Chain link adapter

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11548769-B2
Application number	US-201816049583-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 30, 2018
Priority date	Jul 30, 2018
Publication date	Jan 10, 2023
Grant date	Jan 10, 2023

Abstract

A system for providing safety to a hoist having a hook and a chain. The system includes a safety cable threaded through an opening of the hook or an object to be lifted. The system includes a connector connected to the safety cable and the chain such that when the hook and the chain of the hoist are disconnected, the object remains connected to the chain via the connector and safety cable. The connector includes a base portion having a chain opening configured to receive the chain, and a first cable opening configured to receive the safety cable. The connector includes a top portion configured to be coupled to the base portion and cover a portion of the chain opening such that the base portion and the top portion, when coupled together, remain at a substantially fixed position along the length of the chain.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A connector for securing a safety cable to a chain, the connector comprising:
a base portion having:
a chain opening formed in the shape of a cross and configured to receive the chain such that the base portion freely moves along the length of the chain, and
a first cable opening configured to receive the safety cable; and

a top portion configured to be coupled to the base portion and cover a portion of the chain opening such that the base portion and the top portion, when coupled together, remain at a substantially fixed position along the length of the chain.

2. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the top portion includes:
a chain securing slot shaped to surround a portion of a link of the chain, and
a barrier portion adjacent to the chain securing slot and configured to abut a top link and a bottom link adjacent to the link surrounded by the chain securing slot to prevent movement of the top portion along the length of the chain.

3. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the top portion includes a top portion cable opening configured to receive the safety cable, and the top portion is aligned with the base portion such that the top portion cable opening is aligned with the first cable opening of the base portion.

4. The connector of claim 3 , wherein the base portion includes a second cable opening configured to receive the safety cable, such that the safety cable passes through the first cable opening and the second cable opening.

5. The connector of claim 4 , wherein the chain opening is located in a substantially central area of the base portion between the first cable opening and the second cable opening.

6. The connector of claim 4 , wherein the second cable opening is offset by an offset angle from an axis formed by the first cable opening and the chain opening.

7. The connector of claim 6 , wherein the offset angle is 45 degrees.

8. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the top portion is removably coupled to the base portion by at least one of screws or bolts.

9. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the base portion is substantially circular in shape and the top portion has a semi-circle shape, the base portion further including a basin to receive the top portion.

10. A system for providing safety to a hoist having a hook attached to a chain, the system comprising:
a connector having a base portion with a first top surface extending along a first plane and a second top surface extending along a second plane parallel to the first plane, the first plane and the second plane separated by a height, the base portion having:
a chain opening configured to receive the chain such that the base portion freely moves along a length of the chain, and
a first cable opening on the second top surface; and

a safety cable threaded through at least one of the first top surface, the second top surface, an opening of the hook, or an opening of an object lifted by the hoist,
the connector connected to the safety cable and the chain such that when the hook and the chain of the hoist are disconnected, the object remains connected to the chain via the connector and the safety cable.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the connector includes:
a top portion configured to be coupled to the base portion and cover a portion of the chain opening such that the base portion and the top portion, when coupled together, remain at a substantially fixed position along the length of the chain.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the top portion includes:
a chain securing slot shaped to surround a portion of a link of the chain, and
a barrier portion adjacent to the chain securing slot and configured to abut a top link and a bottom link adjacent to the link surrounded by the chain securing slot to prevent movement of the top portion along the length of the chain.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the top portion includes a top portion cable opening configured to receive the safety cable, and the top portion is aligned with the base portion such that the top portion cable opening is aligned with the first cable opening of the base portion.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the base portion includes a second cable opening configured to receive the safety cable, such that the safety cable passes through the first cable opening and the second cable opening.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the chain opening is located in a substantially central area of the base portion between the first cable opening and the second cable opening.

16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the second cable opening is offset by an offset angle from an axis formed by the first cable opening and the chain opening.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the offset angle is 45 degrees.

18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the top portion is removably coupled to the base portion by at least one of screws or bolts.

19. A method for using a connector to secure a safety cable to a chain of a hoist, the chain connected to a hook for engaging an object to be lifted by the hoist, the method comprising:
placing the chain through a chain opening of a base portion of the connector, the chain opening formed in the shape of a cross;
placing a top portion of the connector onto the base portion such that a bottom surface of the top portion contacts a top surface of the base portion and a chain securing slot of the top portion surrounds a central link of the chain;
attaching the top portion of the connector to the base portion of the connector using one or more fasteners;
threading the safety cable through an opening of the hook or an opening of the object; and
threading the safety cable through a first cable opening and a second cable opening of the connector.

Assignees

• Toyota Eng & Mfg North America

Inventors

• Hernandez Ortiz Mario E

Classifications

• B66D3/12

  Chain or like hand-operated tackles with or without power transmission gearing between operating member and lifting rope, chain or cable · CPC title

• F16B3/00

  Key-type connections; Keys (F16B2/00 takes precedence; for rods or tubes mutually F16B7/00) · CPC title

• F16G11/00

  Means for fastening cables or ropes to one another or to other objects; Caps or sleeves for fixing on cables or ropes (attaching ropes or cables to lift cars or cages B66B7/08, to winch drums or barrels B66D1/34; ground anchors E02D5/00; anchoring devices for prestressed members E04C5/00; rope clamps in earth drilling E21B19/12) · CPC title

• B66C15/00 Primary

  Safety gear (for rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms B66D1/54) · CPC title

• B66D3/26

  Other details, e.g. housings · CPC title