Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SHACKLE GUARD AND SPACER WITH TETHER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This
invention relates to shackles to which lifting straps may be secured for
hoisting materials.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] D-
rings are used on equipment and vehicles as a point to lift or connect straps.
The D-rings typically include a shackle with through holes on two arms. A
screw or bolt passes
through the holes and is secured in place, such as by a threaded connection in
one of the holes. A
lifting machine is fastened to the pin, such as by the pin passing through a
hole in a connector
fastened to the lifting machine. Straps then pass over the shackle and carry
materials to be lifted.
As machinery moves the D-ring, the pin may unscrew, allowing the D-ring to
detach and any
load to fall to the ground.
[0003] The
apparatus disclosed herein provides a device for improving the function
and appearance of D-rings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In
one aspect of the invention an apparatus includes a guard defining an inner
seat comprising an open channel shaped to receive a shackle and extend
partially around the
shackle. The guard further includes an outer seat positioned opposite the open
channel and
shaped to support a strap passing through the shackle. The apparatus further
includes a tether
fastened to the guard and defining a fastener for securing to a closure pin
passing through the
shackle.
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[0005] The
open channel may have an arcuate axis. In some embodiments, along the
arcuate axis, a wall of the open channel is arcuate in a plane to which the
arcuate axis is normal.
In some embodiments, outer edges of the wall include one or more indentations.
In some
embodiments, the tether secures to an outer edge of the wall. In some
embodiments, the tether is
co-molded with the guard. In some embodiments, the outer seat has an arcuate
shape that is
concentric with the arcuate axis.
[0006] In
some embodiments, the fastener comprises a hole formed in the tether and a
barb formed on the tether offset from the hole. In some embodiments, the
fastener comprises a
hole formed in the tether and offset from a distal end of the tether and a
barb at the distal end of
the tether for insertion within the hole.
[0007] In
use, the shackle is seated within the open channel and a closure pin is
inserted through the shackle having the fastener securing the tether to the
closure pin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008]
Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in
detail below with reference to the following drawings:
[0009]
FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a shackle guard with a tether in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0010]
FIGURE 2 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a shackle guard with
a tether in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
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[0011]
FIGURE 3 is a top view of another alternative embodiment of a shackle guard
with a tether in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0012]
FIGURE 4 illustrates a D-ring having the shackle guard and tether of
FIGURE 1 installed on the shackle and the tether engaging the pin in
accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0013]
FIGURE 5 is an isometric view of another alternative embodiment of a
shackle guard with a tether in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014]
FIGURE 6 illustrates a D-ring having the shackle guard and tether of
FIGURE S installed on the shackle and the tether engaging the pin in
accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0015]
FIGURE 7 is an isometric view of another alternative embodiment of a
shackle guard with a tether in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016]
FIGURE 8 illustrates a D-ring having the shackle guard and tether of
FIGURE 7 installed on the shackle and the tether engaging the pin in
accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0017]
FIGURE 9 illustrates a D-ring having a shackle guard with an alternative
embodiment of a tether and a fastener in accordance with an embodiment of the
present
invention;
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[0018]
FIGURE 10 illustrates a D-ring having a shackle guard within an alternative
embodiment of a tether and a fastener in accordance with an embodiment of the
present
invention;
[0019]
FIGURE 11 is an isometric view of spacers incorporating a tether in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0020]
FIGURE 12 is an isometric view of the spacers of FIGURE 11 mounted on a
D-ring in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021]
Referring to FIGURE 1, an apparatus 10 as described herein may be
understood with respect to a longitudinal direction 12a, a horizontal
direction 12b and a vertical
direction 12c that are all mutually perpendicular.
[0022] The
apparatus 10 includes a guard 14 and a tether 16 fastened to the guard 14.
A fastener 18 is mounted on the tether 16 for securing the tether 16 to the
pin of a D-ring. The
guard 14 defines channel 20 for receiving the shackle of a D-ring and an outer
seat 22 for
supporting a strap passing through the shackle.
