other, and configured to slide up and down relatively with respect to the main plate, with the main plate sandwiched therebetween. The first base and the second base are fixed to each other, and configured to slide up and down relatively with respect to the main plate, with the main plate sandwiched therebetween. The pair of hooks is each rotatably coupled to the first base or the second base. The electricity generator is fixed to the main plate. The rack is coupled to the electricity generator, and fixed to the first slide plate.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] One embodiment of the present invention relates to a sling for suspending an object from a radio-controlled unmanned aerial vehicle (hereinafter also referred to as a drone) for transporting the object, and a method for transporting the object using the sling. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, drones have been used in various fields, not only for aerial photography but also as a means for transporting items such as luggage and materials. For example, Patent Documents 1 to 5 disclose a hoisting device (hereinafter referred to as a hoist hook) for transporting items using a drone. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-128455 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2022-128632 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2021-050064 A [Patent Document 4] Patent Publication No. 2021-102521 [Patent Document 5] Patent Publication No. 2022-128628 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a hoist hook having a novel structure and a method for transporting an article using the hoist hook. Alternatively, an object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a hoist hook capable of preventing an article from falling even when a drone suddenly flies unintentionally, and a method for transporting an article using the hoist hook. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention is a hoist hook. The hoist hook includes a main plate, a first slide plate and a second slide plate, a first base and a second base, a pair of hooks, a generator, and a rack. The first slide plate and the second slide plate are configured to be suspended from a radio-controlled unmanned aerial vehicle, are fixed to each other, and are configured to slide up and down relative to the main plate with the main plate sandwiched between them. The first base and the second base are fixed to each other, and are configured to slide up and down relative to the main plate with the main plate sandwiched between them. The pair of hooks are connected to the first base and the second base so as to be rotatable with respect to the first base and the second base, respectively. The generator is fixed to the main plate. The rack is connected to the generator and fixed to the first slide plate.

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention is a method for transporting an article. The method includes suspending an article on a hoist hook, moving the hoist hook using a radio-controlled unmanned aerial vehicle, and releasing the article from the hoist hook. The hoist hook includes a main plate, a first sliding plate and a second sliding plate, a first base and a second base, a pair of hooks, a generator, and a rack. The first sliding plate and the second sliding plate are configured to be suspended from the radio-controlled unmanned aerial vehicle, are fixed to each other, and are configured to slide up and down relative to the main plate while sandwiching the main plate. The first base and the second base are fixed to each other, and are configured to slide up and down relative to the main plate while sandwiching the main plate. The pair of hooks are respectively connected to the first base and the second base so as to be rotatable with respect to the first base and the second base. The generator is fixed to the main plate. The rack is connected to the generator and fixed to the first sliding plate. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a hoist hook according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic rear view of the hoist hook according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a hoist hook according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a hoist hook according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a hoist hook according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a hoist hook according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a hoist hook according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a hoist hook according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic rear view of the hoist hook according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the invention disclosed in this application will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the gist of the invention, and the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the description of the embodiments exemplified below.

[0009] In order to clarify the description, the drawings may show the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part in a schematic manner compared to the actual embodiment, but these are merely examples and do not limit the interpretation of the present invention. In this specification and each drawing, elements having the same functions as those explained in the previous drawings may be given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations may be omitted.

[0010] Hereinafter, a hoist hook 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention and a method for transporting an object using the hoist hook 100 will be described. The hoist hook 100 is a hook configured to be able to be hung from a drone and to be able to suspend an object from it. As described below, the hoist hook 100 is capable of automatically releasing the hook during transport of an object, i.e., during flight of the drone, and releasing the object from the hoist hook 100 when the object is lowered to the ground without the hook being released unintentionally.

[0011] 1. Structure 1 and 2 are respectively a schematic front view and a rear view of a hoist hook 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are schematic perspective views of the hoist hook 100. FIG. 5 to FIG. 9 are schematic front and rear views showing a process of hanging an object on the hoist hook 100. Note that in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, a latch 120 and a first spring 110, which will be described later, are not shown for the sake of clarity. Hereinafter, the vertical direction in a state in which the hoist hook 100 is suspended by a drone or the like is referred to as the up-down direction or the z direction. In addition, the direction perpendicular to the z direction and normal to the main surface of the main plate 102, which will be described later, is referred to as the x direction, and the direction perpendicular to the z direction and the x direction is referred to as the y direction.

