Patent ID: 9061866
Filing Date: 2015-06-23
Classification: B66C

Abstract:
1. A lifting apparatus comprising: a link member suspended from a base along a vertical axis; and a jaw member pivotally coupled to the link member about a pivot axis, the jaw member defining a cam portion having a cam surface such that engaging the cam surface with a load by lowering the lifting apparatus rotates a portion of the jaw member into alignment with a latch axis, wherein the pivot axis and latch axis are disposed on opposing sides of the vertical axis, whereby a latch pin may be received by the jaw member and the link member, the jaw member further including a hooking portion and a suspension portion disposed between the hooking portion and the cam portion; wherein the hooking portion includes a receiving surface that guides the jaw member into engagement with the load when hooking the load, and wherein when the jaw member is in an open, unlatched position, the receiving surface has a downward slope extending from the hooking portion toward the suspension portion relative to an axis that is perpendicular to the vertical axis.