[0023] As is
apparent in FIGURE 1, the axis 24 of the channel 20 defines an arcuate
path in a plane parallel to the longitudinal and vertical directions 12a, 12c
("a longitudinal-
vertical plane"). The path followed by the axis 24 and any variation in the
cross sectional shape
of the channel 20 along the axis 24 may conform to a shackle of a D-ring. For
example, in the
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illustrated embodiment, the channel 20 conforms to a toroidal shape. The axis
24 may therefore
be defined as the center of the circular cross sections of the toroidal shape.
[0024] The
channel 20 is open along its axis 24 in order to permit insertion of the
shackle. In each plane to which the axis 24 is normal, the channel 20 may have
an arcuate shape.
Where a portion of the shackle has a toroidal shape, the shape of the channel
20 in each plane
may be semicircular, e.g., an arc of N degrees. Where N is greater than 180
degrees, deformation
of the guard 14 may be required to place the guard 14 on a shackle and
therefore the guard 14
operates as a self-retaining clip. In the illustrated embodiment N is 200
degrees. In other
examples, N may be an angle between 180 and 220 degrees, preferably between
185 and 200
degrees.
[0025] The
outer seat 22 may likewise have an arcuate shape in a longitudinal-
vertical plane and may also have portion thereof that conforms to a toroidal
shape, particularly
where the channel 20 also conforms to a toroidal shape of a smaller diameter.
The rounded outer
seat 22 may facilitate use with straps without cutting or snagging on the
straps.
[0026] In
the illustrated embodiment, the guard 14 may include flattened walls 26
that do not conform to the toroidal shape as does the outer seat 22. In
particular, the walls 26
may be planar parallel to a longitudinal-vertical plane and offset from one
another along the
horizontal direction 12b. As is apparent, the lower edges of the walls 26 are
semicircular in a
longitudinal-vertical plane. In the illustrated embodiment, indentations 28
are formed in the walls
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26 and that protrude inwardly from the lower edges of the walls 26 in a
longitudinal-vertical
plane intersecting the walls 26.
[0027] In
the illustrated embodiment, the indentations 28 are non-uniformly
distributed and may serve a primarily decorative function, e.g., simulating a
look of a tire tread.
Likewise, the planar side walls 26 may also be a decorative feature rather
than having a
functional purpose.
[0028] In
the illustrated embodiment, the guard 14 includes ends 30a, 30b, which
may be planar and parallel to one another. The ends 30a, 30b may be coplanar
with one another.
For example, the axis 24 of the channel 20 may have an arcuate shape and may
have an arc
length of 180 degrees such that the end 30a, 30b are coplanar on a plane that
is perpendicular at
its points of intersection with the axis 24. The end 30a, 30b are primarily
decorative and may
therefore have any angle or shape. For example, the ends 30a, 30b may be
chamfered or be other
than parallel to one another.
[0029] In
the illustrated embodiment, the tether 16 secures to the guard 14 near one
of the ends 30a. For example, the tether 16 may have a circular cross section
that is tangent to the
planar end 30a. The cross section and point of securement of the tether 16 is
primarily
decorative. Accordingly, the cross section could be any other shape, such as
square, rectangular,
or the like. Likewise, the tether 16 may secure at various points along the
lower edge of either
wall 26 or at any other point on the guard 14.
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[0030] The
fastener 18 in the illustrated embodiment is selected for its appearance
when fastened and when unfastened. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener
includes a ring
32 and a barb 34 sized to insert within the ring 32. The ring 32 is secured
between a proximal
portion 36a and a distal portion 36b of the tether 16. The barb 34 is secured
at the distal end of
the distal portion. In this manner, distal portion 36b may be bent until the
barb 34 is inserted
through the ring 32. The barb 34 is deformable to insert through the ring 32
and thereafter resists
removal unless sufficient force is applied to deform one or both of the barb
34 and ring 32 and
force the barb 34 back through the ring 32. The ring 32 may be any shape
(square, octagonal,
etc.) and may include an opening of any shape as well that permits insertion
of the barb 34 and
resists removal.
