Retrofittable hook device

A retrofittable hook protection device for use with a hook is provided. The hook includes an intermediate portion interconnecting a hook portion and an end having an aperture, a gate for opening and closing an opening proximate the hook portion, and a lanyard operatively connected to the end proximate the aperture. The protection device includes a first and second member. The first member is configured and arranged to receive a first portion of the lanyard and a second portion of the end proximate a first side of the hook. A second member is configured and arranged to receive a third portion of the lanyard and a fourth portion of the end proximate a second side of the hook. The first and second members are connectable to sandwich the portions of the lanyard and the end there between.

BACKGROUND

A lanyard is commonly used by a worker to interconnect a support structure and a safety harness donned by the worker. The lanyard is commonly connected to the support structure with a hook operatively connected to an end of the lanyard. The hook is commonly directly connected to an anchorage member operatively connected to the support structure or the lanyard is wrapped about the support structure and the hook engages the lanyard (commonly referred to as a “tie-back” lanyard). The lanyard could also include a shock absorber to reduce the amount of force exerted upon the worker should a fall occur.

“Roll-out” may occur when the lanyard or the shock absorber contacts or engages an activator of the hook thereby inadvertently applying pressure to the activator causing the hook's locking gate to open. In a roll-out situation this action allows the anchorage member or the tied-back portion of the lanyard to be released from the hook. Should roll-out occur, the worker is no longer connected to the support structure and should a fall occur, the consequences could be life-threatening. Another life-threatening situation could occur if one worker unintentionally disconnects another worker's lanyard.

For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for a hook protection device to reduce the risk of roll-out.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The above-mentioned problems of current systems are addressed by embodiments of the present invention and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. The following summary is made by way of example and not by way of limitation. It is merely provided to aid the reader in understanding some of the aspects of the invention.

In one embodiment, a retrofittable hook protection device for use with a hook is provided. The hook includes an intermediate portion interconnecting a hook portion and an end having an aperture, a gate for opening and closing an opening proximate the hook portion, and a lanyard operatively connected to the end proximate the aperture. The protection device includes a first and second member. The first member is configured and arranged to receive a first portion of the lanyard and a second portion of the end proximate a first side of the hook. A second member is configured and arranged to receive a third portion of the lanyard and a fourth portion of the end proximate a second side of the hook. The first and second members are connectable to sandwich the portions of the lanyard and the end there between.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a retrofittable hook protection device that helps prevent roll-out situations and unintentional lifeline disconnects. One embodiment hook protection device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is designated by the numeral100inFIGS. 1 and 2. The hook protection device100is retrofittable for use with a variety of different lanyards including hooks. The word “lanyard” could mean a lanyard or other suitable type of lifeline made of webbing or other suitable type of material such as, but not limited to, rope, wires, cables etc. One example of a suitable hook that could be used with the present invention is also shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The hook150includes an intermediate portion157interconnecting a hook portion151and an end154. A gate152is pivotally connected to the hook body proximate the intermediate portion157and the end154, and the gate152pivots to open and close the opening of the hook portion151. An actuator153is pivotally connected to a lock158and the hook body proximate the intermediate portion157and the hook portion151. The lock158extends outward from the actuator153and reinforces the gate152in the locked position. In this hook150, the actuator153is pivoted, which pivots the lock158and allows the gate to be pivoted from the locked position to an unlocked position. The gate152and the lock158are spring biased in the locked position. The end154includes an aperture or eye155through which an end of a lanyard156made of webbing is inserted, folded back onto itself, and secured with stitching. A shock absorber (not shown) could be operatively connected to the webbing proximate the end154of the hook150.

Although any suitable type of hook could be used, examples of suitable hooks that could be used are hooks manufactured by DBI/SALA of Red Wing, Minn., hooks disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,977,647; 6,070,308; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2007/0062014, and other suitable types of hooks.

The hook protection device100includes a first portion101and a second portion121that are releasably connectable proximate where the lanyard connects to the hook to protect the gate from being inadvertently opened.

The first portion101includes an outer surface102, shown inFIG. 3, and an inner surface103, shown inFIG. 11. The inner surface103faces the lanyard and the hook. The first portion101also includes a top104, a bottom108, a first side109, and a second side113. Extending outward from the inner surface103proximate the top104and the sides109and113is an extension portion105through which a bore106extends to the outer surface102. The bore106includes a countersunk portion107proximate the outer surface102.

