Safety hook and method

A safety hook, comprising:

• a hook having a hook end;
• a latch member having a first end pivotably connected to the hook and a second end, the latch member pivotable about the first end between a first position where the second end is located away from the hook end and a second position where the second end is located near the hook end;
• biasing means for biasing the latch member to the second position;
• and retainer means mounted on the latch member at the second end, the retainer means for maintaining the latch member in the first position, the retainer means including a hinge having a first plate fixed to the latch member and a second plate movable relative to the first plate about an axis, and a retainer member attached to the second plate to be movable with the second plate.

A method for removing a load supporting member from a safety hook, the safety hook including a hook body defining a hook recess, a latch movably mounted to the hook body to be movable relative to the body between an open position which permits the load supporting member to be removed from the hook and a closed position which does not permit removal of the load supporting member from the hook;

• and a retainer member attached to the latch, said retainer member movable between a retaining position where the latch is maintained in the open position and a non-retaining position where the latch is not maintained in the open position, the method comprising the following steps:
• a) moving the latch to the open position;
• b) moving the retainer member to the retaining position;
• and
• c) moving the load supporting member out of the hook recess so that as the load supporting member is moved out of the recess, the load supporting member engages the retainer member thereby urging the retainer member out of the retaining position and toward the non-retaining position, permitting the latch to return to the closed position.

A safety hook for supporting a load supporting member, the safety hook comprising:

• a hook having a hook end;
• a latch member having a first end pivotably connected to the hook and a second free end, the latch pivotable about the first end between a first position where the second end is located away from the hook end and a second position where the second end is located near the hook end;
• biasing means for biasing the latch member to the second position;
• and retainer means mounted on the latch member, the retainer means for maintaining the latch member in the first position, said retaining means having a support member adapted to engage the hook end when the latch is in the first position and also adapted to be moved out of engagement with the hook when the load supporting member is removed from the hook.