[0031] Other
variations are also possible. For example, the ring 32 may be formed at
the distal end of the distal portion 36b whereas the barb 34 protrudes
outwardly from a point
between the proximal and distal portions 36a, 36b.
[0032] In
the illustrated embodiment, the tether 16 and guard 14 are co-molded of the
same material such as a resilient polymer. For example, polyurethane is used
for its strength,
durability, and resistance to UV light. For purposes of this application a
resilient polymer may be
understood to be a polymer with a Young's Modulus of between 1.1 and 50 Mpa.
[0033]
Referring to FIGURES 2 and 3, various other configurations of the tether 16
may be used for both utility and decorative function. In the embodiment of
FIGURE 2, the
tether 16 secures to both walls 26 and defines an opening 38 with the end 30a
in order to permit
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insertion of the shackle of a D-ring. The tether 16 of FIGURE 2 may
advantageously provide a
larger surface for being logos or other decorative elements and also for
resisting rotation of a pin
of a D-ring. In the illustrated embodiment, some or all of the proximal
portion 36a is flattened
and some of the proximal portion 36a, such as a distal portion thereof, may be
flattened or retain
a round cross section. The distal portion 36b may be flattened or may retain a
round cross section
as for the embodiment of FIGURE 1.
[0034] In
the embodiment of FIGURE 3, the tether 16 includes two tethers 16a, 16b
secured each secured to one of the walls 26, such as at the end 30a of the
guard 14. The tethers
16a, 16b may be of equal or unequal length and may enhance the visual appeal
of the apparatus
by being more symmetrical than the single tether embodiment. In the
illustrated embodiment,
the ring 32 secures to a distal end of one tether 16a and the barb 34 secures
to the distal end of
the other tether 16b.
[0035]
FIGURE 4 illustrates an example use of the apparatus 10 on the shackle 40 of
a D-ring. As shown the shackle includes a toroidal-shaped portion 40 that
seats within the
channel 20. The shackle 40 includes arms 42 including holes through which a
pin 44 inserts. One
of the holes is threaded (left side) such that the pin 44 may threadably
secure therein. A head 46
of the pin 44 cooperates with the threaded engagement to prevent removal of
the pin 44. The
head 46 may have two or more flattened surface to facilitate tightening, such
as a hexagonal
shape.
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[0036] The
tether 16 extends outwardly from the shackle and is bent until it passes
through a hole 48 in the head 46 of the pin 44. The barb 34 is then inserted
through the ring 32
such that a loop of the tether 16 passes through the hole 48. In other
embodiments, an end of the
pin opposite the head 46 protrudes outwardly from the shackle and includes the
hole 48 for
receiving the tether 16. Where the embodiment of FIGURE 3 is used, one tether
16a passes
through the hole 48 and secures to the other tether 16b.
[0037]
Securement of the tether 16 to the pin 44 reduces rotation of the pin 44 due
to
vibration and reduces the likelihood of accidental loosening of the pin 44.
Accordingly, in
addition to any decorative function of the tether 16 it may be sufficiently
rigid to resist rotation.
[0038] In
the configuration shown a strap may be passed over the outer seat 22 and
walls 26 of the guard 14 and secured to a load. The pin 44 may pass through a
connector 50
which is secured to lifting machinery. Vibration and twisting of the pin 44
that may unthread it
during lifting is resisted by the tether. The guard 14 and tether 16 are
typically formed of a
colorful (bright, red, blue, yellow, etc.) material thereby enhancing the
visual appeal of the
apparatus in combination with a D-ring.
[0039]
Referring to FIGURE 5, in another embodiment, the guard 14 as described
according to any of the foregoing embodiments may have a tether 16 embodied as
a flexible
rod 52 having a barb 54 secured to a distal end of the rod 52. The barb 54
includes a small end
56, a wide end 58, and a tapered shape between the small end 56 and the wide
end 58, such as a
triangular, conical, pyramidal, or other tapered shape. In the illustrated
embodiment, the barb 54
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is hollow or includes an aperture passing therethrough to increase
flexibility, though this may be
omitted in other embodiments. The distal end of the rod 52 secures to the wide
end 58. The rod
52 may be straight when un-deformed or may be curved when un-deformed as in
other
embodiments disclosed herein.