[0012] As can be seen from these figures, the hoist hook 100 has the following basic configurations. These configurations may include metals such as iron, aluminum, and copper, or alloys such as stainless steel and brass, or may include resins such as epoxy resin, phenolic resin, and fluororesin. The resin may be a fiber-reinforced plastic containing glass fiber, carbon fiber, and the like. Main plate 102 A pair of slide plates (first slide plate 104, second slide plate 106) Latch 120 A pair of bases (first base 130, second base 132) First spring 110 Second spring 112 Hook 140 Rack 150 Pinion gear 152 Generator 160

[0013] (1) Main plate The main plate 102 is a part that supports various components attached to the main plate 102. The main plate 102 has grooves 102b and 102c through which the hook 140 rotates while moving up and down, a groove 102a through which the latch 120 moves up and down, a groove 102f (see FIG. 7) through which the first base 130 and the second base 132 move up and down, and a groove 102g (see FIG. 8) through which the first slide plate 104 and the second slide plate 106 move up and down. 8 Although not shown, an opening for inserting the shaft of the pinion gear 152 is also provided in the main plate 102.

[0014] (2) a first slide plate, a second slide plate, a first spring, and a second spring The first slide plate 104 and the second slide plate 106 are fixed to each other by one or more slide pins 170 so as to face each other while sandwiching at least a part of the main plate 102. The main plate 102 is provided with one or more grooves 102g for moving up and down with the slide pins 170 inserted therein, so that the main plate 102 can move up and down relative to the first slide plate 104 and the second slide plate 106. In addition, the first slide plate 104 and the second slide plate 106 are provided with hanging holes 104a and 106a for hanging the hoist hook 100 on the drone, respectively. The grooves 102g for the slide pins 170 provided in the main plate 102 to move are formed so that the main plate 102 does not overlap the hanging holes 104a and 106a in the y direction when the main plate 102 moves up and down relative to the first slide plate 104 and the second slide plate 106.

[0015] A rack 150 extending in the vertical direction is fixed to the first sliding plate 104. A first spring 110 is also provided on the first sliding plate 104. Specifically, one end of the first spring 110 is connected to the first sliding plate 104, and the other end is connected to the latch 120. Since the first spring 110 is also connected to the first sliding plate 104 and the latch 120 by slide pins 173 and 172, respectively, the first spring 110 can rotate about the axis of the slide pin 173, i.e., an axis perpendicular to the main surface of the first sliding plate 104.

[0016] The second slide plate 106 is provided with a second spring 112. Similar to the first spring 110, one end of the second spring 112 is also connected to the second slide plate 106 by a slide pin 173, and therefore the second spring 112 can rotate with respect to the second slide plate 106 about the axis of the slide pin 173, i.e., an axis perpendicular to the main surface of the second slide plate 106.

[0017] (3) a first base, a second base, and a latch The first base 130 and the second base 132 are disposed so as to sandwich the main plate 102, and are fixed to each other by a plurality of slide pins 174, 176, and 178. As described above, the main plate 102 is provided with grooves 102b arranged so that the slide pins 178 that fix the first base 130 and the second base 132 can pass through and move up and down. Therefore, the first base 130 and the second base 132 can also move up and down relative to the main plate 102.

[0018] The other end of the second spring 112 is connected to the second base 132 by a slide pin 174. Meanwhile, the other end of the first spring 110 is connected to the first base 130 via a latch 120. The latch 120 is a part whose function is to temporarily fix the positions of the first base 130 and the second base 132 relative to the main plate 102, and has an L-shaped shape. The other end of the first spring 110 is connected to the L-shaped bent portion of the latch 120 via a slide pin 172. As described above, the main plate 102 is provided with a groove 102a so that the slide pin 172 connecting the latch 120 and the first spring 110 can pass through and move up and down. Furthermore, the latch 120 is connected to the first base 130 at one end (one end of two straight portions present via a bent portion) via a slide pin 174. Therefore, the latch 120 follows the up and down movement of the first base 130 and the second base 132, and moves around the slide pins 172 and 174, respectively, with the first spring 110 and the first base 132 moving vertically. 130 It can move up and down while rotating relative to the

