Improvements in Hooks or similar Connecting Devices.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Jan., 1898-Accepted, 26th Feb., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hooks or similar Connecting Devices.
I, FRIEDRICH WILHELM REINHOLD GIERTH, of Tarnau, near Frankenstein,
Silesia, in the German Empire, Landed Proprietor, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to hooks or similar connecting devices which are especially
applicable for draught purposes, and its chief object is to so form or construct the
hook that the chain or the like which may be connected to it can not easily be
accidentally disengaged.
The improved hook is pivotted or otherwise movably connected to a suitable
frame and is formed with its point prolonged and extended to a considerable extent.
When the hook is in use the point extends backwards and and falls down, thus
closing the entrance, and any pull upon the hook tends to maintain it in its closed
position. The accompanying drawings to which I will hereinafter refer illustrate
types of a hook constructed according to this invention.
As shown in Figure 1 the hook is pivotted to the frame or loop a and is formed
with a prolonged point or extension d, which, when the hook is in use, falls down
upon or between the members of the frame a as shown in the full lines. The
entrance to the hook is thus closed and any draught or pull upon the part e only
tends to force the point l downwards in the direction of the arrow.
The broken lines show the hook in its open position when it has to be connected
to or disconnected from a trace chain or the like.
To still further decrease the risk of the hook accidentally opening when subjected
to varying pulls or much vibration, the modification illustrated in Figure 2 may.
be conveniently employed. This hook may be provided with two or more pro-
jections on one or both sides, so placed as to leave a channel or depression e between
them, with which the spring or movable sides of the frame a engage.
siderable resistance is thus opposed to the movement of the hook.
A con-
The hook may be opened when desired by raising the end d and this may be
effected even when a heavy pull is being exerted. For example, if it is in use in
a horse drawn vehicle, and the horse should fall and lie across the traces, the latter
may be at once disconnected.
The loop or frame a may, of course, have its construction varied to any desired
extent, and may be secured to the vehicle or other article to which it has to be
attached in any desired manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. A hook or similar connecting device which is pivotted to a suitable loop or
frame and the point of which is formed to extend backwards and fall downwards
when the hook is in use and thus close the entrance, the hook being maintained
in the closed position by the draught or pull upon it, substantially as herein before
described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

page_text: 2. A hook or similar connecting device formed with a prolonged or extended
point and with lateral projections which assist to maintain the hook in the closed
position, substantially as herein before described and as illustrated by Figure 2 of
the accompanying drawings.
3. A hook or connecting device, constructed and arranged substantially as and
for the purpose herein before set forth and as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 25th day of January A.D. 1898.
W. E. HEYS & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.