[0040]
Referring to FIGURE 6, in use, the barb 54 is forced through the opening 48
(see FIGURE 4) in the closure pin 44, which requires deformation of the wide
end 58 due to the
wide end 58 being too large to fit through the opening 48 without deforming.
As for other
embodiments, the barb 54 and rod 52 may be made a resilient polymer such as
polyurethane. The
barb 54 and rod 52 are therefore able to deform and flex to permit this
deformation. After the
barb 54 is inserted through the opening 48, the wide end 58 expands and
resists removal unless
sufficient force is applied to deform the wide end 58 and force it to pass
through the opening 48.
[0041] After
the barb 54 is inserted, the rod 52 resists rotation of the closure pin 44
that might be caused by cyclic loading, vibration, or other cause thereby
reducing likelihood of
accidental detachment. Note that in the illustrated embodiment, the rod 52
doubles back and
passes through the opening 48 similar to the embodiment of FIGURE 4. In other
embodiments or
manners of use, the rod 52 extends directly from its point of attachment to
the guard 14 and
passes through the opening 48 either with or without some bending (e.g., 0 to
90 degrees) due to
misalignment with the axis of the opening 48. The rod 52, barb 54, and guard
14 may be a single
monolithic member due to co-molding or other manufacturing approach. The barb
54 may secure
to the guard 14 by securing to a tether portion 36a as shown in FIGURE 2.
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[0042]
Referring to FIGURE 7, in another embodiment, a cup 60 defining a concave
interior cavity 62 secures to the distal end of the rod 52. In particular, the
cup 60 may face away
from a point of attachment of the rod 52. The cup 60 may define a central axis
of the cavity 62
that is parallel to the central axis of the rod 52 extending from the guard 14
to the cup 60 when
un-deformed. Alternatively, the central axis of the cavity 62 may be at an
angle (e.g., between 15
and 90 degrees) relative to the central axis of the rod 52.
[0043] The
cavity 62 may further include one or more protuberances 63 (e.g., a
cylindrical or hemispherical protuberance) that are sized and positioned to
extend into the
opening 48 when the cup 60 is positioned over the head 46 thereby further
resisting removal. For
example, the illustrated protuberance 63 may be used alone or with another
protuberance on the
opposite wall of the cavity 62. The protuberance 63 may have a radius
(hemispherical or
cylindrical) that is less than or equal to the radius of the opening 48. In
other embodiments, the
radius of the protuberance 63 is greater than the radius of the opening 48
such that deformation is
required to insert the protuberance into the opening 48.
[0044] As
shown in FIGURE 8, the cup 60 is sized to fit over at least a portion of the
head 46 of the pin 44. In particular, the cavity 62 may be sized smaller than
the head 46 of the
pin 44 such that insertion of the head 46 into the cavity 62 requires
deformation of the cup 60.
Accordingly, a restoring force exerted by the cup 60 resists removal of the
head 46 from the
cavity 62. As noted above, the head 46 may have flattened surfaces. The cavity
62 may have
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corresponding flat surfaces that engage these flattened surfaces of the head
46 thereby resisting
rotation of the head 46 within the cavity 46.
[0045] In
embodiments where one or more protuberances 63 are used, the cavity 62
may be sized equal to or larger than the portion of the head 46 over which it
passes and
engagement of the protuberances 63 with the opening 48 resists removal of the
cup 60. However,
deformation of the cup 60 and protuberances 63 may still be required to
install the cup 60 and
protuberances 63 over the head 46 of the pin 44.
[0046] When
engaged, the cup 60 and rod 52 resist rotation of the pin 44 due to
vibration, cyclic loading, or other causes. As for other embodiments, the cup
60 and rod 52 may
be made of a resilient polymer, such as polyurethane, that permits deformation
to engage the cup
60 over the head 46 of the pin 44 without tearing and while providing
sufficient elasticity to
retain the cup 60 on the head 46. As for other embodiments, the cup 60, rod 52
and guard 14 may
be co-molded or otherwise be one monolithic piece of material.
