Inclined U-Shaped Lifting Hook for Easier Carabiner Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lifting hooks require complex arm and wrist motions to attach and detach from carabiners, increasing the burden on workers, especially in unstable conditions.

Innovation Solution

A U-shaped lifting hook is designed to be assembled in an inclined plane, creating a height difference between its inner and outer legs, allowing for simplified up-down and left-right movements to lock and unlock from carabiners without excessive twisting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional lifting hook is used, then the work tool can be locked to a carabiner, but complex arm and wrist motions are required increasing the burden on workers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attachment and detachmentVSAvoidcomplexity of arm and wrist motions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting hook is designed to operate in an inclined plane rather than a horizontal plane, creating a height difference between the inner and outer legs. This dimensional change allows the hook to engage with the carabiner gate lever through simple up-down and left-right movements, eliminating the need for complex twisting motions of the arm and wrist.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If a conventional lifting hook is used, then the work tool can be suspended from the worker's body, but excessive twisting motions are required which increase physical strain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of locking and unlockingVSAvoidphysical strain on worker
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By positioning the lifting hook in an inclined plane with a height difference between legs, the engagement motion is transformed from a twisting motion in the horizontal plane to a simpler up-down and left-right motion in the inclined plane, significantly reducing physical strain on the worker's arm and wrist.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the lifting hook is assembled in an inclined plane, then twisting motions are reduced, but the hook structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereduction of twisting motionsVSAvoidcomplexity of hook structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting hook employs asymmetric design with the inner leg positioned lower than the outer leg, creating an inclined plane configuration. This asymmetric structure is achieved by bending a single rod into a U-shape with unequal leg positions, simplifying manufacturing while enabling the reduced twisting motion operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3798454B1Lifting hook for locking to carabiner
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 YAMABIKO CORP
  • EP3798454B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3798454B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3798454B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A lifting hook 100 (200, 250, 260, 270) has an inner leg 102, an outer leg 104, and a connecting part 106 connecting these legs. With respect to a worker equipped with a lever type carabiner 2(4), the inner leg 102 is located on the inner side close to the carabiner 2(4), and the outer leg 104 is located on the outer side far from the carabiner 2(4). The inner leg 102 and the outer leg 104 relatively have a height difference, and at least a portion 104main of the outer leg 104 is located higher than the inner leg 102.