Self-Centering Rescue Hook for Remote Load Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rescue hooks are difficult to attach to a person or load from a distance and lack self-centering capabilities, leading to improper loading and increased risk of items falling during rescue operations in subterrain environments.
Innovation Solution
A self-centering rescue hook with an attachment point for a placement tool, such as an extended stick, that allows easy attachment of a line or rope to a person or load from a remote position, featuring a throat that captures the attachment point to prevent release, and meets industry standards like ANSI Z359.12.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional clips such as snap hooks or carabiners are used, then the hook can be attached to a person or load, but it requires an additional tool to open the gate and does not have a way to be easily slid on to the load from a distance
Solution Approach 1:
The hook is segmented into a gate portion and a body portion, allowing the gate to be opened and closed independently. The body portion includes an interior surface with a smooth transition that allows the hook to be easily slid onto the load from a distance without requiring additional tools to open the gate.
Solution Approach 2:
A placement tool is introduced as an intermediary device to attach the hook to the load from a distance. The placement tool engages with the hook's body portion and allows the hook to be slid onto the load without the rescuer needing to manually open the gate.
2Ease of operation
If a hook with no gate is used, then it is easier to attach to the item, but it has an increased risk of the item falling and does not allow for the line to be attached without the extended pole
Solution Approach 1:
The gate is designed to be dynamically openable and closable, allowing the hook to transition between a closed state (when attached to the load) and an open state (when being attached or detached). The smooth interior surface of the body portion allows the hook to self-center and securely hold the load, reducing the risk of the item falling while still allowing for easy attachment from a distance.
3Ease of operation
If conventional hooks are used, then they can attach a line to a load, but they do not self-center so they can rotate into an unwanted orientation causing the hook to load improperly
Solution Approach 1:
The body portion of the hook is designed with an asymmetric smooth interior surface that guides the load into the correct orientation. The asymmetric geometry ensures that the load self-centers as it is attached to the hook, preventing rotation into unwanted orientations and ensuring proper loading without requiring additional centering mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The rescue hook can be remotely attached to a load and can self-center to position the load in an optimal place on the hook. One embodiment of the rescue hook has an opening for a placement tool such as an extended stick so a user can place the rescue hook onto an attachment point of a harness or object remotely. The body of the rescue hook can form an elongated throat to hold the attachment point and a gate pivotably attached to the body to enclose the throat.