[0047]
FIGURE 9 shows an embodiment where the fastener 18 is embodied as a
hooked portion 64 at a distal end of the rod 52 that is sufficiently resilient
to elastically deform to
permit insertion within the opening 48 but sufficiently rigid to retain itself
within the opening 48
and resist rotation of the pin 44. The hooked portion 64 may be sufficiently
long that a portion 66
at the end of the hooked portion 64 extends outwardly through the opening 48
sufficient to resist
removal, such as between 0.5 and 0.75 inches. As for other embodiments, rod
52, hooked
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portion 64, and guard 14 may be co-molded or otherwise be one monolithic piece
of material,
such as polyurethane or other resilient polymer.
[0048]
FIGURE 10 shows an embodiment wherein only a straight rod 52 is used
without a hook or barb but the rod 52 has sufficient length and rigidity to
pass through the
opening 48 and resist rotation of the pin 44. For example, the rod 52 may be
of uniform cross
section or include a portion 68 between the rod 52 and the guard 14 that is
more flexible than
portions of the rod distal of the portion 68. In this manner the rod 70 may be
twisted in order to
permit insertion through the opening 48. The rod 52 may be of sufficient
length that the
portion 70 extending outwardly from the opening 48 will resist accidental
removal of the rod 52.
For example, the portion 70 may be between 0.5 and 1.5 inches in length. As
for other
embodiments, rod 52 and guard 14 may be co-molded or otherwise be one
monolithic piece of
material, such as polyurethane or other resilient polymer.
[0049] In
another approach, the rod 52 may be passed through the opening 48 prior to
placing the guard 14 on the shackle 40. The guard 14 may then be placed on the
shackle 40. In
such an approach, the flexibility of the rod 52 may be reduced and the more
flexible portion 68
may be omitted.
[0050] In
the embodiment of FIGURE 10, the rod 52 is preferably semi rigid. For
example, when supported horizontally at its ends, the rod 52 may deflect
vertically less than 10
percent of its length in response to a vertical load of between 0.5 and 2
pounds applied at mid
span.
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[0051] The illustrated embodiments are exemplary only. Various other
fastening
approaches are also contemplated to secure the tether 16 to the pin 46, such
as a snap fastener
secured to the tether 16 or any other type of removable fastening system.
[0052] Referring to FIGURES 11 and 12, a tether 16 and fastener 18
according to any
of the embodiments of 1 through 10 may be positioned to engage a closure pin
44 (e.g., the
head 46 of the closure pin 44) using the illustrated configuration. In
particular, the tether 16 is
shown secured to one of two spacers 80a, 80b through which the closure pin 44
may be inserted.
The spacers 80a, 80b and the parts thereof discussed below may be made of a
resilient polymer,
such may be any of the resilient polymers discussed above with respect to the
embodiments of
FIGURES 1 through 10. The spacer 80a, tether 16, and fastener 18 may be
comolded.
[0053] In the illustrated example, the tether 16 is shown as the
portions 36a, 36b,
ring 32, and barb 34 of FIGURE 1 which engage the pin 46 (e.g., an aperture 48
in the head 46
of the pin 44) in the same manner shown in FIGURE 4. The portion 36b is passed
through the
aperture 48 in the head 46. The barb 34 is then passed through the ring 32 in
order to secure the
spacer 80a to the head 46 thereby resisting rotation of the closure pin 44.