Proximate the bottom108, the first side109includes a first side extension portion111extending outward from the inner surface103. The first side109includes a notch110between the first side extension portion111and the extension portion105. The first side extension portion111includes a receiving notch112.

Proximate the bottom108, the second side113includes a second side extension portion115extending outward from the inner surface103. The second side113includes a notch114between the second side extension portion115and the extension portion105. The second side extension portion115includes a protrusion116extending outward therefrom.

The second portion121includes an outer surface122, shown inFIG. 7, and an inner surface123, shown inFIG. 12. The inner surface123faces the lanyard and the hook. The second portion121also includes a top124, a bottom128, a first side129, and a second side133. Extending outward from the inner surface123proximate the top124and the sides129and133is an extension portion125through which a bore126extends. The bore126includes a countersunk portion127proximate the outer surface122. The countersunk portion127is hexagonal-shaped.

Proximate the bottom128, the first side129includes a first side extension portion131extending outward from the inner surface123. The first side129includes a notch130between the first side extension portion131and the extension portion125. The first side extension portion131includes a protrusion132extending outward therefrom.

Proximate the bottom128, the second side133includes a second side extension portion135extending outward from the inner surface123. The second side133includes a notch134between the second side extension portion135and the extension portion125. The second side extension portion135includes a receiving notch136.

When the inner surfaces103and123are facing one another and the first and second portions101and121are put together, the bores106and126of the first portion101and the second portion121align and the protrusions116and132mate with the receiving notches136and112, respectively. The inner surface103of the first portion101includes a cavity117between the extension portions105,111, and115; and the inner surface123of the second portion121includes a cavity137between the extension portions125,131, and135. The notches110and130, the notches114and134, and the bottoms108and128form openings providing access to the cavities117and137, which form a single cavity between the portions101and121.

A fastener is inserted through the bores106and126to interconnect the first portion101and the second portion121. An example of a suitable fastener is a two-piece fastener140. The first portion141includes a head142operatively connected to a threaded shaft143. The second portion144includes a head145, which is preferably hexagonal, operatively connected to a shaft146with a threaded bore147extending longitudinally therethrough. The threaded bore147is configured and arranged to mate with the threaded shaft143and connect the first and second portions141and144. Thus, the hexagonal head145fits within the countersunk portion127of the second portion121, which prevents the fastener's second portion144from rotating, and the shaft146extends through the bore126. The threaded shaft143is inserted through the bore106of the first portion101, and a screwdriver is used to rotate the fastener's first portion141to mate the threaded shaft143with the threaded bore147. The fastener140keeps the first and second portions101and121together and the mating protrusions116and132and receiving notches136and112, respectively, prevent the first and second portions101and121from rotating about the fastener140. The fastener could also be a screw, a rivet, a bolt and a nut, mating snaps, and other suitable types of fasteners.

The device100is retrofittable and reusable, and the device100could be added to a variety of different webbing lanyards with hooks. For example, the device100could be used with lanyards made of webbing of varying widths such as 25 millimeters, 45 millimeters, and 50 millimeters. The pattern of the stitching on the lanyard's webbing should not affect the operation of the device100. The device100could also be used with rope, wire, cable, or other types of lanyards. Depending upon the type of lanyard, it is recognized that some modification may be needed to accommodate the lanyard.

To connect the device100to a lanyard with a hook, the first and second portions101and102are positioned so that their inner surfaces103and123face each other and the top extension portions105and125are inserted into the hook's aperture155from opposing sides of the hook with the bottoms of the top extension portions105and125positioned proximate the lanyard. The top extension portions105and125preferably fill-in a majority of the aperture155. The respective mating protrusions116and132and receiving notches136and112are positioned on opposing sides of the lanyard and connected and the bores106and126of the top extension portions105and125are aligned. The portions of the lanyard and the end of the hook are sandwiched between the first and second portions101and121, and the lanyard extends through the opening between the bottoms108and128. At least one of the fastener's portions is inserted through the bores106and126to secure the first and second portions101and121together. The second portion144of the fastener140could be glued or otherwise connected to the second portion121. Thus, only the first portion141may need to be inserted through the bores106and126.