[0019] As shown in Fig. 3, the slide pin 172 that connects the first spring 110 and the latch 120 penetrates the main plate 102 through a groove 102a, and a clearance groove 102d (see dotted circle) for temporarily fixing the slide pin 172 is provided at the bottom of the groove 102a. For this reason, the groove 102a is an L-shaped groove, and the long side of the L-shaped groove is arranged parallel to the vertical direction (i.e., the direction in which the first slide plate 104 and the second slide plate 106 slide relatively to the main plate 102), and the short side functions as the clearance groove 102d into which the slide pin 172 is temporarily fitted when the first base 130 and the second base 132 are slid. The position and size of the clearance groove 102d are set so that the restoring forces of the first spring 110 and the second spring 112 act when the slide pin 172 is fitted into the clearance groove 102d, and the slide pin 172 does not move in this state.

[0020] Here, the first spring 110 and the second spring 112 are connected to the first slide plate 104 and the second slide plate 106, respectively, using the same slide pin 173. Alternatively, one end of the first spring 110 and the second spring 112 connected to the first slide plate 104 and the second slide plate 106, respectively, overlaps in the y direction. However, the first spring 110 extends to one hook 140 side, and the second spring 112 extends to the other hook 140 side. Therefore, the vector of the restoring force generated when the first spring 110 and the second spring 112 are extended is in the z direction or approximately in the z direction, so that the movement direction of the first base 130 and the second base 132 can be fixed approximately in the vertical direction, enabling stable vertical movement of the first base 130 and the second base 132.

[0021] (4) Hook The pair of hooks 140 have a hook-like shape, and a portion of each hook is clamped between the first base 130 and the second base 132. A slide pin 178 that fixes the first base 130 and the second base 132 passes through an end of one of the hooks 140, and the other slide pin 178 passes through an end of the other hook 140 (see FIG. 1). This connects the pair of hooks 140 to the first base 130 and the second base 132, respectively. Each hook 140 is further provided with a rotation slide pin 180 that passes through the main plate 102. The slide pin 178 is disposed in a linear groove 102b that is provided in the main plate 102 and extends in the z-direction. On the other hand, the rotation slide pin 180is disposed in a curved or arc-shaped groove 102c provided in the main plate 102. The groove 102c is sandwiched between a pair of linear grooves 102b, and is provided so that the closer it is to the hanging holes 104a, 106a, the greater the distance between them. Therefore, when the first base 130 and the second base 132 move downward relative to the main plate 102, the slide pin 180 moves along the groove 102c. As a result, the pair of hooks 140 can be rotated relative to the first base 130 and the second base 132, respectively, around an axis extending in the y direction to close the pair of hooks 140. Conversely, when the first base 130 and the second base 132 move upward relative to the main plate 102, the hooks 140 rotate in the opposite direction to open the pair of hooks 140.

[0022] (5) Rack and pinion gears, and generators The rack 150 is fixed to the first slide plate 104 and extends in the vertical direction. A pinion gear 152 that meshes with the rack 150 is provided so as to penetrate the main plate 102. As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the generator 160 is fixed to the main plate 102 and includes a generator gear 158 for driving. The generator 160 and the generator gear 158 are arranged so as to sandwich the main plate 102. The generator gear 158 is connected to the pinion gear 152 directly or via one or more intermediate gears 154, 156. Therefore, the generator 160 meshes with the rack 150 via the pinion gear 152. Then, when the pinion gear 152 rotates due to the vertical movement of the rack 150, this rotation is transmitted to the generator gear 158 directly or via the intermediate gears 154, 156, and the generator gear 158 rotates, generating electricity in the generator 160. Power generation may be performed by rotating a magnet using the generator gear 158 in a coil provided in the generator 160, or by arranging multiple magnets in the generator 160 and rotating a coil between the magnets using the generator gear 158. In the illustrated example, the generator 160 and the pinion gear 152 are arranged on one side of the main plate 102, and the generator gear 158 and the relay gears 154 and 156 are arranged on the other side of the main plate 102, but the arrangement of these is not limited to the above-mentioned arrangement. Therefore, the generator 160, the pinion gear 152, the generator gear 158, and the relay gears 154 and 156 may all be arranged on the same side of the main plate 102.

