Patent ID: 6898829

Claim:
A coupling device adapted for remote manipulation, the device comprising a main body portion, a hook portion, and at least two movable members, the movable members including a closing member movable relative to the hook portion between open position and closed configurations, and at least one latch member arranged to lock said closing member in the closed configuration, the closed configuration being such that a load cannot escape said hook portion, the latch member and closing member being further arranged such that a gripping action on two opposite sides of said body portion will, as a result of the gripping action on a first of said two opposite sides, automatically release said latch member, and, as a result of the gripping action on a second of said two opposite sides, move said closing member outward, away from said hook portion into the open configuration while the device is held bodily under said gripping action, the closing member and latch member being spring biased so as to close and then lock the device automatically when the grip is released; and wherein the closing member is operated indirectly via an operating member movable under said gripping action.