Patent ID: 8820258

Claim:
A chain connector comprising: a housing ( 36 ) that has at least a partially vertical chain passage ( 12 ) through which a chain extends; a pair of arms ( 34 , 36 ) each having an upper end ( 34 ) pivotally mounted on said housing about a different arm axis ( 40 , 42 ), each arm having a lower end ( 44 ); a pair of ratchets ( 24 , 26 ) each coupled to one of said arms, said ratchets each being engageable with said chain to support the chain and each ratchet being disengageable from said chain to release it; a pair of locking dogs ( 52 ), each having a lower end ( 44 ) pivotally mounted on said housing and each dog having a free upper end ( 60 ), each dog forming a cam ( 50 ) that engages the lower end of one of said arms so when the dog upper ends are released to move apart they release the arm lower ends to move apart; an activation device ( 70 ) mounted on said housing, said device having a pair of pins ( 58 ) that each engages one of said locking dog upper ends to prevent said locking dog upper ends from pivoting apart, said activation device being moveable to release said locking dog upper ends.