[0054] Note that the tether 16 and fastener 18 of FIGURES 1 through 4
are shown
secured to spacer 80a. The tether 16 and fastener 18 in the embodiment of
FIGURE 11 may have
any of the configurations described above for the tether 16 and tether 18 of
FIGURES 1
through 4. However, any of the approaches described above for resisting
rotation of a closure pin
44 may be used. For example, the tethers 16a, 16b and ring 32 and barb 34 of
FIGURE 3 may be
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secured to the spacer 80a. A tether 16 embodied as the tether 52 and barb (54,
56, 68) of
FIGURE 5 may be fastened to the spacer 80a and engage the pin 46 in the manner
shown in
FIGURE 6. The tether 16 having the cup 60 of FIGURE 7 may secure to the spacer
80a and
engage the head 46 of the pin 44 in the manner shown in FIGURE 8. The tether
16 secured to the
spacer 80a may also have the form of the tethers 16 shown in FIGURE 9 or
FIGURE 10.
[0055] Each
spacer 80a, 80b may be defined as one or more rings 82 made of an
elastomeric material, such as any of the resilient polymers used to construct
the embodiments of
FIGURES 1 through 10. The rings 82 may be completely separable thereby
enabling the number
of rings 82 in each spacer 80a, 80b to be customized. In such an embodiment,
one of the rings 82
of one of the spacers 80a, 80b may have the tether 16 secured to an outer
surface thereof, e.g. the
cylindrical outer surface of one of the rings 82.
[0056] Each
spacer 80a, 80b may define a central aperture 84. Where each spacer is
formed of separate rings 82, each ring 82 defines a part of the aperture 84.
The cylindrical outer
surfaces of the rings 82 may be concentric with the aperture 84, which may
also be cylindrical in
shape.
[0057]
Although rings 82 and apertures 84 are shown as cylindrical in the illustrated
embodiment, the outer perimeter of the rings 82 and apertures 84 may have any
desired shape,
such as square, octagonal, triangular, or the like.
[0058] In
some embodiments, each spacer 80a, 80b is a single monolithic member
such that the rings 82 are defined by circumferential grooves 86 extending
inwardly around the
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spacer 80a, 80b concentric with the aperture 84 and extending inwardly to a
radial depth 88 that
is less than a radial distance between the outer circumference of the rings 82
and the central
aperture 84.
[0059] Referring specifically to FIGURE 12, in use, the closure pin 44
may be
inserted through the arms 42 of a shackle 40 and the central apertures 84 of
the spacers 80a, 80b
such that the spacers 80a, 80b are positioned between the arms 42 of the
shackle 40. A joining
member 90 defines an aperture through which the closure pin 44 also passes.
The joining
member 90 may be positioned between the spacers 80a, 80b such that the spacers
80a, 80b help
maintain the joining member 90 at a central position on the closure pin 46 and
prevents direct
impacts of the joining member 90 on the arms 42 of the shackle 40. The spacers
80a, 80b may
also function to reduce rattling of the joining member 90 relative to the
closure pin 44. The
fastener 18 on the tether 16 may then be secured to the head 46 of the closure
pin 44, such as by
passing portion 36b through the aperture 48 and inserting the barb 34 through
the ring 32 as
shown.
[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, a guard 14 may be secured on the
shackle 40 in
the same manner as for other embodiments described above and used to support a
strap passing
through the shackle 40 as for other embodiments disclosed herein. The guard 14
in FIGURE 12
may have the same attributes as the guard 14 described above with respect to
FIGURES 1
through 10 except that no tether 16 is secured thereto. In other embodiments,
a fixed tether
secures the one or both spacers 80a, 80b to the guard 14.
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LOWE GRAHAM JONES-
5399-3 Patent application text.tiocx 701 Fifth Avenue,
Suite 4803
Seattle, Washington 98104
206.381.3300* F: 206.3813301
CA 3022580 2018-10-30
[0061] The
joining member 90 may be secured to a chain for hoisting items strapped
to the shackle 40. The joining member 90 may be fastened to a vehicle or other
structure. For
example, the joining member 90 may be a flange for towing the vehicle or for
securing items to
be towed.
[0062] While
the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and
described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from
what is claimed.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of
the preferred
embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference
to the claims that
follow.
- 17-
LOWE GRAHAM JONES-
5399-3 Patent application lext.docx 701
Fifth Avenue, Suite 4800
Seattle, Washington 98104
2063813300 = F: 2063813301
CA 3022580 2018-10-30
