IP Library Granted Patent US 12673850
Granted Patent B1
US 12673850 · App. 18/128,887 · Granted Jul 7, 2026

Smart hook with tumbler clasp mechanism

Inventors: Nikko S. Miniello (Virginia Beach, VA); Thaddeus J. Sadowski (Hampton, VA); Samuel H. Cecchetti (Norfolk, VA)
Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
B66C1/36B66C1/38
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12673850
App. No.
18/128,887
Granted
Jul 7, 2026
Kind
B1
Abstract

An exemplary inventive attachment device coaxially combines an inner near-cylinder and an outer near-cylinder so that the inner near-cylinder is rotationally adjustable with respect to the outer near-cylinder. The inner and outer near-cylinders are each approximately “C”-shaped so as to be provided with a longitudinal void. The inner near-cylinder has been rotated to an “open” position when the respective voids of the inner and outer near cylinders are approximately aligned so as to describe essentially the same void. The inner near-cylinder has been rotated to a “closed” position when the inner near cylinder's void is approximately opposite (e.g., approximately 180 degrees apart from) the outer near cylinder's void. While the inner near-cylinder is in the closed position, a spring device exerts a force upon a blocking member so as to move the blocking member at least partially inside the inner near cylinder's void, the blocking member thereby constituting an impediment that prohibits rotation of the inner near-cylinder.

Claims (11)

1 . An attachment apparatus comprising a generally cylindrical inner structure, a generally cylindrical outer structure, a spring device, and a blocking member, wherein:

said generally cylindrical inner structure and said generally cylindrical outer structure are coaxially combined;

said generally cylindrical inner structure is characterized by a “C”-shaped cross-section and a longitudinal opening extending at least a portion of the length of said generally cylindrical inner structure;

said generally cylindrical outer structure is characterized by a “C”-shaped cross-section and a longitudinal opening extending at least a portion of the length of said generally cylindrical outer structure;

said spring device and said blocking member are connected to each other;

said generally cylindrical inner structure is rotatable, relative to said generally cylindrical outer structure;

based on said rotatability, said generally cylindrical inner structure is capable of being set in an open position and a closed position;

according to said open position, said longitudinal opening of said generally cylindrical inner structure and said longitudinal opening of said generally cylindrical outer structure are aligned with each other;

according to said closed position, said longitudinal opening of said generally cylindrical inner structure is rotated so that said longitudinal opening of said generally cylindrical inner structure is situated approximately 180 degrees from where said longitudinal opening of said generally cylindrical inner structure is situated according to said open position;

during said closed position, said blocking member is caused by said spring device to move into said longitudinal opening of said generally cylindrical inner structure so as to at least substantially prevent rotation of said generally cylindrical inner structure by abutting said cylindrical inner structure.

2 . The attachment apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism for locking said generally cylindrical inner structure into a non-rotatable condition during said closed position.