Remote controlled crane hook coupler

A coupler controllable from a remote position for interconnecting a first member of said coupler that is attachable to a lifting device to a second member of said coupler that is attachable to a load to be lifted, said coupler comprising:

• the second member, said second member having a funnel shaped aperture on a substantially vertical axis, the broad end of said funnel shaped aperture being directable toward the first member of said coupler, the apex end of said funnel shaped aperture terminating in a base portion having an aperture coaxial with said funnel shaped aperture and connected therewith, said base portion having a substantially horizontal shoulder adjacent said base portion coaxial aperture and coaxial therewith;
• the first member, said first member having an elongated tubular member extending from one end thereof upon a substantially vertical axis and directable toward said funnel shaped aperture in said second member, the distal first end of said tubular member having an outer diameter adapted to pass through said funnel shaped aperture and through the aperture in the base portion of said second member, said tubular member having near said distal first end a ring of radial holes of predetermined diameter through the wall of said tubular member;
• a cam shaft extending from said first member and slideably extending within the bore of said elongated tubular member to a first shaft end at the distal first end of said tubular member, said cam shaft having at said first shaft end an annular ring having a diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of said tubular member and an annular groove adjacent said annular ring and at a position corresponding to said ring of radial holes through the wall of said tubular member;
• a plurality of balls each having a diameter slightly greater than the predetermined diameter of said radial holes through the wall of said tubular member, one ball of said plurality being positioned in a corresponding one of said radial holes and in said annular groove in said cam shaft;
• and
• engaging means including an electrically operated linear actuator in said first member for sliding said cam shaft in a first direction in the bore of said tubular member whereby said annular ring at said first shaft end will force said plurality of balls from said annular groove and partially through the radial holes through said tubular member to a position that will engage the shoulder in the base portion of said second member, said engaging means further including a switch actuated by the seating of said first member into said second member, said switch in circuit with said linear actuator for actuating said linear actuator to slide said tubular member in said first direction.