Improvements in Tackle Blocks.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 15th Dec., 1894
Improvements in Tackle Blocks.
I, HENRY VON HARTZ, of No. 561 Cedar Avenue, in the City of Cleveland, in
the County of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, United States of America, Manu-
facturer, 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 :-
My invention has reference to tackle blocks, and the object of the invention is
to provide a tackle block with simple and effective means for positively preventing
accidental or other disengagement of the hook when the block is in use, and which.
will operate to vastly increase the strength and serviceability of the hook in
times of excessive or extraordinary strain. To these ends the invention consists
in a tackle block and hook and a locking and strengthening link adapted to engage
over the point of the hook, all substantially as shown and described and particularly
pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a tackle block having my improvement embodied
therein, and showing the locking and strengthening link as it appears when in
engagement with the hook and in use.
Fig. 2 is an edge view of the tackle block and a side view of the hook, and
showing the link in full lines as it appears in Fig. 1, and the hook in dotted lines
in the position to which it is brought to disengage the link.
A represents the block proper, which may be of the present or any other form
of construction, the style or kind of block in itself being immaterial. B is the
hook, which likewise is the same in construction and function as is now commonly
known except at its point, which has an upturned or upwardly projecting spur or
point b which forms a reverse hook on the point itself of the main hook.
с
C is the hook locking and strengthening link. This link is engaged upon the
shank or clevis c of the block strap D at the front of the hook B and has such
length as to hook over or behind the point or projection b and come into action
and help to take the pull and strain on the hook the moment that the slightest
spreading tendency of the hook occurs. In other words, the link is practically
or substantially ready, when in position as seen in Fig. 1, and in full lines Fig. 2,
to divide the pull on the hook B. Therefore, it may be said to be up against the
shank c and down in the recess of reverse hook 6 when the parts are as seen in
the drawings. Obviously, therefore, the hook B is thus provided with an effectual
bar and lock for a ring or anything of the like which may be engaged thereon,
and no disengagement therewith can by any possibility occur until the parts are
brought to a position and relation with the block which they cannot assume in use,
and in which both parts have really to be separately handled and brought to
positions they cannot attain alone. The disengaging position is shown in Fig. 2
in dotted lines. Here we see that the disengaging point for the link is practically
at right angles to the block, and further that the link must come into the outward
swell 2 of the shank c at one side thereof, while the hook B is moved over against
the opposite side or swell 4 in order that they may be separated. If the swells 2
and 4 were not present the parts might not be separated but there would have to
be reduction in the depth of hook b, and a careful adjustment of parts in relation
to each other. This construction and arrangement of parts renders it impossible
to disengage or release the locking link when the hook is in a suspensory or
working position, and renders the work as truly secure against release of the
engaged member, whatever it may be, as if it were itself a closed link.

page_text: In the foregoing construction it must be understood that the hook B has no such
freedom of play in its eye and within the shank or clevis c of the block A as to
allow it to be moved inward in any line whatever other than about that shown in
dotted lines Fig. 2.
The desirability of an effectual lock for the hook is well-known to all manu-
facturers and users of tackle blocks, but the locking link is no less serviceable and
valuable in its capacity as a re-enforcing member for the hook. The increased
strength to the hook obtained by this link is fully two hundred per cent., so that a
hook which will sustain, say, five tons weight alone will with the link easily sustain
fifteen tons. Indeed, the block itself will be torn or broken before the hook and
link will yield, and thus 1 get rid of the very great annoyance and danger which
breaking hooks always entail.
Obviously, a hook shaped link might be used instead of the link C here shown
and serve well the purpose of locking the hook B, but not so well the purpose of
strengthening it. However, the hook form of link will serve a fair purpose and
is understood to be included in this invention and to be covered in the claims.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. A tackle block and a hook therein constructed with a reverse hook at its
point and a link to engage over said reverse hook, substantially as set forth.
2. A tackle block and a hook and a link secured side by side in the block, the
said hook having its point constructed to engage and hold the said link, sub-
stantially as set forth.
3. The block and the shank or clevis thereon widened at its sides and a hook
having a reverse hook on its point secured on said shank, and a link on said shank
in front of the hook thereon and arranged to engage over said reverse hook,
substantially as set forth.
Dated this 25th day of October 1894.
HENRY VON HARTZ.