Self-adjusting hook assembly and method

A hook assembly comprising:

• a hanger pin apparatus fixed to a first structure, the hanger pin apparatus comprising:
• a pin body comprising a unitary structure having a pin-connection member and a rod member that extends axially from the pin-connection member and has a rod length;
• a pin coupled to the pin-connection member of the pin body;
• a housing concentric with the rod member of the pin body along a portion of the rod length and comprising a first housing end, adjacent to the pin-connection member of the pin body, and a second housing end, opposite of the first housing end, wherein the pin body is selectively movable relative to the housing;
• a spring concentric with the rod member of the pin body along a portion of the rod length rearward of the second housing end;
• and
• a bell concentric with the rod member of the pin body and the spring along a portion of the rod length rearward of the second housing end, wherein the bell at least partially encloses the spring, and the bell is fixed, relative to the pin body, such that the bell co-moves with the pin body, relative to the housing;
• wherein:
• the hanger pin apparatus is changeable between, and inclusive of, an open state and a closed-loaded state;
• when in the open state, the spring applies a spring force in a first direction such that the bell is spaced apart from the second housing end along the rod length of the rod member of the pin body;
• and
• when in the closed-loaded state, a hook force is applied in a second direction, opposite of the first direction, such that the bell is in contact with the second housing end along the rod length of the rod member of the pin body;
• and
• a hook fixed to a second structure and configured to be removably attachable to the pin;
• wherein, when the hook is attached to the pin, the hook and the pin maintain intimate contact at a pin-hook interface.

A method of maintaining intimate contact between a pin and a hook at a pin-hook interface, when attached, via a hook assembly, the method comprising:

• locating the pin of a hanger pin apparatus, fixed to a first structure, adjacent to the hook, fixed to a second structure, the hanger pin apparatus comprising a housing, a spring and a bell along a rod length of a pin body comprising a unitary structure having a pin-connection member and a rod member that extends axially from the pin-connection member, wherein the pin, coupled to the pin body, is selectively movable, relative to the housing via the spring and the bell, and wherein, when locating the pin adjacent to the hook, the hanger pin apparatus is in an open state, such that the spring is applying a spring force in a first direction so that the bell is spaced apart from the housing;
• attaching the hook to the pin of the hanger pin apparatus, wherein, after attachment of the hook and the pin, the first structure is in a first position relative to the second structure and the hook and the pin are maintained in intimate contact at the pin-hook interface, and wherein, after attachment of the hook and the pin, the hanger pin apparatus is in a closed-preloaded state, such that the spring is applying a spring force in the first direction and the hook is applying a hook force in a second direction, opposite of the first direction so that the housing is spaced apart from the bell and a pin-connection member of the hanger pin apparatus;
• and
• displacing the first structure from the first position to a second position, relative to the second structure while the hook and the pin are maintained in intimate contact at the pin-hook interface, wherein, after displacement of the first structure to the second position, the hanger pin apparatus is in a closed-loaded state, such that the hook is applying a hook force in the second direction so that the bell is in contact with the housing.