Remote release hook and use methods

1. A remote release hook unit for carrying and releasing a suspended load comprising:

a body;

a swivel for suspending the body;

a hook pivotally mounted to the body for articulation between first and second orientations;

an electric motor;

a battery for powering the electric motor;

a controller for receiving control signals and controlling the electric motor;

an actuator coupled to the electric motor to be driven by the electric motor;

a linkage coupling the actuator to the hook for driving the hook from the first orientation to the second orientation to release a suspended load from the hook;

a clasp drivable from a blocking condition to an unblocking condition by said linkage driving the hook from the first orientation to the second orientation; and

a shackle held by the body.

2. A method for using the hook unit of claim 1 , the method comprising:

driving the actuator by the electric motor so as to drive the hook via the linkage from the first orientation to the second orientation to release a suspended load from the hook.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein:

after the release, the load is still coupled to the shackle.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein:

the suspended load comprises waste in a bag; and

the method is used to dump the waste from the bag.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein:

the driving of the hook causes the shackle to push the load off the hook to release the load.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein:

the suspended load comprises waste in a bag; and

the method is used to dump the waste from the bag.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein:

the hook unit further comprises a clasp biased toward a first condition blocking the opening of the hook to prevent movement of a suspended load off the hook; and

the driving of the hook causes the clasp to retract from the first condition toward an interior of the hook to permit said movement of a suspended load off the hook.

8. The method of claim 2 wherein:

the suspended load comprises waste in a bag; and

the method is used to dump the waste from the bag.

9. The hook unit of claim 1 further comprising:

a shackle positioned to push the load off the hook to release the load as the hook is rotated from the first orientation to the second orientation.

10. A remote release hook unit for carrying and releasing a suspended load comprising:

a body;

a swivel for suspending the body;

a hook pivotally mounted to the body for articulation between first and second orientations;

an electric motor;

a battery for powering the electric motor;

a controller for receiving control signals and controlling the electric motor;

an actuator coupled to the electric motor to be driven by the electric motor, the actuator comprising an extensible and contractible member;

a linkage coupling the actuator to the hook for driving the hook from the first orientation to the second orientation to release a suspended load from the hook, the linkage including:

a first lever having:

a first pivot fixed relative to the body;

a second pivot coupled to the extensible and contractible member; and

a third pivot coupled to the hook; and

a shackle held by the body.

11. The hook unit of claim 10 wherein:

the linkage includes:

a link coupling the third pivot to the hook.

12. The hook unit of claim 11 wherein:

the link is coupled to the hook at a fourth pivot at a lever portion of the hook opposite from a J-end of the hook with the hook pivot intervening.

13. The hook unit of claim 11 wherein:

the link is coupled to the hook at a fourth pivot.

14. The hook unit of claim 10 further comprising a clasp:

biased toward a first condition blocking the opening of the hook to prevent movement of a suspended load off the hook; and

retractable from the first condition toward an interior of the hook to permit said movement of a suspended load off the hook.

15. The hook unit of claim 10 further comprising a clasp drivable from a blocking condition to an unblocking condition by said linkage driving the hook from the first orientation to the second orientation.

16. A method for using a remote release hook, the remote release hook unit for carrying and releasing a suspended load and comprising:

a body;

a hook pivotally mounted to the body for articulation between first and second orientations;

an electric motor;

a battery for powering the electric motor;

a controller for receiving control signals and controlling the electric motor;

an actuator coupled to the electric motor to be driven by the electric motor;

a linkage coupling the actuator to the hook for driving the hook from the first orientation to the second orientation to release a suspended load from the hook; and

a clasp biased toward a first condition blocking the opening of the hook to prevent movement of a suspended load off the hook,

the method comprising:

driving the actuator by the electric motor so as to drive the hook via the linkage from the first orientation to the second orientation to release a suspended load from the hook, the driving of the hook causing the clasp to retract from the first condition toward an interior of the hook to permit said movement of a suspended load off the hook.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein:

the suspended load comprises waste in a bag; and

the method is used to dump the waste from the bag.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein:

the driving of the hook causes a shackle to push the load off the hook to release the load.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein:

the driving of the hook causes a shackle to push the load off the hook to release the load.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein:

after the release, the load is still coupled to the shackle.