Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

Disclosed is a lock capable of being automatically bolted and released, and useful as a knot running along a loop made by a sling wound around a load to be dragged. The lock is made up of a keeper and of a bolt capable of fitting into it, the bolt having a radial lock face. A claw is mounted on the keeper. The claw is capable to move between a retracted position to allow insertion of the bolt in the keeper and an active position where it locks with the lock face, after the bolt has been inserted the keeper. In the active position, a spring device presses on the claw to draw the bolt fully in the keeper. The keeper is also provided with at least one pawl which is made to move between a retracted position, free of the bolt, and an active position where it stands in locking engagement upstream of the lock face. A damper device acts on each pawl for retarding radial movement thereof. According to a first embodiment, the lock is constructed so that each pawl moves in active position when the bolt is inserted into the keeper, and so that the movement of each pawl back to a retracted position is retarded when the sling to which the bolt is fastened, is abruptly pulled. According to a second embodiment, the lock is constructed so that each pawl moves in active position when the bolt is removed from the keeper and the movement of each pawl toward its active position is retarded sufficiently to cause locking engagement of the pawl with the lock face of the bolt only when the sling to which the bolt is fastened is gently pulled. Abrupt pulling in the first case, and gentle pulling in the second case, both cause each pawl to butt against the lock face of the bolt and thus to prevent removal of the bolt from the keeper so that the load may safely be dragged away, the noose around it being then safely tightened.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim