Patent ID: 7059644

Claim:
Truss hook apparatus comprising: a) a hook having an essentially U-shaped opening and a slot into said opening, the opening being sized to admit the cross-section of a truss; b) a spring driven rotatable cam having a portion urged by a spring which extends through the slot and grips a truss located therewithin; c) a release cable attached to said spring driven rotatable cam arranged to withdraw the cam portion from within said U-shaped opening and release a truss located therewithin; d) a suspension cable attached to the hook at a location which is essentially opposite to the opening but offset therefrom an adequate amount to provide clear and open access to the opening for the cross-section of a truss; and e) said hook having means for changing the width of said U-shaped opening, comprising: i) said U-shaped opening having a first, a second and a third side, with the first and second sides being opposite and essentially parallel to each other, and the third side being essentially perpendicular to the first and second sides; ii) the second and third side including a strap having an essentially right angle fixed projection which extends outwardly from the second side across the third side; iii) the third side having a hollow outer sleeve with an essentially square cross-section which is attached below the strap portion extending the third side, the third side also having a movable portion formed by a hollow inner sleeve with a cross-section of slightly smaller dimensions which match the outer sleeve arranged such that the inner sleeve can be slideably move within the outer sleeve and located therewithin; iv) the first side being provided by an essentially planar across jaw; the jaw having adjoining first and second openings, with the first opening being opposite to, sized to admit and admitting the end of the outer sleeve and being secured therearound, and with the second opening of the jaw being opposite to the strap and sleeves extending across the third side from the second side and being sized to admit them; and v) translating and securing means for translating and securing said inner sleeve within said outer sleeve at various overlaps.