Automatic-release hook for sailboard harness
OwnerJohn McKenneyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A releasable hook assembly for use on a trapeze-type harness worn in the sport of sailboarding. A cord or line from the boom passes through the hook to reduce strain on the sailor's arms. The hook extends outward from a base plate which is supported over the sailor's chest by the harness, and is pivoted to swing outward to release the boom line. A latching engagement of the base portion of the hook to a hole in the base plate prevents such swinging or rotation until the line tension becomes great enough to overcome the force of a leaf spring to disengage the latch. The tension required is adjustable.
Claims7
An automatic-release latching hook assembly comprising:
- a base plate with a hole in its central portion;
- a latch hook extending outward from the front surface of said plate and having a base portion with a pivot pin through it, said pin extending generally parallel to said surface, and said base portion also intruding into said hole and having a notch latchably engagable with a side of said hole to prevent said hook from rotating about said pivot pin;
- and a leaf spring extending generally parallel to said surface and anchored thereto by anchoring means at its ends and having a folded central ridge portion fitting over said pivot pin to position said pin and urge said notch into engagement with said side of said hole;
- whereby an outward pulling force on said hook greater than a predetermined force will pull said notch out of engagement to permit said hook to rotate freely about said pivot pin and thereby disengage a line hooked into said hook.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.