Locking hook with integral separator

• US 5,761,776 A
• Filed: 01/30/1997
• Issued: 06/09/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 532341 Ontario, Inc.
• Original Assignee: 532341 Ontario, Inc.
• Inventors: Vollebregt, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Sakran, Victor N.
• Application Number:
  US08/791,293
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 24/706.1, 24/706, 24/706.2, 24/706.7, 24/706.8, 24/706.3, 24/706.4, 24/706.5, 24/706.9, 24/707.6, 24/708.6, 24/709.6, 24/711.4, 24/707, 24/DIG. 29, 52/60, 52/63, 52/222, 160/84.06, 160/277
• US Class Current: 24/706.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 45/036 with an elastically bending closing member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4602 with separately operable, manually releasable, nonpenetrating means for mounting [e.g., drapery hook]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4629 including structure for cooperating with formation [e.g., cavity] formed on penetrating portion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4664 having resilient bridging structure between portion and means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4696 having distinct head structure

Abstract

A hook for suspending or supporting, from a rod or wire, a retractable roof covering used on greenhouses, comprises a pin for engaging the covering, a separator for preventing the covering material from contacting the rod or wire, and a locking mechanism for locking the pin and preventing the covering and rod or wire from being disengaged. The components of the hook are parts of a unitary body generally having a ring or loop shape.

Claims

1. A hook for suspending a fabric roof covering from a support, said hook comprising a body generally in the form of a loop capable of being opened and closed, said body having:

a first end comprising a pin for engaging said fabric;

an opposing second end including a lock for engaging said pin; and

a separator integral with said body and extending towards the center of said loop from a position on said body between said ends for separating said loop into first and second sections;

wherein said first section is adapted to receive said fabric and said second section is adapted to receive said support; and

wherein said separator prevents contact between said fabric and said support.

2. The hook of claim 1 wherein said hook body is comprised of a resilient material.

3. The hook of claim 2 wherein said pin includes a head of an arrowhead shape.

4. The hook of claim 3 wherein said lock comprises a recess for receiving said head.

5. The hook of claim 4 wherein said pin includes a thumb support portion for assisting in engaging said head in said recess.

6. The hook of claim 5 wherein said separator comprises an arm which extends to said second end.

7. The hook of claim 1 wherein said separator comprises an arm which extends to said second end.

8. The hook of claim 7 wherein said hook further includes a flange depends from said arm towards said second end.

9. The hook of claim 8 wherein said hook body is comprised of a resilient material.

10. A hook for suspending a fabric roof covering from a support, said hook comprising a body generally in the form of a loop capable of being opened and closed, said body being comprised of a resilient material and having:

a first end comprising a pin for engaging a portion said fabric;

an opposing second end including a lock for engaging said pin;

a separator integral with said body and extending towards the center of said loop from a position on said body between said ends for separating said loop into a first, fabric receiving section and a second, support receiving section;

said separator comprising an arm which extends to said second end; and

said separator including a flange which depends from said arm towards said second end.

11. The hook of claim 10 wherein said pin includes a head of an arrowhead shape.

12. The hook of claim 11 wherein said lock comprises a recess for receiving said head.

13. The hook of claim 12 wherein said lock further comprises a notch for releasably retaining said head.

14. The hook of claim 13 wherein said pin includes a thumb support portion for assisting in engaging said head in said recess.