# US 4,394,040 A · Grapple

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- Number: US 4,394,040 A
- Document ID: US4394040A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/286,610
- Filed: 1981-07-24
- Granted: 1983-07-19
- Earliest claimed: 1981-07-24
- Assignees: Richard Marzka; Mark R. Krahe
- Inventors: Richard Marzka
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4394040A

## CPC

- B66C 1/22: Rigid members, e.g. L-shaped members, with parts engaging the under surface of the loads; Crane hooks
- B63B 21/48: Sea-anchors; Drogues
- B63C 9/20: characterised by signalling means, e.g. lights (arrangement or adaptation of signalling or lighting devices for ships or other waterborne vessels B63B45/00)
- B66C: CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES ({specially adapted for lifting invalids A61G7/10;} rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms, braking or detent devices therefor B66D; specially adapted for nuclear reactors G21)
- B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06)
- B63C: LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS (floating nets, floating slipways, or the like for recovering aircraft from the water B63B35/52)

## Abstract

A grapple made up of a triangular frame having sides originally attached together at their apex as disclosed. A line can be attached to one apex and hooks having eyes received on the side opposite the apex have tubular member received on the side opposite the apex between the hooks. The hooks have hook members, each of which runs outwardly in a direction opposite the hooks on either side of it.

## Claims

### Claim 1

Apparatus for grapple which comprises:
a relatively rigid frame (11),
said frame (11) being formed generally in the shape of a triangle having a first straight side (12), a second straight side (13) and a third straight side (14),
said first side and said third side being connected together at a first apex,
said first side and said second side being connected together at a second apex and said second and third sides being connected together at a third apex.,
said first apex being adapted to have a line attached thereto,
a plurality of hook members (24,25) swingably mounted on said second side (13), each said hook member having an elongated straight portion (23), an eye formed on one end of said elongated straight portion and a curved hook (24, 25) formed in the other end of said elongated straight portion, said eyes receiving said second side,
a plurality of tubular spacers (26) received on said second side (13), each said spacer being received on said second side between each two adjacent said eyes,
a cross member (18) extending from said first side adjacent said first apex and to said third side and attached to said first side and said third side,
each said hook member having its said curved hook extending in a different direction from the said hooks adjacent thereto,
said hook members terminating in an end portion extending generally parallel to said straight portion and terminating in a flat end.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The grapple recited in claim 1 wherein said frame is formed of a rod forming a continuous said triangle.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The grapple recited in claim 2 wherein said grapple has the corner of said first apex bent on a radius.