[0023] As described below, when the drone suddenly rises or falls while carrying an object suspended from the hook 140, the load of the object on the hook 140 temporarily changes, and as a result, the main plate 102 moves up and down relative to the first slide plate 104 and the second slide plate 106. Since the rack 150 is fixed to the first slide plate 104 and the pinion gear 152 is connected to the main plate 102, the rack 150 moves up and down relative to the pinion gear 152 due to the relative up and down movement of the main plate 102 to the first slide plate 104 and the second slide plate 106. The pinion gear 152 rotates with this movement, and this rotation is transmitted to the generator gear 158, generating electricity in the generator 160. A large resistance is generated in the generator gear 158 due to the reaction of the induced electromotive force during power generation, and this resistance generates resistance to the rotation of the pinion gear 152, which in turn generates resistance to the vertical movement of the rack 150, i.e., the vertical movement of the main plate 102. In other words, the generator 160 functions as a resistance element that resists the vertical movement of the rack 150, i.e., the relative vertical movement of the main plate 102 with respect to the first slide plate 104 and the second slide plate 106. The magnitude of the resistance of the resistance element, i.e., the magnitude of the reaction of the induced electromotive force generated during power generation, can be appropriately adjusted by the circuit board 162. For example, the amount of current flowing through the coil in the generator 160 can be changed by the circuit board 162.

[0024] 2. How the hoist hook works and how to transport goods (1) Hanging objects In the initial state, the slide pin 172 that passes through the bent portion of the latch 120 is not positioned in the escape groove 102d, but is present in the longitudinal portion of the groove 102a. In this state, the latch 120 is pulled upward by the restoring forces of the first spring 110 and the second spring 112. As a result, the first base 130, the second base 132, and the hook 140 connected thereto are also pulled upward, and the hook 140 maintains the open state (see FIGS. 1 to 4).

[0025] When suspending an article, the first base 130 and the second base 132 are moved downward relative to the main plate 102 so that the slide pin 172 passing through the bent portion of the latch 120 engages with the clearance groove 102d (FIGS. 5 and 6). At this time, the slide pin 180 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) passing through the groove 102c moves the groove 102c downward, so that the hook 140 rotates and closes (FIGS. 5 and 6). In addition, since the slide pin 174 is located at the bottom of the groove 102f, the movement of the first base 130 and the second base 132 downward (toward the hook 140) relative to the main plate 102 is restricted. Hereinafter, this state is referred to as a standby state. In the standby state, the slide pin 172 engages with the clearance groove 102d, so that the latch 120 is locked and the hook 140 maintains a closed state. In this standby state, an article can be hung from the hoist hook 100 by hanging the article from the hook 140. Usually, at this stage, the article is placed on the ground or floor, and therefore the entire load of the article is not applied to the hook 140.

[0026] (2) Drone takeoff After that, when the drone takes off and the article leaves the ground or floor, the entire load of the article is applied to the hook 140. Then, the first base 130 and the second base 132 connected to the hook 140, as well as the main plate 102 and the latch 120, move downward relative to the first slide plate 104 and the second slide plate 106. The slide pin 170 groove When the main plate 102 reaches the top of 102g, the downward movement of the main plate 102 is restricted. This state is called the transport state.

[0027] Here, the first slide plate 104 is configured to temporarily unlock the latch 120 when transitioning from the standby state to the transport state, and to lock the latch 120 again in the transport state. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5 to Fig. 8, a protrusion 102e can be provided on the side surface of the first slide plate 104, which allows the latch 120 to rotate around the slide pin 174 when the latch 120 in the standby state moves downward relative to the first slide plate 104, and slide the slide pin 172 in the x direction (i.e., along the short side portion) to shift from the escape groove 102d to the long side portion of the groove 102a, and allows the latch 120 to rotate in the reverse direction and the slide pin 172 to engage with the escape groove 102d again when the latch 120 further moves downward. In the standby state, the slide pin 172 engages with the clearance groove 102d, and the bent portion of the latch 120 is positioned above the projection 102e. At the same time, when the main plate 102 moves downward relative to the first slide plate 104 and the second slide plate 106, the slide pin 172 again engages with the clearance groove 102d, and the bent portion of the latch 120 is positioned above the projection 102e. under The protrusion 102e is disposed so as to be located at the position indicated by the arrow A. By providing the protrusion 102e, when the main plate 102 moves up and down relative to the first slide plate 104 and the second slide plate 106, the latch 120 comes into contact with the protrusion 102e, and the slide pin 172 can be reversibly moved between the escape groove 102d and the long portion. Therefore, the latch 120 can be locked not only in the standby state but also in the transport state, and as a result, the hook 140 can be maintained in the closed state.

