Title: Hoist clip DESCRIPTION The invention relates to a hoist clip or suspension hook for attachment of a hoisting strap / hoisting sling onto an invalid hoist (hoisting device for lifting people in the healthcare sector). The hoist clip consists of several parts; these parts are each unique and may be mutually combined. The clip 1 is arranged for attachment of a hoisting strap to a hoisting device, for this purpose the hoisting device has a fastening element 27, which is provided with a suspension pawl 24. This pawl includes a pin or suspension stud 3 with a head or transverse member 4. The clip provides for a secure suspension. In Figure 1 with front view of the clip and cross sections I and II, the attachment element 27 is indicated as a hatched part.

The head or transverse member 4 of the suspension pawl 24 of the attachment element 27 upon the hoisting device 2 has a larger diameter than the pin or suspension stud 3 of the suspension pawl 24, and is part of the locking assembly. The confinement of the suspension pawl 24 of the attachment element 27 within the suspension opening 6 in the hoist clip 1 is provided by means of a closing or locking lip 8. This locking lip 8 is integral with, and constitutes one piece with, the clip body 22 of the hoist clip and operates resiliency. The product, the hoist clip 1, consists of a (flat) body / clip body 22, in which a profile / recess or slot 10 is provided, so that the clip consists of one piece, wherein the majority of the clip (the body 22) is the fixed part, and the centre part is a resilient portion, which forms the locking lip 8. The resilient portion has substantially the same shape as the slot 10, thereby creating a locking assembly. The bottom portion 9 of the locking lip 8 is fixedly connected to the clip body 22, and the movable top portion 7 of the resilient locking lip 8 closes the suspension opening 6 at its lower side. By means of the resilient portion of the locking lip 8, the suspension opening 6 is closed so that the suspension pawl 24 is enclosed and the clip 1 is locked. The resilient portion has a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the transverse member 4 of the suspension pawl 24. The small narrow open portion of the suspension opening 6 has a width, which is smaller than the diameter of the transverse member 4 of the suspension pawl 24 of the attachment element 27 upon the hoisting device 2, but is greater than the diameter of the pin or suspension stud 3 of the suspension pawl 24. The clip can be used in both directions. The big difference with the well know existing (competing) clips having a locking assembly, is the approach configuration of the locking assembly.

The existing products do not comprise a locking assembly, or comprise a sliding, clamping, hinging or pivoting/rotating locking arrangement, which is operable from one or two side edges (thin portion), thus perpendicular to the suspension pawl 24. The clip according to the invention locks and closes in the direction of insertion, i.e. in the direction of passing through on its flat side. Furthermore, it is also a unique feature that the large opening (the wide part of the suspension opening 6) is closed in the rest position by the moving / resilient portion. As a result, it is not possible anymore to position the clip on the edge (balancing the transverse member 4 of the suspension pawl 24 on the edge between the wide portion and the narrow portion of the suspension opening 6). Therefore, the idea relates to a clip with a continuously closed wide portion of the suspension opening 6 by means of the resilient portion. Preferably, the clip consists entirely of a tough resilient flexible material. This guarantees the tensile strength, because the clip must always be spring-loaded locked in its closed position.

Alternatively the clip may be provided from a transparent/translucent material, thereby enabling better view and monitoring of correct mounting of the clip.

On the drawing (cross section I), the different positions are shown of the resilient top portion 7 of the locking lip 8 in opened position a, c (possible to both sides) and in closed position b (in rest).

Detailed description of the reference numerals on the drawing :

5 opening for attachment of a hoisting strap / sling

6 opening for the suspension stud 3 of the suspension pawl 24

10 slot / recess

20 opening for attachment of a hoisting strap / sling

22 clip body - body

23 resilient flap / closing element or locking lip 8

position a : open

position b: closed

position c: open

24 suspension pawl 25 resilient portion

27 attachment element

I cross-section I - I

II cross-section II - II

Finally, it is noted that patent GB2302561 (Figures 1 to 3 with associated reference numerals) discloses a hoist clip 11 substantially different from the clip according to the present invention, inter alia by the fact that in GB2302561 a resilient locking pawl 18 is used on the holder 10 of the hoisting device; which pawl protrudes beyond the plane of the plate-like member 13 to lock the leading edge of the cooperating clip 11 against backward sliding, after its keyhole shaped opening 17 is slid over the stem 15 with the round head 16 provided on the plate-like part 13.

In the configuration according to the invention, the locking lip has no protruding pawls or the like. Due to the simplicity of such flat configuration of the hoist clip according to the invention, its loadability and mechanical reliability, in particular when obtained as a plastic injection moulding part, is large because the simple shape results in little or merely low internal material stresses, which stresses eventually may turn into a source for hair cracks etc. Furthermore, this hoist clip can be produced easily from sheet material, wherein the openings and slots are provided by means of milling or cutting, so that this product has no material stress anymore. Additionally, the hoist clip according to the invention is characterized in that it is symmetrical and that the movable top portion 7 of the resilient locking lip 8 is resiliently movable both forwards and backwards. As a result, when attaching the hoist clip to the hoisting device, it is not essential what the front side is and what the back side is of the hoist clip. This is an advantage, in practice when attaching the hoist clip, if accidently the hoisting strap is inside out coupled to the hoisting device.