Patent ID: 8602468

Claim:
An apparatus for coupling to a chain, said chain having a plurality of links, comprising: a body designed and configured to attach to, and conduct a load between a first load-bearing element and second load bearing element, said first load-bearing element comprising a chain, said body comprising a substantially solid structure and having: a first slot and a second slot passing generally perpendicularly through said body, said first slot and said second slot oriented generally perpendicularly to one another and intersecting one another to form a generally cross-shaped pattern through which the links of said chain may pass, the width of said first slot and said second slot being sized to accommodate the thickness of a link of said chain, and wherein: said first slot is divided by said intersection with said second slot into a short side, configured to accommodate passage of a link of said chain through said body, and an extended side that extends through one side of said body, thereby forming an opening in said body for a link of said chain to be inserted into said first slot; and said second slot is divided by said intersection with said first slot into a short side, configured to accommodate passage of a link of said chain through said body, and an elongated side, configured to accept and mechanically capture a link of said chain; and an attachment feature configured to accommodate attachment of said second load bearing element to said body.