Patent ID: 7353572
Filing Date: 2008-04-08
Classification: F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A snap hook comprising: a hook shank including a main body and a hook member, said hook member having a hook bowl and a hook bill, said hook bill and said main body defining a gateway opening therebetween; and, a gate keeper having an open position and a closed position, when in said closed position said gate keeper enclosing said gateway opening, when in said open position said gate keeper allowing passage of an object through said gateway opening, said snap hook further including a first and a second pivot point such that movement of said gate keeper from said closed to said open position requires the application of four separate and successive forces applied to said gate keeper, and at least partially rotating said gate keeper about said first pivot point and thereafter at least partially rotating said gate keeper about said second pivot point through the application of said four separate and successive forces, said main body also including a guide pin received within a guide channel in said gate keeper, said guide pin and said guide channel together assisting in controlling the rotational movement of said gate keeper about said second pivot point.