Patent ID: 8578694

Claim:
A connector link having a body, an aperture, a first end, and a second end; wherein the first end comprises a first opening adapted to allow a portion of a first chain link member to pass therethrough and into the aperture; wherein the first end further comprises a first retaining member adapted to open to allow the portion of the first chain link member to pass through the first opening and further adapted to form a first closure across the first opening once the portion of the first chain link member has passed through the first opening, thereby coupling the first chain link member to the connector link; wherein the first retaining member is adapted to receive tension from the coupled first chain link member; wherein the first retaining member is adapted to increase the strength of the first closure when the coupled first chain link member applies tension thereto; and wherein the first retaining member comprises a protrusion adapted to facilitate manual opening of the first retaining member.