Generally, the device100assists in preventing the webbing from moving on the hook's end, contacting the hook's actuator, and allowing the gate to open inadvertently, which reduces the risk of roll-out. More specifically, the device100prevents the webbing from contacting the hook's actuator by substantially filling-in the remaining space in the hook's aperture with the top extension portions105and125and by forming a tight fit against the webbing and the hook's end to which the webbing is connected. The two portions101and121clamp down and place pressure on the webbing and the hook's end to hold the webbing firmly against the hook's end and so doing limits the movement of the webbing on the hook's end, which assists in preventing the webbing from contacting the hook's actuator. The fastener140assists in securing the two portions101and121together to form the tight fit against the webbing and the hook's end. Without the device100, should the webbing rotate on the hook's eye and contact the actuator of the hook, the gate could then be opened and allow for roll-out, which is the unintentional disengagement of the hook from the connecting point.

The device100is could be made of a clear, high impact plastic to enable inspection of the webbing without removing the device100. The device100also preferably includes a UV protective coating. The first and second portions101and121are releasably connectable and reusable.

Another embodiment hook device200could be made of various colors to color-code hooks connected to lanyards, in which case the device200could be similarly constructed as device100, but device200would not need to substantially fill-in the remaining space in the hook's aperture with the top extension portions or form a tight fit against the lanyard and the hook's end to which the lanyard is connected. For example, as shown inFIGS. 13 and 14, the device200could be connected to the hooks250aand250boperatively connected to first and second legs301and302, respectively, of a twin leg lanyard300as a color-coded indicator. As shown inFIGS. 13 and 14, a worker is using the twin leg lanyard300to “leapfrog” from one support structure to another. An example of a suitable twin leg lanyard is the SHOCKWAVE™ 2 twin leg lanyard by DBI/SALA of Red Wing, Minn. The device200could also be connected to the hooks of a self-retracting lifeline such as the TALON™ twin leg self-retracting lifeline by DBI/SALA of Red Wing, Minn. Other example uses include, but are not limited to, single tail lanyards, pole straps, inertia reel blocks and the like.

One possible situation in which using color-coding is helpful is when two or more workers are performing tasks in relatively close proximity and there is a risk one worker could unintentionally disconnect the other worker's lanyard. In such a situation, one worker could use one color and the other worker could use another color to avoid any possible confusion.

Another example embodiment of a hook protection device400is illustrated inFIG. 15. The hook protection device400is retrofittable for use with a variety of different lanyards including hooks. This embodiment is suitable for use with a lanyard or other suitable type of lifeline made of rope, wire, cable or the like. An example of a suitable hook450that could be used with the present invention is also shown inFIGS. 15 and 16. Similar to hook150described above, hook450includes an intermediate portion457interconnecting a hook portion451and an end portion454. A gate452is pivotally connected proximate the intermediate portion457and the end portion454of the hook450. The gate452pivots to open and close the opening of the hook portion451. An actuator453(locking gate) is pivotally connected to the hook body proximate the intermediate portion457and the hook portion451. The lock458reinforces the gate452in the locked position. The lock is selectively disengaged by the actuator453. In this particular embodiment, when the actuator453is pivoted it disengages the lock458. This allows the gate452to be pivoted from the locked position to an unlocked position. The gate452and the Lock458are spring biased in the locked position. The end portion454includes an aperture or eye455through which an end444of a lanyard440made of rope, or the like, is inserted, looped and secured with stitching442. A shock absorber (not shown) could be operatively connected to the rope proximate the end454of the hook450.

The hook protection device400includes a first hook protection portion402A and a second hook protection portion402B (first and second members). The first hook protection portion402A and the second hook protection portion402B are releasably connected proximate where the lanyard440connects to the hook450as illustrated inFIGS. 15 and 16. Each portion402A and402B includes an outer surface401and an inner surface403. The inner surface403of each portion402A and402B faces the lanyard440and the hook450. The first portion401also includes a first end405, a second end407, a first side409, and a second side411. The portions402A and402B are releasably coupled to each other by fasteners such as fasteners505and507as further described below. The arrangement of the hook protection device400on the end444of a lanyard440prevents gate452from being inadvertently opened by movement of the lanyard440thereby preventing roll-out.

The hook protection portions402A and402B in this embodiment are substantially identical. In other embodiments (not shown) they are not substantially identical. An example hook protection portion is illustrated in detail inFIG. 17throughFIG. 20. InFIGS. 17 through 20, the hook protection portion is identified generally as hook protection portion402. Referring toFIG. 17a perspective view illustrating the inner surface of a hook protection portion402is generally shown. The hook protection portion402includes a mid channel416(lanyard channel) that extends from the second end407of the hook protection portion402a given length to proximate the first end405of the hook protection portion402. The mid channel416extends generally midway between the first and second sides409and411of the hook protection portion402. When two hook protection portions402are mated, the mid channels416in respective hook protection devices (i.e.402A and402B ofFIGS. 15 and 16) align thereby providing a path or cavity for the lanyard440that in one embodiment is made from rope. Although the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 15 through 20have a mid channel416that has generally a cross-sectional C-shape (to accommodate a lanyard440made of rope), any shape can be used. The cross-sectional shape of the mid channel416is determined by the shape of the lanyard440. In one embodiment a small lanyard engaging protrusion415(protrusion) extends outward from an inner surface of the mid channel416proximate the second end of the hook protection portion407. The protrusion415helps secure a lanyard440in place in the mid channel416when the two hook protections portions (i.e.402A and402B ofFIGS. 15 and 16) are mated together by pressing the lanyard440(rope portions) together in the path or cavity formed by the two hook protection portions402.

Referring toFIG. 17, the hook protection portion402further includes first and second flanges421and423that flare out from the mid channel416generally proximate the first end405of the hook protection portion402. The first flange421extends from the mid channel416to define the first side409of the hook protection portion402. The second flange423extends from the mid channel416to define the second side411of the hook protection portion402. The inner surface403of the first flange421includes a first side curved channel412A (first hook channel) that runs from the mid channel416to proximate the first end of the hook protection portion402. The second flange423has a similar second side curved channel412B (second hook channel) that extends from the mid channel416to proximate the first end of the hook protection portion402. The cross-sectional shape of the first and second side channels412A and412B as illustrated inFIG. 4are generally U-shaped. However, the cross-sectional shape of the first and second side channels412A and412B can be any shape that will accommodate the shape of an end of a hook.

The first and second side curved channels412A and412B are generally symmetrical about the mid channel416in this embodiment. In the embodiment ofFIG. 17, the mid channel416and the first and second side curved channels412A and412B form a generally v-shaped channel in the inner surface403. However, the shape of the channels in the inner surface403is dependant on the shape of the end portion454of the hook450and the lanyard440. In the embodiment ofFIG. 17, a termination end of the mid channel416and inner radius of the first and second side curved channels412A and412B form a hook retaining portion414(top extension portion). The hook retaining portion414in this embodiment is crescent shaped. When two hook protection portions (402A and402B ofFIGS. 15 and 16) are mated to form a hook protection device400, the first and second side curved channels412A and412B of a first hook protection portion402A align with respective first and second side curved channels412A and412B of a second hook protection portion402B to form paths or cavities that encase portions of an end of the a hook450. Abutting hook retaining portions414of mated hook protection portions402A and402B, positioned in the eye455of the hook450, retain the hook protection portions402A and402B to the end portion454of the hook450.

Referring back to inner surface403of the hook protection portion ofFIG. 4, the first flange421includes a generally circular recess418that is located between the first side curved channel412A and the second end407of the hook protection portion402. A bore404extends through recess418. Bore404extends all the way through the hook protection portion402. The second flange423includes a generally circular protrusion408that extends outward from the inner surface403of the first flange423. Protrusion408is located between the second side curved channel412B and the second end407of the hook protection portion402. A threaded bore410extends into protrusion408. Threaded bore410does not pass all the way through the hook protection portion402. When two hook protection portions (402A and402B ofFIGS. 15 and 16) are mated, the protrusion408on the second flange423of the first hook protection portion402A is received in the recess418in the first flange421of the second hook protection portion402B and the protrusion408on the second flange423of the second hook protection portion402B is received in the recess418in the first flange421of the first hook protection portion402A. This arrangement causes the mid channels416, the first and second side curved channels412A and412B, the hook retaining portions414as well as the protrusion415in the respective mid channels416of the mated first and second hook protection portions402A and402B to align.

Referring toFIGS. 18,19and20the outer surface401of the hook protection portion402is illustrated. As illustrated, the outer surface401of the first flange421include a first cap portion424. The first cap portion424extends from the outer surface401of the first flange421. Bore404in the first flange409extends through the first cap portion424. A countersink420in the outer surface401is located around bore404. Also illustrated is a cap portion426that extends over bore410from the outer surface of the second flange423. Cap portion426of the second flange423houses threaded bore410. In the embodiment shown, when two hook protection portions are mated (402A and402B ofFIGS. 15 and 16), a fastener, such as bolts505and507inFIG. 16, are inserted in countersink420in the respective first cap portion424of the respective hook protection portions402A and402B and through the respective bores404. The threads431of the bolts505and507threadably engage threaded bores410in the respective second flanges423of the respective first and second hook protection portions402A and402B while the head433of the bolts505and507are received in countersink420. This couples the hook protection portions402A and402B together to form the hook protection device400as illustrated inFIG. 15. Other types of fasteners are contemplated for connecting the hook protection portions402A and402B including, but not limited to, screws, rivets, bolts and nuts, mating snaps, and other suitable types of fasteners. For example, in an embodiment, bolts505and507are self tapping screws that form their own threads in bores410in the respective second flanges423to couple the hook protection portions402A and402B together.

The hook protection device400is retrofittable and reusable, and the device400could be added to a variety of different rope lanyards with hooks. The pattern of the stitching442on the lanyard's rope440should not affect the operation of the device400. The device400could also be used with wire, cable, or other types of lanyards. Depending upon the type of lanyard, it is recognized that some modification may be needed to accommodate the lanyard.

To connect the hook protection device400to a lanyard with a hook450, the first and second portions402A and402B are positioned so that their inner surfaces403face each other. Then the hook retaining portions414are inserted into the hook's aperture455from opposing sides of the hook450. In one embodiment, the hook retaining portions414fill in a majority of the aperture455. As discussed above, respective protrusions408from the inner surfaces are received in respective recess418to align the mid channels416, the first and second side curved channels412A and412B and the hook retaining portions414of the mated first and second hook protection portions402A and402B. The portion of the lanyard440and the end of the hook454are sandwiched between the first and second portions402A and402B, and the lanyard440extends through an opening to the channel proximate the second end407formed by the mid channels416of the respective first and second hook protection portions402A and402B. The fasteners505or507are respectfully inserted through the bore404in one of the hook protection portions402A or402B and threadably engaged with the thread bore410in the other of the hook protection portions402A or402B to secure the first and second portions402A and402B together. In some embodiments, the first and second portions402A and402B are releasably connectable and reusable.

Generally, the device400assists in preventing the lanyard440from moving on the hook's end454, contacting the hook's actuator453, and allowing the gate452to open inadvertently, which reduces the risk of roll-out. More specifically, in one embodiment the device400prevents the lanyard440from contacting the hook's actuator453by substantially filling in a remaining space in the hook's aperture455with the hook retaining portions414of the respective first and second hook protection portions402A and402B and by forming a tight fit against the lanyard404and the hook's end454to which the lanyard404is connected. The two portions402A and402B of the hook protection device400clamp down and place pressure on the lanyard440and the hook's end454to hold the lanyard440firmly against the hook's end454and so doing limits the movement of the lanyard440on the hook's end454. This assists in preventing the lanyard440from contacting the hook's actuator453. The fasteners505and507assists in securing the two portions402A and402B together to form the tight fit against the lanyard440and the hook's end454. Without the device400, should the lanyard440rotate on the hook's eye455and contact the actuator453of the hook450, the gate452could then be opened and allow for roll-out, which is the unintentional disengagement of the hook450from a connecting point.

The device400in one embodiment is made of a clear, high impact plastic to enable inspection of the lanyard therein under without removing the device400. In some embodiments, the device400includes a UV protective coating. In other embodiments the hook protection device is made of various colors to color-code hooks450connected to lanyards440similar to that described above.