# US 5,704,668 A · Remote and fast-acting fastening and release device

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- Number: US 5,704,668 A
- Document ID: US5704668A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/537,731
- Filed: 1995-10-13
- Granted: 1998-01-06
- Earliest claimed: 1993-04-13
- Inventors: Gerard Ferrato
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704668A

## CPC

- F16B 45/029: {the position-locking means being slidably mounted}
- F16B 45/036: {with an elastically bending closing member}
- F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D)

## Abstract

The present invention relates to a remote and fast-acting fastening and release device. The device comprises a hook suitable for engaging any moving part to which the device is fastened and released, together with a traction ring that receives a link element on which it must be possible to exert a traction force in any direction. The hook is mounted to move about an axis perpendicular to the traction direction and secured to one end of a carrier element that carries the traction ring which is situated at the opposite end of the carrier element. The courier element includes a moving locking means that holds the mooring hook substantially stationary against rotation in such a manner that said hook is and remains in its position for fastening to and applying traction to the mooring part.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A remote and fast-acting fastening and release device comprising: a hook suitable for engaging a mooring part on which the device must be capable of fastening and from which it must be capable of releasing; a traction ring receiving a link element on which a traction force may be exerted in a traction direction, said hook being mounted to move about an axis perpendicular to the traction direction between an open position and a fastening position, and the axis being located at one end of a carrier element that carries the traction ring at its opposite end, the hook including a curved main body first end of which is closed, in the fastening position, by a tilting element, and a second end of which is situated adjacent to the carrier element in the fastening position, the curvature of the main body being such that in the fastening position, the force exerted by the mooring part on the hook in reaction to the traction force tends to open the hook by causing it to tilt about the axis, to move its second end away from the carrier element, which second end, in the fastening position is held by an abutment of a moving locking means generally stationary relative to the carrier element, which abutment in the fastening position exerts on the second end a force, having a moment about a locking means axis which compensates the moment of the reaction force from the mooring part, such that the hook while in the fastening position is held generally stationary against rotation, wherein the second end of said hook cooperates with the abutment in a manner such that when the abutment in the fastening position is activated by the moving means in the traction force direction, the abutment must urge the second end of the hook towards the carrier element in order to allow said second end to disengage and to allow the hook to tilt towards its open position, and wherein, when the device is in the fastening position, said second end of the hook is at a distance "e" from the carrier element, such that it is possible for the hook to move towards the carrier element and such that, so long as the moving means is not actuated such movement is not possible and said abutment is prevented from disengaging and wherein the moving locking means is hinged beneath the traction ring and includes the abutment that comes to bear against the end of the hook which it secures in a locking position, and disposed on the same side of the central body of the carrier element as said hook, which moving means includes a clevis secured to said abutment and itself coming to bear against a part of the carrier element.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A fastening and release device according to claim 1, wherein the carrier element comprises a single metal rod of substantially cylindrical section whose middle portion is rectilinear and constitutes an elongate central body with a curved first end thereof forming the traction ring and with the other end thereof supporting a hinge axis.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A fastening and release device according to claim 1, wherein said hook includes a supporting fork that is secured to the main body thereof and that carries said axis enabling the hook to rotate relative to the carrier element.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A fastening and release device according to claim 1, wherein said moving means includes a resilient member and a fixing part for fixing to a release member adjacent to the traction ring, which release member makes it possible, when traction is applied thereto, to disengage the abutment retaining the second end of the moving hook, and by such release enables the said abutment to be returned to a locking position by said resilient member.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A fastening and release device according to claim 1, including a removable boathook pole having an end which includes a notch for securing a retaining abutment.