[0028] (3) Transportation and release of goods After transitioning to the transport state, the drone moves the item and transports it to a predetermined position in the air. The item is then slowly lowered to the ground or floor. When the item touches the ground or floor, the load of the item on the hook 140 gradually decreases. As a result, the restoring forces of the first spring 110 and the second spring 112 cause the main plate 102 to move upward relative to the first slide plate 104 and the second slide plate 106. When the load of the item disappears, the protrusion 102e abuts against the latch 120, and the slide pin 172 moves from the escape groove 102d to the longitudinal portion of the groove 102a (see FIG. 7 ). That is, the latch 120 is unlocked. Then, the slide pin 172 moves upward along the groove 102a by the restoring force of the first spring 110 and the second spring 112 and returns to the initial state, and as a result, the hook 140 is released. There is no need to work to remove the article from the hoist hook 100, which saves manpower and improves the work efficiency related to transportation. In this way, the protrusion 102e exhibits the function of locking the latch 120 in the transportation state, and exhibits the function of automatically unlocking and opening the hook 140 when the drone lands.

[0029] Here, if the drone suddenly descends due to an unexpected cause such as the influence of air currents or piloting errors, the load of the goods will disappear instantly or will be suddenly reduced. At this time, when the hoist hook 100 attempts to return to the initial state after the standby state, the hook 140 will open unintentionally, causing the goods to fall. However, in the hoist hook 100, the upward movement of the main plate 102 that occurs when the load of the goods disappears instantly or will be suddenly reduced is largely restricted by the generator 160 that functions as a resistance against the relative vertical movement of the main plate 102. That is, the vertical movement is delayed by the generator 160. Furthermore, when the goods are being transported, the latch 120 is locked, and the upward and downward movement along the groove 102a of the latch 120 is prohibited. Therefore, even if the load is momentarily lost or suddenly reduced, the upward movement of the main plate 102 relative to the first sliding plate 104 and the second sliding plate 106 is delayed, and unintentional opening of the hook 140 due to unlocking of the latch 120 is prevented, thereby preventing items from falling.

[0030] In this way, by using the hoist hook 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the dropping of an object caused by the influence of air currents or the misoperation of the drone when transporting the object using a drone. Furthermore, it is possible to eliminate the troublesome task of removing the object from the drone. This not only saves human resources but also contributes to the safe and efficient transportation of the object.

[0031] The above-described embodiments of the present invention may be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually inconsistent. Furthermore, even if a person skilled in the art appropriately adds or deletes components or modifies the design based on each embodiment, it is included in the scope of the present invention as long as it includes the gist of the present invention.

[0032] Furthermore, even if there are other effects and advantages different from those brought about by the respective embodiments described above, those which are clear from the description in this specification or which can be easily predicted by a person skilled in the art are naturally understood to be brought about by the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 100: hoist hook, 102: main plate, 102a: groove, 102b: groove, 102c: groove, 102d: undercut groove, 102e: protrusion, 102f: groove, 102g: groove, 104: first slide plate, 104a: hanging hole, 106: second slide plate, 106a: hanging hole, 110: first spring, 112: second spring, 120: latch, 130: first base, 132: second base, 140: hook, 150: rack, 152: pinion gear, 154: relay gear, 156: relay gear, 158: generator gear, 160: generator, 162: circuit board, 170: slide pin, 172: slide pin, 173: slide pin, 174: slide pin, 176: slide pin, 178: slide pin, 180: slide pin

Claims

1. Main plate, a first slide plate and a second slide plate configured to be suspended from a radio-controlled unmanned aerial vehicle, fixed to each other, and configured to slide up and down relative to the main plate while sandwiching the main plate; a first base and a second base that are fixed to each other and configured to slide up and down relative to the main plate while sandwiching the main plate; a pair of hooks rotatably connected to the first base and the second base, respectively; A generator fixed to the main plate; and A hoist hook coupled to the generator and including a rack secured to the first slide plate.

2. Further comprising a first spring and a second spring; a first end of the first spring is fixed to the first slide plate such that the first spring is rotatable relative to the first slide plate; a second end of the first spring connected to the first base; a first end of the second spring is fixed to the second slide plate such that the second spring is rotatable relative to the second slide plate; 2. The hoist hook of claim 1, wherein the second end of the second spring is fixed to the second base such that the second spring is rotatable relative to the second base.

3. 3. The hoist hook of claim 2, further comprising a latch coupled to the first spring and the first base so as to be rotatable relative to the first spring and the first base, and configured to slide up and down relative to the main plate.

4. the second end of the first spring is coupled to the latch by a first slide pin; the main plate has an L-shaped groove through which the first slide pin passes and through which the first slide pin moves; a longitudinal portion of the L-shaped groove is arranged parallel to a direction in which the first slide plate and the second slide plate slide relatively to the main plate; The hoist hook according to claim 3 , wherein the short portion of the L-shaped groove is configured so that the first slide pin is temporarily fitted into the short portion when the first base and the second base are slid together.

5. The hoist hook according to claim 4, wherein a side surface of the first slide plate has a protrusion that allows the first slide pin to move reversibly along the short portion when the main plate is moved up and down relative to the first slide plate and the second slide plate.

6. The hoist hook of claim 1 , wherein the generator meshes with the rack via a pinion gear.

7. The main plate has a pair of arcuate grooves, The hoist hook according to claim 1 , wherein a second slide pin and a third slide pin, which pass through the pair of hooks respectively, move along the pair of arcuate grooves respectively.

8. 2. The hoist hook of claim 1, further comprising a circuit board secured to the first base for controlling characteristics of the generator.

9. Suspending items on hoist hooks; moving the hoist hook using a radio-controlled unmanned aerial vehicle; and releasing the article from the hoist hook; The hoist hook is Main plate, a first slide plate and a second slide plate configured to be suspended from the radio-controlled unmanned aerial vehicle, fixed to each other, and configured to slide up and down relative to the main plate while sandwiching the main plate; a first base and a second base that are fixed to each other and configured to slide vertically relative to the main plate while sandwiching the main plate; a pair of hooks rotatably connected to the first base and the second base, respectively; A generator fixed to the main plate; and A method of transporting an article comprising: a rack coupled to the generator and secured to the first slide plate.

10. the hoist hook further comprises a first spring and a second spring; a first end of the first spring is fixed to the first slide plate such that the first spring is rotatable relative to the first slide plate; a second end of the first spring connected to the first base; a first end of the second spring is fixed to the second slide plate such that the second spring is rotatable relative to the second slide plate; The method of claim 9 , wherein a second end of the second spring is fixed to the second base such that the second spring is rotatable relative to the second base.

11. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the hoist hook further comprises a latch coupled to the first spring and the first base so as to be rotatable relative to the first spring and the first base and configured to slide up and down relative to the main plate.

12. the second end of the first spring is coupled to the latch by a first slide pin; the main plate has an L-shaped groove through which the first slide pin passes and through which the first slide pin moves; a longitudinal portion of the L-shaped groove is arranged parallel to a direction in which the first slide plate and the second slide plate slide relatively to the main plate; The method according to claim 11 , wherein the short portion of the L-shaped groove is configured so that the first slide pin is temporarily fitted into the short portion when the first base and the second base are slid together.

13. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein a side surface of the first slide plate has a protrusion that allows the first slide pin to move reversibly along the short portion when the main plate is moved up and down relative to the first slide plate and the second slide plate.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the generator meshes with the rack via a pinion gear.

15. The main plate has a pair of arcuate grooves, The method of claim 9 , wherein a second slide pin and a third slide pin, which pass through the pair of hooks respectively, move along the pair of arcuate grooves respectively.

16. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the hoist hook further comprises a circuit board secured to the first base and controlling a characteristic of the generator.

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