Year: 1897

page_text: I, JAMES JOHNSON, of Reddal Hill Road, Old Hill, Staffordshire, Spring Hook
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
This invention consists of the hereindescribed new or improved connecting hook
which can be used for any of the purposes for which spring hooks and other con-
ecting hooks are now used such for instance as for connecting together the parts of
harness, connecting the ends of ropes or chains to various objects as for lifting
and hauling or for connecting the two ends of a chain together or for watch chains
to connect on to watches and for any other purposes where a connecting hook is
required.
A connecting hook constructed according to this invention has a large hook at
one end which forms the hook proper and at the other end has a small loop for
the attachment of the hook to the chain cord ring or the like with which the hook
is used. Springing from the looped end there is an arm or limb which extends
towards the end of the hook proper leaving a space between the end of the limb
and the end of the hook proper which is somewhere about equal to the width of
the mouth of the hook. The end of this limb is turned outwardly and has jointed
to it what I term a locking lever which locking lever can either be turned out-
wardly in the plane of the hook or so as to lie against the arm, and the end of this
locking lever is by preference formed with a knob or projection to facilitate hold-
ing and turning the same. The extreme end of the hook proper is turned out-
wardly and backwardly forming a small hook for the purpose hereinafter described.
Jointed to the locking lever and near to the fulcrum of the same there is a link
which is of the proper length to fall over the opening of the hook and engage
under the said small hooked end of the hook proper.
To lock the said connecting hook above described, the locking lever has first to
be turned outwardly which shortens the distance between the point of the locking
lever where the link is jointed and the small hooked end of the hook proper so that
the link can then be turned over the opening of the hook and engage with the
hook proper. The locking lever is now turned down against the limb of the hook
thereby drawing the hooked end of the hook proper and the end of the arm some-
what nearer together until the locking lever has been turned so that it lies close
against the arm where it will be locked by the tension on the link which tends
to turn the lever and press the same against the arm because the point where the
link is jointed to the locking lever has passed a straight line continued from the
hooked end of the hook proper through the fulcrum pin of the locking lever. To
unlock the connecting hook it is only necessary to turn the locking lever on its
fulcrum away from the arm thereby shortening the distance between the point
where the link is jointed to the locking lever and the small hooked end of the
hook proper. The link can now be turned outwardly off the hooked end of the
hook proper and the connecting hook will be open. It will be seen that a con-
necting hook constructed in accordance with my invention above described. is much
..stronger than an ordinary spring hook as it is impossible for my connecting hook

page_text: to open with an ordinary strain as the open end of the hook is securely connected
to the arm by means of the said link as aforesaid.
The said link of the chain or rope or the like to which the looped end of the
hook proper is connected is by preference flattened at one part so as at this part to just
pass between the stem of the connecting hook and the arm of the same and then
when the link has been moved up into the hook and turned the thicker part of
the loop will not pass between the stem and the arm of the hook and therefore is
not liable to become detached.
The parts of my improved connecting hook can be made in various ways as for
instance of steel or other wire bent or formed to the required shape or be of cast
or forged metal.
Dated this 26th day of Aroust 1907
I, JAMES JOHNSON, of Reddal Hill Road, Old Hill, in the County of Stafford,
Spring Hook Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:--
This invention has reference to certain improvements in connecting hooks of
every description that is as regards their size and purpose for which they are made
and also as regards the substance of which they are composed, for instance, whether
of common or precious metal. The invention also comprises the combination of
the improved hook with a swivel, shackle, another hook or hooks, link or links of
any form.
The object of the present invention is to provide a perfectly secure and readily
locked and unlocked fastening for such hooks.
According to my invention connecting-hooks of any or every description are
provided with a fastening or locking device consisting of a lever pivoted or hinged
to the end of the hook on one side of the open or divided side thereof, which lever,
hereinafter called the locking lever, is adapted by means of a knob or handle to
be operated by hand, and a continuous ring or link passing loosely through a holo
in the locking lever and capable of passing over the other or hooked end of the open
or divided side of the hook when the lever is in its forward or released position
only. The axis of the locking lever when in its down or locked position and also
the end of the locking link nearest the said lever lie below the level centre of the
pivot or hinge of the said lever, and this is essential as will be hereinafter
explained.
:-
In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification:
Figure 1 is a side view of my improved hook shown connecting two portions of
a chain cable and illustrating the lacking device in its locked, unlocked, and raised
positions, the two latter positions being indicated in dotted lines.
Figure 2 is a plan of Figure 1, and
Figure 3 is a side elevation of my improved hook and locking device in com-
bination with a swivel: A denotes the hook in general, a the breech in the side of
the hook, the end of the hook to which the locking lever is pivoted or hinged,
c is the other or hooked end of the hook, d is the lever, e being the head or handle
and the eye or hole of it, f is the pivot or hinge about which the lever can
oscillate, and h is the ring or link hereinafter called the locking-link; i, i are two

page_text: links or portions of a chain cable connected together by the hook A, k is an
ordinary swivel attachment or device.
By reference to the drawings it will be seen that the locking lever when in its
down or locked position retains the locking link or at least the end of it nearest
the said lever, in such position that its centre line or the greater part of it lies
below the centre of the pivot or hinge-pin upon which the locking-lever turns,
by which provision no strain tending to raise the lever is occasioned by the pull of
the load on the chain, which would be the case if this line fell level with or above
the centre of the said pivot or hinge-pin.
In Figure 3 an illustration is given of one form of suitable combination of
the hook with an ordinary swivel. This is only given as an instance and I do not
bind myself to the combination of swivel nor to its exact position upon the hook.
A shackle, another hook or hooks, link or links may take the place of the swivel
according as required by the circumstances.
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 connecting-hook having a breech in one side thereof the extremity of
the hook on either side of the said breech being fashioned into a hook and an eye
respectively as described and set forth.
2. A connecting-hook having a breech in one side thereof the extremity of the
hook on either side of the said breech being fashioned into a hook and eye
respectively the said eye bearing a hand lever hinged or pivoted thereto and a
ring loosely threaded through a hole in the said lever adapted to be passed over
and engage the hooked end on the opposite side of the breech in the side of the
hook as described and set forth.
3. A connecting hook having its free extremities fashioned into a hook and eye
respectively a locking lever pivoted or hinged to the said eye and a ring or link
loosely threaded through a hole in the said lever and adapted to pass over the
opposite free extremity of the connecting-hook and be tightened or locked across
the breech by the said lever in such manner that the axis of the said ring or link
lies below the hinge-pin or pivot of the lever, as described and set forth.
4. The combination with a connecting hook of a locking lever pivoted or hinged
to one of the free extremities of the hook and bearing a loose locking ring or link
adapted to be passed over and engage with the opposite free extremity of the con-
necting hook and be tightened or locked across the breech so that its axis falls
below the centre of the hinge pin or pivet of the locking lever.
5. The combination with a connecting hook, consisting of the main hook with
a breech the free extremity on either side of the breech being a hook and eye
respectively the said eye bearing a lever pivoted or hinged thereto and the said
lever bearing a loose ring or link adapted to pass over and engage with the opposite
free extremity of the connecting hook and be tightened or locked across the breech
in such manner that its axis falls below the centre of the hinge-pin of the locking
lever, of a swivel or shackle or divided link as described and set forth.
Dated this 10th day